WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Monroe County terminated an agreement with the city of Bloomington yesterday, over the proposed Convention Center expansion.
Monroe County Commissioners were incensed over Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton’s communication with a potential developer. Hamilton reached out to the developer privately, to notify them the city was accepting proposals from different developers for the proposed expansion.
City of Bloomington Communications Director Yael Ksander said Sun Development did not have a contract over the proposed expansion, but had been working with the convention center expansion’s advisory committee.
In a letter yesterday, the Monroe County Commissioners wrote to directly to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton, accusing him of ‘backroom dealing.’
Their letter states, “Because of your actions, and because we believe in open government and full, open communication, we hereby notify you in writing that we regard the July 24th, 2018 Memorandum of Understanding null and void.” Ksander said Mayor Hamilton was reaching out to the developer to update them on the status of the project.
Monroe County Commissioners Julie Thomas, Patrick Stoffers, and President Amanda Barge took exception to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton’s communication with the potential developer. Commissioners accused him of abandoning the fundamental framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, as signed by members of county and city government.
Mayor Hamilton penned his own response to the termination of the Memorandum of Understanding, today.
