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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.

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

COVID-19 impact: 2021 budget previewed by Bloomington mayor shows more expenses than revenues

COVID-19 impact: 2021 budget previewed by Bloomington mayor shows more expenses than revenues

Bloomington mayor John Hamilton’s proposed 2021 budget will be presented by city department heads next week in four sessions that will take place over successive nights, starting Monday. [Updated at 1:22 p.m. on Aug. 17, 2020. The proposed budget has now been posted to the city’s

Indiana election commission keeps tight rein on absentee voting rules, extra mailed ballots to be opened by hand

Indiana election commission keeps tight rein on absentee voting rules, extra mailed ballots to be opened by hand

At Friday morning’s meeting of Indiana’s four-member bi-partisan election commission, Democrat Anthony Long offered Republican Paul Okeson a good old fashioned political horse trade—ballot envelope opening machines in exchange for future consideration of relaxing absentee voting rules. By the end of the meeting, that deal

Disputed plan commission seat: Judge denies Bloomington’s bid to get case dismissed

Disputed plan commission seat: Judge denies Bloomington’s bid to get case dismissed

Ten days ago, on Aug. 5, a hearing was held about Bloomington’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit that could affect the membership the city’s plan commission. On Friday (Aug. 14), special judge Erik Allen issued an order that lets the lawsuit go ahead. Allen denied Bloomington’s motion

Indiana’s election commission de-certifies write-in Green Party candidate for Monroe County judge after Democratic Party challenge

Indiana’s election commission de-certifies write-in Green Party candidate for Monroe County judge after Democratic Party challenge

On Friday morning, Indiana’s four-member bi-partisan election commission voted unanimously to take Al Manns off November’s general election list of certified candidates for Monroe County circuit court judge. Manns had filed as a Green Party write-in candidate for the Division 1 seat, after losing the

Bloomington city council OKs Habitat for Humanity project to build 70 houses in southwest part of town

Bloomington city council OKs Habitat for Humanity project to build 70 houses in southwest part of town

On Wednesday night, Bloomington’s city council gave unanimous approval to the planned unit development (PUD) zoning required for a Habitat for Humanity project in the southwest part of town. The project will extend five streets that are currently stubs, to construct 70 houses over the next seven to eight

Factual corrections to statements about fire protection tax allocations sought by Monroe County councilors

Factual corrections to statements about fire protection tax allocations sought by Monroe County councilors

Last week, a committee of the Monroe County tax council voted against a recommendation to allocate $353,700 of public safety local income tax (PS-LIT) money to support requests made by four rural fire departments in the county. The news was not embraced by the Monroe County council at