A Letter to Jasper Voters
October 27th, 2011
The following letter was published in The Herald on October 27, 2011
A Letter from the Seitz for Mayor Campaign
October 27, 2011
Dear Jasper Voters:
On October 12, I participated in the Jasper Mayoral Forum. The purpose of this advertisement is to reiterate what I publicly stated that evening and along the campaign trail pertaining to the following:
City Departments and Personnel
I have made no decisions or promises concerning the operations, leadership or personnel of any department. This includes the City Hall administration, police, park and arts departments, as well as the utilities. It would be premature of me to make any personnel decisions before I have gained an intimate working knowledge of the unique assets that each of our valued city employees brings to their position.
However, I am the only candidate who has already met with department heads in the city over coffee, lunch or at their city workplace. I’ve had the privilege to do one-of-a-kind tours including the wastewater facility, the water treatment plant and even going to the top of the power plant. In addition to great discussions, the best part is that I gleaned valuable insight as to their successes and challenges. It’s an investment from which taxpayers may expect good return.
City Budget and Wages
I have made no decisions or promises concerning city budgets or pay. That would be presumptuous because this is a function of the Common Council. However, I am the only current candidate who attended the city budget meeting and hearing this year. I have stated we will make our city government more effective in order to better serve the taxpayer and ratepayer. In addition, the reality of constitutionally-mandated property tax caps will continue to make all local governments even more financially focused.
City Hall
I have made no decisions or promises on how City Hall will operate, including the implications that I will hire a deputy or assistant mayor. In fact, only the Common Council could create such a position. Mayor Schmitt has been in office 20 years and he’s retiring. To expect things to remain exactly the same is not realistic regardless of who is elected to succeed him. All mayors in Indiana have the responsibility to assemble the best team to serve the citizens of their community in a prudent and fiscally responsible manner.
Fulltime Mayor
In direct questioning at the forum about what I would do with my company, InterComm Group, should I be elected Mayor of Jasper, I stated that I began preparation for stepping aside when I announced my candidacy in February. Existing contracts will be concluded by the end of 2011 or they are already being transitioned to colleagues. I will enjoy being a fulltime mayor.
Along the way in the race for mayor I’ve met so many wonderful people who have helped keep this journey a very positive one. Jasper is indeed a good community poised to become a great one. In closing, my experiences this past year as a candidate for Mayor of Jasper have reinforced my belief that my strengths in leadership, performance, marketing and communications are ideally aligned to the needs of Jasper.
I would be honored to serve as your next mayor and I ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 8th.
Terry Seitz