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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> City, so we're spending a lot of money and we're helping people,but it's hard to see that progress
<br /> because it is going to homes all over town. They said what if we chose a small area and put all of
<br /> our money in that one (1) area, and then people can see that we're actually improving something.
<br /> The goal is that if this works, if we see that this is a great way to move forward, then each year,
<br /> they'll move that area. So, the first(1St) year, we had around $650,000 to put into that small area.
<br /> I think what they're talking about is making a smaller area and the Mayor, on his own, decided to
<br /> actually double the amount of money that they can put in from the City budget for home
<br /> improvements specifically.
<br /> Ms. Appenger asked, So they are just focusing on a portion of the west side, not the entire west
<br /> side?
<br /> Committee Chair Preston answered, Not the entire west side, but next year it will be another
<br /> section, and the next year, it will be another section. That's why they said when you call in,
<br /> everybody should call in even though you aren't in the boundaries, because part of the decision-
<br /> making process of where to go next year is going to be based on the number of people who called
<br /> in. So it's just a pilot that we are trying to see if we can make an impact, as an attempt to be
<br /> responsive to what we've heard from the community. Because you're right, the lines have been
<br /> drawn, and I hear from a lot of people that they are right across the line and it can be very
<br /> frustrating. So coming to a neighborhood near you, but the interesting thing you need to know is
<br /> that this is just one (1) pocket of money. This effort has spurred an entire initiative from the City.
<br /> Why wouldn't the people tell you that you don't qualify for this program, but here is another list
<br /> of programs you might qualify for? There are other programs that I'm sure you may qualify for.
<br /> Tracy is working on developing a list because we have to get you that information. So it's in
<br /> process. I would encourage you, again, to call 311 and give them your information and let them
<br /> know that you want to know. There is a script being written right now, so I would encourage
<br /> everyone in the listening audience to continue to call and say I have a problem, I need help. At
<br /> some point that script will come online and they'll be able to give that information and share with
<br /> you where to go.
<br /> Pete Taddeo, 52870 Cumberland Ct., Granger, stated, I'm in South Bend quite a bit. I relate to
<br /> everything that was said tonight by every person. Let me start with the owner of the restaurant. I
<br /> am one (1) of your big competitors on that side of town. I own the Popeyes Chicken among other
<br /> things, and if you need some help getting your business up and running, I know that when I first
<br /> bought Popeyes twenty(20) years ago, it was a mess. If you'd like some help, I'm ready to assist
<br /> you any way I can. We're a big user of Code Enforcement. We are pushing about 1,000 rentals in
<br /> the County, about five-hundred (500) are in the City of South Bend and about one-hundred ten
<br /> (110) Section Eight (VIII) homes. All of the landlords, all of the problems, and the problems of
<br /> the tenants, I relate to. I relate to the slumlords and the greedy landlords who just take advantage
<br /> of the people. One (1) of the things I appreciated is, Tracy, that you go out into the hallway to
<br /> speak to people. I would like to suggest that we come up with a group similar to SCORE which
<br /> helps people formulate business plans. We could put together a group of twenty(20)to thirty(30)
<br /> or forty(40)people that would be available to help these people that don't have help.A lot of these
<br /> people don't have lawnmowers, and they don't have twenty dollars ($20)to pay anybody to mow
<br /> their lawn. I've gone out to help mow, but I am pretty limited with what I can do physically. I
<br /> think we've invited you to our meeting, Tracy, I'm not sure if anyone has contacted you, but
<br /> welcome to the job. Over the years, I've had a strong relationship with Code Enforcement, and
<br /> under two (2) Code Enforcement Directors, I hoped to become a court appointed receiver.
<br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
<br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 wvvw.southbendin.gov
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