The Harrison Square Project is a dismal failure to date
I opposed the Harrison Square Project along with a large majority of Fort Wayne residents. After the project was approved I still posted about it; however, I posted a great deal less about it.
The Harrison Square Project is a complete failure by any definition.
The supporters cling to the fact that at great tax payer expense a pretty new baseball stadium was built downtown. I agree that the new baseball stadium is very nice and that it is a pleasant place to watch a baseball game.
John Crawford forms exploratory Committee
The News-Sentinel has an interesting piece discussing the fact that John Crawford has formed an Exploratory Committee. John Crawford (Republican) was an at-large City Councilman who was defeated in the last election.
I have to admit that there is a lot to like about Mr. Crawford; however, I did not support him in his last re-election attempt for two main reasons.
First he supported and championed the smoking ban that was put into place in Fort Wayne. I strongly believe in property rights and I detest the smoking ban in Fort Wayne.
Secondly he supported the failed Harrison Square Project. The vast majority of those polled in Fort Wayne opposed the Harrison Square Project; however, it managed to pass City Council with a vote of 5 - 4. One of those votes in favor was Councilman Crawford.
The entire article is well worth your time; however, I wish to discuss three of its points:
First is this gem; “Crawford would not have voted in favor of the $27 million Public Safety Academy had he known it would fail to support itself, requiring additional subsidies from City Council.” A lot of private citizens (including yours truly) opposed this boondoggle and correctly predicted that it would not be able to support itself. You can rest assured that if I were ever on City Council I would have opposed spending a huge amount of money whose basic strategy was “build it and they will come.”
Second is this tidbit “Crawford also was a late supporter of the city’s $125 million Harrison Square project, the success of which he said remains unclear.” Councilman Crawford’s vote tipped the scales and allowed what will likely turn out to be the second largest waste of taxpayer dollars (The Grand Wayne Center is likely the largest waste) locally. It is incomprehensible to me that anyone other than Greg Leatherman can possibly believe that the success of the Harrison Square Project remains unclear. The Harrison Square Project is a dismal failute and the majority of this City predicted that it would be a dismal failure.
Third is this fact. Mayor Henry has been a completely uninspiring and ineffective Mayor in my opinion. That being said the only announced candidate on the Republican side is Paula Hughes. If Mr. Crawford were to join the race I would likely support him over the other two likely candidates.
Mike Sylvester
