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.
But in order to attract new jobs or help existing businesses expand, a community has to increase their amenities and infrastructure, Owens said. He believes Hope needs to increase housing, especially for families and retired residents.
"I’ve seen about six to eight houses come on the market," Owens said. "But all but two were sold within three days."
The new town manager says he believes Hope also needs to add recreational outlets like bicycle or walking trails that are known to attract new business, he said.
After serving as town manager for Ingalls (a town similar in size to Hope in Madison County), Owens knows some small town residents are not fond of change. While understanding the sentiment, he says an unwillingness of a community to evolve will create problems.
"You can keep your history, as well as the small town feel," Owens said. "But you have to be willing to grow and evolve a bit, or your community will die. If you try to stay completely the same, it can bring a sense of complacency, and make your surroundings seem dull or mundane."
The town isn’t looking for one large employer to come to Hope. They would rather attract about a dozen smaller companies with maybe 10 to 20 employees each, he said.
"If we did that, we would increase a lot of shopping opportunities and other amenities," Owens said.
Those same sentiments about Hope have also been expressed by Bartholomew County Commissioner Carl Lienhoop, who represents the area.
Hope needs not only short-term planning for current residents, but also long-term planning for the generations that are yet to come, Owens said.
"You have to be able to think 50 years from today, and ask yourself: ‘What do we want Hope to look like?" Owens said. "I want to see folks still living here, as well as a vibrant school system and businesses that help support the community.
As the town prepares to update it’s comprehensive plan for the future and Owens begins making proposals, he emphasized that he will always remember an unelected town manager serves at the pleasure of the town council.
However, it’s up to the council to remember that a town manager serves the entire council — not just an individual, he said.
"In Ingalls, at times, certain council members thought they were the dictator and you were supposed to carry out their edicts without consulting other council members," Owens said. "I believe if the council makes a decision about something they want me to do, I will absolutely follow that edict. But I want it to be a consensus."
In the past six weeks, there has been no sign of dictatorial behavior from any of the five council members. As Owens puts it, "the five gentlemen on the council are indeed gentlemen."
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Frank Owens ” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 53
Hometown: Anderson
Education: 1986 graduate of Anderson High School. Received undergraduate degree from Purdue University, and completed MBA studies though Ashford University, an online university affiliated with the University of Arizona Global Campus.
Work experience: Ten years with General Motors, former building commissioner with the City of Anderson, director of strategic development with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and former town manager for Ingalls in Madison County.
Children: Emily, 23, and Ashlynn, 15.
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