By: Diane Benjamin The City of Bloomington has the following Enterprise Funds: Water, Solid Waste, Sewer, Coliseum, Stormwater Management, & Golf/Parking. Enterprise Funds were established to break even – meaning citizens pay for the services they use. It’s not working out that way. http://www.cityblm.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=9336 Page 52: These numbers are the actual Net Cash reported for […]
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By: Diane Benjamin The October City Manager’s report is now on-line: http://www.cityblm.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=9452 Miller Park Zoo Revenue from admissions was up 13.3% for the current fiscal year. Last year, the revenue from admissions broke the all-time record for the Zoo in a fiscal year. This represents the fourth consecutive year the all-time attendance revenue record was […]
If today your aren’t thankful, and you don’t believe in the blessings bestowed on this great nation . . . . Stand in front of a mirror and ask yourself: What does everybody else understand that I don’t? Repeat until you figure it out. . Meanwhile, thanks readers. I am grateful. Diane . . . […]
By: Diane Benjamin The video from the November 11th accident that totaled the Stanford Police Car has been received under the Freedom of Information Act. I have the video starting right before the car hit a tree in the road, start it at the beginning if you want to see more driving. Turn the sound […]
By: Diane Benjamin Source: http://tinyurl.com/pnx86vs Yesterday I posted Normal and Bloomington Stats. Even with McLean County added, you still don’t have all the information. There are many other levels of government also levying taxes – like townships.
By: Diane Benjamin This morning Colleen was APPALLED that anyone suggest refugees should get a religion test. Renner and Koos have publicly expressed support for importing refugees from Syria. http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/local-mayor-pledges-support-for-syrian-refugees There are no Christian members of ISIS (ISLAMIC State) All three should read this article: http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/11/islamic_influx_why_a_religious_test_for_immigrants_is_moral_and_wise.html This story is even better: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/427262/refugee-religious-test-shameful-and-not-american-except-federal-law-requires-it-andrew Will Colleen […]
By: Diane Benjamin The lawyer for the City of Bloomington was a little late, so those of us present had time to talk. The court reporter told an interesting story: He parked downtown and forgot to hang his disabled placard in the window. He received a ticket. He headed to City Hall to dispute it, […]
Population numbers added By: Diane Benjamin Source: http://tinyurl.com/NormalStats Below are the numbers the Town of Normal reported to the State. A couple things to note: Pre-Koos, Normal citizens were in almost no debt Yes, some numbers look suspicious – but these are what Normal reported to the Illinois Comptrollers Office Chris Koos became Mayor in […]
Population numbers added By: Diane Benjamin Source: http://tinyurl.com/BloomStats Below are the numbers the City of Bloomington reported to the State. A couple things to note: Debt per citizen has more than doubled in 16 years. The number of City employees exploded to unsustainable levels in 2005. Decreasing employees only made the costs manageable. Is the […]
By: Diane Benjamin Ever wonder how much debt Bloomington and Normal have forced on taxpayers? Nothing beats a picture: (More next!) Source: http://www.comptrollerconnect.ioc.state.il.us/Office/LocalGovt/LGReportCardvs2/index.cfm?RptCrdFY=1999&code=064%2F025%2F30&C4=30&BetaSel=&OptionSel=SnglRptCrd
By: Diane Benjamin The Coliseum has been borrowing money from the City. You pay more for water than it costs the City, so excess money is sitting in that fund. At least some of it has gone to cover the losses at the Coliseum. These numbers are straight from the City Financial Statements at the […]
By: Diane Benjamin The following numbers were taken from a report received under the Freedom of Information Act. The report has all current budget detail by department. Email me if you want the report, I can’t link to it in a readable format. ([email protected]) The first column lists everything connected to the BCPA on the […]
By: Diane Benjamin I have a Status Hearing tomorrow on my court case against the City of Bloomington. This story recaps why I filed: http://blnnews.com/2015/11/02/court-update/ The Freedom of Information Act is very clear. The City of Bloomington wrongfully believes they are exempt, tomorrow I will find out if they plan to call witnesses. I already […]
Conservative Talk Host Ian Bayne Back on Air: NEW “NewsTalk 98.3” Covers Bloomington + Champaign Markets (FARMER CITY, IL – 11/22/2015): Conservative talk show host Ian Bayne will return morning drive tomorrow from 6am to 9am on the new “NewsTalk 98.3” WHP in Bloomington and Champaign, IL. Bayne had been let go from WRPW “Cities” 92.9 on September 1 […]
By: Diane Benjamin Steve Vogel announced in the Pantagraph today that Alderman Lower is expected to run for Mayor against Steve’s buddy, Tari. Remember his daughter was Renner’s campaign manager twice. Since Vogel didn’t add that to his story, I need to make sure you know the truth. Now it’s clear why Tari Junior (Scott […]
By: Diane Benjamin No mater how worthy a cause is, what City Ordinance gives the Council the right to give your money to a non-profit: HOME SWEET HOME MINIST INV 11/10/2015 DONATION CHECK TOTAL 1,956.00 MCLEAN COUNTY HISTORIC INV 10/26/2015 CAP CAMPGN FY16 CHECK TOTAL 50,000.00 Internal Auditors – so when are the taxpayers going […]
By: Diane Benjamin This report comes from a citizen who attended the event: Last night there was a band concert at Kingsley Junior High. One of the girls in the band refused to play the National Anthem. She not only didn’t play, she turned her back to the crowd while it was played. When my […]
By: Diane Benjamin May 2014. Aldermen Lower and Stearns had a list of proposed cuts. Renner would not let them speak! Instead, Renner read a prepared statement. Watch the video: Little Scotty did an interview this week on WJBC: http://cdn.stationcaster.com/stations/wjbc/media/mpeg/Bloomington_Ald__Scott_Black_with_Terry_James__11_19_15-1447963935.mp3 Scotty happily bashed Alderman Lower, the WJBC host was happy to join in. I’ve never […]
By: Diane Benjamin On November 12th I wrote about the illegal time change for the Allin Township Fire Protection District meeting: http://blnnews.com/2015/11/12/illegal-meeting-allin-tfpd/ The minutes from the meeting show people did show up late. Were they expecting the meeting to be at the regular time of 7:00 pm? See the minutes below. The time wasn’t the […]
By: Diane Benjamin It’s amazing the Council still feels entitled to feed themselves and call it business. http://www.cityblm.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=9418 Page 91 City Council Exp Maggie Miley $ 32.97 Business lunch for Mayor, N. Finlen & A. Quick City Council Exp Hansen Center $ 18.97 Business lunch for Mayor & J. Zeunick City Council Exp Avanti Italian […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Saturday edition of the retreat has been cancelled. Tomorrow, expect a Pantagraph article saying the City decided to delay the meeting because they didn’t have everything ready. Truth is immaterial. The truth is: Somebody forgot to post it. Today’s Pantagraph story about the two-day retreat didn’t write itself. Renner is quoted […]
Don’t miss the follow-up story: http://blnnews.com/2015/11/19/so-who-is-getting-fired/ By: Diane Benjamin Part one of the November Council retreat is tonight at 5:30. At the 11/9 Council meeting, David Hales announced the second half would be on Saturday November 21st at 8:00am. According to the Open Meetings Act law, an agenda must be posted 48 hours in advance, […]
By: Diane Benjamin Since Tari became Mayor the citizens of Bloomington have been taxed to death: 4% Amusement Tax Utility Tax increase 4 cent a gallon gas tax 1% Sales tax increase Solid Waste Increase Other increases? Tari claims inflation is causing the budget woes. How about some facts! Some citizens have been pouring over […]
UPDATE: Programming will be available at 983talk.com By: Diane Benjamin 6:00am Monday – Ian & Fistbump WHP Newstalk 98.3 FM Bloomington – Champaign Mike Flynn – 3:00 pm Attention Local Government: THEY are BACK! I expect new memes soon – get busy!
By: Diane Benjamin A reader sent the City of Bloomington a Freedom of Information Request for details on every receivable more than 365 days past due. In light of the every increasing taxes the Council passes, he wanted to know who isn’t paying their bills. There is a problem though. In October 2013 I sent […]
By: Diane Benjamin Thursday night the Bloomington City Council is holding a retreat starting at 5:30. It could be held in the Council Chambers where live streaming is available, but it’s not. This time it’s at the BCPA. They aren’t holding it there because large crowds are expected. The agenda is boring at best. Communication […]
By: Diane Benjamin This is for the readers NOT on Facebook. You probably were totally lost on the previous posts, so this might help. The video below was done by a reader. Sorry Nora Katherine, you didn’t take the Facebook page down fast enough. Here’s the Facebook basics: Users create their own page Then they […]
By: Diane Benjamin Get ready McLean County – Ian is returning to radio. Local government’s worst nightmare returns! Truth will NOT be denied. Mike Flynn will do afternoon drive time . Details VERY soon . Sorry Nora, Fistbump is back too
By: Diane Benjamin I really hope Nora Dukowitz isn’t getting paid by taxpayers today. Her social media sites have under gone some changes. I’d hate to think taxpayers are paying for her personal activity, or maybe it isn’t personal? Luckily, I have screen shots of everything! The three Facebook pages “Liked” by Nora Katherine are […]
By: Diane Benjamin Many officials and government employees are required by law to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The statement reveals conflicts of interest that could taint public service. If the law is ignored by a public servant, what does that say to citizens? James Bridgewater should have filed his by May 1st. He […]
By: Diane Benjamin A few weeks ago the Pantagraph deleted and closed comments on a Letter to the Editor critical of Mayor Renner’s plans to redevelop downtown. http://blnnews.com/2015/11/05/pantagraph-reaches-a-new-low/ Yesterday a story about downtown redevelopment appeared – No Comments Allowed. The Pantagraph is a private company, so they can do whatever they want. However, citizens have […]
By: Diane Benjamin Nora Dukowitz was hired by the City of Bloomington to be the Communications Manger. Why Bloomington needed one is still a mystery. Hales claimed in this Pantagraph article that Nora would play a critical role in outreach to citizens, he also stated she would use social media to engage citizens: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/government-and-politics/city-hires-communications-manager/article_f4bfe4e6-ec94-5cf7-a2c7-5c8a58a36771.html I […]
By: Diane Benjamin On October 14, 2015 the Allin Township Fire Protection District held a Trustees meeting. The minutes show they accepted an insurance payment from Selective Insurance. See minutes here: Minutes 10/14/2015 The check is believed to be for more than $19,000. People at the meeting don’t remember the check being discussed. Josh Deterding […]
By: Diane Benjamin How would you like to receive paychecks with the per hour rate calculated at the whim of the guy writing the checks? All of the below are from the pay stubs received by Josh Deterding. All the pay stubs are computerized and, unless listed, all paychecks were for 80 hours. The rate […]
By: Diane Benjamin Last night the trustees for the Allin Township Fire Protection District held a meeting at the fire station. It started at 6:00pm. The problem is the meetings always start at 7:00. The Open meetings Act requires 10 days notice of a meeting change. Starting an hour earlier than normal is a […]
By: Diane Benjamin I filed Freedom of Information requests with ISU, Heartland, and Connect Transit based on the previous post: http://blnnews.com/2015/11/12/connect-transit-requires-photo-id/ I appreciate ISU responding in ONE day, Heartland and Connect Transit took the 5 days permitted to respond. See the current ISU contract with Connect Transit here: ISU-Connect Transit FY16 ISU is paying Connect […]
