By Aleasha Sandley, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — Less than a week into his third year as Anderson mayor, Kris Ockomon sat down with The Herald Bulletin to discuss his experience as mayor in 2009, a year filled with budget concerns and hopes for a city that will emerge from its past.
THB: The budget crisis caused by the economy and property tax caps seems to have characterized the last year. How was your year as mayor affected by that?
Ockomon: “Everything we did was driven by the budget in one way or another. The opening of new businesses was slowed, but not for lack of trying. We had to reassess our staffing levels, we’ve developed a whole new way for personnel (to track numbers of employees) with updates ... quarterly. We’ve done a great job of trimming.
Ockomon: “I think we’ve seen the worst, so to speak. I think it will be a very slow climb out of the bottom of the barrel. Now we’ve cut to the bone, and it’s easier to assess our situation. Maybe we’ll become more streamlined, which is the goal of every administration.
“We had a plan, we’ve been pretty good about proactive planning. We’ve overcome some great challenges that were left behind.”
THB: What did you do in 2009 and what do you plan to do in 2010 to attract new business?
Ockomon: “We’re readying our infrastructure, especially in the southwest quadrant. We’re launching an additional power surge (to try to secure federal funding for start-up carmaker Bright Automotive). We want them to know we’re not giving up. We’re organizing a very aggressive campaign to Washington. We’re going to try to get the community involved to say we’ve bled long enough; we need some help here.
“You have to just find the magic way to get (businesses) here.”
THB: What was your best accomplishment as mayor in 2009?
Ockomon: “Weathering the storm, being able to work with the individual departments and being able to survive. We continue to be forward with our thinking.”
THB: What was your biggest regret or disappointment as mayor in 2009?
Ockomon: “No regrets. My biggest disappointment from the onset of my campaign was the scholarship program that was announced during the campaign that would provide college scholarships to Anderson residents and be funded by money from Hoosier Park Racing and Casino.
“My goal is to try to have it in place before my first term is up. It would play an intricate role in rebounding our schools.
“I am proud of our Quality of Life Fund (that provides money to Anderson nonprofits and is funded through revenue from Hoosier Park). We have had rave reviews, and I feel that has been an asset to our community.”
THB: How did your second year as mayor compare to the first year?
Ockomon: “The first year was more exciting because there was more activity, jobs and it made it easy to open businesses. The second year was a good year. We’ve had a lot of challenges, but we’ve also learned a lot. If we can get through this crisis, we can do anything, we can run any city.
“In my opinion, they were both successful.”
THB: What additional measures are you taking in economic development?
Ockomon: “We have been very fortunate to be able to expand our infrastructure. We’re constantly working on that to make sure we’re ready when companies ask.
“We’re traveling to Colorado with (Bright CEO) John Waters and looking at a green tech area (in late January or early February). This is kind of what Bright would like to see. Oz Architects (which designed the green tech area in Boulder, Colo.) looked at our city and feels good about our location with Interstate 69.
“We are going to take a different approach this year. We are going to bring site selection people here and show off what our community has to offer. It will save costs and has been a success in other communities.”
THB: How has Anderson changed since you’ve been in office?
Ockomon: “Over the last few years,...we’ve been trying to find a new identity. That takes a lot of innovative, creative staff people here. Hopefully, that will come to fruition. I think people are struggling, but I think they’re hopeful. All the right things are happening for those reasons, and I think it gives people hope and the idea that we’re going to be OK in Anderson, Indiana.”
THB: What other accomplishments has the administration made over the last year?
Ockomon: “We have the largest crime watch group ever now. They’re very engaged in community events, and I think that’s reflected in our statistics. I’ve seen a great improvement in the participation of that program. They feel like it’s more successful than ever.”
THB: How is the morale among Anderson residents?
Ockomon: “There’s always something going on that’s exciting. I think our overall morale in this city is good. We bring a positive approach to everything; we have an open policy.
“If I can do a handful of things to make it better, to make people want to stay here, then I have the opportunity to do that. It’s my home, and it will always be my home.”
THB: What is one word that would describe your second year as mayor?
Ockomon: “Pride. I’m proud of the community and the way they handled the downturn (in the economy). They will rise again. We will all rise again.”
Contact Aleasha Sandley: 640-4805, aleasha.sandley@heraldbulletin.com.
