01282015 - News Article - Snyder announces bid for second term as Portage mayor

Snyder announces bid for second term as Portage mayor
NWI Times
January 28, 2015
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/snyder-announces-bid-for-second-term-as-portage-mayor/article_793a5bad-9f34-53fe-9636-d55028ab9d93.html

PORTAGE | Mayor James Snyder has announced his intentions to seek a second term as Portage's mayor.

Snyder held an event Tuesday evening at Woodland Park to formally announce his re-election campaign.

"Portage has seen accomplishments over the past three years that many, including myself, did not believe possible," Snyder said.

"I am seeking four more years of the best job Portage has to offer and another four-year partnership with the best people in the United States of America, the people of Portage," said Snyder.

Snyder said when he sought the post four years ago he talked about safety, jobs and infrastructure and believes his administration has delivered on each of the issues.

Snyder cited a decrease in the city's crime rate over the last three years, the addition of school resource officers, adding new officers to the street and rebuilding the police department's K-9 unit as some of his administration's accomplishments.

Snyder also said in the last three years hundreds of jobs have been added in the city in retail, commercial and manufacturing and industrial segments.

"2015 will be a record year for Portage. We are on our way to nearly 2,000 jobs with over $300 million in new investments in Portage. New and exciting announcements will be coming that will make us not just the leader in the region, but also the undisputed Chicagoland South Suburban economic leader," said Snyder, adding he will continue to support labor unions.

Snyder also touted his efforts to improve the city's infrastructure, including the new street department facility, projects within the city's parks, improvements in drainage and street paving projects.

Snyder said he will seek a second term to continue the successes of his first term and will continue to push for the new fire station proposed along Central Avenue as well as a new or renovated police station.

In addition, he wants to see a festival at Founder's Square park, an effort to rejuvenate the city's west side and continue redevelopment of the city's U.S. 20 corridor.