Laserfiche WebLink
REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 24,2015 <br /> that through revised stripping and other matters. I want to make it very clear there is no eminent <br /> domain and no interest to displace homeowners. There is one illustration as a park that is <br /> predominately vacant to revamp that area. For future reference, any plan that would occur in <br /> these neighborhoods would involve the community as part of the process. <br /> Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. —517 Idlewood Drive, South Bend—I would like to ask the <br /> council for five (5) minutes. <br /> Councilmember Valerie Schey so moved. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the <br /> motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8)ayes. <br /> Thank you my council colleagues I would like to recognize the members from the western park <br /> area, will you please stand. These residents are here today to express their dissatisfaction with <br /> what has happened on Lincoln Way West. After a number of meetings I feel compelled to speak <br /> for them, as I work for them. The meetings have occurred where they stated they wanted the <br /> basic city services street paving, street striping, curbs & sidewalks, and lighting. Those things <br /> have not been updated in that area in more than a decade. That is the only thing they asked for. <br /> Upon Council request,those dollars were allocated for just those things for Lincoln Way West <br /> and Western Ave. As a result what we gotten was a continued plan to displace, gentrify and run <br /> over poor people. Since the project has taken place you've seen Lincoln Way go from four(4) <br /> lanes to two(2) lanes. You've seen major traffic jams in the morning and afternoon time. The <br /> neighbors on the Western Ave did not want to see this happened to ensure they're area doesn't <br /> look like Lincoln Way West. That is why they are here today. These residents are asking for the <br /> same consideration as done in previous examples. The taxes are going up, people are being <br /> asked to sell their properties. We are talking about these same issues. Eddy St. has been widen <br /> for more business. These are living examples, they do not deserve this. They are on fixed <br /> incomes and should have the benefit of living out their lives in their homes. I ask you <br /> Councilmembers to consider this so that these residents are comfortable in their homes. <br /> Jesse Davis—P.O. Box 10205, South Bend—I have come tonight about the Ashley Madison <br /> website and hacking emails that were put in the public. According to the media there was four <br /> (4)people from South Bend officials and one (1) from Mishawaka who used their government <br /> emails to search this site. The media has not released names at this point. I have a major <br /> problem and there has been a lot of discussion on community websites about this issue. If these <br /> employees were surfing these websites on city equipment during employee time, with one <br /> belonging to a police officer and the other being a fireman in South Bend. Is this causing a <br /> public safety issue with response time, if they are on these sites during work time?I ask the <br /> council to look in to these issues and see if disciplinary actions need to occur. <br /> Mario Sims —Sr. Pastor of Doulos Chapel, 608 S. Saint Joseph St., South Bend—Coming here <br /> tonight was not something that I relished doing. I am here tonight as the responsibility of a <br /> democracy is fairness and equity. Last year the council's attorney requested an investigation of a <br /> special prosecutor,Dan Hampton in reference to a civil matter; certainly calling to question <br /> ethics. There were nine (9) civil complaints filed against the Councilmember. I stand before you <br /> and I don't hear that and I don't see that same type of concern. My concern is the message that <br /> this sends to the city of South Bend. If you choose to investigate one elected official you have to <br /> have the same basis of equity of justice for everyone. I personally like John Voorde and I admire <br /> that John stepped up on Friday. The reality is there are two different environments going on <br /> here, I hate to think that is because of color. Any time we have the integrity of the system called <br /> in to question,the council's response has to be the same. Unless you want a city, where the <br /> people question the justice of this city. That's certainly a slope we don't want to slide down. I <br /> ask that you search your hearts and search your conscious about what happened here a year ago <br /> with Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. If you think what you did was right that you should do <br /> the same in this situation with this elected official. <br /> Jason Banicki-Critchlow—3822 W. Ford St., South Bend—I would like to ask the council for six <br /> (6)minutes as there are a couple issues I would like to address. <br /> So moved by Councilmember Oliver Davis. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. seconded <br /> the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight(8) ayes. <br /> I would like to talk about Western Ave. corridor project. I appreciate Scott coming here tonight. <br /> As he has done many times in the media,he repeats thirty plus meetings trying to prevent the <br /> disinformation. This is an outline not a plan,the smart streets are 30% safer. Yet, this summer <br /> 7 <br />