If you’ve noticed a lack of Democrats in the key positions, that’s because the Republicans hold the majority at the table by 1 seat. \u00c2\u00a0Often times in such matters, the selection of President can be a sign of a body’s support of a particular candidate if they are facing a particularly harsh re-election campaign or perhaps even are aspiring to higher office. \u00c2\u00a0With\u00c2\u00a0Councilwoman Liz Brown’s hat in the Mayoral race for next year, will she be the\u00c2\u00a0anointed\u00c2\u00a0one? \u00c2\u00a0There has been talk, although nothing official from him about Councilman Harper possibly running for Mayor. \u00c2\u00a0But then, I’ve heard a few rumors along the same lines about Councilman Didier as well. \u00c2\u00a0I think one thing is certain – there won’t be a Democrat put into either position this year. \u00c2\u00a0I don’t see Councilman Harper or any of his fellow Republicans facing a contested primary, unless he decides to run for Mayor. \u00c2\u00a0If any of the Republicans could use a vote of confidence in this regard, it would be Councilman Bender as the At-Large race is drawing many contenders.<\/p>\n
You may ask what all the fuss is about in regards to the position of Council President. \u00c2\u00a0This position is highly visible. \u00c2\u00a0Councilman Smith during his tenure did not hesitate to take the current Mayoral administration to task concerning it’s actions or decisions. \u00c2\u00a0Probably the least vocal during their stint was Councilman Didier.<\/p>\n
The styles of the three past presidents have been different as well. \u00c2\u00a0Councilman Didier tried to keep things moving, but seemed to be reluctant to take a stand at times and unable to keep the meetings on task. \u00c2\u00a0Councilman Smith on the other hand was vocal about his desire to keep things moving, but for the most part ineffectual against the tendency of this Council to become immersed in the minute details of City government. \u00c2\u00a0Perhaps the best of the three was Councilman Bender who has done a pretty good job of keeping things moving in a timely fashion. \u00c2\u00a0That’s not to say there hasn’t been some long meetings, but they would have been even longer if not for Bender’s gavel. \u00c2\u00a0Part of his performance was no doubt enhanced by the fact that three years into it, the Council’s learning curve has greatly improved and the need to get into the minute details\u00c2\u00a0diminished\u00c2\u00a0somewhat.<\/p>\n
While many of the duties are discharged during Council meetings, there is a fair amount of work that goes into the behind the scenes running of the Council as well. \u00c2\u00a0Council agenda items can be set or rearranged by the President. \u00c2\u00a0The President can also decide not to meet if enough items are not on the agendas. \u00c2\u00a0During meetings, the President can control – as long as the rest of the council acquiesces – to a great extent the flow of the meetings.<\/p>\n
So who do you think will be the next Council President? \u00c2\u00a0Vote in the poll at the top of the column next to this post. \u00c2\u00a0I feel it will come down to two names for the Presidential slot – Brown and Harper. \u00c2\u00a0For Vice-President? \u00c2\u00a0Tom Smith. \u00c2\u00a0Possibly like the polar bear plunge, I’ll be wrong.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Allen County Council<\/strong><\/p>\n The other government body that meets for reorganization this week is the Allen County Council. \u00c2\u00a0This meeting is Thursday morning at 8:30 am and will be in the Commissioners Courtroom on the 2nd floor of the City-County Building. \u00c2\u00a0The agenda may be downloaded here.<\/p>\n The County Council will select a President and Vice-President. \u00c2\u00a0This year’s President was Paula Hughes (R-2nd) and Vice-President Darren Vogt (R-3rd). \u00c2\u00a0Councilwoman Hughes did not run for re-election so that she could pursue the Mayor’s office in the City of Fort Wayne, which reinforces my point above about a body showing support. \u00c2\u00a0Councilman Vogt won an uncontested race last November and is back for another four year term.<\/p>\n Previous President and Vice-Presidents included:<\/p>\n None of the County Council members face re-election this year. \u00c2\u00a0I don’t follow the County Council as closely as the City Council so I’m not sure about the chances for anyone. \u00c2\u00a0I doubt any of the new Councilman will be elected to the position, as they’ll have their hands full just getting up to speed. \u00c2\u00a0The new Council members this term include Kevin Howell (R-1st) who defeated Democrat Maye Johnson last November and Tom Harris (R-2nd) who replaces Paula Hughes. \u00c2\u00a0Johnson was the only Democrat on the County Council, so I think I can safely guess it will be a Republican who is the next County Council President. \u00c2\u00a0That’s the extent of my prediction.<\/p>\n Do you have any ideas for either Council’s key positions?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Allen County Board of Commissioners<\/strong><\/p>\n The Allen County Board of Commissioners will meet this Friday at 10 am in the Commissioners Courtroom on the 2nd floor of the City-County \u00c2\u00a0Building.\u00c2\u00a0This will also be the first Legislative Session for newly elected Commissioner Therese Brown (R-2nd) who replaced Commissioner Bill Brown who did not run for re-election last November.<\/p>\n Unlike the City and County Councils, the Board of Commissioners elects a third position as well, that of Secretary. \u00c2\u00a0As with the other two bodies, the President has a lot to do with setting the agendas for the meetings and controlling the pace of the meetings.<\/p>\n Previous Board of Commissioner President, Vice-President and Secretary positions included:<\/p>\n Again, none of the Commissioners face an election campaign this year, unless one of them would decide to run for Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne. \u00c2\u00a0Commissioner Peters did exactly that four years ago and was defeated in the Primary by fellow Republican Matt Kelty. \u00c2\u00a0I haven’t heard any buzz about such a run this time from Peters, but won’t rule it out at this point. \u00c2\u00a0Commissioner Peters would probably be my guess as President with Commissioner Therese Brown as Vice-President and Commissioner Bloom as Secretary. \u00c2\u00a0But, only time will tell.<\/p>\n This week will mark organizational meetings for at least three local governing bodies. Related Images:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[867,236],"tags":[20173,369,19687,11921,260,1002,1086,385,384,401,15,21751,129,130,21755,133,128,23,25,1977],"class_list":{"0":"post-16084","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"hentry","6":"category-allen-county-council","7":"category-fort-wayne-city-council","8":"tag-allen-county-board-of-commissioners","10":"tag-allen-county-commissioner-linda-bloom","11":"tag-allen-county-commissioner-nelson-peters","12":"tag-allen-county-council","13":"tag-allen-county-councilman-darren-vogt","14":"tag-allen-county-councilman-paul-moss","15":"tag-allen-county-councilman-roy-buskirk","16":"tag-allen-county-councilwoman-paula-hughes","17":"tag-allen-county-indiana-government-news","18":"tag-fort-wayne-city-council-2","19":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-glynn-hines","20":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-marty-bender","21":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-mitch-harper","22":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-tom-didier","23":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-tom-smith","25":"tag-fort-wayne-indiana","26":"tag-indiana"},"yoast_head":"\n\n
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