COUNCILMAN’S CORNER
I believe strongly that it makes sense to put the necessary dollars into upgrading public schools in the area as has been recommended to the Fort Wayne Community School Board. I’ve received several calls recently relating to an important matter I discussed in an earlier column—the future of Elmhurst High School. Many Waynedale citizens including neighborhood leaders have been very active in letting the school system know how important Elmhurst is to everyone in the area. At the time of this writing it sounds like the School Board has decided to take Elmhurst High School “off the chopping block.” That’s good news for everyone fighting for Elmhurst. Here’s my take on the situation: don’t relax and feel the battle has been won until the Board makes its final decision. Keep in touch with FWCS Board members via letter, telephone, or email regarding your feelings about the future of Elmhurst and Wayne and South Side High Schools and other schools in the area. I’m planning to show up at this week’s FWCS Board meeting to make a plea to save every school in the FWCS system which can be considered a neighborhood school. Elmhurst certainly fits that definition.
Various city and county officials have been talking publicly about re-establishing a county tax review board. There’s no question that quite a few major public projects are either underway or are being considered by county and city government, school systems, the airport, the library, and various utility systems. The concerns regarding oversight of these citizen-financed projects are valid. I feel that our fragmented, outmoded 1850s system of city and county government—which hasn’t been “fixed” despite efforts to bring about modernization —is at the heart of the problem. For the time being enhanced public review of large projects makes sense. Whatever system is put in place should be firmly under the control of elected officials who have to answer to the voters and taxpayers—not just a group of appointed volunteers.
I’ve been writing this column for the last 11 years. Originally I thought of writing “Councilman’s Corner” as a burden. It didn’t take long for me to realize that The Waynedale News had made available a great tool for me to use to keep in touch with the voters throughout the Waynedale area and the South Side of Fort Wayne. Thanks to Bob Stark and The Waynedale News for this opportunity to connect with citizens of the 4th City Council District. I’m not running for City Council again this year. Hopefully the tradition of this column will continue after my successor is sworn in on January 1, 2008!
Give me a call with any concerns, questions, or constructive suggestions for our great city. Thanks again for the opportunity to serve Waynedale and the citizens of Fort Wayne. Don’t forget to patronize the advertisers in The Waynedale News!
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