McDERMOTT
TO RUN AGAIN IN 2005?
Independent
who finished last considering another try for the
borough council despite 5th place finish.
NORTH
ARLINGTON - In what must be regarded as a mixed message
of sorts, Independent council candidate congratulated
this year's winners while strongly hinting he will
run again in 2005.
In
a letter to The Leader, McDermott said "I
would like to congratulate Mr. Tanelli, Mr. Spanola
and Mr. Massa" while also stating he will "pledge
to work hard while learning."
There
has been much speculation as to the amount of votes
received by McDermott, who garnered 854 votes
on election day.
"An
analysis of the McDermott vote indicates that about
30% of his vote came from Democrats who voted for
Massa and about 20% came from Republicans who voted
for Fitzhenry. The other 50% seems to be from citizens
who only voted for McDermott," said one pollster who
was asked to analyze the McDermott totals.
"McDermott,
like most Independents benefit from a large turnout
in a presidential year. It will be difficult, if not
impossible for him to duplicate these numbers in another
try. Unless McDermott raises at least $20,000 and
develops a compelling message, I don't see him doing
as well in the future. Remember, Democrats defeated
McDermott 3-1 while beating the Republicans 1.5 -
1," noted the same pollster.
McDermott
noted in his letter that he has been "approached by
several members of the community expressing interest
in running with me." Democrats were hopeful McDermott
would give Democrats a chance to prove themselves
as worthy of his support in 2005.
"I
would hope Mr. McDermott would consider the challenges
and issues this community faces, and the party
best qualified to address these concerns. It is
far more productive to work within the framework of
the two-party process than to isolate yourself and
only play the role of spoiler. Whether George
ran or not, Democrats still would have swept all three
seats. The record and message of Democrats defined
this contest," observed Nicholas Antonicello, the
borough's Democratic Municipal Chairman.
Antonicello
said Democrats would welcome McDermott if he wanted
to join the local party.
"We're
inclusive. I believe George backed Mayor Pitman
in 2002. We seek people who want to improve the community
within the framework of fiscal responsibility. I'm
willing to talk with anyone who is interested in making
North Arlington a better place. I'm sure Mayor Pitman
shares that same value," said Antonicello.
