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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-2007 Newsletter SOUTHA11 . BEND APRIL 2007 a v 6�'%� MAYOR Src n 1. LUE"e��� Letter from the Mayor THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter Dear Friends &Neighbors, South Bend City Celebration: -Fun by the Fountain Last month I began to recount some of the important information from this Potawatomi Zoo Open! year's State of the City speech. The City of South Bend is benefiting from the Senior Safety Tips foundation we laid a decade ago in our mission to become a model city. Though we Spring Yard Waste Pickup are facing new fiscal demands, increased public safety challenges and a scourge of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . abandoned/vacant housing,the City is enjoying renewed vigor and is poised for new growth and investment. We are entering the Age of Cities. (.� A decade ago I identified the need for a model city to be financially sound and . CITY Cel6braT�Q fiscally responsible. Through good budgeting practices and strong financial x o o 7 - i N S O U T management,we have been able to maintain a full range of critical services, even as we have trimmed the workforce. We have established a 20%reserve in the General FUN BY THE FOUNTAIN Fund,maintained an A2 bond rating and last year earned$3.7 million in interest. Our • Tuesday,May 29 self-insured liability program saved$885,000 and an analysis of our phone system led Tasty treats and a carnival to changes that save us $66,500 a year. By paying attention to small items as well as • atmosphere will draw families the big picture,we have been able to keep South bend financially strong. . downtown to Jon Hunt Plaza, Model cities cannot function effectively and efficiently without the dedication and from 6 - 8 p.m. (in front of the hard work of City employees. In 2001, we had 1,341 employees. Today that number . Morris Performing Arts Center), is 1,261. Our workforce has accepted the challenge to do things faster, better and to usher in summertime fun! with fewer funds. We are using technology to improve services, while saving the • Fun by the Fountain is part of taxpayer money. South Bend City Celebration 2007. Seventy-five percent of our general fund expenditures are for police and fire • For more information,please visit operations. Model cities put emphasis on public safety...and with good reason. SBCiiyCelebration.com,or call Our police and firefighters put their lives on the line every day as they work to keep • 235-9798 or 235-9951. South Bend safe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Across the country, reported crime is up. Despite that increase, however, there are still 24% fewer reported crimes in South Bend than when I took office. We continue to develop proactive strategies to reduce all crimes. The Project Disarm POTAWATOMI Task Force, focusing resources to take firearms off the streets and prosecute those who violate the law, has made 141 arrests, won 115 convictions and confiscated 0 1025 fire-arms. The Regional Crime Intelligence Unit provides up-to-date information to officers on hot spots and trends. We are using technology such as digital cameras Now Open for the Season! to track evidence and the Integrated Ballistic Identification System to read the Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for "fingerprints" of bullets and casings. We are reaching out to children in the kids 3-14, and over 621 Zoo receipts community with Gang Resistance Education & Training and PSA videos such as are also good for same-day FREE "Enough is Enough". admission to the Potawatomi Conser- The South Bend Fire Department has been putting together a plan for an vatories & Greenhouses! For more ambitious Level 3 regional training center that would serve firefighters, law information, call 235-9800 or visit enforcement, hospitals, emergency management personnel and others requiring potawatomizoo.org. emergency training. Our police and fire departments have top notch equipment. They are trained and ready. With a concerted effort by the entire community we will reach our goals. SI USTED NO ENTIENDE INGLES Y When I became mayor,ten years ago, the City had been under-investing in our NECESITAAYUDA PARA TRADUCIR facilities for years. I believed, however, that model cities reinvest in facilities and ESTE DOCUMENTO, O SI TIENE infrastructure. The adoption of a local income tax allowed us to begin to catch up ALGUNA PREGUNTA, POR FAVOR on deferred projects. We can now look with pride on state-of-the-art headquarters LLAME SR. CO THAN (ASISTEN TE DEL L ALC LCALDE) AL for the police and fire departments. We built a Public Works Service Center and TELEFONO(574)235-5858X 1000. (cont'd on next page) (Mayor's Letter cont'd from previous page) - improved Equipment Services to maintain our fleet of vehicles. We provided a quality home for the Studebaker Museum and are now renovating a building to hold its archives. We refurbished the parking structure at Main and Colfax, removed dinosaur buildings from the industrial core and restored the twin downtown jewels:the Morris Performing Arts Center and the Palais Ballroom. SPRING YARD WASTE Behind the scenes we invested$87 million in the Waste Water Treatment Plant PICKUP BEGINS and have embarked on a $200 million plan to reduce sewer system overflows. The City encourages all residents to help It is critical for a community to invest in its facilities and in its people. It make South Bend a"Clean City,"by taking not only shows pride, it also strengthens community and encourages other advantage of its Yard Waste Pickup Program: investment. I am grateful that we have developed the resources and the support • Until April 5 - the Bureau of Solid Waste to make this city strong again. will collect bagged or bundled yard waste on a Sincerely, call-in basis only -please call 277-8823 for �fcw curbside pickup. Mayor Steve • Beginning April 9- Solid Waste will officially begin its standard Yard Waste Pickup Program. Yard Waste Pickup will take place HOME SAFETY TIPS weekly on a resident's regular trash collection The South Bend Police Dept. advises all day. Pickup is automatic, call-in is not residents, especially senior citizens, that the onset necessary. Please place yard waste at of spring and warm weather may also bring home curbside, in bags or containers, by 6:00 a.m. repair con artists to your doors, offering to do odd Pease follow these guide&nes for the Yard jobs around your house. If you are approached by such an individual,please be aware of the following safety measures, to protect yourself and your home. Waste Program: 1. Yard waste and brush must be bagged or • Don't let unknown people into your home. Ask to see photo identifica- bundled(no more than 4 feet in length or tion, and if you still aren't sure, call the company (Nipsco,Water Works, etc.)to verify they are who they claim to be - especially if you didn't ask 1 foot above edge of container). 2 them to come out! If you call a business out to your home to do work, . Please use suitable containers o n ot gallon make sure you see their Contractor's License before allowing them into your trash container or smaller) - home. place yard waste in City automated not trash containers. • Ask for references that you can contact. 3. As always, please place yard waste at • Set an appointment for a later time, and ask a trusted relative or friend to the curb and separate from trash and also be present at that time. debris. • Don't be pressured by sales tactics like, "you must take this offer now, the 4. Do not place yard waste in the alleys. sale ends today, don't tell anyone this is the best deal of the day". • Rather than employing a stranger at your door, call someone you know, Residents are reminded that in order to such as a trusted neighbor or relative, or a business, to do the work. Often protect our air quality, burning of leaves is the con person will ask for money first, promising to return to do the job. Or completely prohibited in the City of South they may do half of the job,then ask for money,promising to return later. Bend and is a violation of City ordinance_ • Some people may come to your door asking for money. Don't open the South Bend's yard waste is recycled at the door! Talk through the door, and tell them that you don't keep any money in City's Organic Resources Facility, thereby the house. Don't give them money, or they will keep coming back to your diverting this material from our community's house. If they refuse to leave, call the Police. landfill and providing quality mulch for reuse. • Call the police if you notice any suspicious strangers looking into homes or Residents can reap the rewards of their efforts cars in your neighborhood. by going to Organic Resources to pickup high • If you are working in the front yard, make sure the back door is locked. quality mulch and compost for free if you self- • Close your garage door whether you are home or away. An empty garage load,or at a minimal sliding scale fee if you usually indicates an empty home. request assistance with loading. Organic • Don't hide a key to your house outside—if you hide it, a burglar can find Resources is located at 4340 Trade Drive, off it. Instead, leave an extra key with a trusted neighbor. of Nimtz Parkway just '/a mile west of Bendix • Report broken street lights by calling the City's Division of Engineering at Drive. Organic Resources is open 8:00 AM to 235-5938. Well lit areas discourage burglars by taking away their hiding 3:45 PM,Monday through Friday. Please call places. 287-6841 for more information. • If you have been burglarized, don't touch anything! Go to a neighbor's For more information on the Yard Waste and call the police—leave your home as you found it! Program, call Environmental Services at 277- If you would like additional advice on securing your home, or would 8823. like an officer to conduct a security survey of your home, please contact the South Bend Police Crime Prevention Unit at 235-9037. Visit Our Website at www.SouthBendIN.gov! HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT BIKE TO WORK WEEK $40 Million Kroc Center 'a beacon of MAY 13-19, 200 7 Att!�' The"Paint the Town with hope for West Side thetTown• Bicycle Lanes"Committee has Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Salvation Army officials, and chosen Thursday,May 17 as Bike to other community leaders announced the receipt of a$40 million Work Day for St Joseph County. grant to the Salvation Army,to create the Ray and Joan Kroc ...with Bike Lanes! We encourage everyone to bike to Corps Community Center at Alonzo Watson Park, on the work on this day (and everyday)! southeast corner of Chapin St. and Western Ave. 7AM- 7 PM- Gathering on the Gridiron,Hall of Fame The facility is expected to include a 10,000-square-foot _Bicycle mechanic to inspect bicycles and give advice on aquatics center/water park, a gym and climbing wall, the right bicycle for your lifestyle greenhouse,playfield and other outdoor recreational areas, a -Raffle of items from local bicycle shops and other local community garden, teen center, fitness center, fine arts and businesses digital arts studios, and full service conference center. In -Pamphlets and brochures on bicycle safety and local accordance with Mrs. Krec's wishes and the Salvation Army's bicycling groups holistic mission, a worship center will also be an important part _ Free discount coupons for local restaurants and businesses of the proposed facility. - Free coffee, snacks, and live music! Educational programs offered at the Kroc Center will 5:30 PM-Bicycle Ride on newly striped bike lanes in South include computer training, project-based learning for suspended Bend! and/or expelled kids, a math and science academy, parenting -Mayor Luecke has committed to striping 10 miles of and literacy classes,tutoring,nutritional education, leadership bicycle lanes each year for the next five years! development and character education. The Center will also - Striping of new lanes will begin in April 2007 have the capacity to stage concerts, symphonies, plays and Media Events dance recitals, as well as offer vocal and instrumental training, _ Public Safety Messages for motorists and bicyclists on drama, dance,performing arts, and multi-cultural activities. Billboards,Radio and TV "We cherish the life and promise of each child. This -Display in County-City Bldg. on bicycling and public facility will be a great blessing for our community and provide safety. the opportunity for all our children to reach their full potential," _Newspaper articles on bicycle lanes and their use. said Mayor Steve. "This will be a place where families are - Coordination of kids-bike-safety program with South Bend strengthened, where creativity flourishes, and where dreams Police. are nurtured." For more information, visit southbendbikes.wordpress.com, South Bend was one of only 10 Midwestern cities and the or please contact: only city in Indiana to pre-qualify for the grant in December _Bike to Work Week Chair,Jeff Nixa 574-246-1682 2004. The City of South Bend has been a key partner in the _Paint the Town Committee, Judith Robert 574-287-0260 initiative, contributing the 8.5-acre Alonzo Watson Park and adjacent property, together worth an estimated $237,500. One last step remains before the dream becomes a reality. BICYCLE SAFETY The community must raise$10 million—its matching share of With the cost of gasoline and the desire for the endowment to support the center's ongoing operation. a healthier life style,bicycling is booming! More The result is that for each $1 contributed by a South Bend area people are commuting to work, to school and to resident, $5 is invested in our community. The fund-raising shopping centers, or just out for a pleasant ride. effort is being guided by Father Theodore Hesburgh, honorary Please help make South Bend safer for bicyclists by chair, with former Indiana Gov. Joe Keman and former Mayor driving safely and courteously when bicycles are present - a Bob Beutter of Mishawaka serving as co-chairs. To date, cyclist doesn't stand a chance against a car or truck. approximately $1.7 million in pledges have been secured. • Bicycles have the same right to the road as automobiles. Fundraising is expected to take 18 months. Construction will . Bicyclists may ride two abreast. begin in early spring 2008. The facility will open in late fall • Give bicyclists plenty of room. They may have to swerve 2009. unexpectedly to avoid a pothole or broken glass in the road. For details,please visit usc.salvationarmy.orn/sic. • Don't blow your horn. It could startle the bicyclist and cause an accident. Bicyclists should always wear a helmet and learn the rules of the road. Bicyclists must: • Ride in the street or on designated bike trails. • Obey the same traffic laws as automobiles. • Ride in the same direction as traffic. __�i • Signal turns with proper hand signals. Please do your part to make bicycling in South Bend safe .vim ili ,t,1•�. and enjoyable for everyone!