02162017 - News Article - Snyder: Portage in a 'hurricane'

Snyder: Portage in a 'hurricane'
Post-Tribune
February 16, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-state-of-city-st-0217-20170216-story.html

Mayor James Snyder alluded to the legal and political storms wrapping around Portage during his annual State of the City address Thursday while encouraging the audience of Chamber of Commerce members to remain confident in the city.

Snyder also expressed hope he will beat a federal indictment last November on public corruption charges. Since then, Common Council members have called for his resignation and have voted to strip Snyder of his position as chairman of the utility services board and its $30,000 salary.

"We saw the winds shift like never before in Portage. We are now in a hurricane," Snyder began. "(2017) is the year that Portage is in a state of confidence. Portage will not only beat this storm, but we will be better as a result.

"This year, we have confidence our progress in Portage will continue," he told several hundred audience members. "And we have confidence I will be here to deliver the 2018 State of the City address."

Rather than deliver a speech lauding his administration's accomplishments last year, Snyder bookended presentations from his department heads on last year's events with brief comments of his own.

Economic Development Director Andy Maletta spoke of the "explosion" in new home starts, from nine starts in 2015 to 79 starts last year, and bringing new businesses -- including Monosol -- to Portage, while the police and fire chiefs spoke of improved services and new stations.

Parks Superintendent Jenny Orsburn praised her staff, which, she said, "has contributed significantly to the quality of life" of residents, and Streets Superintendent Joe Mokol lauded an increase in residents recycling and new time and money saving equipment.

Snyder listed accomplishments such as raising $60,000 for the Indiana-American water amphitheater at Founder's Square, an open air pavilion planned for the Portage Lakefront Park and the widening of Samuelson Road before calling on help from other city leaders.

"It's time for all of us to join together, both the city council and the mayor's office, to work toward this year of confidence," Snyder said.

Only two city council members, Sue Lynch, D-at large, and Scott Williams, D- 3rd, attended the address. Lynch, who last week called for Snyder's resignation, praised the work done by the city's department heads.

"What I heard today is we have some great department heads, and they're continuing to work hard together despite what is going on in the city," Lynch said. "As for (Snyder), he really didn't say much, but I think that was by intention."