Watson, Ritter debate

DUNKIRK — The incumbent wants to finish the work he’s started in bringing new life to the downtown. His challenger says he’s a quick learner and wants to focus on bringing more manufacturing jobs to the community.
Mayor Dan Watson, seeking a second term as a Democrat, squared off against Republican challenger Gene Ritter on Tuesday at a debate sponsored by the Jay County Chamber of Commerce at West Jay Community Center.
Watson defeated Ritter 269-245 in the 2011 general election.
A sparse crowd of roughly 30 heard the two candidates field a variety of questions from the chamber’s moderator, Charlie Freel, as they outlined their vision for Dunkirk.
“I want to see a city that residents are proud of,” said Watson, citing blight removal now underway. “I want a city that’s clean. I want a downtown where the lights are on at night.”
Watson said his biggest disappointment in his first term was seeing Dunkirk fall short in the Stellar Communities competition run by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
“We thought we had it,” he said. “The easy thing to do is just roll over.”
Instead, said Watson, the city will be pursuing the senior housing project that was part of the Stellar application again this fall and is working with Jay County Community Development on other grant funding.
Ritter, who like Watson is an engineer, repeatedly stressed the importance of building Dunkirk’s manufacturing base.
“My main objective is to bring more jobs into the area,” said Ritter. “If we can focus on jobs, downtown development will happen by itself.”
He added, “I think if we work together as a team we can make some headway on manufacturing jobs. … I want to see our industrial park full of manufacturing companies.”
He suggested working with existing firms such as Ardagh North America to identify companies that might be a good complement.
Watson was skeptical.
“Unfortunately we’re in the same boat a lot of small towns are in,” he said. “Industries are not knocking on our door. … We need to concentrate as much on job retention as job creation.”
As to downtown, said Watson, “There are a lot of things in the works. … You’re not going to get a hardware store. You can’t compete with shopping malls and big box stores.”
But, he added, unique shops and businesses can find a niche.
“Growing the downtown will bring a few jobs in,” said Ritter, but would not have the impact of added jobs in manufacturing.
Both candidates decried the fact that Dunkirk is off the beaten path.
“We are on a highway that basically goes nowhere,” Watson said of Indiana 167.
Both candidates also said they would fight passionately to prevent the closing of Westlawn Elementary School or West Jay Middle School, but sparks flew when Ritter was challenged about sending his children to school in Delaware County rather than Jay County.
Ritter explained that he and his wife sent their children to Catholic school in Muncie and that led to staying in Delaware County schools.
“We did what we did, and I don’t think that takes anything away from my passion for this community,” said Ritter.
“Your reasoning doesn’t make sense to me,” said Watson, noting that the two candidates attend church together at St. Marys Catholic Church in Dunkirk. “The reason they’re closing schools is declining enrollment.”
The two candidates agreed on the difficulty of being a part-time mayor while holding a full-time job.
“It’s going to have its challenges,” said Ritter, “but our city council is made up of a great group of people. … I’m obviously going to have to cut back my hours in Anderson. … I’ll do whatever I need to do to make it work.”
Watson, who is also county engineer, agreed that having a strong city council is the key.
“It’s tough. Let me tell you,” he said.
Neither candidate plans any changes in city department heads if elected.
“From what I know, I wouldn’t make any changes,” said Ritter.
Ultimately, Watson argued, his experience makes him the stronger candidate.
“I do have a lot to learn,” said Ritter. “But I’m a very willing and capable person.”