Hoard declares candidacy
By Debbie Lowe

Delphi Mayor Lee Hoard sits at the desk he hopes to occupy for another term. Hoard wants to continue the work and accomplishments he has achieved in his past two terms. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

If Delphi Mayor Lee Hoard has his way, he will still be sitting in his office at his desk for four more years. Hoard wants to make sure the city is balanced in reaching goals and objectives.

“I am going to run like I’ve never been elected before,” Hoard said Tuesday. “I want to see our city grow, but I want to see it maintain its historic value.”

Hoard said that although he has done a good job as mayor, he is not always satisfied with the way things are going. He said economic development is important to the future of the city, but retention of businesses is just as important.

“Delphi offers a more simple way of life - it’s just a nice town to live in,” he said. “I want to be careful not to lose that slower way of life. We’re a little conservative here, and I think that’s good.”

“Delphi has been relatively quiet in the last few years crimewise,” he continued. “We want to keep it that way by maintaining services. We sit in this little pocket and we have very little serious crime.”

“I am the better candidate for mayor,” Hoard said. “Because of my experience I think I can do a better job.”

“I think in the next four years there will be a lot of important decisions being made about the Hoosier Heartland Highway,” he said. “Because of my deep involvement with that process, I want to make sure that Delphi and Carroll County are represented thoroughly.”

Hoard said he makes decisions because they are the right things to do, no matter what the politics of the decision happen to be. He said he plans to continue that tradition if re-elected for his third term. He said he runs the city as a business.

“I appoint department heads to make decisions,” he explained. “I don’t always agree with them, but that’s what they are paid to do. I am very fortunate to have a good working relationship with my staff. Any leader is only as good as the people he has around him.”

Hoard said he does not intend for his relationship with city council member and mayoralhopeful Randy Strasser to change. He said he would be willing to debate Strasser or any opponent to help emphasize each candidate’s platform.

“I think we, meaning me and the council, have done a good job,” Hoard said. “I have a good handle on what’s going on in the community.”

“The ultimate decision will be up to the people if they think I’m deserving,” he concluded.

The first day to file for candidates for the mayoral race is Jan. 24 at 8 a.m.