My name is Drew Pecker, and I’m running for Town Council in Ward 4 as a Democrat. Since launching my campaign, I’ve dedicated my evenings to meeting neighbors, listening to concerns, and sharing ideas. I’ve made sure that listening to constituents is my first priority. I grew up in Westfield near Ta...

Last week’s tragic loss of a middle schooler in Scotch Plains is every parent’s nightmare and just weeks after another youth on an e-bike was hospitalized after a collision. These incidents highlight the danger many of us already see on our own streets right here in Westfield. E-bikes and escooters ...

Rooted in Service “The best way to lose yourself is to find yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi That line has stuck with me forever. Service runs in my family. My grandmother, back in India, was a fighter for women’s rights. She showed me that leadership is about listening and showing up. L...

WESTFIELD – Westfield Ward 3 Councilman and mayoral candidate Mike Domogala this week announced the release of his mayoral platform, laying out a vision focused on fiscal responsibility, balanced development, strong public safety, and investment in parks, recreation, and open spaces.His plan is root...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism ProgramOn the first day of senior year, I walked into school already preparing myself for disaster. Not because of the major workload and stress of college applications, but because of the new block schedule that was implemented at Westfield ...

“Breathe in gently and deeply through your nose. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth. Clear your mind and allow your breath to find its natural rhythm.”That’s the instruction for most mindfulness meditation. You may have tried this in yoga classes or by listening to your favorite meditation a...

I was driving my daughter’s 12year-old friend home one night when she told me “Doctors withhold cures to keep people sick to make money.” My heart was breaking, as I gently told her that none of the hundreds of physicians that I knew wanted anything except the best treatment for their patients. Year...

Since launching my campaign for mayor, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with and listening to residents across Westfield. These conversations and my 15 years living in town continue to reinforce my belief that our community is strong and Westfield is an undeniably great place to live. I am running ...

I'd like to tell you a bit more about how my experience bridges two worlds: strategic planning in higher education and active community involvement. As a senior university executive and life- long learner, I’ve worked on initiatives ranging from instructional innovation and risk mitigation to studen...

If a Town’s zoning plan does not allow reasonable opportunities for affordable housing, such a zoning plan is unenforceable, unconstitutional, and susceptible to builder/developer lawsuits to build wherever they want. That’s the law. Some people don’t like that, but that is the law. In 2024, the Leg...