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Issues

Bloomington is a great place to live and work, but it could be better. Here's my plan to create a Better Bloomington.



The Highlights



Transportation

Bloomington needs a transportation system that works for its citizens, its businesses, and its visitors. It has to be a system that respects all of the ways that people get around Bloomington: by car, by bus, by bicycle, and on foot.


My Better Bloomington is a place with a comprehensive transportation plan that is crafted with our partners in Monroe County, Ellettsville, and surrounding communities and counties. The goal is simple: create transportation options that work for people, encourage economic development, and are cost-effective. Such a plan would move beyond the work of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to instead determing a vision for the future.


Interstate 69. Interstate 69 is an issue that has divided our community for too long. While I personally support I-69 and the opportunities it creates for our community, I respect the viewpoints of those who do not. However, I believe that government has a repsonsibility to serve its citizens. I-69 in southern Indiana is a reality today, and for our city government to ignore that fact is an abdication of leadership. By not participating in an open debate, your city government has taken a pass on one of the most important issues of our time. As your city councilman, I will work to ensure that I-69 brings the promised benefits to our community by helping to create a road that respects the needs of local citizens, first responders, and visitors, and a highway that adds to our community through its design and implementation.


My plan isn't to just build roads. As a bicyclist and regular bike commuter, I will champion the mixed use of our transportation infrastucture.

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Jobs-Friendly Community

My opponent has stated that "quality of life" is economic development, and I agree. However, high-quality jobs are essential to preserving that quality of life. Other communities in our state have proven that government can help to create an environment where companies small and large thrive, but the City of Bloomington has taken a different course. In fact, our mayor has stated publicly that growth should be 1% of less, far less than the rate of population growth in Bloomington and Monroe County.


My plan: 30 days to economic vitality. Small businesses should be able to go from concept to "open for business" in 30 days or less. As a city council member, I will work to streamline the process that new businesses must complete in order to establish themselves. I will also support our City Department of Economic and Sustainable Development and the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in their efforts to build a world-class environment for jobs that provide opportunities for all of our citizens.


Chain businesses downtown. Our mayor has called previously for a ban on chain businesses in select areas in and around Bloomington's downtown. While such a ban has not been adopted, I will not support such a ban. So-called "chain" businesses are very often owned and operated by local businesspeople, and only a small percentage of their profits leave the community in the form of franchise fees. Additionally, the current state of the courthouse square - with numerous storefront vacancies - calls for attention. We should welcome all businesses who are willing to support our community by investing here, regardless of whether they have more than one location.

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A Truly Alternative Viewpoint

Bloomington's City Government - including the city council - is dominated by one political party. Regardless of your place on the political spectrum, we can all agree that government without debate is toxic to our community. My election to the city council will ensure that Bloomington has an alternative viewpoint. When ideas compete, the best ideas win. That is what I bring to the table.

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Accountable and Responsive Government

I believe that one of the biggest problems with our current city government is that is has forgotten its primary role. Government does not exist to decide what is best for people, but rather to represent those citizens. When I decided to run for city council, I reviewed the history of the current city council, and what I found disturbed me: it seems to be a group with an agenda. As a city council member, I will make sure that the only agenda our city council has is working with our citizens to make decisions that are best for the community, not those preferred by those in power.

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A Safe and Civil City

Bloomington has done a good job providing a safe environment for our families, university students, and our visitors. During my term on the city council, I will continue to support investment in our police and fire services, and will encourage efforts to provide for better lighting downtown. I will also advocate for a stronger relationship with Indiana University and with Monroe County Government to provide for an even stronger partnership between the various law enforcement divisions that serve our community.

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