Mansfield Mayor gives optimistic report at clergy meeting

MANSFIELD — Despite the wintry mix last week, twenty-three area pastors met with Mansfield Mayor Timothy Theaker to discuss corporate vision for the city.   During the luncheon, the Mayor thanked the clergy for their efforts involving 150 congregations who recently declared the New Year as the “Year of the Bible.”

Theaker was pleased to report that crime in the City of Mansfield is at its lowest levels in twenty years.

“These statistics have a lot to do with what you do in the faith community and with what all of our collective ongoing efforts in the community have been able to accomplish,” said Theaker.

To illustrate the ongoing efforts, Theaker discussed the Opiate Response Team which utilizes team players in the faith community, in Mental Health and Recovery Services, and in law enforcement who reach out to incarcerated drug offenders.

With less crime, Theaker commented that several local investors have publicly stated they feel comfortable developing in the downtown since they feel the area is safe.  Part of this can be attributed to the city, in cooperation with the Land Bank, demolishing 700 of the 2,500 structures identified as urban blight. 

Also discussed were the prospects of several local employers who are announcing additional job creation in the near future and several multi-million dollar investments is expansion plans.

“With an unemployment rate dropping to 4.5 % and a $4 million dollar rainy day fund that has accrued since the City was taken off fiscal emergency in 2014, tomorrow is sure to look brighter than yesterday,” Theaker told the clergy.

Also during the luncheon, the Mayor delivered a proclamation honoring Reverend Jerry Laudermilk who is moving to Knoxville, Tennessee to be closer to family and to begin a new chapter in ministry. 

Theaker proclaimed “Jerry Laudermilk Day” for January 24th “In recognition of the exemplary service Laudermilk has provided to the citizens of this community and in recognition and appreciation of his efforts to make this community a better place to live, work, worship, and raise a family.”

According to retired Pastor Kim Maurer, Communications Facilitator of the informal Brown Bag Clergy Group, Laudermilk will be sorely missed. 

“Jerry had so many good relationships with area pastors in his fifteen years here, he really had a heart for the community.”

According to Reverend El Akuchie of the Richland Community Prayer Network, Laudermilk was the chief catalyst behind the “Light our City” outreach program in the Greater Mansfield area. 

“The program was so successful locally; there were communities in the nations of South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe who tried to replicate it.”

Between 2013-2016 the “Light our City” outreach at its peak involved 300 volunteers and 45 local churches cooperating together to assist schools, impoverished neighborhoods, city parks and service agencies.

“I will miss working with all of you and will miss all of the faithful at Abundant Life Tabernacle.  There were a lot of good memories here, you guys (clergy) really have something special in this community.”

As a gesture of support, local philanthropist Greg Boyd of Modern Woodmen of America provided lunch for the attending clergy and lunches for the second-shift police department.