Ink Notes 12-22-22
Ink Notes
CDC Changes Monkeypox Terminology to Mpox
In support of the recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health and Human Services (HHS), CDC will adopt “Mpox” as the term used to refer to monkeypox disease.
Human monkeypox was given its name in 1958, before the publication of WHO’s best practices in naming diseases was published in 2015. According to the WHO’s best practices, new disease names should be given with the aim to minimize unnecessary negative impact of names on trade, travel, tourism, or animal welfare, and avoid causing offense to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional, or ethnic groups.
U.S. leaders have been engaging with stakeholders on a regular basis regarding our shared concerns about this disease’s terminology and the urgent need for a change to a more appropriate name.
Moving forward, U.S. federal public health agencies, including CDC, will adopt the Mpox name in correspondence with the medical community and the public. This change from the WHO will enhance the U.S. response to Mpox by using a less stigmatizing term.
CDC encourages all partners to use the term Mpox in all documents, public facing communications, and correspondence.
Grocery Store News
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) The need for a grocery store to provide fresh food options on Fort Wayne’s southeast side is no secret. The area is officially a food desert, meaning residents don’t have easy access to healthy food options.
But that could soon change with the announcement that the City of Fort Wayne is partnering with Parkview Regional Medical Center and Affiliates (PRMC) on the Pontiac Street Market.
According to a news release from the City of Fort Wayne, PRMC will provide financial support through its Community Health Improvement program and, along with its vendor partner Sodexo, manage store operations.
The Redevelopment Commission and City Council will need to approve various aspects of the grocery store. The governing bodies will consider those requests at meetings later this month. Upon receiving all necessary approvals, construction could begin in February 2023 with the grocery store opening in the fall of 2023.
“It’s vital to meet the needs of the community as we work each day to provide excellent quality of life opportunities for the health and well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “We are encouraged by the positive momentum and growth we are experiencing in southeast Fort Wayne with public and private partnerships that will have a lasting and meaningful impact. Southeast Fort Wayne is moving forward in the right direction.”
“Parkview understands that access to high-quality, healthy food is foundational for health,” said John Bowen, president, Parkview Regional Medical Center and Affiliates. “Supporting the City on this project allows Parkview to expand its work to increase access to nourishing food and provide resources that will help pave the way to a healthier community.”
Plans for a grocery store on the southeast side have been in the planning stages for months. It would be about 4,000 square feet in size. To put that in perspective, a typical Dollar General store is 7,500 square feet.
Affordable Housing
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — By 2032, Fort Wayne City Councilwoman Michelle Chambers (D, at-large) would like to see affordable housing throughout Fort Wayne.
That journey started with an ordinance she introduced last month to incentivize affordable housing development in any part of the city, not just in economic development targeted areas (EDTA).
She cited a report that Indiana has only 38 affordable units available per 100 extremely low income families.
Chambers’ proposal moved forward Tuesday night by a 7-1 vote. It will likely receive final approval at the next meeting.
Chambers said her idea is easy to understand: put affordable housing where people want to live, work and play.
“That makes us more attractive as a city where we can attract more qualified affordable housing developers,” she explained.
“This is a win for us. We have a lot of tools for economic development for commercial real estate. Now we need to really improve our affordable housing economic development tools.”
Chambers cited red-bricked Randall Lofts, 206 Pearl Street near the Landing as an example of affordable housing done right, with its mix of great location and an income limit for residents.
Because the building was redeveloped with low income housing tax credits, residents cannot earn more than 60% of the area’s median income. The rents are calculated using federal guidelines.
“Think about restaurant workers, custodial workers, and even some some city employees that could qualify to live in the building. Given Randall Lofts location, it puts them in a position where they’re able to walk to work, they’re able to walk to the restaurant scene and walk to the other amenities that the city has been building out along the Riverfront.”
Chambers, a former realtor and loan officer, would like to see similar developments near hospitals and factories. She tried to dissuade people from thinking affordable housing developments would lower neighboring property values.
$2.1 million gift from the estate of Mark M. Suedhoff supports IU Fort Wayne scholarships
Indiana University Fort Wayne is the beneficiary of an anticipated $2.1 million gift from the estate of Mark M. Suedhoff. This gift will support scholarships for IU Fort Wayne students and is the largest gift received by the IU Fort Wayne campus for student scholarships to date.
Suedhoff, a Fort Wayne resident, earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1984. While he completed the majority of his courses at IU Bloomington, he took seven classes at the Fort Wayne campus. Suedhoff’s gift will provide critical support for students and will significantly advance the mission of IU Fort Wayne, whose focus is on health professions.
David Chappell, IU Fort Wayne Director of Enrollment Management, said, “IU Fort Wayne is incredibly grateful for this extraordinary gift from the estate of Mark M. Suedhoff. These scholarships will positively impact our community for many years to come, as they support students working to earn degrees in healthcare professions.”
Robert Suedhoff, brother of Mark Suedhoff, described Mark's upbringing, his personality, and his strong desire to make an impact in his community.
"Our parents were lifetime advocates of continuing education, and Mark followed their lead. Mark was smart, empathetic, and generous. He wanted to help people, whether they were friends or people he didn't know. Mark thought his contribution could have the best impact by supporting the education of local health care students, which is why he chose Indiana University Fort Wayne, among others,” said Robert Suedhoff.
For more information on the Suedhoff scholarship and other scholarships available to incoming and enrolled students, visit IU Fort Wayne's website.
Honor Given
We’ve all heard the phrase “give people their flowers while they are alive”. Well Redemption Church did just that. On Saturday, December 10, they held their second annual holiday celebration event and honored community leaders. Our owner John Dortch and wife Anita were honored for starting Ink Spot newspaper which will turn 5 years old in 2023. Presenting them the award was their oldest daughter Andrea who recalled memories of John reading 5 different papers each Sunday afternoon when she and sister Nikki were younger. Thank you John and Anita for the gift of Ink Spot and all of your work in this community!
Kwanzaa Krawl
On Saturday, December 17, five local black Greek lettered sororities and fraternities supported local businesses by spending their dollars in the black community. The event was in support of Ujamaa, Cooperative Economics, which is day 4 of the Kwanzaa celebration. $3800 was spent in various locations in total.
The following locally black owned businesses were supported:
Bee Jays Golden Goods - 4114 N. Clinton Street, FW 46805
Health Hut Wellness Center – 3304 Fairfield Avenue, FW 46807
His House - 4345 S. Anthony Boulevard, FW 46806
Brownlee Thomas & Sons Market - 613 Oxford Street, FW 46806
Many of the members of the Greater Fort Wayne National Pan Hellenic Council enjoyed their time together learning of new businesses in our community and completing their Christmas shopping. The group ended the day with food and fellowship at Hop River in which, Paris McFarthing, is a co-founder and part owner. We encourage all to support these and other small businesses in our local community!