Fort Wayne Observed

Mayor Baals Mentioned in Today's Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal's Elizabeth Williamson wrote a story on unusual political names for a front page article in the today's edition.  She reported on candidates such as Alabama's Young Boozer and Virginia congressional candidate Krystal Ball.

Ms. Williamson also mentioned historical political figures with what she characterized as unusual names including Fort Wayne's longest serving mayor:

President Barack Obama is perhaps the best-known politician to successfully capitalize on his status as a new guy "with a funny-sounding name," as he still says on the stump. Political history is studded with arguably odder monikers. The current Congress boasts Rep. John Spratt (D., S.C.), who is known as Jack. Rep. Jerry Lewis (R., Calif.) trains his staff to respond politely to the half-dozen people who burst into his office each day looking for the other, funnier one.

[ ... ] The late mayor of Fort Wayne, Ind., Harry Baals, has a street named for him.

As the reporter noted, the odd name an infant is given without its consent might turn out to be an assent. She wrote of this year, "In a cacophonous campaign with fresh faces a dime a dozen, who can blame a newcomer for turning a lifelong albatross into a campaign asset?"

Photo credit: Fort Wayne Observed

Mayor Baals Mentioned in Today's Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal's Elizabeth Williamson wrote a story on unusual political names for a front page article in the today's edition.  She reported on candidates such as Alabama's Young Boozer and Virginia congressional candidate Krystal Ball.

Ms. Williamson also mentioned historical political figures with what she characterized as unusual names including Fort Wayne's longest serving mayor:

President Barack Obama is perhaps the best-known politician to successfully capitalize on his status as a new guy "with a funny-sounding name," as he still says on the stump. Political history is studded with arguably odder monikers. The current Congress boasts Rep. John Spratt (D., S.C.), who is known as Jack. Rep. Jerry Lewis (R., Calif.) trains his staff to respond politely to the half-dozen people who burst into his office each day looking for the other, funnier one.

[ ... ] The late mayor of Fort Wayne, Ind., Harry Baals, has a street named for him.

As the reporter noted, the odd name an infant is given without its consent might turn out to be an assent. She wrote of this year, "In a cacophonous campaign with fresh faces a dime a dozen, who can blame a newcomer for turning a lifelong albatross into a campaign asset?"

Photo credit: Fort Wayne Observed

Former Lincoln Exec Jon Boscia Retiring from Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial has announced that CEO Jon Boscia will be retiring from the CEO's position in 2011.  Mr. Boscia was the CEO of Lincoln Financial who led the decision to relocate the company's headquarters to Philadelphia from Fort Wayne, the city where the financial giant was founded.

Mr. Boscia, will  join the board of the large Canadian-based financial services firm following his retirement.

Earlier this year, FWOb noted reports that some had begun referring to SunLife as "Lincoln North."  There had been much speculation that Mr. Boscia would lead an effort by SunLife to acquire Lincoln Financial.

Indiana Lawyer Poll on Judicial Discipline

The editors of "Indiana Lawyer" have featured a poll on discipline of Indiana judges on the publication's website since September 24.  The poll is still ongoing.  While the poll is aimed at the members of the legal profession who are readers of "Indiana Lawyer" the poll is open to others.

The poll asks the question: Should Indiana Code be changed to restrict not only attorneys but sitting judges who've been disciplined from serving on the bench? 

The poll results as of October 16th are:   Yes [15 votes] (29%);  No [5 votes] (10%);  Depends on why the person was disciplined [31 votes] (61%).

 

 

Mayor Henry Touts Sending Kids to 'Multicultural Human Rights Camp'

Joe Fox, Mayor Henry's Director of Communications, sent the following news release to local news media today. 

The release states the students will be taught about "inter-cultural awareness and human rights in the 21st century."

We can only hope that whatever is taught will teach some 18th century ideas of individual rights intrinsic to every person.

The release doesn't indicate whether the children selected will be issued uniforms by the government.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
October 5, 2010
Press Contact: Gerald Foday    260-427-1146
 
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The Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission (“Metro”), invites the local media to a “Send-Off Celebration,” to be held Friday, October 8, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. in the Omni Room on the second floor of the City-County building, One East Main Street.  This event is to celebrate the selection of nineteen (19) fifth graders from various racial, cultural, religious, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds chosen to participate in the city’s first ever Multicultural Human Rights Camp.  The camp will teach the students about inter-cultural awareness and human rights in the 21st century.
 
In addition, this event will include congratulatory remarks from Mayor Tom Henry, and anticipates the attendance of the city’s Deputy Mayor, Hispanic and Immigrant Liaison, and the Burmese Advocacy Center.  Finally, local vendors will provide international snacks during this hour of intermingling.  At approximately 6:00 p.m., the campers and staff will depart for the weekend camp at Pokagon State Park.