Letters

Travis and new direction

To the editor:

Why do our elected officials keep appointing vested interests to our commissions and boards? On April 10, commissioner Iris Kiesling voted to re-appoint Travis Vencel to the city's plan commission. The county gets two appointments to that board, and I believe Vencel was an inappropriate pick. Both Kiesling and commissioner Poling voted ayewhile commissioner Patrick Stoffers abstained.

Vencel owns a property management company. He was the point man for the controversial Fine Light parking garage project while being a member of the plan commission. He doesn't seem to take to heart the welfare of the overall community, and his interests lie with themoneyed developers instead of those with us concerned with sustainable economic development in Bloomington that will help this town move forward in the long term.

I believe the last several elections indicate the voters of this county want a new direction. Sophia Travis has voiced her support for a community, vision with total transparency. I am interested in voting for citizen interest over developer interests, so I support Sophia Travis for county commissioner in the upcoming election.

- SARAH SCHAACK, Bloomington

Vote for this trio

To the editor:

This year's Monroe County elections will determine the degree to which sustainability is integrated into county decisions, and no less than the long-term health of our community is at stake. It's time for the county to embrace a new way of thinking about growth that recognizes the value of green space and compact, mixed-use development to reduce automobile use and preserve the many active and passive services our trees and other natural areas provide.

In the primary election, we can choose at least three individuals who question the assumption that "growth is good." On the county council, Sophia Travis has proved her commitment to making sure any new development is in the long-term interests of the community. Now she's running for county commissioner so she can better implement wise planning policies.

Mark Stoops, who is running for the other commissioner spot, is a known proponent of sustainability, both in the sphere of environmental integrity and social equity.

County council candidate Julie Thomas, a green business owner and long-time social service volunteer, is running on a platform that includes protecting Lake Monroe and supporting local business.

It's time to reign in growth. Vote for Travis, Stoops and Thomas in the primary.

- ISABEL PIEDMONT, Bloomington

Travis the right choice

To the editor:

We are fortunate to have a superb progressive candidate, Sophia Travis, running for county commissioner, District 3. Sophia is the right choice to help our community protect its character and environmental quality while providing true economic opportunity for all.

A long-term resident of the county and a talented artist, Sophia has a distinguished record of service, including four years as a county councilwoman. She is delightfully warm and approachable, and her strong belief in government transparency and in keeping her constituents well informed manifests in many ways, including office hours, a constant public presence, and an engaging and informative blog (www.pin-the-tail.com/).

As testament to her leadership skills, Sophia served as vice-president and president of the county council, delivering on campaign promises to serve the underserved and promote diversity and fairness by protecting social services such as assistance to people with disabilities. A sound budget and sound landuse planning were other strong priorities for councilwoman Travis.

Sophia will bring these emphases on social equity, economic viability and environmental protection, and her open and energetic style, to the county commissioners. Sophia understands the value of people and of this place, our county. Sophia Travis is the right choice for District 3.

- HEATHER REYNOLDS, Bloomington

Travis supported

To the editor:

"... That the torch be passed to a new generation of Americans ... ." John Kennedy spoke those words 47 years ago to a nation looking for new ideas and transparency in their government.

In Monroe County, it is also time to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership, and that starts with the election of Sophia Travis as county commissioner.

I have worked closely with Sophia in my work as a trustee of Monroe County Public Library. Sophia has been a strong supporter of our capital projects fund and a firm supporter of our staff's effort to form a union. In all the work we have done together, I am most grateful for her constant push for transparency in government. There is no better friend of organized labor, and our public library, than Sophia Travis.

It is time for change. Pass the torch to Sophia Travis for county commissioner, and "... the glow from that torch ..." will guide us to a more open and transparent county government.

- RANDY G. PAUL, Bloomington

Sophia Travis supported

To the editor:

I'm voting for Sophia Travis in the Democratic primary.

In these times, more than ever, we need vision and foresight to pursue a path that addresses the problems of urban sprawl and the environmental difficulty it causes.

Unfortunately, her competitor, county commissioner Iris Kiesling, is advocating for North Park (Criderville), a 1,200-acre project funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

Two years ago, she voted to approve the Fullerton Pike TIF which runs out to Monroe Hospital.

Yet, TIF districts allow all business property taxes to be captured for infrastructure, not added to the general fund. No money for schools and county services for at least 30 years - just a substantial subsidy to the businesses therein. It was my understanding that TIF districts were designed for the renovation of old industrial sites, not for converting green space into shopping malls, industrial and office parks.

Sophia has voiced opposition to the TIF developer subsidies and has come up with a novel and simple response: no.

I am concerned about the long-term effects of sprawling development fueled by TIF, so I'm voting for representation that shares my values of long-term planning. Join me in voting for Sophia Travis.

- BRIAN WASIK, Bloomington

A valuable forum

To the editor:

I am extremely proud of Citizens for Effective Justice, and all who attended the April 5 candidates forum.

Jail Commander Bill Wilson has often stated at CEJ functions that the criminal justice problem is a community problem. It was nice to see a packed room.

Rev. Bill Breeden did a great job of moderating. Judge Ken Todd and Judge Teresa Harper started off the forum with some info regarding criminal justice. I felt the study at the jail was lacking much needed info in regards to incomes.

The lovely Sophia Travis, who has my vote for county commissioner, spoke eloquently in regards to making government transparent. Bloomington and Monroe County are blessed by her service. Warren Henegar, whom I believe has been in Monroe County government since its inception, was keen to note, "How come there is so much money for basketball, and not our government?"

My only lament was there was no one from WILPF, the Peace Community or the stop I-69 movement.

Apparently none of them care about those being tortured in our local jails, as jail is a prolonged form of rape and torture. Divided we fall, united we stand.

- GABE RIVERA, Bloomington

Travis cares about Griffy

To the editor:

In 2005, the Monroe County Plan Commission voted 5-4 to approve a residential subdivision on the southern slopes of environmentally stressed Griffy reservoir. This land was zoned when the need to protect our water sources was much less well understood. Plan commission member Sophia Travis voted against the planned subdivision because she believed that certain restrictions, such as banning harmful lawn chemicals and preventing the kind of access to Yellowwood Forest that leads to erosion, the loss of trees and siltation, should be placed on the development to lessen the stress it would have on the fragile reservoir.

The pro-development Republicans on the plan commission turned their backs on all restrictions and voted for the plan, creating a 4-4 tie. A month later, when Democratic county Commissioner Iris Kiesling joined the plan commission, she sided with the four Republican members allowing the development to proceed with no restrictions whatsoever.

I believe Kiesling's vote shows that she has lost touch with community values concerning the protection of our environment. I am voting for Sophia Travis for county commissioner. She will protect our lakes and forests and preserve the character of our community that draws so many here.

- LUCILLE BERTUCCIO, Bloomington