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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.

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

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