With only a week left until Election Day, Muncie's mayoral candidates are hitting the pavement in the final stretch of the campaign trail.
Incumbent Republican candidate Sharon McShurley and Democrat Dennis Tyler are squeezing in face time with potential voters in preparation for the municipal elections on Nov. 8 by walking door to door.
"I like walking because not only are you getting the word out about the campaign, but as mayor, you have a better way of learning about problems in the community," McShurley said. "You can then take what you learn and go over it at City Hall."
McShurley said she plans to continue walking throughout local neighborhoods spreading the word of her campaign up until the election, with a large door-to-door blitz Saturday.
Tyler spent part of Monday at the Scramble Light handing out cups of coffee and talking to Ball State students. Tyler will go to Muncie Southside High School on Wednesday.
"Anytime now that I can talk to a group of people, that's what I'm doing," Tyler said.
The candidate shook hands and answered questions from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday at a tent set up by University Democrats.
"We wanted to get students to know Dennis a little more and to stress the importance of local elections," Nolan Born, University Democrats president, said. "I can't tell you how many times I've heard people complain about the city of Muncie. I just tell them that's why they need to get involved in these local elections: to bring good people in office so they can bring good, fun things to Muncie."
Tyler said when he isn't going door-to-door, he's calling people from his office.
McShurley spent Monday afternoon visiting residents in the Morningside neighborhood on the east side of town. Debbie Irwin, McShurley's campaign manager, said that by the election, the mayor and her team will have walked almost the entire city twice.
"Walking is great," Irwin said. "The response is very positive, and we find new sign locations every day. People are usually very surprised people when they see the mayor knocking on the door, but they are happy to share their thoughts."
Tyler said talking with potential voters is crucial during the final week before voting begins.
"There's always still a pocket of voters that haven't made their minds up yet," he said. "There are some that wait [un]til the last day or next to last day sometimes to make their mind up."
Dennis Tyler:
Served as a Line Captain for the Muncie Fire Department before retiring after 42 years of service
State legislator for District 34 for five years
Served on Statehouse committees for veteran's affairs, public safety, employment labor, pensions, and roads and transportation
Worked with other legislators in the areas of autism and government reform
Sharon McShurley:
Focused on issues such as with economic development and bringing new jobs to our community during term
Worked with local and state officials and chamber economic development staff
Spent term eliminating both the residential and industrial urban blight
Created roughly 1,200 jobs through Brevini Wind, Progress Rail, Sallie Mae and Magna Powertrain
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