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

Case Date:

7/25/2014

Customer called in to Parks and Recreation office complaining about shrubbery on the B-Line trail blocking the yellow flashing light warning drivers of bikers. He did not want to write in a complaint, insisted I do it, because he is a senior and he wanted to report the issue via his landline.

Case Date:

7/27/2014

In front of 112 Glenwood West - post with deflectors marking west side of traffic calming bump - post is down and needs to be replanted. Post is lying beside road at spot where it belongs. Thanks -

Case Date:

8/6/2014

I live on a narrow road that is circular. One way in; one way out. There are 10 homes on our road and 2 of the homes have small children. I like to be able to take my dogs for a walk on our road as well. Because of our wooded area, the heavy brush and the turns in the road, it is VERY difficult for a driver to see very far ahead of them or supposedly to drive more than 15 miles an hour safely. Many visitors and delivery/service people don't seem to be able to be cautious despite the conditions. At my own expense would like to post a sign that is 24" X 18" on or near a large tree that faces the entrance to my neighborhood. It doesn't appear that any one person owns the property that the tree is on. I wonder if I can legally do this or do I have to get permission from the street department? There is not a sidewalk and as I said, there road is barely passable for 2 vehicles. My dogs and I have had to run to find a safe place to be before cars come flying towards us or from behind. Thank you in advance for your response.

Case Date:

8/12/2014

This intersection needs a left turn only lane for cars turning off of 10th St. North onto Range Road. Sometimes cars in the lane for going straight swerve into the right lane to get around cars waiting to turn left even though visibility for this is poor and could confuse drivers turning right onto 10th St. from Pete Ellis. Just park in the post office parking lot and observe this intersection around 5 - 6 pm on a weekday and you can see for yourself. A left turn lane would greatly reduce accidents at this intersection.

Case Date:

8/23/2014

The pavement which used to be a through street years ago and is now a city-maintained alley needs to have its potholes filled. The parking lot behind Dr. Linda Figen's office at 413 Howe is owned by Dr. Figen and that lot is adjacent to the southern extent of the alley. It is the alley portion which is city-maintained which needs the attention. Area residents have confirmed with the city that this alley is city maintained when repairs are needed. Several potholes are deep and pose a hazard to vehicles using the alley to access Dr. Figen's business or the parking area for her neighbor to the east.

Case Date:

8/24/2014

I am contacting the city in regards to a sidewalk that was put built from Park on the Morton apartments to College Avenue that has an overgrowth of 3 feet of weeds on both sides of the sidewalk along with trash, dirt and debris. The Park on the Morton office claims that it is not their property to maintain, and it seems no one is maintaining it from the overgrowth and dirt/debris.

Case Date:

9/25/2014

I have a client who has come to my office to report that there is a lot of garbage that is left around her house and across from her house in an empty lot. The garbage comes from her neighbor and she would like someone tell him he cannot spread his garbage outside of his property. She has confronted him before but he gets angry and irrational. My client has seen he leaves couches and large items in the empty lot in front of their house. She is asking someone please go look at the area and speak to him about this problem.

Case Date:

9/25/2014

I have a client that has come to my office to report that her neighbor is scary and has a lot of people at his home constantly. Mostly she would like to report noise complaints. He is very loud at night and has a lot of people always coming to the his home late at night driving motorcycles and it is very disruptive.