Inside High Point - December 2022

Welcome to Inside High Point, the newsletter that covers everything going on within the City of High Point and its various departments. If you have news, photos, questions or suggestions for what you would like to see featured, please email us at PIO@highpointnc.gov.

Mayor - Jay Wagner

Member at Large - Britt Moore

Member at Large - Tyrone E. Johnson

Ward 1 - Cyril Jefferson

Ward 2 - Chris Williams

Ward 3 - Monica Peters, Mayor Pro Tem

Ward 4 - Wesley Hudson

Ward 5 - Victor Jones

Ward 6 - Michael Holmes

CITY COUNCIL

City Council meets the first and third Monday of each month. You can find their meeting schedule HERE.

Jay.Wagner@highpointnc.gov 336.883.3305

Britt.Moore@highpointnc.gov 336.687.2200

Tyrone.Johnson@highpointnc.gov 336.307.8261

Cyril.Jefferson@highpointnc.gov Chris.Williams@highpointnc.gov 336 688 5311

Monica.Peters@highpointnc.gov 336.906.7328

Wesley.Hudson@highpointnc.gov 336.655.5880

Victor.Jones@highpointnc.gov 336.899.7777

Michael.Holmes@highpointnc.gov

HIGH POINT POLICE

ANGELS IN BLUE SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER

The High Point Police Department’s Angels in Blue supported 41 families during the 2022 Christmas season. HPPD officers and employees purchased, wrapped and delivered many of the gifts.

For the first time this year, families had the opportunity to pick up their gifts in a decorated space where they met and socialized with HPPD officers and employees and enjoyed milk and cookies.

More than 40 community partners joined with Angels in Blue this year to help make Christmas wishes come true. The community partners included local businesses, organizations and individuals.

Angels in Blue also purchased gifts for all the residents at Brookdale High Point.

HIGH POINT MUSEUM

MUSEUM HOSTS 50TH HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

The High Point Museum hosted its 50th annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, Dec. 4. People of all ages were invited to enjoy an entertaining day at the museum that showcased High Point’s history while helping the local community to get in the holiday spirit.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the open house, the High Point Historical Society organized special guests for the event.

Kyle Jenks and Laura Rocklyn, James and Dolley Madison interpreters, were in the gallery, interacting with visitors and recounting stories and holiday traditions from the past.

“The High Point Historical Society wanted to do something special to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the event, and this opportunity seemed to fit, especially with Dolley Madison’s connection to Guilford County,” said High Point Historical Society President Julie Raynor.

Kyle Jenks is a professional interpreter of James Madison who creates a total immersion experience for people to meet the “Father of the Constitution,” “Architect of the Bill of Rights,” Congressman, Secretary of State, President and husband to

Dolley Madison. He is the writer of the stage play, “James and Dolley: Opposites Attract” ©2017. He also offers the Society Hill Walking Tour conducted in character as Congressman Madison in Philadelphia.

Laura Rocklyn has performed with theaters across the country and worked as a historical interpreter at museums up and down the East Coast. She is a museum educator at the Paul Revere House and an Acting Troupe Member with History At Play. Her play “Emma is Presented in Washington City” was performed as the curtain raiser for the Jane Austen Society of North America 2016 AGM, and her one-woman play “Charlotte Brontë: To Do More & Better Things” was presented as part of the North American Friends of Chawton House 2021 Speaker Subscription Series. Rocklyn has published articles in “Brontë Studies” and “The Revere Express.”

SCOTTISH FAIRE IN THE HISTORICAL PARK

Keeping the holiday theme in mind, the High Point Museum hosted a Scottish Faire on Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Historical Park.

Participants joined North Carolina Scots families as they prepared to celebrate and enjoy festive Scottish traditions for New Year’s Eve (Hogmanay) and the Yule season. Guests were encouraged to take part in the end-of-year festivities by coming in costume while observing traditional Hogmanay dishes made over an open fire.

Scottish festivities with demonstrations and activities took place throughout the day. Historic beer brewer Frank McMahon demonstrated his 18th-century craft, and Kelly Beeson & Jennifer Getchell knitted and wove pieces of Scottish clothing. Celtic fiddler Mara Shea performed, and Dr. Michael Newtons told traditional Gaelic folktales.

“These Scottish traditions would have been familiar to many early Scottish settlers in the Triad,” said Museum Director Edith Brady. “We are excited to share the history, food and crafts of the New Year’s celebration.”

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

THANENA WILSON NAMED DIRECTOR

Thanena Wilson has accepted the position of community development director with the City of High Point and will begin her new role immediately.

As director, Wilson will be responsible for the administration of the City’s federal block grant programs, state and local funding and local code enforcement. The Community Development & Housing department provides programs for homeowner repairs, down payment assistance for homebuyers, affordable housing construction, non-profit public services and free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

“I am pleased to see Nena accept this role,” said City Manager Tasha Logan Ford. “Her years of experience and strong work ethic are just what we need to continue our momentum on important community and housing issues.”

Wilson came to the City of High Point in 2015, serving most recently as the assistant director for community development and housing. Prior to employment with High Point, she worked in various roles for the City of Gastonia, Cumberland County and a non-profit community development corporation. She brings more than 25 years of experience in community development to her new role.

“To be selected to lead this department is certainly an honor,” said Wilson. “Our community is facing huge challenges around the lack of affordable housing, homelessness, mental health issues, food insecurity and so many other community concerns. I step into this role to build on a good foundation, and I look forward to bringing some new and innovative ways to address our community’s needs.”

Wilson is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, Cum Laude, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and completed her master’s degree in business administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Since beginning work with the City of High Point, she has participated in Leadership High Point (Class of 2017) and currently serves on the Guilford County Continuum of Care Board, Small-Scale Manufacturing Task Force and various committees representing her department and the City.

PUBLIC SERVICES

SUCCESS AT SAME-DAY HIRING EVENT

The City of High Point’s Public Services Department held a sameday hiring event at the High Point Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Public Services staff from various divisions welcomed, interviewed, and offered technical support to 77 people who applied. As a result, public Services was able to provide 23 conditional offer letters, which tentatively filled all the vacant positions that were advertised that day.

We are thankful to the City’s Human Resources Department for their time and support. Additionally, we would like to thank the High Point Public Library for hosting this event and for their time and support in making this event a success.

STAFF ACHIEVE CERTIFICATIONS

The Public Services Department has been on a good run this year with training staff across all divisions. One area of success is the Wastewater Treatment Plant staff. Below is a list of employees who have received various certifications throughout 2022. This is an important step to showing High Point residents that we are striving to provide the best services possible.

Congratulations to the operators who received their Wastewater Operator Certifications in 2022:

Eastside:

Adam Nighswonger – Grade II

Sheron Richardson – Grade I

Matthew Duggins – Grade I

Adrian McFarland – Grade III

Westside:

Hamid Abdelrasoul - Grade IV

Tyler Craver - Grade IV

Carl Kenton - Grade IV

Robert Standifer - Grade IV

Bobby Riley - Grade IV

Alexander Porter - Grade III

Marissa Schneider - Grade II

Curt Yannone - Grade I

ELF SPOTTED AT CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

An elf showed up at a Public Services Christmas luncheon. Reports state that the elf came into the event and sang. No gifts were distributed, as the elf was still working on those but had just decided to take a quick break from their very labor-intensive tasks to bring some Christmas cheer.

WATER & SEWER CREW GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY

In case you needed another reason to appreciate our Public Services Department employees, here is a photo of two Water & Sewer Mains employees hand-digging a sewer tap. They’re hand digging because there is a six-inch gas main that crosses the excavation. Thanks for never being afraid to get your hands dirty, literally.

THEATRE ANNOUNCES FIRST SHOWS OF 2023

Kick off your new year with these upcoming shows at the High Point Theatre:

• Billy Prine and the Prine Time Band present: The Songs of John Prine Saturday, Jan. 7, at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

• Mario the Maker Magician – Live! Saturday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at HighPointTheatre.com!

PARKS & RECREATION

SALGADO PROMOTED TO CHIEF PARK RANGER

Congratulations to Dennis Salgado on his promotion to Chief Park Ranger. Salgado has been a Park Ranger for the High Point Parks & Recreation Department for over five years and has served as our Interim Chief Park Ranger since April 2022.

Prior to his service here, he worked for the East Spencer Police Department and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. Salgado has also served as a reserve officer for the Liberty Police Department.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES PARTICIPATE IN FALL GAMES TOURNAMENT

For the first time since 2019, High Point’s Special Olympics athletes were able to participate in a Fall Games tournament! Fifty-three athletes and 14 coaches traveled to Charlotte to compete in bocce, cycling, golf, soccer and softball and brought home some impressive results!

Congratulations to our Special Olympics soccer team and softball team; both won silver medals! In total High Point won seven gold medals, eight silver medals, three bronze medals and four fourth-place ribbons.

"We are always proud of these athletes for the tremendous heart and spirit they bring to all they do, no matter the outcome," said Marketing Coordinator Paige Mone. "Please join us in congratulating them on a job well done."

Special thanks to all their supporters and our dedicated volunteers as well.

TRAIL OPENS FROM HIGH POINT CITY LAKE PARK TO GREENWAY

On Dec. 21, High Point Parks & Recreation proudly cut the ribbon to the new trail leading from High Point City Lake Park across the new bridge spanning the Arnold J. Koonce, Jr. City Lake to the High Point Greenway. This connection takes walkers, runners and cyclists from High Point City Lake Park to the Piedmont Environmental Center, where they can continue on the High Point Greenway to Armstrong Park or connect to the Bicentennial Greenway.

As part of this opening, there is now a

new traffic pattern

through High Point City Lake Park, which provides a safe walking path through the park. Once cars pass the marina parking lot, they will enter a oneway pattern and exit off Penny Road. Please see the map for details and visit www.highpointnc. gov/trails to learn more.

HUMAN RELATIONS

CITY OF HIGH POINT ACCEPTED TO LANGUAGE ACCESS COLLABORATIVE

The City of High Point has been accepted into the North Carolina Language Access Collaborative to begin in January of 2023. The collaborative, a new program developed by UNC’s Building Integrated Communities, will provide participants with guidance in the creation and implementation of a language access plan.

While in the collaborative, High Point staff will learn from UNC experts as they develop a set of comprehensive policies that spell out how to provide City services to individuals who are non-English speaking or have limited English proficiency. Such language access plans ensure that residents who struggle with English receive consistent, equal access to all City resources and services; language access plans can also help make sure that staff is aware of how to best help an individual with limited English proficiency who needs assistance.

In addition to receiving guidance on the creation of a plan, the collaborative also offers each participant up to $25,000 to aid in implementing the plan. The City’s application included letters of support from Mayor Wagner and City Manager Logan Ford and was supported by the Human Relations Commission’s 2023 work plan item to provide greater outreach to the City’s Latino residents.

The City will be represented in the collaborative by staff from Customer Service, High Point Police, Human Relations, Community Development and Housing and the High Point Public Library. The director of the YWCA’s Latino Family Center will also join the team as a community partner.

MICHELLE

CODY

LATEYFA

EMILEE

JOSEPH

CARLOS

BRUCE

ADRIANA

LA'KEEM

INSIDE HIGH POINT

Brought to you by: City of High Point Communications and Public Engagement Department High Point, N.C. 27260 336.883.3288 Noelle.Miller@HighPointNC.gov