By: Diane Benjamin Remember in 2014 when a new soccer complex was proposed? That plan involved relocating the YMCA to south Main where the Great Escape used to be. The new building would be a community center. All the planners needed was a tax increase to fund it. State Farm Bank was owed money on […]
By: Diane Benjamin According to Moody’s, Bloomington-Normal is now in a recession. See yesterday’s story Here A recession is at least 6 months of stagnant wages, fall in retail sales, contraction of GDP, and high unemployment. Here it could also mean people have left because opportunities are limited. I wonder if this is why Bloomington […]
By: Diane Benjamin The west-side police substation is back on the agenda of the Bloomington City Council Monday, but now it’s called a community center: Black Lives Matter still isn’t happy. Even though the City changed the name, BLM is still calling the house a substation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/240524299725464/ BLM is organizing people to attend […]
UPDATE: See what the 2010 Plan cost HERE By: Diane Benjamin Under Tari Renner, taxpayers have been forced to pay for plan after plan after plan. Departments have been dragging their multi-million dollar plans in front of the Council for months while Tari claims it’s all a wish list. The wish of the next Mayor […]
By: Diane Benjamin It’s no secret that Bloomington’s Mayor and many past ones think government creates Quality of Life. Therefore, they get to decide what that means – you pay for it. YOU don’t have the freedom to create your own quality of life with your money. Government knows better than you. I seem to […]
by: Diane Benjamin Part 1: http://blnnews.com/2014/03/14/burying-bailouts-in-quality-of-life/ Community Center How did CAAY pick the property currently rented by the Great Escape to relocate the YMCA? Once again, it helps to know who owns it now. The McLean County Recorder’s Office shows: Great Escape Property 1716 RT Dunn Dr Ste 4: Parcel 21-09-452-002 Main & Veterans LLC […]
by: Diane Benjamin On Monday a presentation will be made to the Bloomington City Council pertaining to the proposed Community Center and Soccer Complex. The group behind the project wants 1/4% Sales Tax for 8 years which they say will completely pay for both projects. The group is called Citizens Advocating for Area Youth (CAAY). […]
by: Diane Benjamin Wouldn’t it be easier to hold a hearing for anybody NOT expecting YOU to pay more taxes? I’ve got a LOT of information on this proposal – there are things people don’t want you to know! Stay tuned. . . .
by: Diane Benjamin A local group is trying to talk you into a 1/4% Sales Tax to build a Community Center, run by the YMCA, and soccer fields west of town. There is a lot to this story that I’m not ready to report, but below is a part you should see. Everybody has the […]
by: Lane Hansen But let’s look at the ‘big picture’ in terms of Bloomington’s overall finances: Other Tax Increases Currently Being Considered –Connect Transit: considering a ¼% sales tax –Bloomington Public Library: considering a ¼% sales tax -$30M Miller Park expansion: considering a ¼% sales tax –District 87: considering a tax increase (possibly a sales tax) –Unit 5: considering a tax increase (possibly a sales tax) […]
by: Diane Benjamin You probably don’t realize that you fund the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts whether you ever go there or not. A 1/4% Sales Tax was levied in 2002 to pay for it. The tax does not have an expiration date. Below is a recap of the money generated by this tax: […]
by: Diane Benjamin Make a list of the 30 community members who will voice support next week for getting your money. The kids need a huge soccer complex and the city kids need a community center. It’s always for the kids. Pull some heart-strings and open your wallet. How many kids play soccer? My […]
by: Diane Benjamin Obviously when around 20% of voters actually vote in local elections, what City government does to you isn’t a priority. This is what happens in Bloomington when you don’t care who represents you: An estimated $139,000,000 needs to be spent on sewers in the next 20 years It will cost an estimated […]
