July 1, 2025 | 'Grave concerns' for public safety, what's happening with Lutheran Park + more
Hey Locals,
The public is getting mixed messages on the state of the city's emergency response system – especially as it relates to the Fort Wayne Fire Department's staffing and leadership. We break down the latest on what to know.
We also fill you in on what's happening with Lutheran Park and a few fun events for the holiday weekend ahead.
Heads up: We'll be out of town next week and will have a shorter than usual newsletter.
This month: our newsletter is brought to you by Olde Oak Tree Furniture & Design, celebrating its 24th anniversary in July with 25% off its locally crafted Amish-built furniture. Olde Oak Tree offers chic, modern, mix-and-match styles, so you can create a thoughtfully collected look for your home or business. Learn more about it in this week’s Sponsor Spotlight, and mark your calendar for its free anniversary event on Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring extra discounts, giveaways, free lunch by Nolt's Marketplace, drinks by Mocha Lounge Dupont and donuts from Leo Donuts!
Stay tuned: for a new monthly deal for paid subscribers with Rune restaurant, starting next week.
Now, let's get started!
NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.
Former FWFD Fire Chief has "grave concerns" for public safety
"... Not only for the citizens, but also for the firefighters who are trying to deliver the service."
What’s happening?
The public is getting mixed messages from local leadership on the state of the city's fire department and public safety, drawing attention back to the city and county's broader emergency response systems.
Getting up to speed:
- Last week: Fire Chief Eric Lahey spoke at City Council, reassuring council that while staffing levels are below the desired 370 firefighters (clocking in at 361, if you count this year's academy grads and retirements), public safety is "not in danger" because leadership has been able to "make sure that every territory is protected and that we have plenty of firefighters out there to get the job done."
- However: the fire chief who immediately preceded Lahey (Amy Biggs) published an editorial in The JG* last week and did an interview with WPTA 21 Alive indicating this is not the case. She says issues the union (IAFF Local 124) has mentioned relating to the staffing and accountability under Lahey warrant more attention and explanation from the mayor's office.
- Specifically: Lahey and Mayor Sharon Tucker have said they met with former FWFD chiefs who have assured them conflicts with the union are "nothing different than what they've experienced in their own time." But Biggs says she has not been contacted by Lahey or Mayor Tucker's administration for input, and she has "grave concerns" for firefighters and the state of public safety in Fort Wayne – especially considering a recent union survey of 301 FWFD firefighters that shows nearly 95% voiced "no confidence" in Lahey's leadership.
Biggs says:
"To my knowledge, never in the department’s history, and certainly not during my tenure, did firefighters feel the need to take a vote of no confidence in their chief. Such a vote should not be taken lightly. It reflects deep, systemic concerns about leadership, morale and direction. The fact that this action was taken and resulted in an almost unanimous negative response should be viewed with the seriousness it warrants."
We reached out to the City and Lahey for comment on the reason for Biggs' resignation in 2014 (after only two years as fire chief prior to Lahey). While they were not able to comment on that, they did identify the former FWFD chiefs Lahey and Mayor Tucker consulted about the union.
Lahey says:
“I spoke to Amy Biggs about challenges with the IAFF Local 124 leadership on the day she retired. I have also spoken with Tim Davie and Pete Kelly about past union negotiations as well as union and administration relationships. The Mayor has spoken with Tim Davie. I was also Pete Kelly’s Deputy Chief, so I have first-hand knowledge of the struggles that Chief Kelly had with the IAFF Local 124.”
Why it matters
For months now, city and county officials have publicly debated the cost and effectiveness of transitioning to a fire-based model of EMS – versus the longstanding public utility model of EMS provided in partnership with Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA). Conflicts between the union and fire chief/City are related to this.
We break down key insights in our premium newsletter.
- Lutheran Park – at the site of the old Lutheran Hospital on Fairfield Ave. – is being donated to the local Boys & Girls Club. Residents who live near Lutheran Park were surprised to see the park's maintenance and splash pad out of commission in June – despite the hot temperatures. Elizabeth Sipe, secretary for the Creighton-Home Neighborhood Association, dug into the issue and learned that (unbeknownst to the neighborhood) the Lutheran Foundation had donated the park to the Boys & Girls Club,* which is now responsible for its maintenance. Representatives from nearby neighborhoods are meeting with the Boys & Girls Club this week to discuss the park's future, and we will report back when we know more.
- Efforts to reduce neighborhood speed limits to 25 mph are moving slowly (pun intended), but still making progress, City Traffic Engineers say. Last week, community advocate Kevin Brooks of Three Rivers Active Streets emailed the City's Traffic Engineering department to inquire about the status of the project, which made headlines last year, and was expected to be complete by the end of 2024 or sometime in 2025. Traffic Engineer Phil LaBrash tells us the project is a "priority," but it involves a lot of moving pieces – like updating "nearly 1,600 signs and ancillary equipment such as posts, sleeves, clips, etc. that have costs and labor associated with them." The new timeline is dependent on the outcome of the 2026 City budget.
Plus: An Urban Trail update, a City Utilities rate hike, a new late-night spot and more. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.
Happy 24th anniversary to Olde Oak Tree Furniture & Design!
Our July sponsor shares discounts on modern furniture designed and built right here in Northern Indiana.
Did you know stylish, Pinterest-worthy furniture is being designed and built right here in Northern Indiana? Olde Oak Tree Furniture & Design offers fully customizable, Amish-crafted styles that rival what you’d find at stores like Crate & Barrel or West Elm. Their showroom at 11535 Leo Rd. features quality furniture for every space in your home (and outdoor areas, too), including modern, slatted wood pedestal tables, timeless arched cabinets and sleek platform beds. And if you don’t find your exact fit, their experienced team can help you design a custom piece (like the tables they designed in-house for a local restaurant).
This month, Olde Oak Tree is celebrating its 24th anniversary with 25% off its inventory all month and a free event featuring multiple local businesses on Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
We sat down with Larry Schnurr, who co-owns the business with his wife Lora, to learn more about their work.
Here are a few quick things to know:
- When you buy local furniture, you’re supporting the regional economy. Larry estimates 98% of his furniture is made right here in Northern Indiana (with the rest coming from Ohio). So when you shop at Olde Oak Tree, you’re supporting an ecosystem of local families, designers and builders – all at prices comparable to other furniture stores in town.
- Furniture runs in the family. Larry’s dad was a designer at the old Wolf & Dessauer department store Downtown. (He even designed cabinets for a few former mayors’ offices.) Larry has been in the furniture industry ever since, and he was so impressed by the quality of the solid wood and upholstered furniture made by regional Amish companies that he and Lora decided to open Olde Oak Tree in 2001 and work with builders to expand their product lines.
- Olde Oak Tree makes customization easy. They work closely with builders on your behalf. So if you need an extra-long dining table or the perfect piece to fit that tiny nook, just bring your measurements. “We can build custom pieces to fit your home or business and make them exactly what you want in wood, stain, upholstery and size,” Larry says. “We can also help you work within your budget."
- Not in the market for new furniture? You can work with Olde Oak Tree to update heirloom pieces you already own or retrofit your current cabinetry to better meet your needs. They also have a small home decor shop inside the store, and their children’s furniture makes great gifts for kids and grandkids, too.
Mark your calendar: For Olde Oak Tree’s free 24th-anniversary event on Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring extra discounts, giveaways, free lunch by Nolt's Marketplace, drinks by Mocha Lounge Dupont and donuts from Leo Donuts! While you’re there, check out two of our favorite pieces: the mobile murphy bed, which folds up deceptively small, and the elegant Bentley arched display cabinet.
Full disclosure: Olde Oak Tree is owned by the parents of a consultant for The Local, Ryan.
- Groove: to Jazzworks! with Ty Causey at the Botanical Conservatory before the Downtown Fireworks on July 4, starting at 5:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs to enjoy the jazz stylings of local musicians: Sun.Dyle, Lisa McDavid and Causey, performing outdoors on the Conservatory Terrace with food and beverage for purchase from Mad Anthony Brewing Company and Jimmy’s BBQ.
- Dance: through brunch at Spoke & Ivy's Cafeton Day Party on July 5, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with DJ J.Tubbs and the ultimate blend of coffee, cocktails, and reggaetón. ($5 entrance; 21+ only)
- Update: your Allen County Public Library card with a new card design featuring one of the Downtown murals. The ACPL unveiled new designs last week (while supplies last).
What else? We share more things to do in our premium newsletter.
Got a story tip or idea?
Let us know at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.
Have a great week, Locals!
-Your Editor, Kara Hackett