By Mark Ambrogi
Seven terms is not quite enough for Steven C. Dillinger.
The Noblesville resident plans to seek an unprecedented eighth four-year term as the Hamilton Co. commissioner for District 2.
Dillinger is working on several projects he wants to help get completed. Those include an Ind. 37 thoroughfare plan, the Noblesville bypass project and the building of a new public safety training facility, a project he said he has been working toward for 15 to 20 years. Dillinger said he would also like to see the jail expanded because a larger capacity is needed.
“We have gobs of things going on now,” Dillinger said. “I think my experience and connection and knowing how to get those projects done is vitally important. That’s why I signed up to go another four years.”
In October 2013, Dillinger discovered he had esophageal cancer, a deadly form of cancer because it is not usually discovered until its later stages.
“Mine was found in stage one, and they were able to remove it,” Dillinger said. “I got a clean bill of health last year, so I got my energy back. I thought, ‘If I can contribute more, I’m going to stay on.’”
Dillinger, who has operated S.C. Dillinger & Associates Insurance Agency for more than 40 years, will give his annual State of the County address at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 27 at the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Purgatory Golf Club.
Dillinger, 68, began his local political career after being elected to the Noblesville City Council in 1980 and then the Hamilton Co. Council in 1985. He was first elected as one of three commissioners in 1989. His district covers Noblesville and Delaware Township. In that time, the county’s population has grown from 80,000 to 310,000.
“As a commissioner, you make x-amount of people (happy) and x-amount mad, so it’s unusual for a commissioner to get re-elected,” Dillinger said. “But my numbers have gone up the last four terms. I’ve been winning by 60 to 70 percent. It’s undisputed that Hamilton County is rated the No. 1 county in almost every category. Being part of the team that leads, that doesn’t hurt to get you re-elected.”
Dillinger said some of the accomplishments during his terms include building the new Hamilton Co. Government Center and Judicial Center, renovation of the old Court House and Sheriff’s office, building of the new jails, Juvenile Center and a Community Correction facility, and helping to bring Ivy Tech to Noblesville and Hamilton Co.
“So we have a lot to be proud of,” he said.
Attend Dillinger’s State of the County address and luncheon
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 27. Doors open at 11 a.m.
Where: Purgatory Golf Club, 12160 E. 216th St., Noblesville.
Cost: $20 for Noblesville Chamber of Commerce members, $26 for non-members
Registration: Registration is required by visiting http://bit.ly/1Pf1LzW or calling 773-0086.
