COUNCILMAN’S CORNER
I’ve received quite a few calls recently regarding disturbances in the Lakewood Park area near Gio’s on Bluffton Road. There have been problems with noise, cars damaging private property, trash on private property, etc. Except for occurrences on Gio’s property such as noisy patrons on Gio’s parking lot, etc., it’s often very difficult to determine whether the problems reported to me and the police department are or are not related to that business. With those thoughts in mind I’ve talked not only with neighbors in the area but also with SW Quadrant Police Chief Doug Lucker, other police officers, Gio’s management, and other concerned citizens. Gio’s has hired off duty police officers and instituted other measures in an effort to be a good neighbor. Police officers will be keeping a close eye on the area. If citizens observe any violation of city laws such as littering or parking vehicles in nearby residents’ front yards or unruly behavior call either 911 or the FWPD police desk at 427-1222.
As you may have heard, the Park Board recently voted down a proposal for roadway improvements in Foster Park. Board members requested more public input regarding the design of any planned improvements. There has already been quite a bit of discussion regarding this matter. Certainly the deteriorating Foster Park roadway needs repair but now is a good time to consider adding pedestrian walkways as well as making other needed improvements. City Councilman Tim Pape and I are meeting with Parks Director Dianne Hoover during the next few days. Let me know if you have any thoughts regarding this issue. I should also mention that the Foster Park Golf Course will be made more “golfer-friendly” in the not too distant future by the addition of an extensive new asphalt pathway system. This will allow golfers to drive their carts on the course even when the course is saturated with rainwater.
Mayor Graham Richard’s office is currently formulating the 2005 budget that will be brought to City Council in early September for review. By state law the Council can cut items from the Mayor’s budget but we can’t add any expenditures. $450,000 of CEDIT tax funds in Fort Wayne’s 2004 budget (less than 1/3 of 1% of the total) were dedicated to capital projects in neighborhoods such as sidewalks, street resurfacing, and the new traffic signals at Lower Huntington Road and Bluffton Road. I strongly support maintaining a budget line item dedicating these funds for neighborhood projects which otherwise could often be very difficult to fund. I urge you to write or call or speak directly to the Mayor and encourage him to leave district CEDIT funds in the 2005 budget so needed neighborhood projects can be completed. This is an important aspect of “Community Oriented Government”.
With the 4th of July in the near future I want to once again thank our veterans for their service to the nation. I’m an Air Force veteran from the Vietnam era. I visited the WWII Memorial as well as the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials in Washington earlier this year and have great respect for all of our vets as well as those on active duty.
Call or email me with any problems with which I might be able to help or with any constructive suggestions. I make a point to return every call but some callers don’t leave a call back number. If we don’t make contact call me again! Also please remember that you are also represented on City Council by 3 “At-Large” Council members: Councilmen Crawford, Shoaff, and Talarico. When it comes to getting things done I can always accomplish more with some allies on Council so don’t hesitate to contact these Council members as well with your concerns. Thanks!
Tom Hayhurst
tom.hayhurst@verizon.net
City Councilman
4th District
432-8418
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