Your City Matters - Feb 2015

FEBRUARY 2015

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communications@westfield.in.gov

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westfield.in.gov

WINDOW TO THE PAST Exploring the Estes House

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE • Prescription Drug Drop-Off • WWS Announce Tutoring Program • New City Council President • Valentine’s Day Run/Walk at Grand

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR January started off the way we all thought it would: cold and snowy. But, it gave me a chance to break out my snow plow, hook it up to the Jeep and clear some roads and driveways. Personally, after last winter I’d just as soon skip the season this year. However, I doubt that will be possible.

Grand Park received the Award of Excellence from the Indiana Park and Recreation Association at an awards ceremony on January 15, 2015.

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

It’s been quipped that the road to success is always under construction. That’s certainly true – both literally and figuratively – for Westfield residents.

Last month, INDOT switched lanes on US 31 as they begin their final year of Westfield construction. While it can be aggravating at times, it’s also helpful to look to the future and know that soon enough the construction equipment will go away, and Westfield will have a finished, brand-new US 31. We’ll also have new roundabouts throughout the city that will help move traffic along and hopefully expedite your commutes.

Please bear with us as we improve our community.

We’ve also made some pretty impressive strides as a community in terms of our planning for downtown’s next big project. Years of community discussion and professional input have led us to a design that I think will make downtown Westfield a unique destination for both visitors and residents. The circuit design will create a continuous loop that connects various elements throughout the park and plaza, including lawn space, performance space, wintertime ice skating, wooded areas and trails. It will be a place for people to gather and enjoy themselves, 365 days a year.

Todd Burtron

It will truly be the Grand Junction Park and Plaza that Westfield deserves.

Joel Rush

One last note. If any of you have ideas for things we could share in Your City Matters within the coming year, let us know! We’d love to help tell our community’s story. Simply shoot us an email at communications@westfield.in.gov.

CHIEF OF STAFF POLICE CHIEF

Joe Lyons

FIRE CHIEF

Melody Jones

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR

John Rogers

ENTERPRISE DIRECTOR

I hope that the month is kind to all of you. Thanks for being a part of Westfield.

Matt Skelton

ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Ken Alexander

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Derrick Cash

INFORMATICS DIRECTOR

Erin Murphy

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

J. Andrew Cook Mayor

LIVING HISTORY: THE ESTES HOUSE Six generations of the Estes family have called the city of Westfield home, and one of the most important pieces of that family’s history can be found on the campus of Union Bible College.

Born into a Quaker family in Maine, Lewis Alden Estes hailed as a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden, Mayflower Pilgrims. After graduating from Bowdoin College, he became the first principal and teacher at the Friends Boarding School, now Earlham College. It was here he met his future wife, Huldah Case Hoag. They were wed on February 24, 1848 at the Whitewater Friends Monthly Meeting, and became parents of two sons, Ludovic and Rowland.

In 1861, the Estes family came to Westfield where Lewis had accepted a job as principal of Union High. The family occupied a home built that same year, which would serve as the principal’s house, and later the president’s home of what became Union Bible College. Built in a Greek Revival tradition, the home sits near the intersection of College and Union. It is oneand-a-half stories, with gabled roofing and wood bargeboard lining the eaves.

Two additions to the home have been made during its lifetime. An addition at the northeast corner is currently used as a bookstore for the school. Evidence of a porch - long since removed - at the north end of the building exists, and it’s easy to imagine Principal Estes walking down its steps each morning, heading across the lawn to preside over the affairs of the day.

Currently, the home is used for storage. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the campus of Union Bible College.

The Estes’ left Union High in 1871, when Lewis became the first president of Wilmington College in Ohio. In 1874 the family returned to farm life in Westfield, where Lewis went into business with Abel Doan, becmoing the first president of the Westfield Bank.

Originally interred in the Old Friends Cemetery, Lewis and Huldah were moved during construction of the Midland Rail line. They now rest side by side in Summit Lawn Cemetery.

DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHT: WESTFIELD POLICE RX DROP-OFF

The Westfield Police Department is unveiling a new drop-off site for unused prescription drugs. The drop-off will provide a secure location for people to deposit prescription medication, and is part of a larger effort by the Indiana Attorney General’s office to combat the misuse of prescription drugs.

“Our goal is to keep Westfield residents safe from danger,” says Chief of Police Joel Rush.

“Sometimes dangerous situations don’t arise from robberies or shootings. Sometimes that danger can come from everyday sources, such as the misuse or abuse of prescription medication.”

Westfield’s drop-off site can be found in the lobby of the Westfield Public Safety Building, located at 17535 Dartown Road. Lobby hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.

WWS COMMUNITY TUTORING NIGHTS Westfield Washington Schools is pleased to announce a new program for all students in grades K-12 beginning February 4. WWS Community Tutoring Nights will be available to students every Wednesday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the newly renovated high school learning center accessed via Door #6 at WHS. Joel Bruns and Angela Hoffman, librarians at Westfield High School and Westfield Middle School respectively, developed the program. According to Mr. Bruns, “Mrs. Hoffman and I wanted to create another option for students to receive additional assistance in their classwork one evening each week. Tutoring will be provided by Westfield teachers who already know and understand the curriculum being taught.”

Students are encouraged to attend, not only for tutoring, but for access to academic resources and space for group projects.

For additional information, please contact Joel Bruns at brunsj@wws.k12.in.us or 317-867-6820 or Angela Hoffman at hoffmana@wws.k12.in.us or 317-867-6620.

WESTFIELD RANKED SECOND BEST PLACE IN INDIANA FOR YOUNG FAMILIES NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website, recently conducted a study to find the best places in Indiana for young families – and Westfield ranked second.

To find the best communities for future parents and young families alike, NerdWallet evaluated 109 cities, towns and census-designated places and examined variables such as home affordability, prosperity and growth, quality of education and family friendliness.

This family friendly community, which has the highest percentage of families with children in the state, is within commuting distance of Indianapolis. Westfield boasts the largest family income growth in Indiana, with a 54.8% increase from 1999 to 2013 and a strong GreatSchools rating of 8.

For more information about NerdWallet, and to see the full study, visit www.nerdwallet.com/cities.

NEW PRESIDENT FOR WESTFIELD CITY COUNCIL

Chuck Lehman was elected to serve as President of the City Council at the January 12th meeting of the City Council. Jim Ake will serve as Vice President.

Lehman has served on the Westfield City Council since October 2013. He lives in Centennial with his wife Patricia, and is the co-owner of Any Lab Test Now, which has locations in Carmel and Fishers.

During his years in the manufacturing business, Lehman was involved in public service, serving as a county commissioner and as a town councilor.

He has managed the operations of both city and county governments, and also has served on a multi-county regional planning commission. Since moving to Westfield in 2007, he has been active in the community. He is a founding member of the Westfield Rotary Club, served on the Westfield Advisory Plan Commission and is active in his church.

Chuck likes all types of out-door activities including biking the local trails, but his greatest joy is his family of three daughters, their spouses and six grandchildren.

Valentine’s Day... You either love it or hate it! The City of Westfield is calling all of you to come out to Grand Park and participate in Westfield’s inaugural 5K Run/Walk! Melt the Trail is a Valentine’s themed fun run that will get your blood pumping for date night with a loved one or a night out with friends! Dress up in your homemade V-day costumes and arrive early to complete your look with a custom face painting!

Valentines Day- Saturday, February 14th @ 2:30- 4:00p.m.

1:30 PM: Day of Registration and Face Painting 1:45 - 2:15 PM: CHECK-IN 2:20 PM: Pre-Race Meeting 2:30 PM: Race Begins 3:30 PM: Award Ceremony After crossing the finish line, join us for a post race party in the Field Admin Building. Get warm indoors while you enjoy themed food and activities as well as the awards!

Cost: Single-$25, Couple-$45, Group (3-5)-$70 Register today at www.westifield.in.gov/meltthetrail

UPDATES NEW FITNESS LOCATION

Orange Theory fitness is coming soon to Cool Creek Commons. The owners’ say it is a new way to do fitness. The studio focuses on heart rate based interval group training. Each member gets a heart monitor to use during the group class exercise.

A display screen tracks each member’s heart rate during the hour long session.

The goal is for members to maintain a heart rate in the orange zone, which has proven to give the best results.

The owners, Shaun and Carolyn McDonald, fell in love with the company in their previous home state of Florida. They decided to move back to the Midwest to raise their family and open their own Orange Theory Fitness.

Carolyn says, they hope to be open by mid-March, but they are currently selling memberships at discounted rates. While their new space is under construction, you can find them at a temporary location next to Fresh Market in Cool Creek Commons.

STAY CONNECTED! Want to stay up-to-date on all things Westfield? Here are just a few ways to keep in touch: www.westfield.in.gov www.facebook.com/CityofWestfield www.twitter.com/CityofWestfield communications@westfield.in.gov

PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

130 Penn St., Westfield, IN 46074

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEB 2 & 17 • Redevelopment Commission Meeting

6:30 - 7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

FEB 2 & 17 • Advisory Plan Commission Meeting 7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

FEB 9 • City Council Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

FEB 10 • Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

FEB 14, 18 & 28 • Heart and Soul Free Clinic

9:00 am - 12:00 pm (FEB 14 & 28), 5:30 pm - END (FEB 18) 202 Penn Street

FEB 16 • OFFICES CLOSED - PRESIDENTS DAY FEB 25 • Board of Public Works and Safety Meeting

1:00 pm, Westfield Public Works Conference Room