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WESTFIELD, NJ — James “Jim” Hely was appointed as the new Westfield Town Council Member to fill the unexpired term of Dawn Mackey who resigned for personal reasons.
Hely is a long-time resident who graduated from Westfield High School and raised his children in town with his wife Lois.
He previously served on the Town Council from 1985 to 1997 and was elected six times during the time when elected officials only served two-year terms.
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During his tenure, Hely is known for sponsoring a mandatory bike helmet law in Westfield, which was the first of its kind in New Jersey and served as an example across the country, said Mayor Shelley Brindle at the Sept. 24 Council meeting.
In addition to his career as a lawyer, Hely also served as a Superior Court Judge from 2009 to his retirement last year in 2023.
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“I would like to thank Jim for volunteering to step back into the arena and into this role and bring your wealth of knowledge and experience to serve the residents of Westfield,” said Brindle.
Councilman Micahel Domogala added, “Based on the experience that Jim has I will welcome it. And anybody who has survived as many elections as you have, more power to you.”
Hely noted that he is back serving the Town to “do the best for community service.”
“I hope to win all of you over to the good faith we are all trying to do,” said Hely. “We will have philosophical disagreements but I appreciate your support and the comments that were made when my resolution was put forward.”
Prior to Hely’s appointment the Council honored Mackey for her seven years of service.
“Dawn you have been… great on the Council. Great for the town. We will miss you dearly,” said Councilman David Contract. “These are big shoes to fill. I don’t know if Dawn’s shoes can be filled. We are forever grateful.”
“I can never think of a harder-working councilmember than Dawn Mackey. She did 20 years worth of work in the seven years that she has been here,” said Brindle.
Brindle credits Mackey for her work with the Addams Festival and getting all of the Town roads paved this year.
“Dawn you are an inspiration to me, you are an inspiration to everybody you touched. You make everybody better,” said Brindle. “Because no one has worked harder than you and no one is more committed than you and no one is more fair and more honest than you. And I am forever, forever grateful for you service and for having the privilege of having to work alongside of you. I love you so much.”
Mackey thanked the Council, administration, employees, and community of Westfield for their help during her time of service.
“For the past seven years it has been my profound honor to serve this community. I tried to be thoughtful, engaged and accessible,” said Mackey.
“If you serve this town with an open heart I promise you, you will get more than you give. Thank you Westfield I love you,” said Mackey.
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