Fort Wayne Observed

Signing Off at Scott's Coventry

A work crew is taking down the signage at the Scott's Store at Coventry today.

The work is being done in preparation of the demolition of the existing Village at Coventry location and adjacent shop spaces.  A larger store will be constructed in its place to replace the Scott's store and the Kroger store across West Jefferson Boulevard.

Scott's is a brand of the Kroger Company.  The Coventry Scott's and the W. Jefferson Kroger store were constructed prior to Kroger's purchase of Scott's from SuperValu. The Scott's store at Chestnut Plaza will remain under the Scott's name.

 

Louisville Courier-Journal Closes IN Statehouse Bureau: Weidenbener Laid Off

Former Fort Wayne print journalist and the well-respected chief of the Louisville Courier-Journal Lesley Stedman Weidenbener has lost her job as the once powerful Courier-Journal closes its Indiana Statehouse Bureau.

The Courier-Journal was once considered one of the United States' most influential newspapers but it has steadily been shrinking its resources.

Ms. Weidenbener tweeted the link to this CJ story along with the following message a few minutes after 10 PM Tuesday night: "Sorry to report that The Courier-Journal has closed its Indiana Statehouse bureau. Thanks for your follows."

The Courier-Journal had an outsize reputation under the direction of the legendary Bingham family of Louisville who hired top flight journalists and put resources behind those reporters' efforts.  The Bingham years created a Pulitzer Prize winning journalism franchise.

The Courier-Journal was purchased by the Gannett newspaper chain which also owns USA Today and the Indianapolis Star among many other properties.

Council Invites Citizen Application for Internal Audit Post; Harper and Shoaff Praise Friend for Service

Fort Wayne, Ind.—The Fort Wayne City Council President Mitch Harper and Vice President John Shoaff are asking for citizens interested in a City Council appointment to the city’s Internal Audit Committee board to submit resumes for consideration by Council. The vacancy on this board comes as Ms Kathy Friend, the council’s appointee for the past nine years, is stepping down.         

“Ms Friend has been a valuable asset to this important, but less well-known, board. With her vast experience in the field of finance,her willingness to volunteer in addition to her other responsibilities she is a testament to true service to her community. We thank herfor that dedication,” said Harper.

Shoaff remarked, “Kathy Friend has been valuable in working for bettering public finance, for instituting improved financial practices and tightening compliance with expected standards. I am grateful for her services.”

The Internal Audit Committee is a board comprised of five members. Four appointed by the Mayor, and the fifth appointed by City Council. A description of the board as it appears on the city’s website is as follows:

Internal Audit Committee - The Committee works with the City's Internal Audit Department to evaluate and report on the City's financialconditions and records, accuracy, and compliance with applicable laws.

Meetings are held quarterly in January, April, July and October. Those interested in fuller detail or with questions of the department can link to the website: http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/internal-audit

Resumes should be sent to Angie Davis, Office of City Clerk, 200 E. Berry Street, Suite 110, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 or email to angie.davis@ci.ft-wayne.in.us

All entries for consideration must be received no later than Friday, June 24. The City Council will consider all applicants and are expected to make the board appointment at their meeting on June 28^th, 2011.

INC News Reports on Council Request for Harrison Update

Redevelopment Appointees to Update Council on Harrison Project

Text of joint news release from Fort Wayne City Council President Mitch Harper and Vice-President John Shoaff sent June 6th:

“Redevelopment appointees to appear at Council”

Fort Wayne, Ind.—City Council President Mitch Harper, R-4th and Council Vice-President John Shoaff, D at-large have invited the two Council appointees to the Redevelopment Commission, Mr. Casey Cox and Mr. Thom Obergfell to attend the council meeting on Tuesday, June 14>th to give a report on the status of the proposed The Harrison project consisting of a 4-story $18M retail and residential structure next to Parkview Field downtown.

The CEO of Barry Real Estate, Chris Schoen, is scheduled to appear before the Redevelopment Commission at its regular meeting on Monday, June 13th.

Mr. Cox and Mr. Obergfell have accepted the invitation to come to the City Council meeting the following day.

“The public expects the Council’s board appointments to keep the citizen’s representatives informed. We look forward to hearing from Mr. Cox and Mr. Obergfell,” said Harper.

“This project is very important, certainly from the standpoint that the city has already made such a significant investment in the ballpark and parking garage. We hope this report will be a positive development,” Shoaff stated.

The new City Council Chambers at Citizens Square are on the Garden Level and can be accessed through the far west doors on the north side of the building. Parking is available in the north lot.