- Case Date:
- 7/6/2016
To Whom it May Concern at the Office of the Mayor:
Hello! My name is Aubrey Seader, and I'm a resident of Bloomington (living in the two-mile fringe on the south side).
Recently my family and I were involved in and attended the annual 4th of July parade in downtown Bloomington. The parade was mostly really great! It's great to see so many people and organizations that are a part of my community, that I don't normally get to interact with.
There was one float in the parade, however, that made myself and many of my friends and family very nervous and very angry.
The float consisted of two vehicles - both Jeeps I think - carrying men holding up or displaying in some way automatic rifles. Machine guns. Men and women walked beside the cars displaying side arms, and other large guns.
One man held up over his head a laminated copy of the constitution.
As offensive and sickening as this display was - just weeks after the attack on Pulse nightclub that killed 40 people - I realize it was completely legal and that the city is not permitted to refuse entry to the parade to any group if what they are doing follows the letter of the law. I'm not even sure if the mayor's office has anything to do with city events like the parade. I just wanted to write to someone and say that seeing this float was terrifying. These people not only had multiple automatic weapons... these weapons were clearly loaded. I could see the clips and rounds attached to them. And families, children, all of us just had to hold our breath and watch as they passed.
Gun violence has traumatized the US for years now, as we've seen our own president give 16 condolence speeches following mass shootings .. just within the past FOUR YEARS. I remember the day I heard about the shooting at Sandy Hook. All the breath just fell out of me and I'm still not quite able to get past the knowledge that after the horrifying deaths of dozens of elementary-aged children, America did nothing to enact stricter, common sense gun safety laws. In my mind, the way this 4th of July float, in our City of Bloomington parade, made light of this grief, this trauma we all sit with everyday, could be compared to a float making light of the events of September 11th.
There has to be some way we can at least prevent people from bringing loaded assault weapons to public events. Perhaps they can be allowed to bring the mechanical part of the gun, but we have to make sure they leave all their amo at home.
I'm sad that we can't remove guns from public places the way we've banned smoking within so many feet of local businesses and public buildings. But for now, can we work on requiring parade participants to leave their assault rifle amo at home? I can't imagine the fear struck in the hearts of every parent in that crowd on Monday. Those people that made that float should be ashamed of themselves.
Thank you for reading this. If there's anyone at the city you can suggest I speak to about this matter, I'd love to get their contact information!
Thanks for all the great work you do!
Best,
Aubrey Seader
- Case Date:
- 7/11/2016
Dear Mayor's office,
I have two issues I would like to bring to your attention and ask about:
First, are you aware of BPD's decision to fly black flags from police patrol cars, and did you approve this? I join members of BPD and the wider community in mourning the loss of life in Dallas this past week, but I also believe that allowing the BPD to choose this type of public display on vehicles that are tax-payer funded, is improper. Can I request that these publicly owned vehicles fly black flags when coal miners are killed on the job, or when police take the life of unarmed citizens?
Second, my partner and I were enjoying a swim at Bryan Park pool on Sunday, when we noticed an individual openly carrying a hand gun poolside, and standing very prominently while pacing the area. We immediately left the pool and did not directly confront the individual because of uncertainty over the law. Why is this allowed? My reading of Indiana open carry law is that municipalities are allowed to ban open carry on property they control or administer. Is this not the case?
I wish to make clear that we enjoy the pool system and are grateful to the city for providing, and appreciate the work of our police force, as well.
We look forward to hearing from you. Keep up the great work.
Thanks,
Joseph Varga
817 S High St
Bloomington
347-415-1574
Potholes, Other Street Repair
3690-3698 East Post Road
- Case Date:
- 8/17/2016
Please fill large pot hole on Post Rd. in Grandview Addition. Thanks!
Graffiti
2801 S Rogers ST
- Case Date:
- 8/24/2016
Multiple times graffiti has been applied to this structure over the past year. Trash and debris has accumulated on this property site from trespassers, with a drive that is in decay. Please notify the property owner/(s) that he/she may want to not only clean the area but also drive post into the perimeter and block parking to prevent any unsightly mess trespassers leave behind.
Parks & Playgrounds
3405 E Longview AVE
- Case Date:
- 8/30/2016
BBQ not bolted to post well. Swivels when you open the lid.
- Case Date:
- 10/4/2016
For the last couple of weeks there has been an orange traffic barrel with a "Sidewalk Closed" sign on it sitting in the back yard of a student rental house next to our office. I assume it is a city barrel. Our office is at 914 E. Atwater, the first building east of the Subway. The house the barrel is behind is the next house east of us (blue siding, white trim). The easiest way to get to it is through the alley: go up Atwater past the Subway and turn right into the alley just past the grass lot. Turn left into the alley that runs parallel with Atwater. The barrel is in the grass between the parking lot behind our building and the parking area behind the rental house.
- Case Date:
- 10/5/2016
Traveling northbound on Lincoln Street approaching 10th street: The right hand stop sign is not visible until the motorist is very close to the stop. Also, as you look towards 10th Street, it is difficult to tell it is a busy thoroughfare. There have been several accidents with drivers, perhaps unfamiliar with the intersection, blowing through the stop and hitting vehicles traveling on 10th Street. I didn't realize I could post a photo - I may try to get one as it would be helpful.
Recycling
1606 S Nancy ST
- Case Date:
- 10/6/2016
My recycling and paper recycling was not picked up today. I called twice, both times before dept. closed. First time, at about 11:46 or noon got a man, very nice; second time at 1:50 an answering machine. I'm told recycling is closed on Friday. For how long must I leave these two containers out for pickup? I finally called the Mayor's office, and Elizabeth filed a U-report. Naturally she was nice and very prompt in helping me.
- Case Date:
- 10/12/2016
The sidewalk in front of the dentist office at 221 east 7th street has a speed bump across it where the parking lot connects to 7th street. This is a tripping hazard for pedestrians.
Unsafe Buildings
702 S Wynnwood LN
- Case Date:
- 10/19/2016
Mary Friedman originally emailed the Office of the Mayor January 14th, 2016 complaining that this property had been abandoned for the last 5 years. At that time coyotes were living in the home. However, she emailed again October 19th, 2016, saying the property is now being occupied by a group of homeless people.