RAIN OR SHINE, BALWIERCZAK & YAMPAGLIA PRESS ON TO KEEP NA SMALL, SAFE & SUBURBAN!
Day starts at Post Office with a representative from Andy Kim’s US Senate run, ends with Celebrate NA Day.
Council candidates cautiously optimistic as campaign is in full swing. Republican overdevelopment of Ridge Road remains #1 Issue!
NORTH ARLINGTON – Raine or shine, Democratic council challengers John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia hit the campaign trail Saturday morning as they tabled at the North Arlington Post Office at Ridge Park Drive meeting and greeting 50 or so residents along with a representative of US Congressman Andy Kim, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate. 
Kim, an official in the administration of former President Barack Obama, is seeking to extend a Democratic winning streak of sorts where no Democrat has lost a statewide race for a seat in the US Senate since 1972, when GOP incumbent Clifford Case defeated US Congressman Paul Krebs in the Richard Nixon presidential landslide against South Dakota Senator George McGovern.
The locals pulled out their tent on this off and on, rainy Saturday to greet voters, but opted to just walk and speak to those in attendance at the Celebrate NA event behind Borough Hall.
Candidate Balwierczak is seen here speaking with a member of the Knights of Columbus who had a table at this all day event.
“It was disappointing the weather wasn’t cooperative, but we got the opportunity to meet many people at both locations,” offered the first-time candidate.
Many voters already indicated they have voted and told the Democrats they have their support.
“It has become very much a single issue campaign. If you oppose the massive overdevelopment taking place on Ridge Road, odd’s are you are supporting us. If you think this urbanization of North Arlington into an extension of Hudson County or Belleville is just fine, or you support this year’s property tax hike, you are probably supporting the incumbents,” offered both Balwierczak and Yampaglia.
“Scolding residents for refusing to attend council meetings and trying to justify rampant overdevelopment is hurting our opponents, especially when one of them refuses to campaign. Councilman Brian Fitzhenry did not attend that council meeting and was absent again today. He is becoming an “no-show” in his own quest for reelection and it seems there is dis-unity within their ranks. On the other side we have complete unity. Former Mayors Ed Martone & Pete Massa support our efforts along with every former Democratic council member including Mark Yampaglia, Pat Roche, Al Granell and Tom Zammatore. We have walked for a year and people are now recognizing us as well as our message of keeping North Arlington small, safe and suburban,” observed first-time candidate Balwierczak,
The contrast in tickets couldn’t be more obvious offered both Balwierczak and Yampaglia. 
“They support rampant overdevelopment and the hundreds of apartments constructed with hundreds more on the way, we do not. They support this year’s property tax hike that could have been avoided. We do not. They voted to give themselves four consecutive pay hikes for attending a single meeting a month. We will oppose all future pay raises for part-time politicians. We want to end the traffic congestion on Ridge Road and the parking crisis created by this overdevelopment. They do not. They want to extend this overdevelopment policy to Schuyler Avenue, the Belleville Turnpike and River Road. We oppose it. We need responsible two-party government working for residents, first and foremost, they want to eliminate competitive elections and destroy our grass roots local democracy. They believe EnCap style overdevelopment that raises property taxes is a good thing and we don’t. They refuse to comment on the fate of MELRAYS or the closing of Boston Market as incumbents for more apartments. We demand honesty and transparency and Fitzhenry and Sheedy do not.”. 
Meet the Democrats every Saturday between now and the election at the North Arlington Post Office beginning at 9am located at Ridge Park Drive.
Register to vote or take their community survey.
Need a sign to support the ticket?
Call the campaign at (201) 655-8497.