Thursday, June 4, 2009

The newly elected mayor of Westminster, Kevin Utz, hits the ground running


The newly elected mayor of Westminster, Kevin Utz, hits the ground running.

By Kevin Dayhoff June 4, 2009

Westminster, MD - Yesterday afternoon, I had “Off Track Art” studio duty in downtown Westminster.

While I kept shop I had the opportunity to talk with a number of the downtown Westminster merchants.

The shopping district was all-abuzz over newly-elected Westminster Mayor Kevin Utz taking the time to stop and talk with the merchants this morning.

Hats off to the newly elected mayor of Westminster; apparently he took the time to ask questions, answer questions, and look into some opportunities to fix some things.

In a phone conversation later in the afternoon with Mayor Utz, he said that he had some time available during the annual Torch Run and really enjoyed getting out and talking with folks.

Mayor Utz, a local businessman in the real estate business, knows the value of doing business with local business and it is expected that we will see much more of Mayor Utz in downtown and at local community events.

In a later phone conversation – and a broad-sweeping conversation with Mayor Utz, the former Westminster Fire Department chief, - after the monthly fire department company meeting yesterday evening, he reiterated that after he gets settled into office, reinvigorating the downtown shopping district will be one of his first priorities, along with pursuing increasing the supply of water for Westminster, for the purpose of facilitating economic and employment development.

At the moment, in addition to getting feedback from citizens and the downtown merchants, he is meeting with Westminster city government department heads and supervisors to take stock of Westminster’s current strengths, challenges, and opportunities, from the Westminster staff point of view.

It certainly appears that he has hit the ground running.

In addition, I have had the opportunity since the election on May 11, 2009, to talk with newly-elected councilmembers Damian Halstad and Tony Chiavacci; and both appeared to have many good new ideas and have a great deal of fresh new energy for Westminster and Westminster government.

Many folks that I have talked to since the election are excited about the new administration. There is certainly a lot of work to do.

20090603 Hats off to the newly elected mayor of Westminster



Westminster File Main St, Westminster Econ Dev, Westminster Mayor 2009 Utz Kevin, People Chiavacci Tony, Westminster Council Pres Halstad Damian, Westminster Elections 20090511, Restaurants Giulianova Groceria,


1 comment:

Kevin Utz Mayor of Westminster, Maryland said...

There is excitement in downtown Westminster. I have longed awaited the time when I could have a huge impact in bringing back the crowed streets of downtown, electrify the merchants and getting visitors and locals to swamp the sidewalks once again.

While this task seems so easy, everyone must understand that vision and collaboration between the city government, shop owners and landlords is tremendously daunting. While government does not want to push owners and tenants, the citizenry see this as a requirement to reshape downtown.

My goal is not to push, but stand side-by-side with all parties, form a visionary group to continue the dream of bringing ideas and dreams to reality. It will take great patients and useful talent to accomplish my goal. It can be done and I choose to push it forward. Westminster must again be the center square.

Mayor Kevin Utz
mayorutz@westgov.com