Over the last few weeks, my heart has been heavy as I haven’t stopped thinking of the people and families affected by the horrific events in Israel. As an African American woman, the anti-Semitism experienced by Jews around the world and in our community is eerily familiar to me. I know what it feel...

We learned about the Edison field plan over two years ago and have passionately presented arguments against artificial turf and lights. Much research has been done and hundreds of presentations have been made to the town council, board of education and recreation commission. Experts, in various scie...

I view a community as comprised of different ‘estates’: law enforcement, religious, educational, moral and artistic among others. Each of these estates contributes to the wellbeing of the community within the scope of its authority.When the horrific events of October 7 were broadcast to the world, I...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism ProgramHow Our Media Normalizes Inappropriate RelationshipsRecently, I started rewatching one of my favorite shows when I was younger: “Pretty Little Liars.” While watching, I noticed a theme of high school girls dating older men, including o...

As good as Mayor BrianAndrews’ intentions at flood control in Cranford are, they do not come up to the bar. Former Mayor Dan Aschenbach found that the US Army Corp of Engineers and state Department of Environmental Protection spent $6 million on evaluating 21 alternatives only to be directed by the ...

I would like to thank Brad Chananie and Lifelong Westfield for arranging the NJMVC van to be at the Westfield Library on October 26. This allowed about 50 residents to apply for their Real ID Drivers License. This was much easier than going to a NJ MVC site that is 30 minutes away.We will be require...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism ProgramWhy Spirited Away is Worth a WatchIt was the winner of the 2003 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and I’m here to tell you why Spirited Away is the best animated film of all time, with no competition.Spirited Away has every comp...

The Minnesota boy with the breadonly sandwich is a story of resiliency. This nine-year-old boy went to school smiling and friendly to all. He sustained a cheerful demeanor despite his alcoholic mother and absent father. No one slathered peanut butter or tuna salad between his lunch bread slices, yet...

I would like to thank The Leader for hosting the candidates forum a couple of weeks ago. Not everyone was able to watch it live or on social media, so I want make sure that voters know why I am running and what I stand for.Let me tell you what I am for. I am for fields for our kids to play on. I am ...

In an era of ever-evolving municipal services and budgetary constraints, the question of whether to privatize essential services such as garbage collection often takes center stage. For many communities, this discussion can be polarizing, but I am standing firm against the privatization of garbage c...