Wabash, Indiana

11 counties to one million people by the year 2025. So, everybody’s working collaboratively on different levels of government to get that done.” Regarding the city’s infrastructure needs, Long says the following: “The most important assets to a city are often not seen. The underground pipes that convey wastewater and stormwater are some of the most important assets my city has. They are not “sexy” and if they are out of sight, they are out of mind to your citizens! However, if that infrastructure fails, it really gets the citizens’ attention. We are in the process of a Long Term Control Plan and are gearing up for the 3rd phase of 4 phases of mandated sanitary and storm line separations. This is a continuous process that I have kept pushing the ball on during my first three years in office.” Sustainability is also on Long’s agenda. “My administration has taken a closer look at all aspects within the City of Wabash concerning sustainability,” he states. “Since my first visit to the Accelerating Indiana Municipalities (AIM) Summit in 2016, I have been interested in how we, as a city, can do better. So, we completed two separate energy audits to see if there were other areas where we could save money. The only finding on both was to replace an antiquated boiler in our Police Department. We budgeted for that and completed the installation of high efficiency gas furnaces to replace the boiler system. And, of course, we have begun converting street lighting to LED at every opportunity. And any future building renovations will be done eco-friendly and green for as long as I remain in office.” Currently, Wabash is awaiting the potential assignment of an intern from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs to come in and work on a variety of sustainable and green projects. “My hope is I can get a graduate student from the University’s SPEA program to assist us to identify some of the things that we can do, economically,” Long remarks. Education is a particularly important agenda item, as well. “I work closely with our school system; I believe that our educational system is going to be the foundation for our community, pictured Charley Creek Falls at Wabash City Park