02192015 - News Article - Portage mayor lays out challenges in annual State of the City address

Portage mayor lays out challenges in annual State of the City address
NWI Times
February 19, 2015 - 2:31 pm
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-lays-out-challenges-in-annual-state-of-the/article_b73ff07a-ba28-5bd3-b98e-052633c570c9.html

PORTAGE | Mayor James Snyder blended past accomplishments with challenges for the future during his annual State of the City address Thursday.

He punched it up with some pledges and promises.

Snyder addressed more than 225 people who attended the event at Woodland Park as part of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon. He also presented the address in the morning to students at Portage High School and to residents in the evening, again at Woodland Park.

"Portage has seen amazing growth, great progress, financial strengthening, infrastructure rebuilding and a new level of public service," Snyder told the crowd, lauding department heads he called to sit with him at the front of the room for their service and dedication.

He recounted his past three years in office, saying his administration has turned costs around in the city and saved millions of dollars. He said the city better communicates with residents through a newsletter, social media and a state-of-the art telephone system and just this past year has begun numerous construction projects to improve infrastructure.

He also lauded the city's efforts in economic development, listing off several areas of job growth in the city and promised that economic development would continue in the coming year.

He challenged his departments to continue working to grow and improve the city.

Snyder challenged the parks department to build a more efficient playground and park system, a better farmer's market, improve walking trails for senior citizens and finish projects started this year through the $3.5 million park improvement bond issue.

While he commended the City Council for their part in the successes, he also challenged them, encouraging them to take action permitting the construction of a new fire station and police station.

Snyder, a Republican, also broke party lines, siding with his constituents, saying he wouldn't support efforts to remove the common wage law.

"Just this past Tuesday on the Indiana Statehouse floor, I was reminded of what a cancer ideologue politics can be," he said. "My Republican colleagues listened to 90 minutes of testimony from experts providing facts on how removing the common wage law from construction projects would not result in cost-saving for taxpayers and would in fact harm workers; but because they have been sold a bill of goods that continues to attack Portage and Indiana workers, they voted it out of committee."

"This mayor, this city council and the constituency of Portage will stand for the Portage worker every time," pledged Snyder adding the city itself has negotiated five union contracts to provide a fair wage to employees.

Snyder ended his speech challenging those present to hold him and his administration to a high standard and to work to maintain standards that have been set.