Although Mayor Chris Martin once said in a Talk of the Town radio interview that he wanted to bring more housing to Logansport that is not "subsidized", his latest venture has not reflected his intentions.

The Logansport City Council is moving forward with his "Storyville Flats" project, which will generate only $7,400 in payments annually in lieu of property taxes for the first 15 years of its existence. In contrast, the Logan Square apartments completed funded and completed during the Kitchell Administration prior to Martin added 40 units and now generates six times the amount Storvyille Flats will -- $42,000 annually -- which will go to more levels of government than just the city. Storyville has 74 units, but unlike Logan Square, will not be located downtown. It will be built in the city's overgrown property at One General Street which formerly housed Trelleborg and generate one-sixth revenue. This project also is subsidized with federal tax credits and has fixed rents.

Logansport native Mike Petrie indicated during the previous mayoral campaign that he would bring additional housing to downtown if Martin did not return to office, but Martin won a second term with less than 50 percent of the vote.

Martin also has struggled with finding additional development for Dunwoody Park. Other than the Lexington Village project which began in the two previous administrations, his only housing start has involved Habitat for Humanity's house across the street from Tower Park.

These housing and tax issues are among the reasons why we implore local residents to sign our petition and share it with friends. Thank you for caring about our city.