Local coalition, Bloomington Dissident Democrats, endorse Susan Sandberg for Mayor of Bloomington
Bloomington Dissident Democrats has published a series of candidate endorsements for the 2023 citywide Democratic primary election. The coalition that was formed out of opposition to upzoning of Bloomington’s single family neighborhoods to allow multiplex development, held off on making an endorsement until the heavy schedule of Mayoral Forums had unraveled the candidate’s thoughts and visions on the direction best for Bloomington.
Early voting is now underway, and the group believes the candidates have elaborated on their early positions, and they are satisfied that the candidates have identified what was required to effectively differentiate them.
Susan Sandberg has earned the group’s endorsement with her platform which is focused on reforms to Public Saftey, Affordability, Collaboration, and Essential City Services. Sandberg is a 4-term elected At-Large City Council Member, 4-time President of City Council, Founder Member of the Democrat Women’s Caucus, former Vice-President of the Monroe County Democratic Party, and graduate of Indiana University.
Sandberg’s challengers include former Deputy Mayor for 2 years under the John Hamilton administration and local Real Estate Agent Donald Griffin, and Kerry Tomson, Executive Director of Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement.
City of Bloomington Updates
Griffy Lake Dam Trail Crossing
The Board of Park Commissioners, at their regular March meeting, approved a contract with Scenic Construction Services for the Griffy Lake Dam trail crossing project. The project includes constructing approximately 850 feet of trail and fencing along the top of the dam and a new 200-foot staircase as an access point to the trail system from the parking lot on Dunn Street below the dam. Construction is scheduled to begin in May, with a completion date estimated in late 2023. This is the second phase of the Griffy Loop Trail project – a third phase to improve the trails on the north and south shores is planned for later in 2023 or 2024.
Goat Farm
New trails around and through the park are paved, and boardwalks on the southwest side of the park are complete. The highly visible red Goat Farm barn was re-roofed in October 2022 and also received new siding, soffit, and fascia. The public art installation “FLEET/ing” by Jonathan Racek was installed in late March 2023. The new parking area on the north end of the park, accessible via the Rogers/High/Winslow roundabout, will be striped this week (weather permitting). Parks staff expect the parking area to open later this month. A ribbon cutting and re-naming ceremony of the park from the “Goat Farm” to “Rogers Family Park” with the Rogers family is tentatively planned for June.
Bryan Park Youth (5-12 yrs.) Playground
Parks and Recreation staff collected more than 400 surveys from residents regarding the types of play equipment that should be included in the new playground. The site plan for the playground is under development, and Parks and Recreation staff will work with contractors to design and bid on the playground in the coming months. The new playground is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Crack Seal Program
The Street Division crews will begin applying a crack sealant in Park Ridge East the week of April 10th. Streets scheduled for maintenance are Morningside Drive, Sheffield Drive, and Park Ridge Road. This is common post-winter maintenance to help protect street infrastructure after the cold weather season.
Outdoor Dining on Kirkwood
Another season of outdoor dining and expanded pedestrian activity on Kirkwood began Monday, April 3rd, with the installation of bollards. Blocks closed to east-west traffic include Indiana to Dunn, Dunn to Grant, and a half block from Washington to Walnut. While the street is closed, traffic can flow north and south on the streets intersecting Kirkwood. The dates of the closure are April 3 to September 30. Learn more at: https://bton.in/pm_ty
Ivy Tech announces enrichment class schedule
Ivy Tech Center for Lifelong Learning offers personal enrichment, non-credit classes for youth and adults. Registration for in-person and virtual classes is open all year. With classes, workshops, and summer camps, beginners and beyond have the chance to learn something new in creative arts, humanities, STEM, and so much more. Visit class schedule
This Week in Hoosier History
1968 – Robert F. Kennedy, in Indianapolis on a campaign tour, announced the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to a crowd at 17th and Broadway. His impassioned plea for peace on that night is considered one of the best public addresses of the era.
Follow us on Facebook
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson