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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 12, 2007 <br />betterment of your neighborhoods. He read in yesterday's newspaper, he and his wife <br />just had a laugh. Where the director of Code Enforcement was quoted in reference to a <br />building apparently on the other side of the viaduct on the northeast corner of <br />Washington and Walnut. The comment was that the company that owned the building is <br />out of business, no one was legally responsible for the building and yet, they weren't sure <br />that they could get a court order to demolish the building. He has dealt with these people <br />for nearly thirty (30) years, and you can get a thousand (1,000) excuses. But twenty-five <br />(25) years ago when he worked for the City, he can't imagine a single Councilmember <br />that would have allowed that building to exist in their district for one day. Let alone for <br />more than one (1) year. Somebody should be tap dancing on the head of the Director of <br />Code Enforcement if all you are getting is excuses. There is no reason for that building <br />to have sat there for a year with an obscenity on it. Don't tell me that they cannot fmd an <br />owner, don't tell me that they cannot board up the windows, and don't tell me that they <br />cannot remove graffiti from the building. It's been six weeks since I first mentioned it to <br />you. The point of the matter is that he appreciates the Council's efforts, but you know <br />what sometimes you have to kick somebody up the backside to get them to do something. <br />He stated that he ends up having to do that in his neighborhood almost once a week to <br />call code enforcement, and basically the last time he threatened to hold a press <br />conference to do something. <br />Councilmember Pfeifer stated that she personally does not like to tear down a sound <br />structure. <br />Mr. Master's stated that all that needs to be done is board up the broken windows and <br />remove the graffiti. <br />Mr. Timothy Kluszynski, 617 Park Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, Vice-President, Chapin <br />Park Neighborhood Association, but is speaking as an individual and not for the Chapin <br />Park Neighborhood Association. <br />Mr. Kluszynski stated that just a few years ago he recalled a recent feature that aired on a <br />local public radio station WVPE, in it Councilmember Pfeifer and Councilmember White <br />were interviewed and shared their thoughts on Civic Activism and their experiences in <br />local government. For him the segment did convey a central theme, which was to <br />acknowledge that we as citizens have a duty to bring our ideals, concerns and aspirations <br />to the public arena. To interact with out representatives and for the more ambitious to <br />answer the call as public servants. It was truly an inspirational message. Near the end of <br />the broadcast it was revealed that neighborhood associations in particular offer excellent <br />opportunities for community involvement. Suggesting to that these organizations are <br />liaisons and springboards for local government. He was encouraged to understand that <br />perspective from some of our public officials by realizing the importance of this <br />community function. He stated that many if not all members of the Common Council <br />support this as well, but since he is only a resident of the lgt District, he must call the <br />attention to the impact of these organizations and the effect that they have their. For <br />community leadership and pride of place and quality of life are celebrated as one. Issues <br />demand that residents participate in the public process and as you might expect residents <br />often fmd comfort in their neighborhood associations. They depend upon their chosen <br />neighborhood representatives for information and support. Many times that support is <br />needed during public hearings and in forums like this. Recently, he was disturbed to <br />learn that this Council does not yet formally recognize neighborhood associations. He <br />wonders if there were legislative reasons for this, where a certification would ratify <br />certain qualifications. For example, to authenticate that a board is authorized to represent <br />a particular territory. To verify fair practices in its election process and to outline <br />protocol for record keeping and insure safe guards that it ensures open participation. Still <br />until this comes to pass, neighborhood boards and knowingly handicapped, hamstrung to <br />represent their constituents when it is imperative and important that they do so. He <br />appealed to the Council to remedy this dilemma and offer to assistance in finding the <br />most appropriate solution. <br />Council President Rouse stated that this topic will be sent to the Residential <br />Neighborhoods Committee, which he is Chairperson. <br />25 <br />