05-24-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 24, 2010 he talked with Mayor he said that if the Council came to him to ask for an appropriation of fund for Public Access Michiana that he would seriously consider it. He stated that he believes what the Mayor said because he said directly to his face. He stated that he has faith in this Council and considers all members to be very fine public servants. He stated that the Michiana Community needs public access. He urged the Council’s Information and Technology to pursue this issue. COMMENTS FROM MS. VICTORIA WHITE REGARDING THE CONVENIENCE STORE IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD Ms. Victoria White, 2514 Prast Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, spoke regarding the convenience store in her neighborhood. She stated that she fears for her children to play in their own yard because there have been shootings at that location. She stated that there are obvious drug deals that happen there all hours of the day and night. Ms. White stated that she is concerned that if the City pursues to close the store like it has in the past, it will just reopen and continue to operate illegal activity. She pleaded to have this business closed permanently. COMMENTS FROM MS. PAT SMITH REGARDING THE UNUSED TENNIS COURTS AT KENNEDY PARK Ms. Pat G. Smith, 817 O’Brien, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she has a vision for the unused tennis courts at Kennedy Park. She would like to see a basketball court put in its place. She stated that the children in her neighborhood like to play basketball and they had a portable basketball hoop in the street that was in violation of the city code and the Department of Code Enforcement removed it. She said that it used to drive her crazy however, she would like to see a solution since the children will be out of school for the summer. She stated that she is willing to help clean up the park and tennis courts to get them ready to be converted to basketball courts. She stated that some gates might need to be installed and some city money might have to be spent. She would like to see the basketball courts open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Ms. Smith thanked Councilmember Henry Davis for inviting her down here tonight. COMMENTS FROM MR. ARTHUR FORBES REGARDING HARASSMENT AGAINST TAXI CAB DRIVERS Mr. Arthur Forbes, 422 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, Indiana, owner, Blue Ribbon Taxi, stated that it is unfortunate that after showering accolades on a member of the South Bend Police Department earlier this evening, he is here tonight to show a darker side of the force. He stated that South Bend Police Department harasses and intimidates taxi drivers while they are in downtown South Bend at night. He regrets having to shed light on this issue however, he felt compelled to come here tonight and agrees with Councilmember Rouse who stated that the Council is the sounding block for the citizens of South Bend. He stated that this is just one example of the bureaucracy. Another example is dealing with the City of South Bend’s Engineering Department. Mr. Forbes stated that he has made several pleas to them for taxi stands in the City of South Bend. He stated that he can provide documentation on the dates that they were at the Engineering Department. Mr. Forbes stated that just recently the harassment and intimidation by the South Bend Police Department has reached a new level, his partner received a ticket for sitting in private parking lot. He stated that he is trying to change the perception of taxi community in the City of South Bend. He stated that is evident in their membership with the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce and involvement in various civic events. He stated that they are members of the community who work and are raising their families here. He stated that the requests for implementing taxi stands are for both the safety of the drivers as well as those members of the community namely the many Notre Dame Students that use their services. Mr. Forbes reiterated that he can provide documentation on the dates that they were in the Engineering Department and had a sit down meeting with the Mayor and his Assistant Lynn Coleman and employees of the Engineering Department. He asked the Council for their help and assistance in resolving these matters. 11