Upcoming Budget Meetings for the Township and the Territory

     

Bloomington Township starts its 2018 budget preparations in earnest in June.  Here is the schedule for the budget preparation process which begins in June and concludes in September.

Thursday, June 8, Bloomington Township Board Meeting.  The budget-related topics will include: # of 2018 payroll periods; review budget calendar, and proposed Benton Township FEMS contract amounts.

Thursday, July 13, Bloomington Township Board Meeting. This meeting is the 2018 Budget Workshop at which the Township Trustee presents a draft budget including proposed payroll changes, early retirement incentive for firefighters, payroll, benefit, and insurance worksheets, volunteer association contract amount, and anticipated apparatus expenditures.

 

Thursday, August 10 OR August 17, Bloomington Township Board Meeting. The date depends on when the Township is scheduled to meet with the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance representative.  DLGF’s representative reviews the proposed budget, both anticipated income and expenditures, and provides input, which is reported to the Board. 

Thursday, September 14, Bloomington Township Board Meeting and Budget Public Hearing.  While the public can attend previous board meetings and provide feedback on the proposed budget, the law requires the Board to hold this meeting designated for public input and feedback prior to final adoption of the budget.  This allows the Township Board to hear the concerns and recommendations of the Township’s residents prior to adopting the 2018 budget, and make changes if they agree.

Thursday, September 28, Bloomington Township Board 2018 Budget Adoption Meeting.  At this meeting, the Board discusses the proposed 2018 Budget and, if acceptable, adopt it.  They can approve changes to it up to this point.  But, they must be ready to adopt and submit to the State of Indiana. Though it has not happened during the current Trustee’s tenure, the Board can continue their meeting so that their desired changes can be made, as long as the 2018 Budget is adopted and submitted by November 1.

NMFT Executive Committee meets at Station 5

The NMFT Executive Committee meets the first Wednesday of each month.  At each meeting in July, August, and September, the budget considerations and proposed budget will be presented and discussed.  The Executive Committee as well as Washington Township Board will be asked to consider the fire territory’s part of the proposed 2018 Bloomington Township Budget and make recommendations regarding its adoption to the Bloomington Township Board.

The Bloomington Township Board Meetings are normally held at the Township Office at 2111 West Fountain Drive.  The NMFT Executive Committee Meetings are held at Station 5, 5081 N. Old SR 37.  Meeting agendas and approved minutes are posted on the Bloomington Township and the NMFT websites.  Contact Washington Township Trustee Barb Ooley regarding meeting dates and location.

In the Region of the Blest - Bill Sturbaum (1928-2015)

Tribute to Bill Sturbaum 

I grew up here in Bloomington and Monroe County. Bill Sturbaum was my high school social studies teacher – all three years. Forty-three years later, he is sitting on the Bloomington Township Board, I am the Township Trustee, and I’m working with him as a PEER.  Talk about cognitive dissonance!

Throughout all those decades, he was contributing, helping to build, a better community.  Besides teaching history and English at Bloomington High School…South, he bargained contracts as a member of the teachers’ union. He helped transform Prospect Hill when it wasn’t cool to live there. He served on the Bloomington Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Indiana State Teachers Association, and the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.  He served on the Bloomington Township Board for 17 plus years.

Bloomington Township Board Meeting 2015 (L to R)
Kim Alexander, Barbara McKinney, and Bill Sturbaum

During his time with the Bloomington Township Board, the Bloomington Township undertook a major expansion and renovation of the Fire Department’s Station 5 on Old N. SR 37, which quadrupled the facility’s square footage and added sleeping, fitness and training areas for the 24 hour firefighters.  The Township’s emergency family shelter, Rosie’s Place, was rebuilt and modernized. He was a member of the Township’s leadership who saw it through the difficult economic crisis of the last decade.

 

Bill’s commitment to lifting the burden on low-income people was unwavering.  Every year the Board had to approve the Township Assistance Guidelines and every year Bill would challenge the rules and regulations that we were required to list in the Township’s guidelines.  He felt they should be simplified and more humane; thus, Bloomington Township’s guidelines more often use the verb “may” versus “will” or “must.” He asked good questions and took time to understand the relevant information.  As you would expect of a natural-born teacher, he was always learning, even to the end.

At his last board meeting, we needed him there to have a quorum to adopt the Township’s 2016 budget. He had told me he wasn’t feeling well and hoped the meeting would be short.  We had one item that I knew might take time but it was only informational and so I put all the action items, which would take no time at all, at the beginning, so that he could leave as soon as that was done.  However, after the action items were done, our guests were there and he signaled them to begin and before long he was fully engaged, asking all sorts of challenging questions, and having a hearty discussion about the ideas presented.  I kept looking to see if his energy would flag and we could bring the session to an end, but his interest and engagement didn’t.  We closed the meeting after an hour and a half, an hour longer than I thought he would last.

2014 Bloomington Township Volunteer Firefighters
Breakfast with the Bunny with (L to R)
Alexander, the Easter Bunny, Sturbaum, Henegar

Like a natural born teacher, he encouraged me and others to run for office, to be always asking good questions.  He will be remembered for his good, sincere heart, his sense of humor, his optimism and happy demeanor.  He was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. When our paths crossed four decades after my high school years, I walked into his lovely cottage on Third Street and felt the warmth and comfort of his and Helen’s journey together.

I was in my 50s and had lived in different parts of this country before I came to appreciate what was so special about growing up here in Monroe County.  I grew up surrounded by men and women who served as volunteers on the Hill or in schools, in elected office or on boards and commissions, in a variety ways to make this a better community for all.  They took elected office because it was a part of what one did as a member of a community.  You took your turn.  It was what grown-ups do.  I believe that there was a “greatest generation” and that Bill Sturbaum was one of them.

*"In the region of the blest" comes from a poem included in Bill Sturbaum's obituary which appeared in the local paper, Herald Times.  The poem is "A Happy Man" by Edwin Arlington Robinson.

Remembering We Are Sustained By Each Other in the Web of Life

I've been meaning to write this "poem" down to share for quite some time. It is in Active Hope: How to face the mess we're in without going crazy by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone starting on page 114.

"Based on an interview with Joanna, this poem, edited into verse by Tom Atlee, founder of the Co-Intelligence Institute, expresses well the grace that comes from belonging to life:

When you act on behalf
of something greater than yourself,
you begin,
to feel it acting through you
with a power that is greater than your own.

This is grace.

Today, as we take risks
for the sake of something greater
than our separate, individual lives,
we are feeling graced
by other beings and by Earth itself.

Those with whom and on whose behalf we act
give us strength
and eloquence
and staying power
we didn't know we had.

We just need to practice knowing that
and remembering that we are sustained
by each other
in the web of life.
Our true power comes as a gift, like grace,
because in truth it is sustained by others.

If we practice drawing on the wisdom
and beauty
and strengths
of our fellow human beings
and our fellow species
we can go into any situation
and trust
that the courage and intelligence required
will be supplied.

CLEAN WATER IS A HUMAN RIGHT - MAKING PROFIT OFF IT IS NOT

ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER IS A HUMAN RIGHT or so I thought. Apparently British Columbia is joining the ranks of local and regional governments selling the municipal water to for-profit corporations. I was horrified when Sacramento, California did this when I lived there. These companies, such as multi-national Nestle, bottle and sell the public's water at huge mark-ups. Thus, their corporate executives and shareholders enjoy comfortable profits. I guess, our elected leaders consider these folks more important than the rest of us. Low cost or free access to safe clean water is the sign of a civil society, a "first world" country. Many consider it a basic human right. Selling it to the highest bidder is wrong. It is certainly embarking down a slippery slope, from which it will be difficult if not impossible to return. Nevermind the short and long term consequences to our environment and future generations of the bottled water industry.

Our water is worth more! This shouldn't be allowed. http://t.co/8xFOFIzkXi

— Mark Busse (@MarkBusse) February 17, 2015

End of Season Report on the Bloomington Township Garden

Follow this link to the update on the Bloomington Township Food Pantry Garden Project  -

http://bloomingtontownship.in.gov/GardenProject.aspx

Child Homelessness and the Township

FIRST RULE OF THUMB: DON'T MAKE IT WORSE

One of the Township's responsibilities is responding to requests for assistance with rent or mortgage.  We carefully evaluate the household's situation and, if children are in the household, their security factors into our decision.  Further, I believe that the Township has a responsibility NOT to contribute to the homeless population.  Especially when children are involved.  Hence, my interest this morning when I saw in the paper an article about a new report out on child homelessness and well-being, which has been issued by the National Center on Family Homelessness. 

The report is called America's Youngest Outcasts and can be found on their website.

It's great that the Township can choose to keep a roof over a child's head for one more month, but that's not enough.  Here is the Center recommends for effectively addressing child homelessness and well-being, with which I agree:

Effective responses to child homelessness must include:
• Safe, affordable housing.
• Comprehensive needs assessments of all family members.
• Family-oriented services that incorporate trauma-informed care.
• Identification, prevention, and treatment of major depression in mothers.
• Parenting supports for mothers.
• Education and employment opportunities for parents.
• Further research to identify evidence-based programs and services for children and families.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

I have received many lovely congratulatory messages from friends and family and fellow campaigners. My daughter's adoring accolades may warm my heart the most.

However, friends, I am blessed to share a vision with many others for a Township, for government, that is professionally run and fiscally responsible as well as responsive to the public, but, foremost, a township that is compassionate toward all. This shared vision includes dedication to collaboration as the way to meet the challenges facing our community.

Party headquarters Election Night
photo by David Snodgress, Herald Times

I am also blessed that Linda Sievers (my inspiring predecessor) agreed to manage the campaign and that a great team was formed with Board candidates Kim Alexander, Barbara McKinney and Bill Sturbaum. The team and inspiration blossomed because so many great and loving people stepped up to help with the campaign generously giving their time, energy, and resources to help us build on this vision for the Township. I am grateful to the Democratic Women's Caucus for their endorsement and training and to the Monroe County Democratic Party leadership for the training and resources they provided. They made our ability to be strategic so much easier.

And, to my father, Warren Henegar, who set an example for what a public servant and leader should be, whose shoes I strive every day to fill, and who told me many times "Lillian, you should run for township trustee"!

I am a bit awed by the challenges facing the Township in the next four years. But, like this campaign and the work we've enjoyed so far, it is a team effort. Nothing we do, except maybe dying and that I'm not so sure about, is done alone. A great group of people have shared our vision thus far, which makes me hopeful for the future.

Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Township Staff who put the vision
to work everyday!

Bloomington Township Trustee

Lillian Henegar (D)   3427
Bill Eggleston (R)     1698

Bloomington Township Board

Matthew Shute (R)       1739 Michael A Lakes (R)     1686 Kim Alexander (D)        3165 Bill Sturbaum (D)          3222 Barbara McKinney (D)  3285

Summer Becomes Fall

Remnants of Summer Clustered Against the Wall

Summer Becomes Fall

I took a walk this evening. Not very far. I noticed how summer has ended and fall is fully here.

The Hinkle Garton Farmstead is not far from my home.  The volunteers there keep a big garden and I wandered around it to observe what they had planted, how they laid it out, and what was remaining there.

The fields surrounding the Farmstead, now owned by the Bloomington Restorations Inc., cushion it from the ever spreading commercial and residential developments 

Hong Kong Protesters Have Not Given Up - Will You?

In less than 8 days, the local Fall elections will conclude here in Monroe County. Will you let it pass without casting your vote? The people in the picture are risking everything asking for open elections in Hong Kong.

One month later, thousands of protesters are still camped out in Hong Kong's streets http://t.co/bW9GpIBhK8 pic.twitter.com/fxeM95OBD8

— Mashable (@mashable) October 28, 2014

Finding Information on 2014 Election Candidates

FINDING GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT CANDIDATES RUNNING THE 2014 ELECTION

Monroe County Courthouse and Peace Monument

Most people want to make an informed decision about each office when they go to vote.  One of the shortcomings of the so-called mid-terms is the limited information available about each office and each candidate. When I lived in California, you received two booklets in the mail. One was a catalog of each office and the candidate biographies and statement. The other was a sample ballot of all the offices. Such accommodation is a dream for the citizens in Indiana.

Thus, I decided to put into one place the sources I have identified that provide information about the candidates for the various offices on the 2014 ballot.  If you have found other reliable sites for good information about the 2014 candidates and election, please share them with us below in the comments section.

The best all round site that I have found is the Herald Times website.  Their staff have developed a section of their website called 2014 Election, which I believe does not have a pay-wall.  They also have an ongoing blog, GovTracker, which is free and covers all things government relevant to Monroe Countians.

In Monroe County, the community public access television service operates out of the Monroe County Public Library. They are called CATS and they are kind of a Monroe County version of CSPAN!  Several candidate forums have been recorded and posted on their website. Plus, they gave every candidate, from US Congress 9th District to Township Board the opportunity to be videotaped giving their 3-5 statement and posted on their website in a section called Candidates On Demand.

The Monroe County Democratic Party has a website where information is posted including access to the candidate guide. (It doesn't include Township offices.) This doesn't give you all the information you need, but it's better than the absence of a common website where a voter can find all the Republican candidates for local government and state offices.

Henegar's Campaign Sign at Early Voting Site, Spring 2014

Local Paper Covers Bloomington Township Trustee Race

Bloomington Township Trustee Race Achieves Front Page Coverage in Local Paper

Here's the link to the article online:

http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/news/local/bloomington-township-candidates-address-fiscal-transparency-continuation-of-services/article_6f7c1b79-48cb-5ec6-9700-4a11dcaaf6ff.html

If you can't get past the pay-wall, here's the article in its entirety.

Bloomington Township candidates address fiscal transparency, continuation of services

By Dann Denny 812-331-4350 | ddenny@heraldt.com | Posted: Monday, October 13, 2014 12:00 am

Republican Bill Eggleston is promising total transparency if he succeeds in defeating Democratic
incumbent Lillian Henegar in the race for Bloomington Township trustee. “People will be able to come into my office at any time and get a computer printout showing how much money we started with and how much money we’ve spent,” he said. “It’s their money, not mine. I’m not throwing stones at anyone, but whenever there is public money involved, it’s always good to have it looked at with a fresh set of eyes.”

Henegar was elected trustee in a Democratic Party caucus in March 2013 to complete the term of former trustee Linda Sievers. Henegar said she decided to seek a full term “because folks depend upon a continuation of the sound, responsible and compassionate policies and services that I and my predecessors have provided. I enjoy serving as the trustee and love being able to contribute my many diverse life and professional experiences and capabilities to the benefit of Bloomington Township and its residents.”

Eggleston said he wonders about the raises given to township employees last year. “I have some questions about whether or not that was appropriate, particularly in these economic times when people are struggling to stay afloat,” he said.

Henegar said the township has two major responsibilities — ensuring fire and emergency medical
services for its non city residents and providing emergency assistance to its residents in need. “The fire and emergency medical services we all deserve and expect are very expensive,” she said. “Therefore, in the next four years, we must find and implement the most effective way to fund this service into the future.”

The second issue, she said, is figuring out the best ways the township can contribute to overcoming
the obstacles confronting the working poor and poor in the community. “Every day, we see folks whose income is insufficient to cover their basic needs, who rely upon public transportation for work and yet are challenged when service is limited, who can’t find housing that is affordable, whose health challenges outstrip their resources, and whose economic vulnerability is preyed upon by payday lenders, rent-to-own and others,” Henegar said.

Eggleston said he’s running because Bloomington has been good to him, and he wants to serve
township residents as a way of giving back. “It’s like my grandmother used to say, ‘Sonny, to those who much is given, much is required.’”

He said if elected, his priorities would be to continue making the township’s volunteer fire unit the
best it can be and turn the township trustee’s office into a clearinghouse for information to help people find jobs; and, within the limits of the budget, help everyone who needs assistance.

Henegar said she joined with other townships in Monroe County to explore options to better the
funding for fire and emergency medical services; worked with New Hope Family Shelter to get
Rosie’s Place back on line as an emergency family shelter; and worked with township staff, the
Bloomington Township Volunteer Firefighters Association and the township’s “Pantry Partners” to
better meet the demands on the township food pantry.

Eggleston ran for Perry Township trustree against incumbent Dan Combs several years ago.
“He beat me like a tom-tom,” he said. “But I’ve acquired a lot of business knowledge, and I’ve seen a lot of life. And the age of 73, this is not stepping stone to me becoming mayor or governor.
“I pledge I will do everything I can to make sure there are no hungry children in Bloomington
Township. I have the energy and experience to do the job, and I want to serve the people in the
township.”

Please share with your networks

Especially if you support my candidacy, please share this blogpost with your network.

Thank you.

The Bloomington Township Trustee Candidates

Monroe County's local newspaper, Herald Times, does a lot to promote civic engagement at the local level.  In addition to their ongoing, and free, GovTracker that tracks all things governmental in Bloomington and Monroe County and beyond, they have set up a section called 2014 Election, which covers related news and the candidates.  They include a section where voters can find more information about the candidates for various races, including the often overlooked races for Township Board and Township Trustee.  Candidates have to respond to information requests to be included. The HT also offers to produce and post a 3 minute video of the candidate making their pitch for votes.

To cut to the chase, here's the webpage for the Bloomington Township Trustee candidates.  I was one of the few brave and possibly foolish folks who agreed to be videotaped delivering my "stump" speech.  Enjoy!

Bloomington Township Trustee Candidates

The Least We Can Do Is Vote - Deadline's Oct 6 for Voter Registration to Vote by November 4

A wall in Hong Kong covered with messages from people about what the fight for universal suffrage means to them...Photo from Bobby Yip/Reuters

There is a call in Hong Kong for a restoration "of social order, so that daily lives will be restored to normal."  However, what the Hong Kong Occupiers are trying to say is that "normal" should not be restored, at least not the one that Beijing wants to impose.  

"The protesters have stayed in the streets since Sept. 26, pledging to preserve Hong Kong's Western-style legal system and civil liberties. They want the Chinese government to reverse a decision requiring all candidates for Hong Kong's first election for its leader in 2017 to be approved by a mostly pro-Beijing committee. The demonstrators want open nominations."

With thousands of people on the other side of the planet fighting so hard to hang on to their rights for self-governance, it seems the least we can do here in the United States is VOTE.

Step 1 - Register to Vote

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2014.  

Monroe County Voter Registration Office Hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  An individual with a valid Indiana Driver’s License or State ID may use indianavoters.com to register to vote online. Additionally, an application may be obtained from that same website and MAILED to the local Voter Registration Office, 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100, Bloomington 47401.  If the voter chooses they may also obtain a Federal Voter Registration form from EAC.gov.  If you have any questions regarding registration please call the County's voter registration office at 812-349-2690.  

The local League of Women Voters will be at the Monroe County Public Library from 1-4 Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5th.

Step 2 - Vote

Early Voting in Indiana begin October 7, 2014.  The location for Early Voting and Absentee Voting in Monroe County will be taking place at the voter registration office (401 W. 7th Street, Suite 100, Bloomington). They have a few free parking spots out front for voters.  For days and times, see my September 30 post.

The General Election takes place Tuesday, November 4, 2014.  Voting in this election is for many local government offices including township trustee and boards.  Local Government effects you most directly and immediately! For more information about the candidates, the offices, and the issues, check out GovTracker.

Vote November 4 2014 - Register by October 6

"We are very sorry for the inconvenience, but we need democracy.”

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-29054196

Hong Kong's Occupy Central

Indiana's Voter Registration Deadline is Monday, October 6.  Early Voting Begins October 7. General Election Day is November 4.

More voting information go to www.indianavoters.in.gov.

INDIANA'S VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE OCTOBER 6. THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS VOTE.

The week of September 28, Hong Kong citizens are staging civil disobedience for the right to vote. All we have to do is register online and show up!

In Monroe County Indiana USA, we have an election coming up on November 4th.  Yes! This November 4th.

Voter registration ends on Monday, October 6. Yes. You have 4 (FOUR) working days to get it done (or the full six if you do it online, www.indianavoters.in.gov).

Early voting begins October 7 and below is the location and schedule.

Your vote is important. This November's election is important. You will be electing the US Representative from Indiana's 9th District, Bill Bailey is my choice for that spot, and your state representatives to the Indiana Statehouse - we have many good Democrats running.  Things might run better in Indiana if there was a better balance up in Indianapolis.

Most importantly, you will be voting to fill many local government offices.  LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMPACTS YOU THE MOST DIRECTLY AND THE MOST IMMEDIATELY. So why would you ignore this election cycle and the candidates running to serve on the County Council which is the body that decides how the County's revenues will be spent and holds the County Commissioners, the County's executive officers, accountable.  Other offices, or county responsibilities, up for election this November include County Recorder, County Sheriff, County Assessor, and all the Township Trustees and Boards.  It blows me away that anyone would blow off this election.

Register to vote by Monday, October 6 and it can be done online

Early or Absentee Voting at 401 West 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404 

Voting Information 812-349-2690

FIRST DAY OF WALK-IN VOTING: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

HOURS:  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7 thru FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

8:30 AM until 6 PM

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 thru FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17

8:30 AM until 6 PM

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 thru FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24

8:30 AM until 6 PM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25

9 AM until 4 PM

MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 thru FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31

8:30 AM until 6 PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

9 AM until 4 PM

LAST DAY!  MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD

8:30 AM until NOON

Why I Knit - Reason #2014

When I am feeling low and ineffective about all the evil being done in my name as a citizen of the United States, I can knit a pair of baby socks, a hat, or a sweater and send it to a basement near Market Street in San Francisco.  Once there, my knitted items will be packed into boxes with other woolens, by kind-hearted volunteers, and packaged to be shipped half way around the world. After travelling over sea, by air, over rocky roads, and through battlezones, my little socks or hat will finally make its way to its destination. This could be a school or a maternity hospital where it will warm a baby's tootsies, a student's head, and another mother's heart.  I may not be changing the world or my government's actions, but I can change the world for a moment for one other human being.

Click to see what this summer's Baby Shower brought.

Photo courtsey afghans for Afghans

We Retain 10% of What We Hear and 80% of What We Say and DO

Source: medium.com

When communicating with others, especially about complex topics, it's important to understand how human brains work and what we are paying attention to and how we learn and comprehend.   Keeping it simple and accepting that repetition in diverse ways will help.  In my first full time writing job many moons ago, my boss had us writers read magazine ads as part of on our training on how to get the point across succinctly, and to grab our reader's attention immediately. When I have been part of a workshop or class, I retain the most when I can do along with listening and reading and watching.

This is the article from medium.com that got me thinking about this:

https://medium.com/i-love-charts/3-types-of-visual-information-we-use-everyday-and-why-they-work-2ac85ecc87f0

Reflections on Mother's Day Plus an Alice Walker Poem

Selfie on November 2013 Excursion

Sometime in my daughter's growing up, I read Khalil Gibran's chapter on parenting in which he says that our children are not our children. They do not belong to us.  Our task is to love and raise them up, and then to let them go.  We are not to hold onto them as if they were possessions to keep and admire, or servants to take care of our needs for affirmation and love, or mirrors of our vanity.  As the single mother of one child, this was incredibly important advice for me to heed.  I did my best.  I can say that my daughter is self supporting, self-actualizing, loving adult who is on her own exciting wonderful journey.

I feel very blessed on this Mother's Day.  Here's a poem I found in the section called "Forgiveness" in Alice Walker's 1991 collection Her Blue Body Everything We Know

Hilary at one month old.

EVEN AS I HOLD YOU

By Alice Walker

Even as I hold you

I think of you as someone gone

far, far away. Your eyes the color

of pennies in a bowl of dark honey

bringing sweet light to someone else

your black hair slipping through my fingers

is the flash of your head going

around a corner

your smile, breaking before me,

the flippant last turn

of a revolving door,

emptying you out, changed.

away from me.

Even as I hold you

I am letting go.

This Must Be The Way

February's snow and cold outside my window