City Website Gets A Makeover
The city of Fort Wayne has updated their website - from the press release (hat tip - Mitch Harper):
Last month, the City added video-on-demand of weekly City Council meetings to the Web site. Other features include Google search, RSS feeds of City news, one-click translation in 10 languages, contact information for the City’s elected officials, meeting agendas, and information and resources for nearly all City divisions and departments.
Stephen Parker from Around Fort Wayne blogged about this a couple of days ago and had this critique:
While looking a bit more elegant, one glaring problem is on the front page. The Harrison Square graphic used is extremely outdated. This was the very first concept plan when the project was first unveiled to the public back in December 2006. This plan looks nothing like the current incarnation. In fact, the media is finally starting to use the current site plan rather than this obsolete relic. I hope Mayor Henry and his PIO’s have a better grasp on the project than this! I have a feeling they do, but come on guys!
More On Redacted VA Report
I offered to host the redacted report here at FWP but I was told the JG is going to upload the documents. I’ll let everyone know when that becomes available (or feel free to let me know if you see it first).
UPDATE: Report is now available
here. The file is large (527MB) and downloads rather slowly…
UPDATE 2:The JG has broke the report up into 4 parts and made the PDFs much smaller so it loads quicker. The old link won’t work; you’ll have to use these:
Part1,
Part2,
Part3,
Part4
In the meantime, check out Berry Street Beacon for Charlotte Weybright’s post on this redacted report. Charlotte has been active with the local Veterans for Better Health Care group and I’m sure they won’t be happy about this.
Also, Sylvia Smith will have a column on this story in Sunday’s paper - definitely a must read…
Redacted VA Report
Sylvia Smith’s story in today’s JG indicates that the Bush administration is withholding information about a study that was done regarding our local VA hospital. The study was requested by Smith under the Freedom of Information Act but had significant portions redacted. This is completely unacceptable and yet standard practice for the Bush administration. Smith told me the administration is claiming this falls under the 5b exemption . I’ll attempt to explain (thanks to a FOIA presentation from the US Navy) this exemption below as well as explain why I doubt all the redacted portions apply:
Mayor’s Night In
I was one of the 13 people that got to meet with Mayor Henry last night as part of his Mayor’s Night In program. Everyone that signed up got 10 minutes to discuss whatever they wished with the mayor and his administration. I’m excited mayor Henry has brought this program back and I hope more people will take advantage of the opportunity. The mayor listened to my concern, asked questions and vowed to have his staff get back to me with an answer.
In the end this is all citizens can really ask for. The mayor may not agree with you but he will take the time to listen and weigh your concerns in his decision…
Bill Clinton Speech Video
Here’s the video I took of the full speech by President Bill Clinton last Tuesday night. I’ll apologize in advance for making you suffer through “Shaken Camera Syndrome” but I did the best I could considering I had nowhere to set up my tripod.
City Hires New Director of Public Information
The mayor announced that Rebecca L. Karcher, Account Supervisor/Public Relations Manager for Asher Agency, has been appointed as Director of Public Information effective April 1st. Karcher will replace Mike Joyner who was working in a dual role as Director of Public Information for the FWPD and the city of Fort Wayne.
It’s a good sign that the mayor found someone to fill this position as it simply wasn’t possible for Joyner to be effective in both jobs simultaneously. Congratulations to Karcher and good luck in the new position - even if she is a KU grad…
Reflections on President Clinton’s Speech
It’s hard to describe tonight’s events - I hate using the word “surreal” but that does accurately describe what transpired this evening. As little as two months ago very few would have predicted that any significant Presidential campaigning would be taking place here in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Yet, tonight I watched a former President of the United States give a speech in our very own Grand Wayne Center. And this was not just any President, this was Bill Clinton - still a Democratic hero who commands as much respect as any Democratic figure since John Kennedy.
Now I, like many of you, have watched numerous Clinton speeches over the years and I doubt anybody would deny that he’s one of the best orators of our time but you truly cannot grasp this concept until you’re there live and in person. It’s similar to watching the Cubs on WGN versus being in the bleachers at Wrigley Field.
Mike Montagano On The Bill Clinton Event
I caught up with 3rd District Democratic Congressional candidate Mike Montagano before the former President showed up. As a reminder Montagano is going to be the Democratic nominee and will square off against Indiana’s worst congressman - Mark “Just Say No” Souder…
Clinton - No Love For Fort Wayne Bloggers
Yesterday I contacted the Hillary campaign and asked for media credentials to video Bill Clinton’s speech. I was given the number for the statewide media coordinator and was told that while I might get his voicemail that he would get back to me. He never did. My plan, as always, was to post video the entire speech (unedited) for everyone to see. Of course the traditional media never does this so you would think they would at least accomodate someone from the local blogosphere. Here’s a photo of the media area at the event and I don’t see any local bloggers in there.
I’ll try and cover the event as best I can from my seat with the rest of the proletariat…
Kevin Knuth Speaks At Bill Clinton Event
Former county chair Kevin Knuth informs us on why he won’t be able to meet with Clinton and how momentum from this event could help the local party in November…
