June 23, 2025: Democratic Party, new statue, cooling centers, sewer upgrade, plea for help
Fundraising: Thank you and please!
Since its relaunch at the end of February, 461 people have given financial support to The B Square. Thank you!
By the end of June, which is little more than a week away, I hope to be able to thank 139 more of you, to make it at least 600. Details about how to contribute are included in the About section of the website.
It’s a weary fundraising trope: “If everyone contributed the cost of a cup of coffee…” But this is not about coffee. And it's not about everyone. Right now in this moment, it's about you. If you have not yet decided that you'd like to support an effort to provide Bloomington with all the local news this place needs, I hope you'll consider now to be the moment!
If you're already one of the people I am thanking, please consider encouraging your friends, neighbors and coworkers to follow your example. You know them better than I do, and will know exactly the right words to say. Thank you for considering.
Weather
Based on the National Weather Service forecast in text and charts here's some advice:
Monday: You won't need an umbrella to protect against rain, but grab one on your way out the door, so that you always have portable shade. If anyone gives you guff about it, tell them it's not an umbrella, it's a parasol. The predicted high is 95°F.
Tuesday: Keep the same umbrella handy, but this time for rain protection as well as shade. The chances aren't big for rain, only about 20%, but that comes with possible thunderstorms. The forecasted high is 94°F, which is a whole degree cooler than Monday.
Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system.
Roundup of recent articles
- Ujdak resigns as chair of Monroe County Dems after 3 1/2 months, calls for 'direct action' to improve lives of others. On Sunday afternoon, in a message sent to the Monroe County Democratic Party's email list, party chair Samuel Ujdak has announced his resignation. It's effective at the end of the day on Monday (June 23) at 11:59 p.m. Ujdak was elected county chair three and a half months ago.
- My Sister's Closet to celebrate new home, suffragettes, and 16-foot Lady Liberty sculpture in capital campaign launch. On Tuesday My Sister's Closet of Monroe County will host an event that's equal parts fundraiser, ribbon-cutting, art reveal—and a big nod to the 19th Amendment. The event will take place at West Second Street and Patterson Drive—the new future home of My Sister's Closet.
- Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish. What are Hawk and Fish up to this time? Same as always, they're making terrible puns.
- Cooling centers open in Monroe County as heat wave hits. With forecasted temperatures in at least the low 90s through next Friday (June 27) , Monroe County emergency management staff have announced the opening of several cooling centers, mostly at fire stations, but some at library branches. Cooling centers are open through Wednesday.
- Oral arguments in front of court of appeals on merits of Bloomington annexation: Aug. 19. Two months from now, arguments will be heard by an Indiana court of appeals panel on the merits of Bloomington's attempt to annex territory on the west and southwest sides of the city. In an order from the court in late May, the date for oral arguments was set for Aug. 19, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
- Cost of sewer upgrade at site of Bloomington convention center expansion to be negotiated, traffic plan for construction OK'd. Near 3rd Street, between College Avenue and Walnut Street, the flow of traffic, as well as sanitary sewer sludge, will soon be taking a slightly altered course—because of the start of the convention center expansion project.
- Monroe County sheriff's office: Southside shooting appears targeted, 2 victims expected to recover. The shooting of two people at their home that took place just south of Bloomington city limits in the early morning hours of Wednesday (June 18) looks like it was a "targeted incident" that does not pose a threat to public safety. That's according to a Monroe County sheriff's news release.
On the calendar
Convention and visitors commission. Set for Monday (June 23) at noon is a regular meeting of the convention and visitors commission. This is the group that oversees the revenue from the 5% innkeeper's tax.
Minimum cash balance for Monroe County? On the 5 p.m. Tuesday (June 23) meeting agenda for the Monroe County council is an item approving the minimum fund balance policy for county government. This has already received some discussion at a previous meeting.
Cyberattack after action report? Coming up on July 1 is the one-year anniversary of the cyberattack that shut down county government for a week. There has still been no after action report issued on that event.
Big Talk. Michael Glab invited me as a guest on his WFHB show called "Big Talk." Thanks to Michael, for his patience listening to me talk about The B Square.
Special Food distribution June 27. From Hoosier Hills Food Bank. "The drive-thru distribution will take place Friday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hoosier Hills Food Bank, 2333 West Industrial Park Drive. Each vehicle will receive one fresh box of perishables including produce, dairy and protein and a choice of one box of dry products tailored either for children or seniors. Both dry boxes will include approximately one week’s worth of dry staples with items targeted for each population such as 100% juice boxes for kids and no salt added canned goods for seniors. While anyone is welcome, this distribution is focused on children and seniors and guests will need to choose one box or the other."
Parks survey! I get that there is a certain survey fatigue that can set it, but this one is short. It's about the Bloomington parks system, to help the staff update the master plan for parks. The parks survey took me under 4 minutes to complete.
Meet Clive!
This very, very good boy is an Australian shepherd. Here's what the shelter staff have to say about Clive:
As cute as he is clever, meet Clever Clive! This sweet, three year old Aussie is quick to win over the heart (and treats!) of whoever is walking him. Clive has done well with children and would love to play in the yard with his family or snuggle during your favorite movie. His foster has shared that he makes a great running buddy!
Photo Finish
Eastside Drive & 3rd Street
The Photo Finish items are drawn from the B There section of the B Square website.
The geographic coverage of the B There section is pretty limited. Please consider occasionally contributing to the B There section some brief factual observations about the world outside your own head, as you go about your normal business. (Photos are optional for B There.) The mechanics of making a contribution are pretty straightforward—just let me know if you'd like to learn the ins and outs. If you're looking at this bulletin in your email inbox, you should be able to reach me by hitting Reply.
Thanks for reading. I hope your week is off to a great start!
Dave Askins
734-645-2633
dave@bsquarebulletin.com
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