GUARINO TO CHALLENGE SARLO IN DISTRICT 36

THE RED FACTION

Freedom, Responsibility Self-Reliance

 April 10, 2007  

“EnCap is a testament all that is wrong with New Jersey government,� 

GUARINO CROSSES PARTY LINES TO

TAKE ON SEN. SARLO IN DISTRICT 36

Vows to Kill the EnCap Project

NUTLEY RESIDENT PIO COSTA RUNNING FOR ASSEMBLY

 Lyndhurst – Long time political watchdog Michael A. Guarino has filed to run as a candidate for state Senate in District 36, promising to stop the massive EnCap development project and protect taxpayers. 

Guarino, who was recruited by the Republican political organization known as The Red  Faction, said he is so committed to battling “the boondoggle in the meadowlands� that he switched parties to run as a Republican against incumbent Democrat Sen. Paul Sarlo of Wood Ridge.

“Mr. Sarlo, unfortunately, has been party to one of the biggest taxpayer rip- offs in the history of the State of New Jersey,� said Guarino. “He is protecting the profits of a politically-connected corporation and the consultants who are making millions from this project, instead of protecting the taxpayers. 

“I will work tirelessly to kill the EnCap project and expose those responsible for this tragic waste of taxpayer money. EnCap is a testament all that is wrong with New Jersey government,� he added.  

Guarino is running with Carmen Pio Costa 27, of Nutley, who is seeking one of the two General Assembly seats in the district – which covers parts of Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties 

On his decision to switch parties to run against Sarlo, Guarino said: “I have been a proud Democrat for decades, but the party to which Mr. Sarlo belongs – the party controlled by political Boss Joe Ferriero -- is not the Democrat Party I grew up with. It has now become the party of backroom deals and political insiders.� 

Guarino, born in Newark, moved to Lyndhurst as a child, and is now retired. He served as the Director of the Bergen County Health Department and a consultant to the Passaic County Department of Health. Guarino earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Columbia University.  He is a former Lyndhurst school board trustee and a noted taxpayer watchdog. He and his wife Barbara, now deceased, were active in the mental health network in south Bergen for many years. Guarino has five children and 10 grandchildren. 

Pio Costa is president of Pio Costa Enterprises, of Fairfield where he is responsible for all aspects of operation for the real estate investment firm.He is a graduate of the University of Hartford with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. 

Pio Costa also says he is committed to stopping the EnCap project and to working for real property tax relief for middle class taxpayers.  “From a financial perspective, the EnCap project makes no sense. It is a heavily subsidized scheme to use tax payer money to leverage a highly questionable real estate venture,� said Pio Costa. “State lawmakers should not be risking taxpayer dollars this way.� 

Pio Costa added he wants to be part of a growing movement in New Jersey to send new people to Trenton to put an end to the state’s undisciplined spending that is driving property taxes through the roof.

“Trenton lawmakers have proven only this: They can’t stop spending taxpayer money and they can’t deliver real tax relief. They promised tax reform this year and gave us another one shot gimmick. It’s time to end politics as usual in New Jersey,� added Pio Costa.  

District 36:  Carlstadt Borough, East Rutherford Borough, Garfield City, Lyndhurst Township, Moonachie Borough, North Arlington Borough, Nutley Township, Passaic City , Rutherford Borough, Wallington Borough, Wood Ridge Borough