Draft:Arvin G. Amatorio

Arvin G. Amatorio (Born June 5, 1971) is a Filipino-American lawyer and a Democratic Party politician serving as the mayor of Bergenfield, New Jersey. He was a two-term councilman before being elected mayor in 2019, defeating incumbent Republican Party mayor Norman Schmelz. Amatorio was reelected as mayor in 2023, running unopposed in the June Democratic Primary and the November General elections.

Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Baler, Aurora, Philippines, Amatorio finished his elementary education at Baler Central Public School and went to Mount Carmel High School. He graduated with honors and received the Gerry Roxas Leadership Awards. He obtained a Juris Doctor Degree (JD) from San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Manila and studied economics at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He is admitted to Harvard University's International Relations Master's Degree Program. His early career involved working at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau of the Department of Finance in the Philippines.

Career in the United States
Amatorio immigrated to the United States in 2002. He first worked and taught at a business school in New York City while preparing to take the New York Bar. In 2006, he received his license to practice law in the State of New York. Before entering politics, he joined private law firms in New York City, specializing in civil litigation, personal injury, and immigration law. He later established his law practice in 2008. Between 2019-2022, he represented and helped the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) of the Republic of the Philippines as a private lawyer to pursue a claim for the assets related to the Marcos wealth. The "Water Lily" painting by Claude Monet was among the properties included. He joined the litigation in New York District Court and other claimants' Martial Law Human Rights victims, Golden Buddha, and former Imelda Marcos secretary, Vilma Bautista. He brought several Million-dollar settlements that the Philippine government urgently needed during the COVID-19 pandemic to help the country fight against the disease. Simultaneously, he assisted and collaborated with the US Department of Justice in defending the claim of the Philippine Government with Arelma Assets awarded to the Philippine Government with the value of $40 Million. One of Amatorio's notable experiences was being part of the 27 "Sentosa Nurses" litigation. The nurses sued and countersued large nursing homes in New York after claiming unfair labor practices, discrimination, and immigration violations. At present, Amatorio law firm represents medical facilities and health systems, among the largest and prominent in the nation, with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to bring medical professionals from other countries to fill a significant shortage in the medical professional workforce.

Political Career
Amatorio started his political career when he was elected as a council member in 2014. He was reelected for a second term and later became the mayor of Bergenfield, New Jersey, in 2019. He became council president in 2017-2018. Amatorio was reelected as mayor in 2023, running unopposed in the June Democratic Primary and the November General elections.

Amatorio was shortlisted to fill the NJ LD38 General Assembly vacancy when Assemblyman Tim Eustace left the position in 2018. Former Bergenfield Councilman Chris Tully eventually was picked to fill the vacancy.

Amatorio presently has been chairing the Bergenfield Democratic Party Committee for over eight years and is credited to the stabilization and strengthening of the local party.

Mayoralty
During his tenure as mayor, Amatorio focused on key agendas such as infrastructure upgrades, economic development, financial stabilization, and investments in recreational facilities for the youth.

Infrastructure Upgrade
He has overseen significant infrastructure improvements, including road enhancements and completing a new borough hall. The town under his tenure has had infrastructure improvements more than in at least half of the century, with the building of a new borough hall, the construction of new parks, the renovation of 16 public playgrounds, the repair of more than 250 sidewalks and roads, and installation of speed humps in accident-prone areas throughout Bergenfield.

Economic Development
Amatorio has been instrumental in the economic redevelopment of the area, focusing on attracting new businesses and supporting local enterprises. The central business areas have been designated for redevelopment, enabling property owners and investors to build modern facilities that attract investors. Amatorio caused the digitization of all borough records and made many services available online, such as license applications and payment of property taxes. He also prioritizes public engagement by making complaints and inquiries available to the public through phone and tablet apps.

Finance Stabilization
Under his leadership, the borough has seen a significant increase in budget surplus and increased its credit rating to AA+. Bergenfield also saw a reduction in debt while continuing to avoid excessive tax increases.

Recreational Investments
He has invested in recreational facilities for the youth, including the development of Vivyen Field and the renovation of Cooper's Pond. Amatorio, through the Recreation Committee, consolidated the sports programs under the town's supervision, bringing them more resources and a bigger budget. Under his tenure, various organizations became eligible and received

Public Health Response
Amatorio managed the borough's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bergenfield opened the first drive-thru COVID-19 testing in Bergen County by a municipality. He was among the first mayors in the county to establish a vaccination drive and achieve higher inoculation rates. The town formed a "home-bound" vaccination team to assist the seniors with their vaccination needs. Throughout the pandemic, the town has regularly conducted a vaccination drive for COVID-19 and flu.

Food Pantry
Bergenfield established a model food pantry at the beginning of the 2020 pandemic. He ordered the refrigeration building to accommodate fresh produce, meat, and dairy to become part of the package distributed to the affected population. Bergenfield served more than one thousand two hundred families with healthy foods, which the town and the mayor personally solicited from businesses, churches, non-profit organizations, and the county government.

Veteran Support
He spearheaded the disabled veteran tax exemption when he was in the council, providing property tax relief to returning veterans and their surviving spouses.

Personal Life
Amatorio is married to IIya Evangelista-Amatorio, whom he followed to the United States. They have two sons, Lance and Andrew. He is the son of public school teachers and credits his parents for teaching him the importance of public service.