Mayor Spinner recognizes Huntingburg’s past and future at the 175th Kickoff

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Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner displayed his preaching background as he kept his remarks quick and poignant at the 175th Kickoff Celebration on Friday night.

He apologized for holding up the real entertainment, comedian Tim Cavenagh, but the mayor’s speech captivated the audience in its own right as he recognized the four mayors that have served during his own lifetime. The State of the City Address was an acknowledgement to these individuals and the elected officials that served with them during those terms.

The first mayor he spoke of was Mayor Dale Helmerich and his focus on building the city utilities to the standard they are today. “Since coming into office I have learned that Huntingburg’s utilities are recognized across the state as an example of how to provide these necessary services effectively and efficiently,” he said during his remarks.

Mayor Spinner recognized this hasn’t come without its own issues. He reminded the crowd of problems with the city waste water facility. Due to the facility’s tendency to flood during periods of heavy rain, it has been under scrutiny by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for over 20 years.

The mayor then told the crowd the city had just recently received a verbal approval from IDEM to an innovative approach to dealing with this decades old problem. He told the crowd this innovative approach will save the residents of Huntingburg over $17 million in necessary upgrades.

He then recognized Mayor Connie Nass in the audience. He spoke of Nass’s status as Huntingburg’s first lady mayor and her limitless energy for promoting Huntingburg. During Nass’s term League Stadium was built and became part of the city’s landmarks and a unique point of pride for the city.

The reforming of the League Stadium Advisory Committee and its rebranding efforts will turn the stadium into a destination beyond the baseball season. He announced the potential creation of a historic baseball trail that would include League Stadium with the Louisville Slugger Museum, Bosse Field, and the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame among other destinations.

Spinner then spoke of Mayor Gail Kemp’s eight year term that solidified Huntingburg’s financial status despite reduced property values and a reduced tax base. “There are financial challenges ahead as the sluggish economy has reduced the amount of funds we have received through COIT and EDIT taxes,” He said. “Given those challenges our city’s financial status is good and major projects are still planned, including dredging the city lake and maintanance projects in the water, electric and street departments.”

Spinner described Mayor Marvin Belcher’s rise from the ranks of city employee to the mayor’s office. “Mayor Belcher stayed in touch with the most ordinary citizens and worked hard to recognize those every day people who make every day life in our town so rewarding,” he said.

Spinner recognized Belcher’s work to create the Veteran’s Monument and how a grant had been received to continue improvements to tie the monument to the nearby Huntingburg Event Center.

The mayor spoke about the increase in women-owned local small businesses on Huntingburg’s Fourth Street. Dr. Jenna Gogel opened a her chiropractic office Optimal Performance Chiropractic last October; Sara Kamman opened Single Thread Boutique in March; Tonya Brothers-Bridge moved her business, Transformation Team, to Fourth Street in June; Barb Meyer opened Meyer’s Sweet Treats next to the City Hall in March; and Anna Steckler just purchased and reopened Cool Beans Java Cafe’.

The mayor then spoke of his dedication to improving the quality of life in the city. “This is not a path I can chart on my own, it takes an entire community,” he said. “To this end I plan on seeking approval from the council to help set the course, by approving a series of community listening sessions that will lead to a revision of the City of Huntingburg’s comprehensive plan that was completed in 2007.”

The sessions will help the mayor and city council to prioritize their efforts based on the ideas that are deemed crucial by the citizens for the success of the city. “I invite all of our citizens to attend one of these sessions and help us plan the future to allow our city to be more vital when we celebrate our 200th anniversary.”

The mayor ended his remarks by stating he was proud and humbled to represent the city of Huntingburg during this celebration. “The pride that I have is based on all of the great people who have made Huntingburg a city like none other in all the world.”