EMERSON—Two Republican incumbents and two Democratic challengers are vying for two open Borough Council seats in Emerson on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Six of eight Pascack Valley towns feature contested council races this Nov. 4, and Pascack Press reached out to the candidates to get their views on key campaign themes and local issues. Montvale offers an uncontested race, with two incumbent Republicans unchallenged, and River Vale has no seats on the ballot.
Republican Councilwoman Nicole Argenzia and Councilman O’Neil Ellis, who was appointed Sept. 16 to fill the unexpired term of former Councilwoman Jill McGuire, face Democrats Michael DeOrio and Jose Organ. McGuire resigned in August, and Ellis’s appointed term runs through Dec. 31.
Campaign priorities
Both tickets provided joint responses to Pascack Press questions on local issues.
Argenzia and Ellis said they are running on a platform “to keep Emerson moving into the 21st century while maintaining services and keeping taxes stable, enhancing recreation programs for all ages, improving borough facilities and infrastructure, and keeping Emerson community oriented.”
DeOrio and Organ, running as Democrats, listed their priorities as 1) lowering taxes, 2) stopping wasteful spending, and 3) allocating budgeted monies to provide events and activities for local youth.
Candidate backgrounds
- Nicole Argenzia, a 23-year borough resident, is a two-term councilwoman, a life member of the Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Nurse Manager at Hackensack University Medical Center. She has served 10 years on the Board of Health.
- O’Neil Ellis, a nine-year resident, is married with six children. He volunteers with the Emerson Fire Department, serves as vice chair of the Recreation Commission, and coaches youth sports. He works as a director of security for a major hospitality company in New York City.
- Michael DeOrio, an 18-year resident, is married with three children and has spent 30 years as a public-school educator. He is a former member of the borough Land Use Board and a member of the local Democratic Committee.
- Jose Organ, a four-year resident, is married with three children and owns and operates a collision-repair business.
On deer management
The Republican incumbents noted that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recently gave an informative presentation at a mayor and council meeting “to educate us all on deer and their habits.” They said Emerson was awarded an $8,000 grant to conduct drone studies to better understand the borough’s deer population and “to become more informed.”
DeOrio and Organ said residents’ concerns must guide any deer-management strategy. Possible approaches, they said, include fertility control, habitat management, fencing, and repellents. After hearing residents’ feedback, they would consult with neighboring Pascack Valley towns and with county and state officials to develop shared-services strategies and protect ecosystem balance.
On flooding and drainage
Argenzia and Ellis cited nearly $2 million in grant funding that Emerson has secured to analyze water patterns and improve its storm-water drainage system, focusing on Dorchester and Vivian avenues as well as Jordan Road and Forest Avenue. They also pointed to work with Bergen County to install drainage improvements on county roadways and obtain additional county grants.
DeOrio and Organ said flooding remains a concern, noting that in 2022 officials secured nearly $1 million in federal funds for drainage-infrastructure modernization. They said they were uncertain whether those funds have been used, adding that “residents are often kept in the dark by the current mayor and council.” They said local Open Space funds, combined with county, state, and federal resources, should be explored to address flooding in designated areas.
On Block 419 redevelopment
Both tickets addressed the long-delayed mixed-use downtown project known as Citizen Emerson Station.
The 147-unit project, which includes 29 affordable units, was approved in late 2018. The borough and its redeveloper have been in court since 2020 over construction obligations and alleged unpaid funds tied to the former ambulance property. In September 2025, the borough formally revoked the redeveloper’s designation after issuing notices of default and termination in August.
Argenzia and Ellis said that “former Mayor [Lou] Lamatina’s failure to vet the redeveloper has put Emerson in this position.” They said courts “have reaffirmed our position repeatedly,” and that “we are moving forward to take back the property to ensure the completion of this project.”
DeOrio and Organ alleged that the current mayor and council “have been out to dismantle it at all costs, literally from Day One.” They charged that since 2019 “thousands upon thousands” of taxpayer dollars have been spent on “costly litigation and fees.” They said the partially built structure is “beyond an eyesore … hazardous and unsafe to the community at large” and should be completed as originally planned.
They also said the administration is seeking to take control of the property through eminent domain, “which was never made clear to the residents.” They urged the council not to interfere further, arguing that “stalling it will only end up costing the taxpayers more money.”
Editor’s note: Borough Attorney John McCann has confirmed to Pascack Press that Emerson is pursuing the legal pathway toward possible condemnation of Block 419.