September 14, 2006 - 6:47pm
Press Release

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NORTH ARLINGTON DEMOCRATS

--70% oppose EnCap, 58% say give back the money.
MASSA LEADS PRO-ENCAP FOE BY 31-POINTS IN NA MAYOR’S RACE

NORTH ARLINGTON - Democratic Councilman Pete Massa, who overwhelmingly defeated incumbent Mayor Russ Pitman in the June Democratic Primary, holds a commanding 47-16 lead over GOP challenger and former Lyndhurst School Board Member Peter Norcia.--70% oppose EnCap, 58% say give back the money.
MASSA LEADS PRO-ENCAP FOE BY 31-POINTS IN NA MAYOR’S RACE

NORTH ARLINGTON - Democratic Councilman Pete Massa, who overwhelmingly defeated incumbent Mayor Russ Pitman in the June Democratic Primary, holds a commanding 47-16 lead over GOP challenger and former Lyndhurst School Board Member Peter Norcia.

The survey, of 251 North Arlington residents who said their chances of voting in the November election were “definite� or “very likely� was completed between September 10th and 13th by Neighborhood Research of Franklin, NJ. Neighborhood Research has been pollster for North Arlington Democrats for most of the past sixteen years.

Massa, who spearheaded the anti-Eminent Domain, anti-Encap campaign that catapulted him past incumbent Mayor Russ Pitman in the primary, enjoys across-the-board support with Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike, survey data indicates.

"Massa's support is deep. Voters view him as the only candidate opposing EnCap, eminent domain and the construction of Low Income Housing. Pete is seen as the only choice to prevent the urbanization of North Arlington which the EnCap Housing Project will achieve," said Councilman Steve Tanelli, Massa's campaign manager.

Voters oppose the EnCap Housing Project, which includes more than 1,625 units of housing on 75 acres, by a 17-69 margin, or better than 4-1. Among all respondents, just 10 percent are more likely to support EnCap when they learn that it will require the town to build as many as 300 Low Income Housing units, while 57 percent are less likely.

When asked whether North Arlington should void the entire EnCap deal and return the $2.6 Million payment received from Cherokee, a resounding 57 percent said give back the money while only 19 percent said to proceed with the project. That’s a 3-1 ratio.

59 percent of voters believe the EnCap project will raise property taxes while only 12 percent think EnCap will as promised reduce taxes. That's nearly a 5-1 margin.

"EnCap is dead on arrival. There is no community support for this Housing Project and the only ticket committed to stopping EnCap is Massa, DiBlasi and Granell. These poll results show a bipartisan consensus that North Arlington wants EnCap gone as quickly as possible, period, end of discussion," observed Tanelli.

Tanelli noted that Massa’s strong lead grows even bigger once voters learn that the Republican ticket strongly supports EnCap and as many as 300 Low Income Housing units.

“EnCap is clearly the number one issue facing our borough. The question voters will be facing is whether they will elect Democrats who will stop EnCap or Republicans who will support it.�

Massa’s strong support with voters is in spite of Tom Kean's commanding 47-29 lead in North Arlington over Senator Bob Menendez. "Massa is so strong, he even leads the Republican candidate among those voting for Kean for Senate. This is a testament to the broad based support of the Massa, DiBlasi & Granell ticket and deep opposition to EnCap. There is only one choice for voters opposed to EnCap, Eminent Domain, Low Income Housing and the urbanization of North Arlington and that is the Democratic Team of Massa, DiBlasi and Granell, Tanelli said.

"Tom Kean is defeating Senator Menendez, yet voters are coming back to Democrats like County Executive Dennis McNerney, who leads his Republican opponent by 10 points, and Councilman Massa. North Arlington voters are Independent-minded and will choose the best candidates regardless of party. Voters demand sensible leadership that puts the homeowner and taxpayer first. I look forward to working with our county ticket in delivering on that pledge," Councilman Massa said.

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