TERRE HAUTE —
Steady stewardship of any public entity in Indiana proved crucial in the past four years.
A perfect storm of difficulties for city governments struck in 2007. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels began his push for property tax caps that year, and their eventual implementation substantially diminished funds for municipalities such as Terre Haute. Of course, the fiercest economic downturn since the Great Recession hit in December 2007. Six months later, Terre Haute suffered through its worst flood in decades. The impact of all three lingered for years.
Duke Bennett’s first term as mayor began in January 2008. Less than three years later, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce declared Terre Haute the state’s Community of the Year. To be sure, a healthy measure of that honor reflects the bold work of Bennett’s predecessor, Kevin Burke, loyal businesses, the local colleges, risk-taking industry leaders, and many others. But that distinction also was a testament to Bennett’s careful management through tight financial times, allowing the city to meet its daily demands and follow through on projects long in the making.
That performance hasn’t been “flashy,” as Bennett puts it. Yet, his steady attention to tedious, day-to-day details was valuable during rocky times.
As a result, he deserves a second term and the opportunity to more aggressively lead Terre Haute during what could be a more vibrant era.
In past mayoral elections, when the incumbent had done a good job, we consistently endorsed the re-election of those mayors. That record included the 2007 race in which Bennett became the first Republican in 40 years to win. Burke, a progressive leader but not a seasoned politician, did not deserve to lose, especially in such divisive fashion. But it happened, Bennett took office and has represented Terre Haute well. Now, it is Bennett who has earned another four years.
Voters have the ultimate decision, though, on Nov. 8. The good news is, they can’t go wrong.
The challenger, Fred Nation, would be an excellent mayor. Nation exhibits genuine passion for the community and the energy to pursue consequential, transformative projects. Democrats could not have chosen a better candidate, and with Nation’s unifying nature, the party has its best foot forward. Our endorsement of Bennett in no way diminishes what Nation has done or could do as mayor. In other situations, we could resoundingly endorse Nation.
It does not seem fair, though, to deny Bennett a second term. He has worked hard, acted ethically and been accessible. Using a collaborative approach, he’s kept the city moving forward through uncertainties.
That said, it would be wise of Bennett to make peace with the progressive initiatives that occurred during the Burke administration. Bennett did not inherit a budgetary mess. Despite some mistakes in style, the previous mayor made moves desperately needed to revive the heart of the town. Such broad measures became impossible in Bennett’s tenure because the recession and state cutbacks dried up revenue.
The term “visionary” has become central in the current campaign. Nation promises to operate with visionary style and insists that Bennett is primarily a proficient manager. Both candidates discussed those labels in separate meetings with the Tribune-Star Editorial Board.
Bennett stuck by his preference to function as a team-builder, rather than as the point man for economic development (the role Nation favors). As evidence of his strategy’s success, Bennett pointed to the forward momentum of several projects. Those include railroad improvement plans, a master trails plan for the city and county, and an airport strategic plan, and all are primed to show results, Bennett said. He also expressed support for the exceptional Riverscape project, even though he and the Wabash River Development and Beautification Inc. organization — of which Nation is a member — have been at odds over Bennett’s decision to locate a combined sewer overflow pond on the old International Paper site beside the Wabash.
Big-picture ideas such as Riverscape merit a mayor’s commitment and faith that they can and will happen. Terre Haute should never again be content to merely tread water or to preserve the status quo. We’ve tasted progress in the past decade, and we should always be cooking up more. To his credit, Bennett said he is ready to follow through with significant proposals in a second term.
“Planning is one thing, doing is another,” he told our Editorial Board. “Now we’ve got plans. We’re wrapping them up. Now it’s time to begin to implement those.” We’re eager to see Bennett and his team deliver.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: Two good options for Terre Haute mayor
Does Bennett deserve second term or does Nation get chance for his ideas?
- Editorials
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EDITORIAL: Finally, a compromise
It should not go unnoticed that the U.S. Congress did something in recent days that has been rare, if not unheard of, in its current session. It reached bipartisan agreement on a matter of importance to the American people.
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EDITORIAL: Raves around the town . . .
Today we’re raving about …
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EDITORIAL: Transferring credits, lessening debt
The 21st century has generated its share of bleak circumstances.
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EDITORIAL: Marching On!: Fundraising success mutually benefits ISU, city
In January 2006, the Indiana State University Foundation revealed March On! — the school’s first ever comprehensive fundraising campaign. The campaign goal was announced as an ambitious $85 million, and its organizers declared: “MARCH ON! the campaign for Indiana State University will invest in our students, faculty, programs and facilities.”
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EDITORIAL: An even better local ‘hotspot’
Traditionally, valuable infrastructure is tangible — something you can drive on, walk on or use to achieve basic needs such as moving water or sewage, etc.
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EDITORIAL: Indiana 641 — slow but sure
One could state that observing the construction of Indiana 641 through southeastern Vigo County is like watching paint dry. But that would not be accurate. Paint dries more quickly. Much more quickly.
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EDITORIAL: Drug-testing bill lacks fairness and decency
The current session of the Indiana Legislature has produced plenty of initiatives that play well to the majority party’s base.
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EDITORIAL: Keep religion out of science class
An uncertain fate remains for an Indiana Senate bill that would, if it were to become law, allow public schools to teach creationism and other origin-of-life theories in their classes. But this fight may have already been grounded.
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EDITORIAL: Delivering on infrastructure
With national, state and local economies showing distinct signs of recovery from the Great Recession of 2008, it is good to hear Mayor Duke Bennett sounding optimistic about Terre Haute and its immediate future.
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EDITORIAL: Volunteer ‘army’ serving the needs of children
You know, of course, that casa means house. But do you also know that its all-capitals cousin, CASA, means home?
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EDITORIAL: Big dreams do come true
Consider this Super Bowl Sunday to be proof that anything is possible.
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EDITORIAL: Big ‘kick’ from a native son
Every player in Sunday’s Super Bowl is from somewhere. But not every player remembers where he’s from and reaches out to consistently help those back home. Not like Steve Weatherford. Make that not like Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford.
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EDITORIAL: Smoking ban good enough
When it comes to getting things done in the Indiana General Assembly, progress is often measured in baby steps. Indeed, it can take years to achieve even meager accomplishments.
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EDITORIAL: United Way’s strong reputation helps sustain community trust
It would be foolish in any community to take “positives” for granted, but it’s easy to understand how a casual observer would assume that United Way of the Wabash Valley will always come through with flying colors.
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EDITORIAL: Nothing sexy about human trafficking
When kickoff comes at the 2012 Super Bowl, expectations will be high for a fun, competitive, fanatical contest between the two survivors of the NFL’s regular season.
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EDITORIAL: The law’s good ‘Shepard’
Under the radar and against the backdrop of the fractious right-to-work battle going on in Indianapolis, one of state’s leading public servants delivered his valedictory in typical understated, even quiet, style two weeks ago. And before Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard slips away into retirement, his work needs to be acknowledged and praised.
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EDITORIAL: Cops at risk
Indiana lawmakers are playing with a loaded gun in a bill that passed the Indiana Senate Monday, 45-5.
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TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORIAL: Helping your community, a few mouse clicks at a time
When you type WabashValleyGives.org into your web browser, hundreds of opportunities to help your local community will open on the screen before you.
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EDITORIAL: Raves around the town
To begin the week, we are raving about these recent pieces of local news:
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EDITORIAL: Let Hoosiers have a say on right-to-work bill
Indiana legislators, both Republican and Democrat, may claim to know the will of the people on right-to-work.
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EDITORIAL: Thin ice winter’s deadly scourge
Six-year-old Trevor Wayne Young of Nashville, Ind., and 50-year-old Allen D. Johnson of Galva, Ill., probably had little in common — except the way they died.
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EDITORIAL: Meeting needs at St. Ann's
The caliber of a community often is revealed by its efforts to help its least fortunate citizens.
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EDITORIAL: A sweet deal for Amazon.com
That loud lip-smack on the cheek you heard echoing from Indianapolis last week was the sound of Gov. Mitch Daniels kissing off on what amounts to another sweetheart deal between Indiana and Amazon.com, the online retailing giant.
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EDITORIAL: A new era for growth
The promised announcement of a major new industry for the former Pfizer property in southern Vigo County turned out to be well worth the wait.
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EDITORIAL: Transparency a worthy goal
Do taxpayers have the right to know specific details of contracts between elected school boards and superintendents they hire to run their operations?
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EDITORIAL: Shakir Bell’s success gives boost to Sycamore football
Hope inspires progress. It’s the fuel for a better future.
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EDITORIAL: Inspiration for the future
Hope inspires progress. It’s the fuel for a better future.
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EDITORIAL: Put teeth in public access laws
Indiana’s laws governing public access, as good as they are, lack something important — teeth. There are no significant consequences for agencies or employees who intentionally violate them.
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EDITORIAL: Time for teamwork in Sullivan
The beginning of a new mayoral term in any community is — or should be — a time when the talk of the town is rife with ideas, improvements and changes.
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EDITORIAL: Lawmakers should leave IHSAA, high school basketball alone
In an idyllic world, Indiana could restore its fabled single-class high school basketball state tournament, and thousands of fans would pour into gymnasiums from Angola to Corydon in hopes of witnessing another “Milan Miracle” year after year after year.
- More Editorials Headlines
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EDITORIAL: Finally, a compromise
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