This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Cynthia Roberts reported on a rally in Washington, D.C. over the weekend organized by the Poor People’s Campaign.

More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the third installment of Cutting the Cost of Gas on Better Beware - our consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines.

Bloomington City Council

Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.

The Bloomington City Council discussed the agreement with Meridium at the June 15th meeting.

Council Member Kate Rosenbarger asked why Meridium, a Paris-based company, was a better option than their current internet provider. Director of IT Rick Dietz responded.

Council member Matt Flaherty asked whether the network and TIF district would extend into the county and also how annexation would play into that conversation. County Counsel Beth Kate responded saying that if the annexation doesn’t go through that Monroe County would have to vote and approve of the Meridium expansion.

Attorney Bradley Bingham responded in regards to the TIF district question.

During public comment Chamber of Commerce member Christopher Emge spoke in favor of a high speed fiber optic network, however, cautioned that a contingency plan should be made in case Meridium ever goes bankrupt or is bought by another company.

The council voted 8 -1 to approve the contract with Meridium.

The council also voted in favor of establishing the People’s Bank Building on Kirkwood as a Historic District.

The council will vote on whether or not to vacate the alley behind the Johnson Creamery Building at their next City Council meeting which will be held on July 20th.

Monroe County Council

Photo by Benedict Jones.

On June 14th at the Monroe County Council meeting Financial Director Brianne Gregory asked the council for another full time position to help the Auditing department.

Next, Highway Director Lisa Ridge asked the council to approve additional funds for gas due to the increasing costs.

Council member Marty Hawke commented that although spending more money on gas is necessary, it also means that there is less money to fill the potholes.

Council President Kate Wiltz asked if there are any vehicles that use fuel alternatives in the highway department’s fleet. Ridge said that the vehicles they have typically use diesel.

The council unanimously approved the appropriation of funds.

The next council meeting will be held on July 12th.

Thousands Show Up in Washington for Antipoverty Rally

Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C. on June 18th for the ‘Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly on Washington and to the Polls.’

The Poor People’s Campaign, an antipoverty campaign organized by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1968, organized the rally.

According to a press release, this weekend’s protest intended to, “address a broad range of issues affecting the country’s 140 million poor and low wealth people – including access to health care and housing, systemic racism, the climate crisis and rising militarism.”

WFHB Correspondent Cynthia Roberts reported on the Poor People’s Campaign protest gathering audio from speakers and interviewing attendees.

Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharris is the Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. She is the Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary.