By:  Diane Benjamin

The venomous comments made by Tari Renner on my website have nothing to do with our dislike for each other.  His comments were meant to silence political opposition – Freedom of Speech!

I was merely Tari’s latest victim.  He claims I and people who agree with me launch savage attacks on him.  Evidently the professor doesn’t know what savage means:

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Tari is not above lying when it suits his purpose.  He has provided no proof to support his accusations:  See this email exchange from Christmas Day:

http://blnnews.com/2014/12/26/taris-christmas-email/

Tari regularly attempts to villianize Alderwoman Stearns.  Here’s one example:

http://blnnews.com/2014/05/01/video-of-renners-verbal-attack-on-stearns/

Below is another example of Tari’s lies – 5/7/2014:

http://blnnews.com/2014/05/07/truth-tari/

Another Renner email calling me names – 5/6/2014:

http://blnnews.com/2014/05/06/heres-another-renner-classic-email/

See this post showing other comments by Renner:

http://blnnews.com/2014/04/26/pissing-match/

Another attack by Tari that was read all over the state:

http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2013/12/bloomington-il-mayor-tari-renner-attacking-citizen-comments/

These are just a few instances of Renner exhibiting behavior unbecoming a mayor.  Attempting to silence anybody who doesn’t agree with him IS Renner.  The vile comments he posted on my site are just the latest in a long string of personal attacks.  Local media have tried to declare a war between us.  It’s really a war on free speech and anybody with a different opinion.

Bill Flick:  Cute story today, but you missed the point.  Next week write about Renner going against the will of the people with his plans for downtown.  Write about the citizens telling him Needs before Wants in citizen summits and surveys.  Write about how the roads are disgusting and dangerous, but fixing them is a low priority because Quality of Life spending takes priority.  How many businesses will not locate in Bloomington because of the roads?

Then sit back and wait Bill.  You too can be a target of his foul mouth and ugly comments.  You played the Pantagraph talking points well.  Media doesn’t want the facts presented, the script now is a war between us.  Renner’s apology was staged – badly – but staged none the less.  Maybe you should re-read his original comment.  Remember, the below was in Comments to a story – not a story.  If Renner sees an attack on his son, he should first get an eye exam and then resign for abuse of power, behavior unbecoming a mayor, and publicly humiliating the taxpayers of Bloomington.  Think the citizens will be talking about the great Mayor they have?

Re-Read the facts Bill (assuming you read them the first time).  Next week include how you feel about his comments.  There is no back story, no front story, only the below unprovoked attack.  Maybe you too can be a victim of a free speech attack.  If Tari stays in office, he will do it again and again and again because that’s who Tari is.  Since the City pays the Pantagraph a lot of money for advertising, I don’t expect to see you try it.  (PS: Where else is the City going to advertise?  Why is the Pantagraph in their pocket?)

• web staff says:

  February 10, 2015 at 12:53 pm (Edit)
  Proves the relationship. I could go farther. Renner’s son is his Facebook friend, not surprising since it’s a small school. Twitter feeds aren’t private information unless you want them to be. I’m sure your comments just got added to the NSA big book. Creepy?
  Reply

Tari says:

February 10, 2015 at 11:15 pm (Edit)