Laserfiche WebLink
SOUTH,,� <br />JANUARY 2008 a �( <br />BEND <br />ee_*,xH � 6v*r7 — <br />MAYOR STEPhEN J. LUEckE <br />Letter from the Mayor <br />Dear Friends and Neighbors, <br />We had a new grandson, Isaiah, in our home over the holidays. It's inspiring to see <br />how much development can take place in a little more than six months of a child's <br />life. For a little guy, he really gets around! <br />As we begin a new year, I'm just as excited to see the signs of growth that will <br />take place in South Bend in the coming year. Something truly great is just around <br />the bend, and I'm feeling a bit like a proud grandparent when it comes to the many <br />new exciting developments in our city. Dramatic and lasting changes are in the <br />works: <br />More South Bend companies are touting the business advantages of the Metronet. <br />We're the first city to create a high -speed network in our traffic conduit. I believe <br />2008 will be breakthrough year in which- because of the Metronet- we land our <br />most significant new company to date. <br />The University of Notre Dame is becoming more connected with the day -to -day <br />life of our city. Our partnership on the new Eddy Street Commons will put South <br />Bend on the map for new commercial and residential developments. At Innovation <br />Park, the city's first certified Technology Park, Notre Dame's intellectual capital <br />will take root in the community. <br />In the Studebaker Corridor, South Bend Lathe will begin to come down this <br />month Expect to hear more in the coming months about a direct link between In- <br />novation Park and the Studebaker Corridor. <br />The fruits of more than $500 million of growth in the Airport Economic Devel- <br />opment Area will sow seeds of new development throughout the west side, from <br />LaSalle Square to the Marycrest - Hurwich neighborhood. <br />Work will begin on the new Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center for the <br />Salvation Army of St. Joseph County, a world -class youth and family center at <br />the corner of Chapin Street and Western Avenue. <br />We're awaiting a new construction season for a new hotel downtown along with <br />major renovations to the All- American Bank & Trust and the Studebaker Admin- <br />istration Building. While we wait, we will begin to see evidence of achievable <br />dreams for new developments along the East Bank and surrounding Coveleski <br />Stadium. <br />As my grandson is learning, each new stage of development in childhood requires <br />letting go of what worked before. My hope for the New Year is that South Bend <br />will embrace the new developments that will enable this city to continue to grow <br />to its full potential. <br />Sincerely, <br />(50�_� <br />Mayor Steve <br />THIS MONTH... <br />Mayor's Letter <br />Earned Income Tax Credit <br />State of the City Invitation <br />Halina Poetry Prize <br />Animal Control <br />Green Tips <br />• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • <br />Get Cash Back! • <br />• You may qualify for the Earned • <br />• Income Tax Credit (EITC)! The EITC • <br />• is money for people who work but earn • <br />• low incomes. Those who qualify will • <br />• owe less in taxes and may get cash • <br />• back. Find out if you qualify, and file a • <br />• federal tax return to receive your Earned • <br />• Income Tax Credit. • <br />• Who qualifies for the EITC? <br />• The maximum amount of income • <br />• you can earn and still get the credit has <br />• increased! To qualify for the credit • <br />• for 2007, you must have a valid social <br />• security number that allows you to • <br />• work, and both your earned income and <br />• <br />• adjusted gross income must be less than <br />• <br />• the following amounts. • <br />• Income Guidelines: • <br />• • $12,590 ($14,590 married filing • <br />• jointly) with no qualifying children • <br />• (max. credit $428) • <br />• • $33,241 ($35,241 married filing • <br />• jointly) with one qualifying child • <br />• (max. credit $2,853) • <br />• • $37,783 ($39,783 married filing • <br />• jointly) with two or more qualifying • <br />• children (max. credit $4,716) • <br />• If you receive help preparing your • <br />• taxes, be sure to ask your tax preparer • <br />• if you qualify for the EITC. Pick up • <br />• tax forms at the library or post office. • <br />• Call 1- 800 - 829 -3676 for the free IRS • <br />• Publication 596, "Earned Income • <br />• Credit," or visit www.irs.gov /eitc for • <br />• additional information and tax forms. • <br />• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • <br />United Way Offers Talc Filing Help <br />Free tax preparation is available for those <br />who may qualify for the Earned Income Tax <br />Credit: <br />• 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at <br />the Boys and Girls Club, 502 E. Sample St., <br />South Bend <br />0 9 a.m. -noon Saturday, Feb. 9 at Ivy <br />Tech Community College, 220 Dean Johnson <br />Blvd., South Bend <br />For questions or information about what to <br />bring to the sessions, call the United Way of <br />St. Joseph County at 211. <br />