Westfield Primary Election 2023: David Kiefer

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield's primary election on June 6 has eight candidates running for four open seats on the Town Council.

Republican David Kiefer is one of two candidates running in the uncontested primary for Ward 4.

Other candidates include Democrat Emily L. Root for Ward 1; Democrat Erika J. Vargas Garrison for Ward 2; Republican Michael Armento for Ward 2; Democrat Dawn Alicia Nichol-Manning and Republican Michal D. Domogala for Ward 3; and Democrat Scott A. Katz for Ward 4.

All of the candidates are running for a four-year seat on the Town Council.

Are you running for office in Westfield? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Westfield Patch.

David Kiefer

Age: 49

Town of residence: Westfield

Position sought: Town Council, Ward 4

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Married with two sons (ages 19 and 16) and two step-daughters (ages 16 and 14)

Education: Bachelors Degree and Juris Doctor

Occupation: Attorney

Previous or current elected appointed office: None

Campaign website: kiefer4ward4.com

Why are you seeking election to the Town Council?

I'm running for office to bring a better sense of accountability and responsiveness to our Council, especially as they relate to major development decisions in Town.

Balancing the town budget becomes more difficult each year with inflation and the loss of revenue since COVID. How do you plan to address this?

Our municipal budget reflects not only our values as a Town, but it is the product of hard decisions that prioritize mandatory and pressing expenditures over discretionary ones. Accordingly, the budgeting process requires real discipline and a willingness to forego spending in areas that are non-essential. The data shows that our Town is not trending in the right direction in terms of its ability to show this level of fiscal discipline and restraint. Westfield's spending has increased over the past few years, with a 5.46 percent increase this year alone. As a result, the surplus our Town accrued is whittling away year after year. I've heard our Mayor argue that this is a better alternative to raising taxes, but that seems like a false choice to me. Whether the Town's new spending comes from the surplus or new taxes, it is still increased spending and it will leave our Town with less cushion for harder times and less options when more pressing issues present themselves in the future.

Having trust and transparency in the town government is important to residents. How has the town improved on this or how would you improve this?

I feel the current majority on the Council has failed to instill a sense of trust and transparency in our government due to their handling of the One Westfield Place development project. The decision to deem aspects of the Town as being in need of redevelopment was done during the pandemic when residents were not fully aware of what was happening and, once residents became aware of the details of the project, the Council avoided meaningful engagement on the topic. For example, the Mayor instructed residents to bring their concerns directly to the developer, Streetworks, instead of to our elected representatives on the Council. Residents were only given a few months over the holidays to digest the details of the project and those who questioned the benefits of the project were routinely dismissed as misinformed. Ultimately, the process to approve the project was rushed and, in the end, the vote to approve the project by the vast majority of the Council appeared to be a foregone conclusion.

My campaign is focused on embracing independent thought, bringing meaningful and respectful debate to our Council and guaranteeing that all residents have an opportunity to be heard on major Town decisions. In short, I believe that the democratic process of making important decisions is something that should be respected and followed, not skirted to expedite a predetermined end.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in the township?

I remain very concerned about the pace and nature of the commercial and residential development in our Town. I remain unconvinced that traffic in Town will not be negatively impacted by the ongoing development projects and question why multiple projects are proceeding with PILOTs, instead of normal property taxes. This issue needs to be addressed by not only scrutinizing the merits of each individual project, but by assessing the cumulative impact all of the planned development will have on our Town's traffic, budget, existing businesses and school system.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

I will bring a fresh perspective to a Council that currently seems uninterested in critical thought and debate. As an attorney with 25 years of experience, I routinely advocate for clients, but do so in a way that is focused on the merits of the issues. I will bring this same level of professionalism to the Council and my positions will be based on rational thought, analysis of available data and a focused assessment of the voices and opinions of the residents of Ward 4.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

I have always been a political moderate and routinely vote for the best candidate in elections, regardless of their political affiliation. I hope my neighbors in Ward 4 will view their votes for Town Council the same way and allow me an opportunity to earn their trust, no matter what their political affiliation may be.