GREENFIELD – As the Democratic candidate running to become Greenfield’s next mayor, Nate Anderson has been told more than once that the city has leaned predominantly Republican over the last several years. Yet he remains hopeful given the amount of support he’s received on the campaign trail in recent months.
“It’s very energizing,” said Anderson, 36.
“At the Riley Days parade recently, as we approached Main Street and State Street, there was audible cheering and applause when we came through. I think that speaks volumes,” he said.
Anderson, a school resource officer for Franklin Township schools, has been spending the bulk of his free time canvassing neighborhoods and knocking on doors, getting his name out there and sharing his plan for the future of Greenfield.
“We canvased over 1,000 homes. We are out in the community as much as possible trying to talk to people and putting the work in,” he said. “We’ve had a handful of naysayers, people that don’t appreciate us, and that’s fine, but we’ve been having a lot more warm welcomes than anything else.”
While he’s never run for political office before, Anderson said he’s passionate about taking the city in a positive direction.
“I think I’m the best candidate for the job because I am the only one who has published a plan for the city, which I call ‘Greenfield 2050 and Beyond,’” he said.
He refers voters to his website to learn more about his ideals and vision for the city, which he has called home for the past 12 years.
Anderson moved to Greenfield in 2011 after taking a job helping at-risk youth at the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy in Knightstown. Greenfield was a good halfway point between work, family and friends, he said.
It didn’t take long to fall in love with the city, said Anderson.
“I love the small-town little charms it offers. The pace is different, too, compared to Indianapolis. Here at a four-way intersection, people want to be courteous and wave you on,” he said. “I like the quietness of it, how people are very courteous.”
Anderson was raised by a single mom in Indianapolis and graduated from Franklin Central High School in 2006.
After graduation, he joined the Army Reserve and eventually served nearly 13 months in Iraq.
He later joined the National Guard, where he still serves.
Anderson got into law enforcement in 2010 as a reserve officer and has been a school resource officer the past four years.
He said it would be bittersweet to resign from his job if elected mayor, but he feels it’s a role in which he could excel.
“I want to run because I believe in responsible growth, and I believe in the city,” he said.
He recalls a time as a middle schooler when his school system was running classes out of temporary trailers, and he fears the city of Greenfield might be on the cusp of a similar scenario, where growth has surpassed capacity.
“I kind of foresee that we could be on the brink of that happening here, so we need to plan accordingly to make sure we work in partnership with the school district and stakeholders so our infrastructure can keep up with the growth,” he said, including utilities and essential services like police and fire protection.
“I’m trained in strategy and tactics and operations … I know I’m the best candidate to lead the city forward,” he said.
Anderson said he feels the three most important issues facing the city are responsible growth, rebranding downtown and diversifying the local economy.
“All three of those go hand in hand,” he said.
Responsible growth includes strategically thinking about what businesses to bring into the city, he said, “without having to give out a bunch of tax abatements.”
Rebranding downtown would include maintaining the area’s historic charm while promoting it as a walkable, accessible district, he added.
Diversifying the economy means bringing in the right mix of big businesses and mom and pop shops to give Greenfield residents the options they want in their own backyards.
“If we develop an environment where people can not only live here but spend their money there, that’s what people want. They don’t have to drive to Indianapolis or Fortville McCordsville to spend their money when we can have the same stuff here,” he said. “The small mom and pop shop is the foundation for communities like ours, intermixed with major industries that offer innovation and advancement. We have the perfect location for that here, given we have two major thoroughfares that drive straight through us, and our cost of living is really good,” he said.
For more information on Anderson’s platform as a candidate for mayor, visit Nate4mayor.com
