Will the JG Ever Get His Name Right?
First they said his name was Joe:
Other prominent Democrats in attendance included Mayor Tom Henry [...] and congressional candidate Joe Montagano.
Now, from today’s editorial endorsing Mark Souder, they get his last name wrong:
The winner will face Democrat Mike Mantagano, a Howe lawyer.
It’s Mike Montagano…
County Commissioners Abdicate Bridge Maintenance Responsibility
On Friday the county commissioners decided to relinquish their historical responsibility of maintaining the county’s bridges as of January 2009:
Cities and towns would be responsible for any bridges less than 200 feet long within their borders, beginning next year. The county would continue to maintain bridges in unincorporated areas of Allen County.
Requiring each city to provide their own bridge engineers is a waste of taxpayer money - this is a function that should clearly be paid for at the county level. I think everyone understands there are some funding shortages (caused mainly by the commissioners’ own decision to eliminate the cumulative bridge fund) but citizens should expect the commissioners to show a modicum of creativity and interest in solving the problem. Instead they chose to take their ball and go home while simultaneously creating more government bureaucracy.
Thanks - I’m sure we all appreciate your effort…
Journal Gazette Lacks Full Disclosure On Maplecrest Extension Letter
Today’s featured letter to the editor in the JG comes out in strong support for the $55 million Maplecrest Extension project. Of course I’m sure it’s just coincidence that the author’s name, Bob Taylor, is identical to that of the President of Do It Best (I tried to confirm this with the JG but they did not respond). Of course Do It Best is located along the extension and could financially benefit from the project.
If this is the same Bob Taylor then it is absolutely shameful that the JG would not disclose the fact that he has a financial interest in the project when printing his letter. Unfortunately this is another example of the failures of traditional media. This abdication of journalistic responsibility is why more and more people are turning away from traditional media sources. There was a massive article in Sunday’s New York Times that discussed this topic and I’ll have more on that later…
(Photo from DoItBestCorp.com)
Michael Latham Is A Poor Representative Of The NAACP
NAACP President Michael Latham is in the news again, although this time it isn’t for his crony-position with the state in which he did nothing to earn a paycheck and was summarily terminated. No, this time it’s for criticizing former mayor Graham Richard. Of course there’s no problem with that in general, but Latham’s statements are just over-the-top ridiculous.
I don’t like it when anyone criticized African-Americans that have gave themselves to their community,” Latham said. “We cannot tolerate anybody to take our leaders and criticize them publicly.
Nobody is above criticism Mr Latham, and we certainly should look beyond someone’s race when deciding who deserves that criticism. You cheapen the concept of racial justice when you interject it simply to seek more personal publicity. Mayor Richard’s criticism of Mike Cunegin was performance related and had absolutely nothing to do with his race. To suggest that African-American leaders are somehow above public criticism is the very antithesis of the historical mission of the NAACP…
(Photo from Pictopia.com)
Congrats to Karen Goldner
City councilwoman Karen Goldner has been chosen to introduce Michelle Obama this Friday:
On a personal note, your humble correspondent is thrilled to have been asked to introduce Michelle. Wow. Now I just have to figure out the right thing to wear, because as we all know, what women wear matters.
I would go with shorts and flip flops - but maybe that’s just me…
Republican County Council Choice
I’m not voting in the Republican primary but I thought I would offer my take on the county council race anyway. I attended a “Meet the Candidates” session on Monday as part of the Conservative Breakfast Club (yes, I was invited), and got a chance to hear 3 of the candidates answer questions from Republicans in attendance.
Of the three council candidates (Roy Buskirk, Jim Howard, Mahlon Houlihan), Jim Howard was the most impressive. So you can imagine I was somewhat amazed to read that the JG endorsed Houlihan instead of Howard. I’ve got nothing against Houlihan, and he seems like a nice guy, but he’s simply not in the same league as Howard (or Buskirk for that matter). Howard’s answers showed that he has a command over the issues primary voters care about while Houlihan seemed almost unprepared and spoke in generalities.
I’m not sure Republican voters give a damn who the JG endorses and they probably don’t care what I think either. But I submit that anyone who speaks with both these candidates will have an easy choice on election day. You can read more on Jim Howard here…
Says Who?
This quote from IPFW and Fort Wayne Police Department spokesman Mike Joyner has troubled me all week:
University officials were notified of the crime scene at 11:50 a.m, and an e-mail was sent to the campus community just after 1 p.m. alerting the students and staff that a person had been found dead in a residence hall and that the death was being investigated by the university police.
Branson and Michael Joyner, spokesman for the Fort Wayne Police Department, defended the timing and vagueness of the response, saying they released limited information because it was an active investigation and there was no reason to believe students were in danger.
With all due respect, how could they possibly know that at the time? It seems like the safe response, the correct response, would be to notify everyone as quickly as possible with as many details as possible. I don’t bring this up merely to criticize, but to point out that it’s imperative IPFW is more responsive if this ever happens again…
Michelle Obama at North Side High School This Friday
The word is Michelle Obama will be speaking at North Side High School this Friday at 4pm. And don’t forget that Hillary Clinton will be coming to Headwaters Park this Saturday as well. I suppose it’s nice to be relevant. Better enjoy it now because it may not happen again for a long, long time…
Spring Has Sprung
Some kudos to whoever is responsible (is it City Parks & Recreation?) for the Flowering Bradford Pear trees between Hamilton Park and Wells Street along Spring Street! Both sides lined with just gorgeous white blossoms!
Also, the median on Main Street from Clay Street & west - just covered with white and yellow jonquils - as a kid I called them “telephone flowers” because they resembled the mouthpiece on our crank-style telephone.
Many thanks for making my day “spring-ie”!!
Jeff Pruitt: Here you go John. I went ahead and took a photo of one of these trees on my way home from work…
Pear Tree Along Spring St
Knuth Opens Campaign With Opposition To Maplecrest Extension
I’ve written extensively on the proposed $55 million Maplecrest Extension project and what I feel is the commissioners’ attempt to avoid a referendum on the project. Today, former Allen County Democratic Party chairman Kevin Knuth announced that he’ll be running for county council. He also issued a press release echoing many of the sentiments myself, and others here at FWP, have been sharing for some time now about the $55 million project.
Knuth kicked off his campaign by reviewing the issues surrounding the proposed Maplecrest extension, a 1.5 mile stretch of road that is expected to cost $55 Million to build. Knuth pointed out that the County Commissioners want to get the project approved before July 1, when a new law goes into effect that would require a referendum vote. “They want to avoid the referendum, plain and simple,” said Knuth.
The traditional media has ignored our narrative on this project but at some point they will be forced to cover it - perhaps Knuth’s press release will be that catalyst. Either way when the people do find out what’s going on they will be pissed and I think the safe political ground will be found in opposition to this wasteful $55 Million project.
