Community Corner

15 Most Important Westfield Stories of 2010

Patch looks back at the most important stories of 2010.

Education was the story of the year for Westfield in 2010, leaving many of the stories on this list having an education slant. But at the same time, there was a lot of other news relating to sports, crime and sadly a tragic death. Check out Patch's picks for the 15 most important stories of 2010.

State Aid Cuts

Gov. Chris Christie's included state aid cuts for both the and the . The budget was greeted with at the BOE, while supported Christie.  The state cuts led both bodies to make local budget cuts, including implementing a , abolishing the town , negotiating with firefighters and public works employees and continuing a town government hiring freeze. Money promises to be one of the top issues for 2011.

New Teachers Contract

The Board of Education's decision to grant with a 3.9-percent annual raise and increased health care givebacks did not receive much public comment at first, but it touched off a fire storm after state aid was cut. Residents the contract be renegotiated and the teachers take a pay freeze, a move rejected by both the BOE and teachers' union. The issue the contract's most vocal defender,, his BOE seat.

Death of Firefighter Jim Pfeiffer

Westfield went into mourning on Aug. 22, when in a freak accident while off-duty at his Mountainside home. Pfeiffer's Aug. 26 was attended by hundreds and as the funeral process snaked through downtown Westfield, residents stood and watched in silence. Since Pfeiffer's death, a memorial fund was set up to benefit his one-year-old daughter, Carly, with multiple fundraisers organized, many by those who had never met the 30-year-firefighter.

Stranger Danger in Westfield

Parents started keeping a closer eye on their children in September, when two child-luring cases occurred within a week of each other in Westfield. On Sept. 16, a were approached by a masked man near Wilson School, who offered them a ride. A suspect, Eric Degner, the next day, after being spotted at the same location. Degner was held on drug charges but in the luring case. On Sept. 23, a male student at Franklin School was by a man driving a pick-up truck, who waved for him to enter the vehicle. Following the cases, emails flew around Westfield, containing pictures of suspects and warnings of other luring cases in nearby towns.

ShopRite Cup

Westfield sports made history in September, when the program . by the supermarket on a points basis, for such things as the number of state titles and sportsmanship. The sports program was honored with banners in a local supermarket and the cup.

Kidnapping and Sexual Assault

Fear gripped Westfield after a report of a came in on Oct. 11. A Cranford resident that as she walked home near Gumbert Park around 3:30 a.m., she was thrown into a van, where she was robbed of several hundred dollars and became the victim of criminal sexual assault. She was able to escape and call the police. No arrests have been made.

The Guidance Director Black Hole

The Westfield schools guidance director post became something of an education black hole on Feb. 23, when Colleen White , becoming the third guidance director in three years to quit. White's resignation, which has never been publically explained, was greeted with shock and anger by parents, who demanded to know why the job became a revolving door. Richard Charwin to the post in July, vowing he'll last longer than a year.

Superintendent Contract Voided

The Board of Education thought they got Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan's in under the wire, but then the governor spoke. Soon the county schools superintendent the five-year pact that will raise Dolan's salary to $30,000 over the governor's salary cap. The BOE is , saying they did everything right.

State Sports Championships

It was a big year for Westfield sports teams, with four capturing state championships this year. The year kicked off with the bringing home the title, with an impromptu parade included. The boys tennis team then , their second in four years. was next up winning their state title in the fall. finished off the winning ways, with another state title under their belt.

Central and Clover Traffic Light

At first the decision to redo Central Avenue, including putting in cul de sacs on side streets and installing a closer to Clark went off without much comment. Then Maria Coluccio and Adina Enclescu started why the stop light was on Enclescu's lawn instead of at an intersection. The duo have spoken at Council meetings for months, gaining public support. The Council says they'll review the issue once the light is activated in 2011.

Kravetsky Appeals Termination

The decision to not grant Tamaques teacher Matt Kravetsky tenure touched off a in the spring, with several hundred parents and teachers and attending Board of Education meetings to get the decision overturned. Kravetsky his right to a public appeal hearing – a rare action statewide – and the day before the hearing, with the BOE. He a conditional tenure for a year and a teaching spot at Franklin.

First Woman Athletics Boss

After Ed Tranchina announced his from the athletic director post, many assumed that long time head trainer would get the post. When the BOE confirmed the speculation, they gave the Mamary her place in town history, as the to run Westfield athletics.

Washington School Redistricting

Washington parents got their wish of a revote on the policy when the acting state education commissioner that the BOE when approving the redistricting in 2009. The revote the same policy, by a 6-3 vote instead of 9-0, but the community got something else. The BOE voted 5-4 to to the parents for how the policy was communicated.

Westfield Receives Most Snow in Blizzard

The Feb. 10-11 blizzard pummeled the entire New York metropolitan region, but no town worse than Westfield. National Weather Service counts had Westfield with 17.5 inches of snow on the ground. With two days off from school, Westfielders spent the time sledding, making snowmen and shoveling.

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Bagger House Tear Down Approved

While many in town wanted it to stay up, the Planning Board in early December of the 225-year-old Bagger House on East Broad Street. The house's condition had been called into question, with saying the house had historical value.

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