HOPE — When Frank Owens first came to Hope last spring to interview for the position of town manager, he made a point of driving around to see what he might be getting himself into.
“I was just like …’wow’!” the 53-year-old Anderson native said regarding the well-maintained and attractive town of 2,200 residents.
Owens is especially impressed with the Yellow Trail Museum at the corner of Main and Jackson streets.
“My mouth just dropped open,” Owens said. “I was like a kid in a candy store because I love history. And you don’t usually find those types of resources until you get to a city the size of Indianapolis.”
He also researched the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp., and learned it is considered one of the better-ranked school corporations of it’s size in the state, he said.
After being chosen from 50 other applicants, the new town manager says he is still finding a good deal of satisfaction after serving six weeks on the job.
“This is my fourth governmental role, and out of those four roles, being town manager of Hope is No. 1 — mainly because of the pride of community among the residents,” Owens said. “It’s amazing the number of folks I’ve run into that have lived in Hope their entire lives that are genuinely happy.”
After working administrative jobs in cities like Indianapolis and Anderson, Owens said the pride in history among Hope residents is something he has never seen in any other community.
One specific town leader that the new town manager lauded after working with her for six weeks was clerk-treasurer Diane Burton.
“Hope has done a tremendous job in balancing their books and keeping things in good shape,” he said.
Owens said he is also impressed at how low the crime rate is Hope is, compared to his hometown of Anderson. He also noted how members of the police department headed by town marshal Matt Tallent are willing to pitch in to do whatever needs to be done.
As town manager, Owens’ top priority will be economic development.
Another key responsibility will be seeking grant funds, as well as being both prepared and available if economic development possibilities arise, council vice-president Clyde Compton said.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
