Clik here to view.
Austere budget, short staffed – Really?
By: Diane Benjamin Today I had some work to do in town at one of my landscaping jobs. Yes, I do that too. Need help – email me! Two things caught my attention. First the corner of Ireland Grove...
View ArticleClik here to view.
And the Good News Is . . .
By: Diane Benjamin Remember this story: http://blnnews.com/2015/04/29/austere-budget-short-staffed-really/ ? The opening and closing of a lane at Ireland Grove and Towanda Barnes continues, but I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More FUN with City employees
By: Diane Benjamin This pic is from LAST week, I just haven’t gotten around to posting it. They probably think they are in a City owed parking lot, the public sure does, but it’s a private lot. Note 3...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Library?
By: Diane Benjamin Anybody find it amusing that both Bloomington and Normal suddenly need new libraries? Book stores are closing, some libraries have gone digital, but TWO small cities side by side...
View ArticleHoping you don’t notice . . .
By: Diane Benjamin You are focusing on Christmas, so not only is Tari holding Town Hall meetings now, the City is holding a Public Meeting FOUR days before Christmas! All are hoping you don’t show...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chili Cook-off: the pics!
By: Diane Benjamin See previous stories: https://blnnews.com/2017/12/13/how-do-they-get-any-work-done/ When I was reading the volumes of emails the City of Bloomington employees sent to each other, I...
View ArticlePothole FAIL
By: Diane Benjamin I was in town this morning dodging potholes because errands made me cross Veterans Parkway. I try to never do that! Before any of my critics comment, I wasn’t driving when I shot...
View ArticleParty at Public Works
By: Diane Benjamin I heard a rumor that morale at Bloomington’s Public Works was so low, Jim Karch decided to throw a cookout for the employees – during working hours. I also heard employees didn’t...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bloomington Public Works-Council should be asking questions
By: Diane Benjamin Public Works employees aren’t happy, especially with Jim Karch. The feeling I get from discussions with some of them is that they don’t trust him and how the department is run....
View ArticleClik here to view.
City Vending Machines – Is it party money?
By: Diane Benjamin Earlier this month the City of Bloomington claimed the Public Works party was financed with employee money from vending machine profits:...
View ArticleBloomington Announcement Monday
By: Diane Benjamin On Monday sources tell me Bloomington will announce the Water Department will be merged with Public Works. The current head of Public Works, Jim Karch, will be in charge of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bloomington Union ratifies contract without SLBB
By: Diane Benjamin City of Bloomington AFSCME Local 699 ratified a new contract yesterday that eliminates Sick Leave Buy Back. The City Council will approve it Monday. Congrats to both sides! For...
View ArticleBloomington Taxpayers Celebrate!
By: Diane Benjamin Tomorrow the entire crew will be out filling potholes! The bad news is they will be paid overtime for 8 hours. Worse news: Today they all got off paid two hours early after a pizza...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Maybe waiting for it to turn to mulch?
By: Diane Benjamin Follow-up to this story: https://wordpress.com/post/blnnews.com/67411 That story has pic from last Friday of brush that was scheduled to be picked up last Tuesday. This pic is from...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Coliseum Garbage Service
By: Diane Benjamin In June of 2018 the City Council approved buying two Knuckleboom trucks: PDF page 300 http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=18156 I was told they were delivered late last...
View ArticleClik here to view.
UPDATE: More Brush Pickup Mirth
There is more to this story: The homeowner has informed me their brush was the only stop on the street today. The truck drove past many other piles to get to their house. This likely happened because...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Answers to questions I’m being asked: Bloomington
By: Diane Benjamin Yesterday I got an email from a citizen after they saw leaves being collected in their neighborhood on Sunday. They wanted to know if staff was being paid overtime to do it. I’ve...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Is Normal giving FREE storage?
By: Diane Benjamin Warriner St – Home of Public Works Building Reports are these have been parked on Town of Normal property for months. Let’s guess who approved this: The mayor who owns a bike...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sewer flooding will be fixed by 2030
By: Diane Benjamin I asked Public Works Director Kevin Kothe if the work currently being done on East Washington would alleviate the sewer flooding in Eastgate. I’m not sure I got an answer to that...
View Article
