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REGULAR MEETING
<br />JANUARY 23, 2017
<br />City to do whatever it takes to make enforcement happen. He stated that ordinances must be
<br />revised as soon as possible. He concluded by stating that he would do anything to bridge the gap
<br />that exists between citizens and the City regarding animal welfare.
<br />Councilmember Regina Williams- Preston requested that this issue, as well as the issue regarding
<br />the intersection of Michigan Street and South Street, be forwarded to the Board of Public Safety.
<br />Samuel Brown, 222 East Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated that he was proud of the Mayor
<br />for standing up and making the decision to rename the downtown portion of Main Street Dr.
<br />Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. He stated that he was not pleased with the photo used in the
<br />paper to announce the change, suggesting a different one, but continued to praise the Mayor's
<br />decision.
<br />Brenda Bailey, 3621 Cooper Court, South Bend, IN, stated that there needs to be clarification as
<br />to what is going on at South Bend Animal Care and Control. She stated that the animal welfare
<br />community wants answers, that it is afraid of the SBACC. She stated, Legally, we have no
<br />choice but to follow the law. We see that there needs to be a moderator or somebody called in
<br />that can help bridge this gap, because the gap is just tremendous, right now. She asked, as she did
<br />in the last meeting, why Valery Schey and other volunteers were banned from the shelter for
<br />ninety (90) days. She brought up the dog, Lucky, who was recently euthanized. She stated that
<br />the community was requesting for an investigation into Lucky. Surgery had been offered by
<br />specialists and two (2) rescuers had offered to take him, but he was euthanized instead. She
<br />stated that a silent vigil and protest were planned in honor of Lucky. She concluded by asking
<br />what the City would do to repair the damage done by their new SBACC director.
<br />Morena Ballard, 52670 Primrose Road, South Bend, IN, stated that she was present to support
<br />the SBACC. She stated that she has been involved in trying to bridge the gap referenced by Mr.
<br />Smith and Ms. Bailey, but found that there were people who simply did not want to cooperate
<br />with each other. She stated that she was working with the new director to do things that will
<br />expand the shelter and educate people again. She stated that she did not know where things went
<br />wrong. She stated that Lucky's euthanasia was tragic but necessary. She did not feel that the new
<br />director, Jennifer, has been given a fair chance.
<br />Huey Scoby, Riverside Drive, South Bend, IN, stated that he was proud of the Council, and that
<br />he was proud of the newly named Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. He then stated, You
<br />got one (1) more step to go: the Mayor promised that he would select a prominent street with a
<br />few businesses on it and a few addresses. So, I'm going to hold you responsible for him putting
<br />up those houses with a few investors on it. So, we can't stop at the roundabout. We're going to
<br />have to go down Marion Street —isn't that where your committee started at? Isn't that where
<br />they were supposed to stop? Be real with me because I'm living out Dr. King's dream. Dr. King
<br />didn't give his life for elites and politicians. He turned to Mr. Brown, stating his full name,
<br />before Councilmember Tim Scott reminded him that he must address the Council. At this point,
<br />Mr. Scoby ended his message and walked away from the podium.
<br />Anthony Bailey, 3621 Cooper Court, South Bend, IN, stated that there were resources out there
<br />to save Lucky instead of euthanizing him. He stated that people were losing trust in Animal
<br />Control and the shelter, stating that this could create a safety issue wherein people do not call
<br />Animal Control when there is a problem.
<br />Mary Corbett, 1605 Southwood Avenue, South Bend, IN, addressed the Animal Control
<br />problem, stating that if people are not getting answers, then someone working for the City is not
<br />doing their job. She asked that items projected onto the screens for the Council and audience use
<br />a larger font, as she cannot read them as they are. She also asked that Councilmembers sit up
<br />when they speak because it is otherwise hard to understand what they are saying.
<br />Councilmember Tim Scott informed Ms. Corbett that she could get full packets from the Clerk's
<br />Office on the Thursday before a given Council Meeting.
<br />Ms. Corbett asked, How does one go about finding what all these things refer to?
<br />Clerk Kareemah Fowler stated, You can come into our office and we can navigate it for you.
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