Mayor, 78, says there is ‘no age limit on vision’ as he announces bid for re-election
By DAVE SCHULTZ
It may be early on the municipal election calendar but Bluffton Mayor John Whicker Saturday announced his bid for re-election.
Whicker, 78, cited a series of projects and challenges — and accomplishments — as he announced his bid for another four years as the city’s chief executive.
“We are growing and have achieved many accomplishments as a city,” he said in a statement that provided the basis of his comments Saturday morning. “There are still many projects in the works. I look forward to be a part of seeing those projects through.
“There is still gas in the tank and I truly believe that vision has no age limit.”
The municipal elections will be held in November of 2023.
Whicker served on the Bluffton Common Council for four years, from 2016 through the end of 2019. He won the mayor’s office in the 2019 municipal election, defeating Democrat Chuck King with 64 percent of the vote. That contest did not have an incumbent, as Ted Ellis chose not to run for a seventh term.
In an interview with the News-Banner prior to his announcement, he indicated he was making his plans clear to end any questions about his political future. He also said he wanted to provide experienced leadership with the upcoming retirement of Clerk-Treasurer Tami Runyan and the announcement by 1st District Common Council member and Board of Works member Roger Thornton that he would not run again. The council will expand from five to seven members next year, adding two new members in addition to Thornton’s successor.
Chandler Gerber announced in May, shortly after Thornton said he would not seek another term, that he would be a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 1st District seat on the council.
Wicker cites a new wastewater facility, a new electric substation, and completing wastewater piping as challenges that await the city. During his term as mayor the city completed a water improvement project that was begun during the Ellis administration.
There is a federal mandate looming that says the city must make a list of lead pipes in homes and businesses and develop plans to replace them. “The biggest area is downtown,” Whicker said.
Other points Whicker made about seeking another term:
• With the city’s growth, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has told the city that it must implement a stormwater utility. His administration is working with engineering firms to develop an IDEM application. “Big changes are coming our way in forming to regulations,” he said.
• The city is working to streamline the permit process for developers.
• Whicker wants to use technology to make it easier for residents to do business with the city and also wants to install meters for electronically reading electric and water meters in the future.
• He said he wants to be sure the city pays competitive wages and wants to provide department heads with assistance in recruiting.
• “Public safety has to be revitalized, given the national commentary,” he said.
One of the priorities Whicker set in place when he took office was to create a junk ordinance, and he’s adamant he wants to “put the parlor back into the Parlor City.”
“We need to clean up our community by stricter enforcement of junk violators, weed ordinances, and similar nuisances,” he said. He said it is possible the city could hire an enforcement officer that would serve the Police Department regarding parking enforcement and the Building Department regarding junk violations.
Whicker emphasized that what has happened and what will happen going forward is not the work of one individual
“All of this is a team effort that includes the Common Council and city employees working together,” Whicker said. “I could not do it without all of them. This is not just about the mayor.
“I am very thankful for the community support that has been given to me and my family over the years,” he concluded.
daves@news-banner.com
