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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR <br />SOUTH BEND, INDIANA <br />Members of the Common Council <br />March 18, 1981 <br />Page 2 <br />Today families who are required to make major repairs to their <br />homes, or to purchase an automobile have to borrow. Unfortunately, <br />the city has been placed in the same situation. It is no longer <br />possible, given the tight fiscal situation, for the city to ac- <br />cumulate funds for the purchase of major equipment or to make major <br />building repairs. It would be better not to have to borrow the <br />needed funds, but the city will not be able to avoid that until <br />the State government provides additional funds or provides local <br />communities with an effective means for raising such funds. <br />The needs of the city will not go away. To the contrary deferred <br />maintenance of streets and buildings have a way of costing much <br />more later. To defer maintenance today will result in phantom <br />savings which will haunt the city tomorrow in the form of serious <br />fiscal problems. The Federal Government and State Government are <br />telling local communities to solve their own problems and not to <br />depend on them for help. The people of South Bend and St. Joseph <br />County have to learn that that means spending local tax dollars. <br />It is our job as elected officials to make tough decisions that <br />may be unpopular. Remember that paying for essential city services <br />becomes popular only when people stop receiving those services in <br />the manner to which they are accustomed. <br />Sincerely% <br />Rog /O/ Parent <br />ROP:lm <br />Enclosures <br />