Union & Blue Collar Workers Please Exit!

Where does the union or the blue collar workers of Fort Wayne fit in with the future growth of Fort Wayne regarding the candidates running for the Mayor's office think? If you believe their pandering, then you fit in. If you look at what they have stated in writing, then you don't. You are not included in being part of the solution!

A few years ago a group was formed called, Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI). Their membership is between 800-1000 people. The group promotes its self as being for the young business owners and professionals. They claim they will be a force in the direction of Fort Wayne in the future.

In following the YLNI agenda they sent every candidate for political office in Fort Wayne a simple questionnaire for them to complete. This afforded each candidate as much time needed to ponder their reply as needed before they reply. By doing so, the candidates are not "caught of guard" or their reply "was taken out of context." The candidates statements would clearly show their core beliefs.

You can view the questions and candidates answers the YLNI website. Here is a link to their site:
http://www.ylni.org/Portals/0/YLNI%20the%20vote_brochure_mailer_090607.pdf

Let us look at the Mayor's race of Tom Henry and Matt Kelty

Henry says he will stay the course on Harrison Square and endorses the North River project. He says the Harrison Square project is bringing development to the downtown. Henry fails to, or cannot list twenty high paying jobs that the entire Harrison Square project will produce.

Kelty states that since we are now committed to Harrison Square, by the actions of the Mayor and City Council, he will see it through. Kelty fails to provide any ideas on how he will steer this multi million dollar tax supported project any different then it appears to be on. In so many words, he will be going long for the ride.


Both candidates propose of streamlining government to reduce costs and red tape. Yet their respective political parties have done nothing while making the same promises. Both parties have incumbents running that have used this same talk in present and previous campaigns but delivered nothing. As they say, "Talk is cheap!"

Both candidates talk about listening to local business owners and young professionals in the future. They provide no place for the majority of taxpayers to have a voice unless they own a business or belong to some professional group. They have not invited one union leader to become part of the shaping of Fort Wayne. They have not indicated they will appoint one blue collar person to a board or commission.

I strongly urge these to take off their dark tinted glasses and see the real Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a long rich history of being a major player in the world but to reach that level again will take more then talk.

Does Henry and Kelty support appointing people or hiring companies to assist Fort Wayne that by all appearances have conflicts of interest? Is either candidate prepared to honor the DEMAND of the Indiana State Board of Accounts that everyone complete conflict of interest statements?

Or do we face at least four more years of the, "Good Old Boys Club?" Just possibly with different players but the same results.