Delphi Municipal Election 2007
'We have to plan our work and work our plan.' - Mayoral Candidate Randy Strasser
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Strasser

The Delphi race for mayor is between two well-known residents. The incumbent has been in office for nearly eight years. He has a well-established support base.

Challenger Randy Strasser (D) has served on the city council for the same eight years. Friday afternoon Strasser explained why he decided to run against a strong incumbent and what he hopes to accomplish as mayor.

"I am frustrated where the city is at," Strasser said. "We are not competitive in the market to draw business. We've got to put business and industry into place. We've got to understand the dynamics of decreasing property values with increases in property tax."

Strasser explained it is vitally necessary to establish a comprehensive land use plan to determine where to grow business and industry, and where not to grow them.

"Once we define those areas, we know what kind of infrastructure is needed and then we can plan for it," he said. "We have to plan our work and work our plan."

Strasser said not only is the city not poised for growth when the Hoosier Heartland Highway is built, but internally there is a lack of code enforcement which negatively impacts quality of life issues.

Strasser explained his plan for the first 90 days as mayor, which includes full communication with the council.

"Every department will undergo an evaluation for efficiency in the first 90 days," he said. "That will give the city a direction for each department. The council will get the results and provide feedback."

"Current city employees are not doing a bad job overall," he said. "But I don't think they have had the opportunity to work with the city council to understand the standards and expectations for which they are being held."

"The mayor is in charge," he continued. "He has to show leadership. But everything has to be out on the table all the time. The mayor and the council have to be on the same page to work effectively for the city. There shouldn't be any surprises at city hall."

Strasser said one department, the parks department, is working very well. But one, the police department, will undergo some changes immediately.

"There will be a new chief of police," he stated.

Strasser said he will develop a "more pro-active" police department. He said the department had to be responsible to "provide the service the community needs," and that officers' physical fitness "is a concern of mine."

Strasser said with the help of the new chief and the council, a city police merit review board would be established.

Strasser said he would "get a pulse from the elected officials" before naming members of the board of works for his administration.

"This isn't going to be the Randy Strasser show," he said. "I may not sit on the board of works. But as mayor, I will review each claim."

"All boards, be it the board of works or the airport board, need to be in coordination with the city and city goals," he said. "There are going to be a lot of questions asked and definite answers are expected."

Strasser said he would search for common ground with those individuals and groups who are not in agreement with the mayor's office.

"I don't want to be a mayor who fights battles all the time," he explained.

Strasser said he has met with all members of the Democratic ticket to ensure commitment to their positions.

"They are all committed to four years on the city council," he emphasized. "Our vision is long-term."

Strasser said he plans to update the city's web page to post department specific plans and progress reports to enhance communication with residents, and those looking to become residents. He said that move would "make the city more accessible" to residents. Additionally he will develop a monthly "mayor's night in" to give citizens the opportunity to talk with him one-on-one after they leave work for the day.

Strasser said the situation with the North Central Health Services proposed building project could have developed in a much more positive way had the city had a land use plan.

"Planning is the key," he said. "One year ago, we found out how the community felt about building on that site. We were well aware at that time."

"This stuff just doesn't happen overnight," he said about the NCHS site location. "If this happens, there will be a need to control traffic in the area."

Strasser said he is in the dark about progress of Ground Rules Inc. and the proposed land use plan being developed by that firm.

"I do not know what progress has been made," he said. "I've asked at council meetings for updates, and we've just been told it's 'in progress'."

The comprehensive land use plan would play a significant role in planning for the Hoosier Heartland Highway development according to Strasser.

"This desperately needs to be done," he said. "We need to be looking at the development areas at the highway. I want to initiate talks with the county planners immediately about the highway."

"I don't think that's being done right now," he added.

He said he is "not aware" of an active economic development board for the city. However the city allocates money for the county EDC and Strasser said he will encourage communication with that group to understand for what service the city is paying to justify the expense.

Strasser said his philosophy is not about "where we've been, but where we are going."

"Every new mayor inherits some bad decisions," he concluded. "We have to make lemonade out of them."