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Home My WebLink About01-2006 Newsletter SOUTHA11 . BEND JANUARy 2006 a il,t 6 v Mayne SrcpNcn 1. Lucckc Olf Letter from the Mayor TH!SMONIH... Mayor's Letter Dear Friends: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive In an earlier newsletter,this year, I Dedication discussed a number of new technology New City Website Coming Soon! Ice & Snow Removal initiatives that we are implementing to Earned Income Tax Credit improve our economic position and the /� � State of the City Address quality of life of our community. One ( Important Information for Recycling of the most exciting projects that will ° <° °� U Customers keep South Bend on track with the rapid rise in technology is the Metronet. Throughout the summer and fall, the City Names Street in Honor City of South Bend has been making the companion infrastructure of Dr. Martin Luther King! improvements necessary for the implementation, in conjunction with St. On Friday,December 2, on a beautiful Joe Valley Metronet, Inc., of a 40-mile loop of carrier neutral fiber optic snowy morning, residents and community cable which is being installed in city conduit. The MetroNet will allow leaders gathered together to celebrate the communication companies,colleges and universities,medical facilities, dedication and opening of the new Dr. Martin financial institutions and other private businesses and public institutions to Luther King,Jr. Drive in South Bend. For- network with each other and provide broadband connectivity services merly Chapin St., from Washington St. to through the fiber. It will also connect users to the vast array of Lincolnway West, the drive was reopened transcontinental fiber that runs through South Bend along the railroad and under its new name after extensive infra- Toll Road rights of way. Because of our location, South Bend has access to structure and streetscaping improvements, several times the amount of long haul fiber than even much larger cities. including narrowing from four divided lanes One local entrepreneur has already utilized this fiber to provide local to two, and the addition of sidewalks, connectivity to transcontinental fiber lines in Chicago and serves as a host treelawn, and decorative lampposts. The center for more than twelve regional or national service providers in one future home of South Bend Fire Station#2 South Bend location. Another entrepreneur has a 24/7 Network Operating will also be located on the drive. Center and disaster recovery data center facilities. The Metronet fills in the The renaming was the result of efforts gaps of communications and data connectivity. Leveraging these assets is a by the Martin Luther King Foundation of St. key strategy to building a 21st Century City. Joseph County and honors Dr. King for his Through the implementation of the Metronet,we are creating a leadership in the American Civil Rights competitive environment that will make South Bend the most affordable and movement and his impact on our country. accessible location for broadband services. This will help local businesses Community leaders worked with Mayor to prosper as they take full advantage of the Metronet, gaining significant Luecke,the South Bend Common Council, connectivity and access to large bandwidth for less cost. One local and Near West neighborhood residents to institution doubled its intemet capacity and quintupled its research determine an appropriate location to honor broadband for the same price that it had paid before. The Metronet will Dr.King. spur innovation and growth because of the ease in transmitting large Joining in the dedication and celebration amounts of data. It will help us retain businesses and attract new was national Civil Rights activist Rev. Samuel investment and jobs to our city with the establishment of data centers and Kyles,who was with Dr. King on the day he real-time backup of critical business data. was assassinated, and who came to South -Mayor's Letter continued on back page- Bend to take part in the celebration of the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . anniversary of Mrs. Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man. • C a m in S'a a n The dedication ended with a silent march and inaugural bus ride up Dr. Martin Luther • • King,Jr.Drive,to radio station WUBS www. SouthBendIN . gov 89.7FM on Lincolnway West, for a reception • • and celebration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0 0 0 4 . . . Visit the City of South Bend online at www.ci.south-bend.in.us -Mayor's Letter continued from front page- Workers Get Cash Back! Seven visionary local institutions have joined with the City and Project Future You may qualify for the Earned In- to incorporate the St. Joe Valley Metronet, Inc. They have also pledged sufficient come Tax Credit (EITC)! The EITC is funds to build out the Metronet fiber loops and to provide operating support for its money for people who work but earn low first three years. These institutions are eager for the connectivity and competitive incomes. Those who qualify will owe voice, data, and video services environment which will benefit education, less in taxes and may get cash back. Find healthcare, business, government and the public. Metronet provides a fiber out if you qualify, and file a federal tax backbone for the community that will lower internet service costs and increase return to receive your Earned Income broadband services for the greater South Bend region. It is an important part of our Tax Credit. vision to provide the infrastructure which supports innovation and excellence. It Who qualifies for the EITC? leverages our local assets of location, a concentration of higher education, strong Themaximum amount ofincomeyou healthcare,banking and financial services, and advanced manufacturing and can earn and still get the credit has in- distribution. It furthers our commitment to provide the best and most affordable creased in 20051 To qualify for the credit services to residents and businesses, and it highlights South Bend's goal of utilizing for 2005, you must have a valid social technology to compete for information age jobs and enhancing our tax base. security numberthat allows you to work, Transportation systems have always been critical to South Bend's vitality. andboth your earned income and adjusted From early days when traders and settlers used the St. Joseph River to move gross income must be less than the fol- goods, through the heyday of railroads and the interstate highway system, to our lowing amounts. multi-modal airport with bus and South Shore connections, we rely on good Income Guidelines: transportation for commerce,jobs and private investment. This infrastructure is - $11,750 (Or$13,750, if married & fil- still essential for manufacturing and advanced distribution. It strengthens South ing jointly)if you do not have a qualify- Bend's position as the regional center for health care,higher education, arts, ing child culture, and entertainment. As we look to future growth, the transportation of data - $31,030 (Or$33,030, if married& fil- and ideas will be just as critical. That is why we are actively involved in providing ing jointly)if you have 1 qualifying child quality infrastructure for the information highway and positioning South Bend as - $35,263 (Or$37,263, if married& fil- the technology center of our region. ing jointly) if you have 2 or more quali- fying children Sincerely, If you receive help preparing your Mayor Steve 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 Clear Your Sidewalks for Safety! 1-800-829-3676 for the free IRS Publi- j,E cation 596, "Earned Income Credit," or Keeping our sidewalks clear of snow and ice is important for the safety of pedestr ians, especially children and the elderly. visit www.irs. ovg /eitc for additional in- i *Clear sidewalks also provide a safe working environment for those formation and tax forms. who work in our neighborhoods, including utility locators,postal workers, newspaper delivery people, and others who provide services to and around our homes. ® RECYCLING It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of any premises on any city CUSTOMERS: street to remove snow and ice from the public sidewalk within 24 hours after snow or ice has fallen or accumulated. If an owner or occupant fails to comply, the City The new 2006 magnetic recycling may remove snow and ice after giving the owner or occupant 24 hours written schedules have been mailed. If you did notice, and the owner or occupant will be responsible for the cost of removal. not receive one,please call 235-9971. Neighbors are encouraged to look out for and help each other, as some may be If you are a "winter snowbird" unable to clear their sidewalks without assistance. The City also reminds everyone resident, and will be away for at least that the spirit of the season is not just about helping others but also respecting their three months,please call 235-9971 to safety. Celebrate this holiday season by making South Bend a"Safe City!" renew your application for a three- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . month recycling credit! STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS SIUSTEDNOENTIENDEINGLESY • Mayor Stephen J. Luecke invites you to attend his State of the City address • NECESITA AYUDA PARA to the community and the Common Council, on Monday, February 13, 2005, at TRADUCIRESTEDOCUNIENTO,O • 7 p.m., in the Atrium of the new Studebaker National Museum. Everyone is • SITIENEALGUNAPREGUNTA POR welcome! The Mayor will report on the great work that is being done in South FAVORLLAMEAL SR FEDERICO • Bend and plans for the coming year. For more information,please call the Mayor's • THON(ASISTENTEDELALCALDE) Office at 235-9261 or visit www.ci.south-bend.in.us. ALTELEFONO(574)235-5858X1000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Visit the City of South Bend online at www.ci.south-bend.in.us