It’s not every day that an event of global significance arrives at your doorstep. Such was the case this week as Otterbein University served as site host for the CNN/New York Times Democratic Presidential Debate. It will be some time before the final data is tallied, but we know the Uptown Westerville area was met with several thousand visitors engaged in Presidential electoral politics and ready to exercise their Constitutional rights in our City.

City staff and leadership worked diligently with our partners at Otterbein, Westerville City Schools and the Uptown Merchants, as well as assisting regional law enforcement agencies, to put our best foot forward. However, we know this event did not pass without periodic inconvenience, especially for those who live and work in and around Uptown.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as our community entered the global spotlight. In the end, no matter how well traffic is managed or other services are provided, it is the people who call Westerville home that make our City shine. This is evident by the visitors who took to social media noting the beautiful environment and friendly people they met while in town for the event.

As we move forward with a month of exciting fall events ahead of us, the City would like to simply say: Thank You, Westerville, for demonstrating to the world "The Westerville Way."

- City Council & Administration

With heritage dating back to 1809, Westerville is a growing and vibrant City known for progressive amenities, a thriving business community, award-winning parks and excellent municipal services. Located in the northeast corner of Central Ohio, Westerville is home to approximately 40,000 residents and is located just 10 miles from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and the state capital of Columbus.

Westerville is no stranger to the national stage. In the early 20th century, the Anti-Saloon League based its headquarters in Westerville for its nationwide campaign to ban the sale of alcohol as part of the Prohibition movement. The City has served as a stopping point for major candidates and political figures in nearly every presidential election cycle including John McCain, Mitt Romney and First Lady Michelle Obama. Westerville became the focal point in the statewide arena in 2018 when the City hosted Gov. John Kasich’s final State of the State Address. In the past year, Westerville received international recognition as a global 2019 Top 7 Intelligent Community by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) and was awarded the National Gold Medal at the 2019 National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) Congress.