Two are in mayoral race

Incumbent Randy Geesaman will face off against Republican Party chairman Milo Miller, Jr. in the race for mayor of Portland in November.
Both won landslide victories during the primary election in May — Miller defeating Doug Blankenbaker with 72 percent of the Republican vote and Geesaman crushing his opponent, Jeff Harker, with 76 percent of the Democratic vote.
Miller, a 1959 graduate of Portland High School who lives on Bittersweet Lane, served six terms as a county commissioner. He was also a county council member for 10 years.
Geesaman, a Floral Avenue resident and 1972 Pennville High School graduate, is finishing his term as mayor after defeating incumbent Bruce Hosier in the 2011 general election. An Indiana University graduate, he worked in sales for 33 years before becoming Portland’s clerk-treasurer in 2009.
Miller said he decided to run for mayor after receiving encouragement to do so from some Portland residents. He believes now is the time to take action on major issues, instead of waiting for the county or state government to take care of them.
“My advantage is just more hands-on government experience.” Miller said of his 34-year political career.
With his first term coming to a close, Geesaman said he chose to run again believing there is unfinished business. During his first term, he said he and his staff dealt with inherited issues that took his whole first term to address.
Geesaman touted the role he played in handling issues including the north side sewer separation project, which included $2.1 million in wastewater improvements. He said his most recent achievement was the Portland Water Park project, and with its completion it will bring in people from the city and surrounding areas to visit.
“I have a much better perspective on budgeting for running the city,” said Geesaman, discussing how he handles government funds. “I understand revenue and the expense side.”
In Miller’s political career, he played a part in county council to readdress rural homes to make it easier to find citizens during emergency calls, and had a hand in creating Jay County Solid Waste Management District.
Both candidates identified flooding as the biggest issue facing the city after a summer during which downtown Portland was under water three times.
Miller thinks the city needs immediate action for the flooding. His plan involves creating a dry-retention pond northeast of the city to help hold back some of the water flowing in Millers Branch during wet weather events.
Geesaman put his focus on finding short-term solutions, such as sweeping streets to keep debris out of catch basins and cutting roots to allow better water flow in sewer lines, while working toward the longer term goal. Eventually he wants to see water from Millers Branch redirected so that it does not overflow the city’s sewer lines.
Dealing with the flood problem is also part of the larger picture of revitalizing the downtown area, Geesaman said. This means renovating some buildings and tearing down others, he said.
Miller thinks the mayor’s plan is too costly and needs to be examined.
Another important issue for Miller is bringing “pride” back to the city that includes caring for personal property, keeping the streets clean, maintaining city parks and assuring city employees they will be treated fairly. In four years, Miller hopes the flooding is fixed, to see a change in property aesthetic and to have enforcement officers work harder to ensure city property resonates with Portland pride.
Miller believes he is the most qualified candidate because of his experience with many county issues he’s handled over the years. His concerns come from his desire to improve Portland for future residents.
“I’d like to leave a good, safe place to live for the next generation,” he said. “We don’t offer what the big cities offer but the cost of living is low.
“I would like to see my hometown prosper and I would like to see it have a greater sense of pride,” he continued, “to clean the place up a bit and deal with the issues I’ve seen over an amount of time.”
Geesaman said every generation has a way to handle issues, different visions and priorities. He noted that his sales experience has taught him to maintain a career and produce positive outcomes.
Without results, a salesman can lose his job, he said. This is what he said qualifies him for the position: to find solutions to difficult issues by taking the “the bull by the horns” to change the city.
“I really appreciate the last four years in office,” he said, “I want to continue making great strides and making a better Portland than they’ve seen in the past.”