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REGULAR MEETINGFEBRUARY 28, 2005
<br />COMMENTS CONCERNING THE WAGGONER FARM DEVELOPMENT
<br />ANNEXATION
<br />This topic was not assigned to a committee. This bill is scheduled to be heard on the Area
<br />Plan Commission Agenda on March 16, 2005.
<br />Ms. Margaret Jentz, 51312 Mayflower Road, South Bend, Indiana, encouraged the
<br />Council to defeat the annexation of the Waggoner Farm Development that is being
<br />proposed by the Holladay Corporation. Mr. Jentz stated that the current infrastructure
<br />cannot support this development. She stated that the annexation should at the very least
<br />be tabled for further impact studies to be done.
<br />COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF SOUTH BEND EQUALITY REGARDING
<br />(GLBT) GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER IDENTITY
<br />DISCRIMINATION
<br />This topic was assigned to the Personnel and Finance Committee, Roland Kelly,
<br />Chairperson.
<br />Ms. Gail McGuire, 1629 Belmont, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a member of
<br />South Bend Equality, a local group that seeks protection under the law for all citizens of
<br />South Bend regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Ms. McGuire urged
<br />the Council to submit to the South Bend Human Rights Commission to pass legislation to
<br />commit to fair and equal treatment of all human beings. She is speaking on the
<br />discrimination of the Gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgendered (G, L, B & T) people
<br />in South Bend. Ms. McGuire read into the record a statement that has been prepared by
<br />the South Bend Human Rights Commission:
<br />The South Bend Human Rights Commission is an agency of the City of South Bend,
<br />Indiana, committed to fair and equal treatment of all human beings. It is the
<br />responsibility and duty of the Human Rights Commission to make sure that no human
<br />being is mistreated based on status, without making value or moral judgments.
<br />Gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgendered (G, L, B & T) persons have experienced
<br />mistreatment based on their G, L, B & T status. The South Bend Human Rights
<br />Commission supports and encourages the South Bend Common Council to hear from the
<br />general public, to explore, investigate and to determine the degree to which G, L, B & T
<br />persons have been treated adversely within the City of South Bend due to their G, L, B &
<br />T status. The South Bend Human Rights Commission further encourages the South Bend
<br />Common Council, working cooperatively with the South Bend Human Rights
<br />Commission, to create an appropriate remedy.
<br />Ms. McGuire stated that it is clear from this statement from the South Bend Human
<br />Rights Commission that they recognize that a problem exists and encourages the Council
<br />to take action.
<br />Ms. Catherine Pittman, 2628 Summit Ridge, South Bend, Indiana, advised that she is a
<br />member of South Bend Equality. This is a group of concerned citizens, men, women,
<br />young and old, straight, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgenders. We have joined
<br />together in cooperation and community to extend the protection of the law to all citizens.
<br />So that no one can be harassed or mistreated in our community without legal recourse.
<br />We hope to accomplish the passage of an amendment that will allow people in South
<br />Bend to seek assistance if they have been discriminated against on the basis of their
<br />gender identity or sexual orientation, in housing, employment, education or public
<br />accommodations. At the present time there is no way to address such discrimination in
<br />the City of South Bend. South Bend Equality would like to offer their assistance in
<br />helping the Council draft legislation to address this concern.
<br />Ms. Mary Porte, 52081 Woodridge Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is a
<br />member of South Bend Equality. Ms. Porte stated that amending the non-discrimation
<br />ordinance could impact South Bend’s economic development. Economic Development is
<br />not just the responsibility of government officials. It is something about which every
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