Residents say they were not notified and oppose proposed recovery home near Saint Anthony's

Several residents told the Michigan City Common Council on June 17 that they oppose a proposed substance abuse recovery home in their neighborhood and said they were not properly notified of the proposal.

Councilman Paul Presbylinski, speaking as a resident during public comments, said a meeting several weeks earlier at Saint Anthony's Hospital drew attendees who said they had not been notified and that the proposed facility is about 900 feet from his home. "I don't know what they think their radius is around this thing, but this thing is 900 feet from my home," Presbylinski said. He said attendees at the neighborhood meeting were told to "get over it," which he described as offensive, and that some comments and actions during the meeting upset residents, including that he and others were escorted out of the facility.

The clerk reported that correspondence was received on June 4 from Eileen Mark regarding the proposed substance abuse recovery home and that a notice had been received June 6 from IDEM regarding an operating-permit approval (MSOP). Residents at the council meeting said they were undertaking research and due diligence and that they remain "adamantly opposed" to the proposal.

Council members did not take formal action on the matter during the June 17 meeting. The council heard the public comments during the open comment period; no vote, referral, or instruction to staff was recorded in the transcript that evening.

The remarks made in public comment reflect neighborhood concern about notification, proximity to residences, and the process by which the proposal has been handled. Residents said they will continue to research and pursue their concerns through available channels.