Westfield, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Westfield is a town
in Union County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 30,316. The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract
.
Westfield was originally formed as a township
on January 27, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township
, while the area was still part of Essex County
, and was incorporated as a one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on February 21, 1798. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Rahway Township
(February 27, 1804), Plainfield Township
(April 5, 1847), Cranford Township
(March 14, 1871), Fanwood Township (March 6, 1878, now known as Scotch Plains
), Mountainside
(September 25, 1895) and Hillside
(April 3, 1913). The Town of Westfield was incorporated on March 4, 1903, replacing Westfield Township.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²), of which 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.30%) is water.
Six municipalities border the town of Westfield: Mountainside
to the north, Springfield Township
to the northeast, Garwood
and Cranford
to the east, Clark
to the southeast, and Scotch Plains
to the west and southwest.
The DARE program's purpose is to educate kids about drugs and the dangers they might face.
The WPD also has a Law Enforcement Explorers Post, Post #90.
Westfield Fire Headquarters
, located at 405 North Ave. W., is manned 24 hours a day by a Battalion Chief (Shift Commander), a Lieutenant, and 3 Firefighters. These personnel man an Engine Company, first due on the north side of town, and the Ladder Company. A reserve Engine Company and a Utility Pick-Up are also housed at Fire Headquarters. The office of the Chief of Department and the Deputy Chief of Operations are located here as well.
Station 2, located at 1029 Central Ave., is manned 24 hours a day by a Lieutenant and two firefighters. These personnel man an Engine Company, first due on the south side of town. A reserve Engine Company, a Utility Pick-Up, and a spare SUV are also housed at Station 2. The Fire Prevention Bureau is located at Station 2 and houses the office of the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention.
The WFD in operates a fleet of four E-One Engines (2 x 2,000 GPM & 2 x 1,500 GPM) and 1 E-One 110' Ladder with two support pick-ups, one support SUV, and three staff 4x4 vehicles. The paint scheme for the older apparatus (Engine 4 and Truck 1) are yellow, with the newer apparatus (Engine 2,3,5) being red bodies with white cabs. The support vehicles, a Ford Pick-Up (Utility 7), a Chevy Pick-Up (Utility 8), and a Jeep Cherokee (Car 9) are red with white striping and the remaining staff vehicles, for Chief Officers, are unmarked Dodge Durangos (Car 1,11,12)
The WFD responds annually to approximately 2,000 calls for service. The WFD serves as a back-up EMS agency for the town if the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad is not readily available. All members are CPR-Defib certified with 27 members currently New Jersey certified EMTs with the remaining members trained to the first responder level. Both stations are always manned with FF/EMTs 24 hours a day.
The WFD is also a partner in the Union County Fire Mutual Aid agreement, responding to numerous requests for aid to any of the other 20 municipalities in Union County.
The career firefighters (excluding Chief and Deputy Chiefs) are members of The New Jersey Firefighter's Mutual Benevolent Association Local # 30 (NJ FMBA).
was founded in 1873 as the "Every Saturday Book Club" and has evolved over the past century into the Westfield Memorial Library of today. The Library is located in a large, modern, Williamsburg-style building at 550 East Broad Street. The library's collection consists of over 250,000 books, two dozen public computers, a wide array of multimedia options, a large youth services area with a vivid mural depicting Westfield history, and multiple tables and carrels for studying. The library offers classes for adults and children, storytimes for children, and computer instruction.
Westfield's downtown features many local and national stores, such as Lord & Taylor
and several landmarks that were shown and used in the NBC network television show Ed
such as the Rialto Theater. There are over 40 restaurants and casual dining establishments throughout the downtown. Downtown is located mostly north of the Westfield
train station. The downtown area has a mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national stores, and provides a pleasant shopping environment. Over one-third of the retailers and restaurants have existed for 25 years or more.
Downtown Westfield, with over 200 retail establishments and 400 commercial enterprises, is a regional destination in New Jersey. The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) manages the Special Improvement District (SID) area's growth and enhancement. The DWC is participates in the National Main Street program associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation
. It is funded by a SID assessment on downtown properties and operates as the district's management agency. The DWC sponsors marketing efforts and promotions, special event planning, urban design and building improvement projects. The DWC works closely with the town government and volunteer groups to improve the downtown area. In 2004, Westfield won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust. Later, in the same year, the voters soundly defeated proposed parking decks with 77% of votes being a resounding no bringing closure with a "very loud and clear - NO DECK". In 2010, Westfield was the winner of the America in Bloom contest for communities with a population of 25,001 - 50,000 against the other two towns entered in their category. In 2011 no awards were won in the same contest when up against only Holland, Michigan in the same population category. Shopping and dining in Westfield also attracts citizens from other communities across the State of New Jersey.
of 2000, there were 29,644 people, 10,622 households, and 8,178 families residing in the town. The population density
was 4,403.1 people per square mile (1,700.7/km²). There were 10,819 housing units at an average density of 1,607.0 per square mile (620.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.98% White, 3.88% African American, 0.09% Native American, 4.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races
, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.
There were 10,622 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples
living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
According to a 2007 estimate http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=06000US3401379800&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C05000US34013%7C06000US3401379800&_street=&_county=westfield&_cityTown=westfield&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=],the median income for a household in the town was $120,978, and the median income for a family was $146,891. Males had a median income of $82,420 versus $45,305 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $47,187. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
granted by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
. The government consists of a Mayor and an eight-member Town Council, with all positions filled in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Town Council consists of eight members, with two members elected from each of four wards. Town Council members are elected to serve four-year terms on a staggered basis, with one seat in each ward coming up for election every other year. The Town Council holds weekly meetings open to the public where it discusses legislation under consideration.
, the Mayor of Westfield is Andrew Skibitsky (R
, whose term of office ends December 31, 2013). Members of the Westfield Town Council are Frank Arena (R, Ward 1 - 2011), Mark LoGrippo (R, Ward 3 - 2011), Sam Della Fera (R, Ward 1 - 2013), James Foerst (D, Ward 4 - 2011), David Haas (D
, Ward 3 - 2013), Vicki Kimmins (R, Ward 2 - 2013), Keith Loughlin (R, Ward 4 - 2013) and JoAnn Neylan (R, Ward 2 - 2011). The GOP will hold a 8-1 majority in the Town Council (including Mayor Skibitsky) through 2011 when four Council seats will be contested. Mark Lo Grippo, who had served on the town's planning board, was appointed and sworn in on July 12, 2001, to replace Councilman Mark Ciarrocca, who had been named to serve on New Jersey Superior Court
.
In the 2009 Mayoral and Town Council elections, incumbent Mayor Andrew Skibitsky, incumbent 2nd Ward Councilwoman Vicki Kimmins and incumbent 3rd Ward Councilman David Haas were victorious. In the 1st Ward, Councilman Sam Della Fera was victorious. In the 4th Ward, Councilman Keith Loughlin unseated incumbent Democrat Tom Bigosinski. In the 2007 Town Council elections, Council Members Arena, Neylan, Ciarrocca and Foerst were victorious.
Westfield politics are dominated by a two-party system
in which the Republican Party
and the Democratic Party
compete for elected offices. Historically, Westfield politics have been dominated by the GOP, and in 2003 Republicans took complete control of the Town Council. The Westfield Republican Committee is chaired by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick
and the Westfield Democratic Committee is chaired by Councilman David Haas.
. The district has a central kindergarten, along with six grade 1 - 5 elementary schools and two grade 6 - 8 middle schools divided by a "North Side / South Side" boundary, as well as a single high school. The schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Lincoln School (323 students), six elementary schools for grades 1-5 —
Franklin Elementary School (608; North),
Jefferson Elementary School (421; South),
McKinley Elementary School (331; South),
Tamaques Elementary School (435; South),
Washington Elementary School (330; North) and
Wilson Elementary School (478; North) —
Theodore Roosevelt Intermediate School (724; North) and
Thomas Alva Edison Intermediate School (774; South) for grades 6-8, along with
Westfield High School
(1,788) for grades 9-12.
There is also a Middle States accredited Catholic school, Holy Trinity Interparochial School, run by the three parishes of Holy Trinity in Westfield, St. Helen's in Westfield and Our Lady of Lourdes in Mountainside, which offers education from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.
's Raritan Valley Line
provides rail service from the Westfield
train station to Newark Penn Station
in Newark
with connecting service to Penn Station New York
. Westfield's position and schedule on the Raritan Valley line make it highly desirable for commuters, as several times in the morning and evening rush hours a non-stop service is operated to/from the Newark transfer station. On these non-stop services, the one-way journey time to/from New York Penn Station is 50 minutes, or 20 minutes to/from Newark Penn Station http://www.njtransit.com/hp/hp_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=HomePageTo. New Jersey Transit's 113 route provides bus service to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal
seven days per week from the town center, taking approximately 1 hour to NYC. In addition, express service to New York City is available along Route 22 on the northern edge of the town (New Jersey Transit bus routes 114 & 117), taking approximately 45 minutes. Olympia Trails
also offers weekday bus service to New York City. New Jersey Transit's 59 route provides local bus service, operating between Plainfield
and Newark.
Newark Liberty International Airport
is approximately 20 minutes away, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport
, a general aviation
facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey
. Newark Liberty International Airport
is also easily accessible via New Jersey Transit
train.
. Westfield cable television
is supplied by Comcast
http://www.comcast.com/LocalHomePage/default.asp?Zip=07090, which also delivers the Westfield Community Channel (ch 36), News 12 New Jersey (ch 62) and Scotch Plains Local Access Channel (ch 34) Public-access television
cable TV. Verizon's Fiber Optic Service (FiOS) is also offered in Westfield, which gives the option of digital cable, high-speed internet and telephone service. Power is supplied through the Public Service Electric and Gas Company
. Gas is supplied via Elizabethtown Gas and water by American Water of NJ. Recycling is collected curbside by private haulers contracted by the Department of Public Works on a biweekly basis, while trash is collected by private haulers hired by residents.
Westfield Community Television (WCT)
The local community access channel 36 operates out of the Municipal Building on Broad Street in Westfield on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and half of every Sunday. WCT provides limited community related programming, coverage of town council meetings, and operates the WCT Bulletin Board.
WCT shares time on channel 36 with Blue Devil Television which originates from Westfield High School and produces nearly 200 original productions each academic year.
Town (New Jersey)
A Town in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government...
in Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 30,316. The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract
Elizabethtown Tract
The Elizabethtown Tract was a property that was purchased on October 28, 1664, by John Baily, Daniel Denton and Luke Watson from the Native Americans that is in the area of present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey....
.
Westfield was originally formed as a township
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
on January 27, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, while the area was still part of Essex County
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
, and was incorporated as a one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on February 21, 1798. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Rahway Township
Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway is a city in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, being 15 miles southwest of Manhattan and five miles west of Staten Island...
(February 27, 1804), Plainfield Township
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
(April 5, 1847), Cranford Township
Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,625.Cranford was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden,...
(March 14, 1871), Fanwood Township (March 6, 1878, now known as Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
), Mountainside
Mountainside, New Jersey
If you are looking for the community in Ontario, see Mountainside, Ontario.Mountainside is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States...
(September 25, 1895) and Hillside
Hillside, New Jersey
Hillside is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 21,404.Hillside was incorporated as a township on April 3, 1913, from portions of Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1913.The town...
(April 3, 1913). The Town of Westfield was incorporated on March 4, 1903, replacing Westfield Township.
Geography
Westfield is in northern New Jersey. Westfield is located at 40°39′0"N 74°20′35"W (40.649869, -74.343183).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²), of which 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.30%) is water.
Six municipalities border the town of Westfield: Mountainside
Mountainside, New Jersey
If you are looking for the community in Ontario, see Mountainside, Ontario.Mountainside is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States...
to the north, Springfield Township
Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey
Township of Springfield is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population increased to a record high of 15,817....
to the northeast, Garwood
Garwood, New Jersey
Garwood is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,226.Garwood was incorporated as a borough on March 19, 1903, from portions of Cranford Township and Westfield Town....
and Cranford
Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,625.Cranford was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden,...
to the east, Clark
Clark, New Jersey
Clark is a township in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 14,756.-History:...
to the southeast, and Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
to the west and southwest.
Police
The Westfield Police Department (WPD) has been a vital part of the town's culture since its foundation. The chief of police is John Parizeau who is assisted by Captains Clifford Auchter (Administrative) and David Wayman (Operations). The department operates a Patrol Division, Traffic Safety Bureau, Records Bureau, Detective Bureau, Juvenile and Community Policing Bureau, and its own Emergency Services Unit. Westfield's Parking Services also falls under the jurisdiction of the WPD. Parking Services is responsible for monitoring parking and traffic safety within Westfield's Central Business District. This division in recent years has provided a major source of income for the town. In 2007, Westfield Parking Services issued 27,444 parking tickets of which 16,306 were for overtime parking at meters or in pay station lots. Each division of the WPD operates different vehicles, most with a classic black-and-white paint scheme. As of May, 2010, they are as follows:- Patrol Division: Ford Crown Victorias with low-profile LED and halogen lightbars and a Ford Expedition
- Detective Bureau: An assortment of unmarked Ford Crown Victorias as well as an unmarked early-model Ford Explorer
- Traffic Safety Bureau: Ford Crown Victoria, Chevy Suburban and Ford F-150
- Emergency Services Unit: Ford E-150, Ford Expedition, and a trailer.
- Parking Services: Ford Crown Victorias with amber halogen lightbars and a black Jeep Grand Cherokee also with an amber lightbar
- Other: 2 BMW motorcycles donated by JMK BMW of Springfield, NJ and a customized Chevy Tahoe used by the DARE Program. As of 2010 the WPD no longer has the DARE program.
The DARE program's purpose is to educate kids about drugs and the dangers they might face.
The WPD also has a Law Enforcement Explorers Post, Post #90.
Fire
The Westfield Fire Department was formed in 1875 following a fire that destroyed a city block on East Broad Street. The WFD is a combination department with 36 paid/career firefighters and 15 volunteer firefighters. There are 4 platoons of 8 (1 Battalion Chief, 2 Lieutenants, and 5 Firefighters) working a 24/72 hour work schedule out of 2 fire stations. Administrative members include the Chief of Department, the Deputy Chief of Operations, and the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention. The Fire Safety Inspector position in the Fire Prevention Bureau has been eliminated due to budget cuts (1/1/2009). The current Chief of Department is Daniel J. Kelly.Westfield Fire Headquarters
Westfield Fire Headquarters
Westfield Fire Headquarters, is located in Westfield, New Jersey. The firehouse was built in 1911 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 8, 1980....
, located at 405 North Ave. W., is manned 24 hours a day by a Battalion Chief (Shift Commander), a Lieutenant, and 3 Firefighters. These personnel man an Engine Company, first due on the north side of town, and the Ladder Company. A reserve Engine Company and a Utility Pick-Up are also housed at Fire Headquarters. The office of the Chief of Department and the Deputy Chief of Operations are located here as well.
Station 2, located at 1029 Central Ave., is manned 24 hours a day by a Lieutenant and two firefighters. These personnel man an Engine Company, first due on the south side of town. A reserve Engine Company, a Utility Pick-Up, and a spare SUV are also housed at Station 2. The Fire Prevention Bureau is located at Station 2 and houses the office of the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention.
The WFD in operates a fleet of four E-One Engines (2 x 2,000 GPM & 2 x 1,500 GPM) and 1 E-One 110' Ladder with two support pick-ups, one support SUV, and three staff 4x4 vehicles. The paint scheme for the older apparatus (Engine 4 and Truck 1) are yellow, with the newer apparatus (Engine 2,3,5) being red bodies with white cabs. The support vehicles, a Ford Pick-Up (Utility 7), a Chevy Pick-Up (Utility 8), and a Jeep Cherokee (Car 9) are red with white striping and the remaining staff vehicles, for Chief Officers, are unmarked Dodge Durangos (Car 1,11,12)
The WFD responds annually to approximately 2,000 calls for service. The WFD serves as a back-up EMS agency for the town if the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad is not readily available. All members are CPR-Defib certified with 27 members currently New Jersey certified EMTs with the remaining members trained to the first responder level. Both stations are always manned with FF/EMTs 24 hours a day.
The WFD is also a partner in the Union County Fire Mutual Aid agreement, responding to numerous requests for aid to any of the other 20 municipalities in Union County.
The career firefighters (excluding Chief and Deputy Chiefs) are members of The New Jersey Firefighter's Mutual Benevolent Association Local # 30 (NJ FMBA).
Library
The Westfield Memorial LibraryWestfield Memorial Library
The Westfield Memorial Library is located at 550 East Broad Street, in Westfield, New Jersey. It is the only public library in Westfield.-Renovations:This library was renovated two years ago to become more modern, comfortable, and technologically savvy...
was founded in 1873 as the "Every Saturday Book Club" and has evolved over the past century into the Westfield Memorial Library of today. The Library is located in a large, modern, Williamsburg-style building at 550 East Broad Street. The library's collection consists of over 250,000 books, two dozen public computers, a wide array of multimedia options, a large youth services area with a vivid mural depicting Westfield history, and multiple tables and carrels for studying. The library offers classes for adults and children, storytimes for children, and computer instruction.
Downtown
Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor, colloquially known as L&T, or LT, based in New York City, is the oldest upscale, specialty-retail department store chain in the United States. Concentrated in the eastern U.S., the retailer operated independently for nearly a century prior to joining American Dry Goods...
and several landmarks that were shown and used in the NBC network television show Ed
Ed (TV series)
Ed is an NBC television program co-produced by David Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated, NBC Productions, and Viacom Productions that aired from 2000 to 2004....
such as the Rialto Theater. There are over 40 restaurants and casual dining establishments throughout the downtown. Downtown is located mostly north of the Westfield
Westfield (NJT station)
Westfield is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line, in Westfield, New Jersey. The station consists of two buildings: the main building on the north side of the track houses a non-profit group, the south side of the tracks houses the ticket office and waiting area and...
train station. The downtown area has a mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national stores, and provides a pleasant shopping environment. Over one-third of the retailers and restaurants have existed for 25 years or more.
Downtown Westfield, with over 200 retail establishments and 400 commercial enterprises, is a regional destination in New Jersey. The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) manages the Special Improvement District (SID) area's growth and enhancement. The DWC is participates in the National Main Street program associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
. It is funded by a SID assessment on downtown properties and operates as the district's management agency. The DWC sponsors marketing efforts and promotions, special event planning, urban design and building improvement projects. The DWC works closely with the town government and volunteer groups to improve the downtown area. In 2004, Westfield won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust. Later, in the same year, the voters soundly defeated proposed parking decks with 77% of votes being a resounding no bringing closure with a "very loud and clear - NO DECK". In 2010, Westfield was the winner of the America in Bloom contest for communities with a population of 25,001 - 50,000 against the other two towns entered in their category. In 2011 no awards were won in the same contest when up against only Holland, Michigan in the same population category. Shopping and dining in Westfield also attracts citizens from other communities across the State of New Jersey.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 29,644 people, 10,622 households, and 8,178 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,403.1 people per square mile (1,700.7/km²). There were 10,819 housing units at an average density of 1,607.0 per square mile (620.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.98% White, 3.88% African American, 0.09% Native American, 4.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.
There were 10,622 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
According to a 2007 estimate http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=06000US3401379800&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C05000US34013%7C06000US3401379800&_street=&_county=westfield&_cityTown=westfield&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=],the median income for a household in the town was $120,978, and the median income for a family was $146,891. Males had a median income of $82,420 versus $45,305 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $47,187. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Westfield is governed under a Special CharterSpecial Charter (New Jersey)
A Special Charter allows a New Jersey municipality to operate under a charter that differs from those of the traditional forms of government or the many options available under the Faulkner Act...
granted by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
. The government consists of a Mayor and an eight-member Town Council, with all positions filled in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Town Council consists of eight members, with two members elected from each of four wards. Town Council members are elected to serve four-year terms on a staggered basis, with one seat in each ward coming up for election every other year. The Town Council holds weekly meetings open to the public where it discusses legislation under consideration.
, the Mayor of Westfield is Andrew Skibitsky (R
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, whose term of office ends December 31, 2013). Members of the Westfield Town Council are Frank Arena (R, Ward 1 - 2011), Mark LoGrippo (R, Ward 3 - 2011), Sam Della Fera (R, Ward 1 - 2013), James Foerst (D, Ward 4 - 2011), David Haas (D
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Ward 3 - 2013), Vicki Kimmins (R, Ward 2 - 2013), Keith Loughlin (R, Ward 4 - 2013) and JoAnn Neylan (R, Ward 2 - 2011). The GOP will hold a 8-1 majority in the Town Council (including Mayor Skibitsky) through 2011 when four Council seats will be contested. Mark Lo Grippo, who had served on the town's planning board, was appointed and sworn in on July 12, 2001, to replace Councilman Mark Ciarrocca, who had been named to serve on New Jersey Superior Court
New Jersey Superior Court
The Superior Court is the state court in the U.S. state of New Jersey, with state-wide trial and appellate jurisdiction. The Superior Court has three divisions: the Appellate Division is essentially an intermediate appellate court while the Law and Chancery Divisions function as trial courts...
.
In the 2009 Mayoral and Town Council elections, incumbent Mayor Andrew Skibitsky, incumbent 2nd Ward Councilwoman Vicki Kimmins and incumbent 3rd Ward Councilman David Haas were victorious. In the 1st Ward, Councilman Sam Della Fera was victorious. In the 4th Ward, Councilman Keith Loughlin unseated incumbent Democrat Tom Bigosinski. In the 2007 Town Council elections, Council Members Arena, Neylan, Ciarrocca and Foerst were victorious.
Westfield politics are dominated by a two-party system
Two-party system
A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected offices are members of one of the two major parties...
in which the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
compete for elected offices. Historically, Westfield politics have been dominated by the GOP, and in 2003 Republicans took complete control of the Town Council. The Westfield Republican Committee is chaired by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick
Jon Bramnick
Jon Bramnick is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2003, where he represents the 21st legislative district. He was appointed to the Assembly in 2003 to fill the unexpired term of the vacancy created upon the selection of Thomas Kean,...
and the Westfield Democratic Committee is chaired by Councilman David Haas.
Federal, state and county representation
Westfield is in the Seventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 21st Legislative District.Neighborhoods
Westfield consists of two sides of the town, the North Side and the South Side. The following are distinct neighborhoods in the town:- Brightwood
- Country Club Estates
- The Gardens
- Indian Forest
- Kimball Avenue Historic District
- Manor Park
- Stonehenge
- Stoneleigh Park
- Wychwood
Education
Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade attend the Westfield Public SchoolsWestfield Public Schools
The Westfield Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through 12th grade from Westfield, in Union County, New Jersey, United States....
. The district has a central kindergarten, along with six grade 1 - 5 elementary schools and two grade 6 - 8 middle schools divided by a "North Side / South Side" boundary, as well as a single high school. The schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are
Lincoln School (323 students), six elementary schools for grades 1-5 —
Franklin Elementary School (608; North),
Jefferson Elementary School (421; South),
McKinley Elementary School (331; South),
Tamaques Elementary School (435; South),
Washington Elementary School (330; North) and
Wilson Elementary School (478; North) —
Theodore Roosevelt Intermediate School (724; North) and
Thomas Alva Edison Intermediate School (774; South) for grades 6-8, along with
Westfield High School
Westfield High School (New Jersey)
Westfield Senior High School, or simply, Westfield High School is the only public high school located in Westfield, in Union County, New Jersey, operating as part of the Westfield Public Schools. It was established in the early 1900s at its original location on Elm Street until 1951 when it was...
(1,788) for grades 9-12.
There is also a Middle States accredited Catholic school, Holy Trinity Interparochial School, run by the three parishes of Holy Trinity in Westfield, St. Helen's in Westfield and Our Lady of Lourdes in Mountainside, which offers education from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.
Public transportation
New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
's Raritan Valley Line
Raritan Valley Line
The Raritan Valley Line is a diesel-engine-powered commuter rail service operated by New Jersey Transit , originating out of Pennsylvania Station, located in Newark, New Jersey, with most trains terminating at the Raritan station, located in Raritan, New Jersey.Some weekday trains continue further...
provides rail service from the Westfield
Westfield (NJT station)
Westfield is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line, in Westfield, New Jersey. The station consists of two buildings: the main building on the north side of the track houses a non-profit group, the south side of the tracks houses the ticket office and waiting area and...
train station to Newark Penn Station
Pennsylvania Station (Newark)
Pennsylvania Station is a major transportation hub in Newark, New Jersey. Located at Raymond Plaza, between Market Street and Raymond Boulevard, Newark Penn Station is served by the Newark Light Rail, New Jersey Transit commuter rail, Amtrak long distance trains, the PATH rapid transit system, and...
in Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
with connecting service to Penn Station New York
Pennsylvania Station (New York City)
Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also...
. Westfield's position and schedule on the Raritan Valley line make it highly desirable for commuters, as several times in the morning and evening rush hours a non-stop service is operated to/from the Newark transfer station. On these non-stop services, the one-way journey time to/from New York Penn Station is 50 minutes, or 20 minutes to/from Newark Penn Station http://www.njtransit.com/hp/hp_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=HomePageTo. New Jersey Transit's 113 route provides bus service to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
seven days per week from the town center, taking approximately 1 hour to NYC. In addition, express service to New York City is available along Route 22 on the northern edge of the town (New Jersey Transit bus routes 114 & 117), taking approximately 45 minutes. Olympia Trails
Coach USA
Coach USA LLC is a holding company for various American transportation service providers providing scheduled intercity bus service, local and commuter bus transit, city sightseeing, tour, yellow school bus, and charter bus service...
also offers weekday bus service to New York City. New Jersey Transit's 59 route provides local bus service, operating between Plainfield
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
and Newark.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
is approximately 20 minutes away, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport
Linden Airport
Linden Airport , also known as Linden Municipal Airport, is a small general aviation airport located along U.S. Route 1&9 in Linden, a city in Union County, New Jersey, southwest of New York City...
, a general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey
Linden, New Jersey
- Local government :, the Mayor of Linden is . The former longtime Mayor of Linden is 82-year-old John T. Gregorio, who served as mayor of Linden for 30, nonconsecutive years and was repeatedly tagged with scandal during his mayoral career, including one felony conviction, later pardoned, which...
. Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
is also easily accessible via New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
train.
Services
Residential telephone service is handled by Verizon CommunicationsVerizon Communications
Verizon Communications Inc. is a global broadband and telecommunications company and a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average...
. Westfield cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
is supplied by Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
http://www.comcast.com/LocalHomePage/default.asp?Zip=07090, which also delivers the Westfield Community Channel (ch 36), News 12 New Jersey (ch 62) and Scotch Plains Local Access Channel (ch 34) Public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV. Verizon's Fiber Optic Service (FiOS) is also offered in Westfield, which gives the option of digital cable, high-speed internet and telephone service. Power is supplied through the Public Service Electric and Gas Company
Public Service Electric and Gas Company
Public Service Enterprise Group , commonly known as PSEG, and originally known as the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey and then as the Public Service Electric and Gas Company, is a regulated, publicly owned gas and electric utility company in the state of New Jersey, United States. It is...
. Gas is supplied via Elizabethtown Gas and water by American Water of NJ. Recycling is collected curbside by private haulers contracted by the Department of Public Works on a biweekly basis, while trash is collected by private haulers hired by residents.
Media
Westfield was served by two weekly newspapers The Westfield Leader and The Record-Press, until The Record-Press ended publication in 2008, leaving the town with only The Westfield Leader. It is one of the communities served by the daily newspaper The Courier News (based in Bridgewater N.J.) and The Star Ledger based in Newark, New Jersey. The Westfield Patch is an online newsource dedicated strictly to local Westfield news. It is updated around the clock by a small staff of paid editors and volunteer contributors.Westfield Community Television (WCT)
The local community access channel 36 operates out of the Municipal Building on Broad Street in Westfield on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and half of every Sunday. WCT provides limited community related programming, coverage of town council meetings, and operates the WCT Bulletin Board.
WCT shares time on channel 36 with Blue Devil Television which originates from Westfield High School and produces nearly 200 original productions each academic year.
Notable residents
Current and former notable residents of Westfield include- Charles AddamsCharles AddamsCharles "Chas" Samuel Addams was an American cartoonist known for his particularly black humor and macabre characters...
(1912–88), cartoonist for The New YorkerThe New YorkerThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
magazine, most famous for his cartoons of The Addams FamilyThe Addams FamilyThe Addams Family is a group of fictional characters created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. As named by Charles Addams, the Addams Family characters include Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugsley, and Thing....
. - Dr. Virginia ApgarVirginia ApgarVirginia Apgar was an American pediatric anesthesiologist. She was a leader in the fields of anesthesiology and teratology, and effectively founded the field of neonatology...
(1909–74), creator of the Apgar scoreApgar scoreThe Apgar score was devised in 1952 by the eponymous Dr. Virginia Apgar as a simple and repeatable method to quickly and summarily assess the health of newborn children immediately after birth...
for assessing health of newborns. - Billy ArdBilly ArdWilliam Donovan "Billy" Ard is a former American football guard in the National Football League for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers...
(born 1959), former NFL guard for the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. - Richard Bagger (born 1960), former mayor, selected by GovernorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Chris Christie to be his chief of staffChief of StaffThe title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
. - Jon BramnickJon BramnickJon Bramnick is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2003, where he represents the 21st legislative district. He was appointed to the Assembly in 2003 to fill the unexpired term of the vacancy created upon the selection of Thomas Kean,...
(born 1953), member of the New Jersey General Assembly, District 21, since 2003. - Dave BrownDave Brown (quarterback)David Michael Brown is a former professional American football quarterback who played for Duke University and later in the National Football League for the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals....
(born 1970), NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
quarterback, 1992-2000 (New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
). - Robert Nietzel BuckRobert Nietzel BuckRobert Nietzel Buck broke the junior transcontinental air speed record in 1930 and for a time was the youngest licensed pilot in the United States.-Biography:...
(1914–2007), aviator and author who broke the junior transcontinental airspeed record and thirteen other junior airspeed records in the 1930s started his flying career at the Westfield Airport. - Gil ChapmanGil ChapmanGil Chapman is a former American football player, politician and businessman.Chapman became one of the leading scorers in the history of New Jersey high school football while playing for Thomas Jefferson High School from 1968 to 1970...
(born 1953), running back and return specialist for the University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. - Steve CheekSteve CheekStephen Andrew Cheek was previously a free agent punter in the National Football League who has played for the Kansas City Chiefs....
(born 1977), NFL punter, 2001-2005 (San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
). - Michael ChertoffMichael ChertoffMichael Chertoff was the second United States Secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush and co-author of the USA PATRIOT Act. He previously served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, as a federal prosecutor, and as assistant U.S. Attorney...
(born 1953), United States Secretary of Homeland SecurityUnited States Secretary of Homeland SecurityThe United States Secretary of Homeland Security is the head of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the body concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet. The position was created by the...
and former United States district courtUnited States district courtThe United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
Judge. - Geoff EdwardsGeoff EdwardsGeoffrey Bruce Owen "Geoff" Edwards is an American television actor, game show host and radio personality. Over the past decade and a half, he has been a writer and broadcaster on travel. He was born in Westfield, New Jersey....
(born 1931), actor and game show host. - Edward EinhornEdward EinhornEdward Einhorn is an American playwright, theater director, and novelist, noted for the comic absurdism of his drama and the imaginative richness of his literary works....
(born 1970), children's author, director and playwright. - Michael FennellyMichael FennellyMichael Fennelly is an American musician known for his work as a singer and songwriter in the 1960s and 1970s, notably in The Millennium and Crabby Appleton....
(born 1949), rock guitarist, singer and songwriter who performed with The MillenniumThe MillenniumThe Millennium was an American super group based in California, who were conceived by Curt Boettcher. The group consisted of psychedelic rock musicians, and they incorporated sunshine pop harmonies....
and Crabby AppletonCrabby AppletonCrabby Appleton was an American early 1970s band who scored a Top 40 hit with their first single, "Go Back."The group is named after a character from the Tom Terrific cartoon.-History :...
. - Robert GreifeldRobert GreifeldRobert Greifeld is the current CEO of the Nasdaq-OMX Stock Market, Inc., the largest electronic screen-based equity securities market in the United States...
, CEO of NASDAQ-OMXNASDAQThe NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
. - Harry HananHarry HananHarry Hanan was a British cartoonist, best known as the creator of the pantomime comic strip Louie which he began in 1947. Louie was a small chap, a loser who was constantly annoyed by life's little vicissitudes and minor moments...
(1916-82), cartoonist of the syndicated comic stripComic stripA comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
Louie. - Langston HughesLangston HughesJames Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
(1902–67), poet. - Clark HulingsClark HulingsClark Hulings was an American realist painter. He was born in Florida and raised in New Jersey. Clark also lived in Spain, New York, Louisiana, and throughout Europe before settling in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the early 1970s...
(1922–2011), realist artist. - Zora Neale HurstonZora Neale HurstonZora Neale Hurston was an American folklorist, anthropologist, and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance...
(1891–1960), folklorist. - Thomas Kean, Jr. (born 1968), New Jersey State SenatorNew Jersey SenateThe New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
who ran for U.S. Senate and is the son of former Governor of New JerseyGovernor of New JerseyThe Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
and 9/11 Commission9/11 CommissionThe National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, also known as the 9/11 Commission, was set up on November 27, 2002, "to prepare a full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 attacks", including preparedness for and the immediate response to...
Chairman Thomas KeanThomas KeanThomas Howard Kean is an American Republican Party politician, who served as the 48th Governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990. Kean is best known globally, however, for his 2002 appointment as Chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, widely known as the...
. - Kevin Kelly (born 1952), Founder of Wired magazine.
- Martin KunertMartin KunertMartin Kunert is a founding partner of Booya Studios and a feature film and television writer, director and producer. In 2004, Kunert conceived and directed the critically acclaimed documentary Voices of Iraq, made by sending 150 DV cameras to Iraqis to film their own lives...
, film director and TV writer/producer (Voices of IraqVoices of IraqVoices of Iraq is a 2004 documentary film about Iraq, created by distributing cameras to the subjects of a film, thus enabling subjects to film themselves...
, MTV's FearMTV's FearMTV's Fear is an American paranormal reality television series that originally aired from 2000 to 2002 on MTV. The program follows a group of 5 or more contestants being left at an allegedly haunted location and led them on a series of dares over two nights to explore and confirm whether or not the...
, Campfire TalesCampfire TalesCampfire Tales is a horror film written and directed by William Cooke and Paul Talbot. The film is an anthology about a group of teenagers telling ghost stories around a campfire. One of the storytellers is horror legend Gunnar Hansen...
). - Christian J. LambertsenChristian J. LambertsenChristian James Lambertsen was an American environmental medicine and diving medicine specialist who was principally responsible for developing the United States Navy frogmen's rebreathers in the early 1940s for underwater warfare...
(1917–2011), "the father of the Frogmen". - Marilyn Lange (born 1952), Playboy Playmate for May 1974 and Playmate of the year for 1975.
- Margaret Carver LeightonMargaret Carver LeightonMargaret Carver Leighton was an American children’s author.- Education :Leighton was born in Oberlin, Ohio. She attended schools in Cambridge, Massachusetts; France; and Switzerland while her father was on sabbatical in those countries. She obtained her B.A...
(1896–1987), children's author. - Richard LeighRichard Leigh (author)Richard Harris Leigh was a novelist and short story writer born in New Jersey, USA to a British father and an American mother, who spent most of his life in the UK. Leigh earned a BA from Tufts University, a Master's degree from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D...
(1943–2007), co-author of The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
best seller The Holy Blood and the Holy GrailThe Holy Blood and the Holy GrailThe Holy Blood and the Holy Grail is a book by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln....
and other works of fiction and nonfiction. - John ListJohn ListJohn Emil List was an American murderer. On November 9, 1971, he murdered his wife, mother, and three children in Westfield, New Jersey, and then disappeared. He had planned everything so meticulously that nearly a month passed before anyone noticed that anything was amiss...
(1925–2008), murderer convicted in the deaths of his wife, mother and three children. - Andrew McCarthyAndrew McCarthyAndrew Thomas McCarthy is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the 1980s films St. Elmo's Fire, Mannequin, Weekend at Bernie's, Pretty in Pink, and Less Than Zero, and more recently for his role in the television shows Lipstick Jungle, White Collar and Royal Pains.-Career:McCarthy...
(born 1962), actor who appeared in Weekend at Bernie'sWeekend at Bernie'sWeekend at Bernie's is a 1989 American comedy film directed by Ted Kotcheff. A comedy starring Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman features the two as a couple of young insurance agency employees who discover their boss is deceased...
. - Mark MetcalfMark MetcalfMark Howes Metcalf is an American actor in both television and film.-Early life:Metcalf attended Westfield High School in Westfield, New Jersey.-Film and television work:...
(born 1946), actor who appeared in Animal House, attended Westfield High School. - Randolph PerkinsRandolph PerkinsRandolph Perkins was an American Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey's 6th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1921 to 1936....
(1871–1936), mayor of Westfield from 1903 to 1905, and represented New Jersey's 6th congressional districtNew Jersey's 6th congressional districtNew Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is currently represented by Democrat Frank Pallone. In the 2010 election, Pallone defeated Republican Anna C...
from 1921 to 1936. - Paul RobesonPaul RobesonPaul Leroy Robeson was an American concert singer , recording artist, actor, athlete, scholar who was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the twentieth century...
(1898–1976), athlete, actor, singer, political activist, NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
guard from 1920 to 1922 for the Akron ProsAkron ProsThe Akron Pros were a professional football team located played in Akron, Ohio from 1908–1926. The team originated in 1908 as a semi-pro team named the Akron Indians, however name was changed to the Pros in 1920 as the team set out to become a charter member of the American Professional...
and Milwaukee BadgersMilwaukee BadgersThe Milwaukee Badgers were a professional American football team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that played in the National Football League from 1922 to 1926. The team played its home games at Athletic Park, later known as Borchert Field, on Milwaukee's north side...
. - Bret SchundlerBret SchundlerBret D. Schundler is an American politician from New Jersey. He served in the Cabinet of Governor Chris Christie as New Jersey Commissioner of Education until he was dismissed on August 27, 2010....
(born 1959), former Mayor of Jersey CityJersey City, New JerseyJersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
and former New Jersey gubernatorial candidate. - Coleen SextonColeen SextonColeen Sexton is an American stage actress who made her Broadway debut at age 20 in Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse's Jekyll & Hyde in 2000. She portrayed the starring role of Lucy Harris in the Broadway production, as an understudy from 1999, and took over the role from Luba Mason in January...
(born 1979), actress who made her Broadway debut at age 20 in Jekyll & HydeJekyll & Hyde (musical)Jekyll & Hyde is a musical based on the novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. The original stage conception was by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn. The music is by Wildhorn and the lyrics and book are by Leslie Bricusse.The musical ran on Broadway for 1,543...
in 2000. - Matthew SklarMatthew SklarMatthew Sklar is a Broadway composer. He was nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best Original Score for the musical The Wedding Singer for which he wrote the music and Chad Beguelin wrote the lyrics...
(born 1973), Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
-nominated composer for the BroadwayBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musical The Wedding SingerThe Wedding SingerThe Wedding Singer is a 1998 romantic comedy film written by Tim Herlihy and directed by Frank Coraci. It stars Adam Sandler as a wedding singer in the 1980s and Drew Barrymore as a waitress with whom he falls in love....
. Associate conductor for many productions including 42nd Street42nd Street (musical)42nd Street is a musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin, and music by Harry Warren. The 1980 Broadway production, directed by an ailing Gower Champion and orchestrated by Philip J. Lang, won the Tony Award for Best Musical and became a long-running hit...
, Miss SaigonMiss SaigonMiss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr.. It is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover...
, Les MisérablesLes Misérables (musical)Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
, NineNine (musical)Nine is a musical with a book by Arthur Kopit, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. The story is based on Federico Fellini's semi-autobiographical film 8½...
and Caroline or Change. - Jeff Torborg (born 1941), MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Player/Manager, 1964-current (Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(manager), Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(manager), New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(manager), Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(manager), Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
(manager)). - P. Roy VagelosP. Roy VagelosPindaros Roy Vagelos, better known as P. Roy Vagelos or Roy Vagelos , was president and chief executive officer and chairman of the multinational pharmaceutical company Merck. He attracted research scientists who developed many major new drugs...
(born 1929), former Chairman and CEO of Merck & Co.Merck & Co.Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township... - Jeffrey A. WarshJeffrey A. WarshJeffrey A. Warsh is an American Republican Party politician who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1992 to 1996, where he represented the 18th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County...
(born 1960), State Assemblyman, Executive Director of NJ Transit. - Harrison A. WilliamsHarrison A. WilliamsHarrison Arlington "Pete" Williams, Jr. was a Democrat who represented New Jersey in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate . Williams was convicted on May 1, 1981 for taking bribes in the Abscam sting operation, and resigned from the U.S. Senate in 1982...
(1919–2001), U.S. Senator who was forced to resign in the face of expulsion due to his involvement in the AbscamAbscamAbscam was a United States Federal Bureau of Investigation sting operation run from the FBI's Hauppauge, Long Island, office in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
case. - Malinda Williams (born 1975), actress.
- Harold "Butch" WoolfolkButch WoolfolkHarold E. "Butch" Woolfolk is a former American football running back and kick returner who played in college for the University of Michigan and in the National Football League for the New York Giants , Houston Oilers and Detroit Lions . Woolfolk attended Westfield Senior High School in...
(born 1960), NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
running back from 1982 to 1988 who played for the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Houston Oilers and Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. - Dan YeminDan YeminDaniel Yemin, Ph.D is a vocalist and musician in the melodic hardcore punk scene.-Music and career:He played guitar in the early 1990s with the band Lifetime, and in the late 1990s with Kid Dynamite. Yemin also played in Ressurection...
, punk rock guitarist.
External links
- Westfield Town official website
- The Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce official website
- Westfield Public Schools
- Data for the Westfield Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- The Downtown Westfield Corporation
- The Presbyterian Church in Westfield
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church
- Westfield Profile with Graphics