04-20-2005 3rd Annual Adopt-a-Block Kick-off

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3rd Annual Adopt-a-Block Kick-off Page 1 of 2 � v%• 'Building a 21St Century City " ' rs Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor RELEASE FROM: FOR RELEASE: Mikki Dobski, Communications &Special Projects Wednesday,April 20, 2005 3rd Annual Adopt-a-Block Kick-off Mayor Steve Luecke, 1st District Council member Derek Dieter, and representatives of the City of South Bend and Near Northwest Neighborhood Inc. (NNN) announced the kick-off the 3rd annual Adopt-a-Block program set for this Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. at the NNN center located at 1007 Portage Avenue. Residents will be out in force, cleaning their neighborhood block by block. The City of South Bend believes that a Clean City is key to the success of our community and to providing the quality of life that our residents demand. "No one wants to see trash and litter in our neighborhoods or on our streets. Together, we can partner to not only keep our city clean but to enhance it as well," stated Mayor Luecke. "We are thrilled with the commitment and the participation in our Adopt-a-Block Program by the NNN. They have pioneered this program and now we are encouraged by the interest of other neighborhoods as well." Karen Ainsley, Director of the NNN, anticipates resident participation to triple this year. "The program was so well received, that word has spread to other neighborhood residents and people have been approaching us to become involved," said Ms. Ainsley. "One hundred volunteers adopted 25 blocks as part of the Adopt-a- Block program in the near northwest neighborhood last year." Catherine Brucker, Director of Code Enforcement noted that she has been approached by numerous residents in other areas of South Bend interested in starting an Adopt-a-Block program in their own neighborhood, including the LaSalle and West Side neighborhoods, and La Casa de Amstrad."This year,we are also working with at least two more neighborhoods that anticipate launching their own programs," reported Brucker. Last year, the Rum Village neighborhood launched its own program in response to the success of the NNN. Ms. Brucker also noted that "as a component of the Mayor's Clean City Initiative, the City provides the materials, equipment and staff support, while the residents commit to cleaning designated blocks in their neighborhood 6 times in a 9 month period." The City of South Bend's Bureau of Solid Waste and Code Enforcement will provide trash bags, rakes, safety equipment, educational literature, and trash removal for Adopt-a-Block participants. Members of the So. Bend Police Department's Neighborhood Enforcement Services Team (NEST) will provide additional walking and car patrols during the block clean-ups to support work zone safety. "The South Bend Police Department is pleased to collaborate with neighborhood residents and to work together to make our neighborhoods safe each and every day." Chief Fautz who will be participating in the actual litter cleanup and pick up said, "We are energized by the enthusiasm of residents who come out and work so hard to improve their neighborhood. It is a great opportunity to make a difference for our community." http://www.ci.south-bend.in.us/Press/Releases 2005/042005 AdoptBlock.htm 1/13/2006