South Bend wants to spend 40 million-what?

Plans are in the works for a huge facelift for South Bend's baseball stadium. City planners have unveiled their vision of spending 30- to 40-million dollars to upgrade Coveleski Stadium, where the single-A Minor League Baseball Silver Hawks play. Mayor Steve Luecke says the money won't come from the city's general fund, but instead South Bend officials plan to phase in the renovations using the Professional Sports Development Fund and Tax Increment Financing District revenue. The city wants "The Cove," as the stadium is affectionately called, to become an entertainment anchor for the downtown. (Scource-WFRN news)
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During an economic hardship,South Bend asked and received a higher tax on our income. The purpose of the tax was to "save" the basic necessities for the city to function (firefighters, police, etc). After hearing about the 40 million dollar plan for the "Cove" the public should "storm" the County City building with pitchforks. The City never raised this idea to spend 40 million on a baseball stadium during their media blitz to raise your tax dollars! Shame on them and shame on us if we allow the 40 million dollar plan to proceed.
This headline is a hard pill to swallow. I realize that the funds are in different places within the City. However, this plan makes no sense. It seems like the mayor and his stooges have lost touch with reality!
When you cry and moan to people that the city is out of money and threaten to take the drastic action of taking away their public safety, the people take that at face value.
Don't get me wrong- I love baseball and the Silver Hawks make for a great night out. However the "desperate picture" represented by our leaders was false and they should be taken to task for their irresponsible behavior.

Some headlines from August, 2009;


WNDU report--
Posted: 6:40 PM Aug 7, 2008

Budget woes for South Bend, and a possible surplus for Mishawaka

St. Joseph County, IN

If a local option income tax raise is passed, leaders say budget cuts in South Bend could be bearable, while the city of Mishawaka could end up with a surplus.
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And ABC Channel 57---

City of South Bend cutting jobs

11:48PM 09 July 2009
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Public safety positions among the cuts

The city of South Bend is making cuts to its budget and public safety is taking a big hit.

State property tax cuts have left South Bend with a $22 million budget shortfall next year.

The police department is set to lose 19 officers. The fire department is cutting 45 positions.

That means some fire stations will be forced to close and that could cause a delay in response time.

The Parks and Recreation Department is eliminating 30 percent of its staff and closing both city pools, the ice rink, the East Race and Potowatomi Greenhouses.

The mayor says it's going to everyone will feel the impact.

15 percent of the city's employees will be cut. That's more than 200 jobs.

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