Friday, April 20, 2007

Fort Wayne Mayor STILL Hasn't Provided Harrison Square Documents

For over a week the citizens of this city have demanded that the inputs to the city's Harrison Square economic impact study be released. As of now, the city has not provided these documents. Let me remind the readers that Deputy Mayor Mark Becker assured several city council members that all requested documents would be made available to the public - that was on Tuesday.

Another blogger has reported that the city has a draft copy of this report and is trying to obtain a final and electronic version from the author. Let me offer up a couple of thoughts on his report:

1. Why the hell doesn't the city have a final version of the document they paid for?

2. If they don't have a final version then how do they know the inputs into their own economic impact study are legitimate?

3. If they do have a copy then why can't they figure out how to scan it and post it on the web - just give me a hard copy and I'll scan it and post it here.

4. The Harrison Square vote is likely going to take place Tuesday and we do not have that document as of COB Friday

This administration has already shown their contempt for the public's right to oversight when they suggested a preliminary vote on the project less than 24 hours after the memoranda of understanding were released. Once again, despite assuring the council otherwise, they are not forthcoming with the necessary documents.

The city council MUST stand up for the people of this city and postpone any vote until the mayor provides us with that information. The truth is the mayor's office doesn't give a damn what we want - they see us as obstructionists that will oppose the project whether they give us the documents or not. But that is not the point - they are REQUIRED BY LAW to provide us with those documents. And beyond that, they should remember that they only work in their current positions because the public allowed them to. They work to serve our interests.

Mayor Richard, it is with that final thought that I respectfully demand for you to give us all the documents we request - and expeditiously at that...

4 comments:

scott spaulding said...

If the document doesn't end up getting released until the last minute then the council vote should be pushed back to the May 1 deadline, but obviously not after that. I do believe I heard them say all information would be available by May 1.

I've asked about the document two different times now. Am I an "obstructionist" also?

scott spaulding said...

Study now online

Jeff Pruitt said...

Thanks Scott!

And no, I was not referring to you when using the obstructionist term. I think DFWB has provided a valuable service to the community by collecting all the relevant information as well as providing a place for community debate.

I hope the site stays active after the city council vote...

scott spaulding said...

It will most definitely stay active, but possibly not under the DFWB moniker...