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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.

From police, to parking, to public works, to bidets: Bloomington 2021 budget Q&A flush with facts

From police, to parking, to public works, to bidets: Bloomington 2021 budget Q&A flush with facts

Late August marked the conclusion of a four-night series of city council hearings on Bloomington mayor John Hamilton’s proposed 2021 budget. Shortly after that, councilmembers submitted written questions to city staff. In the second week of September, staff responses to councilmember questions were posted in a Q&

Convention center budget session: A glimpse into possible timing for tourism recovery

Convention center budget session: A glimpse into possible timing for tourism recovery

A week ago Friday, the Monroe County council wrapped up a series of four budget work sessions in as many days. On the docket for Friday were the funds related to the county’s convention center. The recovery of the area’s tourism industry from the impact of the COVID-

Benton Township now in Monroe Fire Protection District, Washington Township in queue

Benton Township now in Monroe Fire Protection District, Washington Township in queue

At its weekly Wednesday morning meeting, Monroe County’s board of commissioners approved the inclusion of Benton Township in the Monroe Fire Protection District (MFPD). Benton Township will become a member on Jan. 1, 2022. Sooner than that, Benton Township will start getting backup fire protection from the district for

Bloomington city council declines mayor’s request for tax increase on 4-5 vote, proposal now dead

Bloomington city council declines mayor’s request for tax increase on 4-5 vote, proposal now dead

On Monday Wednesday night, Bloomington’s city council voted 4–5 on a request from mayor John Hamilton for a quarter-point increase to the countywide local income tax. That kills the proposal and it will not be considered by other governing bodies in Monroe County. A press release from

No increase to local income tax for Monroe County at this time: Bloomington’s city council votes 4–5

No increase to local income tax for Monroe County at this time: Bloomington’s city council votes 4–5

At Wednesday night’s meeting of the Bloomington city council, the voting tally on the proposal to enact a quarter point increase to Monroe County’s income tax was 4–5. Voting yes were Dave Rollo, Matt Flaherty, Kate Rosenbarger and Steve Volan. Voting no were Ron Smith, Isabel Piedmont-

Photos: Courthouse with Balloon

Photos: Courthouse with Balloon

6th & Walnut, Downtown Bloomington (Sept. 15, 2020)

COVID-19 means continued lower ridership, fare-free policy for Bloomington public buses

COVID-19 means continued lower ridership, fare-free policy for Bloomington public buses

On Tuesday, at its regular monthly meeting, the Bloomington Transit board approved an extension of BT’s fare-free policy through Oct. 20. The fare-free policy started in March, along with rear-door boarding, as a way to reduce passenger-driver interactions and help prevent the spread of COVID-