Strasser will vie to be Delphi mayor
By Debbie Lowe

Ready to run! Randy Strasser and his wife, Denise, are ready for the challenge of a mayoral race. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

The November general election is barely a memory in the minds of Carroll County residents, but for some it was nothing more than a step before the next election.

The May primary will feature races for city offices, including the mayor's spot. That race will no longer be a sure thing for current office-holder, Lee Hoard.

The only Democrat on the Delphi City Council, Randy Strasser described his decision to run formayor as not about having a passion to be a politician, but a passion to serve the community.

"I have agreed with party chair Dick Roe to file to run as the Democrat candidate for mayor in the primary," Strasser stated.

"It's not for me - I guess it's for the community," he explained. "There's a challenge there too to make something more of the community than what it is."

Strasser described his knowledge of municipal government and his ambition of getting the city to the next level as two reasons he is qualified for the position. He said he joined the volunteer fire department in 1976, worked for the city for 10 years, served as the city's area plan representative for approximately 15 years, and has been on the council for seven years. Strasser said he wants to help the city "get to the next level."

"It's easy to be critical of local government," he said. "But until you actually work in it and understand the limitations, you don't have the right perspective."

From working in conjunction with the clerk-treasurer to the county government, to staying in touch with state legislators to know how state matters affect city business, Strasser said communication is the key to success.

"It's all about communication," Strasser said. "When you talk about decisions that affect the city, communication on all levels is very important," he said. "Delphi tends to be behind the curve on the education process about what is happeningwith property taxes and how that can affect the citizens." Strasser described himself as middle-of-the-road Democrat whose goal is to be the next mayor and to be good at it, but not to oust the present mayor.

"My running for office is not out of disrespect for the current administration," he said. "I want to continue the same relationship I have with him as well as with the other council members."

"We can't lose sight of where we need to be," he added.

Strasser said he has received substantial support from his party, but as much from community members and business owners for the decision to run.He said support would be expected about flood control and transportation issues on the federal level due to the recent Joe Donnelly win for U.S. Congress.

Strasser took time to consult and seek counsel from his family before making the decision to run. Wife Denise said she was "fine with the decision" and would support her husband "100 percent." Children Joshua, Rick and Kristen were in agreement with their father's decision.

The 1975 Delphi High School graduate is the Western regional sales representative for Brown Equipment Company, Inc. He has worked for the company for 10 years.

Strasser invited community members to contact himwith questions and concerns about the city or about his candidacy by calling him at (765) 564-2862 or by e-mail at

The mayoral contender said he would like to see that both political parties offer full slates of candidates in the upcoming primary and general elections.

"The more people interested in running for a government office the better our system becomes," he concluded.