What’s Up Westfield

Hello I am Curt Whitesell and want to welcome you to the coolest and most informative podcast in the Westfield Indiana area.....Whatsupwestfield. Whatsupwestfield is a local chat fest to dig deep into politics, development, who’s doing what and anything else we can fit into 45 minutes of fun online. If you have topics or an interest in being an amazing guest, please reach out to us and we would love to hear your ideas.

My guest today is the power forward of Hamilton Counties largest Chamber and what I would consider central indiana's most relevant business advocacy group.  Todays guest has been a friend of mine for several years and I would put his character up there with any of the top executives.   This is a timely podcast and hopefully everyone enjoys it.  Please welcome The Jack Russell to the podcast

We have been looking forward to talking to Kayla Arnold the Director of Westfield Welcome for the podcast.  Kayla leads a team of employees and volunteers as they plan and execute some of the coolest events in Hamilton County and provide a wonderful community experience in Westfield.  Have a listen and be sure to stay engaged as she plans fall and winter activities.  #bestfield

Tonya Hiatt is the Executive Director of the Northern Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce and it includes Arcadia, Atlanta, Cicero and Sheridan Indiana.  Onezone recently took over the operations of the Chamber and recruited Tonya to take on the task of bringing these communities the resources and support that businesses need.  Tonya is working hard to improve communication as well as business support and education to its members.  The Northern Hamilton County Chamber and Onezone are poised to help businesses so Have a listen and be sure to join and get involved.

Scott Willis is going to be the next Mayor of Westfield Indiana and he is taking a running start at his tenure. Scott has taken the role seriously from the day he started running and is full steam ahead for 2024. We caught up with him to get an update on goals, projects and ways he can guide guide Grand Park, New Development and all things Westfield Indiana. 

Hello I am Curt Whitesell and want to welcome you to the coolest and most informative podcast in the Westfield Indiana area.....Whatsupwestfield. Whatsupwestfield is a local chat fest to dig deep into politics, development, who’s doing what and anything else we can fit into 45 minutes of fun online. If you have topics or an interest in being an amazing guest, please reach out to us and we would love to hear your ideas.

My guest today is a life long resident and engaged community member that owns and operates Triple L Fit to keep her friends and neighbors healthy.  Recently the foster and adoptive parent announced her campaign to be on the city council as a registered Democrat and is looking forward to making big moves in her hometown. 

Please welcome the amazing Alexis lowry to the podcast

Hello I am Curt Whitesell and want to welcome you to the coolest and most informative podcast in the Westfield Indiana area.....Whatsupwestfield. Whatsupwestfield is a local chat fest to dig deep into politics, development, who’s doing what and anything else we can fit into 45 minutes of fun online. If you have topics or an interest in being an amazing guest, please reach out to us and we would love to hear your ideas.

My returning guest today is the number 2 man and cfo of Westfield Washington schools, leading the charge to grow responsibly,  A family man and a great at large candidate for city council. 

Please welcome Brian Tomamichel to the podcast

Hello I am Curt Whitesell and want to welcome you to the coolest and most informative podcast in the Westfield Indiana area.....Whatsupwestfield. Whatsupwestfield is a local chat fest to dig deep into politics, development, who’s doing what and anything else we can fit into 45 minutes of fun online. If you have topics or an interest in being an amazing guest, please reach out to us and we would love to hear your ideas.

My guest today currently plays a big role in Westfields development as a planning commission member, but made her mark as an advocate when Woodwinds golf was at risk to be sold and closed.  After starting her career in marketing at Delta faucet She has spent the last dozen or more years as a stay at home mom, volunteering everywhere she can.  Currently she is running as one of 3 candidates to be the next mayor of westfield.  This should be a fun one gang

Please Welcome Kristen Burkman to the podcast. 

Hello I am Curt Whitesell and want to welcome you to the coolest and most informative podcast in the Westfield Indiana area.....Whatsupwestfield. Whatsupwestfield is a local chat fest to dig deep into politics, development, who’s doing what and anything else we can fit into 45 minutes of fun behind a microphone. If you have topics or an interest in being an amazing guest please reach out to us and we would love to hear your ideas.

Today we are online for our latest edition and are honored to have a Westfield city council candidate as our guest.  He has a long history of municipal work like public works and water treatment, but now advises those same communities on how to plan for the future.  He is also heavily involved in the Westfield Rotary club and Open Doors food pantry in his spare time.  As we get closer and closer to the elections in Westfield its residents like him that we want to get to know more about and be involved. 

Please Welcome Mr Kurt Wanninger to the podcast. 

After several years of leadership placing ego’s and personal agendas way ahead of the needs of the community at times, I can’t think of a more important time to be engaged and paying attention. The midterm elections are held in a few months and as the local races for Mayor and City Council heat up, we as residents need to be sure that we are well aware of what that means for our city and our future. We have some great options and a lot to be excited about so take a few minutes and learn about your area councilors or the candidates for Mayor. Here are a couple of issues close to me. Developer Friendly City — While Westfield made late payments to attorney’s and argued over just about everything they could talk about, the development community quietly left town. These are the people that build the buidlings, take on hundreds of millions of dollars in risk and turn visions into realities. By acting the way we have, we have made it much more attractive to work in every other adjacent city and boy have they. These other cities have leveraged the developers to create billions in tax revenue, thousands of jobs and amenities that you can only dream of. These communities enjoyed the greatest growth period in our generation and even during the pandemic kept building. Westfield on the other hand has gone from the fast growing community to nearly zero new projects and that will not change until we do. We need a Mayor that can make deals and a council that understands them. Both parties will need to work hard together to be sure that the communities long term plan is played out through these relationships as well as being open to the brilliant new projects the development groups can bring to a city. That's what we need now. A city that works with Developers and to get away from the “if they want it bad enough” mentality. This is why I would cast my first vote. Vision and Planning — One of the most important items in my opinion is that lack of updated plans for our cities growth. We have an outdated comprehensive plan that really doesn’t work for growing communities. I am hopeful that our next mayor digs in deep and creates a vision that not only preserves what has been started but also can see how suburbs are growing for the next 10 and 20 years. We need a guidebook that developers, planners and commissioners can adhere to that is relevant and progressive and takes into account what residents are looking for beyond new neighborhoods. What does density look like in our downtown? Where will the industrial and commercial business corridor be? How will that growth be paid for and what money will it generate? All things that I see as being missed in recent years but so important for us to progress. This is why I would cast my second vote. Hugs and Kisses — Our city could not be more divided between the council and the mayors office, which has hurt us deeply in recent years. We need to mend those relationships and a leader that knows how to work alongside different opinions with thick skin and a laser focus on building our community. We need leaders that see our community members as assets and brings them together for ideas and strategy but has a plan to follow through beyond that. We have a city with the most successful business people, residents that care about the culture and heritage as well as businesses that want to locate and invest where the action is. But without some sort of kumbaya we are not going to get anywhere. If you are running because you don’t like someone you probably are in it for the wrong reason, but if you are running because you don’t like the vibe in recent years and think you can bring a positivity to these roles and build on what is already begun, lets go. We need that. Someone who hears the community as a whole. This is why I would cast my third vote. I have worked with many of our local politicians and as I have spent the last 15 years focusing my business on Westfield and promoting it, I would say I have a fairly good measure of what's going on. I don’t like it and want to be part of the solution. We can all point fingers and dwell on the past but this next election can give us a fresh start and a picture of what Westfield the Bestfield can be to its residents, visitors and businesses. We don’t need personal agendas to get in the way or over politicing our processes but instead real deal makers and real planning that is working side by side to create something special. I don’t think many citizens can disagree with the negative impact our recent years have had and I believe citizens, especially Bill Kirsch see more promising days ahead and a way out. That starts with voting smart and voting often. Engage and ask questions. Then volunteer and be a part of the long term community that so many people are working hard to create.

Hello I am Curt Whitesell and want to welcome you to the coolest and most informative podcast in the Westfield Indiana area.....Whatsupwestfield. Whatsupwestfield is a local chat fest to dig deep into politics, development, who’s doing what and anything else we can fit into 45 minutes of fun online. If you have topics or an interest in being an amazing guest, please reach out to us and we would love to hear your ideas.

My guest today is a Junior at Westfield High School, a super star at Greeks Pizzeria and an all around fun guy to have around.  When he is not being a pizza man or hanging out with friends, he is cheering on his high school sports teams and playing rec league soccer.  He also has big plans professionally and works hard to stay focused on his future goals

Please welcome the amazing Aaron Budd  to the podcast