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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.

Farmers market gets brief mention at Bloomington 2021 budget hearings, still “elephant in room”

Farmers market gets brief mention at Bloomington 2021 budget hearings, still “elephant in room”

Last Wednesday was the Bloomington city council’s third night in a series of four hearings on the proposed 2021 budget. Appearing on Wednesday’s agenda was the 2021 budget for the parks and recreation department, which again includes the city’s community farmers market. The origin story for the

COVID-19: Bloomington mayor cuts crowd size limit to 15 after university students flout 50-person max

COVID-19: Bloomington mayor cuts crowd size limit to 15 after university students flout 50-person max

In a joint press release from Bloomington mayor John Hamilton and Indiana University provost Lauren Robel, it was announced mid-day Friday that the mayor is imposing a 15-person limit on the size of gatherings. That’s smaller than the previous 50-person limit specified in the current health

Bloomington’s public transit looks to COVID-19 recovery in 2021

Bloomington’s public transit looks to COVID-19 recovery in 2021

On Wednesday night, Bloomington Transit general manager Lew May presented his 22nd annual budget to Bloomington’s city council. It was a part of the four-day series of 2021 budget presentations heard by the council this week. The council won’t see a final version of the budget until

Bloomington public safety budget hearings: 3 fire stations need rebuilt; proposed reduction in sworn police a point of contention

Bloomington public safety budget hearings: 3 fire stations need rebuilt; proposed reduction in sworn police a point of contention

Tuesday night’s round of departmental budget hearings in front of Bloomington’s city council featured two of the city’s most basic services: police and fire protection. Together those departments make up 42 percent ($24 million) of the proposed 2021 general fund budget. A highlight from the fire department’

Bloomington budget hearings draw remarks on convention center expansion, farmers market, anti-racism training, policing

Bloomington budget hearings draw remarks on convention center expansion, farmers market, anti-racism training, policing

On Monday, details of Bloomington mayor John Hamilton’s 2021 proposed budget were released, putting some meat on the bones that were previewed to the media on Friday. Hamilton delivered remarks to the city council on Monday night for the first night of a four-day series of departmental budget

Bloomington wants a quick appeal to intermediate ruling in lawsuit over disputed plan commission seat

Bloomington wants a quick appeal to intermediate ruling in lawsuit over disputed plan commission seat

After a judge ruled on Friday to deny Bloomington’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit about a plan commission seat, on Monday the city asked the judge to allow for a quick appeal on the ruling. By ruling on Friday against Bloomington’s bid to get the case dismissed, local

Opinion: It would be great if Bloomington’s government followed its own laws

Opinion: It would be great if Bloomington’s government followed its own laws

This coming week offers a great chance to learn how Bloomington’s city government works. From Monday through Thursday, the city council will hold hearings on the mayor’s proposed budget for 2021. Every department begins its presentation by addressing the question: Why do we even exist? Everyone in the