City council candidates speak out
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Smith

Cities and towns will elect leaders for the next four years this November. In Delphi, most of the current city council members, as well as mayor Lee Hoard, face opposition in the Nov. 6 Municipal Election. The Comet sat down with each council candidate to provide a thumbnail sketch of their positions for voters.

Each was asked the following questions: 1.) What is the biggest challenge facing the city right now? 2.) What would you bring to the job that your opponent would not? 3.) What makes you the better candidate? 4.) What is your vision for the city? What role would you play to bring that vision about? 5.) What is the one thing, above all others, you want the voters/taxpayers to know about you?

Following were their responses:

District 4:

Nelson Smith (D) is the challenger in District 4. He lives at 1807 N. US421 and is a lifelong member of the comm unity. Smith graduated from Delphi Community High School in 1986 and is married with three children.

Smith said there is more than one major challenge facing Delphi right now.

Hampton

"There are several big challenges I think," he said. "The communication from the top down, and just not knowing exactly where we are, is a challenge."

"I think we're doing okay, but we should know...good or bad."

"One of my strongest points is that I've been involved with a lot of organizations," Smith said to explain what he would bring to the job. "I tend to have a good working relationship with people."

Smith said he has a "more subtle approach with people and groups," as a response to why he is the better candidate.

Smith said retention of businesses and the restoration of the downtown area are part of his vision for the city. He said community members, including city council members, should be involved in area groups to support their efforts in improving quality of life issues.

"I want to help restore Delphi," he said. "And we need to take care of the people and businesses who are already here."

Smith said providing services to youth would also be a goal he would emphasize as a council member.

Conner

"I think we need to do more with our youth," he said. "We need to link all activities and communicate what the city has to offer."

"I want voters to know that I believe in Delphi," Smith concluded. "I believe in what it once was and what it will be. I want to be involved for Delphi."

Incumbent John Hampton (R) is married with two children, resides at 1 8 3 3 N . US421 and has been in Delphi for 10 years.

Hampton said economic development is the biggest challenge facing the city presently.

"Economic development impacts every aspect of our community," he explained. "If we can improve that, we can improve a lot of things in the city."

Hampton cited his experiences serving on the city council and with municipal works as qualities he would bring to the job.

"I understand about utilities, accounting and engineering," he said. "I understand these things from my role in city government and I know how to get things done."

"My vision for the city is to see all areas of the community develop into a place where people want to stop, work, live and play."

Garrison

"I plan to work with the other council members and the mayor to bring that vision about," he continued.

"I have passion for meaningful change," Hampton concluded. "I want to improve the community as a whole. I want a council that has some fresh ideas in the next four years."

District 3:

Gayle Conner (R) resides at 510 E. Franklin St. and has lived in the area all of her life, graduated from Delphi Community High School and has three children.

Conner said economic devel- opment is the biggest challenge facing Delphi right now.

"Loss of revenue for the city over the past several years is a concern," she said. "There hasn't been a lot done to bring it back."

"I honestly believe that my opponent and I share a similar vision for the city of Delphi," she said.

Conner said her wish for the city is to support the continuation of re-vitalization efforts in the downtown area.

"I want to make Delphi an attractive place for people to choose to live," she said.

Sterrett

The one thing Conner wants voters to know about her is her commitment to her vision for Delphi.

Conner said as a business owner she would be more accessible than her Democrat opponent who works out of the county.

"Owning and working in a downtown business allows me to be more accessible to the public during daytime hours," she said.

"I take responsibilities very seriously," she said. "I always want the best for the current and future generations of Delphi."

Brian Garrison, Conner's Republican opponent, is also a lifelong member of the community. He lives at 111 N. Indiana St., is married with two children and is a 1976 graduate of Delphi Community High School.

Garrison considers the impact of the Hoosier Heartland Highway the biggest challenge facing Delphi.

"The last thing we want to see is that highway draw all of the life out of the city," he said.

Garrison said he has been involved in community groups, like the Delphi Pitch-In, and believes those experiences give him an advantage over his opponent.

Miller

"The knowledge of what is going on in the city right now is key," he said. "I've been involved with the Pitch-In so I won't be playing catch-up when I am elected."

"I'm more up-to-date with what is going on in the city," he continued. "I'm in tune with how to grow the city because of the different committees I've been involved in."

Garrison said he wants the city council to be active to solve some of the current city issues. He said he would "actively pursue building or constructing an inner city draw to get people to stop here" to prevent industry and tourism drain.

"We need to build on what we have to help with city growth and development," he said.

Garrison said the way to manage that is to work in conjunction with established organizations to develop a plan of action.

"I have a strong work ethic," he said. "I have a drive to solve problems."

"I'll be visible, accessible and open to discussion," he concluded. "I'll work to solve all the problems concerning the city."

Pearson

District 2:

Democrat challenger for District 2, Danny Sterrett, lives at 401 N. Washington St., is married with one child, is a 1967 graduate of Delphi High School and has lived in the area all of his life.

Sterrett, who taught school for 30 years, said the biggest challenge facing the city is "economic development, or the lack thereof."

"The Hoosier Heartland Highway is coming whether we want it to or not," Sterrett said. "We must work to get rid of the real estate signs in the area."

Sterrett said he believes in council members being active on the council and in the community.

"I'm ready to be active in the community," he said. "For 23 years I had to leave Delphi every day. Now, I'm retired."

"I will bring an energy level that I've not seen in my opponent," he continued. "In the next four years, city government members will have to become more active for Delphi's survival."

"I have a fresh outlook and energy," Sterrett said to explain how he is a better choice for District 2 representation. "I haven't been sitting there for eight years. I haven't reached a level of complacency yet."

Germond

Sterrett said his vision for the city is to create more jobs, which will in turn increase the tax base.

"In my district, we have an empty factory building," he explained. "We need to have it occupied. There's room for improvement."

Sterrett said he, as a city council member, would become involved with the city's economic development group.

"I want to be accessible to the constituents. I want people to have all the city information available," he said. "I believe in open government."

"I'm excited about the election," Sterrett concluded. "This is new to me and I hope I win. I am not afraid to ask questions."

Incumbent William Miller has been on the council for eight years. He resides at 411 Market St., is married, has three children and has lived in the area since 1950.

Miller said the biggest challenge for the city right now is money "as it relates to getting ready for the new highway."

"It's a money situation that we have to look at strongly," he said.

Miller was a Delphi police officer for 27 years. He said he brings a lot of experience to the council that would be missing from his opponent.

"I'm in love with this town," he said about his 35 years in service to Delphi.

"In 1950, Delphi was a booming town," Miller said. "I think the highway is going to hurt us."

Miller's said the city "must find a way to get people to the downtown area" and he supports activities which promote that vision.

"I think they are trying to get something going before it gets here," he said. "If it's good for Delphi, I'll vote for it. I will not harm my town."

Two uncontested races

The two uncontested seats in the November election feature an incumbent who is a life-long resident of the community with 20 years on the council, and one who was not born in Carroll County, did not attend public school in Carroll County, and is new to politics. Both will serve on the council at the beginning of 2008.

Council at Large:

Republican incumbent Carolyn Pearson has served on the city council for the past 20 years. She is married with two children, is a 1962 graduate of Delphi High School, has lived in the area all of her life and resides at 1004 S. Washington St.

Given those facts, it is not hard to understand that Pearson has a vast understanding of the problems currently facing the city of Delphi.

Pearson listed "trying to reduce costs and still try to provide good services" as one challenge she faces as a council person.

"Taxes are always on the mind," she said. "Trying to get the tax rate down so it doesn't feel like city taxes are a burden is a challenge."

Pearson said she is running for council-at-large again because she has the experience needed for the job. She said she has gained a significant amount of knowledge in her time in service to the city.

"I would like to see Delphi have enough industry to support growth," Pearson said to describe her vision for the city. "I don't want to always just maintain. I'd like to see moderate growth to support the workings of the city."

Pearson said at one point she decided to give up politics, but changed her mind when it looked like there might be all new council members.

"I'm willing to listen to solve city problems," she said. "I'm fair, honest and hardworking."

"I am probably considered conservative in my approach to government spending," Pearson concluded. "I care about Delphi and want it to be the best it can be."

District 1:

Republican newcomer Kyle Germond will represent constituents in District 1 when the new administration takes office in January. Germond lives at 414 W. Front St., is single and was home educated for his high school diploma. He is 24 years old and has lived in the area for the past 17 years.

"I am able to bring a very fresh perspective to city government," Germond said. "I am looking at the city government with new and different eyes."

Although Germond might approach the job from a different viewpoint, his assessment of the major challenge facing the city is similar to others running in contested races.

"The lack of businesses, jobs and growth in the economy is the biggest issue for Delphi right now," he said. "We need to bring people in to the community who purchase homes they value and want to take care of. We need to grow the tax base."

"My greatest asset is that I own a small business," he continued. "I work in Carroll and other counties and I compare how other office holders administer governments and operate city departments."

Germond said he decided to run for office when the opportunity presented itself, but also because he is a graduate of Leadership Carroll County where the importance of working in the community was stressed.

"I want to make a difference in this community," he said. "I want to be available to listen to constituents and let those with issues know they are being heard."

"It seems like sometimes residents have voiced issues to the council and have met with resistance there," he added.

Germond's vision for the city is not complicated.

"I want to run the city as efficiently as possible," he said. "It should be run more like a business." He said he would advocate additional city council meetings to take care of important business, such as rezoning and issues about the Hoosier Heartland Highway.

"One of my goals would be to have more work sessions with the mayor when needed," he said. "Sometimes it would be necessary to get together more than once a month to accomplish goals effectively."

Germond said the mayor is the person who is responsible for city employees, but he expects compliance by all city employees with city rules and ordinances. He said he would expect to be able to provide input for the personnel policy.

"I'm running to represent the voters," he said. "I want their voices to be heard and I don't think that always happens. I want to help bridge the gap in communication that might exist."

"I think the city council and the mayor should function as a team in city government," he concluded. "I'm not trying to be on the city council to run for a higher office someday. I'm running to represent residents of Delphi. But city council members do not have all the answers, so we need to listen to citizens and hear what they have to say."