Letter to the Editor: Spinner changed my mind; deserves support

When I get asked why I’m voting for Denny Spinner, I start out by saying four years ago I supported Janet Kemp and even wrote a letter to the editor asking everyone to support her.

When Denny Spinner got elected, I criticized him his first year in office. He has answered all my criticism and addressed any concern I had. We came to respect each other. He has earned my support. He doesn’t just listen to what I have to say, he listens to what everyone has to say. He’s had forums, listening sessions, and even surveys sent out in utility bills to get the public’s input on a number of issues.

Your opinion does matter.

I’m voting for him because of his commitment to maintenance to the city. Contrary to what you have been told the current administration has done more street/curb/sidewalk maintenance than the previous administration. There have been 49 projects done versus 40 under Mr. Belcher’s administration.

Records to support this are available to the public at city offices.

The current administration has tackled street projects that have been overlooked for over a DECADE! Streets that were previously chip and seal now have nice asphalt on them. I’m glad they looked at more than just the main roads in town.

The reason First Street didn’t get repaved right away is because the city took other projects in the area into consideration in the planning process. Everyone is complaining about Highway 231 because it basically fell apart after they redid it; the same thing would have happened on First Street had they repaved it right away. Why pave it twice when we can wait a little bit, pave it once and be done!

The City has also purchased a Crack Sealing machine and a Durapatch machine so for the first time the Street Department can do preventative maintenance on our streets. Now the Street Department can prolong the life of our streets saving the city money.

I’m voting for him because of Stellar. I support the Stellar projects, and I know without a shadow of doubt that all the projects will be done promptly with Mr. Spinner at the helm.

The Stellar projects aren’t only going to enhance the aesthetics of the city, but it’s going to give the city new facilities for the Street Department. It will move them out of the flood plain and give them a place to properly store equipment and supplies. Without Stellar, it would be all up to the city to pay for this cost.

The Stellar projects are going to address the water main under 4th Street. That is yet another costly project that the city won’t have to fund itself.

Because of Stellar the city can put money towards other projects that need to get done, money we wouldn’t have otherwise.

I’m voting for him because of his commitment to public safety. The 11th Street fire station and our police station are being renovated and expanded to better serve the city.

Mr. Drew says that the police station project is a waste of money because it served their needs when he was an officer, but when it was built, we only had eight officers and now it has grown to 12. We have just outgrown the current facilities and on top of that, state mandates have changed. There are certain things that need to be added to make it compliant.

I’m voting for Spinner because I want to see him finish what he started. I want the city to keep moving forward. I believe the city is on the verge of some great and he is the best candidate to lead us into the future.

These are just some of the reasons why I’m am going vote to re-elect Denny Spinner on November 3rd, and I am asking you to do the same.

Todd Humbert
Huntingburg, Ind.