Your City Matters Nov 2014

NOVEMBER 2014

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communications@westfield.in.gov

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westfield.in.gov

IN THIS ISSUE • Grand Park Updates • Derby Winners • Department Spotlight • Public Safety Initiative

Mayor Cook leads students from Oak Trace Elementary to school during the 2014 Walk to School event in October.

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR October was a pretty exciting month for Westfield! Not only did the Parks Department put on another great Grand Junction Derby, we also had a big announcement regarding our hospitality industry and Grand Park. To see a rendering of the new hotel that will be going in at Grand Park, see the insert of this edition.

Mayor Cook and Principal Robin Lynch congratulate students on walking to school for National Walk to School Day at Oak Trace Elementary School

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

Needless to say, I’m thrilled about the way things are moving.

We also saw the grand opening of the new McDonald’s on State Road 32, and I suspect the Dairy Queen isn’t too far behind. I know a lot of people have been eagerly awaiting these developments! Just remember: if you eat too many Big Macs, we have plenty of trails around town to help burn off some extra weight.

Speaking of extra weight: we are finally at the Thanksgiving season. I believe it’s good to spend time with family and friends, and take count of your blessings. As mayor, there’s a lot that makes me thankful. I’m thankful for dedicated city staff. I’m grateful for our police and fire personnel who keep our city safe. I’m thankful for all the great volunteers who help out with our events and programs.

Most of all, I’m thankful for being able to be mayor of a community that is quickly becoming a heavy hitter in the Central Indiana area. The progress that our community is making is truly remarkable. None of it is possible without all of your commitment.

If you’d like to know more about what is going on here in Westfield, I encourage you to attend the State of the City Address, to be held November 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Bridgewater. Please call the Chamber of Commerce for ticket information at 804-3030.

I hope all of you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

Melody Jones

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR

John Rogers

ENTERPRISE DIRECTOR

Matt Skelton

ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Ken Alexander

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Derrick Cash

INFORMATICS DIRECTOR

Erin Murphy

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

J. Andrew Cook Mayor

GRAND JUNCTION DERBY: AT THE FINISH LINE A grand time was had by all at the Sixth Annual Grand Junction Derby in Downtown Westfield! With about 500 in attendance, including volunteers, City staff and officials, the event was a huge success.

The winners were: People’s Choice Runner Up: Car #17 Country Chase Fire Department People’s Choice Winner: Car #10 The Monon Racer Creative Class Runner Up: Car #1 Everything is Awesome – Lego Car Creative Class Winner: Car #11 CSI – Signs Competitive Class Runner Up: #5 Sonic Competitive Class Winner: #4 Tony the Tiger

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO WAS A PART OF THIS EVENT! WE’LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT: TRICK-OR-TREAT WITH WESTFIELD FIRE! The Westfield Fire Department uses Halloween as a great opportunity to meet and greet community members. Instead of trick-or-treaters traveling to the fire stations this Halloween, the firefighters will come to them.

Each station takes a truck and crew and travels throughout Westfield neighborhoods. The traveling firefighters started years ago because the fire stations are all located on busy roads, which makes it very dangerous for trick-or-treaters. The administration came up with a safe solution, reverse trick-or-treating. Now it has become a tradition for fire crews to hand out candy in Westfield neighborhoods.

This year, the firefighters will be passing out glow sticks to all the ghouls and goblins. If you see them out, please stop and say hello!

Trick-or-treating hours will be October 31st, 5-8 p.m.

For more information, visit www.grandpark.org.

A Cambria hotel, Grand Park’s newest addition, will feature 150 rooms and help expand Westfield’s hospitality capacity.

PARTNERING TO SAVE LIVES: WESTFIELD PD, HCEM

UPDATES GRAND PARK FIELDHOUSE Soon Grand Park will be able to host an even broader range of sporting activities year-round. A group of local investors have committed to develop a 56,000 square foot indoor facility for basketball and volleyball with an estimated value of $6 million. The facility will be called the “Grand Park Fieldhouse” and will feature six full-sized courts along with locker rooms, offices and a café focused on healthy eating options. Sand volleyball courts are also being considered.

The Westfield Police Department, in partnership with Hamilton County Emergency Management, received 6 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for on-duty officers. Through the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant (UASI), with funds provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security, a project was identified to ensure all law enforcement vehicles throughout Hamilton County had access to AEDs. Law enforcement officers have been identified as responders always in the field, and having access to these vital capabilities will continue to provide an additional level of service to our community. The UASI grant is managed by Hamilton County Emergency Management.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to support our Law Enforcement community in Hamilton County, while we hope they never have to be used we can rest assure our highly trained officers are ready to assist where needed”, said Thomas Sivak, Executive Director of Hamilton County Emergency Management.

Police Chief Joel Rush (left) is presented with six Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by Thomas Sivak, Executive Director of Hamilton County Emergency Management

In addition to hosting basketball and volleyball events, the Fieldhouse is in negotiations with a third party sports rehabilitation company, which will allow athletes of all sports to utilize the facility.

It is estimated that the Fieldhouse will create 100 jobs and bring tens of millions of dollars into the local economy. The facility has a tentative groundbreaking date of April 2015 and opening date of January 2016.

PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

130 Penn St., Westfield, IN 46074

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOV 3 & 17 • Advisory Plan Commission Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

NOV 10 • City Council Meeting 7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

NOV 8 & 22 • Heart and Soul Free Clinic

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

NOV 11 • Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

NOV 20 • Mayor’s State of the City Address

11:00 am, The Bridgewater Club

NOV 27 & 28 • City offices closed for Thanksgiving