Mayor: State of the City Getting Brighter
2/17/2010
Courtesy of the Hartford City News Times
By Danny K Careins
NT Managing Editor
NT Managing Editor
Published:
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 6:09 AM CST
An annual State of the City speech delivered by Hartford City Mayor Dennis Whitesell covered a variety topics, including the economy, unemployment and budgets, as well as what he believes were the city’s accomplishments and challenges during 2009.
Whitesell spoke before a crowd at an event hosted by the Hartford City Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Trinity United Methodist Church.
According to Whitesell, he wanted to look back on 2009 and look forward to 2010 and then prove that “Hartford City and Blackford County do indeed have a bright future.”
As for the economy and the fact that businesses are struggling, Whitesell remarked that he hopes experts are right in telling people that everything is getting better.
Whitesell spoke before a crowd at an event hosted by the Hartford City Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Trinity United Methodist Church.
According to Whitesell, he wanted to look back on 2009 and look forward to 2010 and then prove that “Hartford City and Blackford County do indeed have a bright future.”
As for the economy and the fact that businesses are struggling, Whitesell remarked that he hopes experts are right in telling people that everything is getting better.
“But, I do not see us making a recovery quite yet,” he pointed out.
Whitesell talked about the unemployment rates, noting that Blackford County is up to 12.9 percent and is definitely struggling. He added that the unemployment rate is up due to the closing of two plants, Hartford Metal Products and International Paper, in 2009.
“We have a lot of hard work ahead of us at every level of government,” said the mayor.
Whitesell reminded everyone that the city’s budget is lower than it has been for many years.
“The budget is to the point that as elected officials we are facing many tough decisions,” noted Whitesell. “How do we cut cost, and if need be, what services do we think about eliminating?
“Is there anything we can do to increase income?” asked Whitesell. “And, if so, can we do that without hurting the citizens?”
Whitesell remarked that there are tough decisions that elected officials are researching right now, and are praying for the answers.
See the rest of the story in the Wednesday, Feb. 17 print edition of the News Times
Whitesell talked about the unemployment rates, noting that Blackford County is up to 12.9 percent and is definitely struggling. He added that the unemployment rate is up due to the closing of two plants, Hartford Metal Products and International Paper, in 2009.
“We have a lot of hard work ahead of us at every level of government,” said the mayor.
Whitesell reminded everyone that the city’s budget is lower than it has been for many years.
“The budget is to the point that as elected officials we are facing many tough decisions,” noted Whitesell. “How do we cut cost, and if need be, what services do we think about eliminating?
“Is there anything we can do to increase income?” asked Whitesell. “And, if so, can we do that without hurting the citizens?”
Whitesell remarked that there are tough decisions that elected officials are researching right now, and are praying for the answers.
See the rest of the story in the Wednesday, Feb. 17 print edition of the News Times
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