City Spotlight on Auburn: Get to Know the Mayor

Mayor Linda Blechinger’s journey began back in 2005 while she served as a volunteer for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Then council-member Billy Parks suggested Blechinger run for his seat as he sought to pursue a run for county commission. After much prayer and discussion with her family, the Auburn wife and mother not only ran in her first political election, but won.

“During that time period, the city was going through a visioning process to see what the citizens desired our city to look like in the near and distant future,” Blechinger said. “When I saw the enthusiasm for building our city and the vision for our city begin to take shape, I got excited … really excited. I started exploring other cities that had recently undergone redevelopment. I travelled all over the state visiting and asking questions and took many classes on government, economic development, transportation, etc. I guess you could say I not only saw the vision but a road map to achieve the vision. I was asked to run for mayor. My husband, Dan — my biggest supporter — said, ‘You were made for this.’ I ran and won! And so, here I am!”

Since becoming mayor, Blechinger has found that her love of people and community has come in very handy. Some of her favorite parts of the job involve the opportunity to serve side-by-side with what she deems an incredible council and staff and to see the vision she shares with them and the residents of Auburn come to pass, even in light of a difficult economy.

“I believe when times are difficult, Americans rise to the occasion — we evaluate, we dream and then we do,” Blechinger said. “Auburn is representative of all small towns in America. We are a community, we care for each other, we help each other, we work together, we build together!”

While her current term is up later this year and she reflects on her accomplishments over the past four years, Blechinger still has much she wishes to accomplish and has high hopes that the city of Auburn will call upon her once again to serve. Under the watch of the mayor and council, a greater emphasis has been placed on the arts, community events and infrastructure improvements to date. She wishes to continue to improve economic development for the city she loves.

“Auburn has a lot to offer,” she said. “We continue to seek grants and opportunities to bring housing choices and businesses to Auburn. My goal is to even out the tax base a bit. Right now the city relies too much on ad valorem taxes. We need more commercial and retail — so we will be concentrating on restaurants and small entrepreneurial shops, as well as businesses that can utilize the rail. We have been methodical in putting what we needed in place in order to spur on economic development. We have accomplished a lot in the past four years but it is just the beginning!”

Mayor Linda Blechinger lives in Auburn with her husband Dan and son David.

Check back every Monday for a new City Spotlight on Auburn.