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

He traveled all over the world and throughout the midwest testing farm equipment.  He came to work for the Town of Normal because he missed home!!  Meet Water Director John Burkhart.   The extremely in-depth journey of water from treatment to a resident's home is a testament to the awesome engineering done by  John and his team. Check out the latest What's Normal podcast with John and host Dan Irvin as they discuss the admirable behind-the-scenes work done by the Water department.

Did you know there are 3,373 hotel rooms in McLean County and 1,185 hotel rooms in the Town of Normal? Host Dan Irvin of the What's Normal podcast talks to Crystal Howard, President and CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Conventions and Visitors Bureau about interviewing in front of 100 people, marketing for a location, and the best events that happen in our area!

A fire truck… on fire?! Host Dan Irvin of the What's Normal Podcast talks to Mick Humer this week about his role as Normal Fire Chief, the intensive training, equipment and lifestyle of the modern-day firefighter, and the national social media craze that ensued after one of his fire engines catching on fire! The two of them discussed some remarkable statistics and topics that challenge emergency services today in what is a must-listen installment of the series.

“Brian, do you ever hear yourself saying, ‘legally you can do that, but I just… wouldn't' in your capacity with the town?” “[laughs] No comment!!” In the latest episode of the What's Normal podcast, hear host Dan Irvin get Brian Day, the Town's Corporation Counsel, in the studio to talk about his position. Learn all about the fascinating inner workings of government law with Dan and Brian and don't forget to send us your favorite lawyer joke - Brian was asking! 

“Our true mission is we don't take ourselves seriously, we take our work seriously and that gives us a nice balance. We have fun but the work is always the priority.” What's Normal podcast host Dan Irvin sat down to talk with Andrew Huhn, Director of Finance for the Town of Normal to speak about how he manages his team, the biggest differences between handling personal transactions versus government transactions, and how the Town paid for the Uptown renewal. Don't miss this incredibly insightful episode and enjoy Dan's fantastic analogies along the way!

Did you know that Beth Whisman's radio show on WJBC used to air from the Children's Discovery Museum? Host Dan Irvin chats with Beth about her journey from radio personality to "sitting in the big chair" at the CDM as the Cultural Arts Director, the CDM's 25th anniversary, the 2 millionth visitor, and more!

Did you know that Normal has 19 parks? That's 788 acres of recreation and fun! Director of Parks and Recreation Doug Damery visits the What's Normal podcast studio to relive his cross country glory days and discuss upcoming Parks projects like the expansion of Maxwell Dog Park. 

"Plan our work and work our plan!" Host Dan Irvin welcomes Town Planner Mercy Davison to the What's Normal studio.  They dive into home affordability, sustainable transportation, infrastructure, and more.

Dan:  You're the engineer...that means you drive the train? Ryan:  Mostly just blow the whistle! Host Dan Irvin chats with Town Engineer Ryan Otto to discuss what the Engineering department does, current projects, street resurfacing, and to answer the question...how many engineers does it take to screw it a lightbulb?  If you have episode ideas or would like to ask any our previous guests a question, please email us at podcast@normal.org, or call 309-433-3486.

Before we get too deep in the weeds.... Dan Irvin invited Ecology Action Center Executive Director Michael Brown to talk about the EAC.  Environmental sustainability is more than just recycling. 

What's Normal host Dan Irvin is right!  It's not all getting cats out of trees.  His guest for this episode is Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner, and they discuss CALEA, officer recruitment, community safety, and marijuana legalization. 

"Some people call the sewer guys the guardians of civilization." - Wayne Aldrich What's Normal host Dan Irvin chats with Public Works Director Wayne Aldrich about public works services including sewer maintenance, pot hole repair, curbside collection, and more! 

Curious about local government? Host Dan Irvin sits down with City Manager Pam Reece to discuss what citizens can expect from this podcast.