McDermott
to seek three-year term, Porcile opts for Rosenblatt's
unexpired term.
Sheedy
files under slogan, Responsible, Accountable, Positive.
GOP
Write-in's fail to make November ballot, Democrats poised
to run on a record of putting homeowner's first!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - Independent candidates George McDermott
& Joseph Porcile will be running as a team under
the slogan, "Community before Politics" while Eileen
Sheedy has opted for the slogan, "Responsible - Accountable
- Positive."
McDermott
will once again seek a three-year term and challenge
incumbents James Ferriero and Steve Tanelli. Sheedy
is also seeking a three-year term. Mr. Porcile will
oppose attorney and former Public Defender Mark Yampaglia
for the unexpired term vacated by former Councilwoman
Carey Ann Rosenblatt. The governing body appointed Yampaglia
to the seat in January. The winner would assume office
immediately while the other terms run through the end
of December.
According
to his petition filed with the County Clerk, McDermott
acquired some 156 petition to make his way to the ballot.
Many of his signers are active Republicans who have
no one to support since Republicans failed to file candidates
for local office for the first time in recent history.
Several
of the signers are former borough employees or relatives
of borough employees who opposed Mayor Russ Pitman's
cost cutting objectives that led to last year's no tax
increase budget in seven years.
McDermott,
a full-time police dispatcher is making his second run
for public office. While claiming to be a "public advocate"
for North Arlington, most homeowners believe
McDermott is a candidate of the special interests who
really wants to raise property taxes while offering
little in substance on how to actually govern the community.
"McDermott
must have writer's cramp given all the letters
he's sent to the press. The letters have one central
theme. A hatred for Mayor Pitman and opposition to any
attempt to govern this community responsibly," commented
Ken Ludviksen, the Democratic Club President.
McDermott
is challenging Council President James Ferriero, the
council's senior member. Elected in the 2002 upset that
saw Mayor Len Kaiser defeated along with Charles Belmonte,
Ferriero is a decorated veteran of WWII and retired
Lt. Colonel. Ferriero is the father of a prominent San
Francisco doctor and resides with his wife Alice on
High Street. A former member of the Zoning Board, Mr.
Ferriero is retired as an administrator with the
Small Business Administration (SBA).
Ferriero
is active in many religious, senior, civic and veteran
organizations. A member of the Knights of Columbus,
Calo-Sass VFW, Alexander Stover American Legion and Holy
Name Society, Mr. Ferriero is also an usher and
parishioner of Queen of Peace Church for over 6 decades.
Councilman
Steve Tanelli was elected last year as the top vote
getter easily distancing Republican Thomas Pimpinelli.
Married with children and a homeowner, Tanelli previously
served the borough as a member of the North Arlington
Recreation Commission as well as Recreation Director.
He currently serves as recreation liaison and is also
responsible for the launch of the borough's new web
address, www.northarlington.org
Tanelli
is employed as an Art Director with MOVADO Watches located
in Lyndhurst. Tanelli has concentrated his efforts on
keeping taxes stable while improving the borough's array
of recreational offerings.
Eileen
Sheedy is the fourth candidate for the three-year term.
A resident of 35 Devon Street, Sheedy has been a past
supporter of the local Republican Party. Sheedy garnered
106 signers on her petition and many of those who signed
the petition also signed the petitions of Mr. McDermott
and Mr. Porcile.
Joseph
Porcile is making his third attempt for public office.
A unsuccessful candidate in 1998 & 1999, Mr. Porcile
finished last in both attempts.
Mr.
Porcile lives on River Road and according to previous
campaign brochures is a product of the Kearny school
system. In 1998 he ran on an anti-property tax
agenda only to oppose a $15 dollar decrease in municipal
taxes.
The
incumbent is Mark Yampaglia, an attorney with a practice
located in Lyndhurst on Ridge Road. He is the son of
former municipal judge Emil Yampaglia. Yampaglia was
appointed by the Democratic Municipal Committee to replace
former Councilwoman Carey Rosenblatt who moved to Sparta.
Yampaglia is a life-long North Arlington resident and
graduate of North Arlington High School. Yampaglia
is a strong supporter of homeowners and the policies
of Mayor Russ Pitman that have translated to stabilized
taxes for residents.
