Editor,
On Sept. 21, the City of Westfield lost a friend, veteran, patriot and councilman in John Dippel.
I was introduced to John shortly after I moved to Westfield. He immediately welcomed me and helped me get involved with Westfield affairs locally in Centennial and city-wide. As a man of principle, John would certainly let folks know where he stood on the issues, but he was always willing to discuss them with constituents – people he saw as friends and neighbors, not just faceless potential votes.
An ardent supporter of the transition from town status, John saw it through to fruition and in essence can be considered a Founding Father of the CITY of Westfield as it is currently known.
Whether helping other candidates, being seen around Centennial or Westfield at large, or volunteering at the Independence Day fair, John Dippel was a source of knowledge and mirth. I was happy to call John councilman and privileged to call him friend.
My prayers are with his family to have a short mourning period but a lifetime of fond memories.
Sanford D. Horn
46074