By: Diane Benjamin
The Council held an Executive Session last night, the mayor stated it was to discuss Tim Gleason. Considering he told WGLT he wanted the opportunity to counter the Arizona offer, that’s likely what was discussed. Gleason just got a 5% raise in September: https://blnnews.com/2023/09/11/tonight-gleason-gets-a-raise/
The mayor also stated Bloomington has momentum. “Momentum” means they have an abundance of money and will spend it on things they want. (think downtown streetscape) The Council needs to go to the WJBC Facebook page and see the responses to the question: What is one thing you wish we had in McLean County?
Roads fixed and affordable housing were frequently mentioned. Government can promote affordable housing with policies that encourage it, providing it would be a disaster since government isn’t capable of doing what the private sector does. The roads won’t get fixed because only $10 million is in the budget for asphalt and concrete. Nobody said they wanted a new downtown streetscape.
The budget for next year is almost $332 million. Meanwhile electronic voting didn’t work for all council members last night. The slides for the Police chief’s presentation weren’t ready, the fire department slides were so they switched the presentation order. See 51:40. The camera is not on the speaker, and the slides aren’t shown on the video until 56:30. That’s 5 minutes of Gleason, Mwilambwe, and Boelen on the screen instead of the presentation.
The police chief was next. He mentioned the gun safe giveaway more than once, he didn’t mention the safes were not made for guns because whoever made the purchase didn’t use due diligence. How many people who got one still don’t know the guns will rust if they are stored in their free safe? The gun buyback was a disaster of people sitting in line for hours not knowing the money allocated was long gone. The chief listed it as an accomplishment anyway.
Three people gave Public Comment. The first guy was ripped off by a contractor. He said police would not allow him to file a report because they claimed it was a civil matter. Just hit play to hear his comment. He demanded a response, the police chief did talk to him. As long as contractor theft is considered civil it will continue, without consequences to outright theft there is no deterenace.
FYI: NEVER give a contractor money upfront!
Surrena Fish spoke again about the tent city. Senior citizens live nearby and a playground is close. Is the City going to wait for a tragedy before disbanding the trespassers?
If you still don’t understand government has to be limited, there is no hope for the future. Government will continue to throw your money away instead of providing essential services.
Just hit play to hear the Public Comments:
The first gentleman who spoke didn’t give his name. I am a licensed Public Adjuster. I would be willing to look into this with him.
Clerk said his bane, back up the video
Great examples of how corrupt and deceptive Recruiting, procurement, Human Resources partners and fake “influence” is.
Everything is a fascinating show at citizen & taxpayer expense.
The city needs to promise him another deputy city manager!!!!
Anyone like Gleason who has a multi-year guaranteed contract should also have a significant buyout, just like a sports coach. If that person wants to leave to take a job elsewhere, they can pay off a buyout or the balance of their contract. It would show how excited and dedicated to the job these executives are.
If the City wants to terminate Gleason, it would have to buy him out. Let Florence pay a buyout and toss that money into they budget for the benefit of the taxpayers who have suffered from Gleason’s leadership.
Do people think Gleason brings something to the table which can’t be replaced? If Tyus isn’t ready to step into the job at this point, even as an interim, we have no use for him.