WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:55 — 30.8MB)
One issue this year sparked more discussion and reached broader than any other. The defining story of our community in 2013 is the implementation of Parking meters in downtown Bloomington. Mayor Mark Kruzan had strong support from the city council and Public Works Director Susie Johnson in his push for bringing in parking meter revenue in to the city budget, but found little support from local residents, businesses, and social service providers. The scheduled February 6th vote was put off 6 weeks for further conversation. The Bloomington Chamber of Commerce did not endorse the plan, and many concerns arose about how the meters would impact Bloomington’s poor, and those who volunteer their time at downtown social service agencies that help assist the hungry and homeless. But on March 21st the council did pass the parking meter plan, with several amendments from the initial proposal. Throughout the year the city assigned and then rearranged various fees and penalties, all the while reaping in thousands of dollars a day from residents parking downtown.
CREDITS
The best of 2013 is a production of the WFHB news department.
Today’s episode was produced by Alycin Bektesh
Correspondents Joe Crawford and David Murphy contributed to today’s reports
Our theme music is provided by Legs
Executive producer is Alycin Bektesh
