12-10-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING December 10, 2018 is the whole mission for South Bend. That is to be a national model of how we can get along,how we can work through hard issues by having difficult conversations and build together. Either we all build together or we all fall apart alone. That is my deepest belief I am honored, thank you, and I will continue to do what I do. I challenge us all to keep working together. Thank you. Council President Tim Scott opened the floor to comments from Council Members. Councilmember Karen White stated, What can I say. I'm saddened but I am also happy for you. You have a brought a level of community togetherness. The Center is viewed as a place to have those difficult conversations where everyone is respected whether they agree or not. You have assisted IU South Bend to become a vehicle by which to have those conversations. The number of programs and individuals that have been through the Center since you've been there is just amazing. The Center is a place to go. You've done an excellent job. The legacy you have left for us will always live. I hope others can catch onto the vision and the passion and commitment. We can have those difficult conversations and we are better together than we are when we don't work together.We have more in common than what we don't have in common.You've done an excellent job and I wish you God speed and the very best. Don't forget IU South Bend and South Bend, Indiana. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated, Thank you for your great work in our community. Councilmember John Voorde stated, I understand you're actually taking a one (1) year leave of absence and you have an option to return. I hope you exercise that option. Councilmember Jake Teshka stated,Thank you for what you've done and best wishes on your new position. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated,Thank you so much for your outstanding leadership. You've built a legacy and have created a place that has allowed us to look at our past and also help us envision something new and different, together, as a community. You uniquely, I think, in your short time, have enabled that to happen to have the very vibrant and robust conversations. What I've particularly liked is the programming. It is varied and diverse and it invites however you communicate, understand, learn or connect to happen. To have that breadth and openness for all of us to be a part of a true treasure in our community is great. I thank you for expanding my awareness and our awareness in expanding our sensitivities, our knowledge, and help to point us toward a new vision as a community. I also wish you best wishes. I concur with Councilmember Voorde as well as many in our community and I hope you do circle back here. You've done very well and we are very appreciative of your professional time as well as your personal commitment you've given our community. Thank you very much. Councilmember Sharon L. McBride stated, I would like to thank you as well for your dedication and commitment to the community. I sat at a number of forums you had, and it was just phenomenal to break down a lot of walls and barriers because a lot of conversations are uncomfortable for people. You did it in such a way with elegance and class and I just want to say thank you and best of luck to you in everything you do. You have helped not just the community but I know partnering with Social Justice Reform are big things in my day-to-day platform. So, I just want to say thank you and God speed to you. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, Dr. Heller, you made an impact on this City and an impact on me. I totally appreciate that. I've always loved your perspective and have loved your point of view and the pieces you've written in the paper. You and I have had busy schedules and we sometimes pass very quickly but you've had a major impact on me. I appreciate and respect everything you've done here. It is truly amazing, and you will be truly missed here. Thank you so much. Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, I just want to share a little bit from a personal perspective. I first(Pt)met Dr. Heller when he came for interviews. I mean,look at him. He walks in the door and he is a presence automatically. But you think about this and this guy with these long dreads and he's all tattooed up on a motorcycle, you can say all kinds of things and have all kinds of assumptions about what is going to happen until he opens his mouth. One(1)of the things that was important for me that really sold me that you were the man for this job, the question was posed about the vision for the Center. Everybody had a nice plan about what they would do in six (6) months here and there and his answer was, 'How can I have a plan for this community? What 5