“Without the leadership of department heads and the dedication of each and every employee, this city would not be in as solid a financial state as we currently enjoy,” he said. “These fine public servants go above and beyond what is required to get the job done.”
He praised the efforts of the City Council for its willingness to confront change and, in particular Clerk-Treasurer Toni Hutchings.
“With Toni’s leadership, we were able to adopt a truly balanced budget for 2009,” he said.
The mayor used the metaphor of the floods of 2008 to show the spirit of unity that has feels has become the trademark of the city in the past year. County and city officials worked together to overcome the problems presented by the disaster of last year.
He praised the “foresight” of the previous administration of Mayor Gary Cook in the receipt of a $200,000 grant from the federal government for flood plan mitigation and pointed to the area hardest hit by the flood in the downtown — the area of the old G&G building — as a symbol of how the city will rebound from disaster.
“My goal is that later this year that open area will be expanded with the demolition of three, perhaps four, of the houses and the entire site dedicated as a new park within the Plymouth Parks and Recreation system,” he said.
Senter pointed out the successes of a new city zoning ordinance, realignment and rethinking of the Aviation Board and the role of the Plymouth Airport, and ongoing improvements in sewer and storm water projects as highlights of the administrations first year.
While the year saw economic development pluses — Aero Safety, and CSpine both beginning expanded or new operations in the city — the topic of development is still prime in the coming year.
“Working with the T2 Committee, we will be looking at the groundbreaking of the Community Resource Center on West Jefferson as well as great strides toward the the Tech Farm and Tech Park,” said Senter.
Bridging cultural gaps, the city’s method of trash pick up and battling methamphetamine will continue to be priority items.
“As your mayor, I am confident we will meet these challenges and more with the ingenuity and adaptability that characterizes us as Hoosiers.”