COUNCILMAN’S CORNER
City Council continues to discuss and debate the question of redistricting and/or adding to Fort Wayne’s City Council districts. All Council members agree that Fort Wayne’s district boundaries will need to be redrawn before the end of 2005 since over 30,000 Aboite residents will be annexed by the City of Fort Wayne on January 1, 2006. The ongoing discussion is regarding whether Fort Wayne should have 2 or 4 more Council districts (i.e. for a total of 8 or 10) and whether the “At Large” positions on City Council should be maintained or eliminated. Based on common sense and lots of feedback from citizens—including a public hearing—I favor adding 2 more districts for a total of 8. This would keep each Council district population around 30,000 rather than over 40,000 without 2 new districts. Hopefully it would also be possible for the Aboite area to have a council member dedicated to that newly annexed area. The final decision regarding adding additional council members will be made by the state legislature. Let me know your thoughts regarding this plan. If you agree with the concept of 8 Districts and 3 At Large Council members, call Council members At Large: Crawford, Talarico, and Shoaff at their home or at the City Council office at 427-1445 and let them know.
Police Chief Rusty York and his Quadrant Chiefs including Southwest Quadrant Chief Doug Lucker recently provided City Council an update on crime trends in Fort Wayne. Statistics show improvement since last year and on a longterm basis as well with a significant decrease in crime since 1998. Their report focused on the 8 major felonies but our police department is also well aware that a quick response to lesser crimes such as vandalism and disturbing the peace is very important. You can help with this effort. Please be alert to any suspicious activity in your neighborhood and call 911 or the police desk sergeant if problems arise.
I’ve received several calls recently regarding 2 large “off-premises” billboards in the Waynedale area. The size and location of these billboards is regulated by the Fort Wayne City Code. I’ve discussed the situation more than once with Fort Wayne’s Plan Department staff and they tell me that the new billboards are legal. Let me know if you’re concerned about this issue.
Have a great holiday season with your friends and family. Call or email me with any suggestions or questions. I receive many emails and calls and don’t have full time secretarial help; if you don’t get a response soon contact me again to make sure we’ve communicated.
Tom Hayhurst
City Councilman
4th District
432-8418
tom.hayhurst@verizon.net
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