The Westfield City Council took time out of its last meeting before Christmas to remember former Councilor John Dippel, who died on Sept. 21.
“We lost this year a good friend, good colleague and we’d like to remember him tonight,” Council President Jim Ake said at the beginning of the Dec. 9 meeting. “John was my friend, my confidant and my mentor. John will always be a part of this great city and a part of us.”
One after another, each council member told Dippel’s family and the community the impact the longtime public servant had on their life.
“If I serve with the same virtue, integrity and passion John had for the community I’ll be doing good,” Councilor Chuck Lehman, who replaced Dippel, said.
“I knew whatever he was telling me he really meant to tell me. He never minced words,” Councilor Cindy Spoljaric said.
Lessons learned and lesson taught are what Councilor Rob Stokes remembers most of Dippel. He joked that he constantly asks himself, “What would John do?”
“John was always somebody you could count on,” Councilor Steve Hoover said, adding that if an item was at an impasse, Dippel worked on it behind the scenes.
“I appreciated everything John brought to the table. I really value the time I served with him,” Councilor Robert Horkay said.
Mayor Andy Cook said Dippel was “so instrumental to so many aspects of the city.” Because of the lasting impact he had on Westfield, Cook announced a street will be named after Dippel – however, the exact location has not yet been decided.
“When we find an appropriate place, we will have a John Dippel Avenue,” Cook said.
On behalf of Rep. Susan Brooks (R-Indiana), Karen Glaser presented Dippel’s wife, Marcyann, with a copy of the Congressional Record that Brooks talks of Dippel’s life and passing.
