Miller's Monthly Newsletter: new accessible bus shelter, grand opening of The Pearl, welcoming Hoosier veterans, and voting season
Dear neighbor,
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR NEW FULLY ACCESSIBLE BUS SHELTER
Citilink and Turnstone celebrated the opening of the nation’s first fully accessible bus shelter on Oct. 2 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Located on North Clinton Street in front of Turnstone, the Universally Accessible bus shelter is now fully operational.
Prior to the shelter’s construction, city buses were unable to safely turn into or stop at Turnstone, forcing riders to walk long distances to access services. The new shelter can accommodate three to four wheelchairs inside, features a bench for those unable to sit, as well as a bench placed outside for those who experience anxiety or claustrophobia. Yellow stripes are placed strategically on white glass walls for people with low vision. Additionally, the space was designed to be ad-free to avoid overstimulation.
Currently, two additional Universally Accessible bus shelters are being added to the Citilink bus route, including one near the League For the Blind-Disabled on Anthony Boulevard and the Bowen Center on Goshen Road.
It was an honor to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating this great new addition to Fort Wayne.
THE PEARL GRAND OPENING
On Oct. 9, I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of The Pearl, a seven story building featuring apartments, commercial space, restaurants, event space and more. The project is an $82 million investment from Surack Enterprise founders Chuck and Lisa Surack.
PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY AT PRICE ELEMENTARY
On Oct. 16, I participated as a guest principal at Price Elementary for Fort Wayne Community Schools Principal for a Day. The event is designed to give community leaders an opportunity to see what goes on in Fort Wayne Community Schools.
I spent the morning alongside Principal Benjamin Hartman interacting with students, parents and school staff and had the unique opportunity to watch the hard work of Price Elementary staff firsthand. For lunch, I had a wonderful meal prepared and served by students in the FWCS Career Academy at Anthis Culinary Arts Program.
It is a honor to see firsthand the hard work that goes into providing our students with a first-class education. I am grateful to Price Elementary for letting me serve as Principal for a day.
ALLEN COUNTY ONE OF TOP THREE RELOCATION DESTINATIONS FOR VETERANS
On Oct. 23, I attended a press conference hosted at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership office highlighting Fort Wayne as an attractive relocation destination for out-of-state veterans and the vital role the INvets, an organization that assists veterans in transitioning to civilian life, has played in this initiative.
According to data from INvets, more than 490 veterans moved to Indiana during the last fiscal year. A total of 61 families and 23 veterans moved to northeast Indiana, including Allen County. The organization notes that each family adds an estimated $50,000 to the local economy.
I am proud that our community is open and accepting of our Hoosier veterans.
GET READY TO VOTE
Election day is quickly approaching! Voting is one of the most important actions you can take to ensure that your voice is heard and you are represented in our democracy. We want to encourage you to make a plan for how you are going to cast your ballot on or before the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Early voting is open now in select locations. To check your registration status, see a list of candidates on the ballot, find information about early voting, request an absentee ballot or find polling locations near you, visit indianavoters.in.gov. Remember, if you are casting an absentee ballot, voted ballots must be received by 6 PM (close of polls) on Election Day in order to be counted.
In order to vote at the polls, you must have a valid Photo ID. Acceptable forms of ID include: driver's license, passport, military ID or picture ID from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
The criteria for acceptable ID include:
Photograph
A name which matches the voter registration record
An expiration date after Election Day
Must have been issued by the U.S. government or the state of Indiana
A student ID from an Indiana State school may only be used if it meets all of the four criteria specified above.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Old Fort Cluster Dog Show - Nov. 1 until Nov. 2, Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Come out to see dogs strut their stuff!
St. Charles Borromeo Craft Fair - Nov. 2 from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 4916 Trier Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815
Visit the Craft Fair to find unique handmade crafts from almost 150 different vendors!
McNamara Florist 70th Annual Holiday Open House - Nov. 8 until Nov. 10.
4322 DeForest Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Event Times: Friday, November 8: 9AM-6PM; Saturday,; November 9: 9AM-6PM; and Sunday, November 10: 12PM-5PM
Drop by the annual open house for exclusive discounts, an exclusive ornament and refreshments.
Fort Wayne Hobby and Collectibles Show - Nov. 13 & Nov. 17 from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM, Allen County Fairgrounds
Comic Books, super hero collectibles, diecasts, old and new toys, Legos, sport and non sport cards, TV & movie memorabilia, magazines, coins, video games and more!
2024 HolidayFest Featuring the Night of Lights - Nov. 27, from 5:45 PM to 8:00 PM
Downtown Fort Wayne
The Night of Lights includes activities throughout the afternoon and evening. This will also kickoff the Festival of Gingerbread and Festival of Trees.
In service,
Kyle Miller