www.journalgazette.net
www.journalgazette.net
Democratic City Councilman Geoff Paddock said the most important issue in the 5th District is improving its streets, sidewalks and other public infrastructure.
Paddock said he meets regularly with leaders of neighborhood associations in the district to discuss their needs. The 5th District includes much of central and south-central Fort Wayne, including the city’s downtown.
“I want to make sure that we are seeing investment in our neighborhoods, and that includes resurfacing, upgraded street lights, sidewalk improvements and curbs,” Paddock said.
Republican challenger Taylor Vanover said the district’s most pressing problem is that Paddock is mostly unavailable and ineffectual, particularly when it comes to infrastructure.
“He’s not being a neighborhood advocate,” Vanover said. “He doesn’t attend very many (neighborhood association) meetings. And they just feel like they’re not being listened to.
“I saw the neglect and infrastructure problems in the district, and (residents) didn’t have anyone to voice these concerns to and get anything done, so that’s why I decided to run,” he said.
“We have places like West Main Street that don’t have any sidewalks. We have a lot of abandoned buildings,” Vanover said. He also mentioned rundown rental properties and streets in disrepair.
Vanover, who is married to a man, is the first openly gay candidate for City Council.
“That’s my orientation, not my platform. I’m going to have people that don’t like me regardless. But I have a lot more people who do like me,” he said.
Paddock has represented the 5th District since 2012.
“I stay in touch with neighborhood leaders,” he said. “We have about 45 neighborhoods in the 5th District. Not only do I try to go to meetings and events, but take personal time to walk on Saturdays and evenings to not only look at where we can make improvements but also point to some of the areas that are now seeing those improvements made.”
He listed some of the projects he has advocated for, including the restoration and reopening of the Clyde Theatre as a concert venue, a new medical clinic in the 3000 block of Fairfield Avenue and the proposed transformation of the General Electric campus into the mixed-use development known as Electric Works.
“We’re trying to work with the private sector, with Greater Fort Wayne Inc. and our economic development team and also our city planning department to work on plans and funnel dollars into the neighborhoods that I represent,” Paddock said.
He said public safety is the most important issue for the entire city.
“We have to make sure that (police and firefighters) have the equipment and the materials that they need,” he said about the council’s role.
Vanover said a lack of engagement between City Council members and Fort Wayne’s residents is the city’s most important issue. He has proposed what he calls the Vanover Plan, which would devote $20 million in existing municipal funds to projects identified by residents.
“It would allow neighborhoods to prioritize projects that they need done. … It would establish better connection between the council, the mayor and the citizenry. It would involve the citizenry in the budgetary process,” Vanover said.
bfrancisco@jg.net
