My First Year
in Westerville By Monica Irelan, Westerville City Manager If I had to characterize my first year in Westerville, I would use two words: stop and start. If you started a new job anytime in the last two years, I think you know what I mean. There were moments we comfortably cruised— strong starts when programs and services were hitting their stride at a great pace. And then other times when the pandemic was loud and clear: stop, not quite yet. That has made it much more difficult than anticipated to be in the places I wanted to be, meeting you and sharing this new administration’s vision for a growing Westerville. So I share my reflections here of how your City staff and I approached the year and where we believe we’re headed. RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE PUBLIC SERVICES At its most basic level, Westerville is your public service and program provider. Paving roads, distributing water and picking up trash and recycling are just a few of those responsibilities. Keeping those services operating reliably and efficiently is our responsibility; a promise we make and must keep. As we move further into a century meant to inspire technologies and innovations that help us perform these tasks, Westerville will also keep a human touch on how we impact the quality of life at home and around Central Ohio.
Swearing in new police and fire employees during City Council meetings.
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Irelan was sworn in as the newest Westerville City Manager on Jan. 4, 2021.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION One of my first acts as City Manager was to create a position for the City’s first-ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director. It is one step in a series for Westerville, after having passed non-discrimiation and ethnic intimidation legislation more than two years ago. With dedicated staff, a look at policy and representation will be next steps. This is important as cities across the U.S. continue discussions about what responsive government looks like in the modern civil rights and social justice age. Our role now is to form legislation and programs to support a safe, inclusive community for all genders, generations, races, religions and ethnicities.
City Manager Monica Irelan and Assistant City Manager Jason Bechtold meet with the community during National Night Out.
WESTERVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT • (614) 901-6500 • www.wester ville.org
