Mayor Sullivan's Top Ten Reasons to be Thankful this Thanksgiving
10. I am thankful for all of our community partners such as the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce and its members, the Foundation, the Parks and Special Events volunteers; the Keep Windsor Heights Beautiful volunteers, the Lions Club, and the Elks Club. Thank you for all you do for the community throughout the year and the help that you provide for the many other projects/events on my "thankful list."
9. The Grale Project at 6733 University. I am thankful the City was able to provide assistance to redevelop this property into a beautiful building that will also carry a greater value for the City.
8. I am thankful that the Fire Department is planning to have "Santa Day" again. On the morning of December 4th, Santa will ride around our neighborhoods on a fire truck visiting with neighborhood children. Thanks to Chief Cross and his wonderful crew of volunteers for this event and for helping out on Trick or Treat night.
7. I am thankful for a very successful "National Night Out" this year. More than 300 people attended, receiving information from 20 organizations on how to help reduce crime, keep their homes safe and other community outreach initiatives.
6. I am thankful for a very successful Oktoberfest this year. It was great to see so many people enjoying the Community and Events Center and the music of the Blue Band, the costume contest, the pumpkin carving contest and the pet costume contest. What a great day! Thank you to our new Parks and Special Events Coordinator, Tracy Levine, for a fine time!
5. The creation of the dog park: I am thrilled that the City was able to create a dog park at an incredibly low cost. Thanks to our Public Works Director, Jason VanAusdall, for securing so many fence and equipment use donations, to reduce the cost. The total cost to build the dog park was under $1,000.
4. The Program of the Year Award. I am thankful and excited about receiving the Program of the Year Award from IaCMA for the City's "Takin' It To The Streets" program. Kudos to City Administrator, Marketa George Oliver, for coming up with this community outreach idea.
3. The Energy Grant that the City received to retrofit traffic lights, lights at City Hall and the Fire Bay Doors. Many thanks to the Community Services Director, Josh Heggen, for finding this grant and securing more than $42,000 in funding to help in the City's sustainability efforts.
2. Fantastic new staff members. I am thankful for the City's new Chief Financial Officer, Carrie Brannen. Carrie is a bright and energetic addition to the City's management team. I am also thankful for our new Police Chief, Dennis McDaniel. While I was sorry to see Chief Walters retire, I am confident that the leadership of the Department was left in good hands.
1. The opening of the new Community and Events Center in Colby Park! This beautiful, signature facility is being used for many community events and civic gatherings as well as private events. Revenue from this facility is outpacing expectations and the reception from the community has been gratifying. If you have not seen this facility, please join us for Windsor Wonderland on December 4th from 2-5 p.m. This facility completes the vision for Colby Park! What was set in place more than six years ago is now a reality. To everyone whose voices, vision and votes contributed to this magnificent public improvement, congratulations on a job well done.
I am also extremely grateful that our Public Works Department survived the record-setting snows last year, followed by the Spring rains and flooding! Even with such sizeable snow falls, our snow removal remained top notch! Thank you.
Have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving!
