Chamber Pres Gives Up - But Gave It A Good Shot

Phil Laux, president of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce is stepping down and it should not come as shock to some. In his 12 years of leading the local Chamber, Laux has tried to carry out several projects that failed. They where excellent ideas but where derailed by elected officials and behind the scene power brokers.

Of all the community projects that took place during his tenure he only noted two in his discussions today. He sited the Dalman Road extension to Fort Wayne International Airport and the formation of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance.

Under Laux, there was major effort made with the Indiana legislature to allow local officials to study the construction of an expressway through downtown. With behind the scene political activities this study was buried. The proposal that would have benefited nearly every area resident and commercial business died before it could see the light of day.

He wanted to see the coordination of capitol projects between the Fort Wayne Air Port Authority, East Allen County Schools, Northwest Allen County Schools, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Allen County Library, City of Fort Wayne, and Allen County. This way the property taxpayers, both residential and commercial, where not hit with major spikes in their taxes. Again, elected officials and the power brokers rebuffed this project.


The Chamber, under Laux's leadership has tried to promote reorganization of local government. While our elected officials and power brokers carried out the official dance, they have made sure it remains just a dream. Even today the political heads prove talk is cheap and action is not forthcoming

Seldom do you find someone like Laux who just walks away from a challenge. Then again, people like Laux are smart enough to know when the war will not be won. There is a time when you know the cards are stacked and you just fold!

I wish Phil Laux well. I thank him for trying to make the Fort Wayne area a better place for all of us. I may not have agreed with everything he did, but I do know his motivations where honest and above board. It is just too bad that cannot be said about some of the people he had to deal with.

One has to wonder who will replace Laux? Will it be a strong independent person looking out for the best interest of all, or someone who is going to be led around on leash by a few power brokers?