{"id":1791,"date":"2008-10-29T19:18:41","date_gmt":"2008-10-29T23:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=1791"},"modified":"2008-10-29T19:18:41","modified_gmt":"2008-10-29T23:18:41","slug":"budget-hearings-pio-cut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2008\/10\/29\/budget-hearings-pio-cut\/","title":{"rendered":"Budget Hearings: PIO Cut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/icons\/t2009_Budget.jpg\" alt=\"2009 Budget Icon\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Last night, the Fort Wayne City Council voted to cut one of two Public Information Officer (PIO) positions from the Mayor&#8217;s budget. You may remember when\u00c2\u00a0earlier in the year there were three PIOs &#8211; Rachel Blakeman, Ozzie Mitson and <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through\">Rachel<\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Rebecca Karcher. \u00c2\u00a0This was the only personnel cut made. \u00c2\u00a0After this cut was approved (by a 5-4 vote), the council was looking at a position in its own office, that of a 16-hour per week research assistant.  Councilwoman Karen Goldner made the point that the council has been wanting the various department heads to submit evaluations of their staff to determine which positions might be made redundant.  It was felt that without this information, further staff cuts could not be made.  And yet, no efforts were made to go back and look at applying this same thought to the cut PIO position.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Cutting the PIO position &#8211; and no other personnel &#8211; makes it feel like a retaliatory action against the Administration for turning in a flat budget and putting the responsibility to make cuts in the budget with the council &#8211; the very council that has demanded and criticized (justly or unjustly depending on your view) the flat budget. \u00c2\u00a0The vote was 5 yes and 4 no to cut the position.<\/p>\n<p>It was pointed out that quite a few of the various city departments have PIOs.  Fire, Police, City Utilities were named.  This is true, but the nature of Fire and Police are such that having their own PIOs make sense.  City Utilities I think is questionable.  I don&#8217;t know who this PIO is and quite frankly don&#8217;t ever remember seeing them, if they exist.<\/p>\n<p>Councilman Mitch Harper pointed out that a memo had been given to department heads from the Administration ordering them not to have contact with the media, but rather refer them to the PIOs.  While this makes sense on some levels, as Mitch pointed out, department heads are knowledgeable and professional enough they should be able to speak for their departments.<\/p>\n<p>But stepping back and looking at things as a whole, our local government is so vast that at times, having a person who has an idea of what&#8217;s going on within the entity as a whole can be insightful and very useful.  The Mayor cannot be everywhere at once.  He cannot ensure the openness and transparency that is needed with local government and that several council members support and tout as their core belief.  He needs assistance and this comes in the form of a PIO.<\/p>\n<p>Is one PIO enough?  I don&#8217;t think so.  I remember my early frustrating attempts, when I first began getting involved with our local government, to obtain information.  There was not one clear single person to go to &#8211; it was more hit and miss and mostly because of the time limitations faced by one PIO trying to do the work of two people.  I don&#8217;t wish to see the City go back to this time period &#8211; it would definitely be a step backwards in regards to open government.<\/p>\n<p>I must say that I feel personally vested in this.  The PIO in question is Rachel Blakeman.  Rachel has had a great impact in getting information out to the public.  Whereas last year, under Mayor Richard you hardly ever saw John Perlich, PIO at that time, at meetings, Rachel, Ozzie Mitson when he was still a PIO and Rachel Karcher have had a presence at almost every government meeting I have attended this year.  I have had several opportunities to interact with Rachel.  She is a bright individual who frankly could be making more money in the private sector, but has chosen public service.  She brings her inquisitive nature, fairness, integrity and open government beliefs to the table.  I think the returns and impact of her service far outweigh the expense of her salary.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/FWPublicInformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">City Government You Tube channel<\/a> was started this year which is being used to cover events that do not always make news headlines, but are still important for citizens to be cognizant of.  I do not know if Rachel was instrumental in putting this together, but she has done almost all the work on video taping and keeping it going.<\/p>\n<p>A few months ago, I emailed Rachel about being placed on the email or distribution list for the Board of Public Works meeting agendas.  They were nowhere to be found on the City&#8217;s website and yet this agency has the greatest impact on the day-to-day lives of its citizens.  Rachel promptly responded that while she had no problem with me being notified, she felt the better solution would be to have the agendas available on the website for <em>everyone <\/em>to access.  This was started immediately and the following Tuesday, and almost every week since with the exception of one, this has occurred.  It is this kind of quick response and eye toward the bigger picture that brings home the value of this position.<\/p>\n<p>This cut could still be changed.  There is one more (could be another, but highly doubtful at this point) budget hearing continuation scheduled &#8211; that of November 18th.  If the Administration could come up with cuts in other areas totaling the $54,700 PIO cut, council could and should consider reversing their decision.<\/p>\n<h3>Related Images:<\/h3><div class=\"ngg-related-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/20090525\/90590.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Councilpersons Karen Goldner and Tom Smith in the 2009 Parnell Avenue Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"2069\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/20090525\/90590.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/20090525\/thumbs\/thumbs_90590.jpg\" data-title=\"Councilpersons Karen Goldner and Tom Smith\" data-description=\"Councilpersons Karen Goldner and Tom Smith in the 2009 Parnell Avenue Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Councilpersons Karen Goldner and Tom Smith\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Councilpersons Karen Goldner and Tom Smith\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2069\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/20090525\/thumbs\/thumbs_90590.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/98213.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Ozzie Mitson (Business &amp;amp; Legislative Liaison), Mayor Tom Henry and Kumar Menon (City Utilities Director) during the July 1, 2009 press conference.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"2741\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/98213.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_98213.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/07\/01: Ozzie Mitson, Mayor Tom Henry, Kumar Menon\" data-description=\"Ozzie Mitson (Business &amp;amp; Legislative Liaison), Mayor Tom Henry and Kumar Menon (City Utilities Director) during the July 1, 2009 press conference.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/07\/01: Ozzie Mitson, Mayor Tom Henry, Kumar Menon\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/07\/01: Ozzie Mitson, Mayor Tom Henry, Kumar Menon\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2741\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_98213.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/98216.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Ozzie Mitson, Business &amp;amp; Legislative Liaison for the City, during the July 1, 2009 press conference.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"2742\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/98216.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_98216.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/07\/01: Ozzie Mitson\" data-description=\"Ozzie Mitson, Business &amp;amp; Legislative Liaison for the City, during the July 1, 2009 press conference.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/07\/01: Ozzie Mitson\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/07\/01: Ozzie Mitson\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2742\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_98216.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145095.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines announces he will seek re-election to the City Council&#039;s 6th District seat on January 17, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"5795\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145095.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145095.jpg\" data-title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines announces he will seek re-election to the City Council&#039;s 6th District seat on January 17, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"5795\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145095.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145100.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines (D-6th) talks with City Councilwoman Karen Goldner (D-2nd) after the former&#039;s re-election announcement on January 17, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"5796\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145100.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145100.jpg\" data-title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines and Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines (D-6th) talks with City Councilwoman Karen Goldner (D-2nd) after the former&#039;s re-election announcement on January 17, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines and Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Glynn Hines and Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"5796\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145100.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145105.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner (Democrat) announces she is running for re-election as the 2nd District representative. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry is looking on. This photo was taken on January 18, 2010.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"5800\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145105.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145105.jpg\" data-title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner (Democrat) announces she is running for re-election as the 2nd District representative. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry is looking on. This photo was taken on January 18, 2010.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"5800\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145105.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145107.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner (Democrat) announces she is running for re-election as the 2nd District representative. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry is looking on. This photo was taken on January 18, 2010.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"5801\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145107.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145107.jpg\" data-title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Karen Goldner\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner (Democrat) announces she is running for re-election as the 2nd District representative. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry is looking on. This photo was taken on January 18, 2010.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"5801\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145107.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145108.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner (Democrat) announces she is running for re-election as the 2nd District representative. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry is looking on. Photo taken January 18, 2010.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"5802\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/145108.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145108.jpg\" data-title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Karen Goldner\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Karen Goldner (Democrat) announces she is running for re-election as the 2nd District representative. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry is looking on. Photo taken January 18, 2010.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"5802\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_145108.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/146147.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper files for re-election in the 4th District on February 18, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"5912\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/146147.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_146147.jpg\" data-title=\"Councilman Mitch Harper\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper files for re-election in the 4th District on February 18, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Councilman Mitch Harper\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Councilman Mitch Harper\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"5912\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_146147.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/148310a.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Democrat candidate for Fort Wayne City Council 2nd District Karen Goldner, addresses the Northside Neighborhood Association&#039;s Candidate Forum on April 11, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"6024\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/148310a.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_148310a.jpg\" data-title=\"NSCF: Karen Goldner\" data-description=\"Democrat candidate for Fort Wayne City Council 2nd District Karen Goldner, addresses the Northside Neighborhood Association&#039;s Candidate Forum on April 11, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"NSCF: Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"NSCF: Karen Goldner\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6024\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_148310a.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/151537.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Republican incumbent in the City Council&#039;s 4th District, Mitch Harper at the &#039;YLNI the Vote&#039; Candidate forum held September 15, 2011.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"6237\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/151537.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_151537.jpg\" data-title=\"YLNI the Vote: Mitch Harper\" data-description=\"Republican incumbent in the City Council&#039;s 4th District, Mitch Harper at the &#039;YLNI the Vote&#039; Candidate forum held September 15, 2011.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"YLNI the Vote: Mitch Harper\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"YLNI the Vote: Mitch Harper\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6237\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_151537.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/15img_8772.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Councilmen Tom Smith and Mitch Harper with Dawn at a news conference on October 11, 2011. Photo courtesy of John McGauley.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"6247\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/15img_8772.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_15img_8772.jpg\" data-title=\"Tom Smith, Mitch Harper and Dawn\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Councilmen Tom Smith and Mitch Harper with Dawn at a news conference on October 11, 2011. Photo courtesy of John McGauley.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Tom Smith, Mitch Harper and Dawn\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Tom Smith, Mitch Harper and Dawn\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6247\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2011-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_15img_8772.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2012-elections\/155487.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper (R-4th) introduces Indiana State Senator David Long at his campaign kick-off on June 20, 2012.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"6416\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2012-elections\/155487.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2012-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_155487.jpg\" data-title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper and Indiana State Senator David Long\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper (R-4th) introduces Indiana State Senator David Long at his campaign kick-off on June 20, 2012.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper and Indiana State Senator David Long\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper and Indiana State Senator David Long\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6416\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2012-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_155487.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2012-elections\/155491.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Indiana State Senator David Long at his campaign kick-off on June 20, 2012 with Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper to his right.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"6418\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2012-elections\/155491.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2012-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_155491.jpg\" data-title=\"Indiana State Senator David Long and Mitch Harper\" data-description=\"Indiana State Senator David Long at his campaign kick-off on June 20, 2012 with Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper to his right.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Indiana State Senator David Long and Mitch Harper\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Indiana State Senator David Long and Mitch Harper\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"6418\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/2012-elections\/thumbs\/thumbs_155491.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/fort-wayne-city-council-1\/68501.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"A treat for the Fort Wayne City Council on the day of President Barack Obama&#039;s Inauguration.  Photo taken January 20, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='1bfdae265b7b6fcb81acb67fecf8151a' data-image-id=\"10491\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/fort-wayne-city-council-1\/68501.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/fort-wayne-city-council-1\/thumbs\/thumbs_68501.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/01\/20: President Barack Obama cookie\" data-description=\"A treat for the Fort Wayne City Council on the day of President Barack Obama&#039;s Inauguration.  Photo taken January 20, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/01\/20: President Barack Obama cookie\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/01\/20: President Barack Obama cookie\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"10491\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/fort-wayne-city-council-1\/thumbs\/thumbs_68501.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last night, the Fort Wayne City Council voted to cut one of two Public Information Officer (PIO) positions from the Mayor&#8217;s budget. You may remember when\u00c2\u00a0earlier in the year there were three PIOs &#8211; Rachel Blakeman, Ozzie Mitson and Rachel\u00c2\u00a0Rebecca Karcher. \u00c2\u00a0This was the only personnel cut made. \u00c2\u00a0After this cut was approved (by a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[236],"tags":[681,15,130,127,438,586,741],"class_list":["post-1791","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fort-wayne-city-council","tag-2009-city-of-fort-wayne-civil-city-budget","tag-fort-wayne-city-council-2","tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-mitch-harper","tag-fort-wayne-city-councilwoman-karen-goldner","tag-ozzie-mitson","tag-rachel-blakeman","tag-rebecca-karcher"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Budget Hearings: PIO Cut - AroundFortWayne<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Last night, the Fort Wayne City Council voted to cut one of two Public Information Officer (PIO) positions from the Mayor&#039;s budget. You may remember\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2008\/10\/29\/budget-hearings-pio-cut\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Budget Hearings: PIO Cut - AroundFortWayne\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Last night, the Fort Wayne City Council voted to cut one of two Public Information Officer (PIO) positions from the Mayor&#039;s budget. 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