Washington Mayor David Abel, who is running for re-election in November against Democrat Larry Haag, asked for support and gave the faithful a synopsis of what he and Clerk-Treasurer Elaine Wellman have done.

“We started off with a financial crisis,” Abel said. “We didn’t have enough money coming in to pay utility loans to pay for our utilities.

“The last three years we’ve been buying stuff that I bought 20 years ago as mayor. We bought a line truck, two bucket trucks, three backhoes and a packer truck. It just seems like deja-vu,” Abel later added.

The incumbent said the city, through its managers and workers, have come through in times of crisis. Abel mentioned five water mains breaking at the same time, snow and the winds of April 2006 as times when the city has come together.

“We have done more than come together in a crisis though, we have looked ahead,” Abel said. “Four years ago, we talked about renewing hope and we have been.”

Those steps Abel mentioned include the Vision and Values Network, workforce development, economic development with county government at the Westgate@Crane tech park and Olon Industries and new development at B-W Services.

“We have a vision that our community is going to be a better place,” Abel said. “And it’s going to be based upon people making themselves better, being more responsible, doing all the things we know people need to do. That’s the vision we have for our community and I need your help to get that done. I want to keep doing it because it’s important and it means a lot to the people who are still struggling to get them the help they need.”

Introduced by Murrie were city council candidates Ralph Brummett and James Jones, at-large incumbents; Allen Brown, District 2 candidate; Jackson Phelps, District 3 candidate; Jeremy Wimmenauer, District 4 candidate and John Dosch, District 5 candidate.

Former County Council member John Myers was recognized after his many years of service as county and District 8 chairman. Past county party officers Loretta Kendall, Carolyn Newton and Marcella Flint were also honored for their service.

The Helen M. Jones award, given annually for outstanding service and dedication, went to former Daviess County Sheriff Everett Beasley.