In a world where so much pulls us in different directions, it’s a real joy to celebrate something that brings us together: our Community Band! There’s something truly special about gathering as neighbors, hearing live music played by people we know, and feeling a little spark of togetherness in the ...

WESTFIELD — Practicing physician Dr. Tina Shah is stepping up to run for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District to put insurance companies and career politicians like Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. on notice that it is time to fix what is broken in our healthcare system and in Washin...

We were, of course, very disappointed to see that the State Legislature last week voted overwhelmingly to allow local governmental bodies to stop publishing public notices in print newspapers like The Westfield Leader and HAWK and, instead they are required to post them on their own official website...

Your reporter’s article in the Hawk page 1 of the July 3 edition caught the same action of the mayor as I did as an attendee of that council mtg. The article noted that at the meeting, a resident read her poem, and our Mayor Blumenstock then announced, ……”(this poem) will be recognized as the offici...

As Cranford's youngest residents prepare for their summer break from school, the Cranford Police Department aims to partner with parents and the youth community to address two key safety concerns we have observed in recent months.Since January 2025, the Cranford Police Department has responded to ov...

I performed an OPRA request of Scotch Plains’ new and first ever tree ordinance. I found the new ordinance to be an interesting read. The thought that comes to mind is rules for thee, not for me. For years I requested Township Officials to implement a tree ordinance. My requests have always fallen o...

I paused my newly acquired internalized censor,whichwagsitsfingerwhenever I slip and say the “taboo” words: diversity, inclusion, or equity (DIE). A reflective pivot prompted me to wonder if that trio of words had DIEd, and is now replaced by uniformity, exclusion, and inequality.What happened to th...

I’m pleased to share that the Town of Westfield has once again prevailed in litigation brought by the Westfield Advocates for Responsible Development challenging the One Westfield Place redevelopment plan. This latest ruling affirms the previous court’s decision that the Town acted appropriately and...

Since I began my campaign for Mayor of Westfield, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what makes our town so special. At its core, it’s our deep sense of community. We are not only residents, but also neighbors and friends. We share spaces together, our kids play sports together, we dine toget...

Since Memorial Day, Westfield has celebrated so many facets of who we are as a community—from Pride and Juneteenth to honoring 150 years of service by the Westfield Fire Department. I’ve been reflecting on how these gatherings are a snapshot of what makes Westfield so special - a place where everyon...