Letters: Fiber project problems, school lunch issues, state legislative update, more
'Ample evidence' of problems with fiber projects
There is ample evidence of issues with the fiber projects in Bloomington, with people's sewer connections being drilled through.
A call to Bloomington Utilities by citizens revealed that they have had some calls, unknown how many unless they logged and forwarded that info. Also unknown is how many will have problems in the future and don't know now that their line is compromised.
The lack of a hotline to find out who is digging where in town, and how to contact the companies involved, is a big problem. A newspaper article appeared online in The Herald-Times, but I don't think was ever printed.
In our neighborhood, the informational hang tag appeared and the crew drilled simultaneously, and the crew only spoke Spanish, hindering communication. Their trucks were identified with AEG, which I had to figure out. I did report to the county that their work was not to spec, was way too shallow under the roadways, 1 foot, and should have been much deeper.
When AT&T contractors showed up a few weeks ago, they were in unmarked trucks, running fiber down the power line right-of-way in our backyards. Bloomington can do better and be more responsible in its communications.
John Stigall, just outside Bloomington in Edgewood Hills
Student concerned about school's food schedule
I am a student at Summit Elementary School in Bloomington and I’m very concerned about the school cafe’s food schedule. More often than not, students have not been getting the lunch they’ve paid for. Many times, some students don’t even get to eat. For instance, the menu posted may say that we will have tacos on a certain day, with a side and fruit. Instead we get something like a veggie burrito with a side of kiwifruit.
When we ask cafe workers, they’ll say that they’ve “run out” of the food item. From my experience this seems to happen a little too much. Whenever there is a really good food item that kids like, they either run out or never had it to begin with.
I’m in the sixth grade and I’m in a group that is always one of the last to eat, so it happens more often with us.
Our parents spend a lot of money as it is for us to have to eat a school lunch and I feel that money is potentially wasted and kids go hungry if they don’t serve the food as advertised. Students should get what our parents have worked hard to pay for.
Nicholas Martindale, a concerned student at Summit Elementary in Bloomington
Thank officials for diligence as we 'evolve'
May we pride ourselves in joining other communities publishing maps of their historical, racially restrictive deeds. Pride that we face our history, facts over feelings. These maps show, not a backwoods, uneducated racism but a highly educated and elitist one. Many names on these maps are well known. Found on our buildings and streets. Whether these names come off local landmarks is yet to be decided. Not as erasures of history but rather active decisions to no longer venerate people whose philosophies deserve to be left in the past. In a time of ramped up backlash to historical accuracies being mainstreamed, may our own reactions be not performative white guilt or the opposing anti-woke chest puffing, but rather a humble acknowledgement of a species evolving. Taking what is revealed to heart, informing us moving forward. As such, I suggest you visit the maps and their accompanying documentation at the webpages of the Monroe County Recorder’s Office and the Bloomington Multi-Faith Alliance and thank them for their diligence.
Claire Cumberland, Bloomington
Indiana Legislature update on March 11
The public is invited to a virtual legislative update on Saturday, March 11, from 9:30-11 a.m., where state legislators representing Monroe and Brown counties will report on their work and activities for the current session of the Indiana General Assembly and will take questions from attendees. To register for the Zoom meeting, go to https://lwv-bmc.org/legis-update. The event is co-sponsored by the Leagues of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County and Brown County, and the Chambers of Commerce of Greater Bloomington and Brown County. All legislative updates are free and open to the public. Questions should be framed to elicit general information and to enable any of the legislators to respond. This is the third of four planned legislative updates sponsored by the Leagues and the Chambers on Zoom. The final update is scheduled for April 15. All sessions are recorded by Community Access Television Services through the Monroe County Public Library, with the video available on the CATS website and at https://lwv-bmc.org/legis-update shortly after each session. The Indiana General Assembly's work can be followed on its website, http://iga.in.gov, which provides a wealth of information and offers the possibility to track the progress of individual bills.
Debora Shaw, spokesperson, League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County
See you at MCCT theater performances
With so many amazing theater options and opportunities, why should you still come out and support our local community theater? Monroe County Community Theatre’s mission is simple: MCCT is Bloomington’s all-volunteer nonprofit theater. We focus on celebrating all people, regardless of experience, who want to explore the theatrical arts. We welcome people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, and abilities and are proud to showcase the diversity and beauty that make Bloomington so great. The pandemic hit the arts communities hard, and, like many others, MCCT is rebuilding. We’d love your support as start our new season! Our first show runs March 2-11 at the Ted Jones Playhouse in Bloomington. “The Mousetrap” is an Agatha Christie murder mystery with all the fun and surprises you’d expect — all put on by people who do it for the love of the craft. After that, we’ll be presenting Richard III in our annual Shakespeare in the Park in June. Please join us in the audience for “The Mousetrap” and make plans to audition in April for Richard III. We’d love to have you! To get tickets or for more info, go to mcct.org. See you at the theater!
Emily Bedwell, 2023 MCCT board president
Setting the information straight
I apologize for a clerical error in my recent article titled, "Help needed to aid Monroe County veterans." The website to learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary is alaforveterans.org. This site provides insight into what our organization does as well it is a great source of resource material for units and members. This site also covers stories about ways we are helping veterans as well as our community and children and youth. One point of interest is the scholarship opportunities available to further your education. Opportunities are:
Children of Warrior National President Scholarship
Non-Traditional Student Scholarship
Spirit of Youth Scholarship
Junior Member Loyalty Scholarship
Hoosier Academic Gift
American Legion Auxiliary Department of Indiana Academic Gift for Junior Members
Past Presidents Academic Gift
American Legion Auxiliary Firkins Veterans’ Children Academic Gift
American Legion Auxiliary District 7 Combs Education Grant • Samsung American Legion Scholarship
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship
The American Legion Baseball Scholarship
The James H Park Memorial Scholarship
Junior Shooting Sports Scholarship
ALA Unit 18 awards four students grants for education ($500 allocated for each semester for a 4-year commitment). Currently, our grants are secured but check in 2024 for any possible openings. Thanks to Roy Graham for catching this error.
Jenny Tracy, Bloomington
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Letters: Fiber project and school lunch issues, legislative update
