Issue focused

The Portland mayoral incumbent says his work isn’t done in office and wants another four years. A political veteran who wants to see the city he knew growing up is challenging him.
Seeking his second term in office, Mayor Randy Geesaman stood against his opponent Milo Miller Jr. on Thursday for the mayoral debate at Arts Place and sponsored by Jay County Chamber of Commerce.
The candidates faced off against each other, tackling issues affecting the city and surrounding areas. The questions, asked by moderator, Charlie Freel, covered topics including flooding, job creation and cooperation between the city and county.
Geesaman and Miller kicked off the debate addressing the ongoing flooding issue. The candidates agreed on the problem’s origins but from different perspectives.
“There needs to be a dry-retention lake to hold that water …” Miller said as a solution to overflowing storm water at Millers Branch, which he believes is the cause of the problem.
The mayor said he and city workers “lost a lot of sleep” over the floods this year that had two problems: the Millers Branch and the Salamonie River. Geesaman didn’t offer a final solution — instead he offered a “game plan” for the overall problem.
Mapping creates a visual of every sewer in Portland for short-term flooding solutions, said Geesaman. He did not think it was time to make a long-term solution without knowing what the overall problem is.
Eventually the candidates began agreeing more than debating on redirecting the floodwater.
Miller gave Geesaman credit for working on the problem for three years.
The mayor thought the water could filter into a detention pond away from Millers Branch.
The tone of the debate changed with job development, where Miller mentioned his experience on various economic development boards. For him, job creation means dealing with concerns to keep businesses in the city and addressing them to state and local officials. This led to addressing an effort to make the city’s industrial park more appealing.
Miller said the park on county road 100 North looks underdeveloped and needs to be more attractive for incoming businesses.
Geesaman refuted. He said the park is marketable because it offers water and sewer services as well as 65 acres to develop. Current businesses have expanded, he said, like FCC (Indiana) to make employment opportunities for the city.
Both candidates agreed the relationship is strong between city and county government giving different examples of cooperation.
“Can’t say it’s a big problem,” said Miller who recalled his time as a county commissioner for 24 years.
If the city needed assistance, like using county equipment to remove snow or clean out the Salamonie River, the county would step in whenever it could, he said.
“There should be more city-county joint ventures to cut costs,” Geesaman said, after the partnership between the Jay County Sheriff’s Office and Portland Police Department to purchase Spillman Technology.
The audience was asked to provide questions but only one was submitted. Brooke Aker asked the candidates how they would address the increasing drug problem in Portland.
“It’s a terrible problem,” said Geesaman who addressed that even with drug-prevention programs the problem still continues to grow. But police are able to make change because of anonymous tips, he said.
“I think we need to start a neighborhood watch,” Miller added.
With the watch should come a drug hotline, he suggested.
Despite agreeing on many issues Miller and Geesaman were asked if there was any difference between them. Miller didn’t think there was a difference besides being a Republican and Geesaman being a Democrat.
“We both have the same problems and we both are trying to help the community grow and make it a better place to live,” said Miller.
Geesaman agreed.
In their closing statements, Miller addressed pride in the city and property and Geesaman acknowledged issues he handled his first term.
Miller recalled everyone having nice homes growing up and said residents should strive for city pride. If elected he would push to make home maintenance a public ordinance.
“You don’t have to have a lot of money to keep house,” he said.
Geesaman addressed “taking the bull by the horns” during his first term.
“I’m proud to live in Portland with my wife, children and grandchildren,” he said. “Look where we were four years ago and imagine where we could be another four years from today.”