By Jim Barnes, Wellington Village Manager
As we begin to wrap up the first quarter of 2023, I am reminded of the many ways we, as public servants, serve as bridges to the community — connecting people with services, places and often with other people. When I was appointed as the village manager for our great hometown, my hope was to continue facilitating these connections throughout our community.
Village Employees
From our customer service representatives who answer phone calls and handle in-person transactions at each of our village facilities, to the public works and utility employees who maintain parks and buildings, manage our utilities and operate our infrastructure, our more than 300 full-time employees and more than 75 seasonal employees are all-in, all the time, making sure our residents continuously receive the unmatched services and amenities to which they are accustomed.
Technology Connections
We also leverage technology to provide these connections. In 2021, we launched the GoWellington app. GoWellington is a platform designed for easy communication between Wellington residents and the Village of Wellington. In the first year, we processed more than 2,000 requests through the app. It streamlines the service request process and provides another way for residents to connect with the village and get a timely response.
People To Places
In many ways, the village also helps connect people to places. Our community events attract more than 120,000 people each year. From the Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances to our Independence Day and Fall Fest celebrations, our events have created places where people meet, have fun and form yearly traditions. Our park maintenance team members keep Wellington’s 36-plus parks beautiful, safe and state-of-the-art so that families have places to spend time and unwind. Additionally, the community services team is helping bridge the mobility gap by bringing recreation programming to our neighborhood parks and providing organized activities at these locations through programs like Super Fridays. These initiatives have been successful and will continue through 2023.
Award-Winning Events
The village also serves as a bridge, forming connections among people. Our award-winning events and programs provide an inclusive platform for residents and visitors to enjoy our great hometown. From cultural events throughout the year like our Lunar New Year and Pride Market celebrations at the Lakeside Market at Town Center, to our sensory inclusive activities at our Independence Day celebration and our Juneteenth celebration, Wellington is indeed a community welcome to all.
Programs & Initiatives
Those programs and events are just some of the many initiatives led by a team that promotes and facilitates real social, cultural and civic connections in the community, year after year. Our Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 8 team continues to connect with the community, not only through their daily interactions with residents, but through proactive events, Coffee with a Deputy opportunities and community education classes. Our parks and recreation staff connect with residents through classes, camps and various wellness events for residents and visitors of all ages.
Bridges To The Future
We also serve as bridges to the future. By maintaining smart fiscal policies, investing in innovation and infrastructure, engaging in thoughtful planning and implementing forward-thinking budgets, the Wellington Village Council and village employees are continuously building upon our past successes and proud traditions to ensure that Wellington is sustained, remaining a community of choice — vibrant, innovative, engaged and resilient — for generations to come.
