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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 the public speaking podium to the ear of the rules committee: Floor amendments

From the public speaking podium to the ear of the rules committee: Floor amendments

Carol Thompson took a turn at the public podium during the Bloomington city council’s meeting on the night of Aug. 14. She objected to some legislation the council had approved the week before, which regulated electric scooters. Besides her lack of enthusiasm for one amendment, which under certain conditions

Democratic Party mulls how to say: Bloomington’s District 3 city council race features exactly one Democrat

Democratic Party mulls how to say: Bloomington’s District 3 city council race features exactly one Democrat

Three candidates appear on November’s general election ballot for the seat representing Bloomington’s District 3 on the nine-member city council. One is the Democratic Party nominee, Ron Smith. The other two are independent candidates—Marty Spechler and Nick Kappas. If Spechler or Kappas is elected, it would

Press release: Bloomington proposes 3-percent sewer rate increase inside city, 15-percent outside

In a press release issued Monday afternoon (Aug. 26), City of Bloomington Utilities announced it is requesting a rate increase for sewer customers. According to the press release, the 3-percent proposed rate increase for a customer inside the city works out to 72 cents more per month. For an

2020 budget prompts Bloomington city council thoughts on climate change: From definitional questions to golf courses

2020 budget prompts Bloomington city council thoughts on climate change: From definitional questions to golf courses

Wednesday’s departmental budget hearings in front of Bloomington’s city council returned to a couple of themes from Monday’s session on the budget overview. On Monday, councilmember Dave Rollo asked questions about the city’s preparedness for a looming economic downturn. And Isabel Piedmont-Smith questioned whether the

Now posted: The Beacon’s voter’s guide for 2019 Bloomington general elections

Now posted: The Beacon’s voter’s guide for 2019 Bloomington general elections

This November will mark the first election, dating back at least to 1967, that not all registered voters in Bloomington will able to cast a ballot for city offices—mayor, city clerk, and the nine-member common council. That’s because elections are contested in just two city council districts:

Déjà two for next week’s final round of comedy festival

Déjà two for next week’s final round of comedy festival

On Wednesday, three candidates advanced to the finals of the Bloomington Comedy Festival, based on a vote of the audience: Mark Bookwalter, Abby Troughton and Kristen Lucas. The two women were finalists last year. Lucas won the competition in 2016, which made her the Funniest Person in Bloomington three years

Bloomington city councilmembers want more police officers in 2020 budget, more data

Bloomington city councilmembers want more police officers in 2020 budget, more data

Two additional patrol officers, which would bring Bloomington’s total sworn police force to a total of 105, are a part of the 2020 budget that the chief of police, Mike Diekhoff, presented to the city council on Tuesday night. Some councilmembers told Diekhoff they wanted to see more officers