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REGULAR MEETING MAY 11, 2015 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />begun be held to what the community is asking for. Residents are expressing that property taxes <br />are going up, vacant lots are not being developed, lack of commercial and retail businesses <br />present, curb line needs to be redefined along with sidewalks. These are basic standards that our <br />neighborhoods should have. The meetings they were a part were not beneficial as their voices <br />were not being heard. This is not a black against brown situation, it is about inclusiveness that <br />your voice is being heard; where documents align with the issues stated. I am asking the Council <br />to intervene and restart the conversation so the residents will feel as this body is supporting them, <br />and that they are getting what they pay for. <br /> <br />PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR <br />Constance Green – 3217 W. Dunham St., South Bend – I am the President of the far Northwest <br />Neighborhood Association which effects 6,000 people, this borders Western Ave. I own several <br />properties in that area. I agree with Councilmember Davis that this is not a racial issue and we <br />are not being heard. I was at several meetings where we asked for safety and better <br />neighborhoods. I am asking for you to reconsider and stop the process until all groups have <br />input, as many things were left out. <br /> <br />Samuel Brown – 222 E. Navarre St., South Bend – I represent the group Citizens United for a <br />Better Government. Since we’ve taken down 1,000 houses in 1,000 days, we are leaving these <br />areas deteriorated. Who cleans up those areas? There is trash, tore up sidewalks… who takes <br />care of that? I will be out here looking for that to be taken care of, as that’s what I do. <br /> <br />Charlotte Bridges – 2220 S. Dundee St., South Bend – I feel angry as they come to the center <br />where we tell them what we want but they are not listening. I pay taxes on six (6) properties, we <br />pay for this and should be heard. We stated that we don’t want bike lanes and they put them <br />there anyway. You should be listening to us and what we want as we are paying for this. <br /> <br />Jesse Davis – P.O. Box 10205, South Bend – I talked to Councilmember Scott before the <br />meeting, so some of this was covered. I come before you for things asked for over a three (3) <br />year period that weren’t covered or done properly. I will hand this to Mr. Voorde. <br /> <br />Sampson – 746 S. Meade St., South Bend – I represent the Latin American Chamber of <br />Commerce. I want to speak on the Western Ave. plan. We had a great meeting this Thursday, to <br />start additional dialogue. Most of the things people want short term is what is going to come in <br />this first year. I do believe we need to have more conversations and go block by block on the <br />decisions that need to be made. Everyone agreed to have better lighting, better curbs… I think <br />we need to continue to have those conversations. Lastly, I want to encourage as the city puts this <br />out to bid, that we make sure we use local and diverse contractors and employ within our <br />community. <br /> <br />Notia Casey – 1902 N. Fremont St, South Bend – I represent Fremont Youth Foundation. I am <br />here to talk about Lincoln Way and upgrades to the park. Are you looking at the safety issues <br />that you are making changes with lights and stop lights to ensure it matches the street needs? For <br />Fremont Park, there was no clean-up for the trees that they took down. The park is in worse <br />condition than it was before. We are not hearing about the upgrades that we asked for. We will <br />be standing for this change to happen. <br /> <br />Lynn Collier – 4900 W. Washington St., South Bend – I am advocating for quality life concerns <br />senior citizens, and education. I attended the meeting the gentleman spoke of. I agree with him, <br />but we really don’t understand what has been voted on. I was at the Council meeting where <br />Henry Davis tried to address the concerns but he was demonized. What we need to understand is <br />the different parts of the project. When homes have been destroyed for a park that has not come <br />up yet. I would like to have a clear vision of the steps and the process. We will be having a <br />meeting Thursday at the Charles Black Recreation Center. We want to be involved and want <br />quality of life too. <br /> <br />I want to address the transparency of the meetings, I was unaware of the meeting that was today <br />or next Thursday. Only certain people were brought to the table, which is the issue we are <br />having with transparency. <br /> <br />11 <br /> <br /> <br />