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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-2008 NewsletterSOUTH,,� JANUARY 2008 a �( BEND ee_*,xH � 6v*r7 — MAYOR STEPhEN J. LUEckE Letter from the Mayor Dear Friends and Neighbors, We had a new grandson, Isaiah, in our home over the holidays. It's inspiring to see how much development can take place in a little more than six months of a child's life. For a little guy, he really gets around! As we begin a new year, I'm just as excited to see the signs of growth that will take place in South Bend in the coming year. Something truly great is just around the bend, and I'm feeling a bit like a proud grandparent when it comes to the many new exciting developments in our city. Dramatic and lasting changes are in the works: More South Bend companies are touting the business advantages of the Metronet. We're the first city to create a high -speed network in our traffic conduit. I believe 2008 will be breakthrough year in which- because of the Metronet- we land our most significant new company to date. The University of Notre Dame is becoming more connected with the day -to -day life of our city. Our partnership on the new Eddy Street Commons will put South Bend on the map for new commercial and residential developments. At Innovation Park, the city's first certified Technology Park, Notre Dame's intellectual capital will take root in the community. In the Studebaker Corridor, South Bend Lathe will begin to come down this month Expect to hear more in the coming months about a direct link between In- novation Park and the Studebaker Corridor. The fruits of more than $500 million of growth in the Airport Economic Devel- opment Area will sow seeds of new development throughout the west side, from LaSalle Square to the Marycrest - Hurwich neighborhood. Work will begin on the new Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center for the Salvation Army of St. Joseph County, a world -class youth and family center at the corner of Chapin Street and Western Avenue. We're awaiting a new construction season for a new hotel downtown along with major renovations to the All- American Bank & Trust and the Studebaker Admin- istration Building. While we wait, we will begin to see evidence of achievable dreams for new developments along the East Bank and surrounding Coveleski Stadium. As my grandson is learning, each new stage of development in childhood requires letting go of what worked before. My hope for the New Year is that South Bend will embrace the new developments that will enable this city to continue to grow to its full potential. Sincerely, (50�_� Mayor Steve THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter Earned Income Tax Credit State of the City Invitation Halina Poetry Prize Animal Control Green Tips • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Get Cash Back! • • You may qualify for the Earned • • Income Tax Credit (EITC)! The EITC • • is money for people who work but earn • • low incomes. Those who qualify will • • owe less in taxes and may get cash • • back. Find out if you qualify, and file a • • federal tax return to receive your Earned • • Income Tax Credit. • • Who qualifies for the EITC? • The maximum amount of income • • you can earn and still get the credit has • increased! To qualify for the credit • • for 2007, you must have a valid social • security number that allows you to • • work, and both your earned income and • • adjusted gross income must be less than • • the following amounts. • • Income Guidelines: • • • $12,590 ($14,590 married filing • • jointly) with no qualifying children • • (max. credit $428) • • • $33,241 ($35,241 married filing • • jointly) with one qualifying child • • (max. credit $2,853) • • • $37,783 ($39,783 married filing • • jointly) with two or more qualifying • • children (max. credit $4,716) • • If you receive help preparing your • • taxes, be sure to ask your tax preparer • • if you qualify for the EITC. Pick up • • tax forms at the library or post office. • • Call 1- 800 - 829 -3676 for the free IRS • • Publication 596, "Earned Income • • Credit," or visit www.irs.gov /eitc for • • additional information and tax forms. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • United Way Offers Talc Filing Help Free tax preparation is available for those who may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit: • 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Boys and Girls Club, 502 E. Sample St., South Bend 0 9 a.m. -noon Saturday, Feb. 9 at Ivy Tech Community College, 220 Dean Johnson Blvd., South Bend For questions or information about what to bring to the sessions, call the United Way of St. Joseph County at 211. GREEN Clean erg„ T I PA o�o�ds "Each of u5 ha5 the power to make a difFerence. Here are some Small otepo you can take that, when multiplied, have a big impact on global warming:" • Replace old appliances with energy - efficient models when possible. • Turn off lights when you leave a room as well as other appliances such as the television, video player, stereo, and computer when not in use. Also turn off water when not in use — brushing teeth, rinsing dishes, etc. • Adjust your thermostat — lower in winter, higher in summer. • Get a free Brochure on home energy efficiency from your utility company. SovTHB� STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS r o Mayor Stephen J. Luecke invites all residents w \FACF/ a to attend his annual State of the City address to the community and the Common Council, on Monday, • is February 4, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Luecke will deliver his address at Century Center. Everyone is welcome! The Mayor will report on the great work that was accomplished last year, and the work ahead of us for 2008. For more information, please call the Mayor's Office at 235 -9261 or visit www. SouthBendIN. aov. • W P • The City of South Bend is pleased to • announce the second annual Halina Poetry Prize for high school students, designed to • showcase area students' literary talent and to • honor South Bend's Sister City, Czestochowa, Poland. The Halina Poetry Prize was named • in honor of Czestochowa poet Halina Po- • swiatowska. She wrote poetry from a young • age and published three volumes before her untimely death in 1967. Her poetry is still • highly regarded in Poland. • The City invites all South Bend stu- dents in grades 9 -12 to submit their work for consideration. The winner will receive $200 • and four Honorable Mention Award winners • will receive $50 each. The top 40 poems will • also be included in the Halina Poetry Prize Chapbook, a publication of the Contest. • Contest information is available from • South Bend high school English departments, or by calling the Mayor's Office at 235 -9261. • • • . . • • • Homeless Animals • Need Your Help! • Because of the high • volume of animals brought • to the shelter during cold • months, South Bend Animal Control is in • need of pet supplies, including towels, blan- kets, cleaner, gauze and medical supplies, cat litter, pet dishes, pet food, and dish and laundry detergents. Monetary donations are always welcome. Donations to SBACC are tax deductible and go directly toward the medical care of South Bend's homeless animals. For more information, please call South Bend Animal Control at 235 -9303. SI USTED NO ENTIENDE INGLES Y NECESITAAYUDA PARA TRADUCIR ESTE DOCUMENTO, O SI TIENE ALGUNA PRE - GUNTA, POR FAVOR LLAME AL TELE- FONO (574) 235 -5858 X 1000. Visit Our Website at www.SouthBendIN.gov!