Kasko's Running...But Not for Westfield Town Council

The outspoken resident will compete in the Ironman Triathlon in Lake Placid this summer.

Greg Kasko has decided to run but not for public office. The Westfield resident will instead compete in July 2013's IRONMAN in Lake Placid.  A lifelong athlete, in June of 2012 Kasko vowed to tackle the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run that make up the event. "It's a huge time commitment as is running for Town Council which I experienced in the spring and summer of 2011," said the Third Ward resident who sought a seat on the Council that year but lost to Mark LoGrippo. "With a family and a full-time job, you have to pick and choose. For me, it's family first and everything else second." Kasko, who ran as an Independent, said while he thoroughly enjoyed campaigning two years ago, he knew he had "a slim chance of winning…

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Resident Questions Council on Authority of Crossing Guards

Town Adminstrator says Title 39 allows guards to "alleviate" traffic backup.

If that headline sounds vaguely familiar it's because Westfield resident Greg Kasko spoke before the Westfield Board of Education on Thursday, Jan. 4 to question who is giving crossing guards the authority to wave vehicles through stop signs once children have safely crossed through an intersection. Kasko, a father of two children who regularly walk to school, said he was speaking out of concern for their safety following an incident in which two children were struck by a car outside Edison Intermediate School. At the time, Kasko was told by Board President Richard Mattessich that while he believed crossing guards did not have the authority to direct traffic, guards are employed by the Town of Westfield and he would need to check with Town…

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Tammy Schmidt

10:53 am on Friday, March 29, 2013

The one at Dudley and Clark is a retired traffic cop and the one at Westfield ave is a retired firemen..I think they would know a thing or two about directing traffic. I'd like to see any of you people get out there and try do deal with that..especially at a four way intersection, dealing with kids...CARPOOLERS in their fancy SUV's and teenage drivers..who else is going to go out there in the …   more ›

Westfield Board of Ed Asked About Authority of Crossing Guards

After two children were struck in front of Edison School, resident asks for clarification on role of crossing guards.

Westfield resident Greg Kasko spoke before the Board of Education Thursday evening to ask for clarification on the authority of crossing guards in light of the recent accident in which two children were hit by a car on their way to Edison Intermediate School.  Kasko, who regularly attends meetings of the Westfield Town Council to question the placement of the pedestrian activated HAWK signal on Central Avenue, began by recognizing the job that crossing guards do on a daily basis to protect children on their way to and from school. "With that being said, about a year ago I contacted the Westfield Police Department regarding crossing guards directing traffic," Kasko said. "I had not gotten a response. I then went to the Town Council. Being …

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S_O_G

10:22 pm on Monday, May 13, 2013

Please ignore this account (NR9), it is someone that just wants to cause problems.   more ›

Westfield Resident Greg Kasko Refutes Credibility Attacks

The retired police officer said he presents facts and figures rather than opinions.

During the public comment portion of Tuesday evening's meeting of the Westfield Town Council, resident Greg Kasko began by noting that his speaking time at the last meeting was cut short leaving him unable to thank Council members Keith Loughlin, Mark LoGrippo, Vicki Kimmins and David Haas for treating him with "decorum." Kasko, who regularly attends Town Council meetings to question not only the midblock location of the pedestrian-activated HAWK light on Central Avenue but also to ask how the light ended up at that location, has had his credibility called into question by both Town Administrator Jim Gildea and Mayor Andrew Skibitsky in recent months. On more than one occasion, Gildea has referred to Kasko as “a disgraced former police …

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Calls For Improved Public Safety Dominate Town Council Meeting

Council members urge drivers, pedestrians to slow down, be more careful

Tuesday night marked the first meeting of the Town Council since two tragic events struck the town, so it came as no surprise that much of the night's discussion centered around a renewed focus on public safety. Less than two weeks removed from the Jan. 22 fire that ruined a string of businesses along South Avenue and less than a week after a pedestrian was struck and killed in an accident on North Avenue, both citizens and Council members discussed the state of safety within the town and what can be done to improve it.  “We hold public safety in the highest regard possible,” said Councilwoman Joann Neylan, chair of the Public Safety, Transportation and Parking Committee. Mayor Andy Skibitsky expressed his condolences on behalf of the …

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Jody Feldon

9:57 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Mrs. Toescu-Enculescu - Have you tried to recruit any of the people involved in the 5 traffic accidents to attend the town council? Or tried to get a written testimonial stating their confusion from the traffic light? Perhaps this would be compelling evidence?   more ›

Stoplight Controversy Continues at Council Meeting

Residents asked the Town Council to consider moving the Central Avenue stoplight.

Residents once again implored members of the Town Council to move the pedestrian activated stoplight at Central Avenue and Clover Street at Tuesday evening's meeting. Greg Kasko, a retired police officer, questioned statements made by Mayor Andy Skibitsky, who was absent, at a December Town Council meeting in which Skibitsky referenced 24 accidents at Central and Clover and nine accidents at Central and Cambridge. According to Kasko, who has obtained and reviewed the reports in question, a number of the reported accidents did not occur at the previously stated locations. "Mayor Skibitsky has steadfastly refused to produce his expert Mr. Meth and to when he said mid-block placement of the light was safer than at the corner," Kasko said. "…

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NR9

9:56 am on Monday, January 23, 2012

Response to Sally: Or, it could simply mean that news articles posted on Tuesday are usually read by people on Tuesday. Furthermore, as there are currently about 30,000 people living in Westfield (2010 Census Data), I don't see it as being unreasonable that there are currently 200 votes for this Patch poll. Please let us know when 30,001 people have voted. If/when that happens, I think you'll …   more ›

Westfield Year Ahead: Hopes and Expectations

Westfielders shared their thoughts on what they hope to see in town in 2012.

A new year brings new hopes and expectations. Westfielders shared some of their thoughts on what they'd like to see in 2012. Westfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan shared her expectations and goals for the district for 2012: ·        Develop increased opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.  ·        Disseminate the District’s new Code of Conduct (developed by a community-wide committee) to students, parents and staff members and continue efforts to encourage respect and anti-bullying; ·        Perform a demographic analysis of projected enrollment to provide data in determining long range facility, staffing and curriculum needs; ·        Revise and introduce curriculum to meet and exceed …

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Westfield Votes 2011

LoGrippo to Get Full Year's Pay for Half Year's Work

Appointed third ward councilman to receive full dollar.

Looks like Councilman Mark LoGrippo could go wild in the Dollar Store if he wanted to at the end of his six-month term. Town officials confirmed that the new third ward councilman, who was appointed by the Town Council to fill an unexpired term last month, will claim a full year’s salary. That’s right, LoGrippo will receive a full dollar for his term. Town Administrator Jim Gildea said that under past town precedent LoGrippo will receive a dollar check sometime during his term of office, instead of a prorated check for fifty cents. Gildea said he did not know when LoGrippo will receive the check, noting that Mayor Andy Skibitsky and the other eight council members who have served in 2011 have already received their paychecks for the year. …

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Haas Supports Moving Stoplight; Resident Declares War on Mayor

Town Council's lone Democrat changes to supporting moving controversial stoplight's movement to intersection.

Councilman Dave Haas became the first Town Council member to publicly support the potential moving of the pedestrian activated stoplight on Central Avenue near the intersection with Clover Street. Haas made his announcement during an emotionally charged meeting Tuesday night that saw one stoplight moving advocate declare war on Mayor Andy Skibitsky. Haas, who voted for the policies which led to the light’s creation, said that he cannot support the light’s current placement until he receives answers from engineering experts on safety of the midblock location. “Now I am saying that I believe, that unless I hear from an engineer, that the best location for the light is at the corner,” Haas said. The pedestrian activated light, placed as part …

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