An
NA TODAY Exclusive:
McDermott,
Porcile & Sheedy file as Independents to challenge
NA Democrats
NORTH
ARLINGTON - As expected, two perennial candidates and
the mother of a Republican Committeewoman have filed
as Independents to challenge Democrats Steve Tanelli,
James Ferriero and Mark Yampaglia in this year's fall
contest for three seats on the North Arlington Borough
Council.
George
McDermott, who finished last in 2004 has teamed up with
Joseph Porcile, a former Democratic nominee for council
in 1998 and 1999. Mr. Porcile finished last in both
contests. The third candidate has been identified as
Eileen Sheedy, whose daughter is an active Republican
and member of the municipal committee.
Democrats
currently dominate the governing body with a 6-0 majority.
Democrats have controlled the council for 18 months
after Republicans controlled the municipality for more
than two decades. High taxes and fear of EnCap turned
out five-term incumbent Leonard Kaiser, Charles Belmonte,
Frank Caputo and James Herrmann. The two other incumbents,
Joe Whittles and Susan King; did not seek reelection.
Unless
Republicans write-in candidates, the Independent ticket
is basically comprised of a disgruntled Democrat and
two allies of the deposed Kaiser Administration.
"It
seems that the Republicans feel the best way to win
is to not run as Republicans, but to disguise themselves
as Independents. The conventional wisdom among the Pitman
haters is that McDermott's vote coupled with the GOP
totals represents some path to victory. What we have
here in McDermott and Porcile are two people who simply
despise Pitman and the Democrats. They stand for nothing
and are devoid of any ability or plan to address the
financial concerns that Democrats have addressed thus
far," said one longtime Democratic operative.
While
most observers believe the Democrats are the odds-on
favorites, some close to the Pitman Administration believe
property taxes must be stabilized while any deal
with EnCap will have a negative impact on the Democratic
incumbents.
"Tanelli,
Ferriero and Yampaglia hold their own fate. If they
continue to stabilize property taxes. If they continue
to fight low income housing and EnCap, they can't possibly
lose. But if they deviate, if they walk away from the
formula that elected them in the first place; they will
not only lose, it will jeopardize Pitman's chances for
reelection in 2006," said one former strategist who
wished not to be identified.
"The
Democrats have to make the case to keep their team intact.
The only way to make that case is to demonstrate financial
responsibility in terms of the tax rate as well as the
unified opposition to out-of-control overdevelopment
being pushed by fat cat lawyers and others with a financial
stake in mega developments like EnCap," said a former
Democratic leader.
An
unknown component of the budget process is how much
aid North Arlington will receive in wake of deferred
charges and over expenditures of the previous administration.
"Will
North Arlington's representatives in Trenton deliver
of needed state aid? That's the $64,000 question.
The need has been demonstrated. You have the only all-Democratic
governing body in the district with the exception of
Wood Ridge which is half the size of NA. I think anyone
familiar with North Arlington's finances will agree
Extraordinary Aid is certainly warranted and appropriate,"
said one Democrat familiar with the borough's current
financial position.
