Newly elected officials attend training - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

From left: Mayor Denny Spinner, Councilman Glen Kissling (District 1), Councilman Kerry Blessinger (District 4), Councilman Tim Wehr (At Large) and Councilman Jeff Bounds (District 2).

This week, local officials attended newly-elected officials training in Indianapolis through the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns.

The training is designed to provide basic information and tools for officials to help them manage their first weeks in office and build a foundation for a successful term.

Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner and council members Glen Kissling, Kerry Blessinger, Tim Wehr and Jeff Bounds from Huntingburg. Jasper officials that attended included council members Dave Hurst, Dean Vonderheide, Nancy Eckerle and John Bell.

“I attended the training four years ago as a newly-elected mayor, and it helped immensely in my first term,” said Mayor Spinner. “I have great confidence that the incoming council members, as well as the returning members and myself, will use the training we received this week to benefit the city in the next four years.”

IACT was established in 1891 to provide Indiana municipal officials a means to congregate, educate and advocate their interests before the state and federal governments. Indiana is one of the first states to form a municipal association, and IACT has a rich tradition of serving municipal government and elected officials. A not-for-profit organization, IACT represents municipalities before state lawmakers and provides education and information to members. With more than 460 municipalities as members, IACT is the official voice of municipal government in Indiana.