By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
John Schultz was elected mayor of Decatur in 2007 and one has to wonder if he had some serious second thoughts early on.
He had served four terms on city council, but it’s difficult to imagine those 16 years on council could have completely prepared him for what was looming.
As John began as mayor on January 1 of 2008, so, too, was the Great Recession just beginning.
There were some tough decisions to be made early on, and the decisions – mostly reductions here and there – became tougher and more frequent as Schultz’s first term wore on.
“His decisiveness, determination and steady hand led the city through times of adversity, such as when the economy was in recession and the city’s financial stability was at risk …” Tim Baker said, reading from a resolution presented and approved at Tuesday night’s meeting of Decatur City Council.
Schultz died Oct. 24.
Baker, who as city attorney worked with John during his years on council and then his eight years as mayor, composed and read the resolution prepared to honor the former mayor at the meeting.
Several members of John’s family were on hand, including wife Brenda, son Mike, and daughters Becky Ruble and Lisa Mills.
The resolution also pointed out that Schultz “fought to keep in Decatur hundreds of Fleetwood jobs which were in peril; and when infrastructure improvements were needed but funding was insufficient.”
Then there was the time when a water main ruptured during an ice storm which forced the draining of water towers and the possible fire and water emergency. And when the city experienced severe residential and downtown basement flooding.
“In each instance,” Baker read, “John rose to the occasion and led our city with skill, common sense and good judgment.”
Well remembered by this writer was the night Coni Mayer and Greg Mendez came before Mayor Schultz and city council to pitch an unusual idea they had: a sculpture tour.
It was an idea embraced by the mayor and council, and the mayor jumped right in to take part in planning and moving the idea forward.
Now, 14 years later, the sculpture tour attracts artists from numerous states and visitors from many areas of the nation.
His efforts on behalf of the annual sculpture tour was just one of the ways John demonstrated that “he felt it was his duty to move the city forward,” it was explained.
“He appointed the Greater Decatur Committee to help identify necessary or desired public projects that would transform Decatur,” according to the resolution. “He encouraged pursuit of Stellar Community designation and the creation of Decatur Main Street.
“His guidance led to the blueprint relied upon over the last 15 years to make Decatur the vibrant community it is today. His efforts, and of those who worked with him, are evident today and will continue to be felt by generations to come.”
The resolution underscores John’s belief in Decatur and his belief in its people. He loved various community events, such as the Kekionga Festival, Highland Games, Callithumpian time and so much more.
“He loved being out and visiting with so many during these events,” the resolution says. “It is little wonder that he seemed to know everyone in Decatur. He loved Decatur and it showed.”
Although his efforts were great, the resolution notes that John was “always the first to acknowledge that improvements were made only because of the support of the Common Council, the hard work of city employees, and the efforts of hundreds of volunteers.”
It says, too, that John heard too often from high school students and young adults that there was nothing here for them, nothing to do, and that they couldn’t wait to leave.
“John was determined to change that attitude. He recognized that if the city were to flourish in the future, retaining the next generation of leaders was essential,” the resolution states.
He supported the creation of more jobs, was an avid supporter of the hospital and schools “and supported efforts to improve the qualify of life of those who called Decatur home.
“He believed that if job opportunities were available, if the city was a safe community and full of life, and if excellent health care and access to a quality education were available, the city could give our children and grandchildren a reason to stay.”
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