HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-2023 Press Release Henry Davis Jr. Statement
Henry Davis, JR.
2nd District Council Member
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227 W. Jefferson Blvd. Rm. 441 Office: (574) 235-5983 FAX: (574) 235-9173
County-City Building South Bend, IN Voicemail: (574) 235-5983 TDD: (574) 235-5567
46601- 1830 Email:.HDAVIS@SOUTHBENDIN.GOV
FROM: COUNCILMEMBER HENRY DAVIS, JR.
SUBJECT: STATEMENT FROM COUNCILMEMBER HENRY DAVIS, JR.
DATE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2023
CONTACT: COUNCILMEMBER HENRY DAVIS, JR.,
HDAVIS@SOUTHBENDIN.GOV, 574-300-5241
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Per a published article by Real New Michiana on December 27, 2022, our community learned of a
'contracted' worker who made over $11,000 for clerical support in one month. As a member of the
Common Council, I am concerned. Today, the South Bend Common Council will reconvene for
another year to do the business of the city by electing council leadership. Sharon McBride, who
served as President of the Common Council last year, and who authorized this outrageous payment,
has indicated her interest in re-election as President. The South Bend Common Council is assigned
the legislative and fiduciary responsibilities of the city based on state statute. Members are elected
officials who are not city employees, but rather citizens elected by voters to lead the city. McBride’s
behavior is unbecoming of a President.
After much consideration and research, I am asking for a forensic audit into potential fiscal waste,
fraud, and abuse. The taxpayers of this city deserve an external investigation by the County
Prosecutor's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS). The council neither voted on nor discussed a rate of pay for any contracted personnel to assist
the council in any endeavor. I am challenging the professional nature in which this was overseen,
and the rules associated with hiring a contracted worker for the South Bend Common Council.
Throughout my time serving, I have never seen this happen. Members of the council make just over
$22,000 annually, yet in one month the council leadership approves payment for half of what a
council member makes in a year for one contractor to provide services offered by the Office of the
City Clerk. This is a duplication of services, which, based on the contractor’s invoice from last month,
have only been offered to past council leadership in Sharon McBride, Sheila Niezgodski, and Karen
White; and to at-large council member Rachel Tomas Morgan.
This shows up after a staff member of the Clerk’s Office expressed concerns about alleged
intimidation and harassment on the part of “some” council members towards staff in the City Clerk’s
Henry Davis, JR.
2nd District Council Member
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
227 W. Jefferson Blvd. Rm. 441 Office: (574) 235-5983 FAX: (574) 235-9173
County-City Building South Bend, IN Voicemail: (574) 235-5983 TDD: (574) 235-5567
46601- 1830 Email:.HDAVIS@SOUTHBENDIN.GOV
Office. This was shared at our last council meeting during Privilege of the Floor on December 12,
2022. To my knowledge, this concern also remains unaddressed.
I am dismayed that these reports have not surfaced in any local legacy media. Our society depends
on the media to help keep our politicians honest and accountable. I only hope the natural curiosity
of council members and outside individuals will give these matters the proper amount of
interrogation.
As such, I am calling on Past President Sharon McBride and Past Vice President Sheila Niezgodski
to resign as they withheld this critical information from the Common Council and Office of the City
Clerk. I also demand the release of all monthly invoices from, and payments made to, the contracted
worker.
Councilman, Henry Davis Jr.
2nd District, City of South Bend, Indiana
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