Dreaming At State Of The City - Volunteer Awards And A New Champion
Even before the State of the City started, attendees knew they would hear about dreams for Westerville.
As residents and community leaders entered the Renaissance Hotel and took their seats, a large screen displayed sweeping drone shots of neighborhoods, parks, Uptown, and development corridors. Across the sky in bold letters was a single word: DREAM.
The message was clear: this wouldn't be just a regular city update. It was about vision.
Early in her remarks, City Manager Monica Dupee reminded the audience that Westerville was built by dreamers. She recalled the city’s early days, when residents privately funded the first brick-paved street because they believed in a better future. That spirit of ambition and determination, she said, forms the foundation of the community. The work underway today is not a departure from that history, but a continuation of it.
But the evening was not based on inspiration alone. Dupee shared results from the 2025 resident survey, describing it as the city’s “report card.” While 88 percent of residents expressed high overall satisfaction, the survey highlighted one main concern: property taxes are the least-liked aspect of living in Westerville. She acknowledged the pressure rising property taxes are putting on households across Ohio and mentioned that reform discussions are ongoing at the Statehouse. At the same time, she stressed that property taxes are still vital for funding services like fire and EMS.
She also clarified that Westerville’s main source of revenue is income tax. This means the city’s financial health relies on jobs, business investment, and careful economic development. She explained that development is directly linked to supporting services and maintaining financial stability.
Dupee then revisited a concept first introduced during a city branding study ten years ago. Residents described Westerville as a sanctuary. As she summarized it, the idea of a sanctuary is this: “I make a lot of decisions all day long, and when I come home, I want to relax.” She explained that a sanctuary is only achievable and sustainable with good governance and active resident participation. When local government functions well, she said, it becomes the “invisible scaffolding” that allows that sense of sanctuary to flourish.
Throughout the address, visuals reinforced the balance between vision and stewardship. Drone footage of the East of Africa development showcased completed roadway infrastructure and development-ready parcels, emphasizing the city’s strategy to attract investment and strengthen its income tax base. Uptown came alive through sweeping aerial video and street-level imagery, reflecting its role as the heart of the community. A dynamic photo collage highlighted Westerville’s parks, trails, and recreation programs, turning statistics into familiar faces and shared experiences.
As the evening ended, the screen transitioned to a star-filled backdrop behind Dupee. The final words appeared:
“If you believe in dreams, you believe in following your heart.”
The moment brought the message full circle. Westerville was built by dreamers willing to invest in their community. Today’s leaders and residents continue that dream, working to preserve sanctuary, manage growth responsibly, and build a future shaped not just by ambition, but by care.
Celebrating Service: Westerville Honors Its 2025 Award Recipients
At the conclusion of tonight’s State of the City address, the City of Westerville honored three outstanding individuals whose service embodies the very best of the community: the 2025 Volunteer of the Year, Organization of the Year, and Westerville Champion.
Each recipient symbolizes a different type of leadership. Collectively, they tell a single story. Westerville thrives because people decide to serve.
Volunteer of the Year: William “Bill” Heaphy
For almost twenty years, William “Bill” Heaphy has quietly influenced how Westerville perceives its own history.
Since 2007, Bill has dedicated over 7,200 volunteer hours to the Westerville History Museum. A former attorney with a keen eye for detail, he has cataloged tens of thousands of archival records, including the nationally significant Anti-Saloon League collection and the papers of former Ohio Governor John Kasich.
Before Bill’s work, much of the museum’s material was hard to access. Now, those archives are searchable, usable, and actively support exhibits and research for the museum’s 12,500 annual visitors.
In 2024, Bill learned new collection software to modernize the museum’s digital outreach. He also played a key role in the Ohio Women Vote exhibit, identifying essential artifacts such as the 1917 poll books.
His dedication far exceeds his assigned duties. In 2025 alone, he accumulated over 400 hours. He often steps in for staff, and after the pandemic lockdown, he was the first volunteer brought back — a clear sign of the trust he has gained.
In accepting the award, Bill credited the Westerville Library and the museum staff who supported him over the years. He encouraged residents to make the most of what he called “a wonderful resource.”
His influence guarantees that Westerville’s history is not only preserved in boxes but also actively shared and understood.
Organization of the Year: Westerville Youth Baseball & Softball League (WYBSL)
Founded in 1951, the Westerville Youth Baseball and Softball League has expanded from four teams into one of Central Ohio’s most lasting community traditions.
Now celebrating 75 years, WYBSL serves more than 1,500 young athletes each year. The league added girls’ softball in 1975 and T-ball in 1987, showing its long-standing dedication to inclusion and opportunity.
What makes WYBSL remarkable is not only its size but also how it functions. It is completely volunteer-driven.
In the 2025 season alone, coaches and staff volunteered nearly 18,000 hours to manage 136 teams. That number does not include the countless extra hours contributed by umpires, board members, and families.
Scott Wells, President of the Westerville Youth Baseball and Softball League, accepted the award on behalf of the league. He reflected on the organization’s founding vision in 1951: that every child deserves a place to play, learn, and grow.
For generations of Westerville families, the ballfields have been more than just athletic spaces. They have served as places where friendships develop, confidence rises, and community ties strengthen. Many of today’s coaches once played on these fields, continuing a long-standing legacy.
WYBSL demonstrates what collective volunteer efforts can achieve over time.
Westerville Champion: Michael Heyeck
This year’s Westerville Champion is someone residents are used to seeing present the award himself.
After 32 years of public service, Michael Heyeck was recognized for a career that has profoundly influenced modern Westerville.
As one of the longest-serving council members in city history, Heyeck has held every council leadership position, including 14 years as council chairman. His core principle was simple: do what’s best for Westerville, no matter the personality or political differences.
He championed economic development projects from the Medical Mile to Westar. He supported public safety growth alongside population growth. He played a key role in preserving and enhancing Uptown as the city’s crown jewel.
During his tenure, Westerville maintained a AAA bond rating from Moody’s and achieved over 30 consecutive years of award-winning audits. He strongly advocated for reliable, affordable municipal utilities, helping to keep Westerville’s rates competitive and a source of community pride.
Heyeck also created the phrase “City Within A Park,” a description that has since become synonymous with Westerville itself. It was not merely a slogan but a vision. He believed growth should never come at the expense of green space, recreation, and the community’s character.
Accepting the honor, Heyeck spoke about his recently published book on public service, mentioning that all proceeds go to charity. His message was clear: strive for the common good in any role you fulfill — whether on a council, a board, or in your everyday work.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
Reader funding, including subscribers, protects editorial independence, so coverage is guided by journalists rather than owners or corporate profit goals. It also reduces pressure to chase clicks, letting the newsroom focus on stories worth readers’ time. And it helps keep the site accessible to everyone, including people who can’t pay or live in places where a free press is under threat.
Explore more hyper-local reporting by subscribing to The Hilliard Beacon, Civic Capacity, Marysville Matters, The Ohio Roundtable, Shelby News Reporter, This Week in Toledo, and Into the Morning by Krista Steele.
