Dear Readers, You’ve invited me into your homes for 100 gratitude columns, starting with the onset of the pandemic. You’ve enriched my life immeasurably by giving me this platform on the power of gratitude. I’ve enjoyed being in a dialogue with you and appreciate the guest columnists, many emailed r...

Among the first acts of the newly elected Westfield Council members was an attempt to remove Thomas Jardim as the Town Attorney, claiming that he had provided “bad advice” about whether approval of the One Westfield Place redevelopment project could have legally been the subject of a “non-binding re...

“Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” - Winston Churchill With this pithy statement, Winston Churchill aptly summarized what we have come to learn over the past 250 years in this country: demo...

Scotch Plains Mayor Losardo Outlines Goals for 2024There is something special about this time of the year. The new year is a rebirth, a time to recharge, set goals and focus on what is most important for ourselves, our families and our community.I am proud to be submitting my fourth annual “Mayor’s ...

For some time now I have been thinking about writing a letter to the editor to help address some confusion about how municipal government works.After reading our new Councilman Kiefer’s letter in the Tap, I realized that, as we enter a new legislative year, now would be a good time.I was interested ...

There they go again! Santa Claus apparently paused his round-theworld trip a few weeks ago to hand out plenty of goodies to state and county government officials in the form of outrageous pay raises. Unlike the ugly sweater or the tacky knick-knack, however, we the people who pay those government sa...

2023 has been a remarkable year for new beginnings and significant accomplishments in Westfield!As I do every year, I’d like to take this opportunity to share what we accomplished over the past 12 months to reassure and remind taxpayers that your government and volunteer elected officials are workin...

Do you have a bucket list? What’s on your list: Exotic travel to see the Taj Mahal in moonlight or Bali for a stay in a tropical aerie? Does your list include daredevil adventures such as parachuting from a small plane, running a marathon, bungee jumping, or parasailing? Or dyeing your hair purple, ...

As we begin a new year full of hope and optimism, we are incredibly proud that New Jersey’s statewide minimum wage is now over $15 an hour. When we first began our work together in January 2018, New Jersey’s minimum wage was only $8.60 per hour. Today, thanks to the bill signed into law in February ...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism ProgramStop Competing, BringBack the Casual Music FanI have found myself too often in a situation where I am talking about music to someone, and suddenly I am forced to pick who my favorite artist is or what song I like the most. It isn’t the...