An
NA Today Exclusive:
Candidate
Corzine goes door to door with local Democrats.
McDermott
& Porcile crash Democratic house party!
Mayor
Pitman, Council President Ferriero get warm welcome
from homeowners.
NORTH
ARLINGTON - United States Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ),
the Democratic nominee for governor hustled
door-to-door Tuesday evening in North Arlington while
wrapping up a night of campaigning at a house
party on Hedden Terrace.
With
an entourage of a rock star, US Senator Jon Corzine
pounded the pavement in North Arlington looking for
votes in a town dominated by seniors and "Reagan Democrats."
Joined by Mayor Russ Pitman, Council President James
Ferriero, Assemblyman Fred Scalera (D-36) and a
throng of other local and state Democratic figures,
Jon Corzine walked a good portion of the homeowner dominated,
Seventh election district.
The
district is home to three of the borough's Democratic
council members and the party's municipal chairman.
It is a must-win district for anyone who expects to persuade
the hearts and minds of the tax sensitive, North Arlington
electorate.
"It
was a good night of campaigning. The Senator was well
received and the issue of property taxes is very important
here in North Arlington," commented James Ferriero,
the borough's senior member and council president.
Ferriero,
who is 83-years old is seeking a second three-year term
in the fall with incumbents Steve Tanelli and Mark Yampaglia.
They are being challenged by an Independent ticket comprised
of two perennial candidates and a first-time office
seeker.
Corzine,
who was elected to the US Senate in 2000 is seeking
statewide office for a second time. Ferriero was impressed
by the candidate's demeanor and credentials.
"Senator
Corzine is down to earth and genuine. He's very
likeable and the voters seem to connect with him. I
thought he did a good job of explaining his stance
on the rebates as well as healthcare. Overall, the
reception for all of us was a good one," said Ferriero.
Corzine,
who is low key in style but very friendly one on one
was impressed by the popularity of the Council
President door to door.
"Everybody
knows you," laughed Corzine as one person after
another identified the council president when the Democrats
knocked on the door.
Those
in attendance were impressed by the popularity of Mayor
Russ Pitman, the first-term fiscal conservative
who shocked the political establishment by defeating
five-term incumbent Republican Leonard R. Kaiser in
2002.
"Russ
has a strong following in these homeowner districts.
They know he stabilized property taxes and isn't afraid
to stand tall to developers. Pitman has shown independence
and leadership and it is translating to long-term public
support," said one Democrat who observed the door to
door activity.
"This
is a must-win town in a must-win county for Jon Corzine.
Democrats have never carried the 36th legislative
district without North Arlington. The selection
of the seventh district was clearly be design. The fact
that Democrats have an extremely popular mayor and all-Democratic
council in this right-of-center community is a tribute
to the hard work of local Democrats who stayed the course
when no one would give them the right time of day,"
observed one longtime Democratic operative who asked
not be identified.
"Nick
Antonicello and his wife have worked hard for Democrats
for many years. He is responsible for the success of
this party. Nick recruited me to run and he continues
to work hard for the party here in North Arlington,"
observed Councilman Peter C. Massa, a retired NAPD sergeant
and former school board president.
The
campaigning began at the home of Antonicello, who
helped coordinate the event with Corzine staffers. The
door to door effort weaved its way along Riverview Avenue,
Boston Avenue, Sixth Street and Bergen Avenue before
ending up at Hedden Terrace for a brief reception and
light refreshments.
Councilman
Pete Massa along with Councilmen Pat Roche and Phil
Spanola joined the campaigning along with Democratic
Club President Ken Ludviksen, former Lyndhurst school
trustee Michael Guarino, and former District 36
leader Rocco Mazza, a 1999 candidate for the General
Assembly and longtime supporter of NA Democrats.
At
the reception, local Democrats were shocked to see that
Independent hopefuls George McDermott and Joe Porcile
were in attendance.
"It's
unfortunate that they would attend a Democratic party
function when they don't support the Democratic Party.
There attendance was bizarre and quite frankly, just
silly," said Democratic Club President Ken Ludviksen.
"What
are they trying to accomplish by attending this event?
Do these candidates think the Democratic nominee for
governor is going to support fringe candidates?
They seem obsessed at seeking confrontation when the
reality is they will get crushed come the fall
contest," observed the longtime Democrat.
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