STEVE MELCHER WAS A TRUEÂ Public Servant
Former City Councilmen and County Commissioner Stephen Melcher is married to Anna B Melcher, both graduated from Bosse High School, Stephen in 1966 and Anna in 1967.
He is proud to admit that he has not run a negative campaign in his political career. Though certain moments have more than warranted a less-than-kind rebuttal, he has always remained positive, straight-forward, and to the point. He credits his political success to the fact that people genuinely believe that he can be trusted; a true rarity it seems, in politics today. His motives, policies, and open door policy towards his work have served to earn him the trust of those in the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Melcher encourages his delegates to approach him with questions and concerns as he believes that communication is critical in the process of government.
When asked how he views politics today Melcher simply answered, “There are many politicians, though there are few public servants.†A humble response from a man who comes from humble beginnings. In 1991, Melcher borrowed three thousand dollars in order to make his first run at a city-council seat. He won the election; paid off his loan and later in March 1997 resigned from his Vice-President & Operations Manager position at Ohio Valley Sound a private company. He began working at the Community Action Program of Evansville (C.A.P.E.) a non-profit organization and turned his focus towards his new job, the community, and his responsibilities as a councilman. He credits his 27 years at Ohio Valley Sound as the basis for his understanding towards the fiscal aspects of operating a business and used much of that knowledge during his 17 year career on the city council and during his second term as county commissioner.
During his time on city-council, Melcher focused heavily on improving the infrastructure of the third ward. He fought for and was able to complete extensive drainage renovations to combat the flooding issues that plagued the third ward at that time. Melcher was also able to bring much needed road improvements to the area. Melcher is a firm believer that if something is to be done, it is to be done thoroughly and correctly the first time. When all was said and done, Melcher’s third ward ranked 2nd in the city in storm drainage and 3rd in the city in streets.
In 2008, and after 17 years stay on the city-council, Melcher decided to run for County Commissioner. His motto, “A name that you know, a name that you trust†reflects the high amount of trust that he gained throughout his years in office. Melcher won the election in 2008 and began his first term as County Commissioner. In December, 2011 Melcher retired from his Facilities Director position at C.A.P.E. after 15 years. The year 2012 brought with it the last year of Melcher’s first term as commissioner and he prepared himself for yet another election race. His campaign was again successful and he was elected to his second term in November 2012. Melcher was also appointed to the Area Plan Commission around this time. Melcher has a history of abstaining from voting on any county zoning presented before the commissioners until it is time for the final vote in the Commissioner meeting as he feels that circumstances and new evidence can come up at any time. He is a man that understands the important of facts as well as the difference that a single vote can make.
Melcher is the first to admit that he is one of the most politically balanced office holders in Ev-ansville and Vanderburgh. Though he is part of the Democratic Party, Melcher has a wide range of po-litical views and has been a part of, holds, or has held positions in many community organizations, re-flecting his ability to respect the views of all people that may or may not be a party affiliate. He is a
lifetime member of the following organizations: NAACP, NRA, Evansville African American Museum (Charter Member) and Lake View Optimist club (President). Melcher is also very involved in many neighborhood awareness groups around the city and works closely with National Night Out, the na-tional program famous for heightening crime and drug prevention awareness in neighborhoods across the county.
He considers himself a vital link to his community and is actively involved in neighborhood associa-tions and United Neighborhoods of Evansville, President of the Vanderburgh County Drainage board, member of Fraternal Order of Police Association Lodge # 73, East Side Lions Club, and Indiana Right to Life and Right to Life of Southwest Indiana (Board member and Chairman of the Public Policy com-mittee). He serves on various other County and non-profit boards in our community.
Commissioner Melcher is a 10 year veteran of the military having served three years in the Army at the rank of SP/5 E5 and seven years in the Indiana National Guard at the rank of Sergeant First Class E7. His military involvement led him to become active within the veteran community after his time of service. Melcher is a life member of the Amvets Post 84, American Legion Otis Stone Post 354, and Voiture 471 Forty & Eight. Melcher is currently serving his sixth term as Commander of the Vanderburgh County Veterans Council and upon completion he plans to remain on the Board of Directors as past Pasted Commander.
Commissioner Melcher has maintained his own year-round website since 1995, www.stephen-melcher.com and jokes that he may be the only official in the county to keep their website up, even in non-campaign years. Melcher’s website contains a full list of his qualifications, work history, and activity on boards, committees, and organizations throughout his career. One of the more interesting features of the site is the detailed calendar of community events that Melcher regularly updates. “Actually, a lot of our local government officials regularly visit my site just to check the calendar for events,†Melcher told me with a chuckle. “They know that I regularly update the calendar and that it is always accurate.â€
Commissioner Melcher comes from a very faith-based background. He was brought up in a Lutheran household from a very early age. Around 5 years ago Melcher found solace in his Bible studies each Sabbath which begins at sundown Friday until sundown on Saturday. During the weekend study, Melcher participates in two congregations: On Saturdays Melcher tunes in to the Israel of God’s internet Bible class at 10 am, www.theisraelofgod.com, and attends The House of Jacob’s, www.thehouseofjacob.us, Bible class at 1 pm; located at 719 N. St. Joseph Ave.
Melcher keeps the county’s finances in mind at all times! His campaign fund pays for his business cards, letterheads, envelops, advertising, website and email. He understands just how far a dollar can go. Melcher’s policies towards running a positive campaign and always seeking the voice of those he represents have earned him an un-paramount level of trust within City of Evansville. Though the next few years will see Melcher completing his second term as County Commissioner. Melcher has yet to decide on what the future will hold for him afterwards. Melcher stated, “It is a decision that my wife and I will make together at that timeâ€. ‘Circumstances are always changing, so for us to try to decide right now where to go after my term ends is something we are not prepared to do’.
The people of Evansville are well served by Melcher and would be wise to continue to voice their concerns and opinions to him as they can rest assured that he is a man that actually listens.
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