By: Diane Benjamin Yesterday news reports stated the zoo increased the number of visitors from last year and revenues were up around $21,000. Good for them! One reason given was the new flamingo exhibit. Left out of all the good news stories is how much it cost to increase revenue and attendance. Just construction – […]
Note: The paper did an editorial proclaiming the brilliance of the project. You will be expected to fund future expansion too. By: Diane Benjamin The groundbreaking took place on schedule yesterday for the flamingo exhibit at the zoo. Renner et all must be feeling heat from the people not wanting maimed birds on display just […]
By: Diane Benjamin Monday Bloomington officials will break ground at Miller Park Zoo for the flamingo exhibit. They may be stepping in lots of red ink instead of showcasing pink. It all comes down to wings. Flamingos have them. Flamingos were born to fly. The ones in Miller Park won’t. They will try, but most […]
By: Diane Benjamin Surprise! WJBC decided to post the Renner podcast. Yes, he did call anybody who objected to spending money for flamingos “loud nasty voices”. Listen here. http://cdn.stationcaster.com/stations/wjbc/media/mpeg/Tari_Renner__Bloomington_Mayor_8_12_15-1439477301.mp3 I bet you didn’t know the Zoo Master plan is a contract to fund their projects! The Council is always told Master Plans don’t assure any […]
Update: Comments to WJBC’s Renner story are CLOSED. I wonder why? By: Diane Benjamin Maybe whoever posts podcasts for WJBC is on vacation. Maybe the other staff doesn’t know how to do it. Maybe nobody listens to the podcasts, so they quit posting them. Tari Renner was interviewed way back this morning by Scott Laughlin. […]
By: Diane Benjamin Last night 2 Aldermen made their governing philosophies clear. Remember what they said when your taxes are raised again. First, listen to Amelia Buragas. This comment came after the spending for flamingos passed and spending for new filters at the water treatment plant. . Now listen to Alderman Lower on why he […]
By: Diane Benjamin At Monday’s Bloomington City Council meeting: Regular Agenda A. Consideration of review and analysis of Bids and Approval of a Contract with CAD Construction, Inc., in the amount of $232,760 for construction of Flamingo Exhibit at the Miller Park Zoo (Bid #2016-05.) (Recommend that the contract with CAD Construction Inc.,for construction of […]
by: Diane Benjamin I had NOTHING to do with this – other than take the picture. Earlier today it didn’t have a flamingo, but one landed while I was at church! I blacked out where it is to keep the thieves from hijacking it prematurely. Yes, it is on top of a street sign. It […]
by: Diane Benjamin Tonight the City Council is expected to approve bills and payroll without any questions. Both are part of the consent agenda, meaning there is nothing to see here – just vote Yes. Before I get to the Pantagraph and WJBC, buried on page 123 is this: (h/t JS) http://www.cityblm.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=7009 346 CHICAGO CUBS […]
by: Diane Benjamin Was Mayor Renner lying again? Part of an email he wrote to Alderwomen Stearns about proposed budget cuts: You didn’t even get the facts right on flamingos that you’ve been talking about. The city’s cost is $150K – they already have $100K from private contributions. So, the ‘savings’ would be 150K and […]
by: Diane Benjamin Instead of the Flamingo Budget, it could be called one of the following: “Take a Staff Member to Lunch” budget “Feed the Council Pizza” budget “Pay for Staff to See the County” budget “Renner No Cuts Possible, only more taxes” budget Renner never responded to the food and travel budget cuts Stearns […]
Cute, aren’t they? We hear the Bloomington Zoo wants to add them and other attractions totaling $16.7 Million – YOUR tax money. The financial statement for the year ending 3/31/2012 are NOT issued yet, but here are some notes from the 3/31/2011 statement: The City continues to retire compensated absences liabilities for employees; however, for […]
