Fort Wayne Observed

Delaware Democratic Chair Pleads Guilty to DWI in Allen County

The Muncie Star Press has reported that Delaware County Democratic Party Chairman Michael Quirk has pleaded guilty in Allen County to DWI.  Mr. Quirk was severely injured in a motor vehicle crash at Brooklyn Avenue and Covington Road last summer.

Sentencing will be January 13, 2012 in Allen County Superior Court.

From the Muncie Star Press:

Local attorney Mike Quirk on Friday entered a guilty plea in a driving-while-intoxicated case in Allen County.

The charges against Quirk -- DWI, criminal recklessness and criminal mischief -- were filed Dec. 14, and are all misdemeanors. They stem from a July 1 one-vehicle accident in Fort Wayne that left Quirk seriously injured.

The attorney, also Democratic Party chairman in Delaware County, issued a public apology soon after the accident.

The Muncie Star Press' Larry Riley compiled a list of notable quotes for 2011 that was published December 30, 2011. He included this from a Fort Wayne motorist who avoided being struck by Mr. Quirk's speeding vehicle:

“But then I said something and he started mumbling so I knew he was alive.” – Witness to Mike Quirk’s high-speed crash in Fort Wayne Jermaine Jones, July 9, who despite a green light stopped for Quirk’s truck running a red light. Jones initially thought Quirk was dead.

Skeleton Key: Bidder Pays $1600 for Skeleton at Scottish Rite Auction

An auction was held this morning at The Scottish Rite Center of excess personal property items owned by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite - Valley of Fort Wayne.

The auction was conducted by Ellenberger Brothers, Inc.  A full sale bill can be viewed here.

Auction bidding was higher than expected for a variety of the items going on the auction block. Quarter sawn oak chairs were particularly prized. The Arts and Craft era chairs were auctioned off to a variety of bidders for an average of $180 per piece.

However, the most unusual auction item also drew one of the highest winning bids. The human skeleton shown at right was auctioned for $1600.00.  An organization official explained that the skeletal remains had probably been in possesssion of the Scottish Rite for over 100 years. It was also explained that the skeleton had not been used in any ritual proceedings but had been exhibited on stage.

It was announced in November 2011 that the Scottish Rite sold its building  431 W. Berry Street in Fort Wayne to the University of Saint Francis for a new Media Entrepreneurship Training in the Arts (META) program.

Why the Kucinich/Kaptur Congressional Primary Matters to Northeast Indiana

You might not think that a Democratic Party congressional primary fight between two House incumbents in Ohio would matter to northeast Indiana.  Particularly one that includes former longshot presidential candidate and former Cleveland mayor Dennis Kucinich.

US Representative Dennis Kucinich announced that he would challenge US Representative Marcy Kaptur (D - Toledo) for the Democratic nomination in Ohio's new 9th District.  Representative Kaptur is the longest serving woman in the US House of Representatives. 

The Ohio congressional map was redrawn by that state's legislature to stretch the district Ms. Kaptur represents in a long arc along Lake Erie from Toledo to Cleveland.  The new district will emphatically favor the Democrat nominee.  The Republican nominee may be Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, more widely known as "Joe the Plumber."  Mr. Kucinich had earlier explored moving to the Seattle area to run in Washington State or to challenge US Representative Marcia Fudge in her Cleveland district.

So, if the district is going to be represented by a Democrat, northeast Indiana should hope that the Democrat nominated is Toledo's Marcy Kaptur.

Ms. Kaptur has been instrumental in working with former Representatives Long, Souder and Gillmor on the Fort to Port highway improvements. Further, she knows the watershed issues regarding the Maumee Valley and she has supported efforts to focus more attention on the historic and cultural heritage of the Maumee Valley.  I have had the opportunity to speak at some length with US Representative Kaptur on those Maumee River valley matters; she is a resource for improving transportation and economic development between Fort Wayne and Toledo.

Fort Wayne New Year's Polar Bear Plunge

The Annual Fort Wayne New Year's Polar Bear Plunge into the frigid waters of the Saint Joseph River is an odd event in that new folks who might be interested in 'taking the plunge' have some difficulty finding information on the start time.

FWOb has become known as something of a resource in this regard as you will see by the referral mentioned in the email reproduced below.

The editor has taken the plunge in 2006, 2007, and 2009. (See prior coverage)  So, FWOb feels fairly safe in conveying that the event starts at 2 PM at the boat launch on Harry Baals Dive at Johnny Appleseed/City Utilities Park on the north side of the St. Joe River east of Parnell Avenue.

Probably for liability reasons, there isn't much promotion nor advanced sign up because no one is 'officially' in charge. So,no one promotes it because they want to avoid liability as a 'promoter' and, if they were to step forward, insurance might be a large barrier.

Nonetheless, the Fort Wayne Fire Department is on hand for safety. And the popularity is such that a large crowd gathers whatever the temperatures.

Earlier today, FWOb received this email:

I'm in search of information regarding the Polar Bear Plunge for
1/1/12.  A lady at the visitor's bureau gave me your email address and
thought you may have information on the event.  I can't find anything
online for the upcoming event.  Do you know where/who to go to in
order to get signed up?  We are planning to ride in the Chilly
Challenge, and my husband would also like to take part in the plunge.
I would appreciate any information you would be able to guide us to.

Thank you for your time.

FWOb replied by email with the information we supplied above and the email prompted this post.

This is just the first of two Polar Plunges in Fort Wayne. The other benefits Special Olympics of Indiana. The FWOb editor has also done that event twice at the University of Saint Francis.  This year, the event moves to Parkview Field.  It will be held on February 11, 2012 at noon.  You can view the Special Olympics Polar Plunge brochure here or you can register online here.

We're not sure exactly how the plunge will take place at Parkview Field but, before somone asks, rest assured that the corner just excavated for 'The Harrison' will NOT be turned into a 'swimmin' hole' for the event.

Milwaukee Firm Acquires Mullinix Packaging

The Greater Milwaukee Business Journal reports that Milwaukee private equity firm Mason Wells has acquired Fort Wayne based Mullinix Packages, Inc..  Mullinix is a leader in thermoformed plastic packaging products. It was founded by Mr. George Lueken, 82, who died on June 20th in Fort Wayne. Mason Wells acquired the firm from Mr. Lueken's family.

Mullinix is located on Engle Road just east of Ardmore on Fort Wayne's southwest side.  Mullinix plans an over $4 million expansion of its facility over the next two years, adding 292,500 square feet to its warehouse. The acquisition is not expected to affect the planned expansion.

Valedictory: Fort Wayne Business Leader Joe Ruffolo

Fort Wayne business leader Jospeh Ruffolo has died at age 70.

Mr. Ruffolo was a principal in Ruffalo Benson LLC, a merchant banker focused on the preservation of regional companies in northeast Indiana.  Mr. Ruffolo's death follows the unexpected March death of Ruffolo Benson principal Rick Keltsch at age 64.

Mr. Ruffolo came to Fort Wayne in 1974 as a senior management position at NorthAmerican, a van lines and transportation company owned by PepsiCo and later sold to NorfolkSouthern. He became CEO of NorthAmerican in 1987 and served as CEO until 1993.

Mr. Ruffolo and his wife, Linda, were extraordinarily involved in community leadership. He was a native of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

There will be no public service or visitation in accord with Mr. Ruffolo's wishes.

From Mr. Ruffolo's obituary:

Mr. Ruffolo was also a co-founder and investor in Tower Financial Corporation and Tower Bank and was also an investor in and advisor to numerous regional companies and start up biomedical firms. He served on the boards of directors of numerous privately owned companies, such as AWS, LLC, Beltmann Transportation Group, Inc., Dekalb Molded Plastics Company, Jack Laurie Flooring, Inc., Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne, Inc., and SaniServe, Inc. He also served on the board of directors of a number of public companies, including Steel Dynamics, Inc., where he served as Co-Chair of its Audit Committee, a member of its Compensation Committee and as the Board's Lead Director, and Tower Financial Corporation, Inc., where he served as Chair of the Compensation Committee. He also served on the board of directors of a number of not-for-profit organizations, such as the Henry Foundation, Steel Dynamics Foundation, and the Schwab Foundation, following its reorganization by the Indiana Attorney General. He was also active in the American Symphony Orchestra League, the American Movers Conference, the Parkview Health System and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. He chaired the Youth Violence Committee, a local effort to understand and deal with gang violence, served on many civic and governmental bodies, such as the Fort Wayne Allen County Transportation Committee, Allen County Tax Committee and the Safety Academy, and was appointed to the board of the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department and served as its Chair. Mr. Ruffolo was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, the Business Forum and the Quest Club, and was a former member of the Anthony Wayne Rotary Club.

Fort Wayne Christmas Dance - 1935

Photo from the historical collection of Mitch Harper.

Stigma: Retail Promotion Still Using Terms Like "Insane" and "Crazy"

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill has long campaigned against the use of words like 'crazy" and "insane" among retailers, theme parks, and electronic entertainment producers.

The use of such words perpetuates harmful stereotypes which unfairly stigmatize those who battle mental illness.  More importantly, perpetuating such stereotypes causes some from seeking medical assistance for mental illness.

So, it is with some surprise to see a major retailer during this Christmas shopping season still using this archaic and discredited word in a point-of-sale promotion. 

The photo illustrates just one example of signage using the word in the store.

There is one other odd word useage in the sign: it promotes 'corduroy' robes when most would use the term 'chenille'.

Nancy Nall Reports to the Bridge

Former News-Sentinel columnist Nancy Nall has been announced as the second writer to have joined the Bridge, a publication of non-profit think tank The Center for Michigan. Ms. Nall has written for numerous publications and maintains the weblog NancyNall.com.

The Center for Michigan was founded by Philip H. Power, who was the founder and owner of HomeTown Publications, Inc. 

From The Center for Michigan website:

Bridge Magazine has doubled its staff reporting corps for 2012 by hiring veteran writer Nancy Nall Derringer to the position of Staff Writer.

Derringer will join Senior Writer Ron French in forming one of the most experienced — and capable — online news teams found in Michigan today, said Bridge Senior Editor Derek Melot.

[ ... ]

For 18 years, Derringer was a columnist for the Fort Wayne, Ind., News-Sentinel; she also has worked for theColumbus, Ohio, Dispatch. Derringer holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University and was named a Knight-Wallace Fellow at the University of Michigan in 2004.

[ ... ]

“You don’t need a byline to recognize a Nancy Nall Derringer story,” said Bridge Magazine Senior Writer Ron French, who has known Derringer for a quarter-century. “Her stories are sometimes blunt, sometimes hilarious — and always insightful.”

“Nonprofits like the Center for Michigan are among the most interesting and exciting new players in journalism today, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Bridge team,” said Derringer.

Mr. French had been a reporter for the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette from 1992 to 1995.

A publication called the Bridge seems appropriate for Ms. Nall's sometimes arch commentary.

While The Center for Michigan seemingly uses the Mackinac Bridge as the inspiration for its logo and name of publication, readers should not confuse it with The Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

HUFF 50K Trail Run in Albion: Tough Fun

The HUFF 50K Trail Run moved to Chain O' Lakes State Park for 2011 after a 14 year run at Roush Lake in Huntington County. The event was held this past Saturday, December 17th, and attracted runners from Idaho to South Carolina, Texas to Massachusetts, Australia to Ontario.

Race Director Mitch Harper said, "I'm glad we have been able to serve as an example of sports tourism for northeast Indiana.  Huntington was always hospitable to our participants and certainly, we can say that Noble County people and organizations have been welcoming, helpful, and warm."

Runners faced a new course with more hills and varied terrain.  The runners, the race organizers, and volunteers faced something in the first year unlikely to be surpassed in future years: water, and lots of it.

Despite the conditions, or because of it, the trail runners were up to the challenge.

The video posted on YouTube has become something of a sensation since it was posted late Saturday after the race. It shows the extreme trail conditions caused by the large amounts of rainfall recently.

Yet, the comments include:

Yep, and what a day it was! One of the best races ever!

It was very cold but we had a great time! Best race to date!