Bennett says there are multiple solutions into reducing mass shootings including gun control, schools will have to find other ways to fund capital improvements after a failed referendum, and Terre Haute hosts it's first Pride festival.
On this week’s installment of Ask The Mayor, Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett addresses these issues and more on a Zoom interview. Listen to the full conversation with Indiana Newsdesk anchor Joe Hren by clicking on the play button above, or read some of the questions and answers below. A portion of this segment airs 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. Wednesday on WFIU.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Hren: Let's start with a little post election news, the school referendum didn't pass. How important was that to the school system in Terre Haute and what now?
Bennett: Well, it's a big deal. I thought it was going to be close, I miscalculated on the numbers. And what I would attribute that to is people just kept quiet, so you didn't know where they were coming from and now looking forward, it's going to be a bumpy road. The folks that were opposed to it felt like there wasn't enough transparency with the school corporation, you just hear all this stuff after the election from people and what made them feel uncomfortable about it.
We got to do something with the high schools, I don't think anybody disagrees with the fact that we've got improvements to be made in schools, they just didn't like a second referendum, this one being for capital, when the other was for operations. We want good schools, and good physical facilities, we've got to be able to sell those to people in our community. I'm gonna guess it's going to be smaller bonds on the way; they're going to use some of their federal relief money. So they're circling the wagons and figuring out how to move forward. But as a community, we're going to have to make those investments at some point. I mean, it's inevitable.
Hren: The casino groundbreaking is set for June 21, the Queen of Terre Haute, we've been reporting a $260 million casino hotel. We've been talking about a date for three or four months now. So I bet on your perspective, it's really good to have this in the calendar.
Bennett: I understand that you're reluctant to pick the day because you've got all these hoops, you have to jump through. But I always felt like they were going to get it done in June, we were hopeful it was going to be made. Now it becomes real to people, they're still skeptics out there saying, Is this ever gonna happen? And I answer those questions on a daily basis.
There's a lot of excitement from the casino to come, whether you're a gambler or not, people know that it's going to bring revenue to our community, it's going to bring people, and it's just a real energy boost for us, and economic development driver.
We're working on some traffic related issues right now since they kind of moved to a different spot than the original casino plan. We had to really pick up the pace here. I'm figuring that out. But I'm feeling good.
Hren: In the news we can't ignore the mass shootings, NPR reporting more than 240 mass shootings this year. As a mayor, when you watch this on TV or read about it, what goes through your mind?
Bennett: I feel really good about our school security plan that we put in place here. We're one of the leaders in the state in school resource officers, and I can't even tell you what year that was now, but it was probably back in 2009 or 2010. We have armed officers in every school, some schools have more than one, lockdown of the doors, you have to come through the main entrance, and all those things.
But then every time this happens, especially in a school particular setting, I mean, that's a worst case scenario. When you're talking about kids, you want to be able to send your kids to school and have them be safe. But that doesn't mean something can't happen. We've been hearing over and over again about failures of the system and I hope and pray that never happens here in Terre Haute, but it can. And we've got to learn from this particular scenario.
But then when you step back and look at it, it's almost automatic that some politicians immediately run to the gun control things and others say it's all mental health or something else. It's kind of a combination of a lot of things. And I really do believe COVID has had some impact on the mental health of people, I just don't really believe that it's affecting crime in general. I have no proof of any of that. It's just my gut and my experiences.
I think we need to do more to head off these potential people who are going to commit these crimes. I mean, this kid send out every message in the world and he was gonna do this. How do we do a better job of keeping weapons out of the hands of people like that. And we don't do anything about that.
Hren: You refer to many different things. Do you agree gun control is part of the issue, too?
Bennett: Yeah. I just think that most people who have guns are law abiding citizens. What are we doing about the people that are committing crimes of guns now that turned around and commit other crimes? How many other shootings have happened since Texas, just all around the United States with mass shootings? It's why are they doing that? Why all of a sudden, are we seeing that, let's get to the root of the problem.
And if some of that is background checks, and keeping people from getting weapons, you get through a process. But I think it's important that people still are able to access guns, you want them to protect their families. So after a few more hoops, I'm okay with that. But I really want to focus on the mental health side and try to get some of these people off the streets who are fragile, or could be the next shooter.
Hren: Terre Haute hosted its first Pride festival this past weekend. How did the festival go? And I heard you made a proclamation.
Bennett: It was a huge turnout. That's as big as any other event that I've seen for quite some time, especially after COVID. It's just exciting. Anytime we have festivals, I love getting people out and mingling and doing things that are community. The more different kinds of festivals and events we can have, the better. I want to be able to reach all segments of our community and encourage people to come and be a part of it.
Hren: In talking with Nashville on this show, they are working on a human rights ordinance for their town. Does Terre Haute have anything like that?
Bennett: Yes, we do. And we have a Human Relations Commission here that deals with a lot of issues, discrimination kind of issues and things. So you know, we do a lot in that area. And it's been pretty successful. So whether that goes in the future, I don't know whether we put even more resources in it, but I feel really good about the accomplishments that they've made over the years.
