Make sure you read to the end! From the Washington Post: The Arctic Ocean is warming up, icebergs are growing scarcer and in some places the seals are finding the water too hot, according to a report to the Commerce Department yesterday from Consulate, at Bergen, Norway. Reports from fishermen, seal hunters, and explorers all […]
By: Diane Benjamin This week both Mayor Renner and Alderwoman Stearns were interviewed on WGLT. The 2 points of view are very different. Listen to both, then comment below. Mayor Renner: http://wglt.org/wireready/news/2014/03/09381_03-31rennerqa_web_154436.shtml Alderwoman Stearns: http://wglt.org/wireready/news/2014/04/09397_04-01stearnsqaWEB_102634.shtml
by: Diane Benjamin Both Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner and Golf guy Jason Wingate were on WJBC this morning. Both mentioned that golf pays for itself in Bloomington. Both were telling you that OPERATIONS pays for itself, but golf revenue doesn’t cover maintenance and required capital improvements. If golf did fund itself, why would $250,000 be […]
by: Diane Benjamin If the Bloomington City Council doesn’t void the contract with Central Illinois Arena Management (CIAM) for violating the terms, this could be who they are bringing in: And this is the group I was told by two sources would be the ownership group of the USHL Bloomington entry. One helluva group, for sure. […]
by: Diane Benjamin This morning on Cities 92.9 Mayor Renner stated that most of what I write is fiction. Keep it up Mayor! Citizens can see right through your marginalizing of anybody who isn’t 100% behind you. Somebody has to hold you accountable, it obvious the Pantagraph and WJBC won’t do the job. Somebody has […]
Buzzing around the Council Chamber tonight, Mayor Renner has now decided to be a bully. The Council was told that they will raise taxes or he will veto the budget! Evidently there is NOTHING that can be cut. Bull Mayor. I think I know somebody who will report tomorrow. Here’s the story: http://blnnews.com/2014/03/25/im-glad-im-still-under-renners-skin/
by: Diane Benjamin Why seven Council members voted to give David Hales a new 4 contract and big raise is baffling. He gets paid HUGE bucks to manage the city, not spend it into oblivion and participate in every left-wing study and conference available. The proposed budget is his latest masterpiece. By the way, at […]
by: Diane Benjamin Tomorrow the Bloomington City Council will meet ALL DAY to discuss the City budget. Mayor Renner and City Manager David Hales are presenting “Culture Change”. They want raises for City employees and 17 new employees. Those 17 new employees come with 17 new pensions. The City of Bloomington pension systems are severely […]
by: Diane Benjamin This morning Mayor Renner was on WJBC still denying he had anything to do with the Modified Wards referendum. Once again Mayor: Are you lying or is Rob Fazzini: Look for more lies to come as the budget debate goes forward. Mayor Renner will try to blame City Manager David Hales for […]
By: Diane Benjamin The local press doesn’t care that Mayor Tari Renner still wants you to think Modified Wards is Rob Fazzini’s idea. Renner acts like he has nothing at all to do with it. Either Renner or Fazzini is lying: Don’t forget the other names listed either! Who do you think is behind the […]
City Council Alderman take an oath when elected. What does that mean to you and I, and how does that affect anything local? It vows and affirms not only the defense of the Illinois Constitution by the Alderman, but vows and affirms by their oath to uphold it. A quick review of the applicable language […]
by: Diane Benjamin It’s been obvious since Mayor Renner was elected that his focus is Downtown. He really believes the future of Bloomington is Downtown, he wants to copy what Chris Koos did in Normal. He actually told me there is a waiting list of people who want to live downtown. After calling a few […]
by: Diane Benjamin In a very recent Rasmussen poll, 80% said the country is going in the wrong direction. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/right_direction_or_wrong_track But we are NOT powerless! Politicians do one of 2 things when challenged on their decisions: 1) They modify their policies to the will of the people 2) They dig their heals in a say […]
by: Diane Benjamin First, congratulation to David Hales for getting the January report out much quicker than past monthly reports. Bloomington Library: The citizens have been led to believe the library is growing way too fast for the current building. Maybe not. This graph is included in the City manager’s report: http://www.cityblm.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=6417 Clearly the growth […]
by: Diane Benjamin At last Monday’s City Council meeting Mayor Renner admitted to committing a FELONY. Below is the archived video from the City’s YouTube channel. Start watching at 1:33:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8kkBwBCGEA Mayor Renner proclaimed a new Art Gallery is now open – in his office! A citizens hung paintings on consignment on Public Property. His […]
by: Diane Benjamin Last November the Bloomington City Council held a retreat. The big topic was a “Culture Change” at the City. I previously reported on it here: http://blnnews.com/2014/01/27/culture-tales-bloomington-council-retreat/ Remember, this is the retreat that triggered the Open Meetings Act violation filed by Alderwoman Judy Stearns. It also triggered Mayor Renner and David Hales hiring […]
City of Bloomington: Scott Black will always vote how Mayor Renner wants. Now with the appointment of Joni Painter, who will also do whatever the Mayor wants – THEY ARE ENOUGH VOTES TO GET RID OF DAVID HALES! Mayor Transparency? How low does employee morale have to be before David Hales is held accountable? How […]
by: Diane Benjamin In November I filed another Request for Review with the Attorney General’s Public Access Office. It concerned Aldermen Fazzini, Fruin, and Black PLUS Mayor Renner conspiring together to put the Modified Ward referendum on the March 18th primary ballot. I have NUMEROUS documents outlining their strategy and meetings. They thought they had […]
Make sure you read the Comments! A neighbor told me Mayor Renner’s pick to replace Jennifer McDade on the Bloomington City Council is a big Obama supporter. Okay, I can see somebody making a mistake in 2008, but 2012? No surprise since Tari doesn’t consider himself a non-partisan mayor. Does Ward 5 feel they will […]
About appointing a Council member to replace Jennifer McDade: Stockton polled the Council for their choice and never informed the members of what the others thought. Has Renner already made up his mind? I hear at least 3 people are interested. Who will get a fair shot at the seat? How transparent will Mayor Transparency […]
by: Diane Benjamin All of the following information was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act from the Attorney General’s Public Access Office. In November, when Alderwoman Stearns walked out of an Executive Session because she thought the discussion violated the Open Meetings Act, Mayor Renner all but called her accusations a joke. Let’s review. […]
by: Diane Benjamin Mayor Renner assumes that citizens can’t read. The email below clearly shows Renner and Fazzini working together to write the petition for Modified Wards. One of these guys is a liar! You deserve to know which one. Listen to Mayor Renner on Cities 92.9 this morning. Notice the date on the email […]
by: Diane Benjamin The League of Women Voters has a history of being on the wrong side of issues. I remember discussing ObamamCare on Facebook with a member before it was passed. The League supported ObamaCare and so did the member I discussed it with. I wonder if they have changed their minds? If not, […]
by: Diane Benjamin I’ve previously reported that Mayor Tari Renner formerly worked for the International City Managers Association. (http://blnnews.com/2014/01/22/bloomington-your-land-is-at-risk/) His time there says a lot about the changes happening in Bloomington. Renner’s name is connected to many studies that analyze local government types. One of my many sources sent links to a lot of websites, […]
by: Diane Benjamin Months ago Mayor Renner told me there was a waiting list for apartments in downtown Bloomington because so many people wanted to live there. Tonight the City Council will vote to abate property taxes for a citizen who wants to add 6 units downtown. I just called Redbird Apartment Management. They have […]
by: Diane Benjamin You can read the minutes of the 2 day retreat here: http://cityblm.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=6221 Start on page 105 Culture change and more taxes were hot topics at the 2 day retreat of the Bloomington City Council last November. The minutes don’t say what culture change is except the Council is supposed to “have […]
by: Diane Benjamin The agenda for City Council meetings is set by Mayor Tari Renner and City Manager David Hales. The Council members have NO input as to what is on the agenda. They might ask for something to get put on, but their chances are pretty close to ZERO. The bull being spouted in […]
by: Diane Benjamin Did you know Mayor Tari Renner used to be the Director of Research for the International City/County Management Association? (3/17/13 Pantagraph) What is the ICMA? It’s the same group I filed an ethics complaint with against Normal City Manager Mark Peterson – IN NOVEMBER. http://blnnews.com/2013/11/20/more-on-normal-city-manager-mark-peterson/ The ICMA has yet to make a decision on […]
by: Diane Benjamin This is going to be fun! Every Pantagraph reader will be able to see for themselves who values your right to be personally represented on the Bloomington City Council and who wants to steal it! First liberty thief: Carol Reitan. The spin used to get you to vote YES on the Ward […]
by: Diane Benjamin From the Monday, January 13, 2014 Council minutes: http://cityblm.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=6182 Item 8D. An Ordinance Establishing the Salary for the City Manager. Motion by Alderman Sage, seconded by Alderman Mwilambwe that the Ordinance be passed. The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll which resulted in the following: Ayes: Aldermen Mwilambwe, Schmidt, McDade, […]
by: Diane Benjamin First – Thanks to my broad base of contributors who regularly send information they think readers need to know. I can’t do it without you. I also will NEVER disclose where the information comes from, unless the sender agrees. And yes, I do have people inside government disgusted with how taxpayer money […]
by: Diane Benjamin Obviously Mayor Renner is behind the plan to take representation away from the people by changing from an all Ward system to Modified Ward: Renner is still hiding behind Alderman Fazzini and claims it’s no big deal! On January 3rd Renner was on WGLT Radio. The interview is only 4 1/2 minutes […]
by Diane Benjamin The Pantagraph story on the repairs at the Coliseum didn’t sound like the situation was serious. Obviously it was since the City paid laborers weekend rates to start fixing the problem. Mayor Renner gave a lot more details on WGLT radio: http://wglt.org/wireready/news/2013/12/07602_coliseum_ventilation_web_155703.shtml “It was really disappointing that a building this new would […]
by: Diane Benjamin Petitions were filed today to put a referendum on the March PRIMARY ballot to concentrate the power in Bloomington in the hands a of a few elitist. Fazzini wants the unions and the wealthy to be able to buy seats so any dissent is abolished and average citizens won’t be able to […]
by: Diane Benjamin Mayor Transparency Renner seems to be taking the Obama approach to informing the public: hide everything. I’m sure you’ve heard the President is now only allowing staff photographers to take pictures at official events, the pesky press might actually capture something interesting instead of staged mugs. Now Renner wants everything filtered through […]
By: Diane Benjamin Tari’s job as Mayor at City Council Meetings: The word chair can refer to the place from which the holder of the office presides, whether on a chair, at a lectern, or elsewhere. During meetings, the person presiding is said to be “in the chair”, the person is also referred to as “the chair.” Parliamentary […]
by: Diane Benjamin Contrary to the belief of Rob Fazzini, he can not under the law declare himself a private citizen, then work with 2 other Council members and include the Mayor’s email address on correspondence without violating the Open Meetings Act. The Attorney General is now investigating their attempt to change the Bloomington City […]
by: Diane Benjamin What does a rich retired guy have to do all day? Plot against the citizens of Bloomington. At the last Council meeting Fazzini suggested Bloomington could issue $500,000 more in bonds to fix sewers, streets, fund pensions, whatever. He also claimed it wouldn’t affect the City’s credit rating! Fazzini also suggested raising […]
Expert witnesses totally dismantled warmism July 22, 2013 by Marc Morano http://watchdogwire.com/florida/2013/07/22/ouch-senate-global-warming-hearing-backfires-on-democrats-and-senator-boxer/ During yesterday’s Environment and Public Works hearings, Sen. David Vitter asked a panel of experts, including experts selected by Boxer,“Can any witnesses say they agree with Obama’s statement that warming has accelerated during the past 10 years?” For several seconds, nobody said […]
by: Diane Benjamin As reported by the Pantagraph: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/bloomington-wants-court-to-vacate-arbitrator-s-ruling-on-fired/article_ef0f507c-90e7-11e2-9757-001a4bcf887a.html Bloomington wants court to vacate arbitrator’s ruling on fired police officer BLOOMINGTON — The city of Bloomington is asking a court to vacate an arbitrator’s ruling that would require reinstatement of a police officer fired for his physical handling of a 7-year-old. In December 2012, labor […]
