By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Business man and lifelong St. Joseph resident John Josendale announced his candidacy for St. Joseph mayor at Pronto Cafe on Wednesday.
Josendale worked at Wire Rope and WireCo for more than 47 years, serving as senior vice president and global director of marketing and business development.
It's this business experience, Josendale says, that has taught him to make difficult decisions and work with people from all sorts of backgrounds and beliefs.
"I've negotiated contracts from all over the world," he said. "I've negotiated with all types of people. I think that brings a lot to the table. I have seen what it takes to grow a company and bring a company back from ashes."
Josendale listed several priorities he would address as mayor, including infrastructure, public safety, business development and keeping people in St. Joseph, following the recent decline in census numbers.
He says it starts with better communication and less partisanship.
"I think that's the direction we need to go," Josendale said. "The partisan politics I see today is very disturbing to me. I hate it. I'm proud to say I'm conservative and am proud to move forward with that. But, I just want to work with both sides."
Josendale joins St. Joseph Community Action Partnership Executive Director Whitney Lanning as the second person to announce their candidacy for mayor.
Josendale was asked to compare his campaign and his ideas to hers, but for now, he's only focused on what he can bring to the table.
"I want to run my campaign on my background on my business experience on what I can do different for St. Joe," he said.
Current Mayor Bill McMurray, elected in April 2018, says he is not running for another term. Candidates can pick up petitions at the city clerk’s office, which are due no later than Nov. 23.
Josendale criticized current city leadership for spending too much time debating issues rather than working to get things done. Again, Josendale referenced his business experience - something he believes can help bring welcome changes and stability to city hall.
"I'm running for mayor, because I believe that I can bring my business experience and produce new and better leadership for our city," Josendale said. "I hope people join me in this campaign to move St. Joseph forward."
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