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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2011 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />better the neighborhood looks. She stated that the 1.2 million dollars could easily go for <br />that kind of a project along Lincolnway and would do so much more for the city. <br /> <br />George Lane, 2405 Division Street, Mishawaka, Indiana, CEO and Chairperson for the <br />Citizens for Accountability. Stated that he has heard so much tonight and sympathizes <br />that everyone is tired it has been a long night. He stated that Mayor Luecke stands up <br />here giving his presentation telling how wonderful these projects are not with his money, <br />but taxpayer dollars. He stated that there are people on the west side of South Bend that <br />don’t know where there next meal is coming from. Mr. Lane apologized if he offended <br />anyone tonight when he was talking previously about Miracle Park. He stated that’s how <br />it was 20 years ago. <br /> <br />Sal Gerchoffer, 2101 Prairie Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, stated that if the Council <br />votes to give Family Dollar 1.2 million dollars for that small piece of property the CEO <br />of Family Dollar will be laughing all the way to the bank. He urged the Council to use <br />common sense and don’t pass this expenditure. <br /> <br />Carol Davis, 1631 Lincolnway East, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is again <br />spending any money toward the private sector. She reminded the Council that they <br />pledge to up hold the state constitution and in the first Article Section 4 and 6 states no <br />public money to private entities or land. She questioned whether the Council was going <br />to uphold their oaths. <br /> <br />Councilmember Puzzello <br /> <br />In Rebuttal, <br /> <br />Mayor Luecke stated that he appreciates the time and effort that the Council has put into <br />this request for this appropriation. He stated that there were a couple of items that he <br />wanted to touch on. The City did in fact assist Washington High School with the bus <br />pull-off. The City bought land from the School Corporation and actually over paid for <br />that land to have dollars available for them to be able to fund that as it was done in a <br />timely manner for them. He stated that obviously there were a lot of questions raised and <br />that he stands by his opening statements that this is a wonderful opportunity for the City <br />of South Bend. This is truly a terrific institution that has chosen to located in our core <br />urban neighborhood bringing 35 million dollars in investment from private donors and <br />they are asked to participate a million dollar level which he thinks is a fair request on the <br />part of the high school as they have discussed this is not a gift to the diocese or a gift to <br />the high school it is in fact an exchange for public benefit that will be provided by this <br />investment; a public benefit by use of the athletic facilities; public benefit by use of <br />school facilities by the public which if the amended language is accepted will be a <br />requirement of the bill as they move forward. He stated that he supports that suggested <br />language. The question of separation of church and state he thinks is addressed by that <br />and certainly would point to the state’s use of funding of vouchers and charter schools <br />some of which are faith based schools which he thinks sets a precedent that would also <br />allow the investment here at this site. He stated that they should be celebrating this <br />wonderful investment by St. Joseph High School. He stated that he thinks it’s a great <br />addition to the community and are glad to have them planning themselves for generations <br />to come in downtown South Bend and encouraged the Council’s favorable vote for this <br />project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Puzzello stated that she will be a neighbor of the New St. Joseph High <br />School and is very excited about the possibilities that the high school will bring to us. <br />South Bend has always given money to projects that they think will be of value to South <br />Bend and are excited about. Money has been given for infrastructure improvements, tax <br />abatements, etc. She doesn’t think that this project is any exception. As far as religious <br />uses are concerned, the Mayor mentioned the fact that the State if giving money to <br />parents who feel like they would like to leave the public school and attend private school <br />and will be paying tuition for their children to go there. So everything that we are talking <br />about tonight as such great length has been done many times before. Councilmember <br /> 19 <br /> <br />