Westwood Mayor Fails To Receive Democratic Nomination

Mayor John Birkner Jr. will face off in a Democratic primary with former Councilman Gary Conkling to determine who will be at the top of borough Democrats’ ticket in the General Election.

Brikner told NorthJersey.com that he was disappointed with the decision, believing it to be the work of a “small fraction group” that has influenced the Westwood Democratic Committee.

Birkner said that he doesn’t consider the move a “snub” but that it was “orchestrated as a way to catch Democrats by surprise.”

Conkling served as councilman from 2005 to 2007. He said he decided to run because the borough’s finances “needed fixing.”