The mayor talks about what was going through his mind election night, how he felt both campaigns were run and what needs to get done before the end of the year. He also comments on the recent road maintenance plans the governor and democrats seek to hammer out.
On this week's installment of Ask The Mayor, Mayor Duke Bennett addresses these issues and more. Listen to the full conversation with Indiana Newsdesk anchor Joe Hren by clicking on the play button above, or read some of the questions and answers below.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Hren: Were you happy with how both campaigns were run?
Bennett: Very happy with mine. I think there were some negative things they did that was unfortunate. Really beat the drum on some things that were talked about through the year, but it's important to stick with the facts. It is what it is, campaigns can be very interesting and I kept mine positive.
Hren: Voter turnout was low, it's still not a representative of the population. What mindset do you go into your office knowing that?
Bennett: Most people don't remember you won by a few votes or you won by a lot. Our mission is still the same, our goals are still the same - nothing has changed. Yes, we've had some financial challenges and people had questions about that, but no matter who the mayor was, you'd face these financial challenges so our goal is to continue to move this thing forward in a positive way. Get things lined out so we're all focused on the same kind of things.
Hren: So is it business as usual? Or after elections, do you feel the need to start over?
Bennett: I think it's a little bit of both. It's a clean start in a way. We're going to do some things with this new council that's coming in. Other things we continue to do business as usual.
Hren: It's practically the end of the year since we only see you one more time in December, any end of year goals?
Bennett: There are some financial loose ends we need to tie up. The kinds of things we do at the end of every year. We'll be reducing the 2015 budget, your moving money around and doing different things you do every year. Really it's more clean up and housekeeping kind of things. I don't thing you'll see or hear much of anything significant.
