Westfield, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Westfield, New Jersey
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

---

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Map of Westfield in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Westfield, New Jersey

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Union
government_footnotes =
government_type = Special Charter
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Andrew Skibitsky
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Formed
established_date = January 27, 1794
established_title1 = Incorporated
established_date1 = February 21, 1798

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 17.5
area_land_km2 = 17.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 6.7
area_land_sq_mi = 6.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 29944
population_density_km2 = 1700.1
population_density_sq_mi = 4403.1

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|885436|Town of Westfield, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.]
elevation_m = 36
elevation_ft = 118
latd = 40 |latm = 39 |lats = 06 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 20 |longs = 38 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 07090-07091
area_code = 908
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-79040GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0885436GR|3
website = http://www.westfieldnj.gov
footnotes =

Westfield is a town in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town population was 29,644.

The area was settled in the late 17th century 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. Barely two weeks later, the Borough of Garwood was created from portions of Westfield and Cranford Township, on March 19, 1903. ["The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 242.]

Geography

Westfield is located at coor dms|40|38|60|N|74|20|35|W|city (40.649869, -74.343183).GR|1 Westfield's ZIP Code is 07090.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.5 km²), of which, 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (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.

Police

The Westfield Police Department (WPD) has been a vital part of the town's culture since its foundation. As of|2008, the chief of police is John Parizeau. Each division of the WPD operates different vehicles. As of September, 2008, they are as follows:
*Patrol Division: Ford Crown Victorias with low-profile LED and halogen lightbars and a Ford Expedition
*Traffic Safety Buraeu: Chevy Suburban and Ford F-150
*Parking Enforcement: Ford Crown Victorias and a Jeep Cherokee with amber halogen lightbars.
*Emergency Services Unit: Ford E-150, Ford Expedition, and a trailer.
*Other: 2 BMW motorcycles donated by JMK BMW and a Segway patrol that operates in the Central Business District (CBD)

Fire

The Westfield Fire Department was formed in 1875 following a fire that destroyed a city block on East Broad St.. Today the WFD is a combination department with 40 paid/career firefighters and 8 volunteer firefighters. There are 4 platoons of 9 (1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, and 6 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, the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention, and 1 Lieutenant/Fire Inspector. as of|2008, the Chief of Department is Daniel J. Kelly. The WFD in 2008 operates a fleet of 4 E-One Engines (2 x 2,000 GPM & 2 x 1,500 GPM) and 1 E-One 110' Ladder with 2 support pick-ups and 4 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. All members are CPR-Defib certified with 27 members currently New Jersey certified EMT's with the remaining members trained to the first responder level. The WFD serves as a back-up EMS agency for the town if the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad is not readily available. The career firefighters (excluding Chief Officers) are members of The New Jersey Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association Local # 30 (NJ FMBA). The WFD is a member of the Union County Fire Mutual Aid agreement, responding to requests for aid to any of the other 20 municipalities in Union County.

Downtown

train station. The downtown area has a wonderful 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 downtown area's growth and enhancement. The DWC is a National Main Street program associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is funded by a Special Improvement District 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. Downtown Westfield also attracts citizens from other communities in Union County such as Scotch Plains, NJ, Plainfield, NJ, Cranford, NJ, and Clark, NJ

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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/sq mi (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.USCensusPop
1930=15801
1940=18458
1950=21243
1960=31447
1970=33720
1980=30447
1990=28870
2000=29644
estimate= 29944
estyear=2006
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=86000US08252&_geoContext=01000US%7C86000US08252&_street=&_county=westfield&_cityTown=westfield&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=860&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Westfield town] , United States Census Bureau, accessed March 1, 2007.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990. [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] 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.

The median income for a household in the town was $98,390, and the median income for a family was $112,145. 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.

Government

Local government

Westfield is governed under a Special Charter 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. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 94.] The Town Council holds weekly meetings open to the public where it discusses legislation under consideration.

As of|2008}, members of the Town Council are: [ [http://www.westfieldnj.gov/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC={587D10E2-279D-47BB-BAC8-F4DEF802A63D} Town Officials] , Town of Westfield. Accessed June 23, 2006.]
*Mayor - Andrew Skibitsky (R)
*1st Ward - Frank Arena (R) and Sal Caruana (R)
*2nd Ward - Vicki Kimmins (R) and JoAnn Neylan (R)
*3rd Ward - Mark Ciarrocca (R) and David Haas (D)
*4th Ward - James Foerst (R) and Tom Bigosinski (D)

In the 2007 Town Council election, Republican incumbents Jo Ann Neylan, Mark Ciarrocca, and James Foerst all were victorious in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wards, respectively. In the 1st Ward, newcomer Republican Frank Arena was victorious over Democrat Ross Katz. [ [http://www.goleader.com/07election/ Election Coverage 2007] , "Westfield Leader", November 8, 2007. Accessed November 17, 2007.] The GOP will continue to hold a 7-2 majority in the council (including Mayor Skibistky) through 2009 when the mayoral seat and four town council seats will be open.

Westfield politics are dominated by a two-party system in which the Republican Party and the Democratic Party compete for elected offices. Of late, Westfield politics have been dominated by the GOP, and in 2003 Republicans took complete control of the Town Council. A majority of registered voters in the town are Republican. However, in the 2004 Presidential election, a majority of Westfield voters voted for Democrat John Kerry over Republican George W. Bush, who made a visit to the town in 2005 to discuss his plan for Social Security, and in the 2005 Gubernatorial election, a majority of Westfield voters voted for Democrat Jon Corzine over Republican Doug Forrester. The Westfield Republican Committee is chaired by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick and the Westfield Democratic Committee is chaired by Ken Rotter.

Federal, state and county representation

Westfield is in the Seventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 21st Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , p. 66, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Union County Freeholder meetings

Union County Freeholders meet publicly on a monthly basis. Citizens have the ability to provide feedback and comment on issues that concern them. A sample Freeholder meeting held in September 2003 can be viewed by clicking:

# [http://www.veotag.com/player/?pid=0ebf430a-c12c-405a-9fe2-699272d0678f Union County, NJ Freeholder Meeting -- 25 September 2003 ]

Neighborhoods

*Wychwood
*Brightwood
*Indian Forest
*Stoneleigh Park
*Downtown
*Germantown Fact|date=July 2008
*Manor Park
*Westfield Manor "The Apartments"

Education

Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade attend the Westfield Public Schools. The district has six K - 5 elementary schools and two grade 6 - 8 middle schools, which are divided by a "North Side / South Side" boundary. The schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3417760 Data for the Westfield Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 7, 2008.] ) are as follows:

The public schools on the north side consist of Franklin Elementary School with 592 students, [http://www.westfieldnjk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=23 Washington Elementary School] with 348 students, [http://www.westfieldnjk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=24 Wilson Elementary School] with 582 students and Theodore Roosevelt Intermediate School [http://www.westfieldnjk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=26] with 721 students.

Schools on the south side are [http://www.westfieldnjk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=20 Jefferson Elementary School] with 491 students, [http://www.westfieldnjk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=21 McKinley Elementary School] with 334 students, [http://www.westfieldnjk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=22 Tamaques Elementary School] with 468 students and [http://www.westfieldnjk12.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=25 Thomas Alva Edison Intermediate School] with 719 students.

Students on each side of town are divided amongst the three elementary schools on their side, go to a common intermediate school, and then join the other side of town in Westfield High School, which has 1,789 students in grades 9 - 12. The sides of town are divided into North side and South side, and they are divided by the train track for the New Jersey Transit Raritan Line that runs directly through town.

The Westfield school district is currently planning on combining kindergartens from across the district to a single location to free up space for other grades. This topic was discussed at the May and June 2006 Board of Education monthly meetings. This was planned to commence with the Fall 2007 school year.

There is also a Catholic school, [http://www.htisnj.com/ Holy Trinity Interparochial School] , which offers education from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.

Public transportation

New Jersey Transit'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, 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.

Services

Residential telephone service is handled by Verizon Communications [http://www.verizon.com] . Westfield cable television is supplied by Comcast [http://www.comcast.com/LocalHomePage/default.asp?Zip=07090] , which also delivers the [http://www.westfieldnj.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={6BB59258-9387-4395-BA76-2FF035C08FD3} Westfield Community Channel (ch 36)] , News 12 New Jersey (ch 62) and [http://www.spfk12.org/sp-f_tv.htm Scotch Plains Local Access Channel (ch 34)] . 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 [http://www.elizabethtowngas.com Elizabethtown Gas] and water by [http://www.njawater.com/awpr1/njaw/default.html American Water of NJ] . Recycling is collected curbside by the Department of Public Works on a weekly basis, while trash is collected by private haulers.

Media

Westfield is served by two weekly newspapers " [http://www.goleader.com The Westfield Leader] ", " [http://www.nj.com/recordpress/ The Record-Press] " and is one of the communities served by the daily newspaper " [http://www.c-n.com The Courier News] " (based in Bridgewater N.J.) and " [http://www.nj.com/starledger/ The Star Ledger] " based in Newark, NJ.

;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 Devils Television which originates from Westfield High School and produces nearly 200 original productions each academic year. [ [http://westfieldnj.com/tv36/whatis.htm What is Westfield High School Television?] , Westfield, New Jersey. Accessed may 17, 2007.]

Popular culture

*The TV show "Ed" was partially filmed in Westfield's downtown, which served as the basis for Stuckeyville's downtown.
*The movie "The Perfect Holiday" was partially filmed in Downtown Westfield. It stars Queen Latifah and Terrence Howard, as well as Jill Marie Jones (of the sitcom "Girlfriends") Rachel True (of the show "Half & Half"), Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut.
*The opening shots for the (Christopher) Walken Family Reunion sketch on Saturday Night Live featured Sweet Waters Steakhouse in Downtown Westfield.

Notable residents

Current and former notable residents of Westfield include
*Charles Addams (1912-1988), cartoonist for the "The New Yorker" magazine, most famous for his cartoons of "The Addams Family". [Maslin, Janet. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/26/books/26masl.html?ex=1319515200&en=dbd664278fd1b027&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss In Search of the Dark Muse of a Master of the Macabre: Book Review of "Charles Addams: A Cartoonist’s Life"] , "The New York Times", October 26, 2006. Accessed March 7, 2008.]
*Dr. Virginia Apgar (1909-1974), creator of the Apgar score for assessing health of newborns. [ [http://apgar.net/virginia/ Dr. Virginia Apgar's test for babies] , accessed November 30, 2006. Accessed march 7, 2008.]
*Billy Ard (1959-), former NFL guard for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. [Litsky, Frank. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE1DC1739F931A25750C0A966958260 "SPORTS WORLD SPECIALS: FOOTBALL; Happy Packer"] , "The New York Times", March 12, 1990. Accessed June 30, 2008. "From 1981 through 1988, Ard was a starting guard for the Giants. He was a New Jerseyan through and through. He was raised in Watchung, he lives in Westfield and in the off season he is a stockbroker in Westfield."]
*Dave Brown (1970-), NFL Quarterback, 1992-2000 (New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals). [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEFDA1338F936A3575AC0A962958260 Sports of The Times; Brown Obeys Phil Simms's Golden Rule] , "The New York Times", September 5, 1994. "AS a boy growing up in nearby Westfield, N.J., Dave Brown attended only one Giants game at Giants Stadium."]
*Robert Nietzel Buck (1914-2007), Aviator and author ( [http://mhprofessional.com/product.php?isbn=007008761X&cat=&promocode= "Weather Flying"] ) who broke the junior transcontinental airspeed record and thirteen other junior airspeed records in the 1930s started his flying career at the Westfield Airport. [Fox, Margalit. [http://select.nytimes.com/mem/tnt.html?emc=tnt&tntget=2007/05/20/us/20buck.html "Robert N. Buck Dies at 93; Was Record-Setting Aviator"] , "The New York Times", May 20, 2007. Accessed June 17, 2007. "Robert Nietzel Buck was born on Jan. 29, 1914, in Elizabethport, N.J., and reared in Westfield, N.J."]
*Steve Cheek (1977-), NFL Punter, 2001-current (San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers). [ [http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2004/10/13/chiefs_sign_p_steve_cheek/ Chiefs Sign P Steve Cheek] , Kansas City Chiefs press release dated October 13, 2004. Accessed March 6, 2008.]
*Michael Chertoff (1953-), United States Secretary of Homeland Security and former United States district court Judge. [ [http://www.politicsnj.com/default_2005.htm PoliticsNJ.com Inside the Beltway] , accessed December 20, 2006. "...Michael Chertoff of Westfield was appointed U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security..."]
*Geoff Edwards (1931-), Actor and Game Show Host.Fact|date=September 2007
*Langston Hughes (1902-1967), Poet. [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-74410616.html Mule Bone: Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston's Dream Deferred of an African-American Theatre of the Black Word.] , "African American Review", March 22, 2001. Accessed March 7, 2008. "In February 1930, Hurston headed north, settling in Westfield, New Jersey. Godmother Mason (Mrs. Rufus Osgood Mason, their white protector) had selected Westfield, safely removed from the distractions of New York City, as a suitable place for both Hurston and Hughes to work."] ["AUTHOR TO LEAVE JAPAN.; J.L. Hughes Will Depart After Questioning as to Communism.", "The New York Times", July 25, 1933.]
*Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960), folklorist. [Horner, Shirley. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE5DE123CF935A25751C0A960948260&scp=1&sq=%22Zora+Neale+Hurston%22+westfield&st=nyt "About Books"] , "The New York Times", February 16, 1986. Accessed March 7, 2008. "Dr. Lewis said that his research "points out that, thanks to Mrs. Mason's generosity, Hughes lived in the early 30's in a one-family house in Westfield, where his neighbor was another of Harlem's luminaries, Zora Neale Hurston."]
*Thomas Kean, Jr. (1968-), U.S. Senate candidate and son of Former Governor of New Jersey and 9/11 Commission Chairman Thomas Kean. [Chen, David W. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/nyregion/26debate.html?scp=1&sq=kean+westfield&st=nyt "For Menendez and Kean, a Fierce First Debate"] , "The New York Times", June 26, 2006. Accessed March 7, 2008. "Then, a few minutes later, the most dramatic exchange occurred when Mr. Kean sought to contrast his own background and record in Westfield, a wealthy suburb, with Mr. Menendez's in Hudson County."] [ [http://www.politicsnj.com/kornacki030905_2006.htm Kean prepares to launch '06 U.S. Senate bid] , PoliticsNJ.com, March 9, 2005.]
*Kevin Kelly (1952-), Founder of "Wired" magazine. [ [http://www.kk.org/chronology/ Kevin Kelly -- Chronology] . Accessed March 8, 2008. "Graduated from Westfield High School, Westfield NJ."]
*Martin Kunert - Film director and TV writer/producer ("Voices of Iraq", "MTV's Fear", "Campfire Tales").Fact|date=March 2008
*Marilyn Lange (1952-), Playmate of the month May 1974. Then Playmate of the year for 1975. [ [http://www.playboy.com/girls/playmates/directory/197405.html Marilyn Lange] , "Playboy". Accessed November 18, 2007.]
*Margaret Carver Leighton (1896-1987), children's author. [ [http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv79698Guide to the Margaret Carver Leighton Papers] , Washington State University. Accessed November 21, 2007.]
*John List (1925-2008), murderer. [ [http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/family/list/1.html Massacre] , Court TV Crime Library, accessed December 30, 2006.]
*John D. Luerssen - Nationally Recognized pop music writer, award-winning author of "Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story". Luerssen is a fourth-generation Westfielder, born in Summit. [Smith, Kenneth. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-53867444.html " Profound to profane, rock stars say the darndest things"] , "University Wire", June 25, 2002. Accessed July 28, 2007. "I just realized that I said, 'Can I tell you something off the record?' and now I feel like such a d--k," Luerssen said in a phone interview (his first time at the receiving end) from his home in Westfield, N.J.]
*Andrew McCarthy (1962-), actor ("Weekend at Bernie's", among others). ["KIDSDAY CELEBRITY SPOTLIGHT ANDREW MCCARTHY", "Newsday", July 31, 1988. "With his successes in 'St. Elmo's Fire,' 'Pretty in Pink' and last year's hit, 'Mannequin,' handsome 25-year-old Andrew McCarthy is well on his way to becoming a major star. He was born in Westfield, N.J., on Nov. 29, 1962."]
*Earl "The Pearl" Monroe (1944-), NBA player, 1967-1980 (Baltimore Bullets, New York Knicks), NAIA Hall of Fame, Basketball Hall of Fame, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, USBL Commissioner
*Randolph Perkins (1871-1936), mayor of Westfield from 1903 to 1905, and represented New Jersey's 6th congressional district from 1921-1936. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000237 Randolph Perkins biography] , United States Congress. Accessed July 8, 2007.]
* James Perry - Venture Capitalist, voted 13th most influential in United States by Forbes Magazine [ [http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/99/biz_08midas_James-Perry_KBJ5.html #13 James Perry - Forbes.com ] ] Fact|date=January 2008
*Paul Robeson (1898-1976), Athlete, Actor, Singer, Political Activist, NFL Guard 1920-1922 (Akron Pros, Milwaukee Badgers). [ [http://www.legacyrecordings.com/artists/paulrobeson/index.html Legacy Recordings - Paul Robeson] , accessed April 24, 2007. "Three years later, the Robeson family moved to Westfield, New Jersey."]
*Bret Schundler (1959-), former Mayor of Jersey City and former New Jersey gubernatorial candidate. [ [http://www.bretschundler.org/bret05/bret.html Bret's Bio] , accessed April 24, 2007. "As the youngest of nine-children growing up in Woodbridge and Westfield, NJ, Bret learned the importance of hard-work and honesty."]
*Matthew Sklar (1973-), Tony Award-nominated composer for the Broadway musical "The Wedding Singer". Associate conductor for many productions including "42nd Street", "Miss Saigon", "Les Misérables", "Nine" and "Caroline or Change". [ [http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/070606/ltFromBarMitzvahBoy.html From bar mitzva boy to Wedding Singer: A composer gets his big Broadway break] , "New Jersey Jewish News" by Elaine Durbach, July 6, 2006.]
*Jeff Torborg (1941-), MLB Player/Manager, 1964-current (Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Cleveland Indians (manager), Chicago White Sox (manager), New York Mets (manager), Montreal Expos (manager), Florida Marlins (manager)). [ [http://www.scarletknights.com/history/hof-94.asp The Rutgers Olympic Sports Hall of Fame: Class of 1994] , accessed January 6, 2007. "In his three-year career from 1961-63, the Westfield, NJ native batted .390, which still ranks third in Rutgers baseball annals."]
*P. Roy Vagelos (1929-), Former Chairman and CEO of Merck & Co. [ [http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/about/defining_the_future/spring2004.html Roy Vagelos, New Campaign Chair, Defines the Future] , Columbia University Medical Center Spring 2004 update. Accessed July 8, 2007. "Dr. Vagelos, a Westfield, N.J. native, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania before entering Columbia’s medical school."]
*Harrison A. Williams (1919-2001) Former U.S. Senator
*Malinda Williams - Actress whose credits include the NBC show "Windfall". [Gregory, Deborah. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_2_30/ai_54831744 "Malinda Williams"] , "Essence (magazine)", June 1999. Accessed June 17, 2007. "The Westfield, New Jersey, native is Mekhi Phifer's tres happy honey."]
*Harold "Butch" Woolfolk (1960-), NFL Running back, 1982-1988 (New York Giants, Houston Oilers, Detroit Lions). [Anderson, Dave. [http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F40F1EFE355D0C758CDDAB0994DA484D81 "The Catch By Woolfolk"] , "The New York Times", December 6, 1982, accessed April 24, 2007."Butch Woolfolk, who moved to nearby Westfield, N.J., as a high school sophomore and began rooting for the Giants, remembers Doug Kotar and Larry Csonka from a few years ago, and Ron Johnson from a decade ago."]
*Dan Yemin, influential punk rock guitarist. [Lustig, Jay. "A Lifetime later; How one scruffy N.J. hardcore band influenced a generation of musicians that followed.", "The Star-Ledger", February 4, 2007.]

Musical groups based in Westfield

* [http://www.fullcountbigband.com/ The Full Count Big Band]
* [http://www.westfieldsymphony.org/ The Westfield Symphony]
* [http://westfieldcommunityband.com/ The Westfield Community Band]
* [http://www.westfieldnj.com/oratorio/ The Oratorio Singers]
* [http://www.njworkshopforthearts.com/ New Jersey Workshop for the Arts]
* [http://www.westfieldnj.com/njfm/ New Jersey Field Music]

References

External links

* [http://www.westfieldnj.gov/ Westfield Town official website]
* [http://www.westfieldnjk12.org Westfield Public Schools]
*NJReportCard|39|5730|0|Westfield Public Schools
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3417760 Data for the Westfield Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.westfieldtoday.com/Downtown.html The Downtown Westfield Corporation]
* [http://www.westfieldpc.org The Presbyterian Church in Westfield]
* [http://www.idcide.com/citydata/nj/westfield.htm Westfield Profile with Graphics]