INSIDE HIGH POINT JANUARY 2022
HAPPY NEW YEAR! HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT'S NEW IN 2022
CONTENTS 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.
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08/
SNOW DAY FOR RANDY HIGH POINT MCCASLIN See how the City managed the winter weather.
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Inside High Point
RETIRES
Read how the City celebrated his 42 years of public service.
15/ HUMAN RELATIONS NAMES AWARD WINNER Find out who won City of High Point's Humanitarian of the Year!
CITY COUNCIL City Council meets the first and third Monday of each month. You can find their meeting schedule HERE. Mayor - Jay Wagner
Jay.Wagner@highpointnc.gov 336.883.3305
Member at Large - Britt Moore
Britt.Moore@highpointnc.gov 336.687.2200
Member at Large - Tyrone E. Johnson
Tyrone.Johnson@highpointnc.gov 336.307.8261
Ward 1 - Cyril Jefferson
Cyril.Jefferson@highpointnc.gov
Ward 2 - Chris Williams
Chris.Williams@highpointnc.gov 336.883.1736
Ward 3 - Monica Peters, Mayor Pro Tem
Monica.Peters@highpointnc.gov 336.906.7328
Ward 4 - Wesley Hudson
Wesley.Hudson@highpointnc.gov 336.655.5880
Ward 5 - Victor Jones
Victor.Jones@highpointnc.gov 336.899.7777
Ward 6 - Michael Holmes
Michael.Holmes@highpointnc.gov
www.highpointnc.gov
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IT'S SNOW TIME! Winter has certainly shown up in the City. On Jan. 16-17, High Point received a total of 3.5 inches of snow and ice. Fortunately, our High Point Public Service was prepped and ready to tackle the elements. Equipped with three motor graders, 15 plow trucks, 15 salt spreaders and four brine trucks for snow removal, street maintenance and stormwater divisions removed snow and ice from approximately 500 lane miles of NCDOT and City-maintained roadway. Crews applied salt brine to major thoroughfares, bridges and overpasses on Friday, Jan. 14, to prevent snow from sticking to the pavement and make plowing and additional salting more effective. Then, brine trucks were converted to salt and plow. On Sunday, Jan. 16, at 7 a.m., the day crew of 25 began a full-day shift, spreading salt on bridges and overpasses as snow or freezing precipitation accumulated, salting priority routes and plowing. During major storm events, the street maintenance and stormwater divisions will work around the clock in 12-hour shifts, and we are so appreciative of their hard work! Another cause for celebration, our Electric Utilities Department had no power outages despite the storm! Thanks to our crews and mother nature, High Point residents were able to enjoy a few days of fun in the snow!
MUSEUM HOSTS FURNITURE INDUSTRY EXPERT AND AUTHOR The High Point Historical Society hosted Dr. Richard R. Bennington, author of High Point University and the Furniture Industry. Bennington discussed the history of the dynamic partnership between the High Point Furniture Market and High Point
University and the impact that real-world exposure has had on the students and the industry. He provided stories of several High Point University graduates who are successfully employed in various positions throughout the furniture business. His new book, High Point University and the Furniture Industry, is out now, and copies are available at the Museum! Watch the discussion on YouTube HERE. 6
Inside High Point
CONGRATULATIONS RANDY! After 42 years of public service and 15 years with the City of High Point, Randy McCaslin has retired. On Wednesday, Jan. 26, the City hosted a drop-in breakfast at City Hall for employees to greet and thank Randy for his service. Later in the afternoon, City employees, colleagues, friends and family gathered for a reception at 200 Steele Street to celebrate Randy’s career and achievements. He was presented with the key to the city from Mayor Wagner and a customized road sign that read, “McCaslin’s Way.” Thank you, Randy, for all you have done, and we wish you a very happy retirement!
WINTER WIPEOUT 2022
The City of High Point and Keep High Point Beautiful are hosting the sixth annual Winter Wipeout litter cleanup campaign, which focuses on litter cleanup of city roadways and intersections. The campaign will kick off on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, and will run through Sunday, March 6, 2022. During this time frame, volunteers can pick up their supplies and clean up when it works best for their schedule. The Winter Wipeout campaign is an easy way to help beautify High Point, take care of the environment and serve our community. The campaign time frame of four weeks allows volunteers to choose when it is most convenient for them to clean. During the winter months, the trash that has been hidden by vegetation is revealed. While many trees, vines and flowers lay dormant, we are better able to see and reach what has been hidden for weeks or possibly months.
How It Works: • Keep High Point Beautiful has compiled a list of litter hotspots from information provided by the community at www.highpointnc.gov/winterwipeout • Once a litter hotspot is received (street, stream, etc.), it will be posted to the online Litter Hotspots Map. • Groups can submit their own litter hotspot to clean or select an area using the Litter Hotspots map linked within the online registration form. • Keep High Point Beautiful will provide trash and recycling bags, gloves, safety vests and grabbers/reachers to participating groups. • Sites can be cleaned up anytime between Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, and Sunday, March 6, 2022. • Please leave all bags on the side of the road and place bags together when possible. Please do not block sidewalks. • When the cleanup is complete, report the number of bags collected and the number of volunteers who participated by completing the data reporting card provided.
Please visit the City of High Point’s website or use www.highpointnc. gov/winterwipeout for direct access to more information on the Winter Wipeout! For more information, please contact Rebecca Coplin at 336-883-3520 or rebecca.coplin@highpointnc.gov
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Piedmont Triad International Airport Named Home to Overture Project Boom Supersonic has chosen Piedmont Triad International Airport as the location where it will manufacture its new supersonic passenger aircraft, Overture, which will be capable of flying at twice the speed of today's fastest passenger jets. The bid for Boom, which state officials said beat out Jacksonville, Florida, and Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, calls for the company to invest $500 million to build a flagship construction facility for the next generation supersonic jet. Boom has agreed to an employee base of 1,761 jobs that will pay a minimum annual average of $68,792 during a 5-year period from 2026 to 2030. State officials estimate that the company by 2045 will contribute $32.3 billion to the state's gross domestic product and will contribute $1.7 billion in state revenue. This major economic development for the Triad means that smaller projects could be coming to the region. Sandy Dunbeck of the High Point Economic Development Corporation believes it’s too soon to say how many businesses could follow, but this is certainly cause for excitement. “People are going to be looking, and the US 29 corridor and South High Point stand to benefit from a lot of development. We’re certainly excited to see that,” she said.
Photo courtesy of Boom Supersonic
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Inside High Point
HUMAN RELATIONS Chase Clark Receives Human Relations Humanitarian Award On Monday, Feb. 7, the High Point Human Relations Commission will bestow Chase Clark with its annual Humanitarian Award at the City Council meeting. As nominated by the High Point Human Relations Commissioners, consideration for the award was based on: • Service that benefited traditionally underrepresented individuals and diverse groups, including, but not limited to, racial and ethnic minorities, women and the socially and economically disadvantaged. • Promotion of equity through work with an employer, faith-based institution, civic group or community organization • Commitment to the promotion of the understanding, respect and goodwill among all citizens • Rising above and beyond the call of duty in furthering the cause of equality and fair treatment for all citizens Clark, the 17-year-old senior class president at Southwest Guilford High School, is the founder of Chase’s Chance Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit that seeks to empower local and international youth by increasing equitable access to food, education and technology. Since her first efforts at age seven to make a positive change in her community, she has raised over $100,000 in goods, services and funding that she has distributed to youth in need. Notably, Ecolab awarded her a $10,000 grant in January of 2021 to address the opportunity gap among Guilford County Schools students through a laptop giveaway program. When all the laptops were given away within 24 hours of her initial announcement, she secured further funding to expand the program. Clark is currently working to create a sustainable “Essentials Closet” at Southwest Guilford High School to address food insecurity and meet other basic needs among the student body. In addition to her work through Chase’s Chance, Clark is an alumna of Wake Forest University’s College LAUNCH for Leadership Program, a proud girl scout, a board member for the YWCA of Greensboro and a 2018 recipient of the Governor’s Award Medallion for her volunteer service with Guilford County. In 2021, she also launched her own podcast, “The Renaissance Project: A Black Girls Movement.” Clark will participate in the MLK, Jr. High Point Community Parade on its rescheduled date. www.highpointnc.gov
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FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSTS HISTORICAL LIVE-BURN TRAINING On Dec. 29, 2021, The High Point Fire Department performed a live-burn historical training at the American Suites hotel building in the 100 block of Southwest Cloverleaf. The building was donated to the fire department and police department for some outstanding and rare training. The fire department, rarely if ever, has this opportunity to perform a live-burn training on such a large building and was grateful for the opportunity.
Photo from previous live burn
Furthermore, HPFD made history by including the Greensboro Fire Department, Winston Fire Department and Kernersville Fire and Rescue in this special opportunity to train together in the City of High Point. American Suites before live-burn training
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Inside High Point
CUSTOMER SERVICE CUSTOMER SERVICE WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR Jeremy Coble has accepted the position of Customer Service Director with the City of High Point and will begin his new role on Jan. 31, 2022. As customer service director, Coble will oversee the Customer Service Department, which includes revenue collection, meter reading and the customer call center. He and his team are responsible for working with customers regarding all utility payments to the City, as well as customer interaction during storm and other utility outages. Coble is currently the Assistant Director of Taxpayer Assistance and Collection for the State of North Carolina Department of Revenue. He has been with the State of North Carolina Department of Revenue since 2010 and has been in his current role since 2017. While with the State, he focused on proactive process improvement by utilizing lean six sigma principles and statistical analysis. Welcome, Jeremy!
www.highpointnc.gov
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EMPLOYEE WELLNESS FEBRUARY EMPLOYEE WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES Now - March 31
SOUTHSIDE WELLNESS CHALLENGE - Employees who take advantage of the Employee Fitness Center at Southside Recreation Center will be entered in a drawing for wellness prizes. Each time you go, sign in for credit. The more you work out, the more entries you will earn. - Contact Kimili Long or Yon Weaver for questions. kimili.long@highpointnc.gov yon.weaver@highpointnc.gov
PERSONAL FINANCIAL CHECK-UP
Feb. 15
8 A.M. - 6 P.M.
- Schedule Appointment here: PERSONAL FINANCIAL CHECK-UP
FINANCIAL SEMINAR: ARE YOU FINANCIALLY HEALTHY?
Feb. 15
9 A.M.
- Link: ARE YOU FINANCIALLY HEALTHY?
NUTRITION SEMINAR: BUDGET-FRIENDLY MEALS
Feb. 24
10 A.M.
- Link: NUTRITION SEMINAR: BUDGET-FRIENDLY MEALS
ONGOING EMPLOYEE WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES LUNCHTIME WALKING GROUP
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from City Hall
NOON
Contact Betzy Hardin or Allan Hicks for details. - betzy.hardin@highpointnc.gov or 336.883.3211 - carl.hicks@highpointnc.gov or 336.883.3829
DAILY WELLNESS TEXT
Text ‘DailyWellnessText’ to 833.744.0553 to opt-in
VIRTUAL 5-MIN WORK BREAKS & 30-MIN WORKOUTS
Access Here: Employee Wellness Channel
HEALTHY RECIPE SHAREPOINT
Access Here: Employee Wellness Channel
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Inside High Point
PARKS & RECREATION
Parks & Recreation Celebrate Outgoing Commissioners While COVID kept High Point Parks & Recreation Commission meetings online for quite a while, it didn't stop them from recently celebrating the service of outgoing commission members Gary Ollis (second from left) and Gloria Halstead (second from right). Gary volunteered as a commission member from 2013-2021, and Gloria served from 2015-2020. They are joined in this photo by Commission Chair Marshall Newsome (left) and High Point Parks & Recreation Assistant Director Tracy Pegram (right). Please join the High Point Parks & Recreation Department in thanking Gary and Gloria for their service to the City and the citizens of High Point! www.highpointnc.gov
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All-Star Cheer Team Wins in Raleigh High Point Parks & Recreation’s All-Star Cheer Team competed in the Maximum Cheer and Dance “Carolina Mashup” competition in Raleigh on Saturday, Jan. 8, and High Point Parks & Recreation is thrilled to congratulate them on taking first place in the Junior 1 division! The ages of the All-Star team members range from 9 – 15, and the team currently includes 18 talented athletes. Interested in getting involved with our youth cheerleading programs? Rec-tivity Cheer Camp for 7 – 12-year-olds returns in June, and youth football cheerleading starts in August. The All-Star program offers tryouts every September. Lots of opportunities to develop your skills and join the fun! Volunteer coaches are also needed.
Rec Center Assistant Supervisor Becomes Certified Parks & Recreation Professional High Point Parks & Recreation congratulates Caitlen Jarrell, assistant supervisor at Oakview Recreation Center and our newest Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP)! Jarrell successfully completed her CPRP exam on Dec. 30, 2021. She has worked for the parks and recreation department since joining as a summer intern in 2018. Jarrell became a program activity leader shortly after completing her internship and was promoted in July 2020 to her current position. Congratulations to Caitlen on this achievement!
Parks Celebrates New Recreation Manager The High Point Parks & Recreation Department is happy to announce the promotion of Recreation Supervisor Tyler Cole to the role of recreation manager. Cole joined High Point Parks & Recreation in August 2016 and worked previously as a recreation supervisor. In his new role, he will supervise the department’s recreation centers, athletics, Culler Senior Center and ASPIRE (formerly known as Special Populations). “I am excited to step into this new role as Recreation Manager,” said Cole. “Knowing the capabilities of this team and all it has accomplished makes this transition great! My past five years with High Point Parks & Recreation have been fun and valuable. I am ready to continue making a positive impact on the department and within this community, and I hope to reach new heights with our team.” Congratulations, Tyler!
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.Varga@HighPointNC.gov