Officials note progress during last 12 months

<b>Fincher, Kain deliver State of City and County addresses</b>

by Carla Knapp

While applauding the continued collaborative efforts of city and county officials, Mike Fincher and Steve Kain both acknowledged the work that lay ahead during their addresses at the State of the City and County luncheon Wednesday.

Logansport’s mayor and the president of the Cass County Commissioners both said a great deal of progress had been made in the past 12 months.

Many of the projects that were on the horizon in 2007 remain a focus for the city and county.

Fincher, who delivered the address for the fifth time during his recently extended administration, discussed the city’s housing rehabilitation programs and said improving neighborhoods would continue to be a priority for the city.

“We must pursue the continuation and push for expansion of our housing programs,” said Fincher. “This will happen because of the efforts of Deputy Mayor Linda Klinck and Building Commissioner Gary Hostetler, who are working closely with county commissioners to establish a plan to effectively deal with abandoned and neglected properties.”

Last year, the city put nearly $400,000 into a special housing rehabilitation program, and Fincher said during Wednesday’s address the city will pursue grant programs to continue redevelopment efforts both downtown and in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Another theme that carried over from the mayor’s 2007 remarks was the overseas marketing program. With the affirmation of another four years in office, Fincher said he would continue working to establish relationships with foreign businesses both “to bring new business to Logansport and Cass County” and also “to find overseas markets for local business to expand into.”

Fincher told the crowd of an e-mail he received from a representative from the office of Mayor Shimizu in Tochigi, Indiana’s sister state in Japan. The e-mail extended a formal invitation to Fincher to bring a small delegation from Logansport to Japan to further the relationship between the two areas.

“This is a big deal,” Fincher said excitedly after he had finished reading the e-mail.

He noted that the trips would continue only with the continued support of the Logansport-Cass County Economic Development Foundation and the local business community.

Kain’s address also built on several points from last year. He offered updates on the Broad Ripple Bridge and Cass Station Road, projects that were on the horizon in 2007 and are now under way.

He also spoke last year of the need for a combined 911 dispatch service, which is moving closer to reality and could be joined by the end of 2008.

“We have been criticized by the media for moving slowly, but we intend to do this the right way the first time,” he said.

Kain also spoke of the progress during the last 12 months to sell surplus properties, upgrade security in the courthouse and make updates to other county facilities including the Memorial Home and the former Children’s Home.

Both Kain and Fincher also spoke about the financial issues facing Logansport and Cass County.

“Overall, the financial health of the county was continuing to improve at the end of 2007,” said Kain. “The future will depend heavily on the work of the Indiana General Assembly.”

During both the city and county budget processes last fall, concerns were raised over possible losses in tax revenue in coming years.

Fincher, in his address, noted that Logansport could potentially lose $1.4 million in tax revenue in 2010.

“We, the city, have already started looking for ways to reduce spending while maintaining existing services,” said Fincher. “We’re also working with neighboring communities discussing options like forming consortiums that deal with health care issues and other topics that may help reduce expenses for every community involved.”

Especially with the potential financial uncertainties, both Fincher and Kain noted that change would be on the horizon. In anticipation of those changes, Fincher said he was eager to begin work with the new city council, with an average age around 35, and the fresh perspective it will offer regarding the issues facing Logansport and Cass County.

Kain said he was also looking forward to a continued relationship with the city.

“Looking ahead at 2008, we have a number of tasks we’re working on,” he said. “The city and county have worked well together. And it’s my pleasure to salute Mike Fincher for his willingness to work with the county.”

Much work remains to be done, he said.

“This is not a short list and will not be taken care of in a single year,” he said, “but we pledge to do the very best we can for the citizens of Cass County.”

Carla Knapp can be contacted at (574) 732-5150 or via e-mail at carla.knapp@pharostribune.com



Coming Sunday

For more on the two speeches, see Sunday’s edition of the Pharos-Tribune.

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