May 15, 2025: Damaged housing, parking fines, upcoming storms, Ms. Lake Lemon Pageant

Weather

Based on the National Weather Service forecast in text and charts here's some advice:

Thursday: Hang on to your hats—wind gusts on Thursday could get as high as 21 mph. Use the day on Thursday to get ready for a patch of potential rough weather starting Thursday evening and overnight—hail, heavy rain, and lightning. Through the day on Thursday it will be partly sunny, with a high near 88°F. Here's the official word from the NWS: hazardous weather outlook.

Friday: If you need to get something done outside, do it before 2 p.m. because that's when chances of showers start to increase to 30-50%. After 5 p.m. expect possible thunderstorms, and after 8 p.m. definitely rain. The high will be around 86°F.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system.

Roundup of recent articles

• Crawford Apartments supportive housing reaching 'critical action point'—one-third of units in 2 buildings noncompliant At least 22 units at Crawford Apartments are vacant due to damage, which leaves that many people on the streets or in shelters. HAND director Anna Killion-Hanson says the city is nearing a “critical action point” on the property’s rental permit. Security and funding gaps to pay for that security are major hurdles to the stability of permanent supportive housing like Crawford Apartments.
• Bloomington OKs self-storage phasing after apartments in 176-unit complex Bloomington’s plan commission approved a phasing plan for the 176-unit THIRD Apartments, allowing final sign off on the occupancy of the housing, while delaying construction of a 38,000-square-foot self-storage facility, which was included in the original 2021 site plan. The delay was attributed to financing, now resolved. A nearby property owner raised concerns about basement flooding, blaming the apartment construction, but the project owner says his insurance company disputes the cause. Commissioners raised no objections to the plan, though some questioned the need for their approval.
• Are parking fines a revenue center for the city of Bloomington? A news release from the city of Bloomington overstated parking fine revenue for 2023 and 2024, which was admitted after The B Square questioned the numbers. Actual gross revenue was about $1.09 million in 2023 and $1.16 million in 2024—significantly less than the $1.7 and $1.6 million of revenue cited in the news release. The B Square has asked the city to produce an accounting of the costs of enforcement. A $65,000 parking study may eventually clarify some financial questions.

On the calendar

Early start for county commissioners: 9 a.m. not 10 a.m. The county commissioners are starting their Thursday (May 15) meeting at 9 a.m. instead of the usual 10 a.m. so that they can wrap up business before the annual peace officers memorial, which is set to be held at 11 a.m. at city hall. One piece of business on the agenda for commissioners is an increase of $9,138 in the contract with Building Associates to renovate space in Showers North so that the employee health clinic can be located there. There are changes to flooring, counter tops and electrical requirements. This will increase the total project cost from $130,700 to $139,838.

Trading public comment for 2026 budget discussion. The usual item for public comment at the 4:30 p.m. Thursday meeting of the Monroe County board of health does not appear on the agenda. But the board does have an item on its agenda to discuss how to handle public comment in the future. In reply to a B Square question, here's how board president Dawne (Aurora) DiOrio put it: "We will not have any public comment at our 5/15 meeting because we need to focus exclusively on the budget. A member of the public wishing to make a comment may email us at boardofhealth@co.monroe.in.us." Her emailed response continued, "You may see on the agenda I have added an item under New Business for Board consideration that would change how we do public comment in the future. We may not have time to discuss this at this meeting, however, due to the budget items that I expect will take all of our allotted time."

It's worth noting that while it's the prevailing local custom to allow public comment, there's no legal requirement that a public body like the board of health allow people to comment at its meetings. Indiana's Open Door Law just says people have to be able to attend and record the proceedings.

Fourth of July, deer cull. On the Thursday (May 15) at 5 p.m., agenda for Bloomington's board of park commissioners are several items related to the city's Fourth of July parade. Also on the agenda is approval of a contract for the annual deer cull at Griffy Lake.

Handmade Market (June 7). Looking ahead a few weeks, the Handmade Market is set to take place on Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from the news release: "Over 100 regional artists will showcase an incredible selection of modern handmade goods such as jewelry, apparel, bath and body products, housewares, local foods, and much more. Artist booths will fill the Monroe Courthouse lawn and the adjacent blocks of Kirkwood Ave and 6th Street."

Lemonade Day (June 7). Set for the same day as the Handmade Market is Lemonade Day, which is a national movement of sorts. From the Lemonade Day website: "Lemonade Day is a free, fun, experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business—a lemonade stand. The foremost objective of Lemonade Day is to empower youth to take ownership of their lives and become productive members of society—the business leaders, social advocates, volunteers, and forward thinking citizens of tomorrow."

Cosmic Songwriter Festival (May 14–17). We're already through the first day of this four-night event, which runs from May 14 to May 17. It takes place in a listening room environment across four venues, featuring two artists on stage together, alternating songs and stories. The venues are: Orbit Room, The Bluebird, Buskirk-Chumley Theater, and Blockhouse.

Ms. Lake Lemon Pageant (May 17). This is an actual thing. The Ms. Lake Lemon Pageant is a competition for women aged 37 and older, taking place on Saturday, May 17 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Porthole Inn. Participants will compete in events like: moving a hazard off the road, backing up a lawn trailer, hammering a nail, casting a fishing line, or moving split wood. They'll do all this while wearing a gown. Bonus prizes will be awarded for best embellished work gloves, most powerful livestock or pet call, trivia knowledge, and best cheerleader or fan. The entry fee is pay-what-you-want, ranging from $15 to $45, and includes a donation to the Monroe County Fire Protection District.

Meet Parker!

Up for adoption, as of May 14, 2025, at the city of Bloomington's animal shelter is Parker. Here's another link: all animals up for adoption at the shelter. (The photo is from the city's website.)

This very, very good boy is a bully breed mix. Here's what the shelter staff have to say about Parker:

Parker is a sweet older dog who loves belly rubs and all sorts of tasty snacks. He loves cozy beds and checking out the spring flowers. Parker hasn't been totally sure of the other dogs here in the shelter but adores everyone he meets!

Photo Finish
Kinser Pike & SR 45/46

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 Square's 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 you have a great weekend!

Dave Askins
734-645-2633
dave@bsquarebulletin.com