Fort Wayne Residents Sound-Off

Fort Wayne citizens sounded-off Monday night at Mayor Tom Henry's night-in.  Residents discussed topics ranging from sustainable development to preserving culture here in Fort Wayne. 

Residents got ten minutes with the mayor to talk about the issues that matter to them.  Those who took advantage of the opportunity had their voices heard in the hopes of seeing change. 

"We usually get a wide variety of concerns and sometimes complaints but certainly issues that people are concerned about," said Mayor Tom Henry. 

One by one, Fort Wayne residents met with Mayor Tom Henry. 

"This gives them an opportunity to sit one on one with me and I always excited and very interested in what people have to say," said Henry. 

Jeff Cameron took the mayor up on his offer and spoke out about local museums struggling to stay open due to funding. 

"Various museums in our community start being auctioned off and disappearing and its our childrens' heritage our communities heritage leaving," said Cameron. 

Job creation is top of mind for many, and Fort Wayne unemployment figures are up from 8.2 in December to 9.4 in January.  City spokesman John Perlich says investing in higher education in the downtown area will help curb the unemployment rate. 

"What we think that will do is lead to a more skilled workforce its going to lead to more people having higher education and have those skill sets that employers are looking for," Said Perlich. 

Fort Wayne's education opportunity fund gives local colleges the opportunity to invest downtown--a move Perlich says will lead to job creation. 

"With that legacy money lets be proactive lets find opportunities for colleges and universities to grow and expand in Fort Wayne and open up more opportunities to get education and better job opportunities will become available," said Perlich.