Youth Engagement Council provides teen forum for hands-on civic engagement

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Mayor Tom Henry is inviting city high school students to get involved in their community and learn more about city government by applying to join the Mayor's Youth Engagement Council. The deadline to apply is June 15.

Applications are available at www.cityoffortwayne.org/myec, and may be faxed to (260) 427-1115 or mailed to Mayor's Office, 200 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

The council is a group of up to 25 students who work to develop and implement service-learning initiatives. Since the council was started in 2010, the group has looked for ways to engage their peers, volunteered at community events and learned about local non-profit organizations and businesses. They have also organized and hosted "Fort Wayne's Almost Famous," an annual event that showcases youth talent.

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today presented legendary Fort Wayne Komets broadcaster Bob Chase with a "Key to the Fort" award at a ceremony in the Mayor's office.

Family, friends, and representatives from the Fort Wayne Komets and WOWO Radio attended today's event.

The Key to the Fort goes to individuals who've made an extraordinary commitment to the community through a lifetime of stewardship and involvement.

The Key is a hand forged replica of the iron key that was at the Fort in the days of Anthony Wayne, circa 1790. The original key is at the History Center. The key, with its highly unusual tumbler structure, came to the History Center from an early 20th Century donation from the family of Mayor Franklin Randall, who was Fort Wayne's mayor during the Civil War.

"It is my privilege to recognize Bob Chase for all that he has done for our great City," said Mayor Henry. "Bob's professionalism, character, humility, and his love for his family and the Komets are all attributes that make him a unique and special man in our community."

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry joined Belay Corporation officials today in opening the doors to two new and one rehabbed home in the 800 block of West Washington Boulevard.

The three homes, along with a completed home, are part of a partnership between the City of Fort Wayne, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the West Central Neighborhood Association, and local developer Belay Corporation to revitalize homes that had been damaged by fire and decades of neglect.

The homes at 815 and 817 W. Washington Blvd. were deteriorated too badly to rehabilitate so the Historic Preservation Commission approved them for demolition; the Commission also approved the plans for new construction. The homes at 823 and 825 W. Washington Blvd. were rehabilitated; 825 was completed in February 2012 and has already been purchased. Construction was completed by Preston Allen Homes. The City's Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services chose the West Washington corridor for development because of its relatively high traffic volume, high visibility and its proximity to other important economic development initiatives going on downtown.

"West Washington is a key corridor out of our downtown," said Mayor Henry. "Beautifying this block and creating a positive impression for visitors helps not just the homeowners and neighborhood, but also the entire community."