"Hobart is the best kept secret in the Region," Huddlestun said. "We have a lot to offer. We have a lake, a beautiful downtown and our goal is to make sure that we're no longer the best kept secret.
" The mayor began his address by paying tribute to his predecessor, Brian Snedecor, who held the mayor's office from 2008 to 2023. Snedecor announced he would not seek reelection in January 2023. After serving on the Hobart City Council for eight years, Huddlestun was elected mayor in November.
"I can't be thankful enough for all that you've done for the community," Huddlestun told Snedecor, presenting him with a key to the city. The crowd rose to give the former mayor a standing ovation. Huddlestun continued by highlighting a spate of administrative changes that he has implemented since taking office in late December, including creating a new chief of staff position and consolidating Hobart's Building and Planning departments under the authority of newly hired building commissioner Steve McDermott.
The city's process for issuing building permits will soon be available online, the mayor said. Under Huddlestun's leadership, Hobart's police officers have transitioned from eight hour shifts to 12 hour shifts, a change meant to increase patrol coverage. The mayor touted a 33% increase in traffic stops over last year, the product, he said, of a deliberate crackdown on speeding in residential areas.
Since Huddlestun took office, the department has added two new officers, and two more are.
