Mayoral candidates try to sell themselves to chamber
NWI Times
Oct 20, 2011
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/mayoral-candidates-try-to-sell-themselves-tochamber/article_09893a99-d4ea-5d69-bc0f-d11fd5bc8742.html
PORTAGE | The two candidates for mayor took center stage Thursday during a forum hosted by the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce.
Incumbent Democrat Olga Velazquez and challenger Republican James Snyder tried to promote themselves to some 140 people attending the luncheon at Woodland Park.
Velazquez told the group her accomplishments during her first term, citing the hiring of Mark Becker as police chief, a decline in crime, investments in infrastructure and road improvements. She also listed the businesses that have come to the city or expanded operations including Fronius, Greycor and NLMK.
Snyder also outlined his accomplishments of the past four years as senior loan officer for First Financial Trust Mortgage, saying his company survived the mortgage crisis and worked to keep "between 75 and 100" Portage families from loosing their homes to foreclosure.
While Velazquez and Snyder shook hands before a round of questioning, they took subtle jabs at each other at the podium.
Snyder's outline of his past four years of service to the community was in response to a recent flier sent by Velazquez comparing her community service to his.
He even quipped that when his children were old enough, they'd join the Porpoise Swim Club so he could list that on his resume.
Velazquez also used the venue to retort some of Snyder's recent comments and claims.
"The University Center is not a place that will bring in riffraff. It is a place to prepare people for the workforce," said Velazquez, responding to Snyder's comments on Wednesday that it is inappropriate to locate WorkOne in the city's downtown.
She also shared quotes from various developers who have located within the city during her tenure lauding the city's amenities and favorable business climate to show the city is "business friendly," rebutting comments from Snyder that the present administration is unfriendly towards business.
The two also were asked about their management styles.
"What gets monitored gets done," said Velazquez, adding she believes in setting goals and objectives and people being responsible to meet those requirements.
"I'm more of a delegator. I believe in surrounding myself with the best people," Snyder said.
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