DIFFICULT WINTER – MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

As we’re all well aware, we’ve been dealing with a difficult winter season.

I want to take the this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to the City employees who were involved in keeping our City safe during the winter storm that hit Fort Wayne in early January. We saw snow and temperatures that we haven’t experienced in years.

It was great to see teamwork and excellent execution of our emergency plans. Our Public Works, Public Safety, City Utilities, and 311 departments really stepped up and made a positive difference in plowing, responding to emergencies, and answering questions and concerns from citizens.

In addition, the Parks Department did a tremendous job with the warming stations that were established.

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We received a story from Bennie Lewis and Costella Mack from the Parks Department that clearly demonstrates we’re a caring and compassionate community.

“Around 6 p.m. on Monday, January 6, a man entered the Weisser Park Youth Center, which was designated as a warming station. He was cold, hungry, and needed a place to get warm. One of our employees had brought lunch from home and shared her lunch with the man. He was very grateful for the warmth, food, and a bottle of water. We then made arrangements for the gentleman to spend the night at the Salvation Army shelter.”

It’s that spirit of working together that makes our City great.

In addition, we continue to receive national recognition for our efforts to provide excellent services to you.
Belinda Lewis, Director of Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, has been certified by the Society of Animal Welfare Professionals as an Animal Welfare Administrator.
Belinda is a true expert in her field, and we’re fortunate to have her on our team. Our Animal Care & Control Department is one of the best in the country. Under Belinda’s leadership and her team’s commitment to the safety of animals, we’re making a positive difference in our community.

Candidates who earn the certification must meet strict eligibility requirements in leadership, management, and animal welfare experience and successfully pass a rigorous exam, developed to meet the highest competency standards. The exam tests knowledge and skills in administration and management, personnel supervision and leadership, public relations and fundraising, animal care and treatment, and reasoning.

There are currently only 109 professionals who have achieved this designation.

This is another example of our on-going efforts to invest in our future and engage, innovate, and perform to meet the needs of our City.