Endorsement:
Ferriero,
Tanelli & Yampaglia.
Borough
needs experienced and qualified members to serve on
the council to tackle the issues of development, property
taxes and an overall vision for North Arlington.
The
election for three seats on the North Arlington Borough
Council has been relatively quiet given what's at stake
for homeowners & taxpayers.
After
twenty-two years of uninterrupted control of local government
by the Republican Party, Democrats gained a foothold
in 2002 with the election of Mayor Russ Pitman and Councilman
Jim Ferriero. That 5-1 minority became a 3-3 council
in 2003 with the election of Carey Rosenblatt Shaftan
and Patrick Roche. The sweep was complete in 2004 with
Democrats Tanelli, Massa & Spanola giving Democrats total
council domination for the first time since the 1950's.
The
two-decade control of local government by the Kaiser
political machine has had a debilitating effect
on the borough's finances.
Municipal
overdrafts, overspending and the squandering of temporary
host fee revenues have left North Arlington's finances
in dire straits. The net effect of this mismanagement
led to a new borough administrator as well as a CFO.
Those who managed the community for so long had left
it in a state of chaos.
Democrats
moved quickly upon gaining control of the government
in 2004 by hiring Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan to bring
the expenditure side of the ledger to order. Tough
decisions were made including the downsizing and outsourcing
of many municipal positions & personnel. The
sale of the borough's struggling water utility gave
the Pitman Administration the ability to deliver on
the first no-tax increase budget in eight years.
While
Democrats initially concentrated on getting the
borough's finances back in order, the long-term question
of redevelopment in the Meadowlands has become a
central issue in terms of North Arlington's future.
Democrats opposed vertical housing and any notion of
low income housing offered by the politically connected,
EnCap Developers.
Pitman
and the Democrats were hailed by most homeowners for
defending those here in the community from overdevelopment
and low income housing. They were rewarded with
another landslide victory at the polls.
Since
that victory, Democrats seemed to have lost their
way.
Several
key appointments made by the new majority rewarded those
with too many connections to the Republican past.
Instead
of conducting formal searches and recruiting the best
and the brightest. They settled for the status quo.
That
was a mistake.
Democrats
were also wrong to hire an out-of-Towner with no
real experience to serve as Deputy Municipal Clerk.
The borough has many qualified individuals who could
have filled this important post. If given the chance
and opportunity, a North Arlington resident who actually
votes in the borough would handle these tasks.
Democrats
would be wise to replace this person as soon as possible.
The time to hire a North Arlington resident was yesterday.
Nevertheless,
Democrats have made some important decisions as it applies
to the borough's debt. This year's budget is $200,000
smaller than the year before and the borough's staggering
municipal debt is finally being paid down. It's
important for this local government to recognize the
mandate of taxpayers to keep a lid on spending.
That
is why voters finally gave Democrats the opportunity
to govern in the first place.
This
year's $445,000 charge back is just another inherited
failure of the past.
Democrats
did the right thing by bringing this debt to the attention
of state officials. State officials hardly returned
the favor by forcing local officials to pay the full
amount of this debt in this budget. Mayor Pitman
and his auditing staff are to be commended for finally
ensuring the borough's finances are truly balancing
out.
It's
also important to note that the borough's legislative
representation in Trenton did nothing to help the
borough in this crisis. Not only did they not help,
they have reduced North Arlington's state aid $170,000
over the last two budgets. While Dumont received extraordinary
aid from Trenton, North Arlington got lip service!
But
the issue that has taken the main stage is redevelopment.
Democrats
should be credited with eliminating the size of
the original proposal as well as the low income component.
But
the density of this project should be a red flag to
any responsible local official. At the end of the day,
EnCap is a housing project that has little public
support. Questions as to traffic impact, school
population and effect on municipal services still remain
a mystery.
The
winners of this election must ensure that the local
homeowner is protected in this due diligence process.
The
borough's ability to extract $17 million dollars from
the developer is impressive. But does it cover all
the costs seen and unseen?
What
is the total impact of some 4,000 new residents here
in North Arlington?
An
important question that deserves public scrutiny.
The
choices in Tuesday's election are Democratic incumbents
James Ferriero, Steve Tanelli and attorney Mark Yampaglia.
The Republicans, devastated by a record of complete
fiscal failure have opted to run no candidates for the
first time. That's a bad sign for honest and open
government. We urge the local Republicans to reorganize
under fresh faces with new ideas. Competition is
at the heart of responsible government.
Instead,
Democrats are facing two former candidates trying again
and another Independent running alone.
Joseph
Porcile ran as a Democrat in 1998 and 1999 finishing
last both times. A municipal employee of Kearny,
Porcile seems to despise the Democratic Party's current
leadership. His campaign is devoid any real solutions
or ideas. When he ran in 1998, he opposed a budget
that reduced property taxes $15. He seems to be
someone who wants to be councilman, but doesn't have
a clue on what to do or how to grapple with the
complex issues of local government.
Other
than an occasional letter or question at council
meetings, Mr. Porcile is not prepared to serve
in local office. He lacks the ability to offer compromise.
He seems unwilling to work with Democrats even when
they're correct in fixing the borough's finances.
Porcile
is just a poor candidate for public office.
George
McDermott surprised insiders by garnering some
800 votes in a five-man field. The full-time borough
dispatcher seems obsessed in opposing Pitman and Democrats,
right or wrong. His endless letters to the local
press say little other than voters are too dumb to
understand the issues and only he knows what's best
for North Arlington.
That
kind of demeanor and personality has no place in
local government.
More
importantly, will Mr. McDermott have to resign from
his job with the borough to serve? Does it make
sense to elect someone who could in fact be unemployed?
Does it make sense to elect someone to monitor our finances
who openly supports raises and the hiring of more employees?
How
can Mr. McDermott represent the homeowner when his
loyalties are with the municipal employee? Mr. McDermott
seems unable to make the tough decisions or say no to
the unions come bargaining time. With police negotiations
just around the corner, does it make sense to place
a borough employee on both sides of the bargaining table?
His
presence on the council would spark the divisiveness
of the past that North Arlington can ill afford.
On
the issues, McDermott & Porcile support EnCap. They
seem ambivalent to the issue of rising property taxes
and opposed the sale of the water utility which did
in fact stabilize the local rate for the first time
in eight years. Based on the issues, Porcile and
McDermott make little sense and homeowners would be
wise to support the Democrats in this crucial contest.
The
third Independent is Eileen Sheedy, a resident since
1959.
Sheedy
has no real government experience and spouts the
typical campaign speak of a struggling challenger. While
running for office should be encouraged, we believe
the Sheedy candidacy offers voters little if nothing
at all.
The
Democrats by contrast offer three fine individuals
with excellent resumes to keep taxpayers first.
Council
President James Ferriero deserves another term of office.
A
retired WW2 veteran and SBA executive, Ferriero is
sympathetic to the needs of the local homeowner.
Ferriero, along with Pitman carried the Democratic message
of financial stability and accurately predicted the
borough's mismanagement of temporary host fees.
Ferriero has served as a spokesman for veterans with
his lifelong commitment to those who made the ultimate
sacrifice.
More
importantly, Ferriero cast the tough votes that put
our finances on the right track. He voted to cut
the debt and consolidate local government. He's a fiscal
conservative who puts taxpayers first. Homeowners have
a true ally in Councilman Jim Ferriero.
Councilman
Steve Tanelli has a bright future in politics.
The
top vote getter in last year's election, Tanelli
has been campaigning non-stop for the better part of
a year. The former Recreation Commissioner and Director
has a strong following with the borough's recreation
community and isn't afraid to roll-up his sleeves
and get the job done. Under Tanelli's leadership. the
borough has one of the area's most successful recreation
programs that offer choices to residents of all ages.
A
senior marketing director for MOVADO, Tanelli has a
clear grasp of the issues and a streak of independence
that's needed to protect taxpayers.
Tanelli
has made it clear he'll oppose EnCap if in fact the
proposal isn't a win-win for the community. Tanelli
is to be congratulated for not caving to the pressure
of consultants, lawyers and insiders who see EnCap as
nothing more than massive pork barrel of fees for
attorneys, engineers and builders.
Steve
Tanelli has demonstrated a clear commitment to the community
with the ability to work with Republicans as well as
Democrats. He's respected by most and could find
himself to be on a fast track for higher office.
NA TODAY proudly supports the reelection of Councilman
Tanelli.
Attorney
Mark Yampaglia continues a tradition of public service
started by his father, the former municipal judge.
Yampaglia
is a life-long resident who is just starting
to get comfortable in his position as councilman. Yampaglia
seems thoughtful and sober in his approach to local
government. The fact he's a lawyer brings an added
value to his candidacy. Most importantly, Mr. Yampaglia
is opposed to random use of eminent domain and
that's the kind of thing homeowners need to know as
redevelopment of various properties around the community
begins to take shape.
Mark
Yampaglia is a young professional that has a vested
commitment in North Arlington. Based on how he's conducted
himself through his appointed tenure, we believe
Councilman Yampaglia has earned our endorsement.
Some
have complained that having a governing body all
of the same party is not in the best interests of open
government. On the surface, it's a point well made.
But given the record of a Steve Tanelli and Peter Massa,
they have demonstrated a willingness to stray the
party line and vote their conscience. That kind of service
guarantees a thoughtful discussion despite party status.
No
matter who you decide to support, we urge you to exercise
your franchise and vote November 8th.
