05-29-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 29, 2012 he heard a wise man say “cut us in or cut it out.” He stated that he wants to be cut in, regardless of our offices political offices, spiritual offices, if we don’t stand up on behalf of those being deprived how can we be about integrity. Most of us think we have a position to protect and we are afraid and want to protect out friendship that is mistreatment to the people. If you want their friendship then you have already lost the friendship of God. Cut him in. Mario Sims, President, CEO, of the newly formed citizens watchdog group named Citizens United for Better Government, 415 W. LaSalle, South Bend, Indiana, which is the address of the Emmanuel Community Church. Read a letter that was address to Greg Zoeller, Indiana Attorney General, Phil Whitesel, Indiana State Police, Mike Dvorak, and St. Joseph County Prosecutor. Gentlemen: The media reported on May 24, 2012 that a South Bend Police Officer filed a formal complaint alleging that the Commander of the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit of threatening him. Because it is unclear if this threat stems from the fired South Bend Police Communications Director, Karen DePaepe, claimed to have heard several officers discussing illegal activity in making racists comments on tapes. It would appear to be entirely appropriate for the public to request an investigation into the alleged threats and that the investigation be conducted by the Indiana State Police and the Office of the Attorney General currently media reports state Mr. Dvorak has indicated his office will review the threats. This poses a potential conflict, but not only does the commander of the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit report to Mr. Dvorak, there are rumors that at least one member of Mr. Dvorak’s staff was either mentioned or in fact was heard on the tapes in question. He stated in the past knowing he may be called as a witness St. Joseph County Prosecutor Mike Dvorak successfully petitioned a court to appoint former Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stanley Levco to serve as a special prosecutor in the investigation. Mr. Dvorak also takes pride in the mission of St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office promoting a fair, impartial, and expeditious justice system. Further they are aware that the Indiana Attorney General’s Office committed to supporting local law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s offices in their efforts to fight crime. In some instances the office can assist in criminal investigation and prosecutor at the request of local officials. He stated that he is here today in addition to that request to ask the 2004 Indiana State Police report case #2425862 be publicly aired, and asking that the City Council under the corporal and procedures join them in their request. He stated that he will circulate copies of this letter to the Council after the meeting. He also stated that they will have a letter that will present to the Mayor that one of his associates will read. Rev. Greg Brown, 1238 Diamond Ave, South Bend, Indiana, stated that Citizens United for Better Government, read a letter that will be submitted to Mayor Pete Buttigieg: Dear Mayor: May 18, 2012 during a meeting with local leaders and Bishop Travis Grant of the Rainbow Push, you pledge to do three things: 1. Develop an advisory board made up of community leaders who represent the make-up of the City of South Bend, join in efforts to push for appeal for the federal investigation into the South Bend Police Department phone call recordings tapes along with the South Bend City Council and Rainbow Push investigation contents of the tapes. Once the City has accessed the tapes, hold those that are making racial and criminal remarks accountable by due process. He stated that what they are asking for is for the people to hear them. He stated that at the last Council meeting he said that if we can’t wake South Bend up, they were going to shake them up. He stated that they stand in a family fight as a group of people that believe in what is going on in this city, that we are not a dying city, that we a city that can stand together, there is so much going on as Mr. Bush stands behind him, investigations have went on that’s not complete. An investigation of the lady sitting here to the left of him, where he son was out their hung, its things that are not answered and he is asking to get to the end of these matters so they can grow farther. He stated that we as the people are asking to hear our voice. Jesse Davis, 1333 Calvert, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he has two concerns or questions. He read the articles in the paper about the letter that was sent to the Mayor’s offices asking that the tapes in question be preserved and the integrity be kept in tacked. He stated that he thinks for some reasons three of the Councilmember’s the two Ferlic’s and Ms. Schey did not sign the letter. His questioned why they did not sign the letter that is just saying let’s go ahead and kept the integrity of the tapes safe so that they can’t be 31