Town of Normal

On this episode of What’s Normal we sit down with Michael Brown to talk about recycling and composting in the Town of Normal. Have any questions for us at What’s Normal or any topics you want to hear reach out to us at podcast@normal.org! 

On this episode of What’s Normal we sit down with Ryan Otto, the town’s Director of Public Works and Engineering to discuss public works. Have any questions for us at What’s Normal or any topics you want to hear reach out to us at podcast@normal.org! 

On this Episode of What’s Normal we sit down with Chief Petrilli to discuss the daily operations of the Normal Police Department. Have any questions for us at What’s Normal or any topics you want to hear reach out to us at podcast@normal.org! 

On this episode of What’s Normal we sit down with Mercy Davison, the Town’s Planner to discuss The Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, along with the Bee Pollinator Hotels, and Bird Watching at Underwood Park. Have any questions for us at What’s Normal or any topics you want to hear reach out to us at podcast@normal.org! 

On this episode of What’s Normal we sit down with Adam Fox, the Civic Arts Manager for the Town of Normal Theater, to discuss the annual tradition of Holiday Films at the Normal Theater. Have any questions for us at What’s Normal or any topics you want to hear reach out to us at podcast@normal.org! 

On this episode of What’s Normal we sit down with Hanna Razo, the Town’s Aquatics and Special Events Supervisor to discuss the Haunted Trail. Have any questions for us at What’s Normal or any topics you want to hear reach out to us at podcast@normal.org! 

On this episode of What’s Normal we sit down with Beth Whisman, Director of Cultural Arts for the Town of Normal, to talk about Day of Play. Have any questions for us at What’s Normal or any topics you want to hear reach out to us at podcast@normal.org!  

Health clinics and hospitals. Emergency response management. Fire departments. Schools and school programs. Housing options. Representation in Congress. Roads and highways.  The census can shape many different aspects of our community! Assistant City Manager Eric Hanson and Communication Specialist Rachelle Cantero sit down with What’s Normal host Dan Irvin to discuss the importance of the 2020 Census and why we all need to participate.  #McLeanCountyCounts!!

The Clerk’s Office maintains Town records that go back to the 1800s, and this department is at the forefront of preserving the Town’s history. Town Clerk Angie Huonker joins host Dan Irvin in the What’s Normal podcast studio to the discuss all the functions she and her team perform.  Take a listen and learn about FOIA and the redaction process, going paperless, and is it true that you can’t make faces at a dog??

What is Facilities Management?  It’s the glue that holds the whole place together!  It all just falls apart without this team. FM Director Mark Clinch sits down with What’s Normal host Dan Irvin to chat about the duties of the facilities management department, how he found himself at the Town of Normal, and his internship at a super max prison!

When it comes to upward mobility, Human Resources Director Jenny Keigher considers herself a case study!  She started at the Town as an intern and took advantage of numerous opportunities that led her to this director position. She joins What’s Normal host Dan Irvin to chat about the Town’s Human Resources department, her team, their functions, and how they serve the Town’s workforce. 

Can you run a manufacturing business from your home?  The answer is… Town Planner Mercy Davison joins What’s Normal podcast host Dan Irvin to chat about the Planning Commission which consists of seven members appointed by the Mayor and Council. Mercy discusses the commission’s main duties, zoning, and answers the question above!

“I bought my wedding dress here!"  That's something you don't hear often at a gas station.  Terri Ryburn joins What’s Normal podcast host Dan Irvin to discuss Sprague’s Super Service.  This Route 66 ho tspot is known for being a traveler’s oasis, but at one point in time, prom and wedding dresses were sold there as well! Do you have topic ideas?  Send them to podcast@normal.org or leave a message at 309-433-3426.

What is walking beans??? It’s not the latest dance craze. It’s something Charlie Moore did as child along with detasseling, working the neighbor’s farm, and shoveling a lot things over the summer!   President and CEO Charlie Moore joins host Dan Irvin in the What's Normal podcast studio, and he details how the Chamber and their partners are impacting this community in a positive way.   Charlie has been with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 1,000 different businesses, for 11 years. We learn about Charlie’s entrepreneurial spirit which started at a young age on a local family farm and how this has shaped him into the person he is today.  

The current bike/ped plan is 10 years old, and we want your input. Town Planner Mercy Davison joins What's Normal host Dan Irvin for a very special episode to discuss the update to the bicycle pedestrian master plan!  We invite you to join town staff and your neighbors to help plan the future of walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation in Normal.  

Why do we need an underpass? In this special episode of the What’s Normal podcast, Director of Public Works Wayne Aldrich is back in our studio to discuss the BUILD grant recently awarded to the Town and the Urban Connector (Underpass Project). This federal grant from the United States Department of Transportation will fund this project, which will improve access, ensure safety, and help drive economic development to the south of the tracks!

Santa doesn't bring all the elves with him from the North Pole?  It's ok!  Adam has that covered.  What's Normal podcast host Dan Irvin chats with Civics Arts Manager Adam Fox who came to the Town by way of Illinois State University.  As part of the Cultural Arts team, Adam manages the Normal Theater and oversees many Town special events including Santa's Station!

Landscape waste collection? Leaf vacuuming? What’s difference?  Join us in Episode 16 of the What’s Normal podcast featuring our special guest, Director of Public Works Wayne Aldrich. He will discuss how to dispose of your leaves properly, snow removal and more! Learn when your street will be getting plowed, the extra precautions Normal is putting in place with harsh winters, and how many mailboxes get taken out every winter session.

Did you know that the Connect Transit app provides real-time bus tracking?  How about that they have served over 2.5 million riders? COO of Connect Transit Martin Glaze chats with What’s Normal host Dan Irvin about our local transit system.  Tune into this podcast to learn more about ridership, the 500 stops throughout our community, and how they use data to serve citizens better! This podcast episode is now available on iTunes, https://apple.co/2VDOCvq, and Spotify, https://spoti.fi/2GjlLqR.

Did you know that the Inspections Director imposed the only Town-wide boil order on record?  Inspections Director Greg Troemel is an ISU alum and has lent his skills to multiple departments, including a stint in the Water Department during his tenure at the Town of Normal.  He joins What’s Normal host Dan Irvin to chat about the Town Code, sustainability, planning, and zoning! This podcast episode is now available on iTunes, https://apple.co/2VDOCvq, and Spotify, https://spoti.fi/2GjlLqR