By: Diane Benjamin
Did the wind last night affect the downtown campers? Did garbage blow everywhere? Was refuge provided to the people living in tents? If you are in the area please let me know!
The Bloomington Council held a Committee of the Whole meeting last night. The first Public Comment was by Surena Fish concerning tent city. Downtown business owners are now urging each other to carry pepper spray because they don’t feel safe, some vagrants even change clothes in alleys. Nudity and worse happens. City Manager Jurgens mentioned later police are going to increase their presence downtown. Of course that means police aren’t available for other calls so again citizens pay the price for not enforcing the law and removing tent camping when it began.
You need to hear her comments:
The second Public Comment was by a downtown restaurant and bar owner, Patrick Whitacre. His business is on Front Street – Shake It Up Cocktail Lounge. He spoke on an issue I’ve written about before – the City’s arbitrary limits on video gaming licences. Patrick mentioned two “preferred” locations received video gaming licenses in violation of the City’s own rules passed by former mayor Renner.
It is completely unfair to allow establishments with video gaming to rake in money while telling others they can’t have it. The City is discriminating against struggling businesses like Patrick’s by not allowing him to have video gaming. Renner didn’t like money leaving the City but Partick mentions neither of the two “preferred” locations are locally owned. Business owners with video gaming easily survive because others aren’t allowed to compete for gaming bucks.
The limit on licenses doesn’t limit the number of gamers, it just makes those with licenses richer than those without. Socialism picks winner and losers, the limits need lifted now.
Listen to Patrick:
But they don’t see a problem. Because it doesn’t effect the board members.
It can be in your face and blatant and as long as the “one voice” leadership/board and elites in McLean County can live their “best lives” and get paid and sit in their east side luxury homes and elite churches and give each other fake/fraudulent made up awards for “innovation” and tech they could care less. Its all about their image and metrics and agenda goals being met. How they all get ahead (exploiting new and long citizens) and calling it “public safety” and “for the good”
One big money project funnell. So sad to watch this fiasco.
As an alternative, get rid of all gambling/betting. It’s another form of government theft. The only winner is the owner. The city doesn’t need the money. Plus, its immoral.
Morality can’t be legislated. Change hearts and minds instead.
agree and gone too far
Tents are still by the tracks next to Auto Zone. Doesn’t look like there was any damage from the storm. Thought maybe that would chase them away. Looks like it has even grown some.
MIght just be rearranging the chairs on the titanic