Jerry Westgate says the rebuilding of Centennial Hall will be one of the big issues facing the new Warwick Council.
Westgate, 69, who has been on council since 1994 is seeking another term on Warwick Township Council.
The retired construction supervisor wants to provide experience during a time of change as the long-standing mayor, Todd Case, retires, and several new members of council come on board. And Westgate says that continuity will be needed as council tries to determine the best option to replace Centennial Hall.
Why are you running for council?
“I guess this time around we’re going to have a new mayor. I thought with my experience I can help the new mayor. I guess, being retired, I have the time for it.”
What is the biggest issue in the election in Warwick Township?
“The new Centennial Hall and the new subdivision, getting some houses in it.”
What do you think the best solution to the problems with Centennial Hall?
“I can see us within the next year or so we will have a new Centennial Hall. Staff would like to see it go onto the arena. Right now the only problem with that is parking and we’re trying to deal with that…the parking will not be that handy especially if there is a ball tournament. We have to decide something about parking before we decide exactly what were going to do.”
What do you want to see in the next four years?
“I’d like to see a new small business in town. I’d like to see the hall built. I guess I’d like to see something done with the uptown to make it more vibrant. I’m not sure exactly what we can do there. The Community Improvement Plan is going to help but for that area, it is going to take more than that.”
What has the past council done to help move economic development forward?
“I think the previous council has worked hard. We’ve developed the lots, we’ve bought industrial land, Watford has expanded quite a bit but council has quite a ways to go to help a little bit. I think we have to keep on doing what we have been doing.
The money from the landfill helps a little bit, we need to find business that work with the landfill. We have greenhouses up there, they’re using the landfill gas. Everything like that can help.”