07-27-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 27, 2009 they have gone through. He stated that he volunteers a lot at the Hope Rescue Mission and is a Social Worker and have dealt with many people who have dealt with alcoholism and a lot of other issues. Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that Mr. Carruthers needed to help educate the neighbors in the area because not everybody knows how to deal with alcoholism or drug addiction. He stated that this is how he feels this situation should have been handled and disagreed with Mr. Carruthers comments of being prejudice. He stated that he is all for helping out, been doing it, will continue to do it, but there is a role to educate and not ram things down and then get mad at people for doing it. He stated that he wanted to share that information tonight and explain that is what he was saying at the committee meeting this afternoon. Mr. Carruthers stated that his comments had nothing to do with anyone individually; he was clearly stating how he felt regarding the situation. He stated that this thing is spiritually guided. He stated that it is going to happen whether it happens here or it happens somewhere else. He stated that people can complain about the crimes that are being committee etc. He stated don’t complain about the crime, if no one is going to do anything to stop it, that is all he is saying. Don’t complain about the crack head coming up to the door asking for money if no one is willing to do anything to stop it. He stated that he understands that people have worked in this field and if they have the same compassion that he has then you know, but until you get there, you just don’t know. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There was no one present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of the Resolution. The following individuals spoke in opposition to the Resolution. Maureen Dean-Moran, 716 W. Colfax Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in opposition to the bill. She stated that she is the President of the Near West Side Neighborhood Organization. She stated that she believes Mr. Carruthers is correct in stating that we need to help these people. She stated that the problem is not only in the city and in this particular neighborhood, but in the county as well. She stated that the Near West Side Neighborhood is not against the healing but against the location. She stated that the neighborhood already has several of these kinds of rehab facilities and they have been there for thirty or more years. She stated that putting another facility of that nature is concentrating them in one area and doesn’t feel that is healthy for the individuals who are seeking treatment. Marilyn Watson, 226 S. Taylor, South Bend, Indiana, stated that she is opposed to this bill. She stated that she lives two doors away from the proposed group home. Ms. Watson advised that there are small children who live in the home next door. She stated that they play outside during the summer months. She noted that there is a school bus zone directly in front of their house. She stated that she is not against helping people with drug and alcohol addition, but this location is not the right location. She stated that the neighborhood organization has been working toward making the area more family oriented again. Ms. Ann Gorbitz, 225 S. Taylor, South Bend, Indiana, stated that there are a lot of children in the neighborhood who play in the small yards. She stated that you know how children are, they are always playing ball and inevitably they hit the house or garage not on purpose but just playing, and is afraid that they may make someone living at this home angry or agitated. Mr. Gorbitz stated that parking is a problem. There is not enough parking in the area. She stated that when she gets home from work and there isn’t any space on the street, she has to park across the street at the Church parking lot. Mr. John Turin, 322 W. Washington, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he has lived in the neighborhood for over forty years. He stated that when he started his business at 322 W. Washington some thirty years ago, people were afraid to walk past Williams Street after dark. He stated that the neighborhood which is a gem has come a long way. He stated that the area has gotten much better because of investments like Tippecanoe Place, Studebaker Museum, Oliver Mansion, and the various bed and breakfasts. He stated that 14