Letters: Upset with 7th Street, praise for people, assault weapons, city elections

Editor's note: Election-related letters will be accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday, April 20, through our online form.

Upset with Seventh Street, unable to vote for mayor

I’ve lived in Monroe County since 1978, minus five years when called to active duty. My wife and I are usually in Bloomington two times a day. We are stakeholders but cannot vote for mayor.

Please consider: Seventh Street changes which cause hazards to automobiles, cyclists, and pedestrians. (Brown color for the barriers? Are you kidding? Turn right from North Walnut onto Seventh and find yourself in a bike path? Then back up into Walnut traffic?)

Initiating annexation of areas where the majority of property owners did not want to be annexed — and lose several area objections at great expense in taxpayer money and city/county government workload. Filing eminent domain in order to occupy an entire block with the Fourth Street parking garage and predictably lose at great expense in taxpayer money.

Mr. Griffin should have advised the mayor against the above and resigned if his advice was not followed. Ms. Thomson’s fresh approach is a product of relative inexperience in local government, although her positions mostly parallel those of ... Susan Sandberg, whom I’ve known since 1970. She has the long-term city government experience, demonstrated courage, and dedication required to be an effective mayor.

John Tilford, Bloomington

Paying tribute to the people who get things done

I’d like to pay tribute to the people who “Get ‘er done!” If you call the city, you don’t get a phone tree assuring you of how important your call is. A lady picks up on the second ring and either answers your question or fires you on to someone who can.

Five seconds after you walk in the door at Kleindorfer’s, somebody meets you … and doesn’t just sell you a widget, but explains how to use it. Thanks to John Simpson and Lyndsi Thompson at Chickering. Your rentals always look sharp, and you treat people right. Kudos also to Jeff Mease for all your beautiful innovative businesses. You’ve done well by doing good. The same for Michael Cassady at The Uptown.

Down to the tips of my toes, I admire the Mexican roofers doing such great work in 95-degree heat. You didn’t come to America to take the air down at Seminary Square. I salute the brilliant stonemasons on campus carrying on the great tradition of those who came before them. Hats off to Belen at Petco who quickly took care of my dog after he met up with a skunk. Also, Lesa Miller, Andy Mallor, Laura Hash, Chief Diekhoff, the electricians at Price Electric, John Williams, Ilene Schaffer, Eric Barber, Terry English, Ed Hammond, and the whole crew at Dave Sare and Michel (not Michael) King’s. Your professionalism shines through!

Respect for the checkout clerks working two jobs to make ends meet, who still find time to show a smile. You make my heart sing! I’m especially grateful to our terrific cops … early adopters of bodycams. You keep us safe while treating rich and poor with equal respect. Thanks to my friendly mail carrier, James, and those folks I never see who pick up our trash in the dead of night. Let’s hear it for the Duke Energy heroes, risking their necks 30 feet overhead in the buckets of their cherry pickers working in the midst of winter blizzards to get us back online.

Despite casino lobbyists and billionaires who never pay taxes … the kind of people whose children don’t get their legs blown off in one of our endless wars, America splutters along because of citizens like these, as well as the teachers, librarians, truckers and janitors I didn’t have space to mention. Pat yourselves on the back!

John Linnemeier, Bloomington

Are mayor candidates campaigning to the 'free riders?'

I get it. There are a lot of folks who have a sweet deal. They live, essentially, in Bloomington, but for one reason or another they're not within the city limits. So they get most of the benefits of living in Bloomington, but they pay somewhat less in property taxes. It's understandable that they don't want their area annexed.

Here’s something I don’t get. You’d think that these folks would be a least a little bit embarrassed to be free riders. But somehow they don’t see it that way. They seem to have convinced themselves that this free riding is a weird sort of civic virtue. That being asked to pay their fair share is somehow unfair to them.

And here’s what I really don’t get. In the coming municipal elections, lots of the candidates for mayor and city council seem to be lining up on the side of the free riders. Hello! These folks can’t vote for you. And if you really believe in Bloomington, shouldn’t you be more concerned for those of us who do live in Bloomington, and who would benefit from sensible city boundaries?

Daniel Dabney, Bloomington

Experience needed for city elected officials

I have now had chats with mayoral and city council candidates and asked them about the two crucial issues I think are now facing Bloomington: hiring and retaining more firefighters and police to deal with drugs and violence coming from I-69 visitors, as well as finding affordable housing for lower income folks who want to live and work here.

New apartments help make older houses and apartments available if the city can help renovate them. That will take money, which has been spent on extras. Plus, extending city annexation to the northeast and southeast areas, where residents can afford to help pay for the services they use, as my wife and I do in Park Ridge East. Mayor Hamilton originally added them. Why were they excluded? Taxes are never voluntary!

Bloomington has several different problems, including waste and sewage disposal and traffic, so we need experienced people: Susan Sandberg for mayor, Ron Smith for Council 3, Andy Ruff and Matt Flaherty at Large.

Martin Spechler, Bloomington

It's time to ban assault weapons

The recent mass shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, where six innocent people, including three children, lost their lives, has once again brought the issue of gun control to the forefront. What is particularly disturbing is that the shooter used the same weapon, an AR-15, that was used in the Pulse nightclub and Stoneman Douglas High School shootings. This raises serious questions about the accessibility of these weapons and the need for stricter gun control laws.

The AR-15 is a weapon that is designed to kill large numbers of people quickly and efficiently. It has no valid recreational or civilian use. It should be banned. It is not an issue of infringing on the rights of responsible gun owners, but rather a matter of ensuring the safety of all Americans.

We cannot continue to allow attacks like these to become commonplace in our society. I urge legislators in Indiana and in Washington to ban assault weapons like the AR-15. It is the responsibility of our elected officials to protect their constituents and ensure that our communities are safe. We cannot afford to wait for yet another tragedy. Let us come together as a nation and work towards a safer future for everyone.

Christian Lubben, Bloomington

Kerry Thomson for mayor

Kerry Thomson will be an outstanding mayor for all the people of Bloomington.

During my long career in the health and human services arena, I have been fortunate to work directly with many respected leaders in the public, nonprofit and private sectors at the local, state, national and international levels who share qualities that make them great leaders — a keen intellect, strong analytical skills, good listeners, seasoned collaborators, brilliant communicators and tireless champions for those in need.

Kerry has these same qualities, plus she also lives by the humble belief that you can achieve amazing results if you don’t care who gets the credit. In addition to these outstanding attributes, Kerry also has a remarkable executive leadership track record. As CEO of Monroe County Habitat for Humanity for 20 years, Kerry took over when Habitat was in debt and was building only one house per year to building 10 houses per year and a surplus. As executive director of the IU Center on Rural Engagement since 2018, she has expanded the reach of the program from five counties to more than 55 and it’s still growing and helping communities thrive.

Please join me in voting for Kerry Thomson as our next mayor.

Jeff Richardson, Bloomington

Grant full coverage for Alzheimer's treatments

Over 750 volunteer advocates, including those from right here in Indiana, met with members of Congress on Capitol Hill this month to urge lawmakers to keep Alzheimer’s and all other dementia a priority in the country. As a college student at Indiana University, I never expected to face the harsh reality of this disease at such a young age. I have watched helplessly as my close family fights the pain of dementia. I feel that our voices in D.C. and in our communities are more crucial than ever before.

Medicare has always covered FDA-approved treatments for those living with conditions like cancer, heart disease and HIV/AIDS. However, for the first time in history, they have decided not to cover cutting-edge Alzheimer’s treatments. For CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) to treat those with Alzheimer’s disease differently than those with other diseases is unprecedented and unacceptable.

After years of hoping and fighting for scientific breakthroughs, we’re finally at the brink of effective treatments that may significantly change the course of this disease — and our fight can’t stop now. My family can’t buy more time with our afflicted, and neither can the families of the 110,000 other Hoosiers living with Alzheimer’s. I need Rep. Erin Houchin to stand up for the futures of everyone impacted by this terrible disease by urging CMS to grant full coverage for these treatments.

Madison Rossillo, Bloomington

Vote for Donald Griffin for mayor

We have an epochal primary election coming up in May. There is more gender and racial diversity on the ballot than ever before. Equity in America seems right around the corner. I would be happy with any of the candidates who are on the ballot. Of course, I have a favorite because I have watched him grow up in this city and I have benefited from his expertise and commitment to our beloved community.

Donald Griffin is home-grown and home spun. He is a product of this community and represents its best qualities and traits. He is a mixture of town and gown — and has an appreciation for both. That is what is needed as Bloomington enters a new phase of its growth.

Donald’s vision for the city is that of moderated and measured growth, taking in consideration the needs of the industrial, educational, and neighborhood communities that make up the city. Coherent communication and mutual collaboration are needed to accomplish the many priorities facing our community. The city and county need someone who can bring all the sides together. Donald Griffin is just that person.

I am convinced and I invite my fellow citizens to read about and listen to Donald. His sincerity and commitment are undeniable. His passion for Bloomington is what will be needed to overcome the challenges facing the city and county. If you believe in Bloomington as I do, you, too, will vote for Donald Griffin for mayor.

Frank Motley, Bloomington

Choses Susan Sandberg for mayor, Joe Lee for city council

When I bought my small home, the lot behind it was zoned single-family. Our current mayor and his city council followers recently passed upzoning for our neighborhoods. Construction began on this lot soon after. Now there are two 3-story 6-plexes next door to me. This is far from what I was looking for when I bought my house. I had no say in this, no voice.

There was tremendous citizen opposition to upzoning but it passed anyway. We now have a choice before us in the local primaries. Susan Sandberg, candidate for mayor, was one of the few who voted against upzoning. Kerry Thompson has not said where she stands, but she has a number of large developers donating to her. Don Griffin was Hamilton’s deputy and wants to “hit the ground running and keep up our city’s momentum.” He's also a real estate professional.

Susan Sandberg says she’s “committed to protecting the city from overdevelopment, overoccupancy and exploitation by rental real estate speculators.” Susan Sandberg is my choice for mayor. Joe Lee gets my vote for council. There’s lots of information about the candidates in a local blog titled The Dissident Democrat. Worth reading before voting.

Victoria Nelson, Bloomington

Supports Kerry Thomson for mayor

Among the fine candidates for Bloomington mayor, Kerry Thomson stands out. Her leadership skills and experience are clear. She brings imagination, administrative talent and a vision that seeks to unite our community. I write to encourage support for Kerry primarily because she listens to others and seeks to build networks of trust across diverse economic, racial and social class groupings.

Kerry envisions a city where the corporate community, university and schools, health care system and neighborhoods find better ways to collaborate and value the gifts of all. If looking for a person who can see-things-whole and put together the puzzle pieces of Bloomington and our future TOGETHER, I encourage a vote for Kerry Thomson.

Philip Amerson, Bloomington

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Letters: 7th Street, Bloomington mayor race, ban assault weapons