CAMPAIGN 2008:

NA DEMOCRATS TAP MARK YAMPAGLIA TO SUCCEED RETIRING FERRIERO ON COUNCIL TICKET WITH STEVE TANELLI!

Ferriero endorses Yampaglia as Democrats rally around zero tax increase and take a hard-line against EnCap for the fall campaign!

NORTH ARLINGTON - The North Arlington Democratic Committee has endorsed the candidacy of former North Arlington Councilman Mark Yampaglia to run with incumbent Council President Steve Tanelli come the fall campaign.

Yampaglia, who currently serves as part-time legal counsel to the North Arlington/Lyndhurst Joint Sewerage Board is a former municipal defender and councilman. A life-long North Arlington resident and the son of municipal judge Emil Yampaglia, he is a graduate of NAHS where he played varsity baseball. A graduate of the Touro School of Law, Yampaglia is a member of the prestigious PHI BETA KAPPA for collegiate academic accomplishment.

Yampaglia is a private business owner with a legal practice located in Rutherford.

"It was important to me that Jim Ferriero endorse my candidacy. He's served longer than anyone and his approval was important to my candidacy. Jim is a class act and I hope he can play a role in this effort. We'll need his help and guidance," said Yampaglia when addressing the county committee membership.

Originally appointed to the vacancy created by the resignation of former Councilwoman Carey Ann Rosenblatt (now Shaftan), Yampaglia was elected by voters to the remainder of the term in the fall of 2005. Yampaglia sought re-election in 2006 and finished third in a field of four in the Democratic Primary when Councilman Peter Massa ousted former Mayor Russ Pitman. Yampaglia endorsed Massa after the primary and changed his position as it related to EnCap and Arlington Valley.  It was Yampaglia's vote that prevented EnCap from imposing eminent domain seizure against the Porete Avenue business community between June and December of 2006!

"Mark Yampaglia stopped EnCap from happening. He stood up to Russ Pitman and Joe Mariniello after the primary and did what had to be done.  If you don't believe me, ask Pitman," said one Democratic operative upon hearing that Yampaglia would be the party's nominee.

Because of Yampaglia's opposition to EnCap, Mayor Pete Massa appointed Yampaglia to Massa's unexpired term last January. Yampaglia would seek a three-year term and finished just 92 votes behind the eventual winners Richard Hughes and Joseph Bianchi. Yampaglia had the unfortunate political luck of having to run after local Democrats  raised taxes 33% thanks to the EnCap debacle and past GOP incompetence.

Yampaglia would campaign hard, but fall short on election day.

This year, Democrats are convinced things will be very different.

"Mark has been as much against EnCap over the last two years as anyone else on this council. It was Mark's vote that prevented eminent domain seizure in 2006 or the construction of Arlington Valley. There was tremendous pressure on him to toe the line of past administration and Mark proved to be part of a reliable coalition that has prevented this project from happening," noted Mayor Peter Massa.

Council President Steve Tanelli was happy to hear of the choice and looks forward to running "an issue-oriented, aggressive campaign against any and all opponents."

Elected in a landslide in 2004 and re-elected in 2005, Councilman Tanelli will be running with Yampaglia for a second time.

"We ran together in 2005 and that campaign was very successful. I'm very confident our accomplishments in regards to the zero tax rate and the progress we've made with EnCap will be remembered by voters. I have every intention as does Mark to knock on every door twice. More importantly, there will be a debate between our ticket and our opponents. There will be no free rides like last year. We have every intention of keeping this community on the right track and free of EnCap," said Tanelli.

Sources say that Councilman Al Grannel and Councilman Sal DiBlasi will serve as honorary campaign chairs respectively.

"Steve & Mark are for the homeowner. They've made the tough choices that put taxpayers first. This is a ticket that taxpayers can embrace with a high degree of confidence. I'm prepared to do what's ever necessary to win come the fall," noted Grannel, a first-term councilman and chairman of the borough's finance committee.

The party's leadership was also encouraged by the degree of unity within in the party as well as the process.

"Mark is competent, qualified and ready to serve on day one.  He's extremely familiar with the issues and has the legal background to formulate the kind of decisions that will protect taxpayers from the likes of EnCap. The Democratic Party here in North Arlington is a true friend of property owners and taxpayers. We have a compelling message on taxes and spending. We're the conservative choice and our track record speaks for itself.  With over 1,700 Democrats voting in the February 5th primary, we have a 3-1 voter advantage over our opponents. We have unity and we're on a mission to prove that last year's loss was nothing more than blip on the screen. We're committed to a convincing mandate come Tuesday, November 4th," noted Nick Antonicello, the party's municipal leader and executive board member of the BCDO.

Antonicello noted that himself as well as Mayor Massa played a role in the selection process and that several candidates were interviewed and considered for the second spot on the ticket.

"We interviewed about six people with different degrees of interest.  Everyone considered had strong resumes and would have made excellent candidates.  In the end, Mark has the most experience on the issue of EnCap and we believe the fact he stood tall against the project after initially supporting the proposal tells us something about his character and commitment to the homeowners of North Arlington. There is no perfect candidate. Everyone has made mistakes. We believe this ticket is the ticket with the best message and best chance of victory come November," observed Antonicello.

According to sources one female candidate was considered, as well as one Republican and another local official.

"We tried to find the best candidate, not the best democrat. In this case, we feel we got both in Mark Yampaglia," said one local committeeman.

While the Democratic slate for council and county committee is now complete, what about the Republicans?

"No comment. That's for them to decide," said one Democrat who refused to be identified after leaving the Arlington Diner.

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