Tag: Quality of Life

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington Roads History and the American Rescue Plan money

By: Diane Benjamin I probably have at least 100 stories since 2012 on road conditions. Tari Renner ran for office promising to fix them – twice. https://blnnews.com/2018/01/24/its-the-roads-stupid/ In 2012 the City passed an Action Plan that included “smooth rides on quality well-maintained street”. https://blnnews.com/2015/02/26/if-you-like-your-roads-you-can-keep-your-roads/ In late 2013 or early 2014 the City borrowed $10,000,000 for […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Amenity not Economic Development

By: Diane Benjamin Last night’s Bloomington council meeting: Tari Renner and the Clerk had to be reminded Public Comment was skipped. I hope the next mayor can read and follow an agenda, Tari can’t (numerous examples from recent meetings). See around 49:00. There was only one Public Comment. Ward 3 candidate Willie Holton Halbert took […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Koos is a Conflict of Interest

By: Diane Benjamin The University of Illinois at Chicago recently rated Illinois as the second most corrupt state in the country: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/corruption-costs-illinois-taxpayers-at-least-550m-per-year/?fbclid=IwAR11VlYYI6ARmHozjFT0DQgsFig-PgAJNkYwkSGbD1jj3AvL_hCEGbDrJK8 Central Illinois isn’t exempt. The Town of Normal is famous for calling new bike trails a Quality of Life issue. It is – for bike shop owner and Mayor of Normal: Chris Koos. […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal tonight. Rivian over citizens

By: Diane Benjamin If Normal passes an ordinance tonight to punish small businesses just trying not to close permanently here is what they are doing: Ignoring where COVID does kill people There is no proof bars and restaurants spread the virus but there is lots of proof nursing and group homes do. We know what […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Government’s job?

By:  Diane Benjamin When David Hales was still City Manager, the Council held a meeting to look at every program the City has.  They couldn’t come up with a thing to cut. They failed because a conversation on the role of government is never allowed to take place.  Instead Bloomington has been allowed to grow […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

4 pics you need to see

By:  Diane Benjamin First refer back to yesterday’s story:   https://blnnews.com/2019/02/09/remember-when-bloomington-was-broke/ The City of Bloomington will be adding yet another Quality of Life location most of the population will never use.  EVERY Quality of Life location they have now loses money, including the zoo.  Even though local soccer people have finally taken it on themselves to […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

The budgeted BCPA loss and more

By:  Diane Benjamin I can see why the finance documents aren’t included in the packet on the Bloomington Council nights where the monthly recap is presented.  I’m sure it’s much more fun to claim everything is fine than show the proof.  See what was reported Monday night here:    http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=20321 When they talk about Sales Tax […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

BCPA doesn’t exist to even break even

By:  Diane Benjamin For a brief time events report were published for BCPA shows.  It was when VenuWorks was filling the management void.  Reports are available for these shows:   http://www.cityblm.org/government/advanced-components/documents/-folder-1555 (Some shows are available from the prior year too, I’m not looking them all up!) 260 people attended Gobsmacked, the show lost $14,570.51 184 people […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Retreat: Part 2

By:  Diane Benjamin The second session of the retreat was 3 hours and 33 minutes.  I DID NOT LISTEN TO EVERY SECOND!  I jumped around and listened to more than half.  It was obvious Quality of Life is not going to be in proposed cuts.  The discussion involved real spending for the first time in […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Jewel No Longer

By:  Diane Benjamin Occasionally the Bloomington elected are still pretending Bloomington is the Jewel of the Midwest. Ask them why 56.72% of the students in District 87 qualify for free or reduced lunches?  https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/libraries/pdfs/il-nslp-eligibility.pdf What income qualifies? SOURCE Obviously way too many people in Bloomington aren’t able to participate in the Quality of Life they […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

WJBC: Scott wrong again!

By:  Diane Benjamin Scott Laughlin clarified this morning on WJBC why the local media is useless.  The host hates people who think government should do nothing. Scottie doesn’t realize “those”  people don’t want government doing nothing, they want them doing only the things the population can’t do themselves.  Like fix the roads!  How are the Bloomington […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Local elections CAN’T be non-partisan

By:  Diane Benjamin Tonight there is a mayoral debate at the Doubletree – 7:00pm.  Come early, at least some candidates will be there early. Two candidates won’t be there:  Diana Hauman and Robert Fike Either they aren’t serious candidates or they are afraid to answer questions, the debate is being held by Cities 92.9. Tari […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

NOrmal – time to say NO!

By:  Diane Benjamin At the October 17, 2016 meeting, this was approved for payment:  http://normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2193 Monday night this payment is scheduled to be approved:  http://normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2214 Did tax dollars really pay $700 for a carriage in ISU’s parade, or was this guy paid twice?  Is this how taxpayers want their hard-earned money spent? Some other items […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Budget: Entertaining you!

By:  Diane Benjamin Quality of Life?  it’s not if you can’t afford to live here or participate! Details for anything listed as Total are in this document  FY 2017 Budget Detail  It’s searchable, so any item is easy to find. Much of the below is what Bloomington spends to entertain you.  I’m purposely not including […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Vogel announces Lower is running for Mayor!

By:  Diane Benjamin Steve Vogel announced in the Pantagraph today that Alderman Lower is expected to run for Mayor against Steve’s buddy, Tari.  Remember his daughter was Renner’s campaign manager twice.  Since Vogel didn’t add that to his story, I need to make sure you know the truth. Now it’s clear why Tari Junior (Scott […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Quality of Life Myth

By:  Diane Benjamin City officials for decades have justified spending by calling it Quality of Life.  Frequently cited is “people and businesses will move here”, it was just used to justify flamingos.  With State Farm and Mitsubishi leaving, how’s that working for you? Quality of Life is why the Coliseum was built.  That’s why the […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Which represents you?

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 […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

So, the Zoo gets $700,000

by:  Diane Benjamin Miller Park Zoo is getting $700,000 from the State to add monkeys from Africa and some building projects.  The McLean County Museum of History is getting $254,800 from the State for restrooms and lighting.  The Children’s Discovery Museum is getting $116,800 from the State to indoctrinate kids on green energy. That totals […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington: Where the money goes

by:  Diane Benjamin Click on the picture to enlarge.  The below is from Book 1 of the Bloomington Budget: http://www.cityblm.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=6393 Other Public Works has no explanation. How did parks go up to 62 in 2008, then down to 46 in 2013? Baseball fields, Basketball courts, and Tennis courts are great, but the maintenance money is always […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington spending priorities-you decide

by:  Diane Benjamin Number one complaint of citizens:  roads falling apart.  So the City borrows $10,000,000 and plans to budget another $4,000,000.  The budget comes out and the $4,000,000 is cut.  The City can’t find a way to keep your car from getting damaged dodging potholes. Guess what they can find money for? Golf paths. […]