Westfield Ward 3 General Election 2023: Michal Domogala

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield's general election on Nov. 7 has eight candidates running for four open seats representing each ward in Town.

Republican Michal D. Domogala is running for the one, four-year seat representing Ward 3 against Democrat Dawn Alicia Nichol-Manning.

Other candidates include Democrat Emily L. Root and Republican Todd B. Saunders for Ward 1; Democrat Erika J. Vargas Garrison and Republican Michael Armento; and Republican David Kiefer and Democrat Scott A. Katz for Ward 4.

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.

Michal Domogala

Age: 46

Town of residence: Westfield

Position sought: Ward 3 Council Member

Party Affiliation: Republican

Family: Married to Jennifer Domogala, Father of three children: daughter Michala and twins Jenson and Joseph

Education: Graduate of New York University (Economics and East Asian Studies)

Occupation: US Lead Electronic Trading Risk, Jefferies Financial

Previous or current elected appointed office: First-time candidate

Campaign website: mikedomogala.com

Why are you seeking election for Town Council?

I'm running for the Westfield Town Council in Ward 3 because I deeply appreciate what this town has offered my family. Westfield is not just beautiful; it's a place where caring, engaged people come together to build a strong sense of community, transcending party lines, religious beliefs, and personal preferences. In essence, Westfield caters to the needs and interests of everyone.

My mission is to repay the town for all it has given us by offering honest, transparent, and humble
representation. As I've had the privilege of conversing with residents throughout the ward, I've come to understand that these are the qualities they seek in their representatives.

My primary objective is to provide a voice for those who may feel overlooked—whether they identify as Democrats, Republicans, or Independents—regarding the current council's actions. I firmly believe that a balanced approach, rooted in careful consideration and respect, will benefit our town both now and in the future.

I'm receptive to fresh ideas, eager to listen to differing viewpoints, and committed to acting in the best interests of our residents. Together, we can work towards making Westfield an even better place to live for all.

Development in Westfield including the Westfield One Project and development in general has become a hot topic in town. How do you feel about development in Town?

The issue of overdevelopment in town, particularly One Westfield Place (OWP), has ignited a passionate discussion. Frankly, it's more than just a hot topic; it's a matter of deep concern. When I moved here eight years ago, I envisioned a community that embraced positive change while preserving its essence. Unfortunately, the OWP project falls far short of that vision.

My concerns revolve around the lack of transparency and fair process in the council's decisions.
Backroom political dealings, a non-competitive bid process, the PILOT program, and the declaration of the entire Town of Westfield as "blighted" have left our residents in the dark and without a say in the direction of our town. It's essential that residents have a voice and the right to vote on such transformative changes through the election of new representatives.

I believe in responsible and achievable development, acknowledging and understanding that Westfield must adapt to the times. However, a 70-foot-tall structure on South Avenue and the potential overdevelopment of every municipal lot are excessive. We should be striving for a middle ground, where the size of structures and projects is subject to a community approval and common understanding.

As one of the only candidates proposing a viable alternative, I suggest combining the OWP site with the turf field proposals. Picture this: a scaled-down OWP South Ave. site with its roof transformed into a versatile space for activities like sports, gardening, or events. We could even implement water runoff filters further minimizing an environmental impact. This approach would be more acceptable to a wider range of residents, with existing downtown amenities like parking and lighting enhancing the overall experience but not intruding on dense residential areas.

While I may not have all the answers, I do have fresh ideas that haven't been discussed in town hall. I'm committed to engaging in open forums and seeking feedback from my neighbors.

The Edison Fields Bond Ordinance has been added to the ballot to go up for public vote in November. What do you think of the project and the use of turf over natural grass?

I strongly advocated for Westfield residents to have the opportunity to vote on the Edison Fields Bond Ordinance and was a proud signer of the initial petition for a referendum. CRAFD and other resident groups stepped up and participated in the process. The proposed project comes with a significant price tag and a range of implications that we must carefully consider. These include concerns such as: limited parking, excessive light, noise, and environmental pollution, as well as potential health and injury risks associated with turf fields. Finally, after addressing all these concerns, we must then handle the need for a turf replacement every 8-10 years that adds to the long-term cost burden.

Growing up, I had a positive experience playing on natural fields, even on days when they were wet or muddy. I believe that maintaining natural fields can provide an excellent playing surface without some of the issues associated with turf.

One significant concern is the long-term impact of turf materials on our environment. Daily use,
prolonged exposure to the sun, and the potential for particles to be carried off to surrounding
properties raise valid questions. Poor installation and maintenance can lead to recurring drainage
problems, impacting both the environment and usability.

For both environmental sustainability and overall community well-being, I am against the installation of turf fields at Edison. It's essential to approach this decision with the same diligence we exercise when choosing safe materials for our community, just as we do with our water bottles.

We owe it to ourselves and future generations to make responsible choices when it comes to our environment and public spaces. My wife says, "a little dirt won't hurt" - never once did I hear her say this about the crumbling playground materials at Mindowaskin or Memorial.

There have been more discussions about crime in Town in regards to car and home burglaries. Are you happy with how the Town and Police are handling this? And how would you like to improve this?

I am a strong supporter of all our emergency first responders and law enforcement officers and believe they should have all the tools necessary to perform their jobs at the highest level. The use of frequent patrols is an excellent deterrent for all levels of criminal activity.

I don’t believe a day goes by where I don’t see an officer in the neighborhood at some point and their presence is appreciated. Laws are only useful and a deterrent when they are enforced, and town councils need to push hard at the state level for these changes.

I would continue to advocate for stricter enforcement of the laws and appropriate prosecution without bias of any type. Our current majority has barely scratched the surface on properly advocating for Westfield with our state partners. I look forward to working closely with our state elected officials to ensure Westfield is well-represented in Trenton and is the beneficiary of laws that protect our citizens, and funds that support our law enforcement programs.

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

I greatly appreciate all the residents I have met for sharing their insights on what our community needs, what's working well, and what isn't. It has been a pleasure meeting each one of you throughout the campaign, and I'd like to share some of the key findings from these interactions.

Firstly, many residents have expressed their frustration with traffic congestion and the excessive speeds at which people are traveling on the roads leading downtown. This has become a significant concern - even without OWP or the fields in place, getting out of your driveway, or across town has already become a headache. Traffic studies conducted in the past fell short in assessing the entire town, and they were likely conducted before many of us returned to work on a regular basis. It's clear from these discussions that implementing speed bumps and having officers monitor roads near schools would be the most immediate and hands-on solutions to address this issue.

Another important matter is the need to address all-day kindergarten, suitable facilities, and class sizes.

While we face challenges with our aging buildings, it is certainly possible to find solutions. One might be to create a dedicated fund specifically for all-day kindergarten within the town's budget. This fund should be separate from the general education fund to ensure transparency and accountability.

We should also further explore partnerships with local businesses, corporations, and community
organizations. They could provide financial support through sponsorships, donations, or grants. In return, offer recognition and visibility for their contributions as valued town partners. We must
encourage new businesses and projects in our town to contribute to the budget, as these funds are
crucial for supporting our schools. Unfortunately, OWP will not contribute in this manner, and residents should be aware that this could have long-term financial implications for our community.

Thank you to the many residents I have spoken to once again for their valuable input, and together, we can work towards a better future for our community.

What sets you apart from the challenging candidates?

I appreciate challenging conventional thought, and I’m not one to go along for the ride because it was what I’m told to do. Unfortunately, many residents have expressed concerns to me that the current majority is just a rubber stamp to the mayor’s unchecked plans, especially her goal of overdevelopment.

I believe in compromise, but not when it will compromise my integrity. I seek a balance with equal
representation for all the constituents, and in some cases that may even mean that the candidates
within my own party may disagree with me on certain subjects. That, in my opinion, is an opportunity for healthy discourse and for the public to share opinions and insight.

I’m a father and a role model, and I realize my power to influence is only as good as the facts I present – and I will work each day to earn your trust and confidence. Trust is built by listening and delivering results, not built by delivering fancy cookbook mailers and podcast recommendations.

I will be questioned and sometimes fallible, but that makes me human. I will listen, not just to the words I hear, but to their meaning with an understanding of their implications. I separate myself from the other challenging candidates by being beholden to no one other than those I seek to represent, and by not using my position as a steppingstone for higher political aspirations.

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

I must thank my family for allowing me the time to campaign and especially my wife whom has been keeping our three children busy with activities while I meet as many residents as humanly possible. The experience as a whole has been enjoyable; the Westfield community is hungry for real personal engagement on matters of their future here in town. There is a desire for transparency and polite open challenge with a focus on solutions that bridge differences of opinions but bring us together. I am willing to listen and discuss your concerns and represent them with integrity.

I do also miss golf, perhaps next time I’m more comfortable walking the course after all the practice I’ve had meeting all of you across Ward 3.

To help create lasting change, my team and I are counting on your vote. You can join us at
MikeDomogala.com.

You can vote by mail now through November 7th, vote early beginning October 28th to November 5th, or vote on Election Day, Tuesday November 7th. For questions or concerns regarding voting, please reach out to me at MikeDForWard3@gmail.com.