05-2009 Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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LLLTOW- MAY 2009 Bsv� V Mayors k pkriv I LuFc:kf Letter from the Mayor BEND F1 41tit THIS MONTH... Mayor's Letter Senior Olympics Morris Performing Arts Center Friday's by the Fountain Dear Friends and Neighbors, I College Football Hall of Fame Each year, when the nominations are announced for the Academy Awards, public attention is focused on five films or individuals in each category out of the year's hundreds of movies and thousands of industry practitioners. Whether they win the Oscar are not, nominees make it clear that simply to be selected is a great honor. (And they know it's something that will enhance their resume from that day forward.) I felt similar pride when we received word March 31 that South Bend is one of 32 finalists in the National Civic League's 60th- annual All- America City competition. Considered "a civic `Oscar' for communities of all sizes," the All- America City award recognizes outstanding civic accomplishment. There are nearly 270 U.S. cities with more than 100,000 people. The United States has more than 19,000 incorporated places. So to be selected as one of 32 finalists is quite an honor. Although there are many civic award competitions, this is the best known. You may recall its red, white and blue emblem posted at city gateways, including once in South Bend, which previously was selected as an All- America City in 1967. This year's entry by the City of South Bend was the first we submitted in at least 12 years. The 10 winning cities will be announced at the All- America City awards competition this June in Tampa, Fla. During the three -day competition, our city's delegation will describe three projects we highlighted to a jury of national experts from across the United States. (At least one community project must focus on the needs of young people.) South Bend's projects highlighted: The transformation of the Northeast Neighborhood — As Eddy Street Commons and Innovation Park rise like flowers this spring, this project highlighted the public - private collaboration, including neighborhood residents, which gave birth to these efforts and l"EAR`' others. Various City efforts for increased efficiency in the wake of reduced revenue — From technological innovations, such as green computing efforts in the Potawatomi Park All-America City greenhouse and CSOnet's monitoring of combined sewer overflows to efficiencies like 1 I converting traffic signals to LEDs and reducing staff while maintaining services, this initiative highlighted City efforts to address the revenue challenges brought on by statewide property tax caps. The We Can! initiative to address childhood obesity — South Bend Parks & Recreation Dept. has been recognized as national leader in this federal initiative. Staff work with children ages 8 to 13, and their families on Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition. This collaborative effort with many partners develops initiatives to improve community health. This is a very exciting time to be living in South Bend, not simply because of this national recognition but because of the great partnerships in this community — public and private, commercial and residential, university and nonprofit. They demonstrate the collaboration, civic engagement and innovation of the All- America City award. As our nation struggles to restart the economy, we believe South Bend can be a place that ignites the new economy through creativity and dis- covery in our community, including such efforts as MIND (Midwest Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery), Innovation Park and Ignition Park. South Bend is ready to walk the red carpet! Sincerely, SI USTED NO ENTIENDE INGLES Y NECESITA AYUDA PARA TRADUCIR ESTE DOCUMENTO, O SI TIENE ALGUNA PREGUNTA, POR FAVOR LLAME AL TELEFONO (574) 235 -5858 X 1000.