This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, January 5th, 2022.

Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Care Not Cages Member Sydney Foreman about the group which opposes the construction of the new jail. More in the bottom half of our program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we revisit some of the latest Community Justice Reform Committee meeting where local officials have been planning the new jail proposal.

Monroe County Councilor Jennifer Crossley Dissents during CJRC Meeting

The Community Justice Reform Committee met last month to continue their proposal to build a new Monroe County Jail.

At the time, County Councilor Jennifer Crossley said she didn’t feel comfortable moving forward with the Fullerton Pike property after hearing from experts and community members, marking the first tangible sense of dissent with the new jail initiative.

Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones responded that she had heard complaints about the process of building a new jail, but she hadn’t heard many solutions.

Monroe County Circuit Judge Kara Krothe asked Jones why the county couldn’t renovate the current building rather than build a new jail. Jones replied that the current jail has structural problems.

Judge Krothe said the process of building a new jail would take several years. She questioned why the jail couldn’t be improved in the meantime. Jones retorted that ideally, the current jail would be renovated.

During public comment, local resident Sydney Foreman gave testimony on behalf of Care Not Cages which opposes the new jail.

The rezoning of the Fullerton Pike location came before the City Council on December 21st. It was there that the city council unanimously denied the proposal to rezone the property from mixed-use employment to mixed-use institutional. That puts the new jail in a state of uncertainty.

The Community Justice Reform Committee will meet for the first time since the city council denial on Monday, January 9th at 4:30 p.m. in the Monroe County Courthouse.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Care Not Cages Member Sydney Foreman about the group which opposes the construction of the new jail. Foreman also discusses an event Care Not Cages will host titled Gather Against Monroe County Jail Expansion from 3 to 5 p.m. on January 9th at the Courthouse Square. We turn now to that interview.

Credits:

 This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 4th, 2022.

Later in the program, the Bloomington Board of Public Works unanimously denied an appeal for a noise violation at a property on Washington Street. More in the bottom half of the program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Hostage Video on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB.

But first, your local headlines.

Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees

At the Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting Director Grier Carson gave his monthly report.

Board Member and Secretary Kari Esarey remarked that the library is hosting a lot of additional services. Carson responded that the 21st Century Library has a unique role to fill.

Carson also updated the board on the construction of the Southwest Branch, and shared that there has been some public concern about all of the construction going on around Gordon Pike.

Next, Finance Officer Gary Lettelleir gave a budget update. He informed the board that the Department of Local Government Finance turned down the 2023 budget and explained how that would affect the library’s services.

Esarey asked if there was a reason they turned down the budget. Lettelleir said that the budget they submitted increased from 2022 to 2023, and the increase exceeded the maximum growth quotient the State of Indiana set.

The board approved the Board meeting calendar and holiday schedule.

Board Member Nichelle Whitley Wash asked how the days off are chosen. Carson explained that every year they get to decide as a board. He said they want to discuss more about days off for holidays. Wash said she was glad they would be discussing how to go about including the federal holiday, Juneteenth.

The next Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on January 18th.

Bloomington Board of Public Works

During the January 3rd meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, the board heard an appeal of a noise violation. City Attorney Chris Wheeler explained the alleged violation.

Bloomington Police Officer Thomas Kreuzman gave his testimony about responding to the noise violation.

Wheeler returned to the podium with the claim that the noise coming from the property was unlawful. He walked through his legal rationale.

Public Works Director Adam Wason asked for clarification on the timeline for the appeal. Wheeler responded.

Then, appellant Brandon Sermersheim was given the opportunity to speak and tell his side of the story.

Board Secretary Elizabeth Karon asked whether or not the appellant was notified of a fine on the day of the citation. Officer Kreuzman replied that the appellant was made aware of what to do if he had any questions.

Board President Kyla Cox Deckard asked whether the log of events the board received for the incident listed the details of complaints for the property in question, or if another property received complaints, as well. Kreuzman clarified that a neighboring property also received complaints from the public.

The three-person board unanimously denied the appeal for a noise violation. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on January 17th.

Bloomington Utilities Service Board Meeting

At the Bloomington Utility Service Board meeting on January 3rd, Utilities Engineer Phil Peden asked the board to approve a community development block grant from the Housing and Neighborhood Development Department.

Board Member Amanda Burnham asked where the Near Westside Waterman neighborhood is located. Peden responded.

Burnham also asked if the work there had already been done. Peden explained that they have only done the design work for it, but have not started any construction which is what the grant will cover.

Board Member Kirk White asked for clarification about whether or not the grant would pay for the project upfront or if they would be reimbursed for it. Peden said they will be reimbursed.

The next Utility Service Board meeting will be held on January 17th.

Better Beware

Up next, Hostage Video 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,

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, January 3rd, 2022.

Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council voted against an ordinance to rezone 87 acres of property on Fullerton Pike for the purpose of building a new jail. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington City Council Vetoes Ordinance to Rezone Fullerton Pike Property for New Jail

During the December 21st meeting of the Bloomington City Council, the council heard an ordinance to rezone about 87 acres on Fullerton Pike for a new jail. City Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan gave an overview of the ordinance.

Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones offered a plea for the county to pursue the rezone request for the new facility saying she wants to see a more “treatment” approach.

County Commissioner Julie Thomas stepped up to the podium to address the transportation concerns regarding the new potential jail site.

County Attorney Jeff Cockerill broke down why the county approached the city council to make the map amendment request for the property on Fullerton Pike.

Local resident and member of Care Not Cages Sydney Foreman spoke during public comment, expressing concerns about transportation and construction issues.

Another member of Care Not Cages Micol Seigel spoke in opposition to the rezone request through Zoom.

The Bloomington City Council unanimously vetoed the ordinance to rezone the Fullerton Pike property for the purpose of building a new jail. The city council will meet again on January 11th.

Lil Bub’s Lil Show

Up next, we have the latest edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 20th, 2022.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing, on his popular book ‘Fast Food Genocide. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the latest installment of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Commissioners

On December 14th at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Health Department Lori Kelley gave an update on flu cases and vaccines.

Next, the commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill on an ordinance to end the county’s Affordable Housing Commission.

Commissioner Julie Thomas explained that the reason for this is not that it is not needed, but rather they are trying to better support local organizations addressing the issue by consolidating the number of players involved.

The commissioners approved the ordinance unanimously.

Next, Cockerill presented an agreement with the Indiana University Board of Trustees that allows the Indiana Institute on Disabilities and Community to implement a survey regarding current and former people incarcerated at the jail.

Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emgee spoke in support of the ordinance, saying the data will help the community and help the commissioners make more informed decisions.

The commissioners unanimously approved the survey.

The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on January 4th.

Bloomington City Council

At the December 14th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, Attorney Stephen Lucas explained a Resolution 22-20 which would create a Capital Improvement Board to operate the Monroe Convention Center expansion project.

Director of Public Engagement Mary Catherine Carmichael said the office of the mayor would prefer to place the convention centers as a 501-c non-profit, rather than take the Capital Improvement Board route.

Monroe County Attorney Jeff Cockerill stated the county’s preference for a Capital Improvement Board, or C-I-B, saying that the mayor’s office switched positions after the convention center plans were placed on hold during the pandemic.

Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas expressed interest in moving forward with a C-I-B saying the commissioners thought the city and county were previously in agreement taking this path forward.

The resolution to support a Capital Improvement Board passed by an 8-1 vote, with Council Member Kate Rosenbarger voting ‘no.’ The next Bloomington City Council meeting will happen on December 21st.

Feature Report:

WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Dr. Joel Fuhrman, best selling author and renowned physician specializing in preventative nutrition and natural healing, on his popular book ‘Fast Food Genocide.’ We turn now to that interview.

Up next, the latest installment of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 14th, 2022.

Later in the program, we rebroadcast an interview related to the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project – an initiative that puts thousands of acres of pristine forest at risk. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have the latest edition of Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature. But first, your local headlines.

Monroe County Commissioners

On December 7th, at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, Monroe County Health Administrator Lori Kelley gave an update on the rising cases of Omicron and Influenza.

Commissioner Lee Jones emphasized the importance of getting the flu vaccine this year due to less people having a natural immunity to it.

Kelley responded that there are higher rates of hospitalization from this flu variant as well.

Commissioner Julie Thomas thanked Kelley for the update and commented to the public that it is not too late to get vaccinated.

During public comment Monroe County resident Laurie Borman spoke out against the trees cut down on Gordon Pike asking the commissioners to consider the trees when taking on a project.

The commissioners later heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill who presented an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with The Monroe County Convention Center.

Commissioner Penny Githens said the rate hasn’t been increased since 2014 and agreed it was time.

Journalist Dave Askins asked how the Convention Center Management is funded.

Convention Center Management Company Executive Director Talisha Coppock responded.

The commissioners unanimously approved the Convention Center Management agreement amendment.

The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on December 14th.

Feature Report:

Earlier this year, Inside Outdoors hosts Rich Reardin and Don Jordan spoke with activist Andy Mahler from ‘Heartwood.’

This show covered aspects of the Indiana Forest Service project at Buffalo Springs that puts thousands of acres of pristine forest at risk.

Although it first aired in February of this year, it is still timely because the period for public comment ends at midnight on December 19th. We turn to host Rich Reardin for more.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 13th, 2022.

Later in the program, Monroe County Councilor Jennifer Crossley expressed concerns about the new potential jail on Fullerton Pike during the latest Community Justice Reform Committee meeting. More in the bottom half of the program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington City Council Hears Resolution to Update ADA Transition Plan

On December 7, the Bloomington City Council discussed a resolution to update the city’s Americans with Disability Act Transition Plan.

Staff Liaison for the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility, or C-C-A, Michael Shermis spoke on behalf of the resolution to update the city’s Americans with Disabilities Transition plan.

Former Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility chair Deborah Meyerson expanded upon the benefits of the transition plan for the city.

She provided a summary of the C-C-A and how the council’s accessible transportation and mobility principles were reflected in the plan.

Councilmember Kate Rosenbarger questioned Meyerson regarding the implementation of the principles and proposed some strategies to implement the principles, which Meyerson responded to.

The current Chairperson of the Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility Chair Leslie Davis emphasized the importance of a city having an A-D-A transition plan and the willingness of the C-C-A to assist the Bloomington City Council in implementing the resolution.

During Public comment on the resolution, constituent Peter Dorfman inquired about the consequences that could be leveled against the city if it did not follow through with the goals outlined in the transition plan. C-C-A staff Liaison Shermis and Chairperson Davis responded.

Council Member Steve Volan reflected on his past interactions with the C-C-A along with his own experiences with disabilities traveling around the world. He provided next steps for connecting with the Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The City council approved the resolution unanimously. The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on December 14th.

County Councilor Jennifer Crossley Says She’s “Uncomfortable” with New Jail Site

The Community Justice Reform Committee met last night to continue their proposal to build a new Monroe County Jail.

County Councilor Jennifer Crossley said she doesn’t feel comfortable moving forward with the Fullerton Pike property after hearing from experts and community members.

Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones responded that she has heard complaints about the process of building a new jail, but she hasn’t heard many solutions.

Monroe County Circuit Judge Kara Krothe asked Jones why the county couldn’t renovate the current building rather than build a new jail. Jones replied that the current jail has structural problems.

Judge Krothe said the process of building a new jail would take several years. She questioned why the jail couldn’t be improved in the meantime. Jones retorted that ideally, the current jail would be renovated.

During public comment, local resident Sydney Foreman gave testimony on behalf of Care Not Cages which opposes the new jail.

The rezoning of the Fullerton Pike location will be on the city council agenda this Wednesday. The Community Justice Reform Committee will meet again on January 9th of next year.

Lil Bub’s Lil Show

Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 12th, 2022.

Later in the program, we have an excerpt from the latest edition of Kite Line – our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Bloomington residents showed up to a Drag Show at Switchyard Brewery to demonstrate their support after the bar received threatening phone calls about the event. But first, your daily headlines:

Monroe County Council

At the Monroe County Council’s December 6th meeting, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill introduced a request from Oliver Winery for a seven year tax abatement, and introduced the public hearing on the abatement.

During public comment on the tax abatement request, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce member Jim Shelton explained that they want Oliver Winery to expand their business here rather than look elsewhere.

Bloomington Economic Development Corporation Business Development Director Clark Greiner also supported the abatement.

After the public hearing Cockerill shared some additional information on how Oliver Winery plans to hire more employees, and how the council and the winery settled on the 7 year abatement.

Council Member Jennifer Crossley asked about when Oliver Winery would hire the 21 new employees. She cautioned that Bloomington offered a tax abatement to Catalent with the promise of new jobs, and they just recently laid off around 400 workers. Cockerill responded.

Council Member Marty Hawke commented that the winery has become a destination for tourism.

Council Member Trent Deckard said he was supportive of the request, and addressed the concerns of the public that the company would leave Bloomington.

The council approved the request unanimously.

The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on January 10th.

Concerns About Proud Boys at Drag Show at Switchyard Brewing Company 

On Sunday morning, Bloomington residents showed up to a Drag Show at Switchyard Brewery to show their support after the bar received threatening phone calls about the event.

Residents were concerned that the Proud Boys and other far-right groups would attend the event to harass members of the LGBTQ+ community.

According to Chelsea, a resident who attended the event, she learned about the potential threat online on Tik Tok.

Chelsea said that no one ended up attending the event aside from the large crowd of supporters, who stood outside in the cold during the 2 hour long show.

Switchyard Brewing Company said in a statement, “We are incredibly thankful for and humbled by the strong show of support for the LGBTQIA+ community that we saw today. We are stronger together and to each of you who turned out, spoke out or took a part in today, proved that.”

Feature Report

In today’s feature report, we have an excerpt from the latest edition of Kite Line – our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond.

Monroe County Government is quickly moving forward with a proposal for a new $60+ million dollar jail to replace and expand the downtown jail. With little input from community members, consultants hired by the county have recommended jail expansion, and the county government has begun the purchase of an 87 acre, $10 million property.

In response to the jail proposal controversy, a group of concerned local community members called Care Not Cages has been speaking up. Supporters want the county to pause the construction process and consider alternatives to expanding incarceration. Kite Line spoke to a member of the group to get some context about recent events. We turn now to a portion of that interview.

During the Community Justice Response Committee meeting last week, several members of Care Not Cages spoke during public comment. We now turn to some of that testimony given in opposition to the proposed jail.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

In September of 2022, an Indiana University student burned and vandalized a sacred Jewish object at a student’s home. The object in question, a mezuzah, symbolizes to the outside world the occupants’ relationship with God and their home as a Jewish household. 

The article states the Bloomington Police have the suspect in custody, and if convicted, he’s facing a potential of 180 days in jail and a fine of $1000. But will this punishment be enough to deter the next anti-Semitic incident? Gunther Jikeli, the Erna Rosenfeld Professor of Jewish and Germanic Studies at Indiana University, isn’t convinced. 

“Unfortunately, this is not a one-off incident,” Jikeli said, “I’ve even seen, personally, swastikas on the sidewalk here in downtown Bloomington.”

The Anti-Defamation League conducts research on trends related to anti-Semetism and is dedicated to combating extremism. In 2021, the ADL found a 34% increase in anti-Semetic incidents since 2020. This statistic includes reported cases of harassment, vandalism, and assaults. 

Bloomington is no stranger to anti-Semitic actions and vandalism. In February of 2022, WTHR reported on racist and anti-Semitic messages sent anonymously to members of Jewish Greek life at Indiana University.   

“Last year, in particular. . .  for our campus, a lot of anti-semitism. . .  there were swastikas drawn around town. . . students felt very vulnerable and were really deeply affected. And there was a student who faced harassment on her residence hall floor for being Jewish,” Sue Silberberg said.

Anti-Semitism has a long and branching history, breaching both aisles of the modern political spectrum. Offensive caricatures and stereotypes of Jewish people often find themselves intertwined within popular culture, hence letting outdated attitudes flourish without further exploration. 

“Historically, Jews have often been blamed [for running the world],” Jikeli said, “Even from 2000 years ago when Jews have been blamed for killing Jesus, which is a false accusation, but what does it mean? It means that. . . if you believe Jesus to be the son of God, that ‘the Jews’ . . . have killed the son of God, and that could only be the Devil. This demonization has been there for a long time.” 

Within modern anti-Semetic discourse, a document that remains unfortunately influential is the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum describes it as “the most. . . widely distributed antisemitic publication of modern times. . .[and]  entirely a work of fiction, intentionally written to blame Jews for a variety of ills.”

The vandalism of the mezuzah and the trend of anti-Semitism raise safety concerns in the minds of local Jewish leaders. Sue Silberberg of the IU Hillel Center says that anti-Semitic actions have a ripple effect throughout the Jewish community. 

“Whenever Jewish students experience any kind of anti-Semitism or hate, it affects us because we’re here as their support, as their home away from home,” Silberberg said. 

So how can regular people combat anti-Semitism and religious prejudices? While the answer may be simple it doesn’t stop at the source: radicalization. Instead, Tanenbaum, the center for combating religious prejudice, recommends a more peaceful approach. They recommend actionable practices like calling out hate as it happens and physically talking out one another’s differences with fact-based logic. 

Resources for fighting anti-Semitism in your community, along with this story can be found at WFHB.org 

For WFHB, I’m Clayton Young.

Resources:

https://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Believe-it…or-not-Combating-Extremism-12.3.18-1.pdf

https://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Guidelines-for-Conducting-Open-Conversations.pdf

https://tanenbaum.org/about-us/combating-extremism/ways-to-take-action/

https://tanenbaum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Five-Ways-to-Combat-Anti-Semitism-NOW.pdf

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/countering-violent-extremism