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REGULAR MEETINGMAY 23, 2005
<br />This bill had first reading. Councilmember Varner made a motion to refer this bill to the
<br />PARC Committee (Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment) and set it for
<br />Public Hearing and Third Reading on June 13, 2005. Councilmember Dieter seconded
<br />the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes.
<br />NEW BUSINESS
<br />A. UPDATES FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVING AS REPRESENTATIVES
<br /> ON OTHER COMMITTEES WHO HAVE MET WITHIN THE LAST TWO
<br /> WEEKS
<br />Councilmember Pfeifer stated that she is the Council Representative to the Project Future
<br />Board and at the last meeting topics discussed were the auto industry, Metro Net and
<br />Tech Park and the challenging times ahead.
<br />Councilmember Rouse stated that he is the Council Representative to the Downtown
<br />South Bend Board. He advised that the meeting was well attended and the board is
<br />moving forward to revitalizing the downtown area.
<br />B. MISCELLANEOUS
<br />There was no miscellaneous new business to come before the Council at this time.
<br />PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
<br />A. PUBLIC PORTION
<br />COMMENTS CONCERNING THE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 9 OF THE HUMAN
<br />RIGHTS ORDINANCE
<br />Day Bryant, 215 N. Scott, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he supports amendment to
<br />Article 9 of the South Bend Human Rights Commission Ordinance, making it illegal to
<br />discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity against persons in areas
<br />of employment, housing, education or public accommodation. Mr. Bryant stated that
<br />reasons based not only on justice and equality, but also on support of diversity in the
<br />marketplace as stated by leading corporate entitites such as Eastmont Kodak, Xerox
<br />Corp., IBM, Lucent Technologies, American Airlines, Apple Computer, Nike, and Intel
<br />Corp. These statements are available upon request. Many American Businesses see the
<br />value of diversity, and the injustice of intolerance. Mr. Bryant encouraged that all must
<br />be done to eliminate intolerance and promote true equality.
<br />Rhonda Redman, 518 N. Scott Street, Apt. A, South Bend, Indiana, advised that the Near
<br />Northwest Neighborhood Association support the amendment to Article 9 of the Human
<br />Rights Commission Ordinance, making it illegal to discriminate based on sexual
<br />orientation or gender identity in areas of employment, housing, education, and public
<br />accommodation. Ms. Redman stated that the Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. was
<br />formed to improve the physical, social and economic environment of the near northwest
<br />section of the City of South Bend. We believe that discrimination works against these
<br />goals, alienating segments of our community, limiting optimal neighborhood
<br />development, and making it more difficult to foster residential areas that are diverse and
<br />inclusive. Many of the neighbors in the area are lesbian, gay or transgendered. The vast
<br />majority of the residents are concerned about their streets, houses, and fellow neighbors.
<br />Good neighbors, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are good for
<br />neighborhoods and good for the city. The thought that these involved citizens could lose
<br />their homes because of factors unrelated to their actions as tenants or homeowners is
<br />unfair to individuals and opposes the mission of organizations like ours to cultivate
<br />respect and healthy, integrated communities. The Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc.
<br />Board of Directors knows the challenges of building up neighborhoods. This amendment
<br />is related to that effort, making the town more welcoming, more fair, and better
<br />positioned to value the efforts and contributions of all of our citizens. The Near
<br />Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. Board of Directors urged serious consideration to this
<br />change, and look forward to continuing our work with good neighbors of all kinds.
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