01-08-15 Press Release - Tim Scott - New Year of Celebrations, Changes and Progress

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�f Common South Bend tilli GON� APSM MA40 O NEWS RELEASE 1w Date: Thursday, January 8, 2015 From: Council President Tim Scott\ "Contact: 538-1936 A New Year of Celebrations, Changes and Progress As South Bend begins its yearlong community-wide celebration of our City's 150 years of rich history and diversity, the City Council is kicking off an enhanced Invocation Initiative. For the past several decades each City Council meeting has begun with an Invocation. Last year, the dedicated South Bend Police and Fire Chaplains gave many Invocations at our meetings which were truly words of inspiration and reflection. We are most grateful to publicly thank each of them and we look forward to continuing this very strong partnership for many years to come. In keeping with the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Greece v. Galloway et al, handed down last year, this historical portion of our City Council meetings will continue, with this year's first Invocation being given next Monday by John Warren, Chairperson of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Their traditions honor the "Four Directions of East, South, North and West during prayer..." and the Council is thankful that they have agreed to join our Chaplains and others who will be providing this special service throughout 2015. I am also pleased to announce new memberships on each of the eleven (11) Council Standing Committees, with that listing being attached. Each Committee will hold an organizational meeting to discuss goals and objectives for the new year. I have also asked each Committee to review the year-end Committee Annual Report from last year so that any ongoing projects or concerns can continue to be addressed and moved forward. The South Bend Common Council also has a somewhat unique policy of having interested members of the public become engaged as a citizen member on our committees. Any South Bend resident who is interested in serving is encouraged to complete an application form, available from the Council's website or the Office of the City Clerk and submit it to the Council Member who chairs the Committee. The following Council Committees have openings: Community Investment, Community Relations, Health & Public Safety, Information & Technology, Residential Neighborhoods, Parks & Recreation, Personnel & Finance, Public Works & Property Vacation, Utilities, and Zoning&Annexation. At next Monday's Council meeting, a formal announcement will also be made that applications are being requested for qualified persons who wish to serve on the Redevelopment Commission [2 appointments] and the City's Diversity Compliance Board [1 position]. Monday, January 19, 2015 at noon will be the deadline for filing completed applications with the Office of the City Clerk. 2015 is shaping up to be a year of many celebrations, new initiatives and service to our residents. We encourage everyone to be an important part of our City's rich diverse culture and participate in the many offerings ahead.