Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
JASPER – Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide, who has led the city since 2018, announced Monday he plans to step down later this year.
In a letter to the residents of Jasper, Vonderheide said he has loved serving Jasper and Dubois County but that it’s time to pass the torch.
“It is time that I turn over the leadership to individuals with the passion and energy to execute our new long-range plan and guide the city into the future,” Vonderheide said.
His resignation is effective March 31.
Vonderheide was a member of the Jasper City Council when he was elected by a caucus in 2018 to complete the term of then Mayor Terry Seitz. He was elected to a full term in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. In his letter, he said he had planned to retire following the end of his first term as mayor at age 70. However, the events of his first term – the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, staff retirements, rising medical costs and the city’s aging infrastructure – prompted him to run for a second term.
“I found great joy in my role with the city. I was easily convinced to run for another term to see key projects through,” he said.
Some of those key projects included an ambitious downtown revitalization and infrastructure project and the future Regional Wellness Center. Under Vonderheide’s leadership, the City of Jasper was named the recipient of the 2023 Quality of Place Attraction award from Regional Opportunity Initiatives. The award noted that city leadership and the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center have made downtown Jasper a place where residents and visitors want to explore. Improvements include a renovated movie theater, 2.1 mile river walk path and the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center.
He regularly hosted Coffee with the Mayor gatherings at local coffee shops to share information on city projects and engage with residents.
“Serving as Mayor has been the most rewarding role of my life second only to being a husband, father and grandfather. I’ve fulfilled my passion to give back to the community that I love,” he said.
Vonderheide said the time has come to focus on his health and family, who have supported him through long work weeks, late evenings, missed birthdays and family outings.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and made this experience so meaningful. I will do my best to live up to your expectations as I ‘downshift.’ While I am stepping away from a full-time role, I plan to remain engaged and continue contributing to a bright future for Jasper and Dubois County,” he said.
A caucus will be convened to choose Vonderheide’s successor.