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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.

Fallout from Facebook statement: Bloomington city staff apologize, farmers market committee disbanded

Fallout from Facebook statement: Bloomington city staff apologize, farmers market committee disbanded

A statement posted a week and a half ago on Bloomington’s farmers market Facebook page—the same day as the “Enough is Enough” anti-police-brutality demonstration—has resulted in the disbanding of the group that posted the statement. At its Monday night meeting, the farmers market advisory council

County council OKs preliminary step in sign maker Proveli’s tax abatement proposal, would add 60 jobs

County council OKs preliminary step in sign maker Proveli’s tax abatement proposal, would add 60 jobs

A Georgia-based company that recently bought local sign manufacturer Hall Signs is asking Monroe County for a tax abatement worth about a quarter million dollars. In a preliminary step last Tuesday, Monroe County councilors gave the proposal a unanimous vote. The county council will likely take a final vote

Food and beverage tax support for pandemic-impacted businesses continues, advisory group to meet Tuesday

Food and beverage tax support for pandemic-impacted businesses continues, advisory group to meet Tuesday

Last Wednesday, Monroe County commissioners awarded about $21,000 more in grants to pandemic-affected tourism-related businesses outside the city limits of Bloomington. That brings the total amount awarded by the county to $266,442. The food and beverage tax advisory commission (FABTAC), has recommended that the county can

Election board OKs 3 of 23 provisional ballots from June 2 primaries

Election board OKs 3 of 23 provisional ballots from June 2 primaries

In a Friday afternoon meeting that lasted just a bit over a half hour, Monroe County’s election board reviewed 23 provisional ballots cast at the June 2 primary elections. That’s about a minute and 20 seconds per ballot. The board accepted three provisional ballots and rejected the other

Bloomington drops company’s public towing contract after son’s racist rant, but license for private tows could be granted

Bloomington drops company’s public towing contract after son’s racist rant, but license for private tows could be granted

On Thursday, the city of Bloomington used a seven-day out clause in its contract with Ken’s Westside Service and Towing to terminate its contract with the company for public tows. Those are tows that are requested by city police, not private property owners. The company could still eventually

Bloomington city council OKs hire of next administrator/attorney at $85K

Bloomington city council OKs hire of next administrator/attorney at $85K

Without stating at their Wednesday meeting how much they planned to pay him, Bloomington city councilmembers approved the hire of Stephen Lucas as their next administrator/attorney. Lucas is the current deputy to Dan Sherman, who is retiring at the end of July, after around 30 years on the job

Bloomington looks to relax regulations on businesses to aid recovery from COVID-19 impact

Bloomington looks to relax regulations on businesses to aid recovery from COVID-19 impact

From now at least through Sept. 30, Bloomington businesses will be given a break on application fees for new signs, and on compliance with certain code requirements on signage. In addition to that, restaurants and retail stores along Kirkwood Avenue will be able to expand their outdoor seating and marketing