08-28-00 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 28, 2000 Evangelist Carolyn Banks, CEO of Living Water Ministries, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that she attends church on the south side of town and she comes and goes down South Michigan Street. She stated that it is a tramatizing experience for her and to ride though those areas and see what takes place and to be exposed to what is there. She stated that the area needs to be an oasis for the community and the adult businesses should be totally shut down. She noted that the City needs to affect change. A gentleman who did not give his name but stated his address as being 843 Wakarusa stated that he resides in South Bend and that real men love and honor their wives, sisters and daughters. Pornography is in the stores and small children see it. He stated that other nations know that pornography is wrong. Ms. Pamela Netterman- Little, no address given, stated that she is a life time resident of the south side of South Bend and a business owner. Ms. Little asked the Council for an affirmative vote on this ordinance. She stated that in her business she has personally seen a young mother who, to supplement her family income, went to work at one of the adult businesses and she subsequently left her husband and her three (3) young children. She stated that it is heartbreaking to see the impact that these businesses have on our community. Ms. June Kohler, 1430 Bissell, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is new to the community and one of the first things she learned was to stay away from South Michigan Street unless you are with someone. She noted that the only argument that she has heard in favor of the strip bars is that they provide jobs. Her question is what kind of jobs and what kind of future? The women are being exploited. She asked the Council to please vote against this type of business. Mr. Jay Patrick Davenport, 15668 Winding Brook, Mishawaka, Indiana, advised the Council that he is a student at Trinity, High School and because of his volunteer work has to drive to the Republican Headquarters at least twice a week through this area of town. He stated that this area is a horrible place to go because it is "run down. Because these businesses are run down this is the type of environment they produce as well as crime. He further stated that he does not feel safe in that part of town and because of that he has to speed to get down South Michigan Street quickly. Mr. Davenport asked the Council to vote yes on this ordinance because it will improve the environment of the area and reduce crime. Mr. Mike Edwards, 822 East Irvington, South Bend, Indiana, noted that he has been a resident for a long time on the south side and is a founding member of the Citizens for Community Values. He stated that he has had difficulties going through this district and has friends who have left the neighborhood. He encouraged the Council to be courageous and have some vision and vote yes to this ordinance. There being no one else present wishing to speak in support of this bill, the following are individuals who spoke in opposition to this bill: Mr. Leon Townsend, 525 North Hill Street, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that he is not in favor of one position or the other in terms of the strip bar but believes that if someone wants to go there and spend their money they have a right to do so. He further stated that the words community and neighborhood have been used in this issue. He stated that he looked around and doesn't see anyone from that neighborhood. People are not leaving that area because of the strip joints but because of crime. If it is being said that the strip j pints have something to do with the high number of murders that have taken place then he is for closing them down. However, there is no evidence that he has heard that proves that fact. Crime is all over the City. He told the Council that if they are going to vote to close these places down at 10:00 p.m. why don't they just close them down period. He asked the Council what valid reason they had to adopt this ordinance and asked them to have the courage to vote against this ordinance because the quality of life will not change due to the closing of these strip joints. Mr. Donald Tate, 1033 North O'Brien, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that he is a multi - property owner and he sees no harm in adult entertainment. He stated that the northwest side of South Bend is worse than the south side. He noted that he moved into his house five (5) years ago I I 1