University Parkway Development - Smart Growth?

Our annual awards banquet and general meeting was held at the Old Mill Restaurant on Thursday, November 16. If you weren’t there, you missed a fine meal and an opportunity to meet some outstanding individuals.

We were honored to be able to pledge allegiance to an American flag that had flown over Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan. Steve Craig presented the colors and the national anthem was sung by Esther Uduehi.  Thanks to Brenda Jeffers, senior vice president, for arranging for the use of the flag and for all the other banquet arrangements.

The winner of the $1,000 Paul Harper Scholarship was Danielle Rolley, a senior at Mater Dei High School. Danielle’s parents are Randy and Janelle Rolley. Randy, an Evansville Police Officer, was WIA’s police liaison last year.

Esther Uduehi, daughter of Joseph and Joy Uduehi, won the $1,000 Farmer Family Scholarship. Esther is a senior at Reitz High School, where she is first in her class. Her accomplishments include vocal and instrumental music, as well as academics.

An award was presented to Kohl’s Department Store for demonstrating that intelligent planning serves both commercial and environmental interests. The work done on Carpentier Creek at the Kohl’s development has improved the creek as a riparian way and helped to alleviate flooding at Rosenberger and Hogue Road. Dave Ahlstedt, store manager, accepted the award.

Our speaker was Steve Fuchs, pastor at Westside Christian Church.  He gave us an inspiring story about a group of westside churches of various denominations that work and worship together.  Pastor Fuchs also presented the invocation for the evening.

Fred Padget, longtime WIA stalwart, was honored for his outstanding service to the organization. Fred has been senior vice president, president (multiple terms) and is about to enter his second term as treasurer. Fred puts in a tremendous number of hours working on the Fall Festival fundraising project, before, during, and after the Fall Festival. Together with Michael Lockard, Fred works tirelessly on land use and zoning issues and has become a true expert on smart development. Thank you, Fred!

The following officers were elected:

Board Members at Large for 2007 were also elected:

Other business included presentation of the treasurer's report by Fred Padget and a brief report from outgoing president Linda Cleek.  She thanked the group for coming, recognized County Commission President Cheryl Musgrave and thanked her for her support, and reviewed some WIA accomplishments including assisting homeowners with land use and drainage issues, contributions to support clean water and air and the Howell Wetlands, and participation in the Fall Festival and National Night Out.  She finished by handing the (non-existent) gavel over to DeAnna Outlaw with best wishes for the coming year.
 

© 2008 Westside Improvement Association, Inc.