Mayor-elect Osborne: 'Decatur is tremendous'

Yet those who attended the Small Business Breakfast where he spoke didn't seem to notice, congratulating Osborne with a standing ovation at the beginning of his speech and rising once again at the end.They heard of his affection for Decatur and how he has seen that love of the city mirrored in the number of people he has spoken to during his campaign. Now all that's left is to get that positive message past the city's boundaries, prompting others to love Decatur, too, he said."I've been pumped up by what I've seen," Osborne said at the breakfast, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce for Decatur and Macon County. "I will enjoy being mayor because I'm mayor of a city that I love."Osborne, who is the editor and publisher of the Decatur Tribune, will take office on May 1. He was elected with 67 percent of the vote over David Butts. Also elected to the city council on Tuesday were newcomer Mike McElroy and incumbents Michael Carrigan and Pat Laegeler.In the city, 15,524 ballots were cast Tuesday. Macon County Clerk Steve Bean said the turnout was about average in comparison with previous years. The 2001 election had a turnout of 14,136. The 1999 election - which included a Decatur School District referendum- had a turnout of 17,125. The last highly contested mayoral and city council races were in 1995 and brought 17,769 residents to the polls.On Wednesday, congratulatory flowers decorated the front desk of the Tribune's office, and calls from well-wishers came in steadily all day. With Election Day behind him, Osborne plans to meet soon with current Mayor Terry Howley to get filled in on his routine. He'll also meet with city staff to orient himself even more with the issues facing the city.But during his yearlong campaign, Osborne said, he already learned a lot.The Decatur Fire Department has the same number of employees it did 30 years ago, he said, but it's able to respond to calls in the same way.He learned Decatur doesn't deserve a reputation of having a high crime rate, because it's not higher than other communities. Osborne also realized how much small business is growing, and there's a work force ready and willing to work that stays in Decatur because they want to be here."These kinds of things need to be told, and a mayor needs to tell those things," Osborne said. "It's not just my campaign or my city - it's our city. I will work with you in showing what we have in Decatur is tremendous."Many residents weren't surprised at the news Osborne emerged from the election victorious. Mary Heckert, 81, said she opened her morning paper and found the results to be as she predicted."He should be all right - he's a local boy," said John Fitzgerald, 67. "I think he's honest and he'll tell you what he thinks."Others said it didn't really matter who filled the mayor's seat - they'd be waiting to see results."One is as good as another," said Tom Matteson, 70. He wants to see the new council do better at managing the city's budget and completing such projects as filling "Howley's hole" at the 300 block of North Water Street with new development.Alan Noon, owner of Alan Noon's Decatur Buick-GMC, would like Osborne to work on attracting new business to the community."He has the experience not only because of the newspaper but the people he's met in the last 35 years," Noon said. "Paul is a very genuine person. You know you're getting the real deal."Jerry Furby, vice president and area manager for National City's small-business banking, agreed.While listening to his speech, he was impressed Osborne was so quick to compliment his opponents in Tuesday's election as well as the February primary. He also saw the passion which the city's upcoming leader will bring to the job."I could feel the emotion," he said of Osborne's speech. "Paul will lead us to that next level. He's got the skills, he's got the knowledge and he's got the personality."Lead writer Amy Hoak can be reached at 421-7972.