In November 2024, the comprehensive plan was passed unanimously by the St. Joseph County Council. Multiple statements are noted throughout the entire plan on farmland preservation. In fact, it was and still is considered so important, farmland preservation has its own pillar.
The land in question is labeled as “intensive agriculture.” From page 76: “The intensive agriculture district strictly limits non-agricultural uses, while the General Agriculture district would allow some non-agricultural uses as special exceptions.”
The Town of New Carlisle officials spoke against another data center. The Olive Township Trustee spoke against another data center. The Area Plan Commission voted unanimously against a rezoning for another data center. The county council representative for New Carlisle and Olive Township area is against another data center. Hundreds of letters against the rezoning of 1,057 acres have been sent to the County Council.
Now, five leaders — who don’t even live in New Carlisle — have voiced they are for another data center in New Carlisle. They are definitely not our leaders in New Carlisle. They are definitely not speaking for the residents of New Carlisle. Those five leaders do not represent the majority of us in New Carlisle and Olive Township.
Mary Countryman
New Carlisle
Community compassion
On Nov. 21, LOGAN Community Resources proudly celebrated its 75th anniversary of serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 1950, our mission has been to provide services, resources and advocacy that empower people to live their best lives.
This milestone is a tribute to the dedication and compassion of our staff — past and present — whose commitment has shaped LOGAN into the organization it is today. We also extend heartfelt gratitude to our community partners, donors and volunteers. Your unwavering support makes it possible for us to create opportunities and foster inclusion.
Our vision remains clear: a community where kindness and dignity enrich the lives of everyone. As we look to the future, we invite you to join us in continuing this work — because together, we can build a world where every person is valued.
Thank you for being part of LOGAN’s journey. Here’s to the next 75 years of making a difference.
Matt Harrington
President and CEO, LOGAN Community Resources
South Bend
Offensive team name
One major hypocrisy in America is that with all its racial and ethnic groups, Native Americans are apparently the only group subjected to having their stereotypical skin color — which has historically doubled as a term of derision — used in sports teams’ nicknames.
Fortunately, many such teams at the high school, college and professional levels have also recognized this and changed their nicknames. Not so, however, for one local team that is now being prominently featured in the local media.
While I suppose it’s this school’s prerogative to use such a nickname, the local media don’t have to play along. They can, and should, do what several media and commentators did before Washington’s professional football team changed its nickname — referring to this team only as “Washington” — and only refer to this team by the name of the school.
On one hand, local media are reporting on towns and counties named to honor Native Americans and a region that has a significant presence of Native Americans, such as the Potawatomi. On the other hand, they’re denigrating them at the same time.
David R. Hoffman
Mishawaka
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Five who signed pro-data center letter aren’t our leaders | Letters
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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