Our town

The traffic signals were out at two busy intersections on my way to work this morning -- Broadway and Jefferson and Broadway and Washington -- and all the drivers just went into four-way-stop mode. It was very smooth and efficient, no panic or frustration. Why can't we react that way all the time to unforeseen difficulties?

Considering what a botch Washington has already made of education, this is a small comfort:

Both candidates - Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama - have been quick to clarify that education is still a concern, especially considering that NCLB will have to be renewed - with changes, both agree - during the next administration. But they admit it's something that is not at the forefront of most Americans' minds.

My reaction to the Wizards foofaraw was probably the same as a lot of other people's: The TinCaps is a pretty silly name, but the logo is awesome.

I know this is another dead horse I just can't stop beating, but this is just so stupid:

I don't want to write anything too detailed about Mayor Tom Henry's first proposed budget either here or on the editorial page until I've had a chance to talk to him. He's coming to see us Friday afternoon.

We published an interesting letter to the editor today from a server who says as times get tough, people get stingy with their tips:

Oh, please:

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry is asking Fort Wayne residents to consider a "green" alternative to the traditional leaf collection this fall: mulching leaves on site in the yard.

Here we are, in the vanguard:

The city is busy making patches to keep its Harrison Square deal from falling apart and trying to recover from the has it hash made of the public safety academy. In the meantime, it is flunking the fundamentals by losing a neighborhood:

Former Fort Wayne resident Amy Wellborn considers this "one of the oddest places" she's ever lived. Her lengthy post mostly is about Fort Wayne's parochialism and resistance to change:

I don't think it's too much of a stretch to blame it all on the Amish. Seriously.