At the 11am press conference in the Mayor’s office tomorrow, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry will announce Mark Becker as the new Fort Wayne Deputy Mayor. For those of you that may recall, Becker was appointed deputy mayor under Graham Richard, but resigned to take a position at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership as Director of Regional Development and Executive Director of the Northeast Indiana Foundation. Becker served in four mayoral administrations, including Moses, Helmke, Richard and Henry. He resigned effective May 31, 2008 under Henry’s administration.
It should be noted that Matt Bell, who was CEO of Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana also recently left to take the position of president of Ivy Tech Corporate College. Now Becker is fleeing a similar organization, the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, which worked hand-hand with the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana. Interesting.
Co-writer on this blog Jim Sack stated:
I love Mark. He has been a friend since I first met him. He and I went to Germany together on a sister city trip and spent hours over beer and fondly giant schnauzers, one of our mutual loves. He is a positive, upbeat, can-do manager. Certainly, those who do not get from him what they want or who oppose what he has been deputized to accomplish have bones to pick with him, but I love the guy personally and admire him professionally. We were on the opposite sides of the Calhoun redo and he was most polite, but I know he worked quietly to wrangle votes against me. Polite, professional, effective and always upbeat. He works with everyone, no one on council speaks ill of him. He does not burn bridges.
Something old, something new? And your opinion?
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Dan allowed me to comment last night on this. I have heard for a few weeks that Mark was the top name under consideration, but sometimes comments are wishful thinking or baseless attempts to seem the insider. Happily, for Fort Wayne, the speculation seems to be true. Council members with whom I have spoken described him as someone they could work with, someone who they trust and respect. Mark is a jovial guy with a quick, keen mind well versed in all of the moving parts that are government and business. In that he will be a bridge to the business world who can translate from gov-speak to biz-speak and back. Mark is constructive, not divisive. He is creative, not a mere functionary. He will take every idea that comes to him and improve it. Now, that said, he will propose and champion things we may not like, but he will do so with respect, and fairness. Mayor Tom, in my opinion, gets a gold star. Fort Wayne is much the better for the appointment.
I don't blame the guy for taking the position, but Fort Wayne, IN, does not need a deputy mayor or the salary that goes along with it. This was a chance to put this position 'to bed' but once again, this mayor does not surprise be when dealing with tax dollars.
I like Mark as well. Professional guy.
……based on the previous vice mayor's performance, the only requirements for the office seemed to be a flippant, condescending attitude and being able to wear leather during TV interviews.
Why did Henry run for Mayor again if he can't do his job? Didn't he realize being Mayor was more than getting your picture taken a couple of times a week?
Common, you guys. Add something instead of childish comments. Mayor Henry does do his job. Part of that responsibility is hiring people to manage departments of government. Rusty York will be seen as one of the best chiefs of police in the history of the city. Becker is without peer in the community and for miles around. There are many in local government who are creative, intelligent and devoted to our city…our city. Try to add to the mix, not always be detractors. A big part of politics is meeting with the citizenry. Tom does that exceedingly well. Call it baby-kissing, but it is an essential part of the job. Would you rather he not mingle, not get out and listen to what you and I have to say. Tom does not much like what I have said about him, but he listens and reflects. We have been lucky with Tom, Graham, Paul and Win. They grew up here, love the city with all its crankiness and devoted their time and hearts to improving the place, despite the local urge to do nothing. Sure, they made mistakes, but the got off their dead asses and worked on our behalf. Give them just a little credit…and think how you might do in the same job.
Jim, do you drive around town with Paula Clark singing Down Town on your player??????
in order to post on this wall you will not be allowed to tell the truth, unless you support the present situation thats nice, watch the prices on everything go up, and tom goes and has a few beers in germany with his buddy, comes home and offers him a job with a position that is not needed. good work tom, here is a true idea take care of your constituent's, like the ones who elected you. if you sit by and continue to not do anything pretty soon you will have to read the paper one morning, and see a judge put a mother in jail for stealing food to feed her kids. I wonder if god gets ticked off, I am a injured vet, before i got injured i dedicated my life to helping others, and now that im injured alot of people said for me to relax and let the government pay me, so i decided to go back to school, and get a degree so i may keep helping people, but maybe i am aiming in the wrong direction and i should set my sight in a more public avenue. I used to have high hopes, that you what we needed. My faith has been shaken by the blindness you have shown the people of fort wayne. So jim you say these people are being childish, I say your not listening to what they are really saying.