The South Bend Common Council delayed a vote on a $10.2 renovation of Covaleski Stadium, the home of the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League), because of concern over a conflct of interest with a council member.
The conflict: Whether Council President Derek Dieter, a supporter of the project who works off-duty as a security guard at Silver Hawks games, should recuse himself. The city attorney said no, based on existing Indiana state law requiring recusal if an elected official makes half of his or her income on the project in question (he doesn’t), but renovation opponents pushed for a delay.
Dieter’s vote is important: the final margin for passage is expected to be slim, and it’s likely his yes vote is needed.
The issue will be taken up again next week by the Common Council.
RELATED STORIES: South Bend poised to spend almost $10M on The Cove
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they’re posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!