Your City Matters Dec 2014

DECEMBER 2014

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communications@westfield.in.gov

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westfield.in.gov

IN THIS ISSUE • Westfield in Lights • Student Impact • Department Spotlight • Indy Chamber Award

Voices from the Past returns to Westfield

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR Christmas lights are up, sleigh bells are ringing, and Santa Claus is coming to town. It’s time again for Westfield in Lights!

Associate Planner Jeffrey Lauer and Council President Jim Ake accept the Indy Chamber’s Monumental Award for Grand Park

ELECTED OFFICIALS Andy Cook MAYOR

Cindy Gossard

CLERK TREASURER

Jim Ake

CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Robert Horkay, Steve Hoover, Chuck Lehman, Bob Smith, Cindy L. Spoljaric, Robert Stokes CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

STAFF Todd Burtron

CHIEF OF STAFF

Joel Rush

POLICE CHIEF

Joe Lyons

FIRE CHIEF

Join us December 6th at City Hall for food, carriage rides, live reindeer and the tree lighting ceremony which will begin at 6:40 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 3:45 and would love to have their pictures taken with kids at the Parks and Recreation Main Street Programming facility throughout the afternoon.

It will be a great time for kids of all ages!

I’d like to take a moment here to mention the fantastic award Westfield received last month. Westfield was honored at the Indy Chamber Monumental Awards for the development of Grand Park. Grand Park took home the Achievment Award in Real Estate Development for 2014. This is really an honor for our city, our economic development team and everyone involved in the development of Grand Park.

The Indy Chamber’s Monumental Awards recognize projects that strengthen and improve the Indianapolis region’s economy. Previous winners have included Indianapolis International Airport, The Conrad Indianapolis, Murat Theatre, Circle Center Mall and Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. Competitors were comprised of public and private sector projects completed between June 1, 2011 and June 1, 2014 in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan and Shelby counties.

It’s also important to note that Westfield was the only Hamilton County community to receive an award. So, way to go Westfield!

John Rogers

I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and friends. Thank you for being a part of Westfield’s community.

Matt Skelton

All the best,

Melody Jones

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR ENTERPRISE DIRECTOR ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Ken Alexander

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Derrick Cash

INFORMATICS DIRECTOR

Erin Verplank

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

J. Andrew Cook Mayor

DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHT: WESTFIELD FIRE COMBAT CHALLENGE! Westfield Fire Department Combat Challenge Team Take Home Top Honors Four members of the Westfield Fire Department participated in the SCOTT Safety Firefighter Combat Challenge and took home 2nd in the nation.

The firefighters travelled to Phoenix, Arizona to participate in the World Championship.

In full gear, including wearing the breathing apparatus, firefighters are timed on climbing a 5-story tower, dragging hoses and rescuing life-sized 175 lb. “victims” as they race against themselves, other teams from around the world and the clock.

This year the Westfield team advanced to the finals. They placed 2nd in the Grand National Standings, 17th in the world and Westfield firefighter Matt Hansen set a state record.

STUDENT IMPACT: A HUB OF SUPPORT

The house on Union Street sits relatively silent for most of the day, but that quiet is merely the calm before the storm. Soon enough, kids from Westfield schools will hurry through the door to play football, video games, put puzzles together or just hang out with their friends. Located at 536 North Union Street, just south of the high school, Student Impact has become a base for kids looking for a safe place to go before and after school.

“We strive to do two things here: we want to be safe, and we want to be consistent”, says Danyele Easterhaus, Executive Director of Student Impact.

The Student Impact house, nicknamed The Rock, serves as a safe place for kids looking for structure and friendship that they might not otherwise have in their personal lives. Now in its 15th year, the organization provides a place where important life lessons are mixed in with fun.

“You can teach a kid more about life putting a puzzle together with them than you can in a full day of lecture,” Easterhaus says.

“We are an organization that provides for the mind, body and spirit. We use the Bible as a guide for all we do and offer a time for the students each day to hear real life applications of God’s Word, for about 5 minutes,” Easterhaus says.

A mechanical engineer by trade and training, Easterhaus has served in youth ministry for the past 25 years. Easterhaus’ co-administrator, Jon Hogge, serves as the Director of Programming and Sports. They are the only two full time staff members.

“Both of my parents have mentored students for many years,” Hogge says. “I have the same passion for mentoring students and seeing kids get those life skills, so they’re prepared for what’s to come after high school. And those are taught playing pool or at the basketball court and playing dodgeball.”

“I couldn’t imagine doing anything outside of youth work,” he says.

The organization serves as a connector for kids who may need help, referring them to organizations such as Westfield Youth Assistance, which can provide other resources. Student Impact also serves meals to students to ensure that they get at least one good meal a day during the school year. Since August, Student Impact has served 925 entries. The basketball program in grades seven through 12 has approximately 400 students involved.

Student Impact is currently seeking donations for plasticware, plates, bowls, and a new couch. The group is also looking to expand its volunteer base and board membership.

“We’re always looking for people who have a desire to hang out and mentor kids,” Easterhaus says. “The time is tricky, but it more than pays for itself, and you feel like you’ve been given a gift when you’re around these kids, because they’re so thankful.”

To contact Student Impact about volunteering or donation needs, call 896-9614 or visit www.therockwestfield.org.

WESTFIELD IN LIGHTS! Westfield in Lights 2014 is just around the corner! A free holiday event for the family, covering 4 blocks of downtown Westfield. The main event area includes the City Hall parking lots, lawn, and Union Street. Come enjoy the food trucks, hot chocolate booth, and the live reindeer! We also added a new activity and a chance to change up your Christmas photos. Frosty the Snowman will be on the wooden stage at City Hall in his own photo booth! (In case of bad weather, Frosty will be inside City Hall) Other event areas include the Union and Penn Street intersection where The Santa Express Train will take you to Santa himself! A live Nativity scene is put on by Friends Church in Hadley Park and the Joshewe Girl Scouts will have over Gingerbread houses on display in the Programming Facility next to Santa . The annual Christmas celebration includes the Tree Lighting Ceremony with the Mayor beginning at 6:40pm. The Westfield High School Marching Band, Westfield High School Football team, and the cheerleaders will join the Mayor in lighting the tree promptly at 7:00pm.

PICTURES WITH SANTA! Parks and Recreation Programming Facility 330 East Main Street (SR 32) 3:45pm-6:45pm

Santa will arrive with Mrs. Claus at 3:45 in the Parks and Recreation Main Street Programming Facility. This year Santa has graciously brought his train, The Santa Express. The train will pick up passengers at the intersection of Union and Penn streets and take them straight to Santa! Santa will be available to talk to and take pictures with until 6:45pm. Anyone left in line at 6:45pm will be able to continue through and the last in line will be given a stop sign. Unfortunately, Santa has a tight schedule this year and will need to leave for the North Pole at 7:00pm. Also, don’t forget the Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 6:40pm and the tree is lit promptly at 7:00pm next to the main stage!

Professional photographs will be taken by Goldberg Photography and each family will receive one FREE 4X6photo inside a commemorative picture frame! Please feel free to bring your own camera to take additional pictures!

Joshewe Girl Scouts will display Gingerbread houses in the adjacent room in the Programming Facility. Please enjoy the hard work of the many troops who made these houses. Vote for your favorite between and find out the winner during the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:40pm at the main stage.

UPDATES PEBBLES TO PEARLS A new boutique opened its doors in downtown Westfield. Come visit Pebbles to Pearls, an antique store located at 108 E Main Street. Vintage is of an Era. Antique is of an Age is the owners’ slogan. The store offers unique pieces from Portuguese pottery to upholstered furniture. An array of items for your home or great gift ideas for this holiday season. Looking for a bargain? Come on Tuesdays where everything in the store is 20% off.

MCDONALD’S NOW OPEN NEAR GRAND PARK! A new McDonald’s is open near State Road 32, at 945 Tournament Trail in Westfield.

The family friendly fast food chain is located near Grand Park. The owners plan to offer Westfield residents and visitors, a convenient, clean and inviting atmosphere that consistently offers great food at a reasonable price. The owners say they are thrilled to be a part of Westfield and such a family friendly community.

PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

130 Penn St., Westfield, IN 46074

CALENDAR OF EVENTS DEC 1 & 15 • Advisory Plan Commission Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

DEC 6 • Westfield in Lights 3:30 - 7:30 pm, Downtown Westfield

DEC 8 • City Council Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

DEC 9 • Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

DEC 13 & 27 • Heart and Soul Free Clinic

9:00 am - 12:00 pm, 202 Penn Street

DEC 24, 25 & 31 • Holiday Closings (All Day)

All City Offices Closed