MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

A few weeks ago in this column I wrote about the opportunity that our community has to decide how we will invest the funds in the Community Trust Fund and the income we expect to receive from the settlement of the light lease with Indiana Michigan Power. This is a once in a lifetime chance for our city to invest in a true legacy for our future. I want a community dialogue to guide us in spending the fund that now totals over $77 million. So today I want to encourage you to let the Fort Wayne Legacy Task Force know how you would like to see the money used.

March is Legacy Fort Wayne’s community engagement month. From public forums and group proposals to Feedback Fort Wayne and Meetups, there are lots of ways for you to participate in this unique community discussion. The Task Force and I want everyone to get involved. Together, we can shape the future.

Here are the dates for the upcoming Legacy Fort Wayne public forums:

March 14 Allen County Public Library – Downtown 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Rooms B & C 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
900 Library Plaza

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March 15 Snider High School Cafeteria 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
4600 Fairlawn Pass
Enter through Door 3
March 16 Northrop High School Cafeteria
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
7001 Coldwater Road
Enter through Door 1

The City is using some new and exciting technology tools to help you get involved in the Legacy Fort Wayne discussion. We’ve added the popular, online organizational tool, Meetup to our community involvement toolbox. Meetup makes it easy for you to coordinate informal, real-world Legacy Fort Wayne events in homes or public places. The Meetup ideas are then collected and transmitted digitally through the Legacy Fort Wayne website. Everything required to start a Meetup or to find one already set can be found at www.meetup.com/Legacy-Fort-Wayne/. The same Idea form created for Meetup use can also be employed by individuals independently. It can be accessed under the Ideas heading at www.LegacyFortWayne.org.

We’re also continuing to use Feedback Fort Wayne to take your thoughts and suggestions. Since its debut mid-January, soon after the announcement of Legacy Fort Wayne, Feedback Fort Wayne at www.FeedbackFortWayne.org, has remained the most immediate way for you to offer suggestions, discuss them and vote for their preferences at any time.
I know there are a number of groups and organizations that work tirelessly to strengthen our area in so many ways. The Legacy Task Force and I also want to make sure local groups have a convenient way to share their insights and contribute their suggestions for spending this inheritance. To that end the Legacy Task Force is also accepting spending proposals from area advocacy organizations, nonprofit boards, associations, commissions and other established entities. Suggestions are also encouraged from organizations or groups that want to collaborate. An overview document containing explanatory information and directions can be found on the Legacy Fort Wayne website at www.LegacyFortWayne.org under the Group Proposals heading on the navigation bar. The deadline for receiving all group proposal forms is Friday, March 18 at 5 p.m.

Legacy Fort Wayne has created a wave of excitement and interest that is building throughout our community. This is a real moment of opportunity for Fort Wayne. These funds are a unique legacy. They can become a mighty catalyst and have a lasting impact. Our challenge is to look to the future, think long term, and be bold. If we use these resources wisely, we can strengthen our community and better position us for economic growth. Legacy Fort Wayne needs your ideas.