MAYOR'S UPDATE:

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 10

We close out this week united in our thoughts and prayers for the people of Turkey and Syria, where Monday’s earthquake has caused terrible devastation in the region. I would like to thank Westfield resident Zeynep Miller for making the Town Council aware of a local donation drive to benefit the many survivors enduring freezing temperatures without water, food, or shelter. There are several organizations volunteering to send flights with the donated materials, which can be dropped off at 793 Knollwood Terrace or 357 Orenda Circle. The following items are needed most:

Tents for cold weather
Tent heaters
Sleeping bags
Sleeping pads
Blankets
Camping blankets
Winter coats
Camping lights/lanterns
Hand warmers

You can also donate directly to the following nonprofit organizations:

Global Giving Turkey Earthquake Relief Fund

Turkish Philanthropy Fund/Turkey Earthquake Relief Effort

Bridge to Turkiye Earthquake Relief Fund

Thanks to all who are coordinating this effort to help the people of Turkey and Syria at this time.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

ONE WESTFIELD PLACE

In case you missed it, I shared some letters to the editor on social media this week about the One Westfield Place proposal that capture a range of reasons why residents, business owners, and downtown stakeholders are in favor of the project.

Resident Steve Gorelick took the time to recount his experience working with Dan Biederman, who led the renaissance of NYC’s Bryant Park into the world class park we love today, and has been working on the proposals to program the public square and public green on the north and south sides of the train station as part of One Westfield Place. These programmed public places will serve as the centerpiece of the project and play a key role in bringing vibrancy and foot traffic to our downtown, and I’m excited to see what this world class talent will bring to Westfield. You can read Steve’s full letter here.
Rabbi Charles Kroloff, who served as the Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El for 36 years before retiring in 2002, shared his thoughts on the benefits of the proposal – both as a revered community leader and 50+ year resident. Like so many others, I have been the beneficiary of Rabbi Kroloff’s wise counsel and insights into our community, and am blessed to consider him both a mentor and a friend. You can read his letter here.
As I’ve mentioned, Westfield has lost 2,000 jobs since 2015 according to the NJ Dept of Labor. Our downtown businesses have suffered the economic consequences of losing those “walking wallets,” and are now challenged to survive on weeknight and weekend foot traffic alone. Office workers support not only restaurants, but a vast ecosystem of dry cleaners, hair salons, pharmacies, coffee shops, and retailers. It is anticipated that One Westfield Place will support 1,350 jobs in the office buildings and generate $5.94 million annually in local spending. I’m grateful that the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Westfield Corporation Board of Directors – both consisting of residents, as well as local business and property owners – recognize the opportunity for One Westfield Place to restore many of the jobs we’ve lost and revitalize our downtown economy. You can read the endorsement letter from the Chamber here, and from the DWC Board here.

I’d also like to highlight a very timely blog post from the non-profit, non-partisan group NJ Future regarding the future for transit-oriented communities like ours, which is reflected in the One Westfield Place proposal. Since this project will benefit future generations the most, we have to be forward thinking in our planning, and willing to make a statement about the community we aspire to be. What do we value? How can we think differently about the Westfield of tomorrow? You can read the full post here.

On Monday night, the Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of advancing the ordinance for the Redevelopment Plan of the One Westfield Place proposal, following a review of its consistency with the Master Plan. The ordinance now goes back to the Town Council this Tuesday for a final adoption vote. While I understand that there are aspects of One Westfield Place that not everyone will agree on, I also know there is no such thing as a perfect project. But we cannot let perfect be the enemy of good. What is important is that this project delivers on core values that will benefit future generations of Westfielders.

Once again, I want to thank the many residents who have made the effort to stay informed. You can find all presentations and documents/FAQs related to the proposal at the One Westfield Place Information Center on our website.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS

Join the MLK Association of Westfield for the following events at the Center for Creativity at the Rialto in honor of Black History Month.

African American History in Westfield from 1720: Fridays (3:00 - 7:00), and Saturdays/Sundays (12:00 - 5:00), through February 28. Don’t miss an incredible opportunity to experience Westfield’s African American history with a new exhibit that is part of the MLK Association of Westfield’s African American History Project, with generous support from The Westfield Foundation.

African American History as it Pertains to Westfield and Union County: Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 PM. The dynamic New Jersey 2022 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Theresa Maughan, presents an interesting lecture on the importance of this New Jersey history.

Before Tiger Woods, John Shippen and the Shady Rest Country Club: Thursday, February 23, 7:00 PM. Prof. Emeritus Dr. Lawrence Hogan gives a fascinating lecture on the history of Shady Rest.

For more information, please contact the Association at mlkwestfield@gmail.com.

In addition, don’t miss An Evening with Judge Victoria Pratt, hosted by Westfield Memorial Library and the Human Relations Advisory Commission, on February 16 at 7:00 PM. Judge Pratt is recognized nationally and internationally for her commitment to reforming the criminal justice system. She’s been called a pioneer in procedural justice – a simple, proven approach to transforming our court system using the power of dignity and respect. Registration is required on the library's website.

The Library is also hosting several other events for Black History Month, including a teen book discussion group, a visual narrative of the first night watch service in America’s Black history, Keith Henley Performs Langston Hughes, and a Zydeco performance for children. For full details, visit their website.

HRAC HOUSE OF WORSHIP TOUR

On Saturday, February 25, Westfield residents are invited to join the first of its kind Town of Westfield House of Worship Tour. This event is sponsored by the Town’s Human Relations Advisory Commission (HRAC) in partnership with the senior clergy of Westfield.

The goal of the House of Worship Tour is to promote understanding and knowledge of many of the Town’s local religious and spiritual centers. Each stop on the tour will include information on when and why each house of worship was founded and built; the historical significance, artifacts, and milestones over the years; and architectural points of interest.

The sanctuary tours will include stops at Temple Emanu-El, Presbyterian Church, Redeemer Lutheran Church, and the First United Methodist Church, beginning at 12:45. Participants must provide their own transportation to the tour stops. Advance registration is required at bit.ly/HRAC-Tour, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

WISH HAIR STUDIO OPENS

Congrats to owner Jill Marinello on the grand opening of her Wish Hair Studio salon at 1012 South Ave West (next to La Casa Pizza). Thanks to the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce for arranging the ribbon cutting of this beautifully renovated salon. Please stop by and say hello!

ARRIVE TOGETHER INITIATIVE

Earlier this week, Chief Battiloro attended a press conference hosted by Governor Murphy and State Attorney General Platkin announcing the expansion of ARRIVE Together—an initiative that pairs law enforcement with mental health providers when responding to behavioral health and crisis calls. Beginning in May, a mental health professional and a Westfield Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officer will be teamed up one day a week to answer mental health crisis calls together and conduct follow-up work in Westfield and in other towns in western Union County. The Westfield Police Department was asked by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office to participate in this program and Chief Battiloro eagerly accepted as part of the department’s ongoing focus on community policing efforts.

LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT

2022 was quite a year for Westfield Memorial Library! You can now read their Annual Report, which details the substantial increases to all library services as residents borrowed 243,000 books and other items, asked 12,000 reference questions, and attended 8,400 library events. And the library continued to be a critical source of technology services with 28,000 WiFi sessions, 21,000 pages printed, and more than 5,500 hours of desktop computer usage.

Other accomplishments in 2022 included technology upgrades, infrastructure improvements, new early childhood literacy programs, and expanded community partnerships. One of the most exciting changes was the Board of Trustees' decision to join the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC), increasing the number of books and other items Westfield residents will have access to, from around 170,000 to more than 3 million!

You can read the report on the Library's website, as well as information about their key priorities for 2023.