Earth First, garbage, and the good old boy network – Part II
Posted by AWB in City & County GovernmentWe promised a look at a few of the degrees of separation for Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals and the Plan Commission. While this is not all encompassing, if time permits, we’ll have more.
Barney Niezer is the brother of Tom Niezer, an attorney with Barrett & McNagny. Barney is a board member of the Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals. Tom Niezer represents many of the largest real estate developers in this part of the state, including Barry Sturges, the mega-commercial/retail developer in Fort Wayne of CB Richard Ellis/Sturges. If you look at Barney’s voting record, he’s rarely seen a zoning appeal his brother represented that he didn’t like.
Barney’s brother Tom sat on the top-secret board of the Downtown North River Task Force, which looked into the development of the OmniSource property on Clinton Street. As a matter of fact, the mayor’s new Public Information Officer, Vince Robinson, also sat on that board. We never did get to look at the environmental impact study.
Tom Niezer also represented the “Come As You Are” church and their attempt to develop South Anthony Pointe. I’m not sure how that’s working out. Tom’s brother Barney liked that development as well and voted for its approval. One other member of the Board of Zoning appeals is Mike Bynum, chairman of the Allen County Democratic party. Bynum is also the president of the Southeast Area Partnership, and South Anthony Pointe is smack dab in the middle of it. Bynum also voted to approve Tom Niezer’s zoning appeal.
Not only does Bynum sit on the Board of Zoning Appeals, he’s also on the board of the Fort Wayne City Plan Commission. As a matter of fact, so is Barney. If you look at the county’s web site, you’ll find this.
The five members of the City of Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals are appointed by the Mayor, the City Council, and the City of Fort Wayne Plan Commission.
Do they get to vote for themselves? Just saying..
Remember Canyon Cliffs? Tom Niezer actually filed a lawsuit against the three board members that voted against the development. The lawsuit did not include Bynum, or his brother Barney. Of course.
Ken Neumeister, owner of Liberty Construction Co. is also a member of the Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals [PDF file]. While not relevant, Ken owns a substantial interest in the building that houses the Allen County Republican party’s headquarters. Neumeister was also one of three members of mayor Tom Henry’s transition team. Neumeister is a former member of the Allen County Republican Party executive committee. Neumeister also voted for the approval of Canyon Cliffs and was one of the “Republicans for Henry” supporters.
Mike Bynum and Tom Niezer also sat on the board that did the feasibility study for the mixed-use stadium, now called Parkview Field.
Tom Niezer was a Steering Committee Member for the BlueprintPLUS initiative, which recommended the 60 proposed residential condominium units along with 30,000 square feet of new street level retail space at Harrison Square. We should mention the condo construction has never happened. Also, the retail space is being managed by Tom Niezer’s biggest client, CB Richard Ellis/Sturges.
Tom and Barney have another brother, William Niezer. William is on the board of directors at Tower Bank along side Jerome Henry. William Niezer works as a Managing Director for Wells Fargo Insurance Services. Remember Canyon Cliffs? Mr. Bodenhafer is the owner of the real estate, and Tom Niezer represented the developers. Bodenhafer was president of the plan commission at the time and also works for, take a guess, Wells Fargo Insurance Services.
We’re not implying anything by this. You can decide for yourself. Some might say, Fort Wayne’s such a small town with so many boards and commissions, an overlap here and there is bound to happen.
Well, with that said, it’s time for a little entertainment from Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley. Enjoy!
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So how does Hipskind Concrete work into all this? I work a block from the war zone formerly known as Calhoun Street and the name of Hipskind is all over those trucks. Will Hipskind also be doing the work for the untwisting of west State against the wishes of the area property owners? Inquiring minds want to know!
Editor’s note:
Good point. For the record, Hipskind was a Graham Richard supporter.
We’re looking for Henry’s contributions. We used to have it in a spreadsheet but cannot locate it.
Dan:
That was really informative.
Didn’t know about the tangled web.
Now, all you need is an hour of CABLE ACCESS time…and a CHALKBOARD!
Keep those hits coming!
Dear Angry White Boy, Thank you for bringing light to the “Clean-Rivers Task Force” and lack of information released to the public regarding the old Omni Source area. The city has backed off from buying it after they placed a large “down-payment” to secure their position to buy it if they decided to do so. After all the research and clean rivers task force going to the East Coast to educate themselves on how to clean up OUR local rivers I have heard nothing more.
Please keep me in the loop. I would like your email as well so I can keep you informed of what our group is doing!
Thank You so much
Abigail Frost
Save Maumee Grassroots Organization Founder
Watershed Expert
Master Naturalist
Being honest, I’m only a five year veteran of Fort Wayne, and I really enjoy where I live here in southwest Fort Wayne. I really appreciate information like this being shared with everyone, it allows everyone a pause and a reason to question. And, of all, it allows a future candidate for a political office to view how deep the “good ol’ boy” network runs, and how somethings within government can never be controlled despite any and all good intentions and opinions. “Times are different,” said the student. “Times stay the same with a different environment,” said the teacher.” “Times still need to change,” said the student.
Sounds that you all are in bed with National Serv-All. Have you thought about doing a little reserch on Republic Services, which owns National Serv-All. Thats correct, National Serv-All is not a local company. You haven’t mentioned that National Serv-All own the only landfill in Allen County. Do you think that this fact may influence future costs to collect and dispose of our garbage. Well if you would do a little research you would find that Evansville, IN., which is served by a Republic Services Company just raised that city’s garbage rate from$9.95 per resident per month to $13.65 per resident per month. Or to look at it another way approx $1.8 million more per year. If you like you can check it out for yourself at courierpress.com. If I find out more I’ll pass it along because I don’t you will.
No, we’re not in bed with anyone.
Perkins, we don’t pay National Serv-All, we pay the city, the city pays them. I believe the contract is for three years, then the city renegotiates the fees. They cannot arbitrarily raise the rates.
Which Henry are you sleeping with?
Your don’t even know the process. The City advertises for bidders and companies submit bids. Based on the bids received the City awards the contract. While they can’t arbitrarily raise rates they surely can at the start of this process. And no, the new contract is no for 3 years but for 7 years. Dan neither you or I are sleeping with anyone except ignorance if we don’t keep our minds open to both facts on both sides and then make up our own minds not what some lawyer, that National Serv-All has hired, to put out propaganda
I do know the process, I’ve bid with the city and county in the past. I’ll take your word it’s 7 years, but the last one was for 3 years as it started in January of 2006. Why would they move it to 7 years? ah, let me guess… Because Jerome Henry’s in the mix?
With competitive bidding, I’m sure we’ll get the best bid, right? Don’t hold your breath. The city doesn’t have to accept the lowest price and up until last week they were only dealing with *one* bidder, Earth First..
Earth First has no trucks and no local landfill, and it will cost the county over $100K per year in tipping fees.
National Serv-All has hired people to put out propaganda? Who? Where? Cite me some examples. Surely you don’t mean they’re paying the bloggers, the Journal or maybe the News Sentinel?
Doesn’t it bother you that the Henry administration chose to negotiate only with Earth First??
Facts Dan lets concentrate on facts. Lets do one at a time, so no one gets confused. Allen County will lose no money on the trash leaving the county. The entity that will lose will be Allen County Solid Waste District. And I would guess that you do not know what there function is. I repeat, Allen County will lose no money if trash leave Allen County. Oh, how do you know that the City negotiated only with EarthFirst. Where you involved in the negotiations?
Dan: How do you know that the City negotiated only with Earth First? Also, Allen County will lose no money if the trash is sent out of county. And your reply is?
Perkins,
You obviously either do not read the papers, or don’t believe what is in them. The Allen County Solid Waste Management District will lose the revenue, which is under the umbrella of Allen County government and overseen by Tony Burrus.
From the NS
From Tracy Warner at the JG
It’s not even a competitive bidding process.
I guess i did not realize the bidding process was in this mannor. I just wish the city would sit down with me and figure out the best way for my company to take over a monopoly managed by the city.
I just wonder if henry (aka mayor daley) has another brother who is part owner in a electric co start up.
No, don’t believe everything I read in the papers. Allen County Solid Waste District is not under the umbrella of Allen County government. Solid Waste Districts were created by a state law back in the 1990′s. Details are in the library and on line.
So, once again I would ask your, “How do you know that the City negotiated only with Earth First”, as you have stated. Oh, by the way good morning!
I personally favor giving the bid to any local company who offers a competitive, though not necessarily the lowest bid, rather than a multinational conglomerate such as Serv-All (Republic Services). Guess who the largest shareholder in Republic is: Bill Gates!! You know, the monopolizing computer software magnate- aka the second richest man IN THE WORLD!
I know for a fact that Jerry Henry spreads his wealth throughout OUR COMMUNITY… I have yet to identify any involvment Willy Gates, or his money, has in our city. I recently attended yet another fundraiser put on by Jerry at the Philmore on Broadway (owned by Steve Shine), and next weekend I will attend a walk for NAMI, a charity for mentally impaired citizens, and I heard one of Jerry’s companies is a main sponsor for that too.
It’s comforting to know that, in spite of these horrendous economic times, there are at least a few people (namely Jerry Henry) who are still giving to those who need it more. If awarding a city contract to a firm affiliated with a man who has a proven reputation as a successful businessman and philanthropist will enable him, and in turn many local charities, to weather this economic storm, then count me in as a supporter!
So it begs the question: Are you all THAT ignorant- or is it simply jealousy??? You all certainly had an opportunity to start your own trash company and engage in a competitive bidding process! Some people just talk while others make things happen…
I have a feeling before you are done talking there will be a new company in place providing local jobs and benefitting the earth by increasing recycling. Luckily there are at least some ambitious folks willing to invest and take risks for the sake of our LOCAL community. If they make a modest profit in the meantime? Good for them- this is America where capitalism reigns, remember?!
Maybe we can all just agree to haul our own trash to Wal-Mart every week and they can export it to Mexico or China?? The poor Walton (or Gates) family could certainly use the money- But don’t count on seeing any of it re-invested in OUR home town.
I suppose the “moderation” (censorship) will prohibit my previous comments from being posted so that people who read this can decide for themselves. Thank-you for deciding what we can “handle”, propoganda minister Dan!
We need leaders in this community who have integrity and a “clear conscience.” Read below:
“[Jerry Henry] agrees the city needs more time to examine the issue, and he tells NewsChannel 15 he’s willing to give up his five percent ownership if becomes a problem.
“This is not a get rich quick scheme, we’re all about opportunity. We saw an opportunity here. It was offered to me and I said sure. I thought it would send more of a message if I turned it down,” said Jerry. “At the end of the day, there’s 80,000 homes January first that are going to have to have a prompt garbage pick up. I need to have a clear conscience and everyone involved needs to have a clear understanding of the responsibilities and the risks.” ”
Some people are winners- even if they lose every once in a while. While some are just whiners (losers) LOL
Phil, aka. “Fan”,
Your comments were in the moderation queue. I don’t site in front of the computer 24/7. I’ll respond to them in a bit.
Fan,
First off how is hauling the trach 2 counties away good for the enviorment.
Second, my ONLY real concern is who is going to pay to fix anthony blvd and the other streets in the area. This business will not be able to function in that part of town without some major repairs.
Third, i own a small local business in fort wayne and have looked at many bids for the city. Never will you find a bid given to a company without equipment and employees.
Tom henry has proven what ever is in his best interest will get done. There are not too many major decisions that don’t benifit him in some way. after all he spent 1 mill to widen a road so he does not have to think about which exit to leave the parking garage at night.
Previously I said, “Dan neither your or I are sleeping with anyone except ignorance if we don’t keep our minds open to the facts on both sides and then make up our minds not what some lawyer, that National Serv-All has hired, to put out propaganda”.
Your reply was, “National Serv-All has hired people to put out progaganda? Who? Where? Cite me some examples”.
Have you read this mornings paper? Your beloved T. Warner tells who is putting out the message for National Serv-All. Whic after my comments above I can only speculate that it was written because you work for one of the local newspapers or the people representing National Serv-All are feeding you their talking points.
Let’s see if you are going to print these comments.
Perkins,
I might as well be arguing with a chimpanzee.