Crawford Speaks

Councilman worked for an improved city
Link (JG)

"This year’s election was unique. Many unusual factors were in play. My position on two issues – the smoking ordinance and Harrison Square – were two divisive issues that I chose to cast controversial votes on. The lesson from this could be never take a controversial positions or you could lose reelection. However, the lesson that should be taken is that you should always vote for what you think is right and then you will never regret the outcome of any election."
[...]
"I have had a couple of disappointments in my time on council. First, there is a reflexive aversion to any change in this community. The debate about possible City-County consolidation was telling and revealed a fear to even consider the possibility of change.

We have had a decline in the last 20 years of the average wage in Allen County compared with the U.S. so the status quo is not good. With the evermore intrusive reality of global competition, this community will need to be more nimble and embrace change to compete."

Aftermath

Council shift precursor to change
Link (JG)

"While Crawford was quick to say the smoking vote didn’t cost him the election, he believed it was the vote in support of the $120 million Harrison Square project that had a greater effect. The public-private downtown development has been a divisive issue since it was announced. It includes a Courtyard by Marriott, private condominium/retail building and city-owned baseball stadium.

Crawford said he could have won re-election had he voted against the project, but several other project supporters won election. In fact, the council might include even stronger supporters of the project than before.

Schmidt was one of the three members to oppose the development, along with Shoaff and Smith. Goldner has spoken much more positively about the development and supported it as a member of the city’s redevelopment commission.

While the outgoing Crawford and Talarico both supported the project, so did incoming Bender and Brown. Harper expressed concerns about the project but has not said he will work to stop it.

With Henry, an ardent Harrison Square supporter, leading the city, and a supportive council, it would appear difficult to change or cut the project that should be under way when the new officials take office next year."

Candidate Update

It was the turnout
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/17197669.htm

"Surprisingly low voter turnout – not necessarily public dissatisfaction with the smoking ordinance or Harrison Square project – was the biggest factor in determining the outcome of Tuesday’s primary, including Matt Kelty’s victory."

"The smoking ordinance and Harrison Square – both of which Kelty opposes – may well have played a part in the primary. But the part was probably a cameo; it would be unfair to say the election was a referendum on them. Had the opposition to either of the issues been as widespread as their critics contended, Tuesday’s primary would have seen a much stronger turnout, not the tepid numbers the polls recorded."

"As the only incumbent in the six-candidate field for three City Council at-large nominations, John Crawford’s third-place finish was surprising. Yet he was the most visible face behind the smoking ordinance. Tavern owners loudly called for their patrons to go to the polls and defeat Crawford, and the incumbent still won a nomination. And the second-place finisher, Liz Brown, also supports both the smoking law and Harrison Square. Consider that Bob Morris, who ran an effective campaign, finished fifth despite opposing both."

"In any event, both the smoking law and Harrison Square will most likely be even less influential in November. By then, the smoking ordinance will have been in effect for five months, and Harrison Square construction will have started. The November race between Kelty and Tom Henry will be more about the future, and the candidates will offer clear choices for city voters."

Kelty basks in victory; Peters shaken in defeat
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/breaking_news/17198176.htm

"Kelty said he will unveil a more detailed platform in the future, including the organization of a group that will look at Harrison Square, outgoing Mayor Graham Richard’s $125 million-to-$160 million downtown revitalization project. The group, called Genesis Fort Wayne, is a volunteer committee that will study how to make the development more market-driven."

District incumbents expect tough races
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/17198543.htm

"According to unofficial results, Pape took 78.7 percent of the vote, compared with Douglas Boren’s 21.3 percent. Schmidt won 68.5 percent, while Don Schaab took 31.5 percent.

Pape said his victory shows that voters are sophisticated enough to not vote strictly on specific issues. Pape supported the controversial Harrison Square project and the citywide smoking ban."

Incumbent Crawford eyes November rebound
Bender, Brown top GOP City Council at-large race
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/17197742.htm

"“I knew I’d take some hits on smoking and Harrison Square.”

Crawford, a last-minute supporter of the downtown redevelopment project, was the key supporter of the ordinance that will outlaw smoking in most public places starting June 1."

"“Even though I had some name recognition from running for school board, I think people wanted a fresh face, someone who will make changes,” she said. Brown suspects her support for Harrison Square attracted, not repelled, voters. “The Republican Party needs to be for a strong economy and development. If you want to attract visitors, you need a united front,” she said."

Crawford survives ‘hit’ in GOP council contest
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/17198539.htm

"Crawford’s primary victory comes despite authoring the city’s new smoking ban and voting in support of the controversial Harrison Square project. Both projects drew the ire of certain groups of residents, and Crawford believed they were reasons he finished third despite being the incumbent."

Council Update

Public to be heard, but will it matter?
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/17118903.htm

From the article:

"But members of the council, both proponents and opponents of the project, said they already have enough information to cast their vote. Both sides also agreed there are enough votes to approve Harrison Square."

"Even one of the most vocal opponents of the project, Councilman Don Schmidt, R-2nd, said the hearing will serve little more than a cathartic exercise for the public, rather than a way to gather input."

"The hearing Tuesday night will be unlike any in recent memory, as council members will allow participants to ask questions and try to answer the queries on the spot."

"As of Friday afternoon, about 80 people had already signed up with the city clerk to speak at the hearing. Allowing three minutes for each speaker – the stated time limit – would result in a four-hour public hearing before the council even begins its discussion on the issue."

Nearing A Decision

Harrison Square test votes at hand
Project hinges on public financing decision
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/17085797.htm

From the article:

"Fort Wayne Deputy Mayor Mark Becker said final details of the $125 million public-private project should be completed by this afternoon. He said memorandums of understanding – a type of preliminary contract – are expected to be presented to the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission today and then to the City Council on Tuesday evening."

"City officials will make a detailed presentation to the council’s finance committee, which is chaired by City Councilman Tom Smith, R-1st. All nine members of the council sit on the committee. The council members will then discuss the issue and could take a preliminary vote Tuesday night."

"At the council presentation, city officials also plan to give the findings of a study that examined potential uses for Memorial Stadium on Coliseum Boulevard. An initial downtown study determined there wouldn’t be any use for the existing stadium, but city and county officials have been examining what could be done if the ballpark moved downtown."

"No public comment period is scheduled for Tuesday and no formal public hearing has been set for the downtown project. As is typical, the council will have time for public comment April 24, but that may come after the vote on the project."

"Although the mayor said he doesn’t have a deadline for a vote on Harrison Square, he said it can’t just sit undecided for months. A public hearing could delay a decision by the council until mid-May, because the council doesn’t meet on May 8 because it’s Election Day."

Council Update

Harrison Square yeas, nays shaping up
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/17019194.htm

From the article:

"City officials are still negotiating with developers and reported productive talks last week. They hope to introduce legislation on the project’s financing a week from today, with discussion on April 17. That means the council could take a final vote April 24, two weeks before primary election day."

Council Prelim Discussion Press

Majority leans in favor of project
Downtown revival vs. cost to public
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/16985807.htm

From the article:

"Councilman Glynn Hines, D-6th, said he was a strong supporter of the project because he believes it will help renovate downtown the way Southtown has revived."

"Councilmen Tom Didier, R-3rd, and Tom Hayhurst, D-4th, said they are waiting to see the final proposal from the city before making a firm decision. Hayhurst did say his gut feeling is Harrison Square could be successful downtown and be the catalyst project to help revitalize the area. Didier said he is feeling comfortable with the project, noting that many of his family who left town for college never returned to Fort Wayne. A project like this could entice more young people to stay, he said."

"Councilman John Crawford, R-at large, said he is undecided on how he will vote, but he said both group’s presentations were helpful."

"Smith questioned why more wasn’t being done to help develop the riverfronts. He said young people consistently tell him they want development there.
“I could accept a stadium if it goes (on the riverfront),” he said."

"Shoaff said while he supports the downtown, he questions how much money is being spent on the project."

Council divided on downtown
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/16987137.htm

From the article:

"A presentation from Tim Pape, D-5th District, and Sam Talarico Jr., R-at-large, offered research in favor of the development, citing real-world examples such as Dayton and Toledo in Ohio and Greensboro, N.C., whose minor-league stadiums were a catalyst for downtown revitalizations.
“We have a ball diamond in the middle of a parking lot that has had no catalytic effect,” Talarico said."

"Shoaff gave an in-depth look at the financing of the stadium, but his numbers included interest; after all, that money will come out of taxpayers’ pockets, he justified.
“To tack on interest is like saying I bought a $150,000 home for $400,000,” Talarico said."

"“What if we had a Plan B?” Smith asked. His idea was to move the project, except for the hotel and parking garage, to the riverfront. “I could put a stadium there. There would be huge public support. People want that riverfront developed.”"