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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 19th, 2022.
Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Disabulletin – a segment on disability and neurodiversity issues. Correspondent Abe Shapiro continues his coverage on a lawsuit against the rideshare company Lyft for the alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Internet War Zones on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.
Monroe County Council Discusses an Ordinance to Purchase Land for a New Jail
At the October 11th meeting of the Monroe County Council, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill updated the council on an ordinance to purchase land for a new jail.
Council Member Marty Hawk said she’s received pushback from the public on why the council needs to spend a large sum of money on a new jail. Hawk showed concern about the size and expense of the property for the proposed jail site.
Cockerill responded that consultants estimated at least 25 acres would be needed to construct a new facility.
Hawk voiced concerns that her constituents have brought forward, outlining that the process of buying land to build a new jail feels all-too-familiar.
Councilor Geoff McKim disagreed with Hawk saying that he hopes the council moves forward with the ordinance to use government funds to purchase land for a new criminal justice facility.
Council Member Trent Deckard asked Cockerill for clarification on what would happen if the council did not act on purchasing the property.
Deckard offered a follow-up comment saying that he believes the proposed location is the best solution for the council and that he wants to see the council move forward with the ordinance.
Cockerill replied that downtown real estate is hard to come by, and he doesn’t believe there is enough downtown space available to construct a new facility.
The council passed the ordinance 6-1 with council member Hawk voting ‘no.’ The Monroe County Council will meet next for its regular session on November 15th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works Votes to Approve Contract with Tool Design Group
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on October 11th, Assistant Director of Planning and Transportation Beth Rosenbarger asked the board to approve a contract with Tool Design Group for a corridor study of College and Walnut streets.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard asked a few questions regarding Tool’s involvement in the Transportation study. Deckard said that she remembered Tool previously offering certain recommendations for the corridor. Rosenbarger explained that Tool did include this corridor in their study, however the Plan Commission has since changed what it is looking for.
Rosenbarger addressed Deckard’s concerns about using Tool for the study, and explained they would be working with different staff members than before to come up with a variety of options and to engage with the community.
Deckard said she would have preferred if a Tool Design Group representative was present for her to ask questions, and said she would abstain from the vote since she was not able to attend the work session.
The board voted to approve the contract with Tool with two votes in favor and one abstention.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on October 25th.
Feature Report:
In today’s Disabulletin, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs.
Lyft officials cited limited supply of wheelchair accessible vehicles and driver availability as reasons why WAVs are only available to Lyft riders in nine cities across the entire U.S.
To provide more insight on the issue, we turn to the latest edition of an interview with Attorney Jeremiah Frei-Pearson of the disability rights group Westchester Disabled on Move Incorporated.
Up next, Internet War Zones 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,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
The Disabulletin was produced by Abe Shapiro.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
