Larry K Kleeman

Democratic

Running For: Tell City Common Council, District 1

Short Bio / Message from the Candidate:

My parents instilled in me a love of family, a hard work ethic, and a passion for public service. That is the foundation for my campaign to continue serving the people of Tell City as a member of the City Council.

I reside in Tell City with my wife Sharon. We are the parents of five (5) children, grandparents of ten (10) and great grandparents of three (3). I’m a graduate of Tell City High School and Indiana State University with a Degree in Business Administration and Economics. I was a member of the Indiana Army National Guard, graduation from the Indiana Military Academy as a Second Lieutenant, serving in Charlie Company in Tell City as an Infantry and Mortar Platoon Leader achieving the rank of First Lieutenant prior to my honorable discharge.

I started my employment career as a Caseworker in 1970 with the Perry County Department of Public Welfare and was promoted to Director of the Department in 1971. I joined Lincoln Hills Development Corporation (LHDC) as a Deputy Director in 1976 becoming Executive Director /CEO in 1980 and serving in that capacity unit until my retirement December 31, 2015. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lincoln Hills, I oversaw 140 employees who provided services in 10 counties and 30 locations to approximately 7,000 people annually with an annual operation budget of around $14 million.

During my Tenure the Head Start Early Childhood Development Pre-School program grew from serving 60 children annually to 371 children in Crawford, Harrison, Perry and Spencer Counties. I also initiated and developed 615 housing units in 21 different locations including the Indiana Cotton Mill. The Cotton Mill constructed in 1949, located in Cannelton, was vacant for nearly three decades when Lincoln Hills was invited in 1998 by the Perry County Chamber of Commerce to get involved. The building was on the top ten (10) most endangered Historic buildings of being lost. I was successful in securing a variety of tax credits, equity investments, grants, and loan to preserve this Nation Historic Landmark and converted to 70 apartment units that opened in 2002.

I have served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including Perry County Habitat for Humanity and the Tell City-Troy Township School Board. I have received numerous awards including the staff member of the year award from the Indiana Association of Community and Economic Development in 2005, a Distinguished Hoosier award in 2007, and a Sagamore of the Wabash award in 2014.

In 2019 the voters in Ward 1, elected me to represent them on the City Council and I officially began my duties in January 2020. In addition to serving on the City Council, I represent the Council as a member of the Tell City Advisory Plan Commission, and I also serve on the Tell City Water Board. I have the abilities and talents to serve the people of Tell City in a fair, responsive, and common-sense manner. Based in Tell City, I have spent my entire career working in Perry County and throughout Southern Indiana with people of diverse backgrounds, from all Political Parties, to improve the quality of life.

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