The two media outlets have hyped the poll they had conducted back in mid October. Does the results mean much? One has to wonder as, both the Democrat Party Chairman and Republican Party Chairman where guarded in what the results showed. At first glance it appears Tom Henry is beating Matt Kelty so badly, that someone should put the beer on ice. However, people that know how polling is conducted remain uncommitted to what the results really mean.
The public has been advised very little of how the polling model was created. Was it just based on obtaining 600 "likely" voters across the city ? Was it based within zip codes, based on the political make up of the zip code? How many registered voters did they have to reach to find the 600 who where "likely" voters? This entire post could ask questions on how the sampling group was selected. Until WANE TV & The News-Sentinel spells out all the details concerning the survey, the results will be questionable.
The sampling error factors do not speak to what the city voters would do as a hole. What it did say, if a person sampled the voters in whatever fashion the polling company used, they would get the same response 19 of 20 times.
One has to look at what was going on during the days leading up to the polling. Was there good or bad news being put forth by the local media, that may have effect on what voters thought at that moment in time? This could cause a distortion in the results that causes "blip" but not a true valid long term statement. Some voters may days later, or even weeks, may have modified their potential voting decision after learning more of each candidate.
A major factor that a poll cannot calculate, regardless to how well it was done, is the voter actually going to vote. It is one thing to tell someone on the phone that a person intends to vote, but them doing so, is vastly different.
One point that needs to be considered that the undecided is a large group of voters. One would guess most of these people are ones that have considered voting for Kelty. They are in limbo if they will push the button for Kelty or not. It would also be natural to believe some part of the "anti Kelty" Republicans will end up voting for Kelty. They will have had well over a month to continue to evaluate their position from the time they where polled.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Smith Field Closing-Ticket Prices Rise-Taxes Go Up ???
In this morning newspaper it was reported that no one from the local airport authority would comment on the closing of the Kitty Hawk operations. The authority is made up of six people, with three each being appointed by the Mayor and the Allen County Commissioners.
Allen County taxpayers are facing paying over $20 million in increased property taxes to cover the bond issued to build Kitty Hawk their cargo hub. To reduce the impact on property owners, the Airport Authority may elect to take some of the following actions.
What should concern the people who use Smith Field it may require it to be closed because of the failure of Kitty Hawk. The operations manager for Fort Wayne International Airport stated that cut backs would have to be made. Will there once again be run at shutting down Smith Field?
What should concern every person who uses Fort Wayne International will ticket prices increase as the board tries to increase income? The board will raise the rates for rental of terminal space, higher landing fees, and so forth. This will require the airlines to pass the charges onto the customer.
The Airport Authority Board's "NO COMMENT" is unacceptable in the public sector.
Draw whatever you want from the following information but the Fort Wayne - Allen County Airport Authority no longer represents the general public. The board in total, or majority of them must believe they are some private company, that does not have to answer to public.
This is why fewer and fewer voters give a damn about their communities!
Fort Wayne - Allen County Airport Authority Board of Directors
Michael S. Gouloff*, President (Mayor in 1997) [Tom Henry Financial Contributor]
Cathy Gallmeyer**, Vice President (Commissioners in 1999) [GOP Executive Board - One of the first to resign]
Tim Haffner, Secretary (Commissioners in 1994) [Republican Appoint]
Jerome F. Henry, Jr.* (Mayor in 2007) [Tom Henry Financial Contributor]
Richard B. (Barry) Sturges, Jr**. (Mayor in 2007) [Tom Henry Financial Contributor]
Neil Hayes, (Commissioners in 2002) [Republican Appointed]
*Gouloff & Henry both serve on the Board of Directors of Tower Bank. Tower Bank held stock in Kitty Hawk for a number of years. As of latest SEC filings the bank still maintained that stock ownership.
** Gallmeyer and Sturges both employed with Sturges' property companies.
Allen County taxpayers are facing paying over $20 million in increased property taxes to cover the bond issued to build Kitty Hawk their cargo hub. To reduce the impact on property owners, the Airport Authority may elect to take some of the following actions.
What should concern the people who use Smith Field it may require it to be closed because of the failure of Kitty Hawk. The operations manager for Fort Wayne International Airport stated that cut backs would have to be made. Will there once again be run at shutting down Smith Field?
What should concern every person who uses Fort Wayne International will ticket prices increase as the board tries to increase income? The board will raise the rates for rental of terminal space, higher landing fees, and so forth. This will require the airlines to pass the charges onto the customer.
The Airport Authority Board's "NO COMMENT" is unacceptable in the public sector.
Draw whatever you want from the following information but the Fort Wayne - Allen County Airport Authority no longer represents the general public. The board in total, or majority of them must believe they are some private company, that does not have to answer to public.
This is why fewer and fewer voters give a damn about their communities!
Fort Wayne - Allen County Airport Authority Board of Directors
Michael S. Gouloff*, President (Mayor in 1997) [Tom Henry Financial Contributor]
Cathy Gallmeyer**, Vice President (Commissioners in 1999) [GOP Executive Board - One of the first to resign]
Tim Haffner, Secretary (Commissioners in 1994) [Republican Appoint]
Jerome F. Henry, Jr.* (Mayor in 2007) [Tom Henry Financial Contributor]
Richard B. (Barry) Sturges, Jr**. (Mayor in 2007) [Tom Henry Financial Contributor]
Neil Hayes, (Commissioners in 2002) [Republican Appointed]
*Gouloff & Henry both serve on the Board of Directors of Tower Bank. Tower Bank held stock in Kitty Hawk for a number of years. As of latest SEC filings the bank still maintained that stock ownership.
** Gallmeyer and Sturges both employed with Sturges' property companies.
Kelty's "City of Neighbors" - More Details
Most of us wondered what was going through the mind of Matt Kelty when he announced his plans for "City of Neighbors." I, for one, found it appeared to lack anything. It was a repeat of things the private sector has tried, and only provided moderate success for any one.
I wrote an email to the Kelty campaign and let them know what I thought. I included that this project sounded like the very thing Kelty opposed. I did not recieve anything back until yesterday. I received an email from Dave MacDonald explaining more in detail what "City of Neighbors" was about, and how it would work in concept.
While I am not endorsing this plan, it does have some items that gets the brainwaves flowing. It seems to have some ideas for the most part.
Here is the email:
I am a website developer and online marketer (since 1998). I am quite familiar with pay-per-impression, pay-per-click, and pay-per-action advertising. I have utilized each of these revenue generation techniques in the past and continue to do so today. As such, I fully appreciate your perspective. "Traditional pay-per-impression advertising will never generate $1,000,000. To suggest otherwise is 'pie-in-the-sky.'" I agree. It cannot. This is not being proposed.
City of Neighbors' fundraising approach may be better compared to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo's $10.5 million capital projectfor the new African Journey exhibit. Donors are asked to contribute $400 or $1000 for which their name will be displayed on a 'recognition tile' or 'plaque.' Arguably, one would never pay $400-$1000 for a building tile, brick or plaque itself; it is understood that one is supporting the zoo and recognition of this support is icing on the cake. At one time raising $10.5 million by selling building bricks was considered 'pie in the sky,' and yet this has become a generally accepted fundraising practice.
In lieu of tiles, bricks and plaques, City of Neighbors will recognize Community Partners with their own banners and ads. Businesses will be rewarded for being a 'good neighbor' when they endow the project with advertising dollars. Seventy-five (75%) percent of a business' advertising expense/endowment is paid directly to Fort Wayne neighborhoods. In return for their support, businesses receive online recognition linked directly to their own website. Neighborhoods will be partially compensated based upon their participation (more active neighborhoods will earn more than less active associations). Participation will be primarily determined by counting the number of page views received from each community relative to all others. 'Counting page views' should not be confused with traditional pay-per-impression advertising.
Other funding mechanisms will also be available. Business classified advertising and online auctions, as well as opt-in email for receiving business advertising will generate additional revenue for the program.
City of Neighbors will be funded entirely by outside private investment and revenue generation. No tax dollars will be requested or accepted. City of Neighbors is a market-driven solution that helps Fort Wayne neighborhoods, and is self-sustaining without tax dollars:
Start-up costs: Funded entirely by private investment
Setup/Administration: Software development company
Operating costs: Funded entirely by revenue generation
Oversight: Not-for-Profit Organization (not affiliated with the City of Fort Wayne)
Beneficiary: Fort Wayne neighborhood associations
City Departments Involved: None (although mutually-beneficial partnerships would be considered)
Tax dollars used: None
I initially proposed that the project would provide funds to the Community Development department of the City of Fort Wayne. However, after careful reflection I determined this was an unnecessary step; grants to neighborhoods needing additional support may be made directly by the non-profit and implications of involvement by a City department were confusing. I hope this response clarifies the issue.
Please feel free to reply back with any other questions or concerns.
Kindest regards,
Dave MacDonald
Kelty for Mayor Committee
I wrote an email to the Kelty campaign and let them know what I thought. I included that this project sounded like the very thing Kelty opposed. I did not recieve anything back until yesterday. I received an email from Dave MacDonald explaining more in detail what "City of Neighbors" was about, and how it would work in concept.
While I am not endorsing this plan, it does have some items that gets the brainwaves flowing. It seems to have some ideas for the most part.
Here is the email:
I am a website developer and online marketer (since 1998). I am quite familiar with pay-per-impression, pay-per-click, and pay-per-action advertising. I have utilized each of these revenue generation techniques in the past and continue to do so today. As such, I fully appreciate your perspective. "Traditional pay-per-impression advertising will never generate $1,000,000. To suggest otherwise is 'pie-in-the-sky.'" I agree. It cannot. This is not being proposed.
City of Neighbors' fundraising approach may be better compared to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo's $10.5 million capital project
In lieu of tiles, bricks and plaques, City of Neighbors will recognize Community Partners with their own banners and ads. Businesses will be rewarded for being a 'good neighbor' when they endow the project with advertising dollars. Seventy-five (75%) percent of a business' advertising expense/endowment is paid directly to Fort Wayne neighborhoods. In return for their support, businesses receive online recognition linked directly to their own website. Neighborhoods will be partially compensated based upon their participation (more active neighborhoods will earn more than less active associations). Participation will be primarily determined by counting the number of page views received from each community relative to all others. 'Counting page views' should not be confused with traditional pay-per-impression advertising.
Other funding mechanisms will also be available. Business classified advertising and online auctions, as well as opt-in email for receiving business advertising will generate additional revenue for the program.
City of Neighbors will be funded entirely by outside private investment and revenue generation. No tax dollars will be requested or accepted. City of Neighbors is a market-driven solution that helps Fort Wayne neighborhoods, and is self-sustaining without tax dollars:
Start-up costs: Funded entirely by private investment
Setup/Administration: Software development company
Operating costs: Funded entirely by revenue generation
Oversight: Not-for-Profit Organization (not affiliated with the City of Fort Wayne)
Beneficiary: Fort Wayne neighborhood associations
City Departments Involved: None (although mutually-beneficial partnerships would be considered)
Tax dollars used: None
I initially proposed that the project would provide funds to the Community Development department of the City of Fort Wayne. However, after careful reflection I determined this was an unnecessary step; grants to neighborhoods needing additional support may be made directly by the non-profit and implications of involvement by a City department were confusing. I hope this response clarifies the issue.
Please feel free to reply back with any other questions or concerns.
Kindest regards,
Dave MacDonald
Kelty for Mayor Committee
Friday, October 26, 2007
Just Get Out And Vote
In looking back at the last city election in 2003 only slightly more then 3 in 10 registered voters voted in Fort Wayne's general election. 53,191 voters decided Fort Wayne's future with regards to the elected leaders. What is ironic, nearly 12% of those voting did not even cast a vote for Mayor. Only 47,031 votes where tallied for the Mayor of Fort Wayne race.
This year nine candidates are seeking to fill the three city at-large council seats. The winners could be decided by less then three votes per precinct. In the 2003 election, with only six candidate running, Democrat John Shoaff defeated Republican Tom Friestroffer by 3.6 votes per precinct for the third and final at-large seat.
In the council district races the only one that went down to the wire was Tom Henry against Tom Didier. Didier won the race by 172 votes. This broke down to just over 5.5 votes per precinct the 4th district.
This year the Libertarian Party has offered a slate of seven candidates running for the various council seats. It is unknown if any of their candidates will win. Nevertheless, they may play a key roll into who is elected. While the Libertarian Party offers several quality candidates they suffer from little party funding and no great personal wealth to run a strong campaign. The City's ban on signs will prove to be an additional obstacle in getting their candidates name before the voters of Fort Wayne.
The at-large council seats appears to offer the most exciting race this year. In 2003, John Crawford lead the voting with 19% of the vote. He averaged 142 votes per precinct. Following Crawford was Sam Talarico, Jr., with 134 votes per precinct. The final winner of the at-large seats was John Shoaff. He collected 123 votes per precinct.
The three candidates who lost where, as follows; Rebecca Ravine - 119 votes per precinct, Thomas Freistroffer - 120 votes per precinct, and May Johnson with 99 votes per precinct. There was a total of 43 votes cast for write-ins.
The Libertarian Party could change this year's results even by not winning one seat. By pulling a mere five or six percent of the total vote, could result in changes. The Libertarian Party does have a message that is being heard by some. It will be interesting to see if the message has reached the level of Fort Wayne electing its' first Libertarian.
The race for Mayor will come down to which candidate can get their voters out to vote. The voters will weigh what their personal values are, beliefs in what the media has offered, a reflection on the Harrison Square project, the smoking ban, property taxes, what people perceive as political dirty tricks, and the direction the city is heading. It shall be interesting to see what affect all these issues have.
No voter should consider their vote a wasted vote. A wasted vote is one that is never used!
This year nine candidates are seeking to fill the three city at-large council seats. The winners could be decided by less then three votes per precinct. In the 2003 election, with only six candidate running, Democrat John Shoaff defeated Republican Tom Friestroffer by 3.6 votes per precinct for the third and final at-large seat.
In the council district races the only one that went down to the wire was Tom Henry against Tom Didier. Didier won the race by 172 votes. This broke down to just over 5.5 votes per precinct the 4th district.
This year the Libertarian Party has offered a slate of seven candidates running for the various council seats. It is unknown if any of their candidates will win. Nevertheless, they may play a key roll into who is elected. While the Libertarian Party offers several quality candidates they suffer from little party funding and no great personal wealth to run a strong campaign. The City's ban on signs will prove to be an additional obstacle in getting their candidates name before the voters of Fort Wayne.
The at-large council seats appears to offer the most exciting race this year. In 2003, John Crawford lead the voting with 19% of the vote. He averaged 142 votes per precinct. Following Crawford was Sam Talarico, Jr., with 134 votes per precinct. The final winner of the at-large seats was John Shoaff. He collected 123 votes per precinct.
The three candidates who lost where, as follows; Rebecca Ravine - 119 votes per precinct, Thomas Freistroffer - 120 votes per precinct, and May Johnson with 99 votes per precinct. There was a total of 43 votes cast for write-ins.
The Libertarian Party could change this year's results even by not winning one seat. By pulling a mere five or six percent of the total vote, could result in changes. The Libertarian Party does have a message that is being heard by some. It will be interesting to see if the message has reached the level of Fort Wayne electing its' first Libertarian.
The race for Mayor will come down to which candidate can get their voters out to vote. The voters will weigh what their personal values are, beliefs in what the media has offered, a reflection on the Harrison Square project, the smoking ban, property taxes, what people perceive as political dirty tricks, and the direction the city is heading. It shall be interesting to see what affect all these issues have.
No voter should consider their vote a wasted vote. A wasted vote is one that is never used!
IS POLICE CHIEF YORK DANCING WITH WORDS?
In today's Journal-Gazette, Fort Wayne Police Chief Rusty York takes exception to Matt Kelty's claim some Fort Wayne Police officers' body armor is no longer warranted to be worn. At first reading appears York seems to state that Kelty's claim in untrue. However, going back and reading the statement paragraph by paragraph York could be playing the word game. York could have just come out and said it was untrue and for Kelty to produce one piece of body armor that was out of warranty.
Following is York's statement. BOLD CAPITOL TEXT is of mine.
SETTING UP HIS ARGUMENT
On numerous occasions, mayoral candidate Matt Kelty has publicly expressed concern that officers of the Fort Wayne Police Department are not provided body armor and suggests that the administration of the police department is jeopardizing their safety. Kelty is misinformed, and I feel compelled to provide an accurate account of our protective body armor program.
STATEMENT OF FIRST EQUIPPING AND THE REQUIRED WEARING
Every Fort Wayne police officer is issued protective body armor when he or she begins work with our agency. Uniformed officers are required to wear body armor at all times, and all other personnel are required to wear it during arrest or high-risk situations.
CONFUSING STATEMENT - VESTS OR TOTAL BODY ARMOR--- YORK SAYS FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY AND THEN WARRANTY DOES NOT EXPIRE AT SAME TIME.
The manufacturers of protective body armor typically provide a five-year warranty on their products. In 1999 the police department was able to secure a federal grant, which allowed us to replace all of our officers’ vests that were older than five years. Keep in mind that the warranty of all of our body armor does not expire at the same time.
QUALIFIED ANSWER - DOES NOT ADDRESS ANYONE HAVING BODY ARMOR OUT OF WARRANTY.
Our budgeted level of commissioned officers is 460. We have hired 93 officers over the past five years, providing them with new body armor. Body armor costs about $497. This year we replaced the body armor of 191 of our officers at a cost of $95,280, and we have budgeted the same amount for 2008.
SAY WHAT? - EITHER THE $1,700 CLOTHING ALLOWANCE IS GREATLY TOO MUCH OR "PAY IT OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET!"
Officers receive a $1,700 annual clothing allowance. At any time, if an officer feels compelled to replace his or her vest outside of our rotation cycle, they could use their clothing allowance for that purchase.
SELF SERVING STATEMENT
Our agency prides itself on being one of the most professional, highly trained and well-equipped police departments in the United States, with officer safety being our highest of priorities. Officers put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis – it is a requirement of their profession. We recognize their valor and do our very best to keep them safe.
MY CLOSING COMMENT
If Police Chief York disagrees with Kelty he should have just laid out the numbers. He should have not danced around with words, that in conclusion, leaves one wondering if every officer does in deed have the proper body armor.
If York is right, he should just challenge Kelty to produce one vest that is out of useful life. York should not play with words, because a bullet will go right through his words and just maybe a worn-out vest.
Eric White over at the Center Line blog has his own view on this subject. You can check it out at: http://americanwhiteguy.wordpress.com/2007/10/26/police-chief-rusty-york-responds/
Following is York's statement. BOLD CAPITOL TEXT is of mine.
SETTING UP HIS ARGUMENT
On numerous occasions, mayoral candidate Matt Kelty has publicly expressed concern that officers of the Fort Wayne Police Department are not provided body armor and suggests that the administration of the police department is jeopardizing their safety. Kelty is misinformed, and I feel compelled to provide an accurate account of our protective body armor program.
STATEMENT OF FIRST EQUIPPING AND THE REQUIRED WEARING
Every Fort Wayne police officer is issued protective body armor when he or she begins work with our agency. Uniformed officers are required to wear body armor at all times, and all other personnel are required to wear it during arrest or high-risk situations.
CONFUSING STATEMENT - VESTS OR TOTAL BODY ARMOR--- YORK SAYS FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY AND THEN WARRANTY DOES NOT EXPIRE AT SAME TIME.
The manufacturers of protective body armor typically provide a five-year warranty on their products. In 1999 the police department was able to secure a federal grant, which allowed us to replace all of our officers’ vests that were older than five years. Keep in mind that the warranty of all of our body armor does not expire at the same time.
QUALIFIED ANSWER - DOES NOT ADDRESS ANYONE HAVING BODY ARMOR OUT OF WARRANTY.
Our budgeted level of commissioned officers is 460. We have hired 93 officers over the past five years, providing them with new body armor. Body armor costs about $497. This year we replaced the body armor of 191 of our officers at a cost of $95,280, and we have budgeted the same amount for 2008.
SAY WHAT? - EITHER THE $1,700 CLOTHING ALLOWANCE IS GREATLY TOO MUCH OR "PAY IT OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET!"
Officers receive a $1,700 annual clothing allowance. At any time, if an officer feels compelled to replace his or her vest outside of our rotation cycle, they could use their clothing allowance for that purchase.
SELF SERVING STATEMENT
Our agency prides itself on being one of the most professional, highly trained and well-equipped police departments in the United States, with officer safety being our highest of priorities. Officers put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis – it is a requirement of their profession. We recognize their valor and do our very best to keep them safe.
MY CLOSING COMMENT
If Police Chief York disagrees with Kelty he should have just laid out the numbers. He should have not danced around with words, that in conclusion, leaves one wondering if every officer does in deed have the proper body armor.
If York is right, he should just challenge Kelty to produce one vest that is out of useful life. York should not play with words, because a bullet will go right through his words and just maybe a worn-out vest.
Eric White over at the Center Line blog has his own view on this subject. You can check it out at: http://americanwhiteguy.wordpress.com/2007/10/26/police-chief-rusty-york-responds/
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Kelty Big Supporters - Interesting Group
Over the course of the race for the Mayor of Fort Wayne several names have been brandished about regarding who is supporting Matt Kelty. Generally the names have come up because of their financial support to Kelty. One name has been used by Kelty in his message of people making a business go despite not having any local government assistance.
Dick Freeland:
The owner of the Pizza Huts in Northeast, Indiana & Northwest, Ohio. Freeland started his business from one store front location and grown to be a model for Pizza Hut Inc. Prospective Pizza Hut franchise purchasers are brought to Fort Wayne, to be shown how one can become highly successful. According to Freeland's Pizza Hut website they employ over 2,000 people in their business.
Freeland knows that growing and sucessful Fort Wayne attracts more people. Which he knows will result in more business to his locations.
http://www.pizzahutfwi.com/
John Popp:
President and third generation owner of Aunt Millies. Been part of the Fort Wayne business community since 1901. Business now includes seven bakeries in Indiana and Michigan. Located near the heart of downtown Fort Wayne on Pearl Street. Is known as a leader in the bakery business with many innovations in the machinery and processes of making bread products. Aunt Millies employs over 2,000 in their operations.
Popp has his core business downtown and to see downtown Fort Wayne grow, would only be beneficial to him and his employees.
http://www.auntmillies.com/
John Tippmann:
From the business of Tippmann Group. The company has a strong relationship to the community in the owning of the historical Lincoln Tower in downtown Fort Wayne. Also they took the lead, in purchasing the old Sears department store building on Rudisell near South Clinton into an office complex.
Part of the Tippmann Group is considered national leader among companies that build refrigerated warehousing. This is carried out under their Tippmann Construction Company. They currently have several building under construction all over the United States.
Tippmann has tens of millions of dollars of personal wealth at risk in the downtown Fort Wayne. The sucess of downtown Fort Wayne directly effects this company.
http://www.tippmanngroup.com/home.html
Tom Spiece:
The owner of Spiece Fieldhouse. Spiece in known around the United States for one of the most successful businesses in promoting basketball programs for the youth of America. Additionally his business also includes one of the larger physical fitness centers, that is not supported in part, by charitable donations.
Spiece took a vacant industrial building and built it into an attraction that draws over 800,000 people a year to Fort Wayne. The number of people enterting his building is only on the scale of what the Allen County Coliseum draws. Yet, Spiece did this without tax abatements or government grants.
Spiece has to be considered the largest private businessman in Fort Wayne that a good tourist business is a must. Good hotels, restaurants, and shopping choices must be available for his business to continue to succeed.
http://www.gymratsbasketball.com/
It is hard to believe these men would continue to support Matt Kelty if they did not believe he could be a leader. These are smart, successful, and seasoned businessmen that each has a stake in seeing Fort Wayne grow and become a great city. These men are not "short timers" in our community. Most have been here for nearly their entire lives and have no plans to leave.
If this sounds like this is a promotion for Kelty then that would be wrong. However, I am impressed with the fact some of our top businessmen must see some good things in Matt Kelty.
This is just some food for thought for the readers.
Dick Freeland:
The owner of the Pizza Huts in Northeast, Indiana & Northwest, Ohio. Freeland started his business from one store front location and grown to be a model for Pizza Hut Inc. Prospective Pizza Hut franchise purchasers are brought to Fort Wayne, to be shown how one can become highly successful. According to Freeland's Pizza Hut website they employ over 2,000 people in their business.
Freeland knows that growing and sucessful Fort Wayne attracts more people. Which he knows will result in more business to his locations.
http://www.pizzahutfwi.com/
John Popp:
President and third generation owner of Aunt Millies. Been part of the Fort Wayne business community since 1901. Business now includes seven bakeries in Indiana and Michigan. Located near the heart of downtown Fort Wayne on Pearl Street. Is known as a leader in the bakery business with many innovations in the machinery and processes of making bread products. Aunt Millies employs over 2,000 in their operations.
Popp has his core business downtown and to see downtown Fort Wayne grow, would only be beneficial to him and his employees.
http://www.auntmillies.com/
John Tippmann:
From the business of Tippmann Group. The company has a strong relationship to the community in the owning of the historical Lincoln Tower in downtown Fort Wayne. Also they took the lead, in purchasing the old Sears department store building on Rudisell near South Clinton into an office complex.
Part of the Tippmann Group is considered national leader among companies that build refrigerated warehousing. This is carried out under their Tippmann Construction Company. They currently have several building under construction all over the United States.
Tippmann has tens of millions of dollars of personal wealth at risk in the downtown Fort Wayne. The sucess of downtown Fort Wayne directly effects this company.
http://www.tippmanngroup.com/home.html
Tom Spiece:
The owner of Spiece Fieldhouse. Spiece in known around the United States for one of the most successful businesses in promoting basketball programs for the youth of America. Additionally his business also includes one of the larger physical fitness centers, that is not supported in part, by charitable donations.
Spiece took a vacant industrial building and built it into an attraction that draws over 800,000 people a year to Fort Wayne. The number of people enterting his building is only on the scale of what the Allen County Coliseum draws. Yet, Spiece did this without tax abatements or government grants.
Spiece has to be considered the largest private businessman in Fort Wayne that a good tourist business is a must. Good hotels, restaurants, and shopping choices must be available for his business to continue to succeed.
http://www.gymratsbasketball.com/
It is hard to believe these men would continue to support Matt Kelty if they did not believe he could be a leader. These are smart, successful, and seasoned businessmen that each has a stake in seeing Fort Wayne grow and become a great city. These men are not "short timers" in our community. Most have been here for nearly their entire lives and have no plans to leave.
If this sounds like this is a promotion for Kelty then that would be wrong. However, I am impressed with the fact some of our top businessmen must see some good things in Matt Kelty.
This is just some food for thought for the readers.
Mayor Appoints 240 To 38 Boards & Commissions
Listed below is 38 Boards and Commissions that the Mayor of Fort Wayne appoints people to. The length of service on these boards varies from one to four years, or strictly at the Mayor's choice. Some of the boards are required to have political balance in having so many members of each party represented. The appointment year very with many of these boards.
The Fort Wayne Allen County Airport Authority and Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation set their own budgets and property tax levies without any final approval from an elected body. Under their current setup, they can act without any true accountability to the taxpayers of Fort Wayne.
Alcoholic Beverage Commission - Mayor appoints 1 of 4 (1)
Allen County Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees - Mayor appoints 2 of 7 (3)
Animal Control Commission - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (6)
Board of Public Safety - Mayor appoints 3 of 3 (9)
Board of Public Works - Mayor appoints 3 of 3 (12)
Board of Zoning Appeals - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (15)
Cable Fund Advisory Board - Mayor appoints 3 or 5 (18)
City Plan Commission - Mayor appoints 5 of 9 (23)
Citizen Advisory Committee for the Community Development Block Grant - Mayor appoints 21 of 21 (44)
Community Service Council - Mayor appoints 51 of 51 (95)
Community Trust Investment Commission - ? of 4 (95)
Economic Development Commission - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (98)
Fort Wayne/Allen County Airport Authority - Mayor appoints 3 of 6 (104)
Fort Wayne/Allen County Board of Health - Mayor appoints 4 of 6 (110)
Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention & Tourism Authority - Mayor appoints 4 of ? (114)
Fort Wayne Board of Park Commissioners - Mayor appoints 4 of 4 (118)
Fort Wayne Housing Authority - Mayor appoints 5 of 5 (123)
Fort Wayne Hospital Authority - Mayor appoints 5 of 5 (128)
Fort Wayne Police Merit Commission - Mayor appoints 2 of ? (130)
Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation - Mayor appoints 3 of 7 (137)
Fort Wayne Redevelopment Authority - Mayor appoints 3 of 3 (140)
Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (143)
Historic Preservation Review Board - Mayor appoints 7 of 7 (150)
Housing & Neighborhood Development Services Board of Directors - Mayor appoints 11 of ? (161)
Humane Education Advisory Council - Mayor appoints 10 of ? (171)
Internal Audit Committee - Mayor appoints 4 of 5 (176)
Leo-Cedarville Regional Sewer District - Mayor appoints 1 of 5 (177)
Mayor's Affirmative Action Advisory Council - Mayor appoints 15 of 15 (192).
Mayor's Commission on Domestic Violence, Rape & Sexual Harassment - Mayor appoints 10 of ? (202)
Metropolitan Human Relations Commission - Mayor appoints 4 of ? (206)
Rivergreenway Overlay Committee - Mayor appoints 1 of 6 (207)
Safety Village/Survive Alive Commission - Mayor appoints 5 of 7 (212)
Safe Housing & Building Advisory Board - Mayor appoints 4 of 5 (216)
Sign Review Board - Mayor appoints 5 of 5 (221)
Stormwater Management Board - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (226)
Three Rivers Ambulance Authority Board of Directors - Mayor appoints 4 of 9 (235)
Three Rivers Festival - Mayor appoints 1 of ? (236)
Urban Enterprise Association Board of Directors - Mayor appoints 4 of 7 (240)
The Fort Wayne Allen County Airport Authority and Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation set their own budgets and property tax levies without any final approval from an elected body. Under their current setup, they can act without any true accountability to the taxpayers of Fort Wayne.
Alcoholic Beverage Commission - Mayor appoints 1 of 4 (1)
Allen County Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees - Mayor appoints 2 of 7 (3)
Animal Control Commission - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (6)
Board of Public Safety - Mayor appoints 3 of 3 (9)
Board of Public Works - Mayor appoints 3 of 3 (12)
Board of Zoning Appeals - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (15)
Cable Fund Advisory Board - Mayor appoints 3 or 5 (18)
City Plan Commission - Mayor appoints 5 of 9 (23)
Citizen Advisory Committee for the Community Development Block Grant - Mayor appoints 21 of 21 (44)
Community Service Council - Mayor appoints 51 of 51 (95)
Community Trust Investment Commission - ? of 4 (95)
Economic Development Commission - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (98)
Fort Wayne/Allen County Airport Authority - Mayor appoints 3 of 6 (104)
Fort Wayne/Allen County Board of Health - Mayor appoints 4 of 6 (110)
Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention & Tourism Authority - Mayor appoints 4 of ? (114)
Fort Wayne Board of Park Commissioners - Mayor appoints 4 of 4 (118)
Fort Wayne Housing Authority - Mayor appoints 5 of 5 (123)
Fort Wayne Hospital Authority - Mayor appoints 5 of 5 (128)
Fort Wayne Police Merit Commission - Mayor appoints 2 of ? (130)
Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation - Mayor appoints 3 of 7 (137)
Fort Wayne Redevelopment Authority - Mayor appoints 3 of 3 (140)
Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (143)
Historic Preservation Review Board - Mayor appoints 7 of 7 (150)
Housing & Neighborhood Development Services Board of Directors - Mayor appoints 11 of ? (161)
Humane Education Advisory Council - Mayor appoints 10 of ? (171)
Internal Audit Committee - Mayor appoints 4 of 5 (176)
Leo-Cedarville Regional Sewer District - Mayor appoints 1 of 5 (177)
Mayor's Affirmative Action Advisory Council - Mayor appoints 15 of 15 (192).
Mayor's Commission on Domestic Violence, Rape & Sexual Harassment - Mayor appoints 10 of ? (202)
Metropolitan Human Relations Commission - Mayor appoints 4 of ? (206)
Rivergreenway Overlay Committee - Mayor appoints 1 of 6 (207)
Safety Village/Survive Alive Commission - Mayor appoints 5 of 7 (212)
Safe Housing & Building Advisory Board - Mayor appoints 4 of 5 (216)
Sign Review Board - Mayor appoints 5 of 5 (221)
Stormwater Management Board - Mayor appoints 3 of 5 (226)
Three Rivers Ambulance Authority Board of Directors - Mayor appoints 4 of 9 (235)
Three Rivers Festival - Mayor appoints 1 of ? (236)
Urban Enterprise Association Board of Directors - Mayor appoints 4 of 7 (240)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Property Tax - Local or State Cause
I received a several emails today regarding Matt Kelty's comment about over 99% of property tax dollars are consumed within Allen County. It reflects Kelty's claim that local government does control the impact on the paying of property tax over Tom Henry's claim of it being state controlled issue.
Below is selected Allen County townships, with three school districts, and with City Link Bus Service taxing area included. These rates are the 2006, payable in 2007.
Joseph Township - FWCS - PTC Bus Rate Percentage
School FWCS $1.3812 43.31%
City Ft Wayne $1.0195 31.97%
County Allen $0.5331 16.72%
Library Allen $0.1521 4.77%
Citylink PTC $0.0324 1.02%
Airport Fort Wayne International$0.0233 0.73%
Sate Indiana $0.0230 0.72%
Township St. Joe $0.0167 0.52%
Revel Com-TIR $0.0075 0.24%
Total $3.1888
Aboite Township - SWCS - PTC Bus
School SWCS $1.6428 47.56%
City Ft Wayne $1.0195 29.52%
County Allen $0.5331 15.43%
Library Allen $0.1521 4.40%
Citylink PTC $0.0324 0.94%
Airport Fort Wayne International$0.0233 0.67%
Sate Indiana $0.0230 0.67%
Township Aboite $0.0203 0.59%
Revel Com-TIR $0.0075 0.22%
Total $3.4540
Perry Township - NWCS - PTC Bus
School NWCS $1.5594 46.49%
City Ft Wayne $1.0195 30.39%
County Allen $0.5331 15.89%
Library Allen $0.1521 4.53%
Citylink PTC $0.0324 0.97%
Airport Fort Wayne International$0.0233 0.69%
Sate Indiana $0.0230 0.69%
Township Aboite $0.0040 0.12%
Revel Com-TIR $0.0075 0.22%
Total $3.3543
Wayne Township - FWCS - PTC Bus
School FWCS $1.3812 42.37%
City Ft Wayne $1.0195 31.27%
County Allen $0.5331 16.35%
Library Allen $0.1521 4.67%
Citylink PTC $0.0324 0.99%
Airport Fort Wayne International$0.0233 0.71%
Sate Indiana $0.0230 0.71%
Township Wayne $0.0880 2.70%
Revel Com-TIR $0.0075 0.23%
Total $3.2601
Below is selected Allen County townships, with three school districts, and with City Link Bus Service taxing area included. These rates are the 2006, payable in 2007.
Joseph Township - FWCS - PTC Bus Rate Percentage
School FWCS $1.3812 43.31%
City Ft Wayne $1.0195 31.97%
County Allen $0.5331 16.72%
Library Allen $0.1521 4.77%
Citylink PTC $0.0324 1.02%
Airport Fort Wayne International$0.0233 0.73%
Sate Indiana $0.0230 0.72%
Township St. Joe $0.0167 0.52%
Revel Com-TIR $0.0075 0.24%
Total $3.1888
Aboite Township - SWCS - PTC Bus
School SWCS $1.6428 47.56%
City Ft Wayne $1.0195 29.52%
County Allen $0.5331 15.43%
Library Allen $0.1521 4.40%
Citylink PTC $0.0324 0.94%
Airport Fort Wayne International$0.0233 0.67%
Sate Indiana $0.0230 0.67%
Township Aboite $0.0203 0.59%
Revel Com-TIR $0.0075 0.22%
Total $3.4540
Perry Township - NWCS - PTC Bus
School NWCS $1.5594 46.49%
City Ft Wayne $1.0195 30.39%
County Allen $0.5331 15.89%
Library Allen $0.1521 4.53%
Citylink PTC $0.0324 0.97%
Airport Fort Wayne International$0.0233 0.69%
Sate Indiana $0.0230 0.69%
Township Aboite $0.0040 0.12%
Revel Com-TIR $0.0075 0.22%
Total $3.3543
Wayne Township - FWCS - PTC Bus
School FWCS $1.3812 42.37%
City Ft Wayne $1.0195 31.27%
County Allen $0.5331 16.35%
Library Allen $0.1521 4.67%
Citylink PTC $0.0324 0.99%
Airport Fort Wayne International$0.0233 0.71%
Sate Indiana $0.0230 0.71%
Township Wayne $0.0880 2.70%
Revel Com-TIR $0.0075 0.23%
Total $3.2601
Henry - Kelty Debate - My Spin On The Winner
Tom Henry and Matt Kelty debated issues regarding the race for Mayor of Fort Wayne last night. It was through the efforts of Allen County Public Library, Indiana NewsCenter, and WOWO. The people of Fort Wayne where able to hear both candidates speak about the issues without the spin or sound bite provided by local reporters. The hope is that many of the people with intentions on voting November 6th where listening.
The local blogging community has many posts and comments with respect to last nights debate. In fact, I posted my own comments on a number of them. The comments run dealing with the real subject matter to being off the wall. Nevertheless, all the comments make for interesting reading.
What I saw and heard may not be shared by any or many, but it is what now is stored in my old worn-out brain damaged head.
No one was perfect in "performance" last night. It runs from Tom Henry to the local media members who asked the questions. They all had their moments of finding the right wording, and communicating such. Frankly, I found it refreshing that everything did not seem like it was rehearsed.
Having met Tom Henry several times over the years I could tell he was not real comfortable. He seemed to struggle at times, like he was trying to remember things others may have told him to make a point of. To judge his fitness for office based on this would be in error.
Mat Kelty came across much more concise in his answers. They are the same points he has made from early on in his campaigning. He had his moments when the right words did not materialize, but they where limited. Again to judge his fitenss for office based on this would be in error.
Overall, I think both men did well. No, they where not perfect, but they are human! Frankly I have seen too many people running for office, that had all the right words, the right timing, and convincing mannerisms but delivered very little once they where elected.
I saw Kelty as the winner, in my humble view. But then again, I am but one voter, who is leaning toward voting for Kelty.
My belief was based on Kelty's view on property taxes and economic development. I do not agree with his view on Aqua Indiana. The issue of "illegals" was shared by both, and is the only one Fort Wayne can follow.
The local blogging community has many posts and comments with respect to last nights debate. In fact, I posted my own comments on a number of them. The comments run dealing with the real subject matter to being off the wall. Nevertheless, all the comments make for interesting reading.
What I saw and heard may not be shared by any or many, but it is what now is stored in my old worn-out brain damaged head.
No one was perfect in "performance" last night. It runs from Tom Henry to the local media members who asked the questions. They all had their moments of finding the right wording, and communicating such. Frankly, I found it refreshing that everything did not seem like it was rehearsed.
Having met Tom Henry several times over the years I could tell he was not real comfortable. He seemed to struggle at times, like he was trying to remember things others may have told him to make a point of. To judge his fitness for office based on this would be in error.
Mat Kelty came across much more concise in his answers. They are the same points he has made from early on in his campaigning. He had his moments when the right words did not materialize, but they where limited. Again to judge his fitenss for office based on this would be in error.
Overall, I think both men did well. No, they where not perfect, but they are human! Frankly I have seen too many people running for office, that had all the right words, the right timing, and convincing mannerisms but delivered very little once they where elected.
I saw Kelty as the winner, in my humble view. But then again, I am but one voter, who is leaning toward voting for Kelty.
My belief was based on Kelty's view on property taxes and economic development. I do not agree with his view on Aqua Indiana. The issue of "illegals" was shared by both, and is the only one Fort Wayne can follow.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Interesting Campaign-fiance Ordinance Law
Jeffersonville, Indiana campaign-finance ordinance, which took effect with this year’s elections. The ordinance prohibits candidates from accepting more than $100 during a campaign cycle from anyone doing $10,000 or more per year in business with the city or anyone who has engaged in or has threatened litigation against the city. The restrictions cover activities for an eight-year period, including four before the election and four after.
This should be something for the City of Fort Wayne to consider. Maybe the $100 limit could be raised but it should be considered by either Matt Kelty or Tom Henry.
This should be something for the City of Fort Wayne to consider. Maybe the $100 limit could be raised but it should be considered by either Matt Kelty or Tom Henry.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Requirements To Be Mayor - What Does History Say?
The issue of Matt Kelty never running a large company or having been elected to a previous elected office has been tossed around some during this mayoral race. Henry has held an elected office before but never headed a large company. Kelty has never held an elected office or ran a large company.
It appears the last person that may have run a company, which may have matched the size of the city of Fort Wayne's annual budget, would have been Henry Berghoff. He served as the Mayor of Fort Wayne for one term. The term ran from 1897-1901.
What is interesting is the details about one of Fort Wayne's past mayors, in that of William Hosey. He spent most of his life as a machinist for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He did earn a college degree in literature and philosophy at night school. Hosey served four terms as Mayor of Fort Wayne, but none of the terms where consecutive.
If you look over the list of Mayors of Fort Wayne there is several them that never held an elected office before becoming Mayor. So if Kelty is elected, he would not be setting any record for Mayor of Fort Wayne.
Just some food for thought!
It appears the last person that may have run a company, which may have matched the size of the city of Fort Wayne's annual budget, would have been Henry Berghoff. He served as the Mayor of Fort Wayne for one term. The term ran from 1897-1901.
What is interesting is the details about one of Fort Wayne's past mayors, in that of William Hosey. He spent most of his life as a machinist for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He did earn a college degree in literature and philosophy at night school. Hosey served four terms as Mayor of Fort Wayne, but none of the terms where consecutive.
If you look over the list of Mayors of Fort Wayne there is several them that never held an elected office before becoming Mayor. So if Kelty is elected, he would not be setting any record for Mayor of Fort Wayne.
Just some food for thought!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Who Said It - Jehl or Fox?
It amazing when you change the names on some issue how it can mean something different to the reader. Let us say this was the response Kelty campaign made regarding the political ad on the local Christian station.
Glenna Jehl, campaign manager for Kelty, said he didn’t know anything about the endorsements until learning about them from the local media.
"Any group has a right to endorse candidates based on whatever criteria they are using," she said.
Jehl agreed she didn’t know what criteria the group used, and she said she has never spoken to AFA. She also said she wasn’t aware of any conversations Kelty had with AFA, although AFA said they spoke with Kelty several times.
Now suppose this was Henry's campaign making comments regarding the endorsement by a number of local bar owners.
Joe Fox, campaign manager for Henry, said he didn’t know anything about the endorsements until learning about them from the local media.
"Any group has a right to endorse candidates based on whatever criteria they are using," he said.
Fox agreed he didn’t know what criteria the group used, and he said he has never spoken to Vaughn. He also said he wasn’t aware of any conversations Henry had with Vaughn, although Vaughn said he spoke with Henry several times.
The first one is wrong! It just replaced the names of Henry, Fox, and Vaughn with Kelty, Jehl, and AFA. The second deals with the smoking ban in truth. Both groups offer endorsements on different issues. It just depends on which side of a given issue you may be on. Read what Fox said about endorsements.
Frankly, I find the radio spot a little too much for me, but like the people they talk about, they do have a right to have their say.
Glenna Jehl, campaign manager for Kelty, said he didn’t know anything about the endorsements until learning about them from the local media.
"Any group has a right to endorse candidates based on whatever criteria they are using," she said.
Jehl agreed she didn’t know what criteria the group used, and she said she has never spoken to AFA. She also said she wasn’t aware of any conversations Kelty had with AFA, although AFA said they spoke with Kelty several times.
Now suppose this was Henry's campaign making comments regarding the endorsement by a number of local bar owners.
Joe Fox, campaign manager for Henry, said he didn’t know anything about the endorsements until learning about them from the local media.
"Any group has a right to endorse candidates based on whatever criteria they are using," he said.
Fox agreed he didn’t know what criteria the group used, and he said he has never spoken to Vaughn. He also said he wasn’t aware of any conversations Henry had with Vaughn, although Vaughn said he spoke with Henry several times.
The first one is wrong! It just replaced the names of Henry, Fox, and Vaughn with Kelty, Jehl, and AFA. The second deals with the smoking ban in truth. Both groups offer endorsements on different issues. It just depends on which side of a given issue you may be on. Read what Fox said about endorsements.
Frankly, I find the radio spot a little too much for me, but like the people they talk about, they do have a right to have their say.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Fort Wayne Needs 20% Unemployment Rate
If you listen to either Tom Henry or Matt Kelty, that we need a ready to employee work force for the next company that comes knocking. The only way to have that "ready" workforce is to have people setting on the sidelines waiting to be employed. To reach that goal means these people need to be unemployed! Think about it.
If you listen to either Tom Henry or Matt Kelty, you hear this beating this drum of getting our colleges together to make sure they are educating the students in the right areas. Excuse me, but when I attended college, I elected what I wanted to study. At that time (just before they invented fire) mechanical and electrical engineers where in high demand in Fort Wayne. Today, that demand is a small fraction of what it was. Thousands of these engineers have long left the area because of a lack of employment. Then again maybe mechanical and electrical engineers are no longer needed in today's world.
Little talk is done by any candidate of attracting new businesses to Fort Wayne. We have untold levels of economic development groups. It seems like an endless case of confusion for any outsider who is trying to figure out who the "GO TO" group is.
It seems like every candidate today talks about assembling groups to get anything done. These elected people are picked to "lead" and not be the chairperson to 300 groups. If leadership by groups is what we want then let the voters decide monthly.
We still hear the candidates saying they will fix streets and get their area more police protection. Well, we have heard those claims since elections started and will be hearing them for generations to come. Sure they may get one street improved but overall these are empty pandering comments.
The core subject for this community is "JOBS!" We need leadership that will go out there and work with outside companies to see what it will take to get them to locate in the Fort Wayne area. The area of wireless connection and the fields of education our colleges provide is pure bunk. Honda sure would not have located where they did if the decision was based on these two factors.
Search the Internet and you will see companies locating in cities that are not even on the level of Fort Wayne. No, we need leadership that gets the job completed, over blaming others in the community for the short falls.
Oh, in closing how many software engineers do we have on the third shelf, down isle two? There is a company thinking of coming to Fort Wayne and will need several software engineers!
If you listen to either Tom Henry or Matt Kelty, you hear this beating this drum of getting our colleges together to make sure they are educating the students in the right areas. Excuse me, but when I attended college, I elected what I wanted to study. At that time (just before they invented fire) mechanical and electrical engineers where in high demand in Fort Wayne. Today, that demand is a small fraction of what it was. Thousands of these engineers have long left the area because of a lack of employment. Then again maybe mechanical and electrical engineers are no longer needed in today's world.
Little talk is done by any candidate of attracting new businesses to Fort Wayne. We have untold levels of economic development groups. It seems like an endless case of confusion for any outsider who is trying to figure out who the "GO TO" group is.
It seems like every candidate today talks about assembling groups to get anything done. These elected people are picked to "lead" and not be the chairperson to 300 groups. If leadership by groups is what we want then let the voters decide monthly.
We still hear the candidates saying they will fix streets and get their area more police protection. Well, we have heard those claims since elections started and will be hearing them for generations to come. Sure they may get one street improved but overall these are empty pandering comments.
The core subject for this community is "JOBS!" We need leadership that will go out there and work with outside companies to see what it will take to get them to locate in the Fort Wayne area. The area of wireless connection and the fields of education our colleges provide is pure bunk. Honda sure would not have located where they did if the decision was based on these two factors.
Search the Internet and you will see companies locating in cities that are not even on the level of Fort Wayne. No, we need leadership that gets the job completed, over blaming others in the community for the short falls.
Oh, in closing how many software engineers do we have on the third shelf, down isle two? There is a company thinking of coming to Fort Wayne and will need several software engineers!
Kelty & Henry On Same Page - Thank Goodness
Thank goodness Matt Kelty and Tom Henry are on the same page for at least one issue and that is the OmniSource property. I think every resident in Fort Wayne wants to see some development with the property, over setting there with a falling down fence. It is eyesore as it sets today. That in some form development it could become an asset to our community over being a liability.
One has to ask the city leadership why did it take this long to have the study completed? A Phase I ESA only takes a few weeks and the results could have been known months ago. A Phase II ESA would take longer but provide much more detail of the environmental problems facing the purchaser of the property.
In today's News-Sentinel Gary Lyman, the city's brownfield manager said the city has conducted a variety of testing on the OmniSource property. One has to hope professional company did this is highly regarded within the environmental community. Anything less will just lead to additional questions and questions of the people involved in the purchase.
The testing should have been ordered as part of the option to purchase and should have been at the cost of the seller. The city should release the entire contents of what was requested that be studied and the entire report. That way, those of us that are concerned have our answers and the purchase may go forward.
I will wait until the report is released. Keep in mind I am not opposed to the conception use of the property. I just want to see that the property is clean enough that any development can go forward without spending millions more to clean up the site.
To view the News-Sentinel story click below:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/NEWS/710190314
One has to ask the city leadership why did it take this long to have the study completed? A Phase I ESA only takes a few weeks and the results could have been known months ago. A Phase II ESA would take longer but provide much more detail of the environmental problems facing the purchaser of the property.
In today's News-Sentinel Gary Lyman, the city's brownfield manager said the city has conducted a variety of testing on the OmniSource property. One has to hope professional company did this is highly regarded within the environmental community. Anything less will just lead to additional questions and questions of the people involved in the purchase.
The testing should have been ordered as part of the option to purchase and should have been at the cost of the seller. The city should release the entire contents of what was requested that be studied and the entire report. That way, those of us that are concerned have our answers and the purchase may go forward.
I will wait until the report is released. Keep in mind I am not opposed to the conception use of the property. I just want to see that the property is clean enough that any development can go forward without spending millions more to clean up the site.
To view the News-Sentinel story click below:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/NEWS/710190314
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Local Bloggers Have A Right To Question City!
Midland, Michigan Loons Ballpark - HOK DesignSome of the local bloggers have been taken to task for our questioning of local government and the people associated with it. Sometimes the questions are well founded. The past actions of city officials provide reasonable reason to question the openness to our local community. They provide only information and deeds to serve their wishes and not that of the community at large. Again, we see exclusive is greater then the inclusive government!
The selection of HOK Sports to design and manage the building of the baseball stadium at Harrison Square is not the issue. The selection of who was going to design the new baseball park at Harrison Square was not decided in a one hour meeting. In fact, one would guess some city officials discussed it for weeks and maybe even months. The selection of HOK was the best choice and there is no issue with HOK Sports in the least.
What city officials failed to disclose to the public was that HOK had already designed a baseball park for a Midwest League team. The scale and the scope of the project would nearly match that of Harrison Square. It would have provided the public a chance to see the work of HOK, at a level we should see in about 18 months. One has to ask why?
City officials did not bother to mention that the Midland, Michigan Loons play in a HOK designed ballpark. Just maybe, they did not want local residents to see that Midland's ballpark was built on corporate donated land and is, in part financially supported by a local foundation group. That the businesses in the community stepped up to home plate and hit a grand slam home run for the community!
Below is a link to a story written in Baseball parks.com about Midland's ballpark. HOK designed this ballpark and it contains story and photos.
http://www.baseballparks.com/GreatLakes-1.asp
The next time some local blogger questions something about Fort Wayne officials, they just may have sound footing to pose the question. Then again, if it takes a local blogger to bring a question to the front one, has to wonder what our local professional media outlets are doing?
HOK Sports - Only As Good As We Let Them To Be
San Francisco - HOK Designed Ballpark
Cincinnati - HOK Designed Ballpark
St. Louis - HOK Designed Ballpark
Washington Nationals HOK Ballpark - "Design-Build" ConceptThe City of Fort Wayne picked one of the premier, if not the premier baseball design/construction management firms in this country for the new baseball park at Harrison Square. To look at the ballparks HOK Sports has designed, is to look at some of the greatest ballparks the Untied States has. They have been a leader in the new concept of "design-build" of ballparks
.
The term "design-build" means that the design of the ballpark is ongoing while the construction has already started. This allows for a compressed time schedule from when funds are approved, to the time the first fans walk through the gates. HOK Sports breaks the ballpark down into phases of design and construction. An example would be, to start behind home plate, followed by the stadium's third base side, then onto the first base side, followed by left/center field, and followed by the right/center field. After these phases are complete the final phase would be the baseball field itself. This is not to say how HOK will complete Fort Wayne's ballpark but only an example of "design-build" concept.
HOK can only be as good as their customer allows them to be. Once the plans are being detailed any changes the customer wants could put the entire project completion date in jeopardy. Plus costs could spiral out of control.
The term "design-build" means that the design of the ballpark is ongoing while the construction has already started. This allows for a compressed time schedule from when funds are approved, to the time the first fans walk through the gates. HOK Sports breaks the ballpark down into phases of design and construction. An example would be, to start behind home plate, followed by the stadium's third base side, then onto the first base side, followed by left/center field, and followed by the right/center field. After these phases are complete the final phase would be the baseball field itself. This is not to say how HOK will complete Fort Wayne's ballpark but only an example of "design-build" concept.
HOK can only be as good as their customer allows them to be. Once the plans are being detailed any changes the customer wants could put the entire project completion date in jeopardy. Plus costs could spiral out of control.
HOK emplpoys subcontractors they have used in the past for a good reason. The on-site supervisors and management of the subcontractors know how "design-build" must flow. Delays in completion of any segment, of a phase could put the entire project behind schedule. Any delays in the schedules spells cost financial overruns in labor and materials. If there was ever a project of "leaving the professionals do it," this would be it.
It is clear, a project being built under the "design-build" concept should be left to the professionals who have done this before. However, Fort Wayne leaders should be pushing for as many local construction workers be hired to work on this project, under the management of HOK selected subcontractors.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Henry & Gouloff - Should Resign Or Be Fired
With yesterday's filing of bankruptcy by Kitty Hawk there should be no question left that Mayor Richard should ask both Jerome F. Henry, Jr., and Michael S. Gouloff to resign from the Fort Wayne Allen County Board of Aviation. Both of these men where appointed to the board by Mayor Richard
Henry and Gouloff also serve as board members of Tower Bank. The bank has in their investment portfolio, which in part includes some 12,400 shares of Kitty Hawk stock, as of September 30, 2007. The bank has owned these shares for at least two years.
No longer can Henry and Gouloff serve the best interest of both Tower Bank and the residents of Allen County. In serving the best interest of Tower Bank may force them to consider moving Kitty Hawk operations from Fort Wayne International Airport. If Kitty Hawk would leave the airport, the remaining multi million dollar balance, of the property taxed guaranteed bond would fall on the local property owners.
Henry and Gouloff also serve as board members of Tower Bank. The bank has in their investment portfolio, which in part includes some 12,400 shares of Kitty Hawk stock, as of September 30, 2007. The bank has owned these shares for at least two years.
No longer can Henry and Gouloff serve the best interest of both Tower Bank and the residents of Allen County. In serving the best interest of Tower Bank may force them to consider moving Kitty Hawk operations from Fort Wayne International Airport. If Kitty Hawk would leave the airport, the remaining multi million dollar balance, of the property taxed guaranteed bond would fall on the local property owners.
Fort Wayne - The City That Lacks Promotion
Over the last couple of months I heard about some pretty good events going on in Fort Wayne AFTER THEY ARE OVER! In my circle of friends (yes I have more then my dog) we have discussed the issue of someone missing an event. Most of these friends take at least one of the daily papers, watch the crazy local news, and are on the Internet daily. So it is not like we live in an isolated, sheltered world.
With all this talk about revitalizing downtown Fort Wayne got me thinking. So Sunday night I started the goggle search of events happening in Fort Wayne. Well, if I wanted to search at least a dozen or so sites which in turn then led me off to other sites or that required me to go to a third site, I could learn of some of the events going on in Fort Wayne. Wow, what a pain in the rear! One has to wonder what the people living outside Fort Wayne do if they are interested in seeing "what is happening" in all Fort Wayne?
Think of the hundreds of the out of visitors who are setting away the nights in their hotel rooms because they have no clue what may be going on in Fort Wayne. They lay down on their bed to only doze off, while watching TV. Then return home and tell others there is nothing going on in Fort Wayne. No one should be shocked or surprised!
Can it be fixed? Yes, and very quickly if we want to! Then again, we would need to pull together as a community, over a group of people concerned only about their little part of the world.
If we cannot get the basics down of promoting all of Fort Wayne how will we ever succeed as a city? Either we become an inclusive community or we will fail because we are an exclusive community. If we seek to be a diverse community then we need to promote are entire community to ourselves and the world around us.
To reach the goal cannot be driven by individual profit or individual glory, but of making Fort Wayne a better place!
With all this talk about revitalizing downtown Fort Wayne got me thinking. So Sunday night I started the goggle search of events happening in Fort Wayne. Well, if I wanted to search at least a dozen or so sites which in turn then led me off to other sites or that required me to go to a third site, I could learn of some of the events going on in Fort Wayne. Wow, what a pain in the rear! One has to wonder what the people living outside Fort Wayne do if they are interested in seeing "what is happening" in all Fort Wayne?
Think of the hundreds of the out of visitors who are setting away the nights in their hotel rooms because they have no clue what may be going on in Fort Wayne. They lay down on their bed to only doze off, while watching TV. Then return home and tell others there is nothing going on in Fort Wayne. No one should be shocked or surprised!
Can it be fixed? Yes, and very quickly if we want to! Then again, we would need to pull together as a community, over a group of people concerned only about their little part of the world.
If we cannot get the basics down of promoting all of Fort Wayne how will we ever succeed as a city? Either we become an inclusive community or we will fail because we are an exclusive community. If we seek to be a diverse community then we need to promote are entire community to ourselves and the world around us.
To reach the goal cannot be driven by individual profit or individual glory, but of making Fort Wayne a better place!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Busse Could Lead Fort Wayne To Revitalize Downtown
In today's News-Sentinel there are several stories about the issue of Fort Wayne revitalizing the core of the city. It is discussed one of the issues facing revitalization is "turf wars." The term "turf war" could mean "self interests," "power brokers," "self serving" and a great many more terms to describe those who think they should be one(s) to see the revitalization through. If that mind set continues the residents of Fort Wayne will end with a bunch of projects that do not deliver. Fort Wayne deserves better.
What is needed is someone who is not dependent on others, be it political or financial, to take the lead. This person has to be of such standing that when they call the phone gets answered. The person needs to be able to work with the people who want to accomplish this goal and to go around, or through those that have some other agenda.
Keith Busse runs the multi billion dollar Steel Dynamics Incorporated (SDI). He has built this business from the ground up and kept his company strong even when most other steel producers suffered greatly in the United States. While working in a steel mill is hard work you will not find much of a turn over in employees. He pays well, and shares some of the profits with the employees. Yes, he has stockholders to answer to, but has proven by sharing the profits with the very people that produce the goods increases productivity above the competitors. That is the type of leadership this project needs
Busse could be the very man to spearhead the revitalization of downtown Fort Wayne. While his business interests would not allow him to have a day-to-day roll in the project he could be the one that pulls it together. He would be able to settle "turf wars" by blowing them up. He could get everyone pulling the same direction regardless to political following or financial interest.
Working directly with him could be people like:
Ian Rolland - Former CEO of Lincoln Life
Phil Laux - Former President of Greater Fort Wayne Camber of Commerce
Joseph Ruffolo - President of Ruffolo Benson Investments
Tom Spiece - President of Spiece Fieldhouse
Laux could be hired by a combination of foundation grants, community grants, and even a contribution from the City of Fort Wayne to run the operation on a day-to-day basis. He and the other members would pull the data together and make final presentations to Bussie. Once the group agreed to a course of action it would be presented to the Mayor and City Council for consideration.
Supporting the "board" would take several other community groups to gather information in many areas.
IPFW - Surveying the people of Fort Wayne (address their wishes and issues. By addressing their issues will lead to buy in)
Invent Tomorrow - Continue to travel to cities to gleam the good and problems these successful cities have had
Fort Wayne Planning Department - Assist in the planning
Fort Wayne Economic Department - Assist in economic development
Utitilies - I&M, NIPSCO, Verizon, Comcast
Arts - Historical, Art, Music, Library
Chamber of Commerce - Business community
Banks -
Foundations -
Health Care - Parkview, Lutheran, Senior Living, Mental Health
Sports Corp - the various sports entities
Labor - Unions
Justice - Courts, FWPD, probation department, work release
Park Department -
Corp of Engineers - River
Department of Natural Resources - River
Congress - Mark Souder, Mike Pence, Birch Bayh, Richard Lugar
While the above list may be a partial list the idea is to make the planning inclusive over exclusive of shutting anyone out. The point is they would have tasks to complete and input to provide in writing the plan.
Total investment in this project will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. We need the leadership of people who are use to dealing in projects of this scope. These people know how to get things done and get them done quickly. Fort Wayne could use this approach and maybe reach our goal of revitalising our city in five to six years over twenty years.
Path to News-Sentinel articles:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071015/NEWS/710150309
What is needed is someone who is not dependent on others, be it political or financial, to take the lead. This person has to be of such standing that when they call the phone gets answered. The person needs to be able to work with the people who want to accomplish this goal and to go around, or through those that have some other agenda.
Keith Busse runs the multi billion dollar Steel Dynamics Incorporated (SDI). He has built this business from the ground up and kept his company strong even when most other steel producers suffered greatly in the United States. While working in a steel mill is hard work you will not find much of a turn over in employees. He pays well, and shares some of the profits with the employees. Yes, he has stockholders to answer to, but has proven by sharing the profits with the very people that produce the goods increases productivity above the competitors. That is the type of leadership this project needs
Busse could be the very man to spearhead the revitalization of downtown Fort Wayne. While his business interests would not allow him to have a day-to-day roll in the project he could be the one that pulls it together. He would be able to settle "turf wars" by blowing them up. He could get everyone pulling the same direction regardless to political following or financial interest.
Working directly with him could be people like:
Ian Rolland - Former CEO of Lincoln Life
Phil Laux - Former President of Greater Fort Wayne Camber of Commerce
Joseph Ruffolo - President of Ruffolo Benson Investments
Tom Spiece - President of Spiece Fieldhouse
Laux could be hired by a combination of foundation grants, community grants, and even a contribution from the City of Fort Wayne to run the operation on a day-to-day basis. He and the other members would pull the data together and make final presentations to Bussie. Once the group agreed to a course of action it would be presented to the Mayor and City Council for consideration.
Supporting the "board" would take several other community groups to gather information in many areas.
IPFW - Surveying the people of Fort Wayne (address their wishes and issues. By addressing their issues will lead to buy in)
Invent Tomorrow - Continue to travel to cities to gleam the good and problems these successful cities have had
Fort Wayne Planning Department - Assist in the planning
Fort Wayne Economic Department - Assist in economic development
Utitilies - I&M, NIPSCO, Verizon, Comcast
Arts - Historical, Art, Music, Library
Chamber of Commerce - Business community
Banks -
Foundations -
Health Care - Parkview, Lutheran, Senior Living, Mental Health
Sports Corp - the various sports entities
Labor - Unions
Justice - Courts, FWPD, probation department, work release
Park Department -
Corp of Engineers - River
Department of Natural Resources - River
Congress - Mark Souder, Mike Pence, Birch Bayh, Richard Lugar
While the above list may be a partial list the idea is to make the planning inclusive over exclusive of shutting anyone out. The point is they would have tasks to complete and input to provide in writing the plan.
Total investment in this project will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. We need the leadership of people who are use to dealing in projects of this scope. These people know how to get things done and get them done quickly. Fort Wayne could use this approach and maybe reach our goal of revitalising our city in five to six years over twenty years.
Path to News-Sentinel articles:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071015/NEWS/710150309
Kitty Hawk Files Chaper 11 Bankruptcy
The days of Kitty Hawk flying out of Fort Wayne may be numbered. Kitty Hawk filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in Federal Court in Texas today. The filing is apparently Kitty Hawk's last gasp at reorganizing before selling off what assets they have reaming.
The taxpayers of Allen County, Indiana may well be called on, to pay off the remaining bond that was floated to build the air hub facility at Fort Wayne International Airport. These is not the first time taxpayers in Allen County has been left "holding the bag" regarding taxpayer guaranteed bonds and the airport.
Click below to view the Securities Exchange Commission filing regarding Kitty Hawk's most recent bankruptcy filing:
http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/fetchFilingFrameset.aspx?dcn=0000950129-07-004924&Type=HTM
Previous Post On Kitty Hawk Can Be Read At:
http://fwroadkill.blogspot.com/2007/10/kitty-hawk-update-correction.html
The taxpayers of Allen County, Indiana may well be called on, to pay off the remaining bond that was floated to build the air hub facility at Fort Wayne International Airport. These is not the first time taxpayers in Allen County has been left "holding the bag" regarding taxpayer guaranteed bonds and the airport.
Click below to view the Securities Exchange Commission filing regarding Kitty Hawk's most recent bankruptcy filing:
http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/fetchFilingFrameset.aspx?dcn=0000950129-07-004924&Type=HTM
Previous Post On Kitty Hawk Can Be Read At:
http://fwroadkill.blogspot.com/2007/10/kitty-hawk-update-correction.html
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