WABA Home Show
 The City has once partnered with Newton USD 373 to host a booth at the Wichita Area Builders Association Home Show to promote our community as an excellent choice to live, work, and raise a family. The show will run through Sunday at Century II in Wichita.
Coffee with the City Manager
Newton City Manager Daniela Rivas will host two coffee meet-and-greet events this month to engage with the community:
- 7:30-8:30 a.m. March 20 at Norm’s Coffee Bar, 613 N. Main
- 6-7 p.m. April 6 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 421 S. Ash*
The events are designed for relaxed conversation in a comfortable environment with residents and business owners to meet the city manager, ask questions, and discuss City-related topics of their choice.
The events are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. The event at Our Lady of Guadalupe is especially focused on the Hispanic community, and Spanish speakers are welcome.
* corrected date
Meridian Center
 The Meridian Center was excited to host Newton's first Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in partnership with the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce and NetWork Kansas. The event featured 28 unique business ideas created by Newton High School JAG students to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Congratulations to C&D Mexican Buffet for taking first place, Bark Bandana for coming in second, and Don't Be Dirty for placing third. And the People's Choice awards went to Double A Bakery and Kustom Kreationz!
The Meridian Center also hosted Newton Rotary Club's recent meeting with new city manager Daniela Rivas as guest presenter. Rivas shared stories about her personal leadership journey and fielded several questions from attendees.
CITY MANAGER'S CORNER
International Women's Day
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it reminds me of my lollipop moment. Drew Dudley, author of "Everyday Leadership," tells the story of an interaction he had with a young woman who was waiting in line with her parents to register for classes at a new college. The young woman was incredibly nervous about her future at the university. She was ready to quit when Drew Dudley, who was passing out lollipops for a charity, turned to the guy in front of her and said, “You need to give a lollipop to the beautiful woman next to you.” The guy, embarrassed, took the lollipop and reluctantly held it out for her to take. Dudley then cracked a few more jokes to lighten the mood and everyone in that line, including this young woman, wasn’t so nervous anymore. At that moment, she said, her life was forever changed. His kindness and leadership for those few moments gave her the courage to stick it out. Four years after that moment, the woman found Dudley to tell him how greatly he had impacted her life. To top the story off, she married the guy who handed her that lollipop. This interaction was a life-altering moment for this young woman, all because someone took a moment to inspire kindness. This inspired Drew Dudley so much that he has now made it his life’s mission to tell this story. He defines a “lollipop moment” as a special moment where someone positively shapes another person’s life but may not realize his or her impact.
My lollipop moment was also after graduating college, not knowing what I wanted to do in life, while waiting in line at a Dillons to pay – a woman by the name of Diana Mansouri – who is a family friend – took some time to introduce me to local government, which eventually led to an invitation to apply for an open position in her department. Her kindness and passion as a public servant planted a seed in me that day (and still does!) and I am forever grateful for that interaction. My public service journey began that day. Thank you, Diana!
In celebration of this day – I challenge you to let the women in your life that may not know the impact they have had, how special they are to you. Show them your love and appreciation for all that they do!
Happy International Women's Day to every incredible woman out there. May your day be filled with love, joy, and appreciation.
– Daniela Lujano Rivas
|
Street & Sanitation
 Street Maintenance staff worked on several utility cut repairs around town and repaired inlet covers in the downtown area at East Fifth and Main this week.
Bulky Item Tagging Program
Our inspector tagged 19 locations this week. Five were charged the $20 fee, four scheduled bulky item pickups and were charged the $10 fee, and 10 were taken care of by the resident.
Parks & Cemeteries
 Cemetery staff worked and served for two graveside services this week and prepared for another on Monday.
Water/Wastewater
 System maintenance is a daily task for our staff to keep Newton’s water safe and flowing. Above is our staff replacing a valve at SE Fourth and Walnut.
Upcoming Events
-
Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt, 6 p.m. March 29, 12th & Boyd Soccer Complex
- Opening of new Newton Public Library, April 1
-
Chamber Steak Cookout, 6 p.m. April 25 at Wild Prairie Event Center
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 7 p.m. March 12 – City Commission meeting
- 7:30 a.m. March 21 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. March 26 – City Commission meeting
|
