WORKHORSES OR SHOWHORSES?
That’s the choice in the race for two council seats this year in North Arlington!
NORTH ARLINGTON – There seems to be plenty of speculation by local Republican officials and “armchair” quarterbacks as to the seriousness of the effort being made by Democrats to restore responsible two-party government to taxpayers, homeowners and tenants alike. In any campaign, there are two types of candidates – the workhorses and the show ponies. Workhorses are the backbone of any organization, they are reliable, efficient, and hardworking. On the other hand, show ponies are the flashy, attention-grabbing politicians who often prioritize appearance over productivity. They are the ribbon-cutters, the one’s more concerned about a photo than actual progress for North Arlington. They are about getting the credit and leave the hard work for others.
For wild accusations that Democrats John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia are seeking to fire employees are just that, wild accusations and an age-old GOP ploy and a dog that won’t hunt in this campaign or any other previous efforts! Allegations of refusing to engage in a public forum or debate are again just silly and foolish declarations that are false, fake and phony. But instead of debating about debates, why are the apologists for Brian Fitzhenry and Allison Sheedy not touting or talking about their record? 
Why are they obsessed with attacking Democrats who have been working hard, gathering signatures and offering residents an alternative message and vision for North Arlington in a constructive and concise fashion? For isn’t that what elections are all about Choices? It seems the Republicans and specifically Mr. Fitzhenry and Mrs. Sheedy have gotten comfortable in not facing the public or the obligation of having to face the voters and the electorate in a serious and thoughtful campaign.
While Balwierczak and Yampaglia have been pounding the pavement and meeting the public, just what have Fitzhenry and Sheedy done? For where is that phantom record of achievement? NA voters would like to know, and so would we.
Are they proud of gentrification, urbanization, and the traffic and density they have imposed on residents by the unbridled construction of multiple apartment dwellings that place a stress on services? Will they defend their votes for pay raises for themselves and the overspending and indebtedness incurred upon taxpayers?
Will they explain the spike in car break-in’s and robberies we have experienced in recent weeks and months? Or will they rationalize why having a governing body completely dominated by a single political party for more than a decade is somehow a good thing for North Arlington?
Is this “tale of two cities” being created by the GOP anything but a rabid Republican willing to endorse? The Democrats are taking their case to the streets, to the doorsteps and front doors of hundreds of new residents that have never met the incumbents and have no idea what they have accomplished after over a decade in office!For in this race, we have a contest of workhorses versus the show ponies! For the heavy lifting in this campaign thus far has been by the Democrats, quietly and effectively building a foundation of success while surrogates and handlers of the incumbents just spout mindless political rhetoric only believed by their most ardent of followers.
And while there at it, maybe incumbents Fitzhenry and Sheedy can explain their support for an ex-President that enthusiastically endorsed EnCap, the failed housing scheme that tried to ram some 1600 units of “affordable” apartments in our Meadowlands parcels! For what kind of place would North Arlington be if Donald J Trump had his way with the support of the likes of Brian Fitzhenry?
Democrats Balwierczak and Yampaglia are making a case for change directly to the North Arlington voter and they look forward to comparing and contrasting their views with the incumbents. But these endless personal attacks have no place in a serious discussion of the issues North Arlington really wants to talk about. For if you seek “workhorses” and not “show ponies,” your choice will be easy to make come the fall campaign. Let’s put North Arlington first and the petty personal attacks of these fans of the incumbents last.