04-11-2007 Government academy builds informed citizenry

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educated citizenry." Ann-Carol Nash, assistant city attorney with South Bend's legal staff, has overseen the academy since its founding in fall 2004. Since then, six academy semesters have averaged about 25 participants per segment. More than anything, the academy has addressed the difference between public perceptions about city government and the reality. "The academy enables our employees to explain what they do, how they do it and what they like about it,"Nash said. "From the reaction of the class members, I can tell that negative assumptions about local government are eroding. ... The academy graduates are very valuable resources for our community." The 10 sessions allow for a quick overview of city services. Participants' favorite themes are as varied as the topics themselves—Ireland Road redevelopment, the 911 dispatch center, LaSalle Park improvements, plans for the Eddy Street development, seeing the Palais Royale. "I just figured there was a lot more going on in this city than I was probably aware of— and, boy, was I right," a participant said. "This has been the most interesting and informative activity in which I have been involved in many years," said another. Half of the sessions take place in the County-City Building with the remainder dispersed among various city facilities. Over the past four years, participants have indicated that each session seems to vie for their attention as the most fascinating. "I was shown at every class that the people who work for the city truly care about South Bend," said South Bend resident Marybeth Saunders. "They presented world-class goals," Bean said, "not resting on mediocrity." The presentations reinforce an understanding of South Bend as a community with many positive things going for it. "I was not aware how progressive and advanced South Bend is," a participant said. Mary Ann Merryman, chair of the department of business administration and economics at Saint Mary's College, was so impressed in her own participation in the academy in fall 2005 that she required students in her Accounting for Not-for-Profit Organizations course to attend a minimum number of sessions. The students are able to take the theory they learn in class and see how it applies in practice in South Bend. "The students get a lot out of it," Merryman said. "These students are going to be citizens of some town. They're going to need to pay property taxes and vote for city officials. They really should have a better understanding of how municipal government operates." "I think about local government differently now," said Katie Mart, a Saint Mary's student from Detroit. "Maybe I'll groan about paying property taxes, but at least I understand them. ... I think the efforts to improve the local economy and the neighborhoods are exciting."