July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Hubbard challenging Johnson (10/25/03)
Dunkirk Election 2003
DUNKIRK — Incumbent Democrat Tom Johnson is running for his second term as mayor, facing a challenge from Republican Sam Hubbard.
Johnson was first elected mayor in 1999, defeating Republican incumbent Robert Davenport. He works in maintenance at Saint-Gobain Containers in Marion.
A lifelong resident of Dunkirk, Johnson graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1959. He’s a member of the American Legion and GMP Union Local 38. He serves on the board of the West Jay Community Center.
Hubbard is currently the executive director of the Dunkirk Area Chamber of Commerce as well as serving in a volunteer capacity as chairman of the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation. In the past he has also served as president of the Dunkirk Public Library Board.
Born and raised in Muncie, Hubbard is a graduate of Muncie Central High School and Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University). He has lived in Dunkirk since 1964. He’s a member of the American Legion and Dunkirk Elks Lodge 1776.
Both candidates were asked to about the issues recently in a questionnaire. Their responses follow.
Why are you running for mayor? What makes you qualified for the position?
Johnson: "Before I became the present mayor, I was the health and safety officer and I worked hard to get properties mowed and cleaned up. I got the efforts started to get the 76 station (northwest corner of Main and Center streets) cleaned up and this is being done and got two houses torn down. I decided to run for mayor because I wanted to try and make a difference in the way things were being done. I have done my best to resolve citizens complaints and handle the affairs of the city."
Hubbard: "I am running for mayor for several reasons, but possibly the main reason is that, we know, due to the loss of the Indiana Glass Company, Dunkirk will suffer a severe loss of tax revenue.
"I feel that Dunkirk must have strong leadership, and make every effort to cut expenses in the coming years to somewhat compensate for this loss in revenue.
"Our town has many areas that have vacant, dilapidated and poorly maintained buildings. The correction of these building problems would be one of my key objectives. Our water system is in fairly good condition, but we still have 'complaints' on excessively high water bills. This problem will be addressed and every attempt will be made to find a solution to these high water bills. An unpopular, but interesting project would be to consider annexing outlying areas. In accomplishing this we would increase our tax base, and offset some of the loss of projected revenue.
"Our town residents have expressed concern that the community needs a full-time mayor, someone who would be available during the daytime hours.
"Qualifications: Twenty-five years of industrial management experience, 25 years of owning and operating my own business, serving as president of the Dunkirk Library Board of Directors for six years; on the Dunkirk City Council in the 1960s; president of the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation for seven years; on the Board of Directors for the Jay County Hospital for eight years; president of the Jay County Hospital Foundation for approximately five years. On the Jay County School Building Authority Board; executive director of the Dunkirk Area Chamber of Commerce, and on the West Jay Community Center Board of Directors at present.
"These past and present experiences plus a good solid college education, living in Dunkirk for 50 years, and a strong desire to make Dunkirk a move 'livable' community, should well qualify me for the job as mayor for the next four years.
"I would have to include in my qualifications, my involvement with the building of the Dunkirk City Library, the spec building in the Dunkirk Industrial Park, the medical office building at the Jay County Hospital, the EMS building at the hospital, the new emergency room and referral center at the hospital, and the West Jay Community Center.
"Recently involved with the sale of the spec building, and the sale of additional acreage in the Dunkirk Industrial Park area. These sales to small manufacturers will result in approximately 50 new jobs in the Dunkirk area."
What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing the city now? What is your position on that issue?
Johnson: "The major issues I see facing the city now are the budget, loss of jobs, the downtown area and the water plant. These are all top priorities that I will work hard to resolve if re-elected. Although I work out of town, all elected officials and department heads have my work and pager numbers. I have been called home several times to handle issues that come up."
Hubbard: "Probably the biggest issues in the city at the present time are the loss of jobs, potential loss of tax revenue and the decline of the business district.
"The day-to-day routine issues, such as water problems, street repairs, animal issues can be solved as they come up. The issue of job loss will not have an easy solution; there are not many 400-employee firms anxious to settle in Dunkirk. However, by working with the Jay County Economic Development Corp. and through the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corp., we may be able to bring several jobs into the area, through smaller manufacturing facilities. The loss of tax revenue can be offset somewhat by reducing expenditures in the city, and by conserving what resources we have.
"The decline of the business district would be a top priority. First of all, we would need to tear down dilapidated buildings, clean up the lots, and make the downtown area more attractive for new small businesses to be in the city of Dunkirk. Having new businesses would also create more jobs. This revitalization of the downtown area would take time, a lot of volunteer work, and a lot of planning to accomplish.
"There are several areas in our town that have burned-out housing, these structures have not been torn down, and cleaned up. They must be cleared out and cleaned up immediately. They present a health hazard, and a safety hazard. There is no excuse for not clearing these properties, and eliminating these hazards. My first priority would be to clean up deteriorating properties in our city."
Briefly describe what you see as the mayor's role. Would you be a full-time or part-time mayor?
Johnson: "A mayor's job is 24-7, and I have been called out in the middle of night and on weekends. During the flooding in July, I was out after midnight helping clean catch basins and when the building fell uptown, I was up there at 2:30 a.m. getting utilities contacted, putting up barricades and stayed on the site until it was safe to be around. These are some of the duties a mayor has to perform as well as attending meetings and functions."
Hubbard: "I see the mayor's job as a person placed in office as a representative of the people who live in the city of Dunkirk, and who they trust to be a leader and manager of the city. We have the equivalent of a million-dollar business operation, and the position of mayor has to be someone who has a strong business and managerial background. The mayor of this community must have an open-door policy for citizens, must complete every transaction legally, with the public's full knowledge, and be available on a full-time basis, and I intend to be a full-time mayor.”
The city's downtown business district has seen significant decline in recent years. What role should the city and mayor play in the area of downtown redevelopment?
Johnson: "The decline to our downtown can be attributed to not being on a major highway, loss of our high school and big chain stores. Small business has a hard time competing with them and we have to support them by shopping local. The city has sold our spec building, SDP Manufacturing is building a new one and with the West Jay Community Center expanding, we will continue to move forward.”
Hubbard: "First of all, we must realize that the city of Dunkirk does not own most of these buildings. However, buildings owned by the city would be a top priority to clean up first.
"Secondly, we would immediately contact the property owners and inform them that they have a 'very' short time to clean up their buildings. If these buildings are presenting a health hazard to the general public, then proper county and state officials must be notified. It is my opinion that probably 'little action' will be taken by the owners of these properties, if not, then the city must take immediate action to clean up the properties.
"The mayor and the city council must take a very aggressive and immediate role in trying to clean up and revitalize the downtown area.
"The downtown areas of smaller communities are the heart of the community — to let buildings deteriorate along with the obvious loss of jobs in the retail business is not in the communities' best interest."
If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?
Johnson: "I have 100 percent attendance at council meetings and I will continue to work hard for the city and citizens. I have spent numerous hours at the city pool, repairing and building things that needed to be done to make it nice and safe. This is the commitment I take with pride, knowing I helped make a difference."
Hubbard: "I have no personal agenda to settle with anyone in office, any of the city employees, or any of our city residents.
"I am running for the office of mayor because I believe the city of Dunkirk needs strong leadership in the next four years to guide the community through some tough years, due to loss of jobs, loss of tax base, and a deteriorating downtown area.
"The office of mayor of Dunkirk, and all city employees, should deal with the residents of this city in a professional and friendly way, listen to their concerns and try to find an immediate solution to their problems. A question that seems to always come up, is one concerning city employees. It is my opinion that we have a team of good employees at the present time, and there is no reason to make any changes.
"The office of mayor should be 'open' during the day to hear residents comments, and conduct the daily business of the city. The basic problem of communication will be addressed by keeping employees, residents, and local media informed of all concerns in a timely manner. As stated previously, the city of Dunkirk is running a million-dollar-a-year business, and deserves to have a person as mayor with a strong managerial, business, and leadership background. I intend to be a full-time mayor."[[In-content Ad]]
Johnson was first elected mayor in 1999, defeating Republican incumbent Robert Davenport. He works in maintenance at Saint-Gobain Containers in Marion.
A lifelong resident of Dunkirk, Johnson graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1959. He’s a member of the American Legion and GMP Union Local 38. He serves on the board of the West Jay Community Center.
Hubbard is currently the executive director of the Dunkirk Area Chamber of Commerce as well as serving in a volunteer capacity as chairman of the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation. In the past he has also served as president of the Dunkirk Public Library Board.
Born and raised in Muncie, Hubbard is a graduate of Muncie Central High School and Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University). He has lived in Dunkirk since 1964. He’s a member of the American Legion and Dunkirk Elks Lodge 1776.
Both candidates were asked to about the issues recently in a questionnaire. Their responses follow.
Why are you running for mayor? What makes you qualified for the position?
Johnson: "Before I became the present mayor, I was the health and safety officer and I worked hard to get properties mowed and cleaned up. I got the efforts started to get the 76 station (northwest corner of Main and Center streets) cleaned up and this is being done and got two houses torn down. I decided to run for mayor because I wanted to try and make a difference in the way things were being done. I have done my best to resolve citizens complaints and handle the affairs of the city."
Hubbard: "I am running for mayor for several reasons, but possibly the main reason is that, we know, due to the loss of the Indiana Glass Company, Dunkirk will suffer a severe loss of tax revenue.
"I feel that Dunkirk must have strong leadership, and make every effort to cut expenses in the coming years to somewhat compensate for this loss in revenue.
"Our town has many areas that have vacant, dilapidated and poorly maintained buildings. The correction of these building problems would be one of my key objectives. Our water system is in fairly good condition, but we still have 'complaints' on excessively high water bills. This problem will be addressed and every attempt will be made to find a solution to these high water bills. An unpopular, but interesting project would be to consider annexing outlying areas. In accomplishing this we would increase our tax base, and offset some of the loss of projected revenue.
"Our town residents have expressed concern that the community needs a full-time mayor, someone who would be available during the daytime hours.
"Qualifications: Twenty-five years of industrial management experience, 25 years of owning and operating my own business, serving as president of the Dunkirk Library Board of Directors for six years; on the Dunkirk City Council in the 1960s; president of the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation for seven years; on the Board of Directors for the Jay County Hospital for eight years; president of the Jay County Hospital Foundation for approximately five years. On the Jay County School Building Authority Board; executive director of the Dunkirk Area Chamber of Commerce, and on the West Jay Community Center Board of Directors at present.
"These past and present experiences plus a good solid college education, living in Dunkirk for 50 years, and a strong desire to make Dunkirk a move 'livable' community, should well qualify me for the job as mayor for the next four years.
"I would have to include in my qualifications, my involvement with the building of the Dunkirk City Library, the spec building in the Dunkirk Industrial Park, the medical office building at the Jay County Hospital, the EMS building at the hospital, the new emergency room and referral center at the hospital, and the West Jay Community Center.
"Recently involved with the sale of the spec building, and the sale of additional acreage in the Dunkirk Industrial Park area. These sales to small manufacturers will result in approximately 50 new jobs in the Dunkirk area."
What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing the city now? What is your position on that issue?
Johnson: "The major issues I see facing the city now are the budget, loss of jobs, the downtown area and the water plant. These are all top priorities that I will work hard to resolve if re-elected. Although I work out of town, all elected officials and department heads have my work and pager numbers. I have been called home several times to handle issues that come up."
Hubbard: "Probably the biggest issues in the city at the present time are the loss of jobs, potential loss of tax revenue and the decline of the business district.
"The day-to-day routine issues, such as water problems, street repairs, animal issues can be solved as they come up. The issue of job loss will not have an easy solution; there are not many 400-employee firms anxious to settle in Dunkirk. However, by working with the Jay County Economic Development Corp. and through the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corp., we may be able to bring several jobs into the area, through smaller manufacturing facilities. The loss of tax revenue can be offset somewhat by reducing expenditures in the city, and by conserving what resources we have.
"The decline of the business district would be a top priority. First of all, we would need to tear down dilapidated buildings, clean up the lots, and make the downtown area more attractive for new small businesses to be in the city of Dunkirk. Having new businesses would also create more jobs. This revitalization of the downtown area would take time, a lot of volunteer work, and a lot of planning to accomplish.
"There are several areas in our town that have burned-out housing, these structures have not been torn down, and cleaned up. They must be cleared out and cleaned up immediately. They present a health hazard, and a safety hazard. There is no excuse for not clearing these properties, and eliminating these hazards. My first priority would be to clean up deteriorating properties in our city."
Briefly describe what you see as the mayor's role. Would you be a full-time or part-time mayor?
Johnson: "A mayor's job is 24-7, and I have been called out in the middle of night and on weekends. During the flooding in July, I was out after midnight helping clean catch basins and when the building fell uptown, I was up there at 2:30 a.m. getting utilities contacted, putting up barricades and stayed on the site until it was safe to be around. These are some of the duties a mayor has to perform as well as attending meetings and functions."
Hubbard: "I see the mayor's job as a person placed in office as a representative of the people who live in the city of Dunkirk, and who they trust to be a leader and manager of the city. We have the equivalent of a million-dollar business operation, and the position of mayor has to be someone who has a strong business and managerial background. The mayor of this community must have an open-door policy for citizens, must complete every transaction legally, with the public's full knowledge, and be available on a full-time basis, and I intend to be a full-time mayor.”
The city's downtown business district has seen significant decline in recent years. What role should the city and mayor play in the area of downtown redevelopment?
Johnson: "The decline to our downtown can be attributed to not being on a major highway, loss of our high school and big chain stores. Small business has a hard time competing with them and we have to support them by shopping local. The city has sold our spec building, SDP Manufacturing is building a new one and with the West Jay Community Center expanding, we will continue to move forward.”
Hubbard: "First of all, we must realize that the city of Dunkirk does not own most of these buildings. However, buildings owned by the city would be a top priority to clean up first.
"Secondly, we would immediately contact the property owners and inform them that they have a 'very' short time to clean up their buildings. If these buildings are presenting a health hazard to the general public, then proper county and state officials must be notified. It is my opinion that probably 'little action' will be taken by the owners of these properties, if not, then the city must take immediate action to clean up the properties.
"The mayor and the city council must take a very aggressive and immediate role in trying to clean up and revitalize the downtown area.
"The downtown areas of smaller communities are the heart of the community — to let buildings deteriorate along with the obvious loss of jobs in the retail business is not in the communities' best interest."
If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?
Johnson: "I have 100 percent attendance at council meetings and I will continue to work hard for the city and citizens. I have spent numerous hours at the city pool, repairing and building things that needed to be done to make it nice and safe. This is the commitment I take with pride, knowing I helped make a difference."
Hubbard: "I have no personal agenda to settle with anyone in office, any of the city employees, or any of our city residents.
"I am running for the office of mayor because I believe the city of Dunkirk needs strong leadership in the next four years to guide the community through some tough years, due to loss of jobs, loss of tax base, and a deteriorating downtown area.
"The office of mayor of Dunkirk, and all city employees, should deal with the residents of this city in a professional and friendly way, listen to their concerns and try to find an immediate solution to their problems. A question that seems to always come up, is one concerning city employees. It is my opinion that we have a team of good employees at the present time, and there is no reason to make any changes.
"The office of mayor should be 'open' during the day to hear residents comments, and conduct the daily business of the city. The basic problem of communication will be addressed by keeping employees, residents, and local media informed of all concerns in a timely manner. As stated previously, the city of Dunkirk is running a million-dollar-a-year business, and deserves to have a person as mayor with a strong managerial, business, and leadership background. I intend to be a full-time mayor."[[In-content Ad]]
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