NEWS

(Joe Lee's editorial cartoon which appeared in the Oct 23rd Herald Times. Click on it for a bigger version.)

(Photo of Dani Espasa playing Sophia's accordion at Lotus Festival by Levi Thomas)

Current News From the Primary to the General Election:

October 29th, 2004. Travis a shining light. "When first I heard Sophia Travis speak publicly, I knew she would someday seek elected office. Getting to know her better, I now foresee a shining light on the county council." Read all of Bloomington City Clerk Regina Moore's letter HERE.

October 29th, 2004. Sophia Travis supported. "I've known Sophia for 15 years and have stood in awe of her giving ways. She approaches every endeavor well informed and with thoroughness and integrity. Monroe County is fortunate to have her name on their ballot." Read all of small businesswoman Sharon Fugate's letter HERE.

October 29th, 2004. Galvin, Travis, Englert. "Sophia Travis is the one candidate running for county council who, like Steve, made it her business to know what is actually happening in our jail —concerned with jailers as well as the inmates." Read all of Roberta McCloskey's letter HERE. Roberta is a Perry Township Trustee as well as the widow of Bloomington Mayor and Indiana Congressman Frank McCloskey.

October 25th, 2004. Dems Supported. "According to this Dodds Doctrine, supported by the Republican council candidates, full citizenship rights appear to be confined to business owners ... But residents have come to expect such outlandish, mean-spirited, and ugly proclamations from local Republicans. I support the Democrat County Council candidates — Sophia Travis, Michael Woods and Warren Henegar — whose commitment to our entire community is both refreshing and expected of a Monroe County Council member." Read Bill Berling's letter to the editor HERE.

October 20th, 2004. Democrats respond to Dodds' remarks. "Remarks by Republican Monroe County Council candidate Andy Dodds at a recent election forum were criticized Tuesday by the three Democratic candidates for the three council seats the remarks targeted. 'He gave us the perfect opportunity to show that we are about the issues,' said Travis. 'We have done that so far, and will continue to do so.'" Read the entire article HERE.

October 20th, 2004. Travis discusses her qualifications for council service. "'Social services are the biggest thing that Monroe County government does,' [Travis] said of the nearly $14 million of the county's $46 million budget that falls into that broad category. 'The second largest is the administration of justice. A candidate's qualifications in these two areas are critical' 'Anyone can know price, but only experience can determine value,' she said. 'I have that experience.'" Read the entire article HERE

October 19th, 2004. Small elections can make big difference to Monroe County. " 'The adage that all politics is local rings very true,' said county council candidate Sophia Travis. 'Nowhere can you better see the results of participating in the process than locally.'" Read the entire column here.

October 14th, 2004. Campaign losing formerly civil tone. "One wonders what prompts some of the stupid things some candidates say. [Andy] Dodds went over the top — or more accurately, over the edge — by denigrating Democrat Sophia Travis' credentials for office. "She plays the accordion. That says enough," he said." Read the entire editorial here.

October 13th, 2004. Editorial misguided. "The community has many tough challenges ahead, and smart people like Sophia Travis and Iris Kiesling are much needed on crucial Monroe County votes." Read Pamela Huggins' letter to the editor here.

October 13th, 2004. Travis supported. "Thank you, Sophia, and may you continue to stand up for occupational, racial and gender equality." Read Kenny Childers' letter to the editor here.

October 11th, 2004. At-large council candidates trade attacks at forum. "[Sophia] plays the accordion, that says enough" Read the entire article here.

October 11th, 2004. Travis supported. "Sophia does not want to be elected just because she is a woman or a minority. It is because she is well qualified to represent individuals in this community that are underrepresented. She cares that people are paying taxes into a system and have little or no say to how they are utilized." Read Victoria Burke's letter to the editor here.

October 7th, 2004. Ellington defends delays of Shawnee Bluffs vote. "Instead, the delay has caused just that, with Democratic county commissioner candidate Michael Englert and county council-at-large candidates Warren Henegar, Sophia Travis and Michael Woods all blasting the project and the delay on voting on it. They've accused the GOP-controlled plan commission of delaying it for political reasons." Read the whole article here.

October 7th, 2004. H-T takes a cheap shot. "[Sophia] has a common sense approach to government that will bring an enlightened and much needed voice of diversity to the county council." Read Amy Gerstman's letter to the editor here.

October 6th, 2004. Council candidates debate corrections. "Travis said the county needs more preventive programs and mental health services that have been shown elsewhere to reduce jail populations. ... [she] noted the county already is at its maximum property tax levy and wasn't sure what the tax implications would be. But she said a juvenile center should be the county's highest priority because it would save money down the road." Read it all here.

October 5th, 2004, Candidates tackle mental illness and health-care issues at forum. "CHAPs is a program that provides health care with dignity for those who are underserved," said Sophia. Read the whole article here.

October 2nd, 2004. Speaker will discuss how to 'retrofit' cities to promote interaction. " In cities across America, people hustle to work and hustle home. They are — for the most part — little more than pedestrians and motorists to all they encounter." A presentation sponsored by neighborhood organizations, CONA, Foursquare Painting and Restoration, the Center for Sustainable Living, and Sophia! Read about it here (and go to it tomorrow!).

October 1, 2004. Is gender an issue? "We were a little bit surprised to hear Monroe County Council-at-large candidate Sophia Travis say this week that a reason she is running is because there aren't enough women, especially women from racial minorities, in Monroe County government.." Read the entire mini-editorial as well as Sophia's rebuttal here.

October 1, 2004. Seniors compete for medals in Golden Games. Nursing home residents vie mentally, physically. "Dolores Rose, 85, enjoys listening to Sophia Travis play the accordion at the Golden Games Thursday afternoon at the SportsPlex." Read the whole thing here.

September 25, 2004, Seniors to test knowledge, physical skills at Golden Games. "The Games will get under way at 9:40 a.m. with the crowning of the oldest participants as king and queen, a welcome by Wilbert Williams (founder of the Senior Games), and a talk and an accordion performance by Sophia Travis. " Read about the Golden Games here.

September 24, 2004, Public art promotes civic responsibility. " They were constructed just like the real thing — but these voting booths aren't drab and expressionless...Local artists working in various media participated, including illustrator Joe Lee; sculptor Nick McGill; spray paint artist Giacomo DelRio; musician Sophia Travis; and cartoonist Mitchell Carver." Read about the voting booths and see pictures of the one Sophia Made here.

September 20, 2004, Tibetan activist receives praise for accomplishments. "Sophia Travis, who is running for county council at large, said she attended the event because she believes the center helps promote Bloomington's uniquely diverse culture. 'I think it's a kind of a national syndrome in our country. There's this homogenization of small towns,' she said. 'Big cities, with multi-national corporations that place pressure on small towns. We don't have to bow to that pressure.'" Read the whole column here.

August 31, 2004. Activities at Latino Fest interrupted by rainstorm. "Before the cancelation, the crowd was able to enjoy diverse entertainment. Sophia Travis performed Argentinean Tango. " Read the whole column here.

July 23, 2004. Benefit. "Mister Fister, DJ Wolfgang and a band (with no name yet) rock out at a fund-raiser for county council campaigner Sophia Travis. 10 p.m., Bear's Place."

July 8, 2004. New disc from local duo. "'Memory Room,' a Miller-sung ballad, is another highlight, augmented by Sophia Travis' vibrant accordion and backup vocals by Travis and Sallie Moore." Read it by clicking here.

June 29, 2004. He is trying to break our hearts. "And they did it with some of the finest, most economical rock songwriting of the last decade. Try to top the Vulgar Boatmen's 'You and Your Sister,'" Sophia has played as the Vulgar Boatmen's accordionist and keyboardist for the past six years. Read it (subscription required for full access) by clicking here. Sophia and Dale Lawrence of the 'boatmen are going over a setlist here.

June 21, 2004. Artist's home offers glimpse of the past. "On the air hung notes from three-person musical ensemble Mitten, with Monroe County Council candidate Sophia Travis on the accordion. The group played mainly European and American dance numbers from the 1880s to the World War II era." Read the whole thing by clicking here.

News From Before the Spring Primary:

March 23, 2004 -- Group works to involve more women in politics. Sophia is part of local women's caucus dedicated to getting a more diverse, and representative, representation in local government. "I think that the most fruitful endeavors result from collaboration," Travis said. Read all about it by clicking here.

November 14, 2002 -- Way back when, Sophia ties for third place as best local female singer in the Best of Bloomington 2002 People's Choice Awards. Read it by clicking here.