HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-2006 City of South Bend Receives National Code Enforcement Award O�S0L1 T$
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Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday,November 14, 2006
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director, Communications& Special Projects, 235-5855 or
876-1564
Catherine Toppel, Director, Code Enforcement, 235-5914
City of South Bend Receives National Code
Enforcement Award
The City of South Bend's Department of Code Enforcement has received an
award for Outstanding Achievement in Code Enforcement Techniques for its Adopt-A-
Block program. The award was presented to Catherine Toppel,Director of Code
Enforcement at the 2006 annual American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE)
Conference held October 18-20 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Adopt-A-Block is part of South Bend's Clean City Initiative, "a citizen-driven,
program that combines the commitment of residents with City resources including
materials, equipment, and staff support to achieve the greatest impact towards building a
clean city", according to Mayor Stephen Luecke. The program also includes work to
improve the appearance of the City, ensure the water quality of the City's rivers, and
preserve green spaces.
The momentum and results, seen in South Bend over the past four years, is a
testament to the success of the program. News of the Adopt-A-Block program has spread
and other cities throughout Indiana have contacted South Bend's Code Enforcement for
information about how they can start the program in their community.
Mayor Luecke said "We believe that a Clean City is key to the success of our
community and to providing the quality of life that our residents demand. No one wants
to see trash and litter in our neighborhoods or on our streets. Together,we can partner to
not only keep our city clean, but to renew our pride in our hometown." "We
congratulate the residents who participate in this program and the Code Enforcement staff
on a job well done and we encourage all of our neighborhood residents to become
involved and to "Adopt-A-Block."
Adopt-A-Block was first established by South Bend's Code Enforcement, in
conjunction with the Near Northwest Neighborhood Coalition,to help tackle the problem
of excess litter and debris that was plaguing neighborhoods. The program's goal is to
encourage neighborhood residents,with the help and resources of the City,to adopt a
certain block and pledge to clean its streets, alleys, and curbs at least six times from
March through November.
South Bend's Adopt-A-Block Program was also selected by The National League
of Cities (NLC) as a Finalist for the 2006 Award for Municipal Excellence. The award
recognizes outstanding programs that have significantly contributed to the quality of life
in their city. This year, cities and towns from 38 states and Washington, DC sent in
nominations.
"South Bend has demonstrated its leadership and creativity and is being
recognized as a Finalist for the Awards for Municipal Excellence," said Don Borut,
NLC's Executive Director. "The Adopt-A-Block program,under the leadership of the
South Bend Code Enforcement Department, is illustrative of the type of projects that are
improving the lives of residents and neighborhoods in cities and towns across the
country."
Nominated programs were judged on the following criteria: successful public-
private partnership ventures; productive citizen and community collaborations; effective
management of municipal resources (public or private); innovative government policies;
project implementation with tangible results; and/or the ability to replicate the project in
other cities.
"I am proud that the City of South Bend's Adopt-A-Block Program has been
recognized by two national organizations," stated Mayor Stephen I Luecke. "Our Code
Enforcement staff is committed to implementing a community improvement program that
effectively helps to enforce codes while building camaraderie between neighbors. South
Bend's Adopt-A-Block program plays a major role in helping to establish South Bend as
a 21"Century City, and leading the way as an example of good government in our region
and nationally as well,"he further commented.
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