A Message From Councilman Mark LoGrippo

LoGrippo suggest employing "block captains" for each street/ neighborhood.

Dear Neighbor, It has been a long 2 weeks since Hurricane Sandy and for many, things are getting back to normal.  Overall, Westfield was very fortunate compared to other parts of the New Jersey and New York region. Over the past weekend, the Star Ledger recognized Westfield for performing very well regarding lines of communication with regards to storm updates, power outages, resource availability and service updates.  I want to acknowledge the hard work of Mayor Skitbitsky, Town Administrator Jim Gildea and his staff, the Westfield Police and Fire Departments as well as the members of our Town Council who all left their families and tended to the needs of the Westfield community.  Walking our Ward, updates via email, and facebook were …

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Westfield Walker Makes Strides for Safety at Tamaques Park

After nearly being hit by cyclists, Barbara Ruvolo wrote to the Town Council to improve conditions for pedestrians in Tamaques Park.

Westfield resident and avid walker Barbara Ruvolo has always enjoyed spending time in Tamaques Park. But, after nearly being hit by what she called "aggressive cyclists," the Central Avenue resident decided she needed to take steps to ensure the safety of fellow pedestrians.  Last May, after being taunted by a speeding cyclist, whom she asked to slow down, Ruvolo went home and penned a letter to the Westfield Town Council. In the letter, Ruvolo writes, "One cyclist came behind me yesterday, May 3, 2011, as I was walking along the pedestrian path three times and nearly ran into me each time. I really was frightened because he was speeding and weaving so much into the pedestrian lane that I thought his time he was going to run into me. On …

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NR9

5:11 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

@Sally McBride. Then, if you understand it, please explain it to the rest of us (as I requested of you last Friday- see above). You still have not explained what it means. Was it a joke? If so, which part was funny and why? If it was serious, well, what did it mean? Please enlighten us with your vast knowledge.   more ›

Westfield Councilman LoGrippo Sworn in as Newest Member of UNICO

Mark LoGrippo was sworn in at the January meeting at Benvenuti's in Garwood

Westfield Councilman Mark LoGrippo was sworn in as the newest member of Westfield UNICO at their January meeting at Benvenuti's in Garwood by Vinnie Tomasso, Westfield UNICO President and Bob Bengivenga the UNICO District X Governor.  UNICO National is the largest Italian-American service organization in the US. Founded in 1922, its members work to support charitable, educational and service projects within their local communities.  For more information about UNICO National, please call 973-808-0035 or visit the website at http://UNICO.org

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Town Council Starts New Year With Organization Meeting

Council members Frank Arena, JoAnn Neylan, James Foerst and Mark LoGrippo were sworn in.

The Town Council's organization meeting started off the new year with familiar faces on the dias. The meeting, which began at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2, saw Council members Frank Arena (First Ward), JoAnn Neylan (Second Ward), James Foerst (Fourth Ward) and Mark LoGrippo (Third Ward) take their oaths of office. LoGrippo, who was appointed to a six-month term in July when Mark Ciarrocca became a judge, was elected for the first time in November, while the other Council members were re-elected. In his State of the Town Address, Mayor Andy Skibitsky said he wanted to assure citizens that he will "stay the course" of fiscal restraint and sustainability. Saying he knows many seniors, as well as those who are unemployed and underemployed living …

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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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Councilman Haas Plays Musical Chairs

Ciarrocca judgeship moves Haas to senior side of the dais.

Hopefully Councilman Dave Haas doesn't have anything else to whisper to Councilmembers Vicki Kimmins and Keith Loughlin during Council meetings. Last month's departure of former Councilman Mark Ciarrocca to become a state judge, has elevated Haas from junior councilman in the third ward to senior councilman. The elevation gave Haas the right to play musical chairs on the Council dais, moving from the right - or junior - side to the left - or senior side. The junior and senior titles are purely based on seniority and are ceremonial. They do not convey any additional powers on a Council member. Councilman Mark LoGrippo - who succeeded Ciarrocca for a six-month term - took Haas' place on the junior side of the dais. Haas has long held the …

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Skibitsky to Announce New Deputy in August

Mayor needs to fill Ciarrocca's spots as acting mayor and finance chairman.

Mayor Andy Skibitsky said that he plans to announce the name of his new deputy at the Aug. 14 meeting of the Town Council. Skibitsky needs to appoint a new acting mayor due to the resignation of former Councilman Mark Ciarrocca to become a state judge. Ciarrocca had been holding the acting mayor's position for several years. Councilwoman Joann Neylan, the town's alternate acting mayor, will serve as the acting acting mayor until Skibitsky makes an appointment. Under the town charter, the acting mayor holds all of the mayor's powers in Skibitsky's absence. This includes presiding over Town Council meeting, being able to sign ordinances, handling ceremonial functions, setting meeting agendas, performing weddings and civil unions and …

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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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Westfield Votes 2011

GOP Picks LoGrippo Over Barabas to Replace Ciarrocca

Town Council to formally make appointment Tuesday night.

Third Ward Republicans picked Planning Board member Mark LoGrippo over Downtown Westfield Corporation board member Diane Barabas to fill the Town Council seat left vacant by former Councilman Mark Ciarrocca’s confirmation as a state judge. Republicans made the pick – expected by political observers since the two finalists’ names were disclosed last week – during a meeting Sunday night at the Gardens home of Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, the town’s GOP chairman. LoGrippo is scheduled to be formally appointed to the seat by the Town Council during a meeting Tuesday night at 8 p.m. in the Municipal Building. He will also fill Ciarrocca’s spot on the November ballot. Bramnick declined to discuss the specifics of the committee’s internal workings …

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Jack Ackerman

4:27 pm on Tuesday, July 12, 2011

It seems to me that the process of having to provide Council with the names of three candidates is archaic. Other than that I don’t see anything wrong being done. The Westfield Republican party has the responsibility, by law, to nominate a replacement for Mark and he or she should be given an up or down vote by the members of Council.   more ›