As local government gets back into motion, Fort Wayne City Council performed its annual reorganization of roles among members Tuesday night.
At-large Republican councilman John Crawford was named president of the body, his fifth term in the role and replacing Tom Freistroffer. Crawford made note of his tendency to be named Council president during election years.
“I’m not sure if it’s an honor or a punishment," Crawford said with a laugh.
"Things get a little twitchy during election years, and I want us all to keep our mind on our business. Good policy is good politics and as long as we remember that, we’ll all do well in every way,” he said.
Crawford is also running for mayor in 2019, and officially filed on Wednesday morning. 6th District Democratic councilman Glynn Hines was unanimously voted vice president, in what will be his final year on City Council before retiring at the end of his term.
Council members were also assigned to committees for the year. Most notably, Republicans Michael Barranda and Paul Ensley, along with Democrat Geoff Paddock, will serve on the Legacy Committee for the year.
The list of reorganized roles and committee appointments for 2019, with the council member’s corresponding party affiliation and district:
Leadership
President: John Crawford (R, At-Large)
Vice President: Glynn Hines (D, 6th)
Cable Fund Access Board
Tom Didier (R, 3rd)
Legacy Joint Funding Committee
Paul Ensley (R, 1st)
Michael Barranda (R, At-Large)
Geoff Paddock (D, 5th)
Council on Homelessness
Geoff Paddock (D, 5th)
Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.
John Crawford (R, At-Large)
HANDS Board
Russ Jehl (R, 2nd)
Joint Permitting Oversight Committee
Tom Freistroffer (R, At-Large)
Downtown Improvement District
Geoff Paddock (D, 5th)
Mayor’s Opportunity Advisory Board
Michael Barranda (R, At-Large)
Plan Commission
Tom Freistroffer (R, At-Large)
Redevelopment Commission
Jason Arp (R, 1st)
Finance Committee
First Half: Jason Arp (R, 1st)
Second Half: Russ Jehl (R, 2nd)
Regulations Committee
First Half: Michael Barranda (R, At-Large)
Second Half: Tom Freistroffer (R, At-Large)
Public Works Committee
First Half: Glynn Hines (D, 5th)
Second Half: Paul Ensley (R, 1st)
City Utilities Committee
First Half: Tom Didier (R, 3rd)
Second Half: Geoff Paddock (D, 5th)
