At 4 p.m. on Friday, before the big Memorial Day weekend, Mayor Frank Manus was still in his office answering calls.

“It’s four and everybody leaves, but Frank, he’s still here. Frank’s here from seven a.m. until who knows when,” Manus said with a chuckle.

Even though everybody was already gone, he was still fielding calls lighting up his telephone because he just can’t stay away, he said.

He wants Greensburg to grow and to do that, he said, it takes time and lots of work.

“A city has to grow and if it goes the other way, you have a problem,” he noted.

Manus is still working with lawyers for Honda in the hopes the auto manufacturer decides to plant its roots in the county. He acknowledged fielding inquiries this week about utility services and he knows they have begun to scrutinize the sites a little harder, which Manus finds hopeful.

“Things are still looking pretty good with the Honda thing,” the Mayor said. “We got plenty of people who need jobs so we won’t have any problems filling their labor needs. Whether (the plant) goes west of town or east, I don’t care as long as it comes here.”

Manus feels his city has plenty of good qualities to attract Honda or any other major corporation which may want to locate here. With a theater, three golf courses, a “great” hospital, “top-notch” Learning Center and many others amenities, he feels Greensburg’s case is pretty strong.

“As for safety, you can’t go to a town any safer than Greensburg. We have a great police department, fire department, street department,” Manus said. “We have a lot of things to offer. For a small city, I just don’t think you can beat us. The location is key and I’m keeping positive.”

Despite his optimism, he still encourages people in the community to continue to show their support, whether through the letter-writing campaign sponsored by the Economic Development Corporation or by participating in the scheduled activities. Manus will be on the courthouse lawn Wednesday with others to spell out Honda and show the company the community means business.

Manus also encourages people to join him at South Park Cemetery at 10 a.m., Monday for the Memorial Day Service. Since many will have the day off, he hopes they will come and pay their respects to the veterans.

“These people served their country and that’s the least we can do is to go out and honor them. It’s amazing how many veterans pass away every year,” he said. “If you see a World War II veteran, pat them on the shoulder because they may not be there later and you’ll feel sorry you didn’t.”

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