Ask Mayor Doug Baker a question and you will either get a one liner or a full story. He shifts from humble to 'let me tell you all about that' in a heartbeat depending on the subject. In 2021, if you ask him about himself, he will proudly recall delivering the News-Herald and cleaning out the family owned taxi cabs as a self-proclaimed scrawny kid. "I've had my own money since I was 10," he said proudly. He would also admit that, if that scrawny kid was asked about himself or any other question for that matter, he'd clam up. "I never raised my hand in class," Baker said. It was something he knew he had to overcome. So around ninth grade, the 126-pound Doug Baker got motivated and decided to change his life. He lifted weights and grew stronger. He recalls being challenged to bench 225 pounds a year or so later. "I did it," he said with an almost amazed look in eyes still to this day. After high school he worked a few jobs. He was told he should try to become a police officer and that's what he did. He also took it upon himself to take speaking classes and read about leadership. With new learned personality tools, he quickly showed he had communication and administrative skills. "I'm pretty good at organizing stuff," he said. He became the Franklin Police Department's safety enforcement officer and he climbed the ranks to lieutenant. During the time, Baker would help organize community events through the department. He retired from the police department in 2003 and then a stint with the Venango County sheriff's office before landing in the district attorney's office. He continues to work there part time on several task forces, including elder abuse and DUI, as well as obtains STOP grants to aid the county in its fight to stop violence against women. The mayorr doesn't describe the position as something he slikes per se. "It's not anything I ever intended to do, but I like public service." And being a mayor with limited resources is a trying position. "If we had more money, we could do a lot more faster." He says the residents here are just about taxed out. His service to the community continued when he returned as a councilman in 2004 where he served in that role until becoming mayor in 2010 He is on the Pennsylvania Municipal League Board,which helps him obtain training and ideas, as well as networking with other cities to see what works for them. "Things that help them, might help us," he said. His history in safety leadership has him eying more ways to make the city streets safer. "The goal here is to provide health, safety and general welfare for the community." Looking into ways to slow traffic down has led to speed bumps and new stop signs in neighborhoods, but more can be done he says. Declining neighborhoods present a problem, according to Baker, who wouldn't mind seeing a trade school move into the old Joy building. "Companies wanting to move into an area want you to show a workforce at the ready," he said, adding that young people are just not staying like they used to. Having qualified people at the ready is attractive to industry. "There are no shortage of good ideas." he said. He listens to them all and then tries to see what can be done with the available resources. "I have ideas too," he said. "I represent the people of Franklin," emphasizing their needs are what he focuses on the most. Baker says one of his most important jobs is seeking people for the city's commissions in order bring about so economic growth. He is proud of the work being done but always wants even more. He feels he has more to do in the city and believes fixing things like the playgrounds and making areas like the Heights section more accessible to downtown are good ideas. He believes a lot more can be done to make Franklin even better than what it is now. "It's beautiful here." Baker says those words are what he hears over and over again from visitors. He is proud to be a part of that. So ask Mayor Doug Baker anything and you will hear a story filled with old names and even forgotten places, but if you ask him why he decided to run for a fourth term and you'll likely just get the one liner - "I'm not done yet." | Editor's note: This is one of a two-part look at the candidates waging campaigns for the City of Franklin's mayor. Doug Baker is seeking his fourth term as the city's mayor and he has a challenger in Ryan Rudegeair who is running a write-in campaign after narrowly losing to Baker in the Republican primary by 13 votes. Neither obtained enough votes to be on the democratic ticket. Eight & 322 sat down with both candidates to find out what makes them tick and why they think they should get your vote next week. In the city of Franklin the mayor is basically the voting head of city council made up of six councilors who represent the wards of the city. The mayor is responsible for running meetings and nominating members to the various commissions. The city is run by a city manager who reports to council. Various commissions such as the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development and Franklin Fine Arts are important for the mayoral role in nominating people to the positions. These commissions and boards provide important infrastructure within the city workings and development. The city of Franklin is less than five square miles with a population of a little over 6,000. It is over 95% white. |
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