Council Campaign 2008:
Tanelli, Yampaglia challenge Bocchino & Herrmann to
a debate.
Democrats send certified letter to candidate Bocchino,
Republicans remain mum!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - Sources told NAToday.net that Democratic Councilman Albert Granell has sent a letter via
registered mail to Republican council candidate James Bocchino that a debate be
organized with the help of the local press.
In
his capacity as campaign manager for Council President Steve Tanelli and former
Councilman Mark Yampaglia, a letter was sent to Bocchino about three weeks ago
to his Stratford place residence.
To date, no response has been received by the
Democrats.
"This
ticket wants a debate. Jimmy saw us campaigning at the post office and said
that we would hear a response from his campaign. To date, we haven't received
anything or if they're interested in even entertaining the idea of a debate
between the four candidates," said the first-term Democrat.
Local
Democrats want a debate.
"We believe candidates have a
responsibility to face the public in a side-by-side forum to address the
issues in a fair and bipartisan way. I don't want to debate about debates. I
want to debate Jim Bocchino and Jim Herrmann," offered Council President
Steve Tanelli.
Local
Democrats are hopeful the local press will participate.
"I've
spoken to The Leader Newspapers and they seem interested in participating. I'm open to having all the local press
participate as well as moderate the event. What we seek is a public event that
educates the voters while comparing and contrasting the positions of each
ticket," said Granell.
Democrats
noted that before anything can be planned, the
Republicans must accept the basic challenge of a debate.
"I'm
hopeful they accept this challenge. It's important the voters have an
opportunity to see us all in a forum that's dignified and controlled. I think
we all want what's best for North Arlington. We just have different ideas on
how to reach that objective," said former Councilman Mark Yampaglia, a
practicing attorney.
Democrats
believe a debate will define and contrast the differences between the two
tickets.
"We oppose EnCap. We support a federal
inquiry. We oppose low income housing and COAH. We oppose the usage of eminent
domain seizure. We delivered the only "zero" tax increase budget in
the South Bergen region. We have a record of accomplishment and we intend to
run a positive campaign based on that record," offered Tanelli, who
elected and re-elected by landslide proportions in 2004 and 2005.
