04-09-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING April 9, 2018 responsible for client care. Naturally, I was quite concerned when I read the letter from the remonstrator saying she felt the questions she was asked at our Center were invasive. We have no record of any client by that name in our system. Ms. Hunsberger continued, Women's Care is broadly supported in South Bend. In a very short time,we collected 1,634 signatures in support of our petition. I know you've seen them but I have them here and we had even more come in over the weekend. It was a remarkable thing to see so many members of the community lining up to hand-sign signatures that say we want Women's Care Center here and we support Women's Care Center. I know you have the breakdown but, of the first round of 1,634 signatures, 1,149 were South Bend residents. 325 were from zip codes 46619 and 46628. Zip code 46628 had one hundred and ninety-nine (199) signatures and 46617 had one hundred eighty-two (182). Zip code 46614 had one hundred forty-seven(147) and 46619 had one hundred twenty-five (125). The other areas had four hundred and ninety-six (496). I brought some letters to share but most of the people who wrote the letters have changed their schedules in order to be here. In the interest of time I won't go through them and I will let them speak for themselves. I just want to end by saying, again, Women's Care Center is not political and is not activist. Women's Care Center provides women choice. Women's Care Center provides a depth and reach of service to women,children and families in South Bend that is critically needed at this location on Lincoln Way West. I want to thank all of the people who changed their schedules to show up and show their support for the Women's Care Center. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, With regard to your commitment, you indicated it was policy. Is there training that backs up that policy? And a follow up, have you ever had to fire, reprimand or train up a volunteer who was divergent from your mission and policy? Ms. Hunsberger replied, To answer that question I will say a couple of things. In South Bend and in other communities, I personally have worked with community members who were not a part of Women's Care Center who,before we entered a community,were actively protesting and sidewalk counseling. I sat down with them on several occasions to explain to them why we do not partner with agencies like that and how it is detrimental to the work we do at the Women's Care Center. There have been times when volunteers don't understand that but we do it. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked Council Attorney Bob Palmer, Can they actually give up their first amendment right? Could you share your thoughts on that? Mr. Palmer replied, It is just like any other written commitment. If they promise not to do something, they are free to make that promise. If they voluntarily do so, that is ok. Councilmember Oliver Davis followed up, As other development is created around that site, how would that work for them? They can't give up the right-of-way? They can't give up the right-of- way and so how do they write that? Mr. Palmer stated, They are limited to commitments on the property legally described in the petition before you. Councilmember Karen White stated, I was getting ready to ask that very question. You said you are willing to give up your right, you're really talking about just your property. If sidewalks are added, that becomes a right-of-way for anyone. Ms. Hunsberger replied, Right. Although, we do not have protestors. While it is true that we are legally allowed to only control the property we own, we do ask protestors not to be in front of our building and they respect that request.They are not protesting us. We are in a position to say please don't be here. It has happened only twenty-two (22)times in the last thirty-three (33) years. Councilmember Karen White followed up,How many of those individuals that signed the petition live in the area this will be serving? Ms. Hunsberger replied, I wish I could answer that but these are all handwritten. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I have every right to stand out with a sign on a sidewalk outside your property. If I am a regular citizen, unrelated or unaffiliated with any cause. There is nothing the City could do or you could do. 10