NAFD receives subpoena for documents regarding contributions made by Kaiser!
NORTH ARLINGTON - The United States Attorney's Office has issued a subpoena to the North Arlington Volunteer Fire Department to produce for the time period 2002 through 2005, "any and all records relating to contributions, donations, or other payments made by or on behalf" of former North Arlington Mayor Leonard R Kaiser as well as his wife, Barbara Kaiser, a former GOP operative and retired county employee. Read More
NA SECURES $800K FROM NJMC!
MAYOR MASSA APPRECIATES EFFECTIVE
LOBBY FROM SARLO, SCALERA AND SCHAER TO DELIVER FOR TAXPAYERS!
Borough Seeks
Long Term Solution to the EnCap Fiasco
NORTH ARLINGTON - Mayor Peter Massa said the state's
commitment of up to $800,000 in aid to offset the borough's losses in 2009 due
to the possible closing of the trash baler run by the New Jersey Meadowlands
Commission is "the best Christmas gift North Arlington could ever
receive." Read More
THE YEAR IN REVIEW: 2008
EnCap, property taxes, low income housing, continue to head the list of issues facing North Arlington.
North Arlington continues to battle EnCap in who will determine the borough's redevelopment future as school taxes rise and the local government welcomed two Republicans to the Mayor and Council for the first time in four years.
Here's a brief review of 2008: Read More
EDITORIAL:
Who to choose?
While no vacancy exists for chairman, Bergen Dems scramble
around developer and union chief as a possible successor to Joe
Ferriero!
While the
name Joe Ferriero may be perceived as a lightening rod of controversy within
Democratic circles, Ferriero's decade long tenure as chairman of the Bergen
Democratic Committee has resulted in the most successful run for Democrats
in a "swing" county historically controlled by the GOP.
Currently
facing legal woes, Ferriero has taken a leave-of-absence from the day to day
duties to this non-paying position to focus on his legal defense. Read More
Locals: No affordable housing in my backyard
With more than 500,000 jobs lost nationwide in November, and a record number of foreclosures marring the local real estate landscape, getting and keeping an affordable home is a problem for cash-strapped family budgets.
Not everyone agrees on the solution. Read More
EDITORIAL:
WHEN WILL ENCAP JUST GO AWAY?
It's time for the NJMC, county and state officials to take
the side of North Arlington and end this fiasco once and for all!
When will
the taxpayers of North Arlington be rid of EnCap once and for all?
It's a
question state and regional officials should be asking themselves as all
attempts to revive this bankrupt developer from Chapter 11 seem stronger than ever despite the financial
hardship this project has placed on North Arlington for the better part of
three years with hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees spent to stop
something nobody wants! Read More
EnCap, town in a tug-of-trash over hub
A hearing to decide the future of garbage operations in North Arlington – and $1.6 million in annual revenue and savings for the borough – is expected to begin momentarily.
EnCap is expected to oppose a last-ditch effort to rescue the borough from a financial crisis spurred by the year-end closure of a garbage hub, court papers say. Read More
Why another law firm?
With the economy in virtual collapse, why is the NA BOE
hiring more attorneys instead of using the one they already have?
Is this another example of "petty politics" at the
expense of weary taxpayers?
BOE has $3,262,837 in "fund balance" as of June 30
audit, $807,169 in unreserved/undesignated surplus, $1,362,174 in capital
reserve!
In
a 3-2 vote, the North Arlington Board of Education inexplicably hired the
law firm of Adams Stern Gutierrez & Lattiboudre to handle the district's
impending collective bargaining negotiations even though that's always been the
chief responsibility of the board's attorney of record. Read More
363,618 hits for November, 32,220 pageviews and 9,155 unique
visitors set new traffic records for NA Today!
646 unique visitors on Tuesday, November 4th generated
85,480 hits as NA Today was the #1 source for election results again!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - NA
Today generated over
360,000 hits for the month of November and set a new
site record with over 85,000 hits and 646 "unique
visitors" on Tuesday, November 4th. There also 2053 pageviews on this specific day. Read More
Kaiser resigns foundation post
Wife still after school manager
Former Mayor Leonard Kaiser resigned from his position as president of the North Arlington Educational/Athletic Foundation at a 7:30 a.m. meeting on Nov. 12, the day before federal agents raided his home, according to new foundation president Brian Fitzhenry. During the early morning reorganization meeting, former school board trustee Fitzhenry, who was previously the foundation’s vice president, took over Kaiser’s post. Read More
BOROUGH
SHORTS:
DOWN AND OUT IN NA
After another devastating defeat, where does the GOP go from
here?
What will be the fate of the NAEF, politics within the school
system?
The New Jersey League of
Municipalities held
their annual gathering in Atlantic City this week where elected officials and
appointed members of boards & commissions meet to discuss the business
of local government.
Municipal
Engineer Michael Neglia of Neglia & Associates hosts one of the bigger parties for these officials who
descend upon Atlantic City to trade stories about government and politics.
According
to sources, several North Arlington elected officials attended the party
including Mayor Peter Massa as well as Council President Steve Tanelli and
Councilman Al Granell. Read More
Kaiser quit foundation's top post before FBI search
The president of the North Arlington Educational Athletic Foundation resigned from his post early last week just days before federal agents searched his home.
Leonard Kaiser, a former North Arlington mayor who makes almost $150,000 a year as the Bergen County Utility Authority's executive director, said his resignation had nothing to do with the FBI's search last Thursday. Read More
Farmer’s market to open on River Rd.
The planning board approved an application for a farmer’s market on River Road at an Oct. 28 meeting. The owner of an adjacent deli, Bagel Bistro, who initially opposed the application, worked out a deal with the developer to alleviate his concerns with the development. Read More
RETRIEVING ONE'S REPUTATION
Former NAPD police chief and school trustee is cleared of
charges, original accuser now says Italiano did nothing wrong!
Retired
North Arlington Police Chief Frank Italiano had charges of disorderly
person's offense dropped after the original accuser has since said the former
cop did nothing wrong.
While the
New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority described the charges as a
"minor matter," Lyndhurst lawyer Gabriel Ambrosio called the settlement
"good for him and his family (Italiano)." Read More
EDITORIAL:
RUNNING ON EMPTY!
Republicans run another lackluster effort as Democrats
continue to stay focused and disciplined!
Some Democrats look towards upcoming BOE race to keep
spending & property taxes under control!
While Republicans
empty another headquarters, local Democrats invest in new technology like the
Internet to stay relevant with voters not just at election time, but all
year long. Read More
LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD GETS A MAJOR FACELIFT!
Councilman Tanelli calls the upgrade an investment in kids!
NORTH ARLINGTON - While the bats and balls have been put away for 2008, the borough's little leaguers will have plenty to look forward to come the Spring of 2009 as the North Arlington Little League is getting a major facelift with new sod in both the infield and outfield as well as new clay throughout the playing field and warning track. Read More
EDITORIAL:
The $1 Investment in Seniors!
Mayor Massa seeks funds to buy a brand new bus while the GOP wants to buy a "jalopy" from the BOE for $1!
If one ever wanted to really know what North Arlington Republicans think about seniors, all they had to do was read this week's edition of The Leader Newspapers.
Mayor Pete Massa was clear and concise, let's get a new bus. Read More
CAMPAIGN 2008:
SCHOOLS AND POLITICS?
GOP CANDIDATES BOCCHINO & HERRMANN MEET WITH SCHOOL OFFICIAL OVER FOOTBALL FIELD AND ENCAP!
WHY IS SUPT. OF SCHOOLS MEETING WITH PARTISAN POLITICAL CANDIDATES TWO WEEKS BEFORE AN ELECTION?
NORTH ARLINGTON - NA Today has learned today that Republican candidates Jim Bocchino and James Herrmann have met with Supt. of Schools Oliver Stringham apparently over the issue of a new football field as well as discussions on the construction of a new school facility should the EnCap project move forward. Read More
 |
Editorial:
NJMC & COAH: Perfect together?
Why is this state agency pushing low income housing into
Bergen County during the country's worst real estate slump?
Massa, Tanelli to be congratulated for standing up to the
"social engineers" that want to "urbanize" North
Arlington into and extension of Hudson County!
The
definition of stupidity is to do the same thing over and over again and
expect different results.
In the
case of the NJMC (New Jersey Meadowlands Commission), when will they ever
learn? Read More
Municipal taxes in North Arlington stay the same while the
local levy increases in Lyndhurst, Rutherford, Garfield, Wood-Ridge and
Carlstadt!
Massa Administration keeps taxes & spending in
check, fixes the mess left behind after two decades of GOP control!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - While
taxes rose in Lyndhurst, Carlstadt, Rutherford, Wood-Ridge and Garfield, the
municipal tax rate will stay the same in North Arlington thanks to hard
choices made by the Democratic majority led by Mayor Pete Massa and Council
President Steve Tanelli.
What makes
this accomplishment so impressive is the fact North Arlington balanced it's
books without state aid and reduced the borough's debt obligation nearly
40%! Read More
EDITORIAL:
TIME TO CLEAN THE MELRAY'S MESS ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Time for the retailer to install lights and time for
Councilman Bianchi to take responsibility for this apparent planning board
blunder!
Good
government can be hard and difficult.
In the
case of the Melray's furniture fiasco, it's
time for this retailer to start cooperating with borough officials.
How does a
retailer get "air rights" in the first place?
Who's
bright idea was that? Read More
Mob taint suspected in EnCap project
Federal and state law enforcement officials are investigating potential mob influence in the failed $1 billion EnCap project, according to sources close to the investigation.
One aspect of the probe has authorities trying to determine whether an organized crime associate accepted payoffs to allow unlimited dumping at the site, according to two sources close to the probe. Read
More
Encap's Mob Ties
The EnCap project, which teetered to bankruptcy under the weight of double-dealing lawyers and lax public servants, was also plagued by a criminal crew: La Cosa Nostra.
Federal investigators allege that associates of New York crime families steered delivery of fill to the Meadowlands site in exchange for payoffs, according to released court documents. Read
More
An NA TODAY exclusive:
WHAT DID THEY KNOW AND WHEN DID THEY KNOW IT?
Borough documents show Bianchi, Bocchino and Herrmann all
supportive of EnCap Holdings in their posts as local officials, Bocchino voted
"yes" to appoint EnCap law firm as NARA bond counsel!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - In a series of documents (click here) showing a sequence of
events that took place after the electoral defeat of five-term incumbent Len
Kaiser in 2002, the outgoing mayor work
diligently in moving the EnCap project forward even after voters showed little, if any
support for redevelopment in the borough. Read More
EDITORIAL:
Getting six
cents out of a nickel!
North Arlington Library Board getting things done without
raising taxes or laying blame at someone else's doorstep!
Democrats are getting things done no matter how much
Republicans kick & scream!
Corey
Klein of The
South Bergenite put
it best by asking how North Arlington can spend nearly $200,000 in renovating
the very neglected North Arlington Library while claiming to be in a financial
crisis? Read More
EDITORIAL:
MASSA, TANELLI
GET LAST LAUGH ON ENCAP!
US
Attorney, AG's office now join forces in probe of controversial
developer that's still suing North Arlington for a project
nobody supports nor wants.
Just
two years ago this past April, then Councilman Peter Massa
urged federal authorities in a letter (click
here) seeking a wide-ranging investigation
into the financial practices of EnCap Holdings,
who had brokered a lopsided deal with prior local officials
guaranteeing as much as 40% of future revenues. Read
More
Fed,
local prosecutors team up to fight EnCap
Federal
and state prosecutors have joined forces in a probe of suspected
corruption in the EnCap project, fresh off their successful
double-teaming of ex-Newark Mayor Sharpe James.
U.S.
Attorney Chris Christie, center, has subpoenaed documents
relating to EnCap. News surfaced last Wednesday that U.S.
Attorney Chris Christie had turned his high-powered crime-fighting
machine at the bankrupt Meadowlands venture and was sending
out subpoenas to some of the project's key players. Read
More
BIGGEST
DAY EVER!
30,867 HITS, 1,038 PAGE VIEWS & 503 UNIQUE VISITORS!
NA TODAY BREAKS SINGLE DAY VISITATION RECORD!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - NA
Today, the #1 online
source for news about North Arlington broke all previous traffic records by
posing 30,857 hits, 1,038 page views and 503 unique visitors for Monday, June 16th! Read More
EDITORIAL:
MOVING FROM HOUSING TO RETAIL?
Trump proposal to eliminate housing component
with two million feet of retail space is step in right direction for
NA taxpayers!
Someone is
finally listening to North Arlington!
After
years of fighting Arlington
Valley and the
ridiculous financial arrangement attached to that debacle, the Trump
Organization seems ready to recognize the simple fact that housing is not
welcome nor the answer for redevelopment in North Arlington. Read More
Special Angels Charity Softball Game
Porete Ave. could go retail/commercial
Michael Cohen, Executive Vice President & Special Counsel to Donald Trump, has been in discussions with North Arlington borough attorney Anthony D’Elia about scrapping plans for a 1,625-unit housing project on Porete Avenue in favor of a retail/commercial development, according to Cohen. Read More
An NA Today Exclusive:
The Exploding cost of public education in North
Arlington!
A student enrolled in Pre-K today that graduates in 2021
will cost taxpayers an estimated $265,862 or $18,990 per year!
With school budgets increasing at 7% per year, the cost of
public education will be $45,390,651 annually by 2021, A 116%
increase!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - Taxpayers currently support a
$19M school operation that equates to roughly $11,875 per student based on a
population of 1,600 children. Based on a 180-day school calendar, the cost to
operate local schools is roughly $105,555 per school day!
But
what will be the cost of public education in 5, 10 or fifteen years? Read More
WINNING THE BATTLE FOR READERS ONLINE!
HOW NA TODAY STACKS UP
IN TRAFFIC VERSUS OTHER ONLINE/PRINT DELIVERY SYSTEMS!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - NA
Today, the borough's only comprehensive news &
editorial source about NA stacks up incredibly well to other "like" sources that derive most of their traffic in "print" publications! Read More
Mess in the Meadowlands
There are a lot of bad jokes about the New Jersey Turnpike and the mess that surrounds it. Barbara Nevins Taylor investigates what may be the biggest mess of all.
To view this eye-opening report in which both Mayor Massa and Councilman Tanelli are overwhelmingly redeemed, Click Here. Under "Watch the Latest Videos" on the right hand side of the page next to the viewer, select "Mess in the Meadowlands".
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE BIGGEST IN BOROUGH HISTORY!
Bergen County Sheriff, Senator Sarlo and a host of bands and marchers make the day a true remembrance of the faithful departed!
Councilman Jim Ferriero & veteran George Lewis serve as honorary grand marshals, Massa gives stirring tribute to America's finest!
NORTH ARLINGTON - On a picture perfect day, North Arlington memorialized those who served this nation with great fanfare by organizing one of the largest parades in borough history. Read More
Trump sets sights on NA
When the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission voided its landfills to golf courses and housing deal with EnCap Golf holdings and the developer filed for bankruptcy, North Arlington officials were ecstatic about the turn of events.
While the EnCap deal is over, nothing changed in North Arlington’s lawsuit with Cherokee Porete, one of EnCap’s "cousin corporations" that struck its own deal with the borough separate from EnCap’s deal in the Meadowlands. Read More
Critic
Earns "I Told You So" in Meadowlands Project
The gate had been swung shut across the gravel access road that leads out into the marsh grass, one of the newest in the network of unmarked trails lacing this empty swath of land where so much waste has been buried, and so many grand schemes have unraveled. The backhoes sat idle beyond it in the steady rain, the Manhattan skyline rising tantalizingly near on the horizon. Read More
NJMC
busts a cap into EnCap's inflated hot air balloon
It looks as if EnCap Golf and Housing project has been run out of Dodge City, at least in Lyndhurst and Rutherford. At the May 7 New Jersey Meadowlands Commission meeting, EnCap Golf Holdings LLC was denied by a unanimous vote for any further extension to remediate the troubled project. Read More
Tanelli Interviewed
Council President Steve Tanelli was interviewed last week by BLOOMBERG on the decision by the NJMC to rescind & terminate the developer agreement with EnCap Holdings.
The day after that decision, EnCap filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, officially ending the development proposal.
Click here to listen to Tanelli's comments. The interview is approximately four minutes.
BREAKING NEWS:
ENCAP FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY!
See Bankruptcy Pettion Here
NORTH ARLINGTON - The Leader Newspapers is reporting that EnCap Holdings, the controversial and embattled developer chosen to remediate the Meadowlands and construct nearly 5,000 units of housing has filed for bankruptcy effectively ending the company's nine-year relationship with the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC). Read More
EDITORIAL:
FINALLY,
IT'S OVER!
NJMC'S decision to pull the plug on EnCap is a second
chance for N. Arlington, Lyndhurst & Rutherford to construct a responsible
plan for redevelopment in the Meadowlands
The
political gods sometimes do the right thing.
In the
case of EnCap, they
finally pulled the plug on the biggest redevelopment debacle in the state
of New Jersey. Read More
STATEMENT BY MAYOR PETER MASSA
ON THE DEMISE OF ENCAP
“The decision by the NJMC to right the wrongs that were made over the past eight years ago is welcomed by North Arlington as a vindication to our long-stated position that EnCap was not qualified, technically, financially or otherwise to transform the Meadowlands from garbage dumps to golf courses. Read More
BREAKING NEWS:
NEW JERSEY MEADOWLANDS COMMISSION VOIDS AGREEMENT WITH ENCAP!
NJMC kicks out controversial developer, state action could
end litigation with North Arlington, Massa, local officials hail
decision as long overdue!
NJMC Resolution on Encap: Click Here
NORTH
ARLINGTON - The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission terminated the agreement with EnCap Holdings as the developer of record after
years of delays, cost overruns and financial questions that have plagued the
project since it's inception. Read More
Melray's debacle
follows Bianchi to governing body!
Former
Planning Board Chairman presided over "air rights"
sale, controversy continues as to who's responsible for lights!
NARA MINUTES ON MELRAY'S: CLICK HERE
Wall, Kairys believe furniture retailer is responsible!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - Years after approving the controversial sale of "air
rights" to a Ridge Road furniture retailer, Councilman Joe Bianchi's
inability to have lights installed at the parking lot below the building
continues to agitate borough residents. Read More
Campaign 2008:
NORTH ARLINGTON DEMOCRATS FORMULATE CAMPAIGN STAFF, FUNDRAISER AND VOTER REGISTRATION TEAM
Democrats tap Councilman Al Granell to head effort with Nick Mazzolla & George McDermott as deputy campaign managers, next fundraiser scheduled for May 1st at Euro Lounge
Mayor Massa talks about finding Max, North Arlington's newest celebrity!
NORTH ARLINGTON - Local Democrats gathered Friday evening at the VFW Hall and began the process of building a campaign staff to re-elect Council President Steve Tanelli and elect former Councilman Mark Yampaglia. Read More
Analysis:
MASSA ADMINISTRATION DELIVERS ON "ZERO TAX" INCREASE BUDGET!
Tanelli, Granell are responsible for reforming the budget
process and delivering on what GOP just likes to "talk" about!
It was a sight to seen last week as GOP insiders
looked on in awe and shock as Finance Chairman Al Granell called for an
amendment to the 2008 municipal budget to further cut spending and deliver
a zero tax increase. Read More
EDITORIAL:
The time for a federal probe of EnCap is now!
Phony hearings, whitewashed reports and
political stonewalling must cease! The homeowners of North Arlington,
Lyndhurst & Rutherford demand to know the truth!
Massa, Tanelli & Granell stand tall for taxpayers!
After
years of taking political refuge behind some of the state's most influential
officials, EnCap was exposed for
the scheme that it is this week. Read More
Massa
Administration authorizes repairs to Corsi Estate, resurfacing
of Hedden Terrace & Canterbury Avenue
Governing body makes appointments to Rec Commission,
authorizes support for YMCA Grant for $15,000
Granell calls upon Republicans to make budget suggestions to
fulfill their campaign promise of a tax rebate
NORTH
ARLINGTON - The North Arlington Mayor & Council met Thursday and made some
productive strides to fix and repair two streets and one of the borough's
recreational facilities along Schuyler Avenue. Read More
Inside the numbers: The
NA Police Department:
Binding arbitration could cost NA taxpayers hundreds of
thousands of dollars in new spending!
NAPD seeks 4.0% pay raise through binding arbitration, twenty
of thirty-two police officers earn in excess of $100,000 last
year!
Average NA police officer earned $101,197 in 2007, does
bipartisan support exist to hold line on salaries & spending?
NORTH
ARLINGTON - The
North Arlington Leader reported this week that the North Arlington Police Department is seeking a 4%
pay hike that would increase municipal
spending about $130,000 for fiscal year 2007 as well as fiscal year 2008.
Because the police contract is retroactive, increases in police salaries in a
new agreement could run well over $260,000! Read More
EnCap contractor hauled away
A contractor connected to millions in cost overruns and delays in the EnCap golf project was arrested and charged with money laundering Friday in an unrelated federal corruption probe. Read More
EnCap or Trump, what's the difference?
Now coined a "clean-up" versus redevelopment, why
is North Arlington still being sued to impose eminent domain seizure of Porete
Avenue and the construction of low income housing?
New
brand, same deal?
NORTH
ARLINGTON - While the names are changing to protect the incompetence of the
past, is anything really changing when it comes to the controversial EnCap project that now has a Trump brand
attached to it? Read More
Stirring
the partisan pot.
NA
Republicans continue to seek Democratic help to mask their own support of
higher taxes , EnCap and low income housing.
NORTH ARLINGTON - An
unidentified GOP source today told the political web site www.insidebergen.com that North Arlington Democrats are "attacking" a neighboring mayor
and the district's state senator in wake of an upset victory in last fall's
council races. Read More
Greedy Developers attack Massa, Zoning Board members in attempt to force storage facility at 170 Schuyler Avenue!
Developers call themselves "Concerned Citizens" of North Arlington in putting public pressure on members to vote yes come the January 9th meeting!
Use "Encap style" tactics to scare community with a twisted version of the truth!
NORTH ARLINGTON - In a highly unusual move, the applicant of a storage facility before the local Zoning Board has started a "media blitz" with several full-page ads in the Leader Newspapers, South Bergenite and The Kearny Observer calling upon the board to approve an application that would construct a storage facility on prime real estate. Read More
Editorial:
SILENT PROBE
Inspector General's report still a mystery as legislature
will use oversight authority to review EnCap
But who will review the legislature's role in this mess?
According
to the Bergen
Record, the long
awaited report by the state's Inspector General as to what went wrong with EnCap will finally be released to the
public. According to a letter written to Senate President Richard Codey,
"the report will discuss the role played by the various governmental
entities, as well as the use of public funds." Read More
The State Aid Game.
How does Harrison receive $6.6 million while North Arlington
gets just $500,000?
Taxes rise 33% in NA while infusion of state support keeps
Harrison increase at just 8%!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - North Arlington is 2.6 square miles. Harrison 1.3 square
miles. North Arlington has 15,077 residents while Harrison has 14,424.
North Arlington has 6,392 households while Harrison has 5,136. 24.5% of all
North Arlington households have children under the age of 18 while 33.7% of
Harrison households have children under 18. 49.7% of North Arlington households
are married couples while Harrison has 49.8% of households with married
couples. Read More
