09232007 - News Article - Portage mayoral rivals 'clarify' stands - Who's marching in Olson footsteps still at issue
Portage mayoral rivals 'clarify' stands
Who's marching in Olson footsteps still at issue
NWI Times
Sep 23, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/portage-mayoral-rivals-clarify-stands/article_d60aeb8f-8224-5e10-9ea2-883b4ad20293.html
PORTAGE | Before explaining her stance on issues, Democratic mayoral candidate Olga Velazquez addressed some of what she said are "misleading and fear-based" comments made by Republican challenger James Snyder's campaign.
Velazquez said that while Snyder's billboards and other campaign literature insist he'll be "Continuing the legacy of Mayor Doug Olson," his comments earlier this week were no praise for Olson.
Snyder had remarked city leadership should be held responsible for Porter County's largest city not being included in plans for three hospitals.
"Mr. Snyder, you can't have it both ways," Velazquez told more than 100 supporters, including Mayor Doug Olson and former Mayor John Williams, at a Saturday campaign conference.
Snyder, contacted after the conference, said his comments about the responsibility of city leadership aren't solely focused on the mayor's office.
"There's more than one person representing the leadership. The City Council should have reacted," Synder said. "There are seven members, two are at-large. They represent the whole city."
As for using the mayor's name in his campaign even though Olson has endorsed Velazquez, Snyder said that while he may not agree with everything Olson has done, he wants to continue the same progressive attitude.
"If I look back on the past eight years, I wouldn't agree with everything I've done," Snyder said. "What I'm saying is there's a lot of good things he's done. I'm talking about moving the city forward in the light of what he's done."
Talking about her plans if elected in November, Velazquez said she'll continue to devote more resources to public safety, something she said she has done during her five years as a City Council member. She said she also would manage growth responsibly, oppose building more apartment complexes in the city and oppose privatizing city services.
If elected, Velazquez said she'll resign from her current job with Tri-City Mental Health and become a full-time mayor. Velazquez also said she won't accept a raise until her third year in office, leaving it to the electorate to decide if she deserves one.
After addressing the turn the campaign has taken, Velazquez said she hopes to be able to stay on message until the election.
"My message in the primary and my message now is to stay positive. But in the past few weeks, I felt it was necessary to address some of these comments," Velazquez said. "You can't control what others say about you, but sometimes you have to step up and clarify those misleading statements."
Snyder, though, maintains he campaign has stayed the course in highlighting his plans.
"My campaign's about the future of Portage. It's not about attacking Olga," Snyder said.
09212007 - News Article - Portage mayoral candidates talk growth - Velazquez, Snyder make their case to chamber members
Portage mayoral candidates talk growth
Velazquez, Snyder make their case to chamber members
NWI Times
Sep 21, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/portage-mayoral-candidates-talk-growth/article_a4d9578d-f13d-546c-a49a-1490ef126128.html
PORTAGE | Managing the city's growth was the focus as mayoral candidates discussed their visions during Thursday's Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
The growth that's not going to happen, namely Wednesday's announcement that Porter County's largest city won't be getting a new hospital, should be raising eyebrows, Republican candidate James Snyder said,
"I think it's absolutely outrageous that all three of the new health care facilities planned for Porter County are to be located between Valparaiso and Chesterton," Snyder said. "Three hospitals, three pitches and we strike out. What type of city leadership lets this happen?"
Snyder's words come on the heels of the announcement to relocate Porter hospital's Valparaiso campus to Liberty Township, just days after Indianapolis-based Clarian Health Partners acknowledged discussions to possibly build an orthopaedic hospital in Chesterton.
Both Snyder and Democratic candidate Olga Velazquez said the city's rapid growth presents some unique challenges. Snyder said the city needs to slow some of the growth in its urban areas and focus some attention on aging neighborhoods. Velazquez said the city is starting to receive some of the business it's long desired, but it will take time.
"We must continue to build our city so that Portage is a city people do not have to leave," she said. "I think it's been a long time coming. I think our economic growth is just beginning to bloom on the north side."
As for the city's downtown business district, both candidates agree it should be the city's center and a destination for residents, but they differ on how that's going to happen. Velazquez said she envisions the city developing a pedestrian-friendly park, surrounded by small businesses and the Ivy Tech Community College campus. Snyder said the city doesn't have the money to maintain the parks it currently has and believes the city doesn't belong in the development business. He said the streets just north of Central Avenue serve as a shining example.
"We have new streets that don't get used. There are street lights that run all night," Snyder said. "It's lighting up weeds."
In offering tax abatements to new businesses, both candidates agree it should be a selective process.
Velazquez said those making the decision need to consider whether a business is interested in making a long-term commitment to the community or if they'll go elsewhere in 10 years, when the abatement is up. She said it's also important to look at the kind of jobs and wages being offered, as the city needs to diversify its resident work force.
09192007 - News Article - Snyder: City needs to develop prime locations - PORTAGE: Velazquez says city's aging infrastructure needs attention
Snyder: City needs to develop prime locations
PORTAGE: Velazquez says city's aging infrastructure needs attention
NWI Times
Sep 19, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/snyder-city-needs-to-develop-prime-locations/article_ba43ca6b-be5c-52c9-83ad-2ea9a1217b60.html
PORTAGE | Pointing to an abandoned hotel on the city's north side, Republican mayoral candidate James Snyder said the city needs to focus on redeveloping its corridors to create a more inviting community.
"As it sits here vacant, desolate and deteriorating, it is costing the citizens of Portage valuable tax dollars that could be helping our city services and schools," Snyder said of the former Ramada Inn on U.S. 20 at Ind. 249.
The parcel, he said, is among the city's prime real estate. With its proximity to the Bass Pro Shops and other businesses in the nearby AmeriPlex park, Snyder said the corner is ripe for redevelopment and would like to see a big-name restaurant such as Olive Garden take root there.
"People come and want to build less than what we need," Snyder said. "We can't accept less than the best on this corner."
Democratic mayoral candidate Olga Velazquez said there are plans in the works to redevelop the corner, with an anchor and various outlots, but it's not going to happen overnight.
"One of the things I've learned is some things don't always happen as quickly as possible," she said.
The corner, Velazquez said, is somewhat indicative of a larger issue: The city's aging infrastructure. Velazquez, a City Council member, said the city needs to look at improving streets and curbs in some of its older areas, both commercial and residential. She said the city is working to move some allocated dollars to overhaul Central Avenue from Willowcreek Road to the city's western edge. But she said, the city could also benefit from added code enforcement, namely with junk vehicles left on streets and in yards.
Snyder also said the city needs to do more to help residents improve homes in some of the city's older neighborhoods, and said offering tax incentives could be a way to do that.
As far as helping the city improve and attract new development, Snyder said he would use his business background to the city's benefit.
"I intend to take what I know and sell the city," Snyder said.
09162007 - News Article - Charnetzky endorses Snyder for Portage mayor - PORTAGE: Streets chief says it's not 'sour grapes' over loss to Velazquez in primary
Charnetzky endorses Snyder for Portage mayor
PORTAGE: Streets chief says it's not 'sour grapes' over loss to Velazquez in primary
NWI Times
Sep 16, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/charnetzky-endorses-snyder-for-portage-mayor/article_3bcdf05a-09b2-5220-8c7e-7518287ca8ba.html
PORTAGE | The race for mayor here took a nasty turn Saturday as Portage Street Department Superintendent Steve Charnetzky announced his endorsement of Republican mayoral candidate James Snyder.
Charnetzky lost to Snyder's opponent Olga Velazquez in the May Democratic primary.
"Absolutely not," Charnetzky said Saturday morning outside of Snyder's headquarters when asked if his endorsement was "sour grapes" over his loss to Velazquez.
Charnetzky said he has valid reasons to support Snyder over Velazquez.
"This particular election has caused fear and uncertainty like never before amongst city employees and departments. Jim is the only candidate who will be able to bring back the unity of our city departments, which is needed to function best for our citizens," Charnetzky said.
"I do think Steve's endorsement is an issue of sour grapes," said Velazquez, contacted after the Charnetzky announcement. Velazquez said Charnetzky said openly at a Democratic meeting that he would support Velazquez in the general election if he were defeated in the primary.
Both Charnetzky and Velazquez said they met prior to Saturday's announcement. Velazquez said she asked for Charnetzky's support, but wouldn't promise him a job in her administration and hasn't made any decisions about department heads.
Charnetzky accused Velazquez of deceiving residents on campaign promises and of "retaliation" against city employees who supported him in the primary.
"She went to homes of employees and made threats to them," said Charnetzky.
"That is an out-and-out lie," Velazquez said, pointing to the Charnetzky's continued position as head of the street and sanitation department.
"Steve still has a job. His wife still has a job," she said, referring to Annie Charnetzky, who is secretary to present mayor Doug Olson.
She said Charnetzky and Snyder's campaign have been spreading rumors. She said she recently wrote a letter to street and sanitation department employees informing them of the rumors, including privatization of the department.
"I wanted them to know I never said I wanted to privatize," said Velazquez.
Charnetzky said Velazquez also has been talking about lowering taxes, but instead has raised cable, planning, Board of Zoning Appeals fees, voted to approve a fire hydrant fee which is included in resident's water bills and for the park impact fee.
"She claims to help seniors out, but she voted to double the ambulance fees," he said.
Velazquez said those aren't taxes, but user fees. The park impact fee doesn't affect present residents, but only residents building new homes in the city and are required to buy equity into the parks department, which present residents have paid for for years. She added that the decision to raise fees was the decision of the full City Council, not just her's.
"Part of leadership is making difficult decisions," said Velazquez.
09142007 - News Article - Olson's name dragged into campaign - PORTAGE: Republican mayoral candidate's tag line considered misleading by opponent
Olson's name dragged into campaign
PORTAGE: Republican mayoral candidate's tag line considered misleading by opponent
NWI Times
Sep 14, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/olson-s-name-dragged-into-campaign/article_b577e656-4832-5ea1-9a0e-2bb604c1329e.html
PORTAGE | Republican mayoral candidate James Snyder is touting on his campaign literature, Web site and billboard that he will be "continuing the legacy of Mayor Doug Olson" if elected.
He said he truly believes it, but his Democrat opponent Olga Velazquez this week called it a "political strategy" and "misleading."
Olson said, while he said he considers campaign tagline complimentary, he is not comfortable with it.
"I'm with Olga 100 percent, and this election is not about me," said Olson, who endorsed Velazquez as his successor last year when he announced he wouldn't seek a third term.
"Olga has been part of the legacy, part of the team that has accomplished many things in Portage. I endorsed her. If I didn't believe in her, I wouldn't have endorsed her," said Olson.
"Mayor Olson has been a good mayor and I'm proud to use his name. I know that I'm more aligned with his goals and accomplishments. His endorsement is strictly party line. I've been door-to-door. The people know Doug Olson and know who he is backing, but in the privacy of the voting booth, Mayor Olson will vote for who is best for Portage," said Snyder.
His Web site and literature, while acknowledging Olson is not endorsing him, also features a photo of himself and Olson and cites his appointments by Olson to the Plan Commission and a commission to investigate the future of a new municipal building.
"I do think it is misleading. His strategy is that Doug has been a popular mayor and he wants to attach (Olson's) name to his campaign," said Velazquez. "There are many Democratic voters in the city of Portage and he's hoping they will consider him."
While Velazquez's Web site contains a link to Olson's endorsement, the five-year City Council member said she is running on her own merit.
"I appreciate Doug's endorsement, but I have to run on my own record, my own name, the things I have accomplished in the city and the things I want to accomplish," said Velazquez, who has also served on the city's Plan Commission.
09122007 - News Article - Snyder to open mayoral campaign headquarters
Snyder to open mayoral campaign headquarters
NWI Times
Sep 12, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/snyder-to-open-mayoral-campaign-headquarters/article_1aee58de-af32-5324-a3c1-fd9ffa56782b.html
PORTAGE | Mayoral candidate James Snyder will open his headquarters at 10 a.m. Saturday at 2612 Portage Mall.
In addition, Snyder will hold a news conference to make a "special announcement regarding his campaign," according to a release issued this week.
At 11 a.m., there will be Cappo's pizza and soft drinks available.
"We look forward to having a presence in the downtown area of Portage," said Snyder, adding supporters will be able to get bumper stickers, yard signs and T-shirts at the headquarters.
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