Our town

When something has grown beyond what it was meant to be, when it seems to exist only to serve itself instead of the people it was created for and by, maybe it's time to think about letting it go or at least redefining it. That's the conclusion reached by people on Chicago's South Side, who are ending the St. Patrick's Day Parade they began in 1979:

All those who've talked about "downtown development" have stressed the importance of reaching some magic tipping point where there are enough people to make attractions worthwhile and enough attractions to draw the people. No one ever seems sure about how to get to that point -- people first or attractions first or a little of this, a little of that? -- but the condo part of Harrison Square was at least meant to address the people part of the equation.

I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like the Journal Gazette's editorial called "A community's loss" right from the opening, when it quoted FDR's admonition for everybody to "remember always that all of use . . . are descended from immigrants and revolutionists." What else could this be but another JG effort to urge disobeying the law if it involves illegal immigrants? Sure enough -- this is the first paragraph:

Politicians are so seldom guided by common sense that it's worth calling attention to when it happens. Because of community opposition, among other reasons, Fort Wayne officials have withdrawn their support for the $9-million rent-to-own project at Renaissance Pointe:

Fort Wayne is apparently joining the long list of cities having TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Parties:

This event will be held on April 18, 2009 downtown at the Court House Square along the sidewalks. The time would be 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Hey, I nominate me!

Know a family whose lives could be changed by a new house? They might be in line for the next best thing

From the Fort Wayne-Allen County Office of Homeland Security:

The State of Indiana has designated March 15th thru the 21st as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. 

We needed a remindr

So, Citilink is getting $4 million from the $787 billion stimulus package for 14 new vehicles, including seven hybrids. That will be "greener," and there could be some fuel savings, which is fine. But the money can't be used to increase servive, which means no new hiring:

"We're looking at this as a one-time windfall. We've got to spend it or lose it,” (General Manager Ken) Housden said.

Well. not exactly, because:

Good lord:

With about three months left in the current school year, the number of Chicago Public School students slain has reached 26, matching the total for all of last school year.

Most of the killings have taken place on neighborhood streets and not during school hours.

Philadelphians live in one of the most highly taxes cities in the nation, but even they have managed to escape a "fee" that Fort Wayne residents must pay:

Mayor Nutter yesterday trashed the controversial sanitation fee that his administration had been considering to help close a massive budget shortfall.

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