WESTERVILLE COMMUNITY RECREATION GUIDE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 WWW.WESTERVILLE.ORG Dog Duo JoiNS WPD Pages 4-5 No Utility Rate Increases for 2021 Page 11 PROGRAM REGISTRATION INFORMATION parks & recreation See page 28 or visit www.westerville.org/registration 1 WESTERVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT • (614) 901-6500 • www.westerville.org PB Welcome Welcome to 2021, and let’s hope we can officially deem this the year of recovery. If you’re a Parks and Recreation family, this is the year for you! Starting with this issue, the Guide is now on a bi-monthly schedule, which means you’ll get one publication every other month (instead of quarterly) and MORE opportunities than ever before to register for programs and drop-in events and classes. The expanded Community Center is now open and operational, and the reviews are in. “Practically brand new,” WESTERVILLE “beautiful,” “expectations exceeded” are what we’re hearing CITY COUNCIL from guests. Visit www.westerville.org/onepass to sign up or schedule a tour. BACK ROW: Alex Heckman; Valerie Cumming, Vice Mayor; Diane Conley; Kenneth Wright The new year is also kicking off with new management for FRONT ROW: Craig Treneff, Vice Chair; Kathy the City of Westerville. We welcome Monica Irelan to the Cocuzzi, Mayor; Mike Heyeck, Chair City. Monica begins her term as City Manager this month, replacing David Collinsworth, who recently retired. Assistant City Manager Julie Colley retires at the end of the month, and Irelan is expected to name her replacement soon. Learn more about Irelan on page 6, and expect a full feature on her new role and objectives in the March/April issue. parks & recreation Enjoy the pages ahead, as we explore the Westerville Division MISSION STATEMENT of Police (WPD) K9 program’s newest recruits (page 4) and The City of Westerville is dedicated to providing emerging programs for 2021, including new virtual recreation exemplary municipal services to our community opportunities (page 18). Please contact us with questions or and fostering prosperity while embracing our story ideas at [email protected]. unique heritage and character. Here’s to a happy, healthy and healing 2021. CITY VALUES Innovation Integrity and Trust Stewardship Public Safety Excellence Community Engagement Accountability Employee Enrichment RegistrationUpdates Registration is now open for 2021 classes. NOTES TO THE EDITOR Westerville Community Recreation Guide Editor: Visit www.westerville.org/registration Toni Schorling for details and additional information. [email protected] Due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the most up-to-date class details and registration information can be found online at www.westerville.org/registration. 2 WESTERVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT • (614) 901-6500 • www.westerville.org CONTENTS AROUND THE CITY COMMUNITY 4-5 Meet Bruno and Chloe 6 Monica Irelan Begins Term as City Manager ACTIVITIES 7 Final Parcels in Westar 23-26 Community Events 8-9 MLK Day Like None Before 10 Police/Court Facility Update In the Next Issue 11 No Utility Rate Changes in 2021 WESTERVILLE PARKS 12 On the Alert 13 Winter Fire Prevention and Safety Strategies AND RECREATION 14 Could Fiber be the Next Utility? 27-33 Westerville Community Center and Facilities 15 Road Warriors Ready for Winter 34-41 Programs and Classes Holiday Light Recycling 42-43 Westerville Recreation Trail 16 Whiskers, Nail Designs for Good Yes, WeCan 17 Transparency Hub Dives into City Data Volunteer of the Year Applications 18 Parks and Recreations Virtual Recreation 19 Community Center Expansion 20 Is it Allergies, a Cold, Influenza or COVID-19 On the Cover: Officer Khyrell Baggoo and Bruno, Westerville’s newest K9 team walk through Uptown Westerville. Find more information 21 Coping with ‘Winter Blues’ During a Pandemic about Bruno and our first therapy dog, Chloe on pages 4-5. 22 Community Photo Entries Image Below: The Westerville Holiday Tree was celebrated with an all-virtual lighting in December. Visit www.westerville.org/tv to see the video. 33 covid-19Meet Bruno and Chloe Dog Duo Joins WPD as ResourceNew K9Guide Officers Officer Khyrell Baggoo and Bruno When Westerville Division of Police (WPD) K9 Fiji retired in the future will take us, especially with the knowledge that Sgt. January after seven years of service, WPD began the process of Schwartz brings to the K9 Unit.” finding the right fit of dog and officer to continue the program. They found Officer Khyrell Baggoo, who joined WPD in 2017. Sgt. Schwartz says Bruno shares a lot of characteristics with Fiji, which carries on the tradition of a reliable, professional, and Ofc. Baggoo applied for the K9 program in 2020 to fulfill a motivated partnership that serves the Westerville community. goal he made as a young law enforcement cadet in the WPD Explorer program. “Bruno is a very social K9 like Fiji, which is great because the team is more effective being able to go into just about any venue “I’ve always had an interest in becoming a K9 handler, even prior to work,” he said. “I think both K9’s possess strong drive and work to becoming an officer,” said Ofc. Baggoo. “The opportunity to be ethic, and truly enjoy being out working. With that being said, a part of a team, to go to work with your best friend everyday, and K9’s are like people and have their own unique personality, and to impact the community we serve has always been appealing to Bruno’s is a good fit with the department and the community.” me. I was able to see our previous K9 teams work and observe the bond that each handler had with their respective K9’s. The Westerville Chief of Police Charles Chandler agrees with that dedication and teamwork they each possessed could not be put assessment, and says Ofc. Baggoo and Bruno have that “something in words; I knew without a doubt I wanted to be part of this team.” special,” a combination of skill, expertise and chemistry. Enter 2-year old Belgian Malinois Bruno, who joins Ofc. Baggoo “The K9 program is highly specialized, so we have been really as the new Patrol K9 duo. Like his WPD-K9 sister, Fiji, Bruno is intentional about finding the right dog and the right officer to fill trained to detect narcotics with skills in tracking, area and article this spot. “Khyrell brings an energy and sense of duty, and Bruno searches, criminal apprehension and handler protection. Ofc. is a strong working dog. They will be a great team and continue Baggoo will take Bruno to scenes where illegal drug activity is our tradition of excellence in K9 work.” suspected or to help with seizures or searches. For now, Ofc. Baggoo is focused on building upon the respected Ofc. Baggoo and Bruno started their Patrol in November, after and award-winning teams of K9s and their handlers that have completing their state certification. The team is now available served in Westerville. They also intend to have some fun and get for local and other agency calls, which could be calls to assist lots of attention along the way. investigators with search warrants, locating fleeing criminals, recovering evidence or searching for lost persons. Ofc. Baggoo “Bruno really does enjoy meeting new people; I consider him a says Bruno is up for the work. leaner. Once you start petting him, he leans all of his weight into you,” said Ofc. Baggoo. “He’s settling in well at home with our “He’s a very motivated, energetic and social dog. Each morning other dog Sadie, who is a Staffordshire Terrier. The two of them after his routine, he immediately wants to get into the cruiser are on the path of being the best of friends.” so we can go train. His energy lasts him through the day and then some, and by the time we get home, he’s ready to lay back and get his belly rubs after a long day’s work,” said Ofc. Baggoo. “Bruno has unlimited potential with the work ethic and excitement he has shown in training. I’m excited to see where 4 Officer Mark Wojciechowski and Chloe For the first time, the WPD expanded the K9 program with the Sergeant Bryan Schwartz, Chloe will not be trained for patrol and adoption of a yellow labrador retriever to assist the Community enforcement, like drug detection and building searches. Services Bureau with special events and programs, including the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) education curriculum “Chloe is a first for Westerville, and another way for WPD to for students in Westerville City Schools. Meet Chloe, WPD’s first connect with the community,” said Lt Steve Fridley, who oversees K9 therapy officer. the Community Services Bureau. “Bruno and Ofc. Baggoo now make up the K9 team that replaces the work Fiji and Sgt. Chloe joins Officer Mark Wojciechowski (known as Ofc. Wojo), a Schwartz performed, but Chloe and Ofc. Wojo have an important 15-year WPD veteran who manages the DARE partnership with role in our DARE and Community Service programs.” the Schools. DARE officers are specially trained professionals who help students understand decision-making about safe Chloe lives and trains with Ofc. Wojo and his family. The City of and healthy lifestyles, saying no to drugs and substance abuse. Westerville funds Chloe’s training, veterinary care, grooming, Young Chloe is training with Ofc. Wojo with this mission, as well boarding, food and other supplies as part of the WPD K9 program. as a variety of other therapy duties. “Chloe and I can’t wait to get out into the community and schools Like the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s Therapy Dog Program and meet the DARE students,” said Ofc.