New Jersey, which is consistently ranked among the least transparent states in the country, has never been what we would call “forthcoming” with its dirty little secrets. On Monday, both the State Assembly and the Senate will be voting to gut the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and essentially send o...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism ProgramWe Must Start Living Life In theMoment, Which All Starts with a ClickClick. Snap. Release. The shutter initiates, exposing brilliant bundles of light carefully packaged; the exposure balances, the aperture reaches prime lighting, and t...

My name is Julie Steinberg and I am running for the Westfield Board of Education.My husband and I have lived in Westfield for 12 years and raised two children, aged 15 and 18 today. Both of our children benefited from Westfield schools starting in Jefferson through to Edison and ontoWestfield High S...

In today's climate, a pervasive sense of cynicism towards politics and representation has taken root, affecting not just national stages but our local communities. This growing disillusionment poses a significant threat to the very fabric of our democracy. As a social worker and councilman, I have o...

The Cranford Democratic Party is honoring Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski this week and it was fitting the location of the reception was in Cranford. For 20 years, Commissioner Kowalski has been an elected member of the Union County governing board serving with distinction. She is from...

Congressman Tom Kean has once again showed his true color by his recent votes. And his color is orange.First on February 6, he votes in favor of impeaching Homeland Security SecretaryAlejandro Mayorkas on charges that do not reach the high crimes and misdemeanor level that are required by the Consti...

As councilman, it is my primary duty to safeguard the well-being and security of Garwood. This responsibility extends beyond the mere physical; it encompasses the health of our community discourse and the integrity of our public square. In recent times, we have observed a disheartening trend where d...

“Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the other’s gold.” That’s the Girl Scout song my Brownie troop chanted at every meeting when I was a child in the 1950s. I loved that message and still do. Sometimes, my Brownie friends and I, clad in little brown dresses pinned with gold insig...

Regarding the pubic advert on Clark PILOT equity ordinance from page 10 of the February 22 edition of the Hawk/ Leader.Clark Township approved on the first reading an equity sharing ordinance #24-05. This is for their municipal receipt of PILOT monies to be received from their upcoming large residen...

The following is a brief excerpt of a three page letter that was read to the Mayor and Town Council on February 13, 2024. I am a licensed professional engineer who is affiliated with the Westfield Advocates for Responsible Development. We have tracked over 20 large construction projects that have be...