DEMOCRATS
SPANOLA, MASSA AND TANELLI COAST TO 12-DISTRICT SWEEP!
TANELLI
LEADS TICKET WITH 3,348 VOTES, DEFEATS PIMPINELLI
BY 755 VOTES!
MASSA
GARNERS 3,282, SPANOLA 3,065, FITZHENRY 2,527 AND
GILLIS 2,346!
McDERMOTT
TRAILS WITH 854 VOTES!
Districts
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Total
Candidates
Three-Year
Term:
Fitzhenry
(R)
114
171
258
302
329
240
368
207
75
77
269
189
2527
Gillis
(R)
109
170
185
252
298
231
335
200
66
70
266
164
2346
Spanola
(D)
186
279
216
299
358
347
419
257
118
111
276
201
3065
Massa
(D)
197
297
234
359
387
367
448
273
128
121
291
202
3282
McDermott
(I)
50
64
66
140
116
64
116
47
41
25
70
55
854
Candidates
Unexpired
Term:
Pimpinelli
(R)
120
179
200
292
346
258
374
208
76
79
277
185
2593
Tanelli
(D)
205
300
245
342
395
364
455
277
134
118
302
213
3348
SPANOLA
MASSA
TANELLI
NORTH
ARLINGTON - Political realignment took place
tonight as Democrats will occupy all seven seats
of local government for the first time since the 1950's
in an overwhelming victory that was clearly a referendum
on Russ Pitman's tenure as mayor.
Democrats
carried each of the borough's twelve districts
with huge margins of victory in the seventh and second
districts. Candidates Massa and Spanola both reside
in the seventh and the second is the home of Mayor
Russ Pitman.
Running
as the "Homeowner's Choice," Democrats ran just
as large in the ninth and tenth districts which
are heavily populated with tenants.
In
a race that was nasty and bitter, Democrats overcame
a negative campaign engineered by ex-Mayor Leonard
Kaiser who directed the GOP election day effort from
his Canterbury Avenue home.
According
to sources, Kaiser was confidently boasting that Republicans
would carry at least two of the three seats.
It
wasn't to be.
"This
election is a mandate for stabilized taxes, fiscal
accountability and no low income housing. More importantly,
this election is a referendum of support for Mayor Russ
Pitman. It was the Mayor's leadership, honesty and courage
that allowed our party to win tonight in such convincing
fashion," shouted Democratic Chairman Nicholas Antonicello
to the hundred or so supporters who packed his
406 Riverview residence.
"The
people of North Arlington have spoken loud and clear.
They rejected the politics of hate and division.
They want solutions and answers. They demand a local
government that is frugal, accountable and answers to
homeowners. For tonight we turn the page to a better
day of governance. This party has a place for anyone
who wants to make North Arlington a better place. For
those who want to join me in that effort, you have a
place at the table," said Pitman to the roar of applause.
Steve
Tanelli the borough's Recreation Director was the high
vote getter with 3,135 votes.
A newcomer to politics, Tanelli walked all twelve
of the borough's districts in a massive door to door
campaign.
"The
hard work paid off. I'm very happy. I want to thank
my wife, children and family for all the support they
gave me in this campaign. It was a thrilling experience
to go door to door and engage the public. I want to
thank Mayor Pitman and the Democratic Party for this
opportunity to serve," said Tanelli.
Candidates
Peter Massa and Phil Spanola were equally gracious in
victory.
"The
campaign is over and we have a job to do. I look forward
to serving the community and making good on the promises
we've made. This is a great community. The campaign
is over. I want to congratulate the Republican ticket
for a spirited campaign. I hope we can now come together
as North Arlington residents and do what's best for
homeowners," said Massa.
"I'm
very humbled. To serve the community as a councilman
is a responsibility I take very seriously. The people
have spoken loud and clear in two consecutive elections.
They support this Mayor and want us to support him in
his efforts to put this community back on the right
track," observed Spanola.
Tanelli
will be sworn in immediately as he will fill the remainder
of the Ward vacancy. With Tanelli, Democrats will
expand their majority to 4-1. On January 1st, Democrats
will control all six seats as well as the office of
mayor.
Democrats
were not only ecstatic about the victory, but many
in the room began to write the political obituary of
former Mayor Leonard R. Kaiser.
"The
King is dead. The King is dead," exclaimed one happy
Democrat.
"As
long as Len Kaiser and his wife are calling the shots
in the Republican Party, he makes my job very easy.
They have played a behind the scenes role in the
GOP
for
the last twenty-four months and all his attempts to
undermine this mayor have backfired. His presence is
divisive and counterproductive to bipartisan government.
He is the reason we had the kind of political environment
that has been so nasty and bitter. His role at the county
and state level are a roadblock to responsible government
and basic political courtesy. This election certifies
a no-confidence vote to his presence on the political
scene," observed Antonicello.
Other
Democrats were more blunt about Kaiser.
"This
guy needs to go. He has no business serving on the
NJMC or the BCUA. This guy has been attacking Russ
Pitman for two years. He bad mouths the mayor all the
time. He goes out of his way to attack the Antonicello
family. It's time to call for his resignation. He needs
to be shown the door," said one Democrat to the roar
of the crowd.
The
surprise of the evening was the unusual strong showing
of Independent candidate George McDermott.
"I
always liked George. I hope we can come together and
do what's best for North Arlington. The election is
over. We need to what's best for taxpayers," said
Mayor Pitman.
"TAKE OUT THE BROOMS!"
