Democratic mayoral candidate Jim Mansfield says he wants to focus on the needs of the entire Muncie community.
Mansfield said this is his first year running for the position of mayor.
A Muncie native, Mansfield serves as the executive director of the Muncie Visitors Center for six years, he said.
He earned an associate's degree at a technical school before attending Ball State University, but family obligations prevented him from finishing his general business degree, he said.
When Mansfield came to Ball State in September to speak at the Political Speaker Series he said he decided to run for mayor because he saw the good times of Muncie, but he also saw some difficult times.
"I think we can bring it back to the glory days of the past."
One issue Mansfield considers important is economic development, he said.
"The industrial base of this town has left and won't be coming back anytime soon," he said. "We need to bring businesses in the fields of technology and bioscience. With those businesses will come jobs for the members of this community."
Mansfield also plans to fill the need for better sidewalks and water drains in order to keep the city in good condition and to improve the quality of the local fire and police departments, he said.
To achieve these goals, Mansfield proposes filling potholes, repaving sidewalks, implementing a more effective sewage system and hiring sound professionals in public safety departments, he said.
Bridging the divide between the Muncie community and Ball State is also part of the plan, Mansfield said.
"I want to collaborate more with the university," he said. "We need to utilize the talents and perspectives of the students, faculty and staff to help keep the community moving forward."
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