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gThe Bocchino fiasco.

An unqualified embarrassment for NA homeowners!

Last October North Arlington Democrats made Jim Bocchino's support of EnCap and long association with Len Kaiser were centerpieces to a landslide victory that resulted in the re-election of Democratic Councilmen Steve Tanelli and Mark Yampaglia.

Democrats won because they reminded voters that "backsliding" to the days of Kaiser Machine running the community isn't a very good idea given that record of dismal failure, squandered host fees and high taxes.

The people agreed.

In addition, they were critical of Bocchino's record as a member of the now defunct, North Arlington Redevelopment Agency (NARA) where he served as a "cheerleader" for EnCap and voted "yes" to appoint the DeCotiis law firm - the very law firm that sued North Arlington as EnCap's attorney for bond counsel!

This is the same Jim Bocchino who has a daughter employed at the NJMC and was in fact an employee of the agency himself!

Democrats rightly and correctly pointed out Bocchino's long association with former mayor Len Kaiser, the seat Bocchino will fill as the Republican appointment to this state agency where Kaiser served as a "McGreevey" appointment since 2003.

This is the same Jim Bocchino who tried to get former mayor Russ Pitman re-elected in the 2006 Democratic Primary even though he's a Republican. Bocchino spent as much time at that Belleville Pike headquarters as Pitman and was in fact in the building the night Pitman was easily defeated by then Councilman Pete Massa by a 2-1 margin!

The same Jim Bocchino was also a Republican candidate for council in the fall of 2006 challenging Al Granell & Sal DiBlasi, two ardent opponents of EnCap, eminent domain seizure and low income housing. Bocchino would finish fifth in a field of six after bragging throughout political circles he would coast to an easy win!

His arrogance is almost as obnoxious as his political ignorance.

After being defeated in 2006, Jim Bocchino would take a second shot at running for council after local Democrats Phil Spanola & Mark Yampaglia would be political casualties in a 2007 property tax hike caused by EnCap! Despite a 33% increase attributed to EnCap and those who supported the controversial project, Republicans Hughes & Bianchi won a narrow victory.

Bocchino was so convinced of victory a second time around he blasted NA Democrats and Mayor Massa at the annual League of Municipalities reception in Atlantic City boasting how the locals were done in North Arlington and that Mayor Massa would be in effect a "lame duck" if Republicans would seize local control!

Sensing blood in the water, back comes Jim Bocchino this time with former councilman James Herrmann, who was removed from office in 2004 by a Bergen County judge! Bocchino & Herrmann would run their pro-development, pro-EnCap, pro-low income housing campaign to the same result, a landslide victory for the Tanelli/Yampaglia team! 

So the former business partner & political lieutenant of the former NA mayor for more than three decades has now been approved by state Democrats to take the same seat held by Kaiser for more than six years?

And who does this make sense too?

Does anything ever change?

What does this man know about redevelopment?

His time on the defunct NARA was nothing short of a disaster. What qualifications or skill set does he bring to the table? What's on his resume that makes him a qualified successor for this vacancy?

The answer is simple.

Nothing.

This is raw politics at its worst!

A political hack moving up the food chain and why?

Those who support this appointment have been mysteriously silent.

Why would Governor Corzine approve such a poor choice for such an important post?

Why would Bocchino refuse comment in the newspapers?

Isn't he a public official sworn to uphold the duties of this appointment and should be available for public comment?

Isn't this the same individual who ran for council and refused to debate his opponents?

How can you be a public figure, but refuse to engage the media?

How long can Mr Bocchino hide from the public he pretends to represent?

Does one have to be a follower and supporter of Len Kaiser to be named to a seat on the NJMC?

It would seem so. 

Are there no other Republicans in South Bergen qualified to serve?

Why Jim Bocchino?

That's the $64,000 question that will never be answered because those who support this nomination don't want to talk about it. They just want everyone to go along like "sheep" waiting in line for the slaughter! 

They believe the public is just stupid and they know better than the voter.

The arrogance is so thick you can cut it with a knife.

He wanted this appointment and the powers that be in Trenton secured it for him.

Will he assist Mayor Massa on such important issues as keeping the baler open?

Or will he continue his partisan ways by using this appointment as nothing more than a venue for patronage and favors to friends, relatives and cronies?

The NJMC has become a dumping ground for unqualified appointments enabling poor public policy.

That result was EnCap.

Will these people ever learn?


gWas EnCap worth the fight?

Borough finally out from under the thumb of the NJMC to chart it's own redevelopment course!

Was it worth it?

The years of legal fees, headaches and controversy?

North Arlington went into the fight against EnCap alone and emerged a winner - alone.

There were no allies. No help from the NJMC. No help from the governor. No help from the legislature or the county.

No help from anyone.

North Arlington was on it's own - and despite the odds won this battle to stop Arlington Valley and EnCap.

The professional naysayers and political opposition will weed through the 46-page decision and try to find political hay when at the end of the day, they were nowhere to be found when people like Pete Massa, Steve Tanelli, Al Granell, Sal DiBlasi and yes, Mark Yampaglia had the courage to move forward and litigate a proposal that if built in this economic environment would have had catastrophic consequences on this community.

Was it worth it to stop 1,600 units of housing? Was it worth it stop a plan that would have forked over 40% of all future tax revenues to EnCap?

Was it worth it?

Was it worth it to stop the application of eminent domain seizure on dozens of thriving companies that play by the rules and employ hundreds of local residents?

Was it worth it to stop the construction of low income housing which would have urbanized North Arlington into an extension of Jersey City & Hudson County? Units that would have dragged down the values of every home in town?

Was it worth it?

Was it worth a protracted court battle to stop the infusion of thousands of cars along Schuyler Avenue and the Belleville Turnpike? Was it worth it to stop North Arlington from having to build another school, firehouse and police sub station that had an initial price tag of $75 million with NA homeowners picking up the bill with no help from EnCap?

Was it worth it to ask local legislators to fight to keep the baler open and lobby for $800,000 in lost host fees while the GOP stood on the sidelines hoping North Arlington would fail?

Was it worth it for local Democrats to take on members of their own party while one former GOP mayor received a promotion at the BCUA and an appointment at the NJMC because he was more than willing to go along with EnCap?

While local Democrats fought county Democrats over principle, one former GOP mayor was awarded for putting politics first and North Arlington last!

Was it worth it?

Was it worth it for Democrats to challenge a sitting Democratic incumbent and defeat him in the primary over the issue of EnCap?

Was it worth it?

And now North Arlington must refund $2.4 million in fees former Mayor Russ Pitman accepted while then Councilman Pete Massa and Councilman Steve Tanelli rejected.

Was it worth it?

Was it worth it for Mayor Massa to reach out to Councilman Mark Yanpaglia, get him to switch his position and work with a new majority to keep the project from becoming reality?

Was it worth it?

Was it worth it for then Councilman Massa to call upon the US Attorney to investigate this debacle? To cooperate with the Inspector General and go on the record with investigative reporters and stop Arlington Valley once and for all?

Was it worth it for Mayor Massa to take on Lyndhurst Mayor Rich DiLascio who sent his political consultant into NA to try to beat him because he opposed EnCap?

In the end, history will be the judge.

But Pete Massa, Steve Tanelli, Sal DiBlasi, Mark Yampaglia, Jim Ferriero, Al Granell as well as Rich Hughes and Joe Bianchi did agree on moving this case forward and getting out from under the thumb of EnCap. They all voted yes to move forward with a case that would decide our fate and in the end, North Arlington won.

Yes, it was worth it.


gMore nonsense at the NA BOE:

LEGAL FOLLIES!

The North Arlington Board of Education must be one of the only school district in New Jersey where the attorney of record does not handle the collective bargaining responsibilities as it pertains to the teachers contract, and other non-instructional personnel.

Anthony P. Sciarrillo, the board's attorney was "snubbed" by board trustees Karen Palatella, George McDermott and Anthony Blanco to handle the teacher negotiations. Mr. Sciarrillo wasn't passed over because he's not qualified, he was passed over for reasons unknown to fellow board members Sharon Granell and Kathy Kartanowicz who voted against this ridiculous measure to add another law firm and legal bill in the midst of the worst economic recession since World War II!

So much for keeping taxpayers first!

In fact, Mr. Sciarrillo is an expert in collective bargaining.

Mr. Sciarrillo has a 26-year resume and body of work as Assistant Counsel to the New Jersey School Boards Association as well as Assistant Director of Compliance for teams that monitored the Abbott school districts in Camden, Jersey City and Hoboken.

So why was Mr. Sciarrillo not given the opportunity to negotiate with the local teachers?

Who interviewed this firm?

Why wasn't Kartanowicz or Granell part of the process?

Why wasn't Mr. Sciarrillo even considered based on his resume and qualifications?

Who did these interviews?

Oilver Stringham? Schools Business Administrator Kathy Marano?

Why was Kartanowicz and Granell excluded?

What makes this all the more laughable is that Mr. Sciarrillo was just hired in neighboring East Rutherford to handle a labor grievance for the Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional school district!

He was hired as a "special" labor counsel.

The exact position he didn't get in North Arlington where he currently serves as board attorney!

While the Becton Regional school district thinks Anthony Sciarrillo is a pretty good attorney, the majority of trustees in North Arlington have inexplicably passed over a "labor expert" for a firm in Newark for reasons that continue to remain a mystery to board members as well as parents and students!

Mr. Sciarrillo is charging that district $165 hour with a $10,000 cap or 60.6 hours for legal representation. North Arlington hired the law firm of Adams, Stern Gutierrez with a cap of $7,500, but no hourly rate was ever made public by the NA BOE!

So what is the rate Adams, Stern Gutierrez is charging taxpayers for these legal services?

Does the North Arlington Board of Education believe everyone is just stupid and they can do whatever they want?

The arrogance of this majority borders on the absurd.

The North Arlington Board of Education has been a mediocre district for decades.

Anyone who questions the actions of this district is branded "anti-education" or against children.

It's the same tired and lame argument propped up by school employees who can't justify their own salaries, much less provide quality education to students that homeowners can afford!

So when is Mr. McDermott, Mrs. Palatella or Mr. Blanco going to explain the hiring of a law firm that was clearly not needed?

Instead of wasting tax dollars on additional law firms to do the work the attorney you already have can handle, maybe the district can explain its relationship with the controversial North Arlington Education Foundation and why an organization with hundreds of thousands of dollars doesn't pay the district a single dime in rent for the space they use each and every day?

Is the North Arlington Board of Education so flush with funds that it can allow a tenant free services instead of charging a reasonable fee for services rendered?

Because if they don't have to charge rent to the North Arlington Education Foundation, maybe all borough leagues and organizations should be offered the same exact deal as the NAEF!

The North Arlington school district needs to be accountable to taxpayers.

The hiring of another law firm is duplicative and a waste of tax dollars.

There was no justification for this hiring.

Thankfully, there will be a school election come the Spring.

Indications are very high that several newcomers are considering a run for school trustee. That's good news for parents and students.

It's time this school district explained this legal madness.

More importantly, Mr. Sciarrillo deserves an apology from this majority who seems more interested in politics than responsible governance.

The time for real change at the BOE is now.


gWho 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.

Vice-Chairman Kay Nest of Fort Lee has been serving as interim chairman. But while Democrats continued to win with the election of Vernon Walton over Paul Duggan for freeholder (click here - see attached), the GOP carried far more towns than Democrats and the totals are way off the high water mark of 55 towns carried by County Executive Dennis McNerney in his landslide re-election over former Freeholder Todd Caliguire in 2006.

Top Democratic officials such as Congressman Steve Rothman and NJ Senator Loretta Weinberg have called for Ferriero's immediate removal. While politically expedient, most observers don't believe this is a realistic course of action. In the meantime, two candidates have seemed to emerge as the party faithful's choices. Rothman has been a friend to North Arlington for many years. He'll have the support of local Democrats if and when he seeks statewide office.

At the same time, Ferriero is popular with many county Democrats just the same and there are those who like both choices.

The first chairman to win every freeholder seat, it was Ferriero who elected the first Democrat as county executive as well as take back the office of sheriff not once, but twice. Under Ferriero, Bergen Democrats have three state senators and four members of the state assembly as well as healthy margin of control of Bergen's 70 municipalities.

Two names have begin to surface as candidates interested in succeeding Ferriero should he retire from the post he's held for ten years.

Union leader Richard "Buzzy" Dressel and Michael Kasparian, a developer and chairman of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority seem to be the two names people mention when speaking of a potential chairman's race. Both are relative newcomers to the party with little name recognition outside the inside game of county politics.

To our knowledge, neither of them possess the political skills or leadership of Ferriero.

Neither of them are "household" names with anyone, much less the county committee of some 1,100 members that would vote to replace Mr. Ferriero.

And one wonders who will really control the party should either of these candidates emerge as the next county leader?

Say what you want about Ferriero, but his long shadow of party success will be a difficult for any successor to follow.

Ferriero is likeable, persuasive, and a proficient fundraiser with longstanding relationships with party leaders and elected officials at various levels of government.

He was the architect of the party's revival in Bergen County.

The choices of Mr. Dressel and Mr. Kasparian seem on the surface, weak and thin.

The Democratic Party needs a true leader who has the respect of county government to lead the party into next year's gubernatorial election.

Democrats need a leader who can raise money and continue the winning success of Mr. Ferriero. Party politics is different from running the government. In a party leader you need a disciplined and smart individual who can raise money as well as recruit good candidates to serve the public.

Democrats need someone with an "institutional memory" of where this party has been and where it needs to go.

Neither Dressel or Kasparian seem to fit that "prototype" of an effective party leader that the rank & file members can rally around in these uncertain political times.

North Arlington Democrats have twenty members of the Bergen Democratic Committee.

They will have a responsibility to pick someone who can lead and win. It will be interesting to see how this shapes up in the coming weeks should Chairman Ferriero make the decision to leave the party's helm.

North Arlington Democrats have won consistently over the last several years because their governance is fiscally conservative, anti-EnCap and opposed to low income housing. While local Democrats easily defeated the GOP, Democrats lost in Wallington as well as Rutherford, East Rutherford and Carlstadt. 

State Democrats should take notice how and why North Arlington Democrats win, especially now with Republicans making a bit of a comeback here in the 36th legislative district. They toppled the twenty-year reign of Leonard Kaiser and have stood tall for taxpayers when it came to removing former Democratic Mayor Russ Pitman from office for the fiscally conservative Pete Massa as the community's new chief executive. Democrats have also done a good job of recruiting younger elected officials such as Council President Steve Tanelli, Councilman Al Granell and Councilman-elect Mark Yampaglia.

North Arlington Democrats would be wise to watch this situation develop before making any decisions as to whom they will support.

"We'll look at all of our options before making any decisions. We'll be unified in our endorsement. We'll all be on the same page. We'll endorse as a "political unit" if and when an election takes place for the chairmanship," observed one Massa confidante.

That sounds like a sober course of action.


gWHEN 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!

If one needed any additional proof EnCap could care less about North Arlington, think about this statement by EnCap lawyer David Bass, who argued potential hardships facing North Arlington homeowners are not persuasive:

"(North Arlington) is not a party to the agreement and even if it is true that North Arlington would be harmed, that is simply a consequence of a contractual agreement that the (NJMC) signed."

Those in charge at the NJMC are doing nothing to help North Arlington, as usual.

After accepting solid waste operations for five decades and 118 municipalities in the region, the NJMC simply let the agreement with Waste Management expire.

Why didn't the NJMC officially notify North Arlington of such action?

When is the state of New Jersey going to take any responsibility for the mess they created in the first place?

When is the NJMC, Governor Jon Corzine and other state officials going to seriously address the financial impact this baler closing will have on this municipality?

All important questions that remain unanswered.

The NJMC picked EnCap, not North Arlington. The NJMC waived the bidding process. The NJMC is responsible for the baler closing.

As usual, the victim here is North Arlington.

On March 17th North Arlington will finally get it's day in court with EnCap.

Many believe the baler closure was just another attack upon North Arlington to force them back to the bargaining table and accept Arlington Valley as is!

Mayor Pete Massa has been consistent in his opposition to EnCap.

EnCap does not care about the community. If they did, they would settle out-of-court and work with those elected to manage this community and acknowledge the level of opposition to the project.

Instead, they fight on.

They seem almost obsessed with building Arlington Valley no matter how many times the voters say no.

It's as if they simply don't care what the people want.

It's what they want that matters.

North Arlington needs to speak out.

Call the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and demand answers. Attend NJMC meetings and ask them why this baler facility cannot remain open?

What is the compelling reason?

Ask Executive Director Robert Ceberio what he is doing to work with North Arlington through this mess created by the state of New Jersey?

When is the NJMC going to start listening?

Call the NJMC at (201) 460-1700.

Ask for Robert Ceberio who serves as executive director.

Maybe if they heard from homeowners, things might finally change.


gRUNNING 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.

"What's the purpose of a headquarters in 2008? It's a hangout for self-appointed political experts who know next to nothing about running a winning effort. That empty headquarters is representative of a political party that has no idea how to win a 21st century campaign," chuckled one Democrat as he watched losing candidate Jim Bocchino clear out the contents of another landslide loss.

"They just don't get it. They run from the standpoint that Len Kaiser is popular and that lawn signs somehow vote. They think running these whispering campaigns amongst borough employees gets them votes. The quality of campaign Democrats run is superior to the GOP at every level," said another Democrat and supporter of Mayor Pete Massa.

"North Arlington Democrats are unified. We now have three young council members who are energetic and engaged in Tanelli, Granell and Yampaglia. Who do the Republicans have? That bench is empty," observed Democratic Municipal Chairman Nick Antonicello.

Democrats said sweeping the local elections despite a McCain win over Obama in North Arlington made the victory all the more special.

"They were convinced they couldn't lose. Never underestimate the competition. Always empathize with your opponent. We always run as if we're losing. We don't take a single vote for granted," noted Antonicello.

Many Democrats are taking a hard look at the partisan actions of Superintendent of Schools Ollie Stringham along with board trustee Anthony Blanco who both endorsed Bocchino & Herrmann in last week's municipal contest.

"Stringham & Blanco are Republicans who worked against Councilman Tanelli and Councilman-elect Yampaglia. It's a shame they would get involved in a partisan election when the school board is supposed to be void of politics. I wonder how they would feel if the Democrats took an active role in the 2009 school races? These people are polarizing the community by taking a position against the Democrats and that's bad news for public education here in North Arlington," noted Antonicello.

Democrats are also upset by the fact that the a majority of school trustees are now looking to charge various recreation programs for usage of the district's facilities while the not-for-profit North Arlington Education Foundation pays zero rent despite having over $150,000 in surplus funds according to their 2007 990 federal tax returns.

Others want to know how many people work for the SACC program and who's in charge. According to sources, Mayor Pete Massa met with Stringham on this very matter, but was stone walled and not given any information despite the fact Mr. Stringham serves as a trustee to SACC.

Massa, who declined to be interviewed for this story is not happy with the board's continued partisan tone against local Democrats.

"I think it's inappropriate for school officials to meet with partisan candidates for public office days before a municipal election. As a former school trustee, I never engaged in that kind of activity and I would hope in the future the school board develop policies that prevent this kind f politics from occuring again in the future," noted Massa.

Democrats are livid that Bocchino & Herrmann apparently met with NJMC Executive Director Robert Ceberio on the possible closure of the E-1 landfill and baler facility.

"North Arlington was never officially notified, but Jim Bocchino knows before the elected representatives of the Mayor & Council? Did the NJMC resolute this action? Why was North Arlington never notified except to respond to a newspaper inquiry by The Record of Hackensack four days before the election?" questioned Councilman Al Granell, the party's 2008 campaign manager and close ally of Congressman Steve Rothman.

Despite the partisan shenanigans, Democrats were nevetheless happy with the results.

"All of our enemies had written the obituary of this campaign before the polls even opened, much less closed. The rumors that I couldn't win are a bit comical given the size of our victory. I'm very relieved this is now in the past and I look forward to working with Mayor Massa and my colleagues on the council in keeping North Arlington small, safe and suburban," observed Councilman-elect Mark Yampaglia.


gThe $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.

But what's up with the North Arlington GOP?

While Bocchino and Herrmann pander and promise football fields and new high schools to just about anyone who will listen, the Republican solution for a senior bus is to purchase a "jalopy" from the Board of Education for $1!

That's right.

GOP Councilman Joe Bianchi and Republican school trustee Tony Blanco think a bus with 450,000 miles and no air condition is somehow a solution for people who have spent decades supporting this community with their tax dollars?

While Mr. Blanco has no problem raising taxes as a school trustee, his solution for those pulling the wagon is a $1 investment in some old bus?

Give us a break.

It's nothing short of an insult to suggest that some old bus the BOE is about to junk is borders on the ridiculous.

Thankfully, thoughtful council members like Al Granell and Steve Tanelli are rejecting such a stupid notion and are seeking various funding options to make this investment in our senior community.

Seniors should remember this taxpayer insult when Mr. Blanco touts the benefits of raising your school taxes again, much the same way he did during his miserable tenure as superintendent of schools!

North Arlington Democrats would never insult seniors in this fashion.

Mayor Pete Massa's parents live in North Arlington and he understands the importance of taking care of our most vulnerable citizens. Mayor Massa, Council President Steve Tanelli and Councilman Al Granell, keeping North Arlington small, safe and suburban is more than a slogan, it's true vision for the future of our community!

If seniors needed one reason to reject the empty candidacy of Mr. Bocchino & Mr. Herrmann, this is it.


gEnding credit card government.

The Massa Administration's commitment to debt reduction leaves North Arlington in an improved financial position given the economy's current credit woes!

If there is one single reason why local Democrats deserve the support of voters is the Massa Administration's absolute commitment to debt reduction.

In the free-wheeling Kaiser era, North Arlington was receiving millions in "temporary" host community fees while at the same time borrowing huge sums of money to pay for capital improvements instead of a more sober, "pay as you go" policy.

Sadly, North Arlington was spending host fee revenues as fast as they came in the door.

Instead of saving for a rainy day, host fees were spent as if they were a permanent source of local revenue.

It is without question the single biggest blunder North Arlington could have made given today's housing crisis and credit crunch.

While North Arlington stayed on a dangerous course of deficit financing, outside host fees began to dry up and the local tax rate began to explode because the size of government was increasing at levels North Arlington could never afford.

Now that the dust has settled, North Arlington has nothing to show from the decades of host community fee revenues except a local government it needs to reduce and remain on a diet.

In essence, North Arlington said "yes" to all kinds of spending.

New capital projects. Miles of road paving. An ever expanding local government with the average borough employee now making roughly $70,000 a year!  

Sadly, these items were never actually paid for, but borrowed from future revenues in the form of short and long-term debt. A debt that was so out-of-control it reached nearly $30 million dollars when the Kaiser Administration was finally shown the door.

Now some five years later, Democrats have made a real attempt to reduce municipal debt.

Since Democrats have managed local finances, the borough's debt has been reduced some 39% to the current level of $17 million.

While the issue isn't sexy or compelling. It's smart management of your tax dollars.

How many people do you know who are now "upside down" on a mortgage or drowning in credit card debt? The credit crunch that is changing the American banking system as we know it will effect every aspect of our lives, including the delivery of government services.

If Democrats can take credit for anything that is truly meaningful, it is the path to fiscal solvency & liquidity.

Secondly, could you imagine in this credit crunch & housing crisis what would have happened to North Arlington had EnCap moved forward?

Economic devastation, pure and simple.

No one can predict the future, but the fact Democrats have stood tall in opposing EnCap while paying down this massive debt was simply the right thing to do.

The fact the Massa Administration is making tough decisions in bad times is the kind of leadership that will retain home values.

Campaigns have little to do with actual governance.

From the perspective of actually governing, local Democrats have done the right thing as it relates to our debt and that's very good news for homeowners and tenants alike.

If you needed one solid reason to support Steve Tanelli and Mark Yampaglia, this is it.


gAs the GOP continues to whine, NA Democrats govern with efficiency!

Tanelli, Yampaglia make a strong case for continued progress and accountability in local government!

Like infants in a playpen, the local GOP has been reduced to nothing short of whiners & complainers that lack any direction, message or vision for North Arlington.

This week's letter in The Leader from a GOP spokesperson positioned under the guise of political objectivity was not only hilarious, but speaks to the "amateur hour" status of the campaign of local Republicans!

With former GOP Mayor Leonard Kaiser seemingly unable to take a "public" role in the effort, you seem to have the politically incompetent trying to fill the void.

An example of that incompetence was on display in the form of a letter published by one Chris Johnson, who has been identified as the treasurer of the Bocchino/Herrmann debacle.

One has to believe your throwing political "Hail Mary's" when you criticize Democrats for letting a national television show have access to the community! You really need to be stretching it when one suggests that letting the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) come to NA the equivalent to the eminent domain seizure threats of the now bankrupt, EnCap Holdings!

On a more practical note, if the author really believes the GOP has an answer for high taxes, where is it?

Can you hear the crickets?

How about a debate?

Out of the question!

For months this website has pleaded with Republicans Joe Bianchi & Richard Hughes to present a single idea to reduce the cost of local government.

We'll go one step better, we will print unedited any proposal that actually reduces spending and property taxes!

But Bianchi & Hughes have no plan. They lack any ideas.

In essence, they don't know how to govern.

That's what makes the prospect of James Bocchino & James Herrmann as councilmen all the more horrifying!

Where do they stand on EnCap?

How about eminent domain seizure?

How about COAH and low income housing?

How about this year's zero tax increase?

What about making North Arlington a "green" community?

How about getting new retailers like Ace Hardware or Public Storage to invest in North Arlington?

How about the new Farmer's Market that is being proposed along River Road?

Where's the plan for Ridge Road which they commonly refer to as a "ghost" town even though Councilman Bianchi has had a prosperous hair salon for decades right on the avenue!

Does Mr. Bianchi think Ridge Road is a "ghost" town too?

How about Mr. Hughes?

When will these people start participating and start governing?

On the flip side of the coin you have fighters like Mayor Pete Massa, Council President Steve Tanelli and Councilman Al Granell. You also have a proven businessman in Councilman Salvatore DiBlasi and a true war hero in outgoing Councilman James Ferriero!

Former Councilman Mark Yampaglia, a practicing attorney, life-long resident and member of PHI BETA KAPPA has the kind of resume one expects from a councilman.

Why doesn't Mr. Bocchino list his time as a member of the North Arlington Redevelopment Agency in his campaign literature or website? Why isn't the word EnCap anywhere in the site?

Speaking of resumes, can someone spell check the biography of James Herrmann?

Don't believe us? Go check for yourselves as www.northarlingtongop.org!

On the issue of fiscal conservatism, can anyone really trust the Republicans after they practically bankrupted North Arlington and squandered $45 million in host fees after two decades of absolute political power?

James Herrmann is a "tax & spend" machine.

He voted "yes" to raise taxes at the Board of Education.

He voted "yes" to raise taxes as a councilman.

He voted "yes" to enable EnCap and force North Arlington to deal exclusively with this now, bankrupt developer!

But worst of all he was trounced the last time he sought public office because of the fact he raised taxes over and over again only to removed from office thanks to a "botched" appointment process concocted by the likes of Herrmann and political mentor, Len Kaiser!

How about Bocchino?

He was beaten easily two years ago because he continues to support EnCap and Arlington Valley. He apparently supports low income housing as well as new COAH mandates.

He rarely shows at council meetings and when he does, he offers nothing.

He says nothing.

When it comes to debating Tanelli and Yampaglia, he avoids the challenge.

Why?

Does he know the issues, or just pretends too?

Does he have the resume to serve as a public official?

He's a retired political operative who seems obsessed with political power.

Thanks to the Democratic majority, North Arlington received favorable news today in terms of the arbitration decision handed down concerning pay raises for the NAPD. For the first time ever, the taxpayers were heard and the cops will receive a modest increase, not the 5% across-the-board request that was rejected.

Saying "no" to higher spending isn't easy. It takes guts and courage. Bocchino & Herrmann are political "yes" who answer to a higher political authority.

If you care about North Arlington staying on the right path with stabilized taxes and a small suburban character, the choice is fairly obvious come November 4th.

Local government is too important and too demanding to be left in the hands of the ignorant and rookies.

Mayor Pete Massa is the experienced, educated and sober leader we need in tough times.

Massa needs a cooperative council to get things done.

The re-election of Steve Tanelli and the election of Mark Yampaglia will do exactly that.


gTHE "BAD NEWS" BEARS!

Bocchino & Herrmann continue to paint North Arlington in a negative light while Democrats see the light at the end of the tunnel!

There's nothing loveable about two candidates who seem to find nothing right with North Arlington.

Two candidates who offer no solutions, but seem to spend most of their time bashing the community despite the fact that most of the problems the Democrats are fixing were inherited from the Kaiser political machine!

Referring to North Arlington as a "ghost town" is hardly accurate, much less a solution to the issue of development.

While Bocchino & Herrmann refuse to even utter the words EnCap, the hard reality remains is that this was their solution, the Republican solution for North Arlington! Both Bocchino & Herrmann supported in votes and actions to give this controversial developer the exclusive rights in 2002 to be the sole developer of record!

We find it interesting that describing Ridge Road as a "ghost town" hardly helps the very retailers struggling for help, not criticism. Is it fair to say that Mr. Bocchino & Mr. Herrmann view Pal Joey's, the hair salon owned by Republican Councilman Joseph Bianchi as part of this so called, "ghost town?"

Would a sitting councilman describe Ridge Road the same way?

Another phantom issue of the Republican Party is the so called "water crisis."

Are Republicans still clinging to the notion that a utility audited & valued at $257,000 was worth keeping when the borough received $4.3 million for the same as well as another $2.1 million in upgrades?

Are Bocchino & Herrmann suggesting we buy back the system that was left to deteriorate on Mr. Herrmann's watch as a councilman?

What specifically did he do to upgrade the system in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 or 2003?

The answer is obvious. The answer is nothing.

What's most disturbing about the GOP rhetoric is the accusation that North Arlington is not "unified" and somehow lacks community spirit.

Did either Bocchino or Herrmann participate in this year's Memorial Day Parade? What about the renovations that took place at the Girl's Softball field? Did they attend this year's Fourth of July Fireworks display? Do they plan to attend the re-dedication of Skyline Park in memory of the late James Zadroga?

These are all examples of the spirit and unity the town displays each and everyday.

Do they live in a such bubble politically that they truly believe North Arlington isn't on the right track?

What did they do to fight EnCap like Mayor Massa or Councilman Steve Tanelli? What did they do to stop the threat of eminent domain seizure or low income housing?

When it comes to the tough issue of stabilizing this year's municipal budget, what did Mr. Bocchino or Mr. Herrmann actually contribute?

As usual, the answer is nothing, nothing and nothing again!

It must be depressing to campaign as a Republican in North Arlington.

The whole "sky is falling argument" is weak and won't work.

What compounds that losing argument is the complete inability to suggest anything tangible or meaningful to this campaign. It is that reason alone why they refuse to debate incumbent Councilman Steve Tanelli and former Councilman Mark Yampaglia!

How can you get elected when you still support EnCap? How can you get elected when you try to take credit for a "zero" tax increase budget, but don't serve on the council?

How do you question the collective spirit of a community and run it down by calling it a "ghost town" just to win an election?

Steve Tanelli & Mark Yampaglia have the endorsement of Mayor Pete Massa and the people of North Arlington. For Bocchino & Herrmann, this is all about "raw" politics and power. They hate the fact Democrats run the community and hate the fact they're not in charge!

If Councilman Bianchi couldn't get a Ridge Road retailer to install lights while selling the retailer in question the "air" rights as a planning board member, how can we expect him to do anything significant? If Councilman Hughes thinks it's a terrible idea to apply revenue to the expenditure side to spare homeowners a tax increase, what will he do if he was ever in the majority?

Jim Bocchino and James Herrmann are North Arlington's version of The Bad News Bears.

They complain about everything and don't have a solution for nothing.

They run because they hate the Democrats and want to bring back the machine politics of their political mentor, Len Kaiser.

Like any bad movie, it's time to move forward and dismiss the "bad news" rhetoric of two candidates who having really nothing to contribute to the political dialogue here in North Arlington!


gChicken?

Republican candidates Jim Bocchino & James Herrmann for whatever reason won't debate incumbent Council President Steve Tanelli and former Councilman Mark Yampaglia, a practicing attorney.

In a letter released to the local media, NA Republicans are claiming that they are debating "their opponents in the streets."

How do you debate people in the streets?

Why won't they simply agree to a format that is fair and balanced for all concerned?

Democratic Councilman Al Granell has been speaking with members of the various weekly newspapers about the prospect of such a formalized discussion on the issues.

Councilman Granell sent a registered letter to the home of Republican candidate James Bocchino in August requesting a dialogue for debates.

To date, the letter was never acknowledged.

Maybe one of the reasons they won't debate is that they'll have to explain to voters how they can take credit for this year's zero tax increase budget when neither of them hold public office?

How do you suggest that because two of the seven members of the governing body were Republicans, that somehow that translates to these to challengers having anything to do with the stabilization of the tax rate?

In fact, GOP Councilman Rich Hughes was prepared to vote against the zero tax hike because he had concerns about not keeping enough revenue within the reserve for uncollected taxes! When it became apparent that stalling tactic wasn't going to fly, he grudgingly vote for the Massa Administration's austere budget package.

The Republicans didn't make the tough decisions. The Democrats did. It was the Democrats that said no.

Hughes & Bianchi simply said "me too!"

So what's stopping the Republicans from facing the public?

Could it be the fact that James Herrmann as a school trustee and councilman raised taxes in every budget he had a hand in?

That on Mr. Herrmann's watch, taxes and spending grew far beyond the rate of inflation and in all of his time as an elected official he never cut taxes once?

In fact, James Herrmann raised taxes over 100%  during his tenure as a councilman and school trustee.

He is one of North Arlington's biggest spenders through and through!

Not once in his time as an elected official did he ever control taxes & spending!

Do you think Mr. Herrmann wants to explain to voters how he got himself illegally appointed to a council vacancy after being tossed out of office by a 1,000 votes? Do you think he wants to explain how a Bergen County judge removed him from office because of this badly botched appointment in the waning days of his term of office?

What makes anyone think this tiger can change his stripes now?

Clearly, neither candidate wants to be placed in the uncomfortable position of explaining their long association with the Kaiser political machine or their long-standing support of EnCap, the massive housing scheme that is threatening North Arlington with overdevelopment, eminent domain seizure and low income housing courtesy of COAH!

The Republicans are throwing rocks from the sidelines because they don't dare step on the field of play.

That's what one does when they stand for nothing and run a campaign that lacks any tangible solutions or message for the people of North Arlington.


gStand for something? Or stand for nothing?

The silence is deafening. 

On the tough questions of EnCap, eminent domain seizure and low income housing, Bocchino & Herrmann have really nothing to say!

Campaigns have a tendency to become about "pomp and circumstance" versus the real issues that people really want to discuss.

Campaign signs, flyers, buttons and bumper stickers seem to take a front seat to real discussions about real issues.

The rhetoric of a campaign rarely stands up to the reality of governing.

We saw that all too clearly last year when candidates Hughes & Bianchi attacked Democrats for a 33% tax increase created by the Republican Party's long-standing support of EnCap. While they railed against the tax increase, neither Hughes or Bianchi made a single expenditure cut suggestion to downsize the cost of government.

If you don't have the political courage to cut spending, how can you rail against tax hikes as if you actually had a solution to the problem?

That's politics.

Because no one likes tax increases, Democrats lost two seats in a very close election. It's interesting to note that in Rutherford, Democrats were absolutely crushed by more than 1,600 votes for a smaller tax hike while Democrats came within of 92 votes of victory.

Why the contrast?

"Democrats in North Arlington were competitive despite the tax increase because Democrats have demonstrated a willingness to take on the tough issues like EnCap. Instead of making a deal with the devil, they raised taxes and took the political hit. Democrats in Rutherford didn't lose over the tax hike, they lost because they betrayed the voters by endorsing EnCap," stated one local Democrat familiar with both communities.

The topic of leadership is clearly an issue in this race for two council seats.

By any standard, Council President Steve Tanelli is a leader.

He took on his own party when he broke from former Mayor Russ Pitman's "flip-flop" on EnCap.

It was Tanelli who urged then Councilman Pete Massa to challenge Pitman in the primary despite being off-the-line and opposed by the forces of state and county government. Even James Bocchino & Joe Bianchi were pulling for Pitman in his dismal defeat in June of 2006 to be the first sitting incumbent mayor to lose the support of his own political party!

Tanelli is not a product of politics. He came to politics through his long association with the recreation community where he served as a volunteer and coach before becoming a Recreation Commissioner and Recreation Director for the borough.

Tanelli is also a fiscal conservative who has no problem cutting government while his Republican colleagues Rich Hughes & Joe Bianchi can't seem to find more ways or more reasons to dole out raises and promotions despite the fact the people oppose such a reckless financial path after Democrats put this budget in place to offer homeowners the only "zero" tax hike in all of South Bergen!

In clear contrast, James Bocchino and James Herrmann are direct descendants of the Kaiser political machine.

Mr. Bocchino is a retired patronage employee of the controversial Bergen County Utilities Authority where Mr. Kaiser continues to serve as executive director.

Mr. Herrmann's political mentor is Kaiser. It was Kaiser who nurtured his political career and gave Mr. Herrmann his political start!

Mr. Bocchino is also a political appointee of Kaiser.

It was Kaiser who appointed him to the now defunct, North Arlington Redevelopment Authority, the very agency that gave us EnCap. It was Bocchino who voted to appoint the De Cotiis law firm as the agency's bond counsel. It was the Kaiser political organization headed by Bocchino in his capacity as municipal chairman who accepted nearly $25,000 from the very firm now suing North Arlington to saddle us with Arlington Valley!

As a councilman and school trustee, Jim Herrmann never opposed Len Kaiser once.

Not once.

Not ever.

No way!

Not once did he ever put the community before the organization.

By any standard, Jim Herrmann stood by the Republican Party instead of the people.

But worse than that, he raised taxes every year he served as an elected official.

He raised taxes at the Board of Education.

He raised taxes on the Borough Council.

He's a liberal big spender through and through!

When he was tossed for office in 2003, he tried to get himself appointed to an unexpired term despite losing by nearly 1,000 votes in a twelve district landslide.

Instead of following the electoral mandate of the voters, he and his GOP allies appointed him anyway even though he failed to resign from his expiring term of office! Herrmann's "politics before people" performance was so obvious that a Bergen County Judge removed him from office because of his botched political scheme to stay in office in April of 2004!

So what's new about the two Jimmy's?

Not much.

The fact is Herrman and Bocchino believe Len Kaiser was a great mayor and that North Arlington would be enhanced by a throwback to the failed policies of the "tax & spend, tax and borrow" schemes of the past!

But why won't the Republicans even mention the word "EnCap" in any campaign literature?

How about eminent domain seizure or low income housing?

Do you see a pattern?

This is why the Republicans won't debate Councilman Steve Tanelli and former Councilman Mark Yampaglia, a practicing attorney.

They want no part of anything less than a stacked deck.

And as voters, you need to ask yourself why?

Why not debate?

Why not face your opponents in a fair and free environment?

What are they afraid of?

Council President Steve Tanelli and former Councilman Mark Yampaglia have nothing to hide.

They have a record and body of accomplishment they would gladly compare to Mr. Bocchino and Mr. Herrmann.

Where does Bocchino & Herrmann stand on EnCap? eminent domain seizure and low income housing?

How about the new COAH regulations?

What will they do to keep spending down? Will they control salaries and raises? Do they want to hire more employees or less employees?

When will these two challengers come out of hibernation and address the issues Republicans, Democrats and Independents need to hear to make an informed choice?

The silence is deafening.