Mayoral candidate Dennis Tyler — a state representative for Muncie and East Central Indiana — hit the streets this weekend to talk to people who could be his new constituents.
The Democratic candidate talked with people about public safety, police patrolling and neighborhood improvements. He said going door to door is his preferred way to campaign.
"It is probably the most enjoyable part of campaigning to be honest with you," Tyler said. "I just like that personal contact, that personal one-on-one conversation that you get with your constituents. When they're talking to you, they're taking time to talk to you, and that it means something to them."
Tyler has been walking around Muncie and taking phone calls to try to gain last minute votes in the final days leading up to the elections.
He said many of the questions he's been asked relate to public safety and police patrolling. Other questions have dealt with the neighborhoods he has been walking, like 20th Street on the southeast side of Muncie.
"The area that we were walking in was the area that had lost their fire station [because] the mayor took that fire station away from them, and they were very adamant that they would like to have that fire station reopened ...," he said. "The money is in the budget, so they felt like they deserved fire protection [and] police protection."
During an hour of campaigning on Saturday, only three people answered their doors when Tyler knocked.
"It is one last way for you to have an opportunity to get to meet and talk to [constituents, and] for them to know that when you're out walking their neighborhoods that you care about those neighborhoods and you care about them," he said. "That's why [we're] out there."
Some Muncie locals feel Tyler could be a change that could benefit Muncie. Anna Borrero, 39, said she hasn't seen much change during Mayor Sharon McShurley's term since Borrero moved to Muncie from California more than two years ago.
"I just think more will be done for the people of Muncie," she said. "I think more especially where we live on the south side, nothing gets done. I think with a change of power there will be more done on the south side."
Tyler said he will continue to campaign until elections begin on Tuesday.
"We've walked a lot of blocks these past couple of days, and we'll do the same thing again [Monday]."
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