Case Date:

7/6/2016

Dear Bill With Indiana's gun laws pre-empting any local action, it may be challenging for City Legal to find a way to revise parade policy to prevent people from carrying assault weapons through the parade. On Monday I fled the parade upon seeing men with assault weapons bearing down on my family as they rode down College Avenue. If they had opened fire, I would have no time, and no where, to escape. So I left immediately. Since then I have pondered on how our City might protect us from this experience in the future. Posting about this on facebook, 100 comments ensued. My suggestions are: 1) At parade line-up, insist on verifying gun licenses belonging to people bearing weapons. Call in BPD for help, if necessary. (I hear a rumor that City employees failed to check gun licenses this year). 2) Make an explicit statement requesting no assault weapons in the parade, or somehow explicitly not allowing them. 3) Issue a statement warning citizens that floats will bear assault weapons in the parade, so that we can choose to protect ourselves by not attending the parade, if the City really has no recourse. 4) Take on the legal issue of state law pre-empting local provisions, perhaps through an action of City Council. Appeal rulings, if necessary. 5) Since a private institution may choose to not allow open carry of weapons, perhaps the City creates a separate, private institution to administer the parade. A public-private entity like the Friends of the Market effort to raise funds for farmer's market. Really hoping you can prevent this experience in future. It goes far beyond the diversity and open-mindedness we want our parade to express. It is about danger and safety. All the very best, Julia DeBruicker Valliant 1992 City of Bloomington July 4 parade Grand Marshal 2013 City of Bloomington July 4 parade float organizer 2016 City of Bloomington July 4 parade terrified spectator

Case Date:

7/7/2016

Locally, there are three entities that could afford to repurpose the existing hospital: IU, IUHealth, and Cook. Externally, a hotel chain might see an opportunity. Could IU and IUHealth work out a deal to convert all or part of the structure to student housing, with more amenities than the dorms on campus? This could ensure the survival of new, student-oriented businesses occupying the many buildings that are currently home to medical services that have sprung up near the hospital. This would take some pressure off of residential neighborhoods adjacent to proposed high density student apartments, and meet the popular goal of curtailing the construction of student high rise apartments in the downtown area. It's also the best bet for preventing these ancillary businesses from becoming an urban blight zone - the local real estate market is too small to absorb this number of properties as the businesses migrate to the new hospital site. If the current structure is retained, fully or in part (partial demolition), it makes sense for VIM to occupy the space presently allocated to the ER. There is a large parking garage - would IUHealth consider donating it to the city, or swapping in a quid pro quo? Regarding a VA facility, there is a need, as many patients must now make the trek to Indianapolis for treatment. However, it would be impractical to maintain a separate full service hospital for vets, when the obvious solution is to extend VA accreditation to the existing hospital, at both the present site and the new site along the bypass. Kevin Haggerty​

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:

7/12/2016

Dear Mayor, After the events in Baton Rouge LA,, Falcon Heights Minnesota, and Dallas TX what can you tell Monroe County residents about race relations in Bloomington. How does the Bloomington Police department connect with minorities in our city. What are their outreach programs with citizens on Pigeon Hill? Can anything further be done? I grew up in Bloomington, attending Broadview Elementary, Central Middle School, and Bloomington South. I have always viewed our city as a melting pot. We have so many ethnic restaurants that I once said that you could find a restaurant for any kind of food you can think of.I am also, a white mother that believes #BlackLivesMatter. Thank you, Anita

Case Date:

7/12/2016

Dear Mayor and City Council Members: I know you don't want to hear about DEER!...but today I went in my backyard in mid-afternoon and was confronted by two adult bucks and a doe. We've had the young buck in the yard and the woods that we own for a few weeks, but this second buck is mature. Have you ever faced down or gotten close to a buck? They're powerful and aggressive. Especially with another buck and doe in the vicinity. What are you going to do to provide us with citizen protection from this threat? This is NOT Bambi! If it was a human intruder or an untagged dog or threatening dog,or any other wild animal, I have recourse and can call the police or animal control for protection. WHAT IS MY PROTECTION FROM THIS AGGRESSIVE AND WILD ANIMAL? This isn't funny anymore!!!! I am afraid to go in my own yard in daylight! Barbara George & Barbara Lechner 1622 S. Williams Court Bloomington, IN 47401 phone: 414.238-7833

Case Date:

7/13/2016

Dear Mayor Hamilton- Three months ago I sent you an email asking about the installation of assisted listening devices at speaking venues, especially where the city and county councils and various public advisory groups hold meetings. Also at the courthouse and other places where the public engages the judicial system. While many facilities including churches and the Monroe County Public Library have responded affirmatively to this need, the Buskirk-Chumley and the Waldron Arts Center have not; they are badly in need of assisted listening device to replace their present antiquated systems. I never received a response to my earlier email but I hope this is an item you have on your mayoral agenda. Attached is a copy of a guest column about this subject that appeared in the Herald Times. Thank you, Robert Woodley

Case Date:

7/19/2016

Homeless people on our back porch again David Webb <spiderwebb103061@yahoo.com> Tue, Jul 12, 2016 at 9:48 PM Reply-To: David Webb <spiderwebb103061@yahoo.com> To: "mayor@bloomington.in.gov" <mayor@bloomington.in.gov> Dear Mr. Mayor Once again tonight one of my managers had to kick another homeless man off of our back porch area. This same man was warned about trespassing on our property just a week ago and was told that if he came back on our property that he would be arrested. Officer Kevin Frank was the responding officer after we had to call a second time to get anyone to respond. Officer Frank talked to the man and just let him go warning him again that he was trespassing once again and then informed my manager that since the officer didn't see him on our property that he couldn't do anything about it. The Man admitted to the officer that he had been on our property again tonight but nothing again was done. I don't understand why the police are not able to do anything even after this man has been warned that the next time he would go to jail. I'm sympathetic but when my employees are being threatened and spit on things are getting very much out of hand! What is going to take? Maybe one of my employees getting hurt before anything gets done with this problem?One of my customers told me she works in the poplars building and she is doesn't feel comfortable walking to Cafe Pizzaria for lunch in the middle of the day! Things a really out of hand and if one of my employees gets hurt because of this problem I am going to be very upset that nothing is being done. I don't know what the answer is but I do know that our police chief has reached out to us and I appreciate this very much but when nothing happens after warnings have been issued ... Very frustrated with our city government! Thank you for hopefully taking the time to read this, Sincerely, David Webb/Cafe Pizzaria,Inc.

Case Date:

8/8/2016

Hello from new Bloomington resident; green initiatives 1 message Jane <seejaneread@gmail.com> Mon, Aug 8, 2016 at 11:33 AM To: mayor@bloomington.in.gov Dear Mayor Hamilton, Hello, My name is Jane Cronkhite. I have recently moved to Bloomington. I grew up here and lived in Bloomington from 1980-2000, attending Indiana University from 1996-2000. I returned and am now the Associate Director of the Monroe County Public Library. I am very excited to be back in the city I love with so many wonderful amenities! I have heard many great things about you from other residents and I was just reading about you on the City's web site. I saw you have a background serving the State as Commissioner of Environmental Management, which is fantastic. I've spent my last nine years living in San Jose, California. One thing I've noticed upon my return to Bloomington is while there are some extraordinary green spaces in the City and wonderful parks I plan to take advantage of, I think Bloomington has a way to go with other environmental protective measures. I encourage you to consider an expansion of measures such as a plastic bag ban or a more robust recycling program. I've spoken to several people who tell me they take their recycling in themselves, which I think is an inconvenience. Reading the City's sanitation page, apartments and complexes with more than four buildings do not have bins provided. I am a renter and I do not have bins, and in my few weeks in town, I've seen trash overflowing at my complex. I expect many students who live off campus are not recycling. I think the vast majority of the City's waste that is eligible for recycling is going to landfills, which is a shame. Please consider putting in more green sanitation measures to protect the City. I think residents would pay for services to protect the City; I know I would. Thank you for your consideration, and congratulations on your position serving the City! Best, Jane Cronkhite