McDermott,
Porcile mount Independent challenge to local Democrats
Seek
signatures at Post Office to gain ballot access
NORTH
ARLINGTON - George McDermott and Joseph A. Porcile apparently
took a page out of the Democratic playbook and sought
signatures from borough residents this weekend to gain
access to the November ballot and prevent local Democrats
from running unopposed.
McDermott,
who finished last in a field of five candidates in 2004
is apparently set to run again with Porcile, an unsuccessful
candidate for council in 1998 and 1999.
Porcile
finished last in both attempts for public office.
The
deadline for any independent to file petitions is Tuesday,
June 7th. Should they file the required number of signatures,
Democrats could find themselves in a contested race
come the fall.
"No
election should be taken for granted. McDermott and
Porcile are motivated to beat the Democrats. It
would be a huge error in judgment for the incumbents
not to take this challenge very seriously," said one
longtime political observer.
Democrats
for years have welcomed borough residents at the North
Arlington Post Office in the past with petitions
as well as the opportunity to register to vote. According
to sources, Democrats intend to run an issue oriented
campaign.
"McDermott
writes a letter to the local paper every week. He has
attacked Democrats for over a year. That kind of
negative campaigning takes a toll on any incumbent.
Compound that with the notion of having someone
on the council other then a Democrat and you have yourself
a legitimate contest," said one former campaign consultant
to Pitman.
While
it looks as though McDermott and Porcile will be candidates,
it is unclear if they will run a candidate against Councilman
Mark Yampaglia for Carey Rosenblatt's unexpired term.
Rosenblatt was elected in 2003 and resigned January
of 2005. Rosenblatt moved to Sparta after marrying political
consultant Richard Shaftan.
Local
observers say freshman Councilman Steve Tanelli is
an odds on favorite for reelection. Tanelli, who
was the top vote getter in 2004 and has built a strong
network of support within the borough's recreation community.
"Steve
is a dedicated guy who has made many contributions
to the community. He has worked hard with the borough's
recreation community to develop new programs and events
at no cost to taxpayers. He knocked on every door last
year and I'm sure he do the same this year." said one
Democratic operative who asked not be identified.
Tanelli
and Yampaglia will be running with Council President
James Ferriero, the council's senior member. Ferriero
chaired this weekend's Memorial Day festivities and
has a long record of service to veterans, seniors and
homeowners.
"Jim
is a popular Democrat. He has worked hard to ensure
property taxes stabilized while protecting North Arlington
from redevelopment," said one Democratic Committeeman.
While
local Republicans have not filed a formal ticket, that
doesn't stop the GOP from writing-in names for the three
contested positions.
"If
Republicans mount a write-in campaign and the Independents
do in fact file, we can go from an uncontested contest
to a field of nine candidates literally overnight,"
said one Democrat close to the Pitman inner circle.
