{"id":16241,"date":"2011-01-13T11:00:08","date_gmt":"2011-01-13T16:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=16241"},"modified":"2011-01-13T11:00:08","modified_gmt":"2011-01-13T16:00:08","slug":"mayor-launches-community-diaglogue-on-light-lease-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2011\/01\/13\/mayor-launches-community-diaglogue-on-light-lease-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Launches community diaglogue on Light Lease Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Legacy<\/p>\n

Press release from the City of Fort Wayne:<\/p>\n

Mayor Launches community diaglogue on Light Lease Legacy, challenges public to look to the future<\/strong>
\nCitizen Input is Centerpiece of Process, Local Leaders to Serve on Task Force<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(January 12, 2011) – Keenly focused on building a stronger, more vibrant future for the people of Fort Wayne, Mayor Tom Henry today unveiled the framework for Legacy Fort Wayne, the community initiative to guide decision making about the Fort Wayne Community Trust and City Light Lease Settlement funds. He also named the co-chairs and members of the Legacy Fort Wayne Task Force that will direct the process, and outlined the community involvement component that will be a focal point of the work.<\/p>\n

The announcement was held in the penthouse of Three Rivers Apartments offering both a fresh perspective on and a panoramic view of the city, the ultimate beneficiary of these funds. The monies at the heart of this effort will come from two sources: 1) the $39.2 million City Light Lease Settlement, reached by the City of Fort Wayne and Indiana Michigan Power (I&M); and 2) the approximately $36 million Fort Wayne Community Trust, established by the City 35-years ago using a portion of annual Light Lease payments.<\/p>\n

While Legacy Fort Wayne will unfold over the next five months, the two funds will not become available until the settlement agreement has received the approval of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).<\/p>\n

“The City Light Lease Settlement and the Fort Wayne Community Trust funds are a unique legacy for the people of Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Henry. “Through the resolution of longstanding City Light Lease issues and careful stewardship of our trust funds, our community is in a once-in-a-lifetime position. Our residents will have the chance to help discover uses for nearly $75 million. Though our times are difficult, our challenge is to look to the future, to think strategically, to be bold. Our mission must be to strengthen Fort Wayne and better position us for economic growth.”<\/p>\n

To oversee Legacy Fort Wayne, Mayor Henry has formed a diverse, 15-member community Task Force. His 13 appointments include the two co-chairs and two members of Fort Wayne City Council. In turn, the City Council selections will pick the remaining two Task Force members from the community at large. The group will serve in an advisory capacity. It will investigate options, engage the public and make recommendations to the Mayor.<\/p>\n

Answering the Mayor’s call to co-chair the Task Force are Quinton Dixie, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, and James Vann, Chairman, Board of Directors, Rea Magnet Wire Company, Inc.<\/p>\n

The additional members of the Task Force tapped by the Mayor are as follows:<\/p>\n