Press release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Deputy Mayor’s exit prompts Cabinet change
Purcell Resigns to Aid Family, Roller Assumes Interim RoleMayor Tom Henry today announced the resignation of Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell and the appointment of City Controller Pat Roller to an interim capacity.
Due to the significant nature of the role and numerous critical issues underway, Purcell will remain employed with the City during a three-month transition period. He is leaving to devote more attention to the care of family members in Michigan. He joined Mayor Henry’s staff in September 2008.
“Greg Purcell has been a key member of my cabinet,” said Mayor Henry. “His departure saddens me, but I respect his decision and his commitment to his family. His leadership can be seen in Fort Wayne’s designation as a proud three-time All-America City award winner, the successful resolution of the longstanding City and County bridge issue and the homerun opening of Parkview Field. His dedicated service through three City administrations is something for which all of us in this community can be grateful.”
Roller will begin her duties immediately. During this short-term period, she will retain her division title, but will receive support from key division and department heads to ensure that seamless municipal operations are maintained.
City Controller since January 2004, Roller joined the City under the Richard administration and was asked to remain in that slot by Mayor Henry. Prior to her career with the City, she served as Second Vice President and Financial Director within the Investment Division of Lincoln Financial Group.
Throughout this transitional phase, Director of Public Works Bob Kennedy has also agreed to assume expanded administrative responsibilities. Kennedy was recently recognized by American City & County magazine as its 2009 Public Works Leader of the Year.
The search process to permanently fill the Deputy Mayor’s position will be delineated in the near future.
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The city press release could have also included Greg Purcell’s leadership in:
- Preserving Fort Wayne’s empty spot on the south side of the 200 block of West Jefferson Blvd.
- The excessive price paid for the purchase of the building in the 200 block of East Berry St.
- The waste of over $1 million to tear out and redo the nicest two blocks of Calhoun St. after the expediture of almost $3 million a few years ago to create this “niceness”.
- The distruction of what was a complete minor-league ballpark next to the Allen County War Memorial Colesium, valued at over $10 million – such distruction costing over $1 million.
- The preparation for future waste of $’s to convert seven blocks of commercial Wells St. into a 4-lane thoroughfare, and
- Sticking city taxpayers with the cost of taking the “responsible people” off the hook for soil contamination at the old Dimension Ford property on west Jefferson Blvd.
Our kids and grandkids will be forever grateful for these contibutions as they pay for them!