Byline:  Stanley Wonder

Would it be too much to ask why some of our Bloomington aldermen are taking “road trips” to observe other City Councils?

The Pantagraph recently reported on a possible Open Meetings Act violation when four of them plus the Mayor trucked off to the Peoria meeting and met privately to talk city issues with Mayor Ardis.

Have we now solved so many of Bloomington’s own problems that we have nothing better to do?  Perhaps!

At the 7/23 Council meeting when Fuzzini & Stearns advocated targeting gaming revenue for streets, Jennifer McDade and David Sage promptly declared street spending to be “Way Up”.  Maybe so, but up from what?

The $3-$5 million we are currently spending is a fraction of the $40 million Jim Karch – director of Public Works – has said we need.  But hey, I guess streets are funded enough – that is unless you wish to actually drive on them.  “The spending is way up” makes a great sound bite, Jennifer and David, and if we say its all good, then it IS all good.

Hopefully, that will silence the pesky Stearns who voted against the budget precisely because of inadequate streets and pension funding.  Plus she keeps protesting the frivolous spending concepts.  Can anyone say GATEWAY?

So, now that Bloomington’s taken care of, let’s motor off to visit the neighbors.  We are planning more visits!  At the least, we can enhance the camaraderie among the inner circle.  The rubber stamp 5-6 members can pat each other on the back and then stop for a drink after the meeting.  Can anyone say Kool Aid?