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NORTH ARLINGTON DEMOCRATS FILE 303 SIGNATURES IN BID TO TOPPLE GOP INCUMBENTS IN RACE FOR BOROUGH COUNCIL

Balwierczak & Yampaglia outnumber GOP signatures by a 6-1 margin!

NORTH ARLINGTON – After months of hard work dating back to last September, borough council candidates John Balwierczak and John Yampaglia filed 303 petitions for ballot access in the June Democratic Primary and have secured the support of both the local and county Democratic organizations headed by Nick Antonicello and Paul Juliano respectively.

The signatures were filed Friday, March 22nd with the North Arlington Municipal Clerk by the candidates.

The required number of signatures for council is 50, but these life-long residents wanted to make a statement that their candidacies have broad based support throughout the community and are committed to an intensive, door-to-door campaign.

According to the Clerk’s Office, incumbents Brian Fitzhenry (R) and Allison Sheedy (R) filed a mere 55, just five more than the required number.

“We’re running a positive, grass roots campaign that is inclusive to the proposition that North Arlington values overcome this urbanization and gentrification of the borough. We believe North Arlington is a bedroom community and we will defend the notion of being the gateway of Bergen County. We plan to keep this community small safe and suburban. These are not words, but principles a vast majority of residents espouse and support,” offered both Balwierczak and Yampaglia.

“We would like to thank the hundreds of supporters this campaign now has and we plan to defend the will of residents who want North Arlington first and politics last,” said the challengers.

“The Republican Party is a political monopoly that I witnessed up close. It is a monologue, not a dialogue with residents. They have little tolerance for having a healthy mix of Democrats and Republicans working in a bipartisan fashion and a civil cooperation that places public policy over partisan concerns,” offered Balwierczak, a former Republican.

“Since the Republicans in this race don’t ever mention what they have done, is it possible they have a record that is not worth discussing? After a decade of holding office and controlling every council seat and the complete operation of the government, why do they spend more time discussing our candidacies as if a spirited discussion of the state of North Arlington is somehow counterproductive? Brian and Allison have made hundreds of questionable council votes and that record will be a topic of discussion whether they like it or not,” offered Balwierczak.

Democrats pointed out that Republicans enjoy a 7-0 majority and no Democrat has served on the Mayor & Council since January of 2020.

Democrats indicated they will propose a complete 10-point plan to get North Arlington back on the right track.

Balwierczak and Yampaglia said their plan will be structured, disciplined and detailed when it comes to issues of economic development, municipal services and partnering with our public schools.

“Our approach will be grass roots, inviting stakeholders to the table for their guidance and input. We disagree with policy made in a bubble or with little public input. We refuse to be controlled by special interests that are driving this explosion of apartment dwellings most do not support. This will be a fact-based assessment of the current conditions here in North Arlington and how we can make things better.”

The campaign will be hosting a fundraiser before the June Primary and those interested in volunteering and joining the campaign are urged to call (201) 655-8497.