Mayor Defends Purchase of Mobile Command Center During Debate

During Thursday evening's candidates forum, Mayor Andy Skibitsky, who is running for reelection as mayor, defended his position on the purchase and need for the mobile command center in Westfield.

Debate moderator, Lauren Barr of The Westfield Leader, questioned the mayoral candidate's on Westfield's preparedness if another weather emergency were to occur in town.

Councilman and mayoral candidate, Dave Haas, explained that the purchase of a backup generator for the town was necessary, but the mobile command center was something the town did wrong.

He explained how he has yet to think of an instance where the center will be a necessity to Westfield.

“The question then becomes what’s going to wipe out our town hall and everybody around us’ ability to use their police station.” There’s a lot of things that could close town hall but it’s hard to think of things that will close the town hall and close the county facility in our town and close Cranford and close Garwood and wipe out the county.”

He added that it is something the county should provide for all towns. 

Skibitsky disagreed and explained how the current County command center is outdated and just this week the county told a town to ask Westfield for theirs. View the video for his full remarks.

For more on the mayoral debate, click here.