04-2007 Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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SOUTHA11 . BEND APRIL 2007 a v 6�'%� MAYOR Src n 1. LUE"e�� Letter from the Mayor THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter Dear Friends &Neighbors, South Bend City Celebration: -Fun by the Fountain Last month I began to recount some of the important information from this Potawatomi Zoo Open! year's State of the City speech. The City of South Bend is benefiting from the Senior Safety Tips foundation we laid a decade ago in our mission to become a model city. Though we Spring Yard Waste Pickup are facing new fiscal demands, increased public safety challenges and a scourge of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . abandoned/vacant housing,the City is enjoying renewed vigor and is poised for new growth and investment. We are entering the Age of Cities. (.� A decade ago I identified the need for a model city to be financially sound and . CITY Cel6braT�Q fiscally responsible. Through good budgeting practices and strong financial x o o 7 - i N S O U T management,we have been able to maintain a full range of critical services, even as we have trimmed the workforce. We have established a 20%reserve in the General FUN BY THE FOUNTAIN Fund,maintained an A2 bond rating and last year earned$3.7 million in interest. Our • Tuesday,May 29 self-insured liability program saved$885,000 and an analysis of our phone system led Tasty treats and a carnival to changes that save us $66,500 a year. By paying attention to small items as well as • atmosphere will draw families the big picture,we have been able to keep South bend financially strong. . downtown to Jon Hunt Plaza, Model cities cannot function effectively and efficiently without the dedication and from 6 - 8 p.m. (in front of the hard work of City employees. In 2001, we had 1,341 employees. Today that number . Morris Performing Arts Center), is 1,261. Our workforce has accepted the challenge to do things faster, better and to usher in summertime fun! with fewer funds. We are using technology to improve services, while saving the • Fun by the Fountain is part of taxpayer money. South Bend City Celebration 2007. Seventy-five percent of our general fund expenditures are for police and fire • For more information,please visit operations. Model cities put emphasis on public safety...and with good reason. SBCiiyCelebration.com,or call Our police and firefighters put their lives on the line every day as they work to keep • 235-9798 or 235-9951. South Bend safe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Across the country, reported crime is up. Despite that increase, however, there are still 24% fewer reported crimes in South Bend than when I took office. We continue to develop proactive strategies to reduce all crimes. The Project Disarm POTAWATOMI Task Force, focusing resources to take firearms off the streets and prosecute those who violate the law, has made 141 arrests, won 115 convictions and confiscated 0 1025 fire-arms. The Regional Crime Intelligence Unit provides up-to-date information to officers on hot spots and trends. We are using technology such as digital cameras Now Open for the Season! to track evidence and the Integrated Ballistic Identification System to read the Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for "fingerprints" of bullets and casings. We are reaching out to children in the kids 3-14, and over 621 Zoo receipts community with Gang Resistance Education & Training and PSA videos such as are also good for same-day FREE "Enough is Enough". admission to the Potawatomi Conser- The South Bend Fire Department has been putting together a plan for an vatories & Greenhouses! For more ambitious Level 3 regional training center that would serve firefighters, law information, call 235-9800 or visit enforcement, hospitals, emergency management personnel and others requiring potawatomizoo.org. emergency training. Our police and fire departments have top notch equipment. They are trained and ready. With a concerted effort by the entire community we will reach our goals. SI USTED NO ENTIENDE INGLES Y When I became mayor,ten years ago, the City had been under-investing in our NECESITAAYUDA PARA TRADUCIR facilities for years. I believed, however, that model cities reinvest in facilities and ESTE DOCUMENTO, O SI TIENE infrastructure. The adoption of a local income tax allowed us to begin to catch up ALGUNA PREGUNTA, POR FAVOR on deferred projects. We can now look with pride on state-of-the-art headquarters LLAME SR. CO THAN (ASISTEN TE DEL L ALC LCALDE) AL for the police and fire departments. We built a Public Works Service Center and TELEFONO(574)235-5858X 1000. (cont'd on next page)