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Dave Askins

Dave Askins

Bloomington, Indiana

Dave Askins is editor and publisher of The B Square Bulletin. A Hoosier native with a background in math and linguistics, he previously co-founded the Ann Arbor Chronicle with his wife, Mary Morgan.

Cheryl Munson mourned by Monroe County council

Cheryl Munson mourned by Monroe County council

Early Tuesday afternoon, news came that longtime Monroe County councilor Cheryl Munson has died. Kate Wiltz, who was Munson’s colleague on the council, relayed a message from Jennifer Munson, Cheryl’s daughter: “Cheryl passed away peacefully this afternoon, surrounded by family and friends.” Arrangements are being made through Allen

Bloomington plan commission OKs $1M payment instead of onsite ‘affordable’ units at Relato, still needs council nod

Bloomington plan commission OKs $1M payment instead of onsite ‘affordable’ units at Relato, still needs council nod

When its zoning was approved by the Bloomington city council almost five years ago, The Relato Bloomington apartment building on the east side of town was supposed to include several “affordable” units—15 percent of its total bedrooms. Now the owner wants to alter the PUD (planned unit development) zoning,

Votes ahead: Pay increases for city council, county sheriff’s deputies, one-time bump for core city union

Votes ahead: Pay increases for city council, county sheriff’s deputies, one-time bump for core city union

A dramatic hike of their own salaries by Bloomington city councilmembers—to about $45,000, which is more than double current pay—has been a highlight of local government news for the last several days. But two other public compensation issues will also appear on meeting agendas this coming week.

Walking back Bloomington city council pay hike: ‘I no longer believe that this is the best use of our money’

Walking back Bloomington city council pay hike: ‘I no longer believe that this is the best use of our money’

Bloomington city councilmember Sydney Zulich said at Wednesday’s regular meeting, that she wanted to address the “elephant in the room”—which was the public backlash to a proposal to more than double councilmember pay in 2025, from about $21,000 to about $45,000 a year. By “elephant” she

Bloomington city attorney to leave post, join Paganelli Law Group

Bloomington city attorney to leave post, join Paganelli Law Group

Bloomington’s city attorney, Larry Allen, has confirmed to The B Square that his last day working for the city’s legal department will be Dec. 31. The opening for Allen’s position was posted on Tuesday. Allen will be joining the Bloomington office of the Paganelli Law Group, which

GOP appointee to Monroe County election board to step down, could hinder adoption of vote centers

GOP appointee to Monroe County election board to step down, could hinder adoption of vote centers

Judith Benckart, the Republican Party’s appointee to the Monroe County election board, has announced her resignation from the three-member group, effective Dec. 31, 2024. Benckart read aloud her letter of resignation at the regular meeting of the board on Thursday afternoon. As the reason for her resignation, Benckart cited

Bloomington adopts “Safe Streets” plan, now ready for 2025 federal funding application round

Bloomington adopts “Safe Streets” plan, now ready for 2025 federal funding application round

On a unanimous vote, Bloomington’s city council has adopted a “Safe Streets for All” (SS4A) action plan. The plan is supposed to guide the city’s work towards a goal of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on the city’s roadways to zero by 2039. The