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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.

Analysis: Amendments to Bloomington’s unified development ordinance to be debated, decided next week and beyond

Analysis: Amendments to Bloomington’s unified development ordinance to be debated, decided next week and beyond

The Bloomington city council’s hearing of a proposed update to the unified development ordinance (UDO) has already stretched across four separate evenings recently, starting with the first one on Oct. 16. It was followed by meetings on Oct. 22, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30. The hearings each night on

County commissioners, mayor meet about convention center: Points of conflict come into sharper focus

County commissioners, mayor meet about convention center: Points of conflict come into sharper focus

Bloomington’s mayor, John Hamilton, attended Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Monroe County three-member board of commissioners to talk about how to move the convention center expansion project forward. He acted on an invitation made by commissioners after a meeting of county and city officials on Tuesday a

Sgambelluri takes city council District 2 over Guenther by 26-point margin

Sgambelluri takes city council District 2 over Guenther by 26-point margin

Spirits were high Tuesday night at Monroe County Democratic Party headquarters on Madison Street. Both Democrats in the only contested races for Bloomington’s municipal elections hand just won seats on the city council in 2020. Ron Smith won a three-way race in District 3. Sue Sgambelluri won her

District 3 city council race: 2-point margin for Democrat Ron Smith over independent Kappas

District 3 city council race: 2-point margin for Democrat Ron Smith over independent Kappas

The three-way race on the ballot for Bloomington’s city council District 3 seat wound up a close two-way contest between Democratic Party nominee Ron Smith and independent Nick Kappas. Independent Marty Spechler was a distant third. Just 23 votes, or 2.4 percentage points, separated Smith from

Alea iacta est: Bloomington election results, as served

Alea iacta est: Bloomington election results, as served

Here’s where The Beacon will post incremental results from the Nov. 5, 2019 municipal election, as they become available directly from the Monroe County clerk’s office, in reverse chronological order. [Update with Final Result: Sue Sgambelluri wins District 2. Smith wins District 3.] 19:23 Final report. Sgambelluri

Buckle up, Bloomington, it’s Election Day!

Buckle up, Bloomington, it’s Election Day!

The polls for Bloomington’s municipal elections opened today “without incident,” according to an email sent out by Monroe County’s clerk, Nicole Browne. For a last-minute overview of candidates and the background for the cancelled elections in all but two of Bloomington’s six city council districts, check

Bloomington’s municipal elections: 12 hours left on Election Day to make up for light early voting

Bloomington’s municipal elections: 12 hours left on Election Day to make up for light early voting

Early voting at Election Central in Bloomington’s municipal elections ended Monday at noon. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open for twelve hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Based on early voting totals, the lack of competition in citywide races and four of the