Westfield Mayor Calls For Inclusion After 'Divisive' Campaign

WESTFIELD, NJ - After a hotly contested race for Westfield Town Council Mayor Shelley Brindle is calling on the three new Democrats and the one incumbent Republican to work together towards Westfield's future.

"Now that results from Tuesday’s election have been finalized, I would like to congratulate new Councilmembers Jim Boyes, Mark Parmelee and Scott Katz, and incumbent Mark LoGrippo," Brindle said in a statement. "Thanks for casting your votes to continue the progress we’ve made these past two years, and for the overwhelming support of my administration's vision for our future."

Brindle said they will use the vote of confidence to continue focusing on issues that matter to the community:

• fiscal responsibility
• improving infrastructure
• revitalizing the downtown
• enhancing parks and fields
• improving traffic and pedestrian safety
• overseeing smart and responsible growth
• adhering to the best sustainable and environmental practices.

"Additionally, in light of the divisive campaign rhetoric and tactics we witnessed over the last few months, I will double down on my administration’s commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion, awareness and engagement," Brindle said. "I will do this, in part, with assistance from our ministerium comprised of interfaith leaders in Westfield. No one in our community should feel marginalized or intimidated. And as we gain traction with newly formed committees focusing on Seniors, Adaptive Needs and Mental Health, our residents will continue seeing this commitment in action."

Brindle noted that while the 27 percent voter turnout was the highest in New Jersey, the community must strive to do better.

"An engaged community is a successful and vibrant one," Brindle said. "I look forward to working with all of you to ensure that Westfield is the place where our kids and grandkids will want to call home"

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.