EMERSON, N.J.—Borough voters will cast ballots in support of state, county, and local leaders on this Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
In the municipal election, voters will select two representatives to serve three-year terms on the six-member council.
The council is composed of three Republicans and three Democrats. Republican Mayor Danielle DiPaola gives the GOP a 4–3 majority, which could be impacted based on the outcome of the election.
Councilman Gerald Falotico is not seeking another term, rather he is campaigning as a Democrat for the state Assembly.
Falotico won election in 2016 amid a split vote when DiPaola also secured reelection. DiPaola then campaigned and won the office of mayor in 2018, leaving a vacant one-year term on the council, which was filled by Republican Jill McGuire.
McGuire is seeking a new three-year term alongside running mate Nicole Argenzia. They are challenged by Democrats Brian Downing—a former councilman who failed to win reelection in 2018—and Patricia L. Dinallo.
We invited candidates to submit a 250-word statement outlining their backgrounds and issues that are of importance to them; they appear in alphabetical order by last name. Asterisks denote incumbents.
Nicole Argenzia
—Party: Republican.
—Age: 46.
—Years of residency in town: 17.
—Career: Nurse manager at Hackensack University Medical Center.
—Degrees and certifications: Master’s in nursing; nurse executive, Chamberlain bachelor of science in nursing, summa cum laude; associate’s in applied science in nursing; New Jersey State Board certified in pediatrics.
—Family: Married to Patrick; sons Jake and Dominick and daughter Francesca.
—Elected experience: President, Emerson Board of Health.
It has been a wonderful experience being an Emerson resident for the past 17 years. Marrying into a family that has lived in town for generations, I knew this was a place we would make our home. I have volunteered for the Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Corps, coached for many recreational leagues, and served for over 10 years as a member of Emerson’s Board of Health, this year elected as board president.
I feel being active is a very important part of living in a small community like ours. My running mate, Jill McGuire, with her own record of involvement, feels the same.
As I have become more involved over the years, I felt the next step in my journey would be to help serve my community even better by running for Borough Council. I feel being a public servant, with my knowledge, background, and willingness to serve, makes me an excellent candidate in this year’s election.
As a devoted resident, I will work hard to ensure that our community is safe and well informed.
I believe it’s important that people work together for the greater good. If elected, I guarantee that I will always place the interests of the residents first. Please help us keep Emerson an excellent place to live, make lifelong friends, and raise our families, by voting for McGuire and Argenzia on Nov. 5.
—Nicole Argenzia
Patricia L. Dinallo
—Party: Democratic.
—Age: 68.
—Years of residency in town: 59.
—Career: Retired teacher; past president of the Education Association of South Hackensack, past Legislative Representative of the Education Association of South Hackensack
—Degrees and certifications: B.S. in social studies from St. Thomas Aquinas College; M.A. in reading from New Jersey City University with certificates in social studies 7–12, reading specialist, elementary education K–8, and special education
— Family: Married to Richard; two adult children; three grandchildren.
— Elected experience: None.
My name is Pat Dinallo, and I am running for a seat on the Emerson Town Council. My community service, dedication, and love for Emerson makes me an excellent choice to serve the people of Emerson.
I spent my formative years in Emerson, and raised my own family in town. I understand what a “family town” really means, and I want to help restore this sense of community to Emerson.
Since 2011 I have proudly served as a team player on the Emerson Environmental Commission after my appointment by leaders of both parties. During my tenure, we obtained grant money to build the Community Garden in Centennial Park. I enjoy seeing both the plants and relationships that are growing as a result of this initiative.
Our town faces very important decisions regarding the future of Borough Hall and other municipal facilities. I will work with the council and qualified professionals to make sure that all of our facilities are fully functional and up to code without altering the fabric of what makes Emerson special.
Whether you are raising a family or living on a fixed income, taxes are always a concern. As a fiscally responsible citizen, I will make it a priority to maintain a responsible budget in order to keep our taxes from escalating to a point where people can’t afford to stay in town.
Dedication, collaboration, and honesty are the hallmarks of good government, and if elected, I promise to live by these standards.
—Patricia L. Dinallo
Brian Downing
—Party: Democratic.
—Age: 50.
—Years of residency in town: 45.
—Career: Investigator, Department of Public Safety, Office of Consumer Protection for Bergen and Passaic County; Retired Sergeant from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department.
—Degrees and certifications: Criminal Justice at Bergen Community College and the University of Tennessee National Forensic Academy.
—Family: Married to Denise for 14 years; daughters Lily, 10, and Madeline, 7.
—Elected experience: Emerson Borough Council, 2015–2018.
I am running for a seat on the Emerson Town Council to continue giving back to my community. I previously served as a council member in Emerson 2015–2018. During my council term, I had the honor of serving our residents by working with our town’s incredible employees and very dedicated volunteers.
During my previous term, I was liaison to Emerson’s Recreation Commission, Environmental Commission, Volunteer Fire Department, Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Personnel Department and the Emerson Police Department. I was a contributing part of important decisions like the hiring of new police officers and helping to bolster our recreation facilities with new equipment.Raising my two daughters in this town means that I have a vested interest in its future. We have some important decisions to make regarding our borough hall refurbishment and our municipal safety complex.
Coming from a law enforcement background, I know that our police officers need a headquarters that provides a compliant and safe working environment.
Furthermore, all of our borough employees should be accessible to all residents in a safe, ADA compliant building. I will work to make that vision a reality.
Having grown up in Emerson, I have a deep appreciation for everything that our town stands for. I am committed to giving back to the community that has given my family so much. It would be my honor to represent you on the Emerson Town Council.
—Brian Downing
Jill McGuire*
—Party: Republican.
—Age: 49.
—Years of residency in town: 13.
—Career: Educator for Valley Program Autistic Continuum; President of Northern Valley Teachers Assistants Association.
—Degrees and certifications: Bachelor of Arts in English from Thomas Edison State University; member of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society.
—Family: Married to Elliot; sons Alexander, Christian, Michael, and Aidan Triana; daughter Keira McGuire.
—Elected experience:Current Emerson councilwoman (filled vacated council seat of Mayor Danielle DiPaola); former chair of Emerson Historic Preservation Committee.
I’ve been fortunate to serve as councilwoman since I was unanimously chosen by a bipartisan vote of the council to fill the vacated seat of Mayor DiPaola. I am now running for a full term with fellow candidate Nicole Argenzia. Nicole and I share the same vision of progress —the kind that is fiscally responsible but which also protects the small-town charm and character that Emersonians hold dear. It’s the kind of progress that promotes greater access to community programs and events for all, which I have worked toward over the past year. It’s also about transparency in local government, which is why I played an instrumental role in getting all council meetings televised.
I believe that the two most valuable assets that I have brought to the council are my leadership skills and my ability to work with others. In the spring I was recognized for my leadership in historic preservation by our local congressman, our state legislators, as well as our county officials.
I’m running for council because we must continue the positive course of the present administration. We cannot return to the policies of the past, that anchored Emerson to the massive downtown redevelopment, which one of my election opponents continually voted yes for.
I am asking for your support this November, not because I am your friend, your neighbor, or a familiar face around town, but because I believe I am the right choice to represent the interests of the residents of Emerson.
—Jill McGuire
Emerson 2019 Sample Ballot, courtesy Bergen County Clerk’s Office
