By: Diane Benjamin

After a long line of licensed massage therapists spoke, stating that the ordinance still needed work, the City Council passed an amended version. Public comment begins at 33:25, and the discussion and amendments start at 56:00. Most of the outdated language from the 1970s was removed; however, the ordinance remains a complex puzzle with many awkwardly fitted pieces.

Recall how some political groups persistently attempt to restrict gun ownership while assuming criminals adhere to laws.

Bloomington’s approach mirrors this inconsistency. Legitimate massage therapists providing medical therapy are being burdened, ostensibly to help Bloomington address human trafficking. Since criminals typically disregard laws, such as obtaining state licenses, the ordinance should have focused on targeting them instead.

It will likely work but the innocent have to pay the price while the people being trafficked are still in bondage.

---

This Public Comment has nothing to do with human trafficking. It pertains to discrimination by the City of Bloomington in handing out video gaming licenses. Twice the City has violated their own rules and handed out licenses: https://blnnews.com/2022/04/26/4-hours-i-wont-get-back/

The speaker is Patrick Whitcare, owner of Shake It Up cocktail lounge in downtown Bloomington. His wife spoke at the January 2025 meeting. https://blnnews.com/2022/04/26/4-hours-i-wont-get-back/

He should file a lawsuit against the City since 2 other locations did getting licensed in violation of the limits a previous City Council passed. Listen:

Picking winners and losers is discrimination. Equal justice means everyone is subject to the same laws. No other legal business is limited to a specific number, video gaming shouldn’t be either especially when the City has violated their own rules.

Remind anyone of elected officials who violate City Code and face no consequences? The quickest way to destroy credibility is making rules for a few that don’t apply to the elites and the preferred.

I’m not dropping this issue. The citizens of Bloomington deserve better than unequal justice: https://blnnews.com/2025/05/30/breaking-city-code-the-king-and-queens-of-bloomington/

Complete meeting, including Township: