01-06-09 South Bend Common Council Elects Officers for 2009

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South Bend Common Council NEWS RELEASE January 6, 2008, 9 a.m. South Bend Common Council Elects Officers for 2009 Contact: Derek D. Dieter, Council President 532-2200 or 235-5982 st 1 District Council At last evening’s Organizational Meeting of the South Bend Common Council, Member Derek D. Dieter was unanimously elected to be the Council President for calendar year 2009. st President Dieter has served as 1 District Council Member since 2004; authored the anti-noise and stun gun ordinances, and the scrap metal ordinance along with Council Members Puzzello and White; and maintains a st hot-line for loud music/loud noise complaints from citizens. Dieter created the “1 District Youth of the st Month” award; the “1 District Citizen of the Month” award where residents of the District are publicly nd honored for their service and leadership to the community; and in his 2 year began the “Business of the Month” with more than 170 such awards being given. th 6 District Council Member Oliver J. Davis Also unanimously last evening were as Vice-President. Vice- President Davis served as the Council’s Vice-President in 2008; served on the City Advisory Negotiating Team last year for police and fire labor negotiations; and also served as the Utilities Committee Chairperson. th 4 District Council Member Ann Puzzello was unanimously elected Committee of the Whole Chairperson and will conduct all hearings on proposed ordinances which come before the Council this year. Council th Member Puzzello is serving her 5 term on the South Bend Common Council; having served as Council President in 1989 and in 1993; and served as Parks and Recreation Committee Chairperson last year. President Dieter and Council Member at Large Karen L. White noted last evening that the “city budget will be the Council’s top priority”. Dieter noted that all Council Members will be sharing their ideas in helping the City Administration explore all options to ensure fiscal responsibility and the quality of city services. TIF and redevelopment monies will be looked into so that our city taxpayers receive the best possible city services which are necessary, and affordable. “Communication and transparency” will be the theme for 2009 as the South Bend Common Council will review all budget requests line-by-line, to assure Council Member Timothy A. Rouse that the city taxpayers concerns are properly addressed. was thanked for his three (3) years of service as Council President and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand was elected Council Attorney for 2009. President Dieter stated that “it will be an honor to serve as the Council President this year and that he looks forward to working with the entire Council, the City Administration, and especially the city residents in creatively addressing the many challenges facing South Bend”. -30-