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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 20th, 2022.
Later in the program, we have some updates from the Community Justice Response Committee on the potential new jail site on Fullerton Pike.
More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said he would not follow President Biden’s lead to pardon those convicted for simple cannabis possession. That’s coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup.
The Statehouse Roundup
President Joe Biden urged governors to follow his lead by pardoning those convicted for simple possession of cannabis.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said he would not follow suit with President Biden.
In a statement, Holcomb said, “The President should work with Congress, not around them, to discuss changes to the law federally, especially if he is requesting governors to overturn the work local prosecutors have done by simply enforcing the law. Until these federal changes occur, I cannot in good conscience consider issuing blanket pardons for all such offenders.”
According to the Marijuana Policy Project, Indiana is one of 13 states who have no effective medical cannabis law and one of 19 states that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis. Under the current law, possession of a single joint is punishable by up to a year of incarceration and a fine of up to 5,000 dollars.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana reported that both Black people and white people use cannabis at similar rates. However, Black Hoosiers are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white Hoosiers.
Meanwhile, Governor Holcomb has previously stated that he’s against the legalization of cannabis because it’s federally listed as a Schedule 1 drug. If the federal law changes, Holcomb said he would consider amending the state’s cannabis policy.
According to data from the ACLU, 81 percent of Hoosiers support legalizing cannabis, either recreationally or medicinally.
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On Sunday, Republican Senator Todd Young faced off in a debate against Democrat Tom McDermott and Libertarian James Sceniak ahead of the November election.
Candidates clashed over reproductive rights, federal spending and cannabis reform during Sunday’s debate.
Senator Young criticized the President Biden administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress during his opening remarks.
McDermott, who is currently the mayor of Hammond, distanced himself from Young by saying he doesn’t accept corporate donations. He also attacked his opponent over abortion rights.
Sceniak discussed his background and described parts of his platform during the opening statement.
Voters in Indiana will decide the senate race on Election Day, which will happen on November 8th. To listen to the full debate, click here.
Ellettsville Town Council
The Ellettsville Town Council approved the 2023 budget at their meeting on October 10th.
During public comment, Ellettsville Resident Steve Robertson spoke in favor of raising the salaries of government workers in the 2023 budget. Robertson explained that skilled workers need to be retained and warned that otherwise the town won’t have anyone who can fix a water main break at 3 a.m.
Robertson’s comment received a round of applause.
Next, resident and President of AFSCME, a workers union for city employees in Bloomington, Bradley Rushton spoke in favor of the raise as well.
The board approved the 2023 budget with a vote of 3 to 1 with Council Member Dan Swafford dissenting.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be held on October 24th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
At the Bloomington Utility Service Board meeting on October 10th President of the board, Jeff Ehman asked about an item on the agenda regarding sump pumps.
Utilities Engineer Phil Peden responded.
Next, Capital Projects Manager Dan Hudson shared they received one bid on the Monroe Waste Treatment Plant Filter Media Rehabilitation Project. Hudson explained what the project would finance.
A board member asked if the air handling was critical to the project. Hudson explained why it is necessary.
Hudson emphasized he believes this project is important.
Hudson said the Utility Department staff will consider the bid and come back with a recommendation for whether or not to accept the bid at the next Bloomington Utility Service Board meeting on October 24th.
Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee
At the October 17th meeting of the Monroe County Community Justice Response Committee, County Commissioner Julie Thomas provided a transportation update for the potential new jail site on Fullerton Pike.
Thomas said the Fullerton Pike property has not been finalized as a site for the new jail, and that the committee’s conversations with Bloomington Transit are ongoing.
Committee Member Catherine Stafford voiced concerns about the high cost of transporting inmates. County Commissioner Lee Jones said that’s an issue determined by the county council, not by this committee.
Commissioner Thomas said the county would likely utilize less staff at the new facility. Committee member Mary Ellen Diekhoff pushed back against that comment, saying she believes the county would need to increase personnel for a new jail.
Commissioner Jones said the county council would determine the transportation costs once the property and design of the new jail site are approved.
Next, the committee gave an update on its substance use disorder priorities and discussed how the county plans to use funds from an opioid settlement.
County councilperson Peter Iversen said some of the funds from the settlement could be used to better treat substance abuse disorder in order to reduce recidivism rates in the jail.
Committee member Darcie Fawsett said that recovery programs are helpful but they tend to delay the length of time it takes a case to move through the court system.
During public comment, resident Teyaqua Davis said while she’s supportive of a new jail, she wants to see the county government tackle more mental health priorities. Davis said she recently lost her son to mental illness and substance abuse, and that she reached out to the city for help to no avail.
Jones said the state is working on the issue at the moment. She said the county is also exploring ways to provide better mental healthcare.
Court Appointed Special Advocate Jim Shelton said that speeding up the court process could help in limiting the amount of time someone spends in jail.
Local resident Pamela Davidson said she also believes that mental healthcare is lacking in the community, and she thinks the jail should be less populated than it currently is.
WFHB News will continue to follow and provide updates on the new jail in the coming weeks. The Community Justice Response Committee will meet again at 4:30 p.m. in a hybrid capacity on November 7th.
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.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
