By Dana Roberts • The Cardinal Contributing Writer
This month is the start of our new feature, “Get to Know a Doylestownian,” a piece in which each month a Doylestown resident or person of interest helps us get to know them better by finishing sentences we provide, in any way they see fit. We couldn’t think of a more perfect person to start the feature off than Noni West, our new Mayor, who takes office on January 3rd. Read on to find out all about Noni, including what treat you should offer her if you’d like to bring her some New Year’s cheer!
My full name is…. Elnora West.
I got the nickname Noni… because I couldn’t say Elnora when I was little and for some reason, I called myself Noni. I didn’t use my nickname until I started working. I was in New York City working in advertising. My media reps kept butchering my name … Ellie, El… so I started using Noni and it stuck.
I’ve lived in Doylestown as an adult for 20 years, but Doylestown is my home. I grew up here, lived on Lower State Road and walked to Lenape and Central Bucks High School when there was no “West.” Whether I lived in New York City, Los Angeles or Boston, I always came home for holidays or just to visit my family.
My professional background is in… Advertising and marketing with a specialty in media. I’ve worked for Ogilvy & Mather, Doyle Dane Bernbach and Della Femina on packaged goods, entertainment, high tech, and internet start-ups. Currently I work for a non-profit, The Council/PRO-ACT, whose focus is substance use disorder. I am a Public Policy Specialist and coordinator for our Advocacy Leadership Program where we address policy affecting recovery from addiction.
I live… In Ward 1 of the Borough near the Linden School. I watch children walk to school and see them gleefully running home when the school day is over. My neighbors are a reason to live in Doylestown. The neighborhood “Pineapple Gang” checked in on me everyday during the COVID sequester. Shoveling snow becomes a community project. Chats in the street keep us up to date with one another.
If I need a really good cup of coffee, I head to… Native and ask for a latte with an extra shot.
My favorite place to go out to dinner in Doylestown is… unable to be pinpointed. I do not have a favorite place for dinner. There are so many excellent places to eat in Doylestown’s central business district, to all the restaurants on South and North Main.
My first job in life was… working for the Bar M making steak sandwiches and hoagies at Swamp Road and 202. It isn’t there anymore.
I got involved in local government because… I had been active in working on public policy issues and campaigns. I had always been used to “working in the back room.” When I got the call asking me if I would consider running for Borough Council in Ward 1, I said yes! It has been a fabulous experience contributing to our community. And I must admit, it is a learning process.
People would be surprised to know the mayor… has the primary responsibility for the public safety of the Borough. That responsibility means the mayor is the Borough’s primary liaison with the Police. I look forward to my continued involvement with the Regional Police Commission and increased interaction with Chief Karl Knott and his department.
My biggest pet peeve is… people who don’t listen.
I am really good at… strategic planning and cooking.
On my bedside table, you’ll find… New York Times crossword puzzles.
A song I always turn up is… “Being Alive.”
My favorite outdoor space in Doylestown is… Chapman Park. I love walking through the woods and walking around the dam. I haven’t tried the pump track yet.
My guilty pleasure is… Reese’s White Chocolate Ghosts.
I would like to travel to… England, Scotland and Wales and visit the film locations of all the PBS mystery and detective series that I love.
I always tell people to visit Doylestown because… it has wonderful history and cultural institutions, and it’s a great town to walk around and shop. Of course, I mention the County Theater. Sometimes at night when I’m on Pine Street looking at the lit-up Mercer and Michener Museums I just think… what a wonderful town. And I live here.
When I learned I won the mayoral election… I experienced a sense of relief and accomplishment. And then I experienced awe at the change in my responsibilities from Borough Council to Mayor.
I hope that during my 4-year term… I am successful at continuing the community outreach and connections established by our prior Mayor(s). I also hope to have long-term impact on the future of Doylestown. COVID brought about changes in the way the Doylestown retail community has done business and we are already working on making some of the positive changes permanent. We are also embarking on a new Comprehensive Plan for the Borough, and I will be contributing strategic input into the process. And most importantly, I hope to have a lot of fun.
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