COUNCILMAN’S CORNER
There’s been quite a bit of discussion recently about the importance of new jobs in this national recession (as it’s now being called) in which we find ourselves. That’s absolutely correct; without good jobs we can’t fund good schools, build roads, have decent housing, finance our police and fire departments, etc. I’ve written in the past regarding our great new Grand Wayne Center scheduled to open in 2005. It isn’t mentioned often but it’s a fact that the $100 million being spent on the Grand Wayne Center and the new library system will generate hundreds of jobs in Fort Wayne. These projects will be a boon to downtown Fort Wayne as well as to the entire community when they’re completed. They’ll also help create jobs during the construction phase—jobs that will also be a boon to our city.
This is a good time to mention a great success for the Fort Wayne—Allen County Economic Development Alliance. The Alliance has recruited an excellent new business to the south side of Fort Wayne with the unusual name of Vita Nonwovens. This firm, which manufactures products for the automobile industry, will initially hire over 30 employees with an average starting salary of over $36, 000. An important fact to note is that over 90% of the Vita employees will require technical training to perform their jobs. These jobs are typical of those being generated in our new high-tech economy—they require a solid technical education but pay better than many service sector jobs. Hopefully Vita Nonwovens will expand over the years to hire the 100 or more employees they’ve projected. Nice job, Economic Development Alliance!
The 2003 Fort Wayne City Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th. If your neighborhood is planning to participate—an excellent idea—and hasn’t signed up be sure to contact Dawn Ritchie, Director of the Solid Waste Department, at 427- 1270. The May 17th event is an excellent time for neighbors to get together to clean up the neighborhood. City garbage trucks will stop by and pick up any trash that is collected. May 17th will be a good time to check the neighborhood and make sure that old tires are picked up along with any other items that might hold stagnant water that could breed West Nile Virus. Then don’t miss the party at Freimann Square later that day following the cleanup!
I’ve been receiving a few emails recently (see my email address below). Email is becoming an excellent way to communicate with my constituents. I receive over 1000 telephone calls and emails each year regarding new matters that require action. I tackle citizen concerns regarding city government matters as well as problems involving county, state, and federal government. If I ever miss a call or an email you forward be sure to contact me again so I can answer your questions or help you navigate government to get your problem solved.
Have a great spring! Let me know if there are any matters that interest you that I should discuss in “Councilman’s Corner”.
Tom Hayhurst
City Councilman
4th District
432-8418
tom.hayhurst@verizon.net
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