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Topic: Fort Wayne in Jeopardy

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dearborn_don
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Joined: 21 August 2008
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Posted: 04 June 2010 at 10:36am \| IP Logged

It has come to our attention that funding for the Detroit Recreation Department, which operates Fort Wayne, is in danger of being reduced, thereby threatening use of the Fort. The following is from an email sent by Tom Berlucchi, Chairman of the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition, to their membership (and Andy). If anybody has the willingness to help out, please do so.

Good Evening to All Members,
As Chairman of our Organization I am asking you to assist our partners the City of Detroit Recreation Department in their struggle to maintain an efficient operational budget. On Friday, June 4 at 7:00 pm the Detroit City Council will be voting on over-riding Mayor Bing’s veto of the City Council Budget. I have petitioned the City Clerk’s office today to be allowed to address the Council at this meeting pertaining their purposed budget cuts to the Recreation Department and how it affects the operation of Historic Fort Wayne.

I am asking you all to contact the City Council Members to consider that their budget recommendations to cut another $1 million from the Mayor’s budget for the Recreation Department will have adverse effects on many programs provided through the existing Recreation Centers and Historic Fort Wayne. This additional cut to this department will greatly affect the standards of programming for the kids of the City of Detroit.

Since FY 2004 the Recreation Department has experienced close to 1/3 of it operational budget to date declined.
The vote on Friday will determine the fate of Fort Wayne. I have spent the last 9 years working with the different City partners to keep the Fort operating to achieve sustainable levels of revenue. The Historic Fort Wayne Coalition was founded to keep the Fort open, operating safely for visitors through proper restoration and preservation programs and to bring first class events to the site. The City of Detroit Recreation Department was given site control without additional budgetary funding for the site. They have relied on us to assist them in keeping the Fort operational and providing a positive image for the City. We have accomplished those tasks given many difficult times. I have attached below for you news reports and a statement of what the City Council Budget will do to our partner but I also want you to see the cuts that are being proposed to other City of Detroit Departments. I do not live in the City of Detroit but I am proud to tell people I am associated with the City of Detroit through Historic Fort Wayne. I urge you all to contact City Council Members to deter them from over-riding the veto. The City Recreation Department cannot provide the programs to the kids of this City with the closing of two more recreation centers, cut back in additional educational programs, the loss of youth programming.

Remember, when the Fort was closed in 1991, it took until 2001 for us to get it back open! We need to voice our concerns to this issue with council even if you do not live in the City. We are committed to keeping open one of our State’s greatest historical gems- Historic Fort Wayne.
Please step up and contact the Council and voice your concerns. Also please forward any of this information to anyone that you know.

HERE is the Link to City Council: http://www.detroitmi.gov/legislative_old/complaints/complain ts.asp

This is an online form you’ll need to fill in. Be sure to fill in at least the spaces with text titles in red. In the column “Send Complaint To” please choose “All Council Persons.” In the next box below, “The Complaint is about” choose “Other” and then fill in your thoughts on closing Fort Wayne. Encourage them not to over-ride the Mayor’s veto. Let them know you want to see the Fort stay open!

Yours in the Fort,
Thomas G. Berlucchi
Chairman Historic Fort Wayne Coalition

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Andy
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Joined: 24 April 2005
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Posted: 06 June 2010 at 6:37am \| IP Logged

We are truly sorry to find that the situation wth the fort and our access may truly have taken a turn for the worse. Please read this copied message and we will be taking the next few days to gather more info and try to find out exactly how this will affect our riding group.

Dear Historic Fort Wayne Coalition Membership,

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your efforts in helping to voice your opinions to the Detroit City Council about the recently proposed budget cuts. I am aware that there was difficulty for some of you to get through the complaint link on the City of Detroit website. Many were able to get their messages through to support the Fort we love so much and our partners in the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department. Thank you again for all of your time and efforts doing this.

Unfortunately, Tom was not able to speak directly to the City Council as hoped. Tom did run into several friends and supporters along the way which helped get him as close to the Council chambers as possible.There were very few people allowed into the Council chambers before the voting had taken place. Rest assured Tom did his very best to represent your voices and Fort Wayne.

Equally unfortunate, the Detroit City Council had the majority votes needed to override Mayor Bing's veto of the proposed FY2010/2011 City Budget. This included the additional $1 million reduction in funding to the Parks and Recreation Department. Without much choice left to be had, cuts will be made and Fort Wayne Detroit will most likely be closed to the public as of July 1, 2010.

Now this is certainly saddening news for all of us. We will be seeking further guidance and clarification of our role on site at Fort Wayne. Maintaining a positive relationship with our partners in the City of Detroit, we do not anticipate to be asked to vacate the site due to this imminent closure. However, we intend to continue to offer our services on site in helping the City maintain Fort Wayne.

We must keep our chins up and stay the course. It is important now, more than ever, to not give up hope. I will continue to keep you updated with further news and information as I receive it.

Regards,

Thomas Steele
Secretary
Historic Fort Wayne Coalition

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Tirewinner
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Joined: 29 May 2008
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Posted: 24 June 2010 at 11:57am \| IP Logged

This just posted today on www.freep.com Doesn't look good

http://www.freep.com/article/20100624/NEWS01/100624040/1318/ Cash-strapped-Detroit-to-close-77-city-parks-in-July

Posted: 2:29 p.m. June 24, 2010 | Updated: 2:35 p.m. today

Cash-strapped Detroit to close 77 city parks in July

By SUZETTE HACKNEY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing’s administration this afternoon released a list of city parks that will close on July 1.

The 77 parks are scattered throughout the city, and include Palmer Park, Rouge Park and Historic Fort Wayne.

The parks were selected based on acreage and the level of maintenance and care required, according to a memo written by Brad Dick, the city’s General Services Department deputy director.

“Consideration was given to parks for non-closure based (on) community use and planned children’s programming,” Dick wrote.

Bing warned such closings – and other cuts to city services -- would occur if a budget compromise was not reached between his office and City Council. The city’s new fiscal year begins July 1.

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dearborn_don
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Joined: 21 August 2008
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Posted: 29 June 2010 at 4:25am \| IP Logged

Late breaking news. The city council votes on Wednesday June 30 to restore the funds to keep the parks open. Hope for the best.

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Andy
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Posted: 29 June 2010 at 1:39pm \| IP Logged

Yea! Dave Bing and Charles Pugh saved us from the ABYSS!

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