Getting ready to win!
North Arlington Democrats begin the process of formulating
campaign strategy for a 2008 victory to preserve their 4-2 majority on the
borough council
Massa committed to "a Democratic victory" come
the fall!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - The sting of a 92-vote defeat in
the face of a 33% tax increase last year has had North Arlington Democrats
working hard to get back to their winning ways and part of that effort was
discussed at the party's monthly Democratic Club meeting held Friday evening at
the VFW Hall on River Road.
The North
Arlington Democratic Club is the borough's
oldest active political organization and membership is open to any
registered Democrat over the age of 18.
Democrats, who had won 5 straight local elections
against the GOP were upset last fall when challengers Rich Hughes & Joe
Bianchi rode the crest of a 33% tax increase caused by decades of fiscal
mismanagement as well as the lopsided agreement with EnCap being challenged in the courts by
the Massa Administration.
This year,
Republicans plan to field Kirk Del Russo, a former business owner now employed
by the state of New Jersey. Sources say his running-mate will be former
GOP municipal chairman and unsuccessful candidate for council in 2006, James
"Jimmy" Bocchino.
Del
Russo's name has been mentioned for council several times in the past.
A part-time realtor, Del Russo
ironically is a financial contributor to Democrat Paul Sarlo, the district's
state senator. Bocchino, who finished
fifth in a field of six candidates is a retired county employee with the
BCUA and served with del Russo on the now defunct, North Arlington
Redevelopment Agency.
"Encap's advent on the scene was with
those who served on the redevelopment agency. How
either one of these potential candidates can hide their support for EnCap will be difficult given the amount of campaign contributions accepted on
behalf of Republicans during Bocchino's tenure as party chair," noted one
Democratic operative.
While the
Republican ticket seems to be set, Democrats have been mum on who will be the
party's choices.
"We have several good candidates we will
interview and consider. We believe Council President Steve Tanelli is one
of the community's rising political stars who will lead this team to victory
come November," said Nick Antonicello, the local party chairman.
Tanelli
sought and won an unexpired term in 2004 with
a landslide victory over GOP challenger Thomas Pimpinelli. Taneli was again
re-elected easily in another route over then Independents George McDermott
& former Democrat Joseph Porcile. The Republicans failed to field a ticket.
An
original opponent of eminent domain and low income housing, Tanelli served as
the borough's recreation director as well as commissioner. He managed the
successful primary campaign of Councilman Pete Massa who defeated incumbent
Mayor Russ Pitman in the 2006 Democratic Primary. Off the line and thoroughly outspent, Tanelli was the architect of a
landslide victory that saw Pitman vanquished despite support from county
Democrats like Paul Sarlo.
Tanelli was the author of the referendum that
vastly restricted the usage of eminent domain and has been a key figure in
the borough qualifying for nearly $2 million dollars in grants to upgrade
streets and other infrastructure improvements within the borough. A Senior Art
Director with MOVADO North America, Tanelli is the father of two sons and lives
with his wife on Third Street.
One of the
speakers at the Friday meeting was Board of
Education President George McDermott, who has made no secret of his desire
to seek higher office. Unsuccessful in his bids as an independent in 2004 and
2005, McDermott is also a borough employee and active in many borough civic
organizations including the North Arlington Volunteer Emergency Squad.
Many
Democrats in attendance were encouraged by
the large number of voters who participated in the presidential primary held on February 5th.
"Nearly 75% of all voter participated in
the Democratic Primary as opposed to the GOP. That gives us a huge
advantage come the fall campaign. We need to identify that vote and get them
involved at the local level," observed Councilman Al Granell, a supporter
of Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
Granell,
who was elected in 2006 called upon the club to get organized and ready to win
come November.
"I'm
very optimistic. We're working very hard on
delivering a solid municipal budget to voters while holding the line on
spending. We've been very diligent in our negotiations with EnCap and have reached out to
Rutherford Mayor John Hipp for his input in this process. I believe with
Council President Tanelli leading our local ticket, we will do very well come
November," said the first-term Democrat.
Others being
considered for the second place on the ticket is said to be incumbent
Councilman James Ferriero and some think former Republican mayoral
candidate Peter Norcia is said to be
interested in running as a Democrat.
Mayor Pete
Massa gave those in attendance a thorough overview of the borough's finances
and the council's attempts to control spending.
"We're doing everything we can to control
spending and deliver on the promise of fiscal competence. The Republicans
won last year because we were painted into a financial corner due to EnCap and the GOP incompetence of the past.
That won't be the situation in 2008 and I have every intention of running and
winning for re-election come 2010. Pete Massa
isn't going anywhere," said the retired police officer to the applause
of those in attendance.
And while
Democrats feel they have many the fiscal problems of the borough now under
control, they are pleased by the bipartisan
tone that now exists on the governing body.
"I'm
happy to say that on most things, Councilman
Bianchi & Councillman Hughes seem to agree with the objectives we're trying to accomplish," said Granell, who serves as the borough's
Finance Chairman.
One of the
areas is the protracted police negotiations that have now gone to binding
arbitration.
According
to sources, North Arlington police officers
earn in average of over $100,000 annually not including overtime,
pension and healthcare benefits.
Despite
being a retired police officer, Massa seems intent on putting taxpayers first.
"The
police officers do an excellent job. But finances are tight and we can't just
arbitrarily raise taxes when the borough is still mired in this financial
crisis caused by EnCap and the threat of what's left of
host fees being completely eliminated. We need to negotiate a new deal with the
NJMC and I'm hopeful our state legislators as well as our friends on the NJMC
will be open to our concerns," said Mayor Massa.
"Like me, they seem committed to
controlling spending and the tax levy and that makes it all the more easier to
get things done. The people want and expect political cooperation and we've
worked very well together over the course of these couple of months. Good
government is good politics and we plan to bring good government back to North
Arlington," said Granell, an IT executive with United Parcel Service
(UPS).
The North
Arlington Democratic Club meets every third Friday of the month. To join the
club, contact Councilman Steve Tanelli at (973) 985-9185.
