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Home My WebLink About12-2008 Newslettermiff?, DECEMBER 2008 V MAYOR SIfj kfV I, if'UaECk Letter from the Mayor Dear Friends and Neighbors, The light fades and the darkness grows during the winter months as the days grow shorter and colder, with forecasters drawing our daily attention to the threat of lake- effect snow. Whether you're an adult dreading snow- shoveling or a child praying for a snow day, it's a bane or blessing of South Bend's being just 20 miles from America's "Third Coast," something we perhaps take for granted in the summer months. Darkness, too, seems to afflict our national spirit these days. Most economists believe we're already in a recession, one that may deepen before the business cycle could begin an upswing when temperatures rise again. Neighboring Elkhart County is considered by some as the national epicenter of job losses, and our own residents have not been unaffected in this crisis. With deep challenges facing our nation, state and city, our hearts could feel heavy with a weight of despair. Yet, nature's patterns show us that the chill of winter gives way to the bloom of spring. Our faiths remind us that the even the deepest darkness can be overcome by the light of a single candle. In this holiday season, I encourage you to give thanks for the points of light that shine like stars in your life. I want to give thanks for: • Family, friends and a community that always reaches for new dreams or rallies in support of those in need. • The unprecedented economic opportunity presented by the Midwest Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery, and the efforts to make the most of MIND in the former Studebaker Corridor as well as at Innovation Park, now under construction. • Our police officers whose dedication and service makes them ever - vigilant for our protection. • Firefighters and other public safety workers who respond instinctively in times of crisis. • A vibrant downtown with community landmarks decked out for the season. • Streets, parks and other city crews who keep our roads clear and safe. • Dedicated city staff who provide valued services for our community. THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter Snow Removal New Years Eve Fireworks Restrictions Morris Performing Arts Center Schedule Christmas Tree Pickup Snow Removal Snow season is upon us! Snow removal is a team effort and you play an important role in keeping our streets and sidewalks clear and safe: • It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of any premises on any city street to remove snow and ice from the public sidewalk within 24 hours after snow or ice has accumulated. • If an owner or occupant fails to comply, the City may remove snow and ice after giving the owner or occupant 24 hours writ- ten notice. The owner or occupant will then be responsible for the cost of removal. • The Dept. of Code Enforcement works with the Police Dept. to make sure aban- doned vehicles are removed from city streets, especially during the winter months. Abandoned vehicles are hazardous and ob- struct snow removal crews from clearing streets for the safety of emergency vehicles and the general public. Please report aban- doned vehicles to Police, 235 -9201 or Code Enforcement at 235 -9486. Thank you for your help to make South Bend a Clean, Safe City! • Quickly rising Eddy Street Commons, an economic bridge between the city and the University of Notre Dame. • Strong nonprofit partners that add value to our community, strengthening and diversifying our local economy. • Elected representatives who give many hours to make our community better. • America's election of its first African - American president and that the capital of the former Confederacy, Virginia, put him over the top (and that Indiana, too, played a part). • The honor of continuing to serve as your mayor. In this holiday season, be mindful of the ways in which the light brightens your life. If you are blessed, find ways to be a blessing to others. Local congregations, charities and agencies in service to others report seeing the greatest need in many years. Please support their efforts today by making a financial contribution, giving your time or providing support in another way. Let's enable others to see that South Bend and its people stand out as a bright spot in uncertain times. Sincerely, fireworks displays: NEW YEARS EVE FIREWORKS Residents are reminded of the following restrictions on • Fireworks may he used ONLYhetween the hours of 10 a.m. December 31 and I a.m. January 1, per city ordinance. • Only adults age 18 and older are allowed to purchase fireworks, for use in Indiana. • Private fireworks may be set off ONLY on the user's property, the property of someone who has consented to the use of fireworks, or at a special discharge location designated by the State Fire Marshal. Fireworks may not be discharged on public property, such as in streets or parks, without special permits issued by the State Fire Marshal and local Fire Chief. • Violations can result in fines and criminal charges. Further information regarding Indiana's Fireworks Law is available by visiting southbendin.s4ov /fire, or by calling the South Bend Fire Dept. at 235 -9255. For the safety of family, friends, neighbors, and the entire community, please celebrate responsibly as you welcome in the new year. 9ze 0 PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WINTER/SPRING SCHEDULE December 7 ...... SB Symphony "Home for the Holidays" 13 -14 ... Southold Dance Theater "Nutcracker" 15 .... Jim Brickman Holiday Concert 16 .... Michael McDonald Holiday Celebration 31 .... New Year's Eve Gala (i� Palais Royale January 1 -4 ... Sesame Street Live 6 -11 .... Monty Python's Spamalot 24 .... SB Symphony "Beethoven to Brahms- Brilliant! " 30 .... Paul Aldrich February 11 ... Jesus Christ Superstar 14 ...... SB Symphony Pops "Valentines from Hollywood and Broadway" 28 .... SB Symphony "Tales of the Classical Guitar" New events are always being added, so check MorrisCenter.org for the Hottest Tickets in Town, or call the Box Office at 235 -9190. CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP III Your old Christmas tree �. can be a gift to the environ- • ment, and now it's even more Mayor Steve Luecke convenient! As part of Mayor Luecke's Clean City initiative, South Bend offers drop -off, call -in, and automatic pickup for natural Christmas trees. All trees are recycled at Organic Resources into high quality mulch, which is provided, free, to South Bend residents. • Drop -off - Friday, Dec. 26 through Thursday, Jan. 15, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Signs will be posted to direct residents to designated drop -off points at three locations: - Rum Village Park - Ewing Ave. at Gertrude St. - Pinhook Park - 2800 block of Riverside Dr. - Veterans' Memorial Park - Twyckenham at Northside Blvd. Please Note: Drop off is for Christmas trees ONLY - no trash is permitted under any circumstances! Placing of any items other than Christmas trees is a ticketable offense under the South Bend Municipal Code. • Call -in pickup will begin on Monday, Dec. 29. The number to call for pickup is 235 -9244. • Automatic pickup will begin on Monday, Jan. 5 beginning in the northeast quadrant and moving clockwise around the City, through Friday, Jan. 16. At this time, call-in will not be necessary. Residents are asked to follow these guidelines for safe and effi- cient tree pickup: • All trees should be placed at curbside by 6:00 AM. Do not place trees in the street or in alleys. • Please remove all lights, ornaments, and metal, including tree stands or nails, before discarding Christmas trees. Items left on trees can injure employees or seriously damage the tree shredding equipment, leaving it inoperable. • Artificial trees and trees containing any metal, glass, or wire, will NOT be collected and will be the owner's responsibility to dispose. • In the event of snow, plowing will take precedence. For further information on Christmas tree pickup, please call the Street Dept. at 235 -9244. Yard Waste - Winter Program Regular Weekly Yard Waste pickup will now be available on a call-in only basis beginning on December 4. Please call 277 -8823 for pickup. SI USTED NO ENTIENDE INGLES Y NECESITA AYUDA PARA TRADUCIR ESTE DOCUMENTO, O S1 TIENE ALGUNA PREGUNTA, POR FAVOR LLAME AL TELEFONO (574) 235 -5858 X 1000. Vsit Our Website at www SoutliBendIN.gov!