12-11-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2008 help for people who are struggling with lost jobs and lost homes and the opportunity to live in a community that provides the services that are needed and the respect for all people that is deserved. Mr. Steve Francis, 54174 Juday Creek Dr., Granger, Indiana, stated that he is here tonight representing himself and Sierra Club. He is an elected member of the State Executive Committee of the Hoosier Chapter and a member of the local Michiana Chapter. He stated that this community has been dealt a bad hand, in receiving basically an unfunded tax mandate. He stated that many people, conservatives included do not like an unfunded mandates and that is what this is. The State Government lead by Governor Daniels has sent us a package that restricts the local government’s ability to raise revenues and forces cuts in vital government services. He stated that quality of life in this area and public safety is number one, but public safety, fire and police are not the only things that make up the quality of life in the Michiana area. It is a full package, local governments must make sure that they use resources wisely and use tax dollars efficiently. But, when faced with cutting and closing down parks, when faced with not being able to clean up the environment, which would include the St. Joe River or having to make strong sacrifices in that area. When they are faced with closing treasured resources such as the Potawatomi Zoo and the Greenhouse and Conservatories, which still might be on the chopping block. Mr. Francis stated that everyone needs to step back at look at what is a quality of life, what does it mean for Michiana? He stated that he used the word Michiana, because we are a community, it isn’t the City of South Bend that exists alone separate from the County, and all of the surrounding communities have a vested interest in seeing that there is a stable tax base that they pay a reasonable amount for replacement revenues when they still will receive a net tax cut for most residents and that they not segment themselves into City versus County, Township against Township, and as a County resident he urged the Council to support this proposal, this now reduced tax proposal by Mayor Luecke, because they all drove to attend this meeting on City streets. He stated that everyone here tonight expects that when they walk out of this building tonight and experience difficulty that South Bend Police or Firefighters will come to their aid as well. He advised that if the quality of life deteriorates in South Bend, it deteriorates for all. He urged the Council to vote in favor of this bill. Ms. Christine Fiorlis, President, Michiana Chapter of the Sierra Club, and is speaking on behalf of the Sierra Club. She stated that some will be surprise why she is speaking in favor of this topic, when the Sierra Club is an environmental group. She stated that what they have discovered in recent years that the environment is much more than a bunch of trees or a wilderness area. It is really truly an eco-system it is a healthy community. She stated that is why the Sierra Club is in support of this County Option Income Tax, because they believe that these funds are essential to keeping the community in a healthy state. She urged the Council to vote in favor of this bill. Mr. George Horn, President, Potowatomi Zoological Society, stated that he is speaking on behalf of the Zoological Society tonight. He stated that as the Council is well aware that the Parks and Recreation Department play an important part in this community. He stated that he believes everyone here tonight at one time has enjoyed the parks and recreation that the City of South Bend has provided over the years. Whether you are a citizen of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Elkhart, LaPorte, Marshall, Starke Counties and the neighboring State of Michigan, the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of South Bend has been a part of the Community we all call Michiana. Parks and Recreation are a very important part of the quality of life in this community. They help with mental health and gets people out of the everyday stress in their lives. Parks and Recreation help get the community involved in physical activities which promotes a healthier life style. The parks provide, golf, tennis, softball, and the East Race Waterway has been a host to many Olympic and educational events. The Potowatomi Zoo is an adventure for all ages. The Park and Recreation Department provides activities that mentor young children. A well rounded City needs parks and recreation for a good quality of life. A City such as South Bend cannot grow or prosper without a well- rounded parks and recreation department. Without those kinds of things South Bend will become less viable for businesses and citizens who are looking for places to raise their families and to grow together, stay for an extended period of time and find a place to call 10