HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-02-2010 Cities and county honored for government cooperation
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
October 5, 2010
2 p.m.
Cities and county honored for government cooperation
Contact:
Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 574.876.1564
The cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, along with St. Joseph County, have received
the 2010 Local Government Cooperation Award from the Indiana Association of Cities
and Towns (IACT). The award was presented, for their support of and response to the
first-ever Bike the Bend ride, during the IACT annual conference this week.
On Sunday, May 23, nearly 1,800 bicyclists of all ages and abilities participated in the
family-friendly bike ride through the streets of South Bend and Mishawaka along with
unincorporated areas of St. Joseph County. The initiative for the ride began with The
Louise Addicott and Georgina Joshi Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit family
foundation. The effort also was supported by private-sector volunteers recruited by the
Bike Michiana Coalition, a local nonprofit bicycle-advocacy organization that seeks to
facilitate communication and interaction among more than a half-dozen local bicycle
groups.
“While this initiative began with the vision of a private foundation and was supported by
volunteers from our local bicycle community, the cooperative collaboration among
multiple departments from these local units of government was integral to the first-time
ride’s success and participants’ positive experience,” according to the award nomination.
Mayor Stephen J. Luecke of South Bend and Mayor Dave Wood of Mishawaka received
the award today during a luncheon ceremony at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne,
site of IACT’s annual conference. They were joined on stage by Evie Kirkwood, director
of St. Joseph County Parks; Glenda Lamont, a spokesperson for Bike the Bend; Judy Lee,
president of the Bike Michiana Coalition; Mike Faulkner, superintendent of Mishawaka
Parks and Recreation; and Michael Divita, a planner with South Bend’s Department of
Community and Economic Development.
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“At a time when units of local government have been beset by declining revenues from
property tax caps and the global economic crisis, Bike the Bend highlighted the
outstanding public amenities already provided by local government units in enhancing
quality of life in our community. The logistical requirements of the ride itself also
demonstrated the capacity and responsiveness of local government entities to an exciting
opportunity that emerged only months before the ride itself,” the nomination said. “The
government units provided support with route planning, public safety, logistics and
marketing. City planners guided organizers in developing and mapping the route. Crews
from the street department mobilized to deploy hundreds of barricades and cones, 250
‘No Parking’ signs, 90 road closure signs and scores of directional signs for the route
itself. In South Bend alone, 90 intersections were closed – the major ones staffed by 38
police officers with volunteers staffing the others.”
In addition to the logistical coordination at the heart of any such event, the government
entities went the extra mile to improve riders’ Bike the Bend experience:
?The City of South Bend completed painting of new bicycle lanes, and refreshed the
paint on all existing lanes, in time for the event.
?St. Joseph County Parks adapted ongoing programs for the day of the event, including
gate operations, the park entrance road, its canoe-rental program, and daily shelter
rentals.
?St. Joseph County modified the historic Darden Road pedestrian/bicycle bridge,
removing two large bollards from each end and creating a safe space for cyclists to
ride through the motor-vehicle barricade.
?A post-ride festival was hosted at Mishawaka’s Kamm Island.
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In its 34 year, the IACT Annual Awards program recognizes communities and
individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement.
The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) is a coalition of municipal officials
who seek to improve the quality of life in Indiana through effective government. It is a
member of the National League of Cities. Founded in 1891, IACT is one of the oldest
state municipal organizations in the country, with 470 cities and towns as members.
IACT advocates for municipalities as the official voice of municipal government in
Indiana, and promotes government through education, training and leadership.
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