This document is a campaign platform for the Westfield Together team running for local office in Westfield, NJ. It includes biographies and accomplishments for the incumbent Mayor Shelley Brindle and council candidates Linda Habgood, Mike Dardia, David Contract, and Dawn Mackey. The candidates emphasize their records of fiscal responsibility while investing in the community. They highlight accomplishments like reducing taxes, crime, and the budget deficit. The document promotes continuing their vision and strategic planning to improve the downtown area and keep Westfield moving forward. It asks voters to re-elect the Westfield Together team on November 2nd.

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COPYRIGHT - H.UTOMO - CREATIVE MARKET

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Platform Accomplishments
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time and skills to this campaign.
We often refer to the five of us as Westfield Together, but we know in actuality it
is a team of over 100+ residents who hold us up and carry us over the finish line.
We could not do any of this without you. You who volunteer to make phone calls,
write postcards, drop literature, donate money, shoot videos, take pictures, write
campaign materials, be a challenger, host meet & greets, send supportive emails,
and so much more. All of you are what makes the journey to November 2 a truly
worthwhile endeavor. We are humbled by your generosity and forever grateful for
your support. Let’s Do This!!!!
Shelley, Linda, Mike, David & Dawn
Mayor Shelley Brindle 4-5
BrindleforWestfield.com
MayorBrindle
mayorbrindle
Ward 1 Councilwoman Linda Habgood 6-7
HabgoodforWestfield.com
CouncilwomanHabgood
councilwoman_linda_habgood
Ward 2 Councilman Mike Dardia 10-11
MikeforWestfield.com
CouncilmanDardia
mikedardiaforward2
Ward 3 Councilman David Contract 12-13
ContractforWestfield.com
CouncilmanContract
Ward 4 Councilwoman Dawn Mackey 14-15
MackeyforWestfield.com
MackeyforCouncil
councilwomanmackey
together
Westfield
Meet
contractforcouncil

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*Neylan served as acting mayor, councilperson, finance & public safety chairs during this
SHELLEY BRINDLE’S
ADMINISTRATION D

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M
A
Y
O
R
Shelley
Brindle
I
have dedicated myself as a full time volunteer
these past four years, applying my private sector
experience to change what I discovered in Town
Hall to be our biggest impediments to progress:
lack of long term vision and strategic planning, a
penny wise pound foolish approach, and lack of
proper oversight on personnel and finance matters in
particular. But I also knew as a new mayor, I needed
to prove your vote for me was the right one.
I like to think we delivered on both fronts in three
short years. We lowered the tax and spending
rate. Paved more roads. Reduced crime, fought
(and continue to fight!) for an RVL one seat ride,
prioritized sustainability and historic preservation,
and so much more, all while professionalizing and
automating Town Hall and introducing long term
strategic plans for our Town and parks.
My Administration remains committed to protecting what makes
Westfield the special place that attracted so many of us to move here
- the beautiful neighborhoods and historic homes, great schools, our
attractive downtown, and most importantly, the people who live here.
But the world doesn’t stand still, and neither can we, which is why we
need to keep working together to finish what we’ve started.
With respect to our downtown, for three years, we’ve been doing
the heavy lifting, laying the planning groundwork for exciting new
possibilities. Today, we have a once in a generation opportunity.
We’re on the cusp of having a downtown that delivers steady foot traffic
to our stores by providing live, work, and play options that will support
them for the long term.
Our iconic north side train station is about to become a new bar and
restaurant, and will anchor the transformation of that parking lot into
Westfield’s version of Bryant Park. The popular changes we’ve made on
Quimby Street are poised to be made permanent, enabling a beautiful
pedestrian plaza.
We’re committed to creating a bike and pedestrian-
friendly downtown, bustling with more people than cars,
enabling new businesses to open and thrive organically.
But we did not come this far to only come this far.
As an elected official, I’ve learned that voting NO is
easy, but having the courage to “get to YES” is hard. I
believe our best days lie ahead, rooted in the same spirit
of volunteerism and compassion we’ve demonstrated
over the past two difficult years. Whether it was sewing
gowns for senior centers, launching the We Love Local
campaign to support our business owners, or delivering
food to the homebound. Calling lonely seniors, cleaning
out neighbors’ flooded basements, painting murals,
butterflies, and rainbow crosswalks. THIS is who we are
in Westfield.
And that’s my proudest first term accomplishment: harnessing that
spirit, and instilling a culture of inclusivity where many residents
have felt seen and heard for the first time. I’ll never forget seeing
the grateful tears of parents at our first Pride Flag raising, or the
gratitude of the MLK Association when introducing the African
American Historical Walking Tour, acknowledging their contributions to
Westfield’s 300 year history.
I remain steady in my belief that our community still needs a positive
leader with the vision, financial acumen, empathy, and courage to keep
Westfield moving forward.
Lastly, I’m only as good as the people around me. That’s why I’m asking
for your vote on November 2, not only to re-elect me but to re-elect
the entire Westfield Together team: Councilpersons Linda Habgood,
Mike Dardia, David Contract, and Dawn Mackey - whose collective
contributions are greater than the sum of our individual talents.
I look forward to serving you for another four years.
“
I hope voters will
agree that I have
demonstrated the
leadership and
courage to ‘get to yes’
when the decision is
in the best and long
term interests of the
community.
“

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mayorbrindle
Shelley Wright Brindle
“I was raised by a single mom after my dad, an Air Force pilot, was killed in
Vietnam when I was six years old. She instilled in me and my sisters a fierce
independence and a strong commitment to service, a tradition I have carried
forward as your Mayor and hope to continue with your vote.”
Message
774 posts 4,450 followers 180 following

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LINDA
HABGOOD
W
hat is your
favorite way
to spend a day
in Westfield?
Walking our sheepdog, Lily,
through Brightwood Park,
having lunch at Northside
Kitchen, buying a book
at the Town Book store,
dinner on Open Quimby.
What is your second
favorite color? Blue...all
the way, which is also my
first favorite color. Which
talent would you most like
to have? A great singing
voice. What do you consider
your greatest achievement
as councilwoman? Right-
sizing our surplus while
maintaining an AAA bond
rating. What characteristic
do you most value in your
colleagues? Every single one
of my council colleagues is
a GSD kind of person. *Get
[Stuff] Done. What is your
motto as an elected official?
We can’t fix the past, but
let’s learn from it and make
the future GREAT!
Did you ever misplace
$1 million of taxpayer
funds? No, but I have
found a million in separate
department accounts
and put those dollars to
work for you. Pork Roll
or Taylor Ham? Neither,
bacon pls! What did your
spouse say when you said
you were going to run
for public office? You
should! Just don’t ask me
to go to the rubber chicken
dinners. Which Addams
character do you identify
with the most? Morticia- I
also heartily dislike the
color pink! Did you ride
the train station see-saw
(if so, with whom?) Of
course! With my hubby.
Pumpkin spice: Yea or
Nay? Ugh. I am committed
to Ahrre’s Toasted Praline.
What’s your favorite
(non-alcoholic) Trader
Joe’s item? TJ’s Ridge Cut
potato chips. Heavenly. The
Westfield Together team
in 5 words: Informed,
Passionate, Inspiring,
Complementary and Fun.
W
A
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1
WARD 1 COUNCILWOMAN

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For the past 32 years, my
work in finance has been
centered on financing
smart and effective pub-
lic/private partnerships.
Every day I translate my
professional expertise into
my work for Westfield where
we are using our stellar
bond rating to drive re-
development and diversify
our sources of municipal
revenue. My commitment
to making Westfield better
is even stronger today than
it was 4 years ago and with
your help and your vote we
can do it.
“
“
VITAL DATA
4
113
1.1%
23
AAA
$9,000,000
Chaired
Budget meetings and delivered
Budgets resulting in a low
Average tax rate increase and investments in
pieces of new DPW equipment while maintaining a
bond rating and a right-sized surplus of

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1
3
4 5

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MIKE
DARDIA
W
A
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WARD 2 COUNCILMAN
Councilman Mike Dardia
has been proud to serve
Westfield’s 2nd Ward
for the past four years.
As chair of the Public
Safety Committee, he
has worked to ensure
the Westfield Police
Department has the
money and manpower
it needs to help keep
the community safe.
And the results are a
33% reduction in
crime these past
four years.

11. WESTFIELDTOGETHER.COM 11
I was adopted out of the foster care system
as a toddler and raised by a single mother
who worked two jobs to support us. There
is a humility that accompanies this kind of
background. I know I’m not better than anyone,
and I know there is much to learn from listening.
At 13, I had my first job folding newspapers
at a convenience store. I believe there is pride
and dignity in hard work and that community,
whether at work or in a neighborhood, is vital.
Giving back through public service is my way of
living those beliefs – and those are the values I
try to teach to my children.
• My most treasured possession is my peace of
mind.
• My greatest love is Meredith, my wife of 23 years.
• My most marked characteristic is my grit.
• The talent I would most like to have is being able
to sing.
• My heroes in real life are Dr. Atul Gawande,
Malcolm Gladwell and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Mike brings over two decades of experience
as a healthcare executive to his role as liaison
to the Board of Health, and is proud to work
with the newly formed Access & Inclusivity
Committee to ensure all residents are treated
fairly. Mike is a dedicated and enthusiastic
public servant, and with your vote, looks for-
ward to being the voice for Ward 2 residents
for another four years.

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DAVID
CONTRACT
W
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3
My Process: I sum up my process in two words:
“Facts” and “Listening”. By gathering facts, I
understand the problem and work with others
to identify solutions. And by listening
to Ward 3 residents, I understand
their perspectives and make sure I
represent them when a solution is
chosen.
Keeping You Informed: I’m
most proud of my efforts to make
sure you know what’s happening in
town, including sending out nearly
700 emails including summaries
of every Council meeting and
countless social media
posts.
Money Matters: I’ve helped restore strong fiscal
management so you get more for less. We’ve
reduced tax increases by 44%, cut spending by
5x, and retained an AAA bond rating and a
robust surplus all while investing in new
equipment, technology, communication
and services!
Going Green: I rejuvenated the
Green Team and inspired dozens
of volunteers in helping our town
become more sustainable and win
two prestigious state awards.
WARD 3 COUNCILMAN
Ward 3 Councilman David Contract has brought “Fresh Ideas & Proactive
Leadership” to Westfield to drive significant and positive changes in our
community. “I’ve been able to move Westfield forward by exploring innovative
approaches to existing issues and maintaining strong fiscal discipline while
keeping residents informed!” He looks forward to continuing this strong track
of progress for the next four years!

13. WESTFIELDTOGETHER.COM 13
“David Contract has definitely been my
best Councilman ever!! He has been the
most communicative councilman. His
regular email messages have kept me
informed. David has done even more
than I expected to help seniors. He
created Lifelong Westfield which is the
town’s first-ever group focused on the
needs of seniors.”
-Gesine Ehlers, Ward 3
“I would venture that no one has done
more to reduce the carbon footprint of
Westfield than Councilman Contract by
pushing for and overseeing the largest
expansion to the Conservation Center
since its formation. Westfield residents
can now recycle almost everything,
including plastic bags, toys, light bulbs,
organic waste and even corks! It’s a
shining example of taking an existing
service and maximizing the benefits
with vision and determination.”
- Kirti Malik, Ward 3
“I have lived in Westfield for over
30 years and I have never seen my
Councilman work as hard and care
as much about our community as
Councilman Contract. I know many
of us have stayed informed with his
email communications after every
Council meeting. He always responds to
constituents’ calls.”
-Brad Chananie, Ward 3
David in Sum: “Proactive, Accessible, Personable, Factual, and Communicative.”

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W
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DAWN
MACKEY
1. Get Hershey to donate $12k of Candy to our trunk or treat
2. Create a Festival that got national recognition in year two
3. Work with MGM and a press junket from NYC
4. Advise residents NOT to try to capture a fox with mange
5. Transport 3-foot butterflies in my car to and from an auto body shop
6. Sew a tuxedo cuff for a fake severed hand
7. Try to help procure a liver
8. Sand and stain benches and a shuffleboard court in Tamaques
9. Organize dog yoga on Quimby
10. Make it snow on Quimby
11. Join 20 teens to show up at 4 am to paint rainbow crosswalks
12. Jump into a pile of leaves with young kids in Ward 4
For almost 4 years Councilwoman Dawn Mackey has worked tirelessly for Westfield. As Chair of Code Review,
she led the effort to research, compromise on, propose and pass triple the number of ordinances over the prior
administration including road protection, which saved the Town millions, historic preservation and solar
panels. She led AddamsFest to be financially self-sustaining after its first year and has raised over $250k in
sponsorships. Her persistent efforts to ensure the success of any project, small or large, have led her to do some
ooky, kooky things in her role as councilwoman. Here’s an excerpt of a list she keeps.
WARD 4 COUNCILWOMAN
Things I Never Thought I’d Do as a Councilwoman

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Mackey Makes It Happen
Mackey Makes It Happen
since January, 2018
we local: $250K raised
2018 Inaugural Event
2019 Expanded Event
2020 Alt Addamsfest
I’ve never met a councilperson who works so hard for their ward. -Joe Mindak
If I call Dawn for help, the issue is resolved before I know it and in a way I never imagined. -Andrea Marcus
She plans, she organizes, she produces results. She is a dynamo. -Sally Alameno
Chair of Code Review

16. Paidforby:
Thewestfielddemocraticcommittee
772PROSPECTSTREET,WestfieldNJ
07090
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