Westmont, Illinois - Date Issued: November 19, 2020
At the November 19 Village Board meeting, the Village of Westmont celebrated its 99th anniversary of incorporation, which occurred on November 10, 1921. The celebration continues the year-long countdown to the Village of Westmont’s 100th Anniversary. During the meeting, Mayor Ron Gunter introduced several items that were part of the celebration.
The first item was a presentation by the Westmont Police Department announcing their recent achievement of being named an accredited law enforcement agency. Lou Jogmen, Chief of Police for the City of Highland Park and member of the accreditation organization, personally attended the meeting and presented the award to Westmont Police Chief Jim Gunther, Accreditation Manager Sergeant Craig Gomorczak, and Mayor Gunter on behalf of the Village of Westmont. The accreditation speaks to the Westmont Police Department’s commitment to serving the community.
Next, Westmont student Sabrina Sebastian was introduced and read her Future of Westmont essay. Sebastian, who is a freshman at Hinsdale Central High School, has participated in numerous Westmont community essay contests including the Arbor Day Contest and the Westmont is the Bestmont Contest. Sebastian’s essay focused on all of the potential future challenges that Westmont should be ready for, but should remain a small, close-knit community. There were more than a dozen Future of Westmont entries, all of which will be forwarded to artist Fanny Moy who will review the submissions to help in the creation of a community mural depicting Westmont’s future.
Then, Public Works Director Mike Ramsey provided a review of the dedication ceremony for the new Public Works facility. The limited attendance dedication was held on November 10, which was the actual anniversary date of the Village’s incorporation. The new Public Works facility will achieve several Village of Westmont strategic plan goals including the uniting of the Street Division and Water Division within the same facility.
Mayor Gunter provided an update regarding the recently completed Westmont History Book titled IMAGES OF AMERICA: WESTMONT, written by Westmont resident Maggie South. The new book is now available for pre-sale online orders. Purchase information has been posted on the Village Website at westmont.illinois.gov. Printed copies of the book will be available in stores starting January 4, 2021.
Village of Westmont Communications Director and 100th Anniversary Committee Co-Chair Larry McIntyre announced that the Westmont Historical Society has printed, framed, and donated several historical images to the Village of Westmont that will now be hung at Village Hall. The photos capture images from 1980 to present including scenes of Westmont Cruisin’ Nights, the U.S. Olympic Team Luge Tryouts in Westmont, the grand opening for the FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park, a Sister City program cultural event, the Westmont Holly Days Ugly Sweater 5K hosted by the Westmont Rotary Club, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Public Works facility, and more.
The final item on the 99th Anniversary Celebration was the revealing of the Westmont 100th Anniversary Logo. The new logo was developed through a group process that included members of the 100th Anniversary Committee and the entire Village of Westmont municipal organization. The final design was created by Luke Lin, who also assisted with the design of Westmont’s Sister City logo. The 100th Anniversary logo, published on the main page of the village website, will be used extensively throughout the next year as the community marches toward Westmont’s 100th anniversary date of November 10, 2021.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont
Communications Director/Public Information Officer
630-417-0280
lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov