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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.

The Kiln Collective: New owner for “oven of Bloomington’s industrial activation”

The Kiln Collective: New owner for “oven of Bloomington’s industrial activation”

On Tuesday afternoon, outside the kiln building of the old Showers Brothers Furniture Company, Mike Trotzke was handed ownership to a structure that just moments before Mayor John Hamilton had called the “oven of Bloomington’s industrial activation.” Performing the handover was Bloomington’s redevelopment commission president, Don Griffin. He

Monroe County food and beverage tax: $6M in 23 months so far

Monroe County food and beverage tax: $6M in 23 months so far

Monroe County’s food and beverage tax advisory commission (FBTAC) convened its first meeting of the year on Tuesday afternoon. Based on the numbers provided to commissioners, a smidgen over $6 million is the cumulative total that’s been generated by the 1-percent tax in the 23 months since

Objection filed to Bloomington’s request to try again in effort to take 222 Hats building for parking garage

Objection filed to Bloomington’s request to try again in effort to take 222 Hats building for parking garage

Last Friday, attorneys for Juan Carlos Carrasquel, owner of the JuanSells.com building, filed an objection to Bloomington’s effort to have another try at acquiring the building from Carrasquel against the landowner’s wishes. Bloomington wants to take the JuanSells.com building (222 Hats) in order to build a

UDO Update: Bloomington’s plan commission OKs city council amendments, elects officers, moves Trinitas PUD forward

UDO Update: Bloomington’s plan commission OKs city council amendments, elects officers, moves Trinitas PUD forward

At a meeting that took less than an hour Monday evening, Bloomington’s plan commission voted unanimously to approve the version of the updated unified development ordinance (UDO) that the city council adopted last year. Commissioners also elected officers. Brad Wisler will continue as president, and Jillian Kinsey will serve

County, city leaders review draft interlocal agreement for convention center capital improvement board, set next meeting for Feb. 10

County, city leaders review draft interlocal agreement for convention center capital improvement board, set next meeting for Feb. 10

Several Bloomington and Monroe County officials met Monday evening to push ahead the $44-million convention center expansion project. They reviewed a draft interlocal agreement, circulated shortly before the meeting, that is intended to supplement statutory requirements for the eventual formation of a capital improvement board (CIB). The three county

Bloomington city council tees up new local law to regulate non-consensual vehicle towing

Bloomington city council tees up new local law to regulate non-consensual vehicle towing

If you leave your car in a private lot where you’re not allowed to park, you risk getting your vehicle towed at your own expense. That’s not really news—for Bloomington or any other place. What is new for Bloomington is a proposed ordinance to regulate companies that

Pitch for Bloomington city council standing committees seen by executive branch as a fastball

Pitch for Bloomington city council standing committees seen by executive branch as a fastball

“Is council a co-equal branch of government or isn’t it?” That’s a rhetorical question posed by Steve Volan, this year’s president of Bloomington’s city council, about the relationship between the council and the city’s administration. Volan asked the question during a contentious work session