Inside High Point - July 2023

INSIDE HIGH POINT

MAYOR WINS CHAMBER HERO AWARD

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.

THE STATE OF THE CITY

Learn what happened at the annual event.

08/ 16/ 04/ HUMAN RELATIONS HOSTS HUGE EVENT

LIBRARY PUTS ON TIEDYE JULY

Check out this fun annual tradition.

Find out how many attended the Summer Jubilee.

Mayor - Jay Wagner

Member at Large - Britt Moore

Member at Large - Tyrone E. Johnson

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

Ward 1 - Cyril Jefferson

Ward 2 - Chris Williams

Ward 3 - Monica Peters

Ward 4 - Wesley Hudson, Mayor Pro Tem

Ward 5 - Victor Jones

Ward 6 - Michael Holmes

Cyril.Jefferson@highpointnc.gov

Chris.Williams@highpointnc.gov

336.883.1736

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

BUSINESS HIGH POINT HOSTS STATE OF THE CITY

The City of High Point was heavily featured during the State of the City Luncheon hosted by Business High Point – Chamber of Commerce at the High Point University Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center. During the event, High Point Mayor Jay Wagner gave his annual State of the City address, City Manager Tasha Logan Ford and Economic Development Corporation Director Sandy Dunbeck participated in a panel discussion, and finally, the Chamber presented Mayor Wagner with the Chamber Hero Award.

During his speech, Wagner highlighted the City’s economic development, downtown revitalization and a general outlook shift.

“The thing I’m most proud of is High Point’s change in attitude over the last six years,” Wagner said. “Six years ago, the motto could have been, ‘That will never happen here.’ Today, our attitude is, ‘What are we going to do next?’”

He also addressed the importance of raising High Point’s profile as a world art and design capital.

“It’s time we really started trumpeting High Point’s position in the world alongside Paris, Milan, New York and others to designers and creatives around the world,” Wagner said.

“This means embracing art and design by emphasizing public art in our downtown when streetscaping is done. It means crafting a new public art policy for new development in High Point. It means more art and design events like the recent Main in Color Festival. It means giving space, both literally and figuratively, for artists to create.”

The mayor finished his speech by recognizing City employees for their work.

“Every day, there are 1,400 City employees who are doing everything behind the scenes to help make High Point work. They deserve our appreciation. They do a great, great job, so I want to thank them for all they do.”

During the panel discussion, Logan Ford and Dunbeck joined Tammy Nagem, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority, and Dr. Whitney Oakley, superintendent of Guilford County Schools, to answer questions submitted by community members.

At the end of the event, the Chamber presented Mayor Wagner with its annual Chamber Hero Award. Wagner was selected not only for his leadership as mayor but for championing many community initiatives and being a strong supporter of the organization for over 20 years.

MARKETING DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES COMMUNITY BRAND

The City of High Point will host a brand launch event this Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Plaza at Truist Point, 301 N. Elm St., to celebrate the introduction of High Point's new brand after a year-long community branding project.

The event is an opportunity for the public to learn about the new brand, view the new City logo and flag and celebrate the brand identity that is reflective and inclusive of all residents.

There will be live music, food, beverages, craft beer, creative stations for kids and adults and photo and art opportunities to showcase the creativity within the community. Attendees can also get a free t-shirt or City flag while supplies last.

The launch has been scheduled to coincide with the August Social District Saturday. After the event, attendees are encouraged to enjoy the High Point Rockers game and all the social district has to offer.

The High Point community branding project was approved by City Council as part of its strategic plan to develop a community-wide brand that supports and elevates all city organizations, entities, businesses and residents.

In addition to new visual design components, the project included the development of brand messaging, economic development strategies, brand experience and more.

The City's new branding reflects High Point's position as a diverse community of creatives and makers who collaborate and combine things in new ways and solve problems with new ideas.

High Point recognizes creativity as a fundamental human expression that exists inside everyone, without limits or barriers and is a collective of innovators, designers, builders, problem-solvers and connectors united in a creative revolution.

In High Point, creativity is celebrated in all its forms and its ability to transform the world. For more information on the City of High Point branding initiative, visit highpointnc.gov/branding.

HUMAN RELATIONS HOSTS SUMMER JUBILEE

The City of High Point Human Relations Division, along with Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASiC) of High Point, the High Point Public Library and the High Point Farmers Market, hosted the fourth-annual Summer Jubilee back-toschool celebration and backpack giveaway on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the High Point Public Library.

There were over 3,000 people in attendance, and staff and partners gave away 786 backpacks filled with school supplies. The event included face painters and a petting zoo and ran in conjunction with the High Point Farmers Market, which featured live music.

"The Summer Jubilee is a day of fun that also provides kids with the essential resources they need for school success, from pencils and notebooks to glue sticks and markers," said City of High Point Human Relations Manager Rase McCray. "It's an incredible collaboration between local businesses, nonprofits, faith organizations and City agencies, all of whom come together each year to help even more families in need."

The Summer Jubilee began in 2019 as a collaboration between BASiC, the High Point Human Relations Division and the High Point Public Library. It has grown every year with additional partners and increased funding.

STORMWATER DIVISION VISITS LATINO FAMILY CENTER

On June 28, the City of High Point Stormwater Division hosted a program with the Latino Family Center. Staff taught a group from their summer camp about stormwater, creek health and pollution prevention.

The group assisted the Stormwater Division in marking eight storm drains on the streets near the park to inform citizens to help keep our storm drains clean. The group was then instructed on how to perform a creek crawl to determine the stream's health. Campers found crayfish, snails, fish and other aquatic life in the stream.

SUMMER TRASH SMASH ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION

The sixth-annual Summer Trash Smash event will take place Saturday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. – noon, throughout the city. The event encourages residents to clean up the exterior of their homes or property and remove litter from their neighborhood by offering a chance to win a gift card to a local business.

“The Summer Trash Smash is an effort that is beneficial in several different ways,” said City of High Point Beautification Supervisor Rebecca Coplin. “Residents are encouraged to keep their property and surrounding neighborhood clean and green and are recognized in a small but encouraging way.”

During the event, designated police and fire personnel will be driving through High Point, looking for people removing litter from their neighborhoods or beautifying the exterior of their property. When they see someone doing this, they may stop and give the resident(s) a gift card from one of the participating sponsors, including local restaurants and grocery stores.

“Police and fire personnel have the opportunity to interact with our residents in a very positive way while also helping to provide a resource to food in an area classified as a food desert,” said Coplin. “This positive interaction and effort is a wonderful thing for the community.”

Not all officers and fire personnel on duty will be distributing gift cards. Residents should discard any trash or recycling in their personal rolling carts or apartment dumpster. Larger items can be placed on the roadside for bi-weekly collection by the City's bulk collection truck.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Coplin at 336.883.3520 or rebecca.coplin@highpointnc.gov.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY OPEN TO HIGH POINT RESIDENTS

The City of High Point will host its next Household Hazardous Waste disposal event for High Point residents at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1401 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This event will be an opportunity for residents of the City of High Point to drop off the following household items at no charge for proper collection and disposal:

• Aerosols, batteries, bleach/cleaners, electronics, fire extinguishers, furniture polish, fluorescent bulbs, nail polish/removers

• Adhesives, gas cylinders, paints, solvents, stains/varnish, strippers/thinners, wood and metal cleaner, wood preservatives

• Antifreeze, auto batteries, brake fluid, cleaners/degreasers, diesel fuel, gasoline or mixed gas, motor oil and filters, transmission fluid

• Herbicides, lighter fluid, pesticides, poisons, pool chemicals

• Electronics and tires (limit of four tires per visitor)

City staff will direct all vehicles through and unload all materials. Disposal is for household waste only. Materials from businesses, household garbage or medical waste will not be accepted. Proof of residency will be required for all disposals. Residents are asked to have all materials to be collected in the trunk of their cars or in the bed of their pick-up trucks for easy access and removal. Updates will be provided prior to each event, or you can verify the event calendar at www.highpointnc.gov.

High Point Residents can also find a comprehensive list of common household items and their proper disposal methods by visiting www.highpointnc.gov/whatdoidowith.

PARKS & RECREATION WELCOMES NEW PARK RANGER

High Point Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce that Mackenzie Miloro has been sworn into service as a park ranger. Demonstrating his passion and commitment to public service, Miloro has previously served as a detention officer with the Guilford County Sheriff's Department and has worked and volunteered as a firefighter. He joins us from the City of Lexington Police Department, where he gained over two years of experience in law enforcement as a police officer. We are so excited to have him join our team of park rangers.

Miloro's swearing-in was conducted by Tracy Pegram, assistant director of High Point Parks & Recreation, NC, at the June meeting of the High Point Parks & Recreation Commission. He had many of his proud family in attendance, including his fiance Breanna and his grandfather Joe, who flew in from New York for the occasion and was chosen to pin Miloro's badge for the first time.

Congratulations, Mackenzie, and welcome to the High Point team!

RESIDENTS GIVE FEEDBACK ON NEW CENTER FOR ACTIVE ADULTS

Representatives from High Point Parks & Recreation, HH Architecture and Lifespan Design Studio met with dozens of High Point residents on July 26 at the current location on the Culler Senior Center to gather ideas, input and inspiration on the proposed new Center for Active Adults.

Attendees reviewed photos of similar facilities built in other communities, added their own ideas and spoke with the project consultants and parks and recreation staff about their vision for a new space and its possible amenities.

LIBRARY HOSTS TIE-DYE JULY

The library went "wild" for tie-dye in July. On July 5, the High Point Public Library Children's Department invited kids to bring items to tie-dye in the Arts & Education Plaza. This annual event has grown in popularity in the almost 25 years since it started.

The library also declared July 20 as Tie-Dye at the Library Day! Kids, parents and staff were invited to wear their tie-dyed items. Kids who came in their tie-dye attire were able to choose a prize from the treasure box. The celebration was even extended to some of the locations the library visits, such as the Carl Chavis YMCA.

This is one unique way that the library can spread joy and bring the community together!

PROMOTIONS & NEW HIRES

CONGRATULATIONS:

JOHN ANTIGNANO - Police Supervisor II to Police Commander I

JASON DREW - Firefighter, Master II to Fire Equipment Operator I

TANNER HAUSER - Firefighter, Master II to Fire Equipment Operator I

JOSEPH HERRINGTON - Firefighter, Master II to Fire Equipment Operator I

GREGORY LILES - Groundskeeper I to Parks Maintenance Crew Supervisor

DEANNA PENDRY - Motor Equipment Operator I to Cemetery Parks Supervisor

ERIC POTTS - Firefighter, Master II to Fire Equipment Operator I

GARTH STOWE - Firefighter, Master II to Fire Equipment Operator I

MATTHEW TRUITT - Police Commander I to Assistant Police Chief

ROBERT TULL II - Police Officer, Master II to Police Supervisor I

WELCOME:

DAVID CARROLL - Police Officer Trainee

BRITTANY SMITH - Summer Camp Counselor

TRINITY WARREN - Groundskeeper I

ELISHA GONZALEZ - Lifeguard

WILLIAM STROUD - Park Attendant

CARSON BRANZ - Lifeguard

JOSEPH RIERSON - Radio Systems Technician I

BRANDON ENGLISH - Street Maintenance Motor Equipment Operator I

MARK DAVIS - Transit Operator I

PROMOTIONS & NEW HIRES

WELCOME:

PRESTON HOLMAN - Transit Equipment Service Attendant

WALLACE RUSSELL - Transit Operator I

LUIS RIVERA - Transit Operator I

ANGELETTE WILLIS - Transit Operator I

MICHAELA WORTHINGTON - Lifeguard

SARAH SOLIS - Seasonal Park Attendant

JEAVEN CURRY - Summer Camp Counselor

CAMERON HARTMANN - Lifeguard

KALEB JONES - Camp Ann Counselor

MELISSA HOGAN - Administrative

MARK WEATHERMAN - Wastewater Operator II

DAVID STROUD - Environmental Services Sanitation Worker

ROBERT GERBER - Parks Maintenance Crew Supervisor

KALYN MILOT - Park Specialist

JANAE DILLMAN - Police Records Support I

SHAMAR WILLIAMS - Public Services Apprentice

ELIZABETH JONES - Lifeguard

MAKAYLA COLEMAN - Park Attendant

TYESHA LASSITER - Summer Camp Counselor

DELANEY STATON - Summer Camp Counselor

MICAH BOAN - Seasonal Park Attendant