Mayor Graham Richard today led a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The trail is the next step in the community'€™s efforts to expand the Rivergreenway network.

The project is divided into four phases. Phase III will be the first

The City of Fort Wayne'€™s Fleet Management Department has been recognized by Fleet Equipment magazine as the best fleet in North America. City Fleet Manager Larry Campbell was in Norfolk, Va., Monday to accept the award.

The 2006 Global Trade Expo planned for Wednesday, October 11 at the Grand Wayne Center, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd., has been cancelled. The event will be rescheduled for next spring. A time and date will be announced at a later time.

Mayor Graham Richard today released the Green Ribbon Commission report that outlines a comprehensive energy and clean air plan for the community.

“We appreciate the hard work and commitment of the members of the Green Ribbon Commission,” said Mayor Richard. “Their findings reinforce the urgency to

Potential homeowners have an opportunity to learn about down payment assistance at an upcoming homebuyer workshop, “Homeownership is Possible,” from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 7 at the Taylor University library, 1025 W. Rudisill Blvd.

The City of Fort Wayne and Community Connections, the

City living is the topic on the newest episode of “Building a Better Community,” which focuses on the City'€™s Division of Community Development.

The program runs at 9 a.m. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and 6 p.m. Sundays on City TV Comcast Channel 58.

Host John Perlich, Director of Public

Progress continues to be made on the Renaissance Pointe development in southeast Fort Wayne. Several streets in the development area have been converted from one-way streets to two-way streets.

* Weisser Park Avenue

* John Street

* Gay Street

* Smith Street

* Oliver Street

* Bowser Avenue

Mayor Graham Richard will be a featured speaker at the Leadership Oklahoma Conference September 22 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The Mayor'€™s speech, “Leading into the Future through Innovation and High Performance,” will focus on how Fort Wayne uses technology and high performance standards in city

The City of Fort Wayne'€™s Green City Public Outreach Campaign has unveiled an official logo.

The logo was designed by Stephanie Fenstermaker, a junior at the University of St. Francis. Fenstermaker is majoring in Communication Arts and Graphic Design in the School of Creative Arts at the

A $32 million project to increase sewage capacity at the Water Pollution Control Plant will reach another milestone as crews prepare to start the concrete work on the new primary settling tanks. Today, City leaders presented an update on the project.

The expansion of the primary settling tanks is

A proposal to promote downtown development will be introduced at tonight'€™s City Council meeting. The proposal will be discussed at City Council'€™s September 19 meeting.

The City is seeking to establish a Municipal Riverfront Development Project, which would be bounded by an area similar to that of

Mayor Graham Richard today received the KillerApp Trailblazer Award for being a leader in using technology to improve government services.

Mayor Richard accepted the award while attending the Broadband Properties Summit in Irving, Texas.

KillerApp Magazine and www.KillerApp.com are the leading

City Street Department crews this week will resurface areas of the St. Marys Pathway from Sherman Boulevard to Vesey Avenue. The work will begin Tuesday, September 12 weather permitting and last all week. Beginning Monday, September 18, crews will begin resurfacing areas of the St. Marys Pathway

Top business and government practices will be on display at the Lean Six Sigma Showcase from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, September 14 at the Grand Wayne Center.

The event is hosted by the City of Fort Wayne and the TQM Network. The event offers business and government leaders an opportunity to learn

Mayor Graham Richard will be a keynote speaker at the Broadband Properties Summit in Irving, Texas September 11-13.

The Mayor'€™s speech, “Wired and Inspired to Compete in the Flat World,” will be on Tuesday, September 12.

Broadband Properties is one of the leading technology publications in the

Potential homeowners have an opportunity to learn about down payment assistance at an upcoming homebuyer workshop, “Homeownership is Possible,” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 12 at the Allen County Public Library Pontiac Branch, 2215 S. Hanna St.

The City of Fort Wayne and Community

City administration leaders tonight will present the proposed 2007 civil city budget to City Council. The council meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in Room 128 of the City-County Building.

Mayor Graham Richard'€™s proposed budget is balanced with the lowest city property tax rate since 1964.

The city

Effective today, the City'€™s water rates have increased. This will allow City Utilities to continue to provide reliable service and safe drinking water.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) recently approved the rate change. City Council approved the rate change last fall.

The

Mayor Graham Richard today announced the proposed 2007 civil city budget.

The City administration has proposed a balanced budget that features the lowest city property tax rate since 1964. The city tax rate is estimated to drop 21% from 2006. The owner of a $100,000 home would see an estimated 34%

Garbage and recycling will not be collected in the City of Fort Wayne on Monday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day. Residents will have their garbage and recycling materials collected one day later than normal next week. The City'€™s Solid Waste Department will be closed on Monday, September