VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP

I wrote in my last column about two bills introduced in the Indiana legislature that, if passed, could have either eliminated or drastically changed township government. I am pleased to report that neither bill passed, and the General Assembly has adjourned for this year.

I expect the subject of township government will be brought up again in future legislative sessions. But, for now, your township is safe from those who, I believe, don’t understand the great job we are doing at the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office.

I will continue to work to get the message out about township government and, in particular, the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office. My most important role as Trustee is to ensure that we preserve our local township government for those who need our help now and will need our help in the coming years.

As I drove around the Waynedale area recently, I couldn’t help but notice all the signs regarding saving Elmhurst High School. By the time you read this column, the school board may already have made its decision about Elmhurst.

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As Wayne Township Trustee, I don’t have a vote on Elmhurst. This is strictly a decision of the Fort Wayne Community School Board. I do, however, have considerable empathy for the students, faculty, parents, alumni and friends of Elmhurst.

I am a graduate of Central High School, and I know how it feels to have your school closed. We were family too at Central. I still can become nostalgic when I think of the wonderful years I spent at Central and about the closing of my school.

Our high school years are so important in our development for life. Many of us have fond memories of great teachers who meant so much to us and helped us through those sometimes difficult teenage years.

I played on the basketball team at Central, where I developed close friendships with other team members. And, I can still recall how upset I was when we lost a game to, guess who? Elmhurst!

As I am writing this, the Elmhurst boy’s basketball team is heading for the Semi-State Basketball tournament, where I know they will make us proud whether they win or lose. Even though Elmhurst has not had the best record in football in recent years, the Elmhurst fans always have shown great spirit in supporting their teams and their school.

Elmhurst has been an anchor for the Waynedale community for 80 years. A high school is not only a center of learning, but a center of social and sports activities too. What a loss the closing of a school with a long tradition is to a community. I wish the Elmhurst family the best in whatever the future brings.

The weather is improving finally, and Easter will be here shortly. I am looking forward to Easter church activities and relaxing with family on Easter weekend. I hope all of you in Waynedale have a great Easter weekend.

Richard A. Stevenson, Sr.

Wayne Township Trustee