Bloomington Fire Chief Jason Moore resigns after Mayor-elect offers continued appointment as Chief
Jason Moore has resigned his position as Chief of the Bloomington Fire Department, a position he has held since 2016, when he moved his family here from South Carolina, to accept the position. Moore submitted his letter of resignation to Lame Duck Mayor John Hamilton, who will also leave office at the end of this month. The move comes after Bloomington’s Mayor-elect, Kerry Thomson, publicly announced that she would be maintaining his services as the Department’s leader with her administration.
The Chief has brought the Bloomington Fire Department to new heights during his reign. He has successfully arranged funding for an update of many new vehicles and significant upgrades in firefighter gear. Additionally, he has led Bloomington to an Insurance Service Office rating of a Protection Class 1, the highest possible. This measure is rare and represents an annual homeowners’ insurance savings of hundreds for residents.
Moore alluded that his departure is based upon differences of opinion on the ‘trajectory and vision’ of the incoming administration.
Under Hamilton’s 2 terms as Mayor, Bloomington struggled to maintain staff, largely due to low wages. A few months ago, the Department’s long-standing Deputy Chief left his position, as Jayme Washel accepted the role of Chief of the Greenwood Fire Department on August 1st of this year.
Ivy Tech Bloomington offering new certified Community Health Worker course
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is now offering an 8-week, online human services course that leads to becoming a certified community health worker (CHW), credentialed by the Indiana Community Health Workers Association. Anyone can sign up for the HUMS 162 Community Health Worker course, including new and current students and classes begin January 16, 2024.
A CHW is a frontline public health worker who serves as a link between health and social services and helps increase knowledge and access for residents. They serve communities through outreach, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.
“By successfully completing the course, students will be a certified community health worker,” Dr. Chelsea Rood-Emmick, Program Chair and Associate Professor of Human Services said. “Certification demonstrates the student has mastered the competencies needed to serve in the role.”
The CHW course can be used as a ramp to more education in the field and as an elective. Course credits count toward the new short-term certificate offering in Mental Health Direct Support and the long-term certificate in Human Services.
Ivy Tech Bloomington enrolls about 100 human services students annually. Graduates are prepared to go right to work or transfer to earn their bachelor’s in the field.
Ivy Tech Bloomington offers more than 40 career and four-year transfer programs, with courses that start multiple times per year for quick entry and graduation. To get started, apply for free online at ivytech.edu/bloomington,
Attorney General Todd Rokita’s litigation team wins 100% of jury trials on state’s behalf in 2023
Attorney General Todd Rokita congratulated members of his office’s litigation team, which won 100% of the eight jury trials in which it defended the state’s interests in 2023. As the State of Indiana’s law firm, the Office of Attorney General’s dedicated litigators represent the state and its agencies, officials, elected leaders, and employees in a wide variety of legal proceedings — including federal and state jury trials. Besides the jury trial wins, the team also has saved the state of Indiana millions through ongoing successful advocacy and motion practice in other cases.
Attorney General Rokita thanked both Erdmann and Pope for their strong leadership and effective oversight of litigation strategy and jury trial arguments.
“Hoosiers can rest assured they are in good hands when it comes to the professional litigators representing their state government in legal matters,” Attorney General Rokita said. “I am proud every day to work with individuals who serve this state with servants’ hearts.”
Bloomington extends free City parking to encourage Downtown shopping
The City of Bloomington is extending the hours of free downtown parking to encourage residents and visitors to do their holiday shopping at local small businesses. Parking in City garages and on the street is always free on Sundays. Additional Free downtown parking will now include:
FREE GARAGE & STREET (meter) PARKING
- Saturday, December 16
- Thursday, December 21
- Friday, December 22
- Saturday, December 23
- Monday, December 25
ADDITIONAL FREE GARAGE PARKING
- Saturday, December 9
- Friday, December 29
- Saturday, December 30
- Monday, January 1
When parking in surface lots, please refer to posted signage for information about parking rates. Surface lots are not included in the free parking for the dates listed here.
This Week in Hoosier History
1948, Bill Garrett played his first IU game and made history as the first Black basketball player in the Big Ten conference. You can find out more about Garrett in our online exhibit, Breaking the Color Barrier: bit.ly/BreakingtheColorBarrier
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson