As the calendar inches closer to the end of 2023, Lynda Dunbar finds herself extremely busy. 

She's trying to wrap up the last of her duties as clerk-treasurer for the City of Greencastle, while continuing her transition to be ready to take over as Mayor on January 1, 2024. 

"Of course, it has been very busy. Finishing up the end of the year is always busy in the clerk's office and starting the transition into next year because Jan. 1 is quickly approaching," Dunbar said. 

Dunbar served three terms as Clerk-Treasurer for the city of Greencastle said during the campaign she was running for mayor because she believed in serving and finding "lasting solutions in maintaining infrastructure, public health and safety, quality of life and downtown Greencastle."

She will become the first Republican in over three decades to assume the role of Mayor, after defeating Democrat Brian Cox in November by a total of 920 votes to 641 votes or 58.94 percent to 41.06 percent. 

In recent weeks, Dunbar has been busy laying the foundation to be able to hit the ground running after she is sworn in as mayor. 

Dunbar takes over at a time when there is a lot of construction and infrastructure improvements taking place and planned for the near future. For example, while 231 opened up south of Greencastle, Dunbar notes it will be closing again in April as a water line will go in and upgrades will take place. 

"Unfortunately our road construction opening will be short lived because about April 9, after the eclipse, then the barricades will be back up and 231 shut down as they start the process of putting in a new water line through the city, taking it all down and putting in new sidewalks. It is super exciting for the city, but it will be a lot of frustration. We've got to really work and I hope the community realizes the hardship that will be on our downtown businesses and they will find a way to still come downtown and support those businesses. They will have a long summer and fall, and I am very concerned for them," Dunbar said. 

As a former small business owner, Dunbar said she can relate to the struggles they have faced since the COVID global pandemic and through construction woes. 

In addition, there are potential plans for huge upgrades to Greencastle around DePauw University should the two receive a Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaboration Initiative grant that could help to revitalize a corridor between DePauw and Greencastle's downtown, as well as around the courthouse square. 

As a lifelong resident of Greencastle, Dunbar understands what makes Greencastle special. 

"I'm going to work really hard with the police department to continue to make Greencastle that safe Greencastle. We are a very safe community. As mayor, hopefully, in a short period of time, people will say what a beautiful community. We are going to try to get more flowers, shrubs and greenspace and have a really beautiful downtown that you may just want to come downtown and window shop or walk around because it's nice, it has benches, it's a great place for people to gather. We want to work hard with Main Street and the Chamber to continue First Friday because that is a great event here in Greencastle and I think we will see some exciting things happen with them to promote Greencastle outside of Putnam County. One of my goals is when you hear green, you don't automatically think of Greenwood or Greensburg or Greenfield but Greencastle. When we say Greencastle, people in the other areas or we work with, everyone knows where Greencastle is is a goal of mine and put Greencastle on the map," Dunbar said.