Take Five: Westfield Council Candidate Doug Stokes

WESTFIELD, NJ - There are seats opening up on the Westfield Town Council and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election this November.

Questionnaires were sent out out to all candidates registered with the County Clerk's Office in the 2019 general election using the email addresses they went on file with. The responses will be posted on the site by those who submitted in the order in which they were received. They will also be included in an election preview wrap.

This Take Five features Republican Doug Stokes. His responses to the questions are below and unedited.

1. Why are you running for office?

I am seeking re-election as a 4th Ward Councilperson. I have served the town with pride and integrity since being elected. I have served as vice chair on several committes and have been a member of the Finance, Department of Public Works and Public Safety Committees. I have also served as council liaison for the Historical Preservation Committee and Westfield Memorial Library. I was President of the Westfield Memorial Library Board of Trustees for numerous years prior.

2. What is the biggest challenge you see facing your community and how will you address it?

There are many challenges facing the community including keeping the Downtown Business District vibrant, expanding parking opportunities, expansion of our parks and playing fields, improving commuter options and improving our infrastructure to name a few.

As we continue to pave more roads each year since being elected the pressure of infrastructure improvements versus the integrity of our neighborhoods is important with regard to balancing the quality of life while maintaining home values. Recently, PSE&G wanted to run high power lines through our tree lined streets. As part of a bipartisan leadership team with Councilman Contract and concerned residents, we were able to offer alternative solutions to PSE&G that are currently being explored and the plan to put these lines in our neighbors yards has been stopped. As the pressure for improved utilities increase (ie. Power lines, cell towers, etc), I will continue to fight for alternative/ out of the box solutions with my colleagues and constituents of the town to keep our neighborhoods safe and welcoming for our residents and new neighbors seeking Westfield as their future home.

3. What makes you the right person to vote for as opposed to the other candidate(s)?

I believe in integrity and honesty. I will continue to do the research, get the facts, ask the uncomfortable questions to make informed decisions..not popular ones! I will continue to take pride in Westfield, think local and represent not just the 4th Ward, but all of Westfield!

4. What will you do to facilitate communication with the community?

Continue to be transparent, available and responsive to neighbors and constituents. Hold public forums to keep residents abreast of what's happening, as well as opportunities for feedback. For instance the Finance Committee invited residents to add input on the upcoming 2019 budget planning process by holding a public meeting to review the 2018 fiscal year. Residents were able to ask questions, seek clarity and offer suggestions. Also a presentation is held annually to publically share the current year's budget with residents and stakeholders.

5. What inspires you?

Providing bipartisan leadership and giving back to the Westfield Community. My wife and I have been volunteering in the Westfield community since moving here in 2002 by actively giving time to PTO's, animal shelters, coaching youth sports, assisting religious organizations, boyscouts, Girlscout leader, 4H leader, Westfield Memorial Library and so forth. As proud parents of a Girlscout Gold award recipient and soon to be third Eagle Scout, our children have proudly volunteered their services for the Westfield community as well.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.