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Residents often look to government to take care of things that formerly were not an issue <br />or were resolved through neighborly pressure. We must revitalize that sense of pride of <br />ownership in our homes and neighborhoods. We encourage residents tv plant flowers, mow the <br />lawn, pick up loose trash, and make sure that recycling bins and waste containers are put away <br />after pick-up. Small things like this make a big difference. Many areas never lost this pride. <br />Other neighborhoods are working hard to energize it. South Bend is my hometown. South Bend <br />is our hometown. Let's all take responsibility for making it better. Don't litter. Respect your <br />neighbors. Show your pride. To that <br />end, Code Enforcement has partnered <br />with different groups to clean up our <br />city. The Adopt-a-Block program has <br />been successful for three years, with the <br />Westside Neighborhood Organization <br />and St. Casimir's joitvng the effort. <br />Residents have com~.itted to pick up <br />trash and litter an 65 blocks. We <br />provide trash bags and gloves and <br />dispose the collected trash. We also partner with other groups that cleanup their neighborhood <br />on a Saturday mornfng. We remove all the debris collected at no cost to the residents. This is a <br />start, but we need tv be in it for the long haul and each one ofus needs to commit to this effort. <br />Our Community Development staff works directly with neighborhoods and the <br />community to build pride and capacity. From Building Block Chants to major initiatives like the <br />Commercial Corridor Program, they are at the center of good things happening in South Bend. <br />Over 500 Building Block grants were awarded in 2005, providing $80,000 for beautification <br />projects -helping residents, not-far-profit groups and neighborhoods show the pride that they <br />feel. The good news -it's contagious. Others see the improvements and want to join in. <br />Neighborliness is catching on. Our Corrunercial Corridors continue to make major <br />improvements. They are more welcoming and provide a better first impression for visitors to our <br />community. Twenty-two fa~axle grants {$170,000) leveraged ahnost $300,000 in private <br />investment. On Mishawaka, Avenue, another six grants ($40,000) brought $130,000 in private <br />investment. Eight new businesses opened on Western Avenue and a new mural was completed <br />A-23 <br />