This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 7th, 2022.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his ongoing series of reports on the local news, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue. mMore in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Holiday Hazards on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington City Council Climate Action and Resilience Committee

The Bloomington City Council Climate Action and Resilience Committee met on November 30th to discuss the next steps to move forward with Climate Action Plan Strategy TL 1-I. Which would phase out gas powered lawn, garden, and off-road equipment.

Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked if snowblowers would be included in the ordinance. Council Member Matt Flaherty replied and explained what would be included in the ordinance.

Council Member Ron Smith said an incremental approach to implementing the strategy would be best, and suggested that they begin with phasing out leaf blowers.

Flaherty agreed that the leaf blowers would be the easiest to replace, and other machinery might take longer. He added that it would have a bigger impact if they are able to get Indiana University, County Government, the School District, and businesses to follow suit.

Council Member Dave Rollo replied that he believes some businesses would be interested, but he thinks some businesses might see this as the government trying to over-regulate them. He emphasized that they need to offer them incentives to phase out their equipment.

The Bloomington City Council Climate Action and Resilience Committee said they will aim to hold a public meeting to get more input on the strategy mid-February.

Ellettsville Town Council

Photo courtesy of Elletsville.

On November 28th at the Ellettsville Town Council meeting the council approved the 2023 town council meeting dates, and a new account for the Youth Sports League.

Council Treasurer Sandra Hash explained the reason for the new account.

The council agreed to vote on the ordinance on first hearing, and they unanimously approved the new account.

The council also approved of a separate fund for the next level trails grant.

The council unanimously approved the new fund on the first reading.

Next, they tabled the second reading of the ordinance to fix the salaries for 2023. Hash explained that they need to revisit the Salary Ordinance before passing the ordinance to establish the 2023 salaries.

Hash explained what would change in the Salary Ordinance.

Town Attorney Darla Brown said that since the Salary Ordinance would be significantly different, the ordinance would need to be heard again as a first reading at the next meeting.

The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on December 12th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his ongoing series of reports on the local news, Civil or Not: The Court Case of Talevski v. Marion and the Debate over a Private Right to Sue.

Up next, Holiday Hazards on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.

Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.