Your City Matters Sept 2014

SEPTEMBER 2014

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communications@westfield.in.gov

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westfield.in.gov

IN THIS ISSUE • Voices from the Past • Planting for the Future • Employee Spotlight • Grand Park Update

Voices from the Past returns to Westfield

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR Well, another summer season is coming to a close. I hope that everyone was able to take a break and enjoy time with your families and friends.

Mayor Cook welcomes Isaac Schantz to school on August 13.

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

Last month I had the extraordinary pleasure of welcoming Westfield’s kids on their first day of school. I am continually amazed by our community’s kids. We have got to have some of the brightest and friendliest young people in the entire state of Indiana.

I was at the school along with our Fire and Police personnel, who made sure that each child got there safely -- as they do every day. Safety is something that is a priority for our community. Our Fire and Police departments work tirelessly to create a safe place for our families and businesses.

A new feature that we are launching will be a video series called Your Safety Matters. Featuring fire and police personnel, these quick web videos will highlight some simple ways you can make your household and family a little bit safer. The videos will be available for viewing on our Facebook, Twitter and Youtube pages.

And word to the wise: the police department is unveiling some new cars this month. So if you see a few new Mustangs on the road, mind your speed.

My sincere thanks to all of you for being a part of this community.

All the best,

Joel Rush

POLICE CHIEF

Joe Lyons

FIRE CHIEF

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 Verplank

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

J. Andrew Cook Mayor

EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT:

SYLVIA WILLIAMSON

We interviewed City employee Sylvia Williamson to find out more about her. Sylvia started working for the City last month as a customer service representative. Aside from her professional customer service experience, Sylvia is also fluent in Spanish.

While you’re currently a Westfield resident, you’re originally from Illinois. Why did you locate to Westfield?

My whole family is from Illinois. My mom moved to Indianapolis when she got a job at Navistar, so I followed her to the area. At one point I was living in Carmel and that’s when I met my husband Andy. My husband is from Cicero and lived in Westfield. We now have been married almost a year; this coming October and we chose Westfield to raise our family. I love Westfield. It’s a great compromise to those who want to live near a big city, like Indianapolis, but still want that old town charm.

You’re fluent in both English and Spanish; how do you hope this will help Westfield citizens?

My father encouraged me and my siblings to learn Spanish as a second language. I think I was around 7 or 8 when he introduced me to the language, and then I took Spanish all through school. We even had a summer tutor through the summer. I’ve held many jobs throughout my career providing interpretation services. My hope is the Hispanic population in Westfield will feel comfortable enough to use my skills as a resource. I don’t want residents to miss out on great opportunities because of a language barrier.

What are some of the duties you do for the City of Westfield?

I will be handling a lot of the permit filings and billing, as well as front desk responsibilities in the customer service department.

What would you say you like the most about working in Westfield?

Working for the city is very exciting and interesting I’m learning A LOT. Coming from a health care background the change is very new, but also exciting. I also enjoy working with my manager and coworkers; they are a great group of ladies.

Where is your favorite place to eat in Westfield?

My favorite place is Hoffa’s, I love BBQ and they have this awesome habanero slaw!

GRAND PARK UPDATE The summer season is coming to a close at Grand Park and the park has already exceeded its first year attendance projections. Grand Park has welcomed more than 650,000 visits in the spring and summer seasons.

In one weekend, Grand Park hosted 265 baseball teams for the Indiana American Softball Association State Tournament and the Grand Park Frenzy presented by Bullpen Tournaments.

The soccer fields were also a bustle with numerous national events including three US Soccer events—the largest featured 110 U16-U18 teams from over 30 states with over 2500 participants and 400 college coaches.

It is estimated that the three US Soccer events alone amounted to $7.2 CREWS INSTALL ARTIFICIAL TURF ON A YOUTH million in economic impact for the region.

BASEBALL FIELD. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL JEFFRIES)

PLANTING FOR THE FUTURE Thurman Calvin, a sophomore at Westfield High School, is working toward his rank of Eagle Scout. Thurman’s Eagle Scout project, supported by Dan Popiela, the Naturalist at Cool Creek Park, was planting several native species of trees and bushes in the southwest meadow of the park. The goal is to seclude the park from the US 31 freeway that has become more visible as a result of the new bridge at 151st Street. Thurman hopes these trees and bushes provide a more natural environment which will benefit future generations.

Thurman is a Life Scout with Troop 152 at St. Maria Goretti Parish. His project was assisted by funding from United Way of Central Indiana’s Youth as Resources (YAR) program. Thurman purchased the trees and bushes from the Indiana DNR, marked where each species would be planted, and prepared the area by digging holes.

Earlier this year, Thurman -- along with fellow Scouts and volunteers from Walmart -- planted over 300 trees and bushes. Since the planting, Thurman has cared for the trees and bushes by mulching, making and installing cages, watering and inspecting the seedlings. He hopes that as the plants grow and thrive, they will reduce the sights and sounds of the highway, provide additional habitat for wildlife, and create a more relaxing environment for park visitors.

UPDATES WALKING INTO THE PAST Westfield’s current residents and visitors will get the chance to interact with citizens from a bygone era this month when Voices from the Past returns to the city.

Now in its fourth year, the collaborative event between the Westfield Parks and Recreation department, Westfield Washington Historical Society and the Westfield Playhouse brings the past back to life through dramatic storytelling.

On the one and a half hour walking tour through downtown, you’ll be able to chat with figures such as Nathan Parker, who helped Asa Bales and Simon Moon lay out the original plat for Westfield in 1834. Stepping into Old Friends Cemetery Park, you’ll travel back to 1845, where you’ll hear from Horace Cannon, Joseph Cannon, Isaac Newton Cannon and Edward Bray.

“The stories are different every year,” said Melody Jones, Westfield’s Parks and Recreation Director. “The emphasis is on more multiple players, so instead of a monologue, residents will get a more interactive experience.”

New to this year’s walking tour are six properties in downtown that are on the route. At these stops, visitors will be given more in-depth information about the properties, including photographs. There will also be a chance for attendees to meet the actors at an event on Saturday evening.

“This is really a chance for us to celebrate Westfield’s story and bring the past to life,” Jones said. “Whether you’re a history buff or just want to enjoy a nice walk in two beautiful parks, it’s a wonderful event for the whole family.”

The Voices from the Past event is held September 12-13. Sponsors for the event are: Visit www.westfield.in.gov/voicesfromthepast for more information and to purchase tickets. Please contact Westfield Parks & Recreation at 317-804-3183 to reserve a spot for this tour.

SUPER SERVICE Grand Park and Westfield’s next endeavor, the downtown revitalization project Grand Junction, launched the city’s hospitality initiative. Indiana is known across the country for Hoosier Hospitality, thanks largely to the 2012 Super Bowl. The hospitality that visitors raved about after the Super Bowl, was in part because of the Super Service program.

Hosted by Hamilton County Tourism, Inc. and the City of Westfield, the Super Service program will teach participants about good customer service, community history and appeal, local attractions and why tourism helps communities prosper.

Those who complete the program will receive a certificate as the next Westfield ambassador.

To begin, visit: SuperServiceTraining.com/ HamiltonCountyWestfield

CITY APP Want to know what’s going on in Westfield? There’s an app for that! The city app is better than ever - and still FREE - for both iTunes and Google Play.

PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

130 Penn St., Westfield, IN 46074

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEP 1 • Labor Day (City Offices Closed) SEP 1 & 15 • Advisory Plan Commission Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

SEP 8 • City Council Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

SEP 9 • Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting

7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

SEP 13 & 27 • Heart and Soul Free Clinic

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

SEP 26 • Movies in the Park

Sunset, Asa Bales Park - North entrance