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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2011 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />she wasn’t sure about being a “Buddy” there were just a bunch of kids who had various <br />disabilities, then they grew on her, and started to call them her kids and couldn’t wait to <br />go and see them. She stated that instead of stealing bases they stole her heart. The best <br />thing about the kids is that they don’t judge anyone; everyone is accepted for who he or <br />she is. She stated that her brother has been a player on Challenger Little League for <br />almost nine (9) years. She stated that he mother was a coach also but had to quit for <br />health reasons. She stated that over the years her daily routine and weekly schedule have <br />become more complex and can’t always make it to each game, but Challenger Little <br />League is still important to her and a big part of who she is know. She stated that Miracle <br />Park would not just be for kids with special needs it’s a place where they can play just <br />like any other kid. <br /> <br />Mr. Dustin Saunders, 119 LaPorte Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, questioned when the <br />City was going to start spending city dollars on parts of the city that need them the most. <br /> <br />Mr. Jerry Niezgodski, 2930 Bonds Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he is the <br />Chairperson of the Lincolnway west Gateway Association. He advised that the CSO <br />projects have taken place all over the City of South Bend. He stated that if you take a <br />cursory tour of Harter Heights, the project around Washington High School, and the <br />project around Edison School, you will see a project similar to what they did in his <br />neighborhood Lincoln Manor. They call it the Kennedy Park Project in that area. He <br />stated that not all the curbs were completed. They have old curbs tied into new curbs. <br />He stated that after touring there is a difference between those three neighborhood <br />projects and the Lincoln Manor (Kennedy Park Project). That is in most places the City <br />did not build new curbs in the Kennedy Park Project. He advised that if you come to his <br />neighborhood you can see that there are no curbs. He stated that if you would drive down <br />Goodland, Eclipse, Westmoor Streets, you can see where the street has been paved and <br />paved over the curbs. They don’t have curbs anymore. He suggested spending the <br />capital investment monies on projects that have been started and finish them before any <br />new capital projects are to begin. <br /> <br />Ms. Aphrodite Pappas, 421 N. Taylor, South Bend, Indiana, advised that the bridge over <br />Chapin Street has never been used in the past eleven (11) years. She questioned whether <br />a bridge is really needed there. She suggested that they cross at the light. Ms. Pappas <br />stated that money could be better spent by painting the bridge at Walnut & Western <br />Avenues. She advised that as far as Miracle Park is concerned it is a good project <br />however where it is planned to be built is just too far away from downtown and not <br />appropriate. <br /> <br />S.J. Sabo, (would not state an address, so therefore, he was not allowed to speak) <br /> <br />Tom Zmyslo, 51042 Prairie View Way, South Bend, Indiana, stated that last year Mayor <br />Luecke was pleading to the Council that they needed to raise taxes so that they wouldn’t <br />have to lay-off police and firefighters. He stated that now the City has 9 million dollars <br />and wants to do all these capital expenditures. Mr. Zmyslo questioned the Council <br />whether or not they know what’s in the City’s budget. <br /> <br />Dan Harshman, 1839 Wilber, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is in favor of Miracle <br />Park. He stated that over time it will prove to provide a great economic impact as they <br />hope it will develop into a regional site or state site for other games and competitions. <br />Mr. Harshman advised that a park like this really gives hope to families that the <br />community reaches out to families who have needs like this. <br /> <br />Jesse Davis, 1333 E. Calvert, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he thinks that Miracle Park <br />is a great idea, however, he can’t support the park now during these tough economic <br />times. He stated that the city always promises to use local contractors, but he sees an <br />awful lot of out of town contractors and local job sites. He stated that he know a lot of <br />local contractors who are not working. Mr. Davis stated that he thinks there are kick <br />backs to someone and urged the Council to look into this because he thinks it’s too much <br />of a coincidence that the Mayor wants to spend all this money five months before he <br />leaves office. <br /> 4 <br /> <br />