NORTH ARLINGTON DEMOCRATS BALWIERCZAK & SEVER FOCUS ON THE ISSUES IMPORTANT TO TAXPAYERS!
SEEK TO END RANDOM, UNNECESSARY ROLLING TAX ASSESSMENTS, RESTORE SENSIBLE TWO-PARTY GOVERNMENT!
NORTH ARLINGTON – Just 10 days before the all-important June Primary local Democrats hosted a very successful fundraiser for council candidates John Balwierczak and Cengiz “Jim” Sever in their quest to unseat embedded incumbent Kirk Del Russo (R), a local real estate agent and state employee that has voted “yes” over and over again for random tax assessments and the massive overdevelopment of Ridge Road which raised taxes last year and again this year.
Del Russo, a former redevelopment commissioner who enthusiastically supported the failed housing scheme known as Arlington Valley or EnCap, has endorsed more affordable housing and low-income construction in North Arlington by signing off on the massive housing debacle that collapsed under its own financial weight that would have destroyed Porete Avenue, stopped Federal Express from relocating to North Arlington had those 1,600 units been constructed.
Such a massive transformation of North Arlington would have ultimately resorted in the construction of a least one additional elementary school, a firehouse and in all probability infrastructure expenditures that would have been in the tens of millions of dollars, spiking the population of NA, but in the end was stopped by local Democrats such as former Mayor Pete Massa from occurring.
Balwierczak, a former Republican making his second consecutive run for public office said Del Russo’s strong support for rolling tax assessments is out of step with the majority of NA property owners and tenants.
“Mayor Dan Pronti has proclaimed rolling tax assessments are here to stay as long as he is in charge. But he doesn’t have a vote. He dictates that to Del Russo who gladly votes yes without putting up a fight. To end rolling tax assessments, we need new council members. Not rubber stamps like Kirk Del Russo. I will pledge my support to end these unnecessary tax hikes mandated by Pronti and Del Russo,” offered Balwierczak, a life-long resident and graduate of NAHS. 
“We need a discussion, not a monopoly. This council votes 100% of the time together without ever a discussion of the issues people want to talk about. Be it the massive overdevelopment of Ridge Road, the increased traffic and congestion, the lack of services for our kids and seniors, the overall urbanization of a traditional suburban community that does not care to listen to residents. It needs to end,” said the candidate.
Sever, a father, husband, homeowner and trade union member believe there is a better way for North Arlington.
“Listening to the residents is important. Ending rolling reassessments is critical to stabilizing property taxes. John and I have an ambitious plan to keep North Arlington on the right track. We support a recreation center and the restoration of our senior center, Del Russo thinks otherwise. We believe a seasonal farmer’s market makes sense as well as pocket parks for dog walking and a vision for the Passaic waterfront. This is all takes planning and vision. The borough is sitting on millions in surplus and still raising taxes. We would like to know why taxes are being raised when the borough is apparently flush with cash? The time for responsible two-party representation is now,” observed the candidate.
Also in attendance was Bergen County Democratic Committee Chair Paul Juliano, who has committed financial support to the locals to bring Democrats back to the governing body.
Juliano urged the locals to support Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) for governor in the upcoming primary. 
Gottheimer would be the first Bergen County resident to become governor in the modern era.
Both Balwierczak and Sever thanked those in attendance and pledged to run a civil, but aggressive door to door contest that will result in a win for Democrats for the first time since 2016, some nine years ago.
Republicans control all seven seats of the Mayor & Council, and no Democrat has served since 2019.
“We are prepared to listen and govern,” offered both Balwierczak and Sever.