By: Diane Benjamin
In a further attempt to make your elected Aldermen immaterial, the City of Bloomington is holding a budget meeting on January 20th. Each Alderman is to invite 10 citizens, then these 90 people will tell Bloomington where your money should be spent. Being a Representative Republic is now dead in Bloomington. Thanks to “non-partisan” local elections, citizens had no idea who they voted for to lead the City. Renner is making your voice obsolete by removing your elected representative from the process.
The Council has 7 potted plants who voted for the Downtown Master Plan, the Bikes Master Plan, the Zoo Master Plan etc etc etc.
Who are they going to invite? Anybody who opposes City spending money on non-essential items?
You will be told these 90 people represent you. The majority could easily be people who make their living from government spending. You will not be able to blame your alderman for tax increases and a huge budget, they were just listening to the people.
If the majority think taxes need to be raised, instant tax increases.
If the majority think Bloomington’s future is downtown, instant new spending.
90 people will decide the fate of 75000+.
The only way to not have 70 potted plant citizens in this meeting is to get involved. Contact your alderman and demand you be one of their 10 appointed.
The meeting is January 20th, probably at 5:30.
Show up and voice your opinions – they cannot give a select group of citizens more power to speak than any other citizen.
Is this even legal? And if it is, they shouldn’t be able to stop uninvited citizens from participating. Need to pack the house and shut this down.
Everything is legal unless citizens take a stand.
I tried to contact Joni Painter through the email listed on the city website to volunteer and it is not set up.. should have been a simple task..or do they not want emails