I’ve lived in Westfield for 55 years, and over that time, I’ve been represented by literally dozens of Westfield councilpersons. But I’ve never known one as hard working, as well intentioned, and as competent a councilman as Mike Dardia.

Mike is the kind of councilman I like – he doesn’t make a lot of noise or pander to the crowd; he just puts his head down, works tenaciously, and gets things done, both for his 2nd Ward constituents and the town as a whole.

Under Councilman Dardia’s leadership of the town council’s public safety committee, there have been a huge number of improvements – both large and small — to the public safety in our town. The accomplishments are almost too many to list in one place. From moving the town to buy and install more radar speed signs; to installing traffic calming center islands at South Euclid and St. Marks, and at Boulevard and Summit Avenue; to oversee a comprehensive bike safety initiative, including reactivating the long-defunct bicycle advisory board, whose board works with the mayor and the town council to make bike-related infrastructure recommendations, promote bicycle safety, and continuously improve town-wide biking opportunities through industry best practices. All of these things, and many more, have happened only because of the laser-like focus that Mike has exhibited to make this town a safer place in which to live and work.

If there’s one initiative Mike deserves special credit for is the recent national accreditation of the Westfield Police Department. Although accreditation was not, of course, Mike’s idea, Councilman Dardia steadfastly supported Westfield Police Chief Chris Battiloro throughout this process, making sure the department had what it needed to successfully accomplish this significant goal, an accomplishment that acknowledges the implementation of police policies and procedures that are “conceptually sound and operationally effective.”

Mike’s quiet and effective leadership is matched only by his good nature and his positive and kind demeanor.

Throughout the many years that Mike has been a Westfield Youth Lacrosse coach, Mike has been known for being a fair and caring person and instilling in his players a love for the game and a sense of fair play, respect for opponents, and how to exhibit true sportsmanship, no doubt the qualities he himself exhibited as a standout lacrosse player in high school and college.

I’m proud to call Mike my friend, and I’m even prouder to have him represent me as Westfield’s 2nd Ward Councilman. I plan to support him for his re-election this November, and I hope and I urge you to do the same.