Whicker, Vanover discuss states of the city and the county, respectively, at chamber luncheon Tuesday
By DAVE SCHULTZ
Bluffton Mayor John Whicker presented the “State of the City” address at the Wells County Chamber of Commerce’s March quarterly luncheon Tuesday, an event that comes around each March.
Tuesday’s event, however, was a doubleheader of sorts — Mike Vanover, the president of the Wells County Commissioners, gave the “State of the County” speech after Whicker was done speaking.
The logo for the Wells County tourism initiative was also introduced during Tuesday’s luncheon.
After introducing city officials and key workers, Whicker quoted Peter Drucker, whom he called “the father of management theory”: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” And, Whicker said, “this past year, we have done a considerable amount of creation.”
And with that he was off to the races, showcasing improvements in housing, infrastructure, job expansion, and quality of life issues.
Among the items cited by Whicker were:
• Housing — Premier Flats, Parlor Bluffs, and Greenfield Farms.
• Infrastructure — Completion of improvements to the water distribution system, including a treatment plant; street paving; upgrades to electrical substations; septic elimination in the Timber Ridge area and coordination with the Wells County Regional Sewer District; and enhanced cybersecurity measures for city departments.
• Job expansion — Inteva’s efforts to get to full production in 2022.
• Quality of life — Awards for the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department, plus efforts to develop Lancaster Park and extend the Interurban Trail.
Whicker also had a list of 10 challenges facing the city in the upcoming months and years, including cybersecurity, rising costs, housing, public safety, cooperating with educational providers, creation of a stormwater entity, replacing lead pipes in the water distribution system, and redistricting to add two additional council members that will be required for the 2023 election.
Whicker downplayed those who would oppose growth in the city. “If we don’t grow, we will become an expensive place to live,” he said. “The cost of providing public safety, utilities, streets, etc., continues to rise and if our population is stagnated, each of us will be paying more for those activities.”
Whicker also saluted the businesses, churches, and nonprofits for their contributions to the community, and also saluted the Bluffton NOW! downtown revitalization group for its work.
As he concluded, Whicker repeated something he had heard about growth. “If you are green, you grow,” he said. “If you are ripe, you rot. I will do my best to see that we stay green and growing.”
Vanover’s remarks were more extensive than Whicker’s were, as he discussed the 2021 accomplishments and 2022 objectives.
“More projects were completed in 2021 than ever before,” Vanover said as he listed what the county had done during the past year. “
Among the highlights:
• Sale of the county farm, the proceeds of which will be used on a new highway garage. “Our employees deserve a safe and secure environment in which to work,” he said.
• Improved drainage.
• Increased department transparency and teamwork.
• Wells County is establishing itself as a regional leader.
• Placement of school speed zone signs at the Southern Wells campus.
• Reorganization of the highway department, which he said “has proven to increase productivity, and morale.”
• Establishment of the first-ever Wells County Advocacy Committee within the chamber of commerce. “Involving our local business leaders in the growth and potential of our county allows for a powerful exchange of ideas among proven leaders.”
• Jail improvements, which are now under way. “These improvements coupled with a stronger community corrections program will help us avoid a very costly expansion,” he said.
Looking at objectives for the future, he cited the following:
• Further attraction of economic opportunities to Wells County through the county’s Economic Development Council.
• Ind. 1, he said, should become a priority to the Indiana Department of Transportation. Ind. 1 is the direct connection between the county and Fort Wayne International Airport and is “an artery into our community.” “Wells County is the only county (in the area) without a four-lane connection between our county seat (or the largest city in the county) and Fort Wayne, he said.
• Community corrections. expansion of which “lowers offender recidivism rates, strengthens our community, and helps those individuals who may respond to this kind of approach.”
• RSD relief legislation. Communities are in dire need of assistance with failing septic systems and connection fees, Vanover said. However, he said, sewer fees beyond what can be paid will never work because the money is not there. “We hope to come together and solve this ever-growing issue,” he said.
• Riverfront development. “We can take steps to create outdoor dining, tourism, night life, and growth, “ he said, but it will take “additional synergy and touchpoints with our representatives in Indianapolis and the governor’s office.”
• Greater teamwork.
• County roads upgrades. “More paving projects will provide more opportunity for development for residential, commercial and industrial construction,” he said.
• Creation of one countywide 911 dispatch service. “With countywide involvement and education, we will have a city/county 911 center, directed by a 911 board, that will undoubtedly be second to none,” he said.
• Infrastructure upgrades. “No more Band-Aids,” he said “We repair for the future.”
• Layered oversight and overhaul of the bidding process. “The most qualified, best suited and best problem solvers will be the only contractors/vendors to work on Wells County projects,” he said.
• Construction of a new highway garage. “There is no reason for this project to be incomplete at the end of 2022,” he said. “We will make sure we have a functional highway garage for our employees and citizens.”
• New positions and outreach. “We are searching for and developing ideas to create enduring ties between elected officials and the public,” Vanover said. “Without public input, it’s difficult to make decisions that have greater appeal.”
• Greater support for organizations that have proven beneficial to Wells County “We will align with those who can increase prosperity of the citizens of Wells County,” he said. “We will look at our opportunities for community investment carefully and be ready to step back from those that haven’t been successful in the past.”
The logos for the county’s tourism commission were unveiled during Tuesday’s meeting as well.
daves@news-banner.com
