The three Republican candidates for Mayor are used to having their voices heard and, all of them, want to keep the lines of communication flowing.

Each was part of Monday’s Greensburg Rotary Club’s mayoral platform where the five candidates were given time to present their issues and answer a few questions.

Sandy Biddinger, WTRE station manager, has typically been heard, not seen. She asked everyone in the room to close their eyes for a moment, allowing her voice to carry her message.

“I’m running for Mayor, and when you ask me why, I say why not. And, the more I thought about why not, it was an eye opening experience,” she said.

Biddinger used the opportunity to set herself apart from the other candidates, detailing the decades spent on the other side of the table covering meetings. She suggested using City Hall as a community hub for town hall meeting and cultural events. In addition, she wants to change the face of government in the city.

“I would like to see a fresh approach as to how the issues are handled. It’s important that the leaders - the mayor, City Council, the elected officials - move the city forward,” Biddinger asked. “The city is at the edge of a major growth spurt and we better be prepared to meet that challenge. If we’re going out for progress we can’t stop in the middle.”

Charles Buell has also been accustomed to lending his voice to important decisions in Decatur County as a Commissioner for the last seven years. Buell cited his experience in government, as well as his work in construction, which he feels prepared him for the mayor’s office.

“You are required to be sensitive to the needs of others and work within a budget. I believe I can do the same for the city if elected as Mayor,” Buell said.

Buell said he is committed to listening to people’s concerns and solving issues decisively. He also hopes to expand educational opportunities in order to keep good paying jobs, and the next generation, in the city.

A lifelong resident of the city, Buell said the tower tree is close to his heart.

“My honest desire is to make the city of Greensburg the best place to live,” he stated.

Gary Herbert is also accustomed to hearing his voice echo through local government, but his comes from the right side of the City Council’s chambers. Herbert cited his years as a representative of the fourth district, as well as his years of employment at GECOM and a self-employed business owner, as giving him the experience he needs. He noted his eloquence may not be on par with the others but his decision making ability is solid.

“My vocabulary might not be as good as some people, and they can be a tough act to follow. Through common sense, I use my heart and listen to people’s opinions before I pass judgment,” Herbert said.

He ran for Mayor in 1999, he noted, and since then has gained a wealth of experience. Most important to him is keeping communication open and listening to the opinions of the people. He noted he has a different style of leadership and would couple the voices he heard in the community with the opinions of the City Council to help make decisions and guide Greensburg through the next growth period. However, success, he added, will only come if the whole county is on the same page.

“The next four years will very possibly be the most important for the city, more so than the growth in the ‘80s. We must have a good working relationship with the county officials,” Herbert said. “We must prove to the county we want to work on all the issues. For Greensburg and Decatur County, we must accomplish this for us all to succeed.”