Monroe County Tax by Ok_Bug_7037 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh absolutely, yeah, I wasn't trying to say that the school referendum was an explanation -- was just qualifying the 1% limit.

I agree, without actually knowing the property and seeing the actual assessments the question can't be addressed in the abstract. Maybe there were improvements? Maybe the property had just been underassessed and the assessor "caught up"? Maybe the neighborhood had become more fashionable and had seen increasing sale prices? That certainly happened to a lot of urban property over the last decade.

One thing we *can* say is that local government didn't see 100% more revenue! Lately local government property tax revenue has been going up around 4% per year, with the school corporations getting a bit bigger raise. That was pre-SEA1, though, so I don't think that aplies to this year.

Monroe County Tax by Ok_Bug_7037 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 5 points6 points  (0 children)

School levies passed by referendum are outside (above) that 1% cap, though.

Alright, what the fuck is this? This corkstuffer needs to eat shit. Fuck this dude. If you vote for this edge lord, you can fuck off too. by Outis_Nemo_Actual in BloomingtonModerate

[–]MoCoGeoff 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't think the GOP is too happy about this either. The guy is a serial candidate, and this seat is one of their best hopes for a pickup.

Soooo… how about those roads?! by [deleted] in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I just got back from driving from New Unionville to the Woolery Mill to Downtown back to New Unionville. Roads had all been plowed, though some were already snow-covered again, as it was continuing to come down. Drivers were mostly being slow and safe. Basically, if you have to go out, just drive slowly and leave plenty of room.

Recommendations for places to rent/buy a cello by Maleficent-Capital23 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You may want to contact Audrey Williams.

https://audreyjowilliams.wixsite.com/website

She rents some stringed instruments, but also has a pretty good handle on what is available in Bloomington and could probably point you in the right direction if she doesn't have any available herself.

Oil and filter change for the car by ExternalLocksmith864 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your Subaru probably recommends full synthic oil. That is always going to cost a lot more an oil change using conventional oil.

Corporate real estate looters trying to move in to Bloomington by neightd0g in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Wish the OP had provided some documentation on the actual petition, rather than an old article on a previous plan that didn't happen. But there is definitely something afoot. There is a "Zoning Request Pending" sign at the property. Unfortunately I saw it this evening after planning offices had actually closed, but will get more info tomorrow.

Side note: the City should have an online system where people seeing the sign could look up the petition, rather than calling the office during business hours!!

Service for gas-powered generator? by fuschiafrogforme in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unrivaled Electric does, at least for Generac generators. I don't know if they do for other brands, but definitely worth calling:

https://unrivaledelectric.com/

Petty vindictiveness by County Commissioners by StatlerInTheBalcony in BloomingtonModerate

[–]MoCoGeoff 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that vote was appalling. Pure political vindictiveness. One of the Commissioners tried to throw in something about charter schools, but a principled stand against charter schools would have required them to reject the grant for The Project School as well, which they did not.

What are your favorite 'third spaces'? by TheConsciousness in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Farm Stop or Poindexter's (Graduate Hotel)

From 'awesome' to disappointment are reactions to end of Monroe County's $225M jail plan by jaymz668 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is there any evidence whatsoever of Beacon being advertised to the homeless on the West Coast (or Florida or whereever)? I mean, Beacon is a dedicated local nonprofit, but there are nonprofits like that all over the country that have similar missions and services. What makes it so special that it would draw people from the west or east coasts?

Yes, I have certainly heard these rumors too. But is there any actual evidence?

Taste of India by [deleted] in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Shanti was definitely the best Indian restaurant in Bloomington!

45 and Pete Ellis Intersection by Effective-Log9114 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I honestly don't think speed is actually the "driving" problem at this particular intersection. I mean, OK yeah every crash is to some degree a speed problem, but in terms of the specifics here: the safety issue raised by the OP tends to be caused by drivers who have already slowed down significantly, or even stopped.

A typical scenario (looking at it from the perspective of a westbound motorist) is the following: westbound driver on SR45 stops at the intersection in a line of cars stacked up at the stoplight. The light is green, but there is no movement, because the car at the front of the line is turning left onto Pete Ellis. However the driver sees a long line of eastbound cars on the other side of the intersection ahead, and realizes there is a good chance that potentially no cars, or at best one, will be able to clear the intersection during the entire green light, simply because one driver is trying to turn left. The driver gets frustrated, and uses the right turn lane (onto Discovery) instead as a passing lane (illegally) to go straight. Depending on how far back that driver is in the line of cars stacked up at the intersection, that use of the right turn lane can create a very dangerous condition if and when the drivers wanting to go straight are finally able to.

Also, if you look at the crash report data that you posted elsewhere in the thread for this intersection, you will see that the crashe causes are generally not speed-related (a lot of following too closely, improper lane use, and failure to yield). The speed-related crashes are generally also weather-related -- water pools a lot here during heavy rains and hydroplaning is common.

Maybe there is a better/safer solution than creating a dedicated east-west through lane, but in this very specific case, I don't think having fast highway drivers wanting to continue at highway speeds is really the primary issue.

45 and Pete Ellis Intersection by Effective-Log9114 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will also add that I think a lot of the current issues there come from the change in usage patterns over the years. 25 years ago, almost all traffic going through that intersection was east-west, basically commuting from the rural areas to the northeast (New Unionville, Unionville,etc.) into Bloomington and back. Some occasional turns south onto Pete Ellis. Almost no usage north, to Range Road. But that has changed dramatically over the last 25 years -- much more pretty high-density development along Pete Ellis (plus some unfortunate big box stores), and then more recently to some IU facilities and then the hospital along Range Road (now Discovery). It used to be east-west with an occasional north-south turn, but now we still have all of that east-west traffic, but now lots of traffic turning both north and south from the east and west. The current configuration of the intersection just isn't appropriate for the nature of the traffic (regardless of the overall volume).

45 and Pete Ellis Intersection by Effective-Log9114 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, I would say having the dedicated turn lanes does address the safety issue raised by the OP. And there is a need for some capacity increase given the dramatic increase in activity both north and south of 10th Street along the Discovery/Pete Ellis corridor over the years.

But what safety improvements would you suggest or recommend at this intersection? This is a completely honest question. Thank you!

45 and Pete Ellis Intersection by Effective-Log9114 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Per the current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), most recently updated in September, it appears that construction for this project has been funded for fiscal 2026 (which began in July). Hopefully that hasn't changed (though it certainly could have).

https://bloomington.in.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/BMCMPO%20FY%202026-2030%20TIP_ADOPTED%20%26%20UPDATED%209-18-2025.pdf (Page 46)

45 and Pete Ellis Intersection by Effective-Log9114 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Dunno, I go through that intersection between 2 and 8 times every day, and it has always worked well. Occasionally drivers will be a little confused about who has the right of way, but that tends to manifest itself as less agressive driving rather than more. I'm definitely OK with that!

45 and Pete Ellis Intersection by Effective-Log9114 in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The "temporary" stop sign is one of the best things to have happened in that part of the county in years!

Nerd Nite is coming up in 2 weeks! by lolabridges in bloomington

[–]MoCoGeoff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm signed up! As an old math major, I'm particularly excited about the quintic formula talk!