One of Brian Snedecor’s most indelible memories of becoming Hobart’s mayor is standing on 3rd Street after the 2008 flood wiped out both its bridge approaches.
His first thought was, “What have I gotten myself into?” he said as he chatted with friends Wednesday evening after the city dedicated the renovated bridge in his honor. The second thing was, “This is not acceptable.”
The city was able to repair the bridge enough so that traffic wouldn’t be completely bollixed, he said, but he made it his mission to make sure that Hobart wouldn’t experience that kind of destruction for years to come. Twelve years and $7 million later — all paid for without bonding, he said — the Mayor Brian Snedecor Bridge at Lake George opened to public in 2020.
Based on a study compiled by the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, the city determined there were three choke points along Lake George: 3rd Street, Wisconsin Street and the Railroad bridge, Snedecor said. Those choke points made enjoying the lake a drag for people north of 3rd Street.
“I remember going out with (a friend) on his pontoon boat, and he said that when we got to this bridge, we would have to duck,” he said. “And when I say ‘duck,’ we literally had to get on our hands and knees to clear it.”
The Little Calumet River Basin commission replaced the Railroad Bridge, and Lake County is still working on the Wisconsin Street one. But the work so far has dropped the flood stage by five feet, he said.
Earlier, an emotional Snedecor thanked all the people who helped him get his portion of the Lake George revitalization project off the ground, among them the various City Councils, the Board of Public Works and Stormwater Board along with the Lake County Commissioners and Attorney Anthony DeBonis. A special shout-out went to his “partner in crime,” Hobart Clerk-Treasurer Deb Longer, who “always finds the money when I didn’t think I had it.”
“I will gladly receive this honor. I’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “As I’m finishing my terms, I want to especially thank my family; I missed a lot of games, but they always understood — mostly, anyway.
“When you get something named after you, you’re only one cog in the wheel in a project of this magnitude. The mayor gets the accolades, but you also have to realize this doesn’t happen without the support of so many.”
Board of Works member Rich Lane, who’s served with Snedecor since the start, called Snedecor a “man with true compassion” and called the bridge the “most visible example of his ability to connect the wants and needs of the people.” Council President Matt Claussen, D-At-Large, agreed and called it the “pinnacle of his accomplishments.”
“The bridge is a perfect metaphor for the city: It took us from the past to the present, and now, we’re looking to the future,” added Councilman Mark Kopil, D-1.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
