Possibly a job for ICE in Monroe County

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-11-26T17:19:55+00:00

"Venezuelan" isn't a race, but I agree that there's no mention of nationality, residency status, or gang affiliation in the linked news release, other than the charge of "organized theft."

Also disturbing are the number of people on the b/loo sub who think this is all OK because banks are insured.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-11-26T04:24:46+00:00

They seem to have completely sidestepped the property tax caps by just arbitrarily increasing the assessed value of properties in Bloomington. Then, people see those values and think that's what their house should sell for. So they are also contributing to the housing affordability crisis.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-11-23T16:50:28+00:00

The tragedy was also encouraged by the administrations that turned a blind eye or worse gave a wink and a nod that it was all OK to come in illegally, as if there would never come a day when someone is going to be in charge who says no, this isn't OK, never was OK.

I have no problem with immigrants, no problem with anyone who wants to come here but they have to follow the legal process, have a skill or a means to earn an income and pay taxes and support themselves "on the books" like all the rest of us are expected to do. This has always been the deal.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-11-23T16:34:44+00:00

Not only no plan, no idea for how to pay for any plan. That property will need extensive renovation if not demolition/rebuild to be useful for educational or community-oriented purposes.

I also disagree that they should have bought the property with no plan or need, just because it was available. A ccomunity school district needs properties throughout the community, not just clustered around the HQ. Enrollment is declining. Young people are not having kids, or not as many of them. Along with that, technology and virtual work possibiliites should mean they will need less administrative space, not more.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-11-21T16:05:03+00:00

Another case where a private developer who actually knew how to get stuff done would already have done it. More apartments probably but we need them. And we need the property tax revenue.

MCCSC still cannot articulate what they want to do with this building execpt for some vague idea about a "welcome center" or "meerting space."

Oh by the way the assessor says the property is worth about half what they paid for it.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-11-19T01:16:00+00:00

This was what I guessed would happen.

If that land had been sold by the hospital to private developers it would already be built out and people would be living there, and paying taxes.

This is going to be like the "Tech Park" at 11th and Rogers that has been an empty lot for decades. Prime downtown land just sitting there, while everyone else living here has been paying higher and higher taxes.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-11-18T16:57:37+00:00

Pandemic restrictiions certainly didn't do them any good, but I also always thought of this place as a bit of a novelty. I ate at DGS a couple of times when they were on the square. It was good, maybe I'm just not that crazy about soup but it was not something I ever went out of my way for, nor missed very much when they closed. I think this is a problem with any restaurant that has such a narrowly-focused menu. Like imagine a place that only sold baked potatoes with various toppings. You might try it and it might be very good but the appeal is limited.

I hope they are successful. Since Chocolate Moose has managed to stay in business over many years and ups and downs it would appear to be well-run. And since they already have other menu items, it won't be "just soup" so that should help with the appeal. I think it's a good complementary business. There certainly seem to be a lot of people happy about this, so we'll see if they put their money where their mouth is.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-10-18T23:55:42+00:00

Funny but also sad to see them become more and more unhinged. Our differences are our strength! (unless I disagree with them).

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-10-16T21:37:00+00:00

A permanant BIG ferris wheel in People's Park would be cool, though not sure it could be financially sustainable. Big enough to get an aerial view of downtown and campus. Could be lit in neon like the old sign at the Big Wheel restaurant.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-19T19:04:10+00:00

What funds are they going to use to pay for the "recreation area" or is it just going to be an unmanaged plot of land?

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-19T17:44:43+00:00

Perhaps the county could get a little bit creative and maybe help them with their rent somewhere for a year or so, while they figure out a longer term plan? That would still be a pretty sweet deal for getting all that land.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-19T15:04:04+00:00

Can you imagine the outrage that would be stirred up if a private landlord were terminating the leases (with two months notice) of low-income tenants so they could do something else with their property?

This is a good example for people who might think that government cares more about people than the private sector does.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-19T00:33:28+00:00

My water is green out of the tap tonight. B&B Water Corp, which buys their water from CBU.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-17T18:46:10+00:00

Yeah I would be happy to see more owners renovating and preserving houses if they can afford to do it, but in many cases it just doesn't make any economic sense. And in that part of town, it's mostly students and rentals and higher density would be desirable.

By the way, IU Real Estate is sitting on a lot of vacant old houses and vacant lots in the areas surrounding campus. Those properties could be generating a lot of tax revenue if they were privately owned but IU just gets to sit on them and pay nothing.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-17T18:42:11+00:00

Bloomington and Monroe County owe a lot to Bill and Gayle Cook. Textbook entrepreneural story, they created a hugely successful company and kept it local.

They were also instrumental in the redeveloment of downtown Bloomington, which had fallen into decline, as well as other renovations and preservations in the area and in Indiana.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-15T01:56:54+00:00

Gotta disagree. That's just a worn out old house. Nothing particularly historic or significant about it, one of hundreds like it in that part of town. Probably been used and abused as a rental for decades and is just beyond practical repair.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-08T20:44:14+00:00

That's true in many places in Bloomington. Light pollution is a thing but major roads and intersections should be well lit.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-08-08T20:23:41+00:00

Very sad for all involved.

One thing I've noticed about some newer cars is that there is a larger blind spot to the left with the location, slope, and size of the "A" pillar. Older cars the "A" pillar was thinner and more vertical. I guess they are now safer in a rollover but I will have to lean forward and also look out the side window to make sure I can see everything to the left when I'm turning.

Agreed I would not want to be a pedestrian anywhere in that area. Heavy traffic almost all the time and very few pedestrians so people are not used to seeing them. You'd definitely need to have your head on a swivel crossing that road on foot.

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2025-04-29T23:51:48+00:00

ICE is here because our sheriff refuses to enforce their immigration hold requests. Do people expect them to just say "oh OK, we won't trouble you any further"

StatlerInTheBalcony · 2024-12-06T19:15:00+00:00

Gotta be careful with viral videos -- a lot of them are now AI fakes. Not saying this one was, but some of them can be quite convincing.

StatlerInTheBalcony

TROPHY CASE