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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 25,2005 <br />they all get gigantic tax breaks. AM General alone dumps 537,303 pounds of toxins, like <br />mercury, styrene, zyline, and other carcinogenic development neuro toxins. The only <br />jobs that these places are creating are nurses and doctors in the medical centers like <br />Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph Medical Center’s Cancer Units. Mr. Petitjean <br />questioned why the Economic Development in the inner city like the expansion of the <br />Chocolate Café and the renovation of the LaSalle Hotel have been put on hold. It is <br />obvious that the residents do want this development. The Greens adamantly oppose <br />development of Portage Prairie to help pay for tax abatements for companies who come <br />here promising the moon and giving the residents cancer. The Greens request that one of <br />the Councilmembers look into this issue of the expansion of the Chocolate Café in the <br />former Osco building and discover the information that they have tried to obtain through <br />the freedom of information act that they could not. What do the consultants that were <br />hired with tax dollars have to say about the Osco building and what is the hold up on <br />development in downtown South Bend. <br />Mr. Randy Przybysz, 1318 Canterbury, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is the County <br />Council Representative District A, which takes in the area of this proposed development. <br />Mr. Przybysz stated that he has gotten to know the residents of this area and the reasons <br />that they chose to live in German Township. Some are second and third generations of <br />families who live on the same roads. The residents of German Township are family and <br />are a close network of individuals who care very deeply for their neighborhoods. This <br />project is a good project but it is in the wrong place. The infrastructure cannot support a <br />project like this one. This development is going to impact the area significantly. Mr. <br />Przybysz pleaded with the Council to consider both sides and not destroy a neighborhood <br />that already exists to try to build a new one. <br />Ms. Cheryl Kruk, 50649 Sean Court, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she moved from <br />River Park to this address in German Township to get away from the crime that was <br />occurring in River Park. Ms. Kruk stated that she is opposing this project and believes <br />that this area will become the Grape Road of South Bend. Ms. Kruk stated the South <br />Bend Tribune dated January 30, 2005, ran an article that stated Portage Prairie in 10 years <br />could have the impact that Grape and Main had on the community. Ms. Kruk stated that <br />she is not against development, but why should the residents of German Township pay <br />for the City’s misfortunes and mismanagement. Ms. Kruk stated that there are three <br />endangered species on the area, the DNR is supposed to come out to look at that and <br />report back, but no provisions have been made to wait or continue. Ms. Kruk stated that <br />the project should be delayed until that time when the DNR can verify those species do <br />exsist. <br />Mr. Kenny Bratton, 1504 W. Dunham, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he used to live <br />at 23318 Adams Road. His mother still lives at the Adams Road address. Mr. Bratton <br />goes out there everyday to help his mom. Mr. Bratton stated that he opposes the <br />development of the Portage Prairie Farm. Mr. Bratton stated that currently people using <br />Adams Road speed on the average of 60 mph., on a road that has a speed limit of 40 mph. <br />The police are aware of this situation and there have been numerous accidents on Adams <br /> <br />