This story is part of a special episode of WGLT's Sound Ideas airing March 12, marking the one-year anniversary of COVID's arrival in McLean County. Find
Staff / WGLT
The nine candidates running for Normal Town Council split down the middle on the proper role of government in building the tax base and offering development incentives.
There are, in effect, two distinct slates of candidates: four who generally have reservations about using town government to stimulate development; and five who generally want to use development tools, though their willingness to do so depends on several variables.
Donna Toney is the firmest of those against using town government to stimulate economic development, though she said she s not up on the issue. Well, um, I am not that versed on that particular subject there. I m dealing totally with local, but if I had to answer I would really have to know the ins and outs of that to give an answer that would be suitable, said Toney.
The Baby Fold offers early interventions and prevention-focused programs for families with children that may be at risk for abuse or neglect. Due to COVID, many of those services have gone virtual. In some cases, the nonprofit says, that s worked out well The Baby Fold / Facebook
Social service agencies have had to integrate more technology into their outreach amid COVID. Some of those changes could stick, even after the pandemic ends.
Tony Wilson recently joined the Baby Fold in Normal, serving as director of family and community services. He oversees foster care and intact family services, as well as partnerships with Bloomington-Normal schools and the Healthy Start program for new parents.
The candidates running for mayor and city council in Bloomington mostly praise what city government has done so far in providing relief to residents and
Courtesy
This story is about debt, specifically Town of Normal debt; what’s healthy and what’s not. It’s a campaign issue in this year’s mayoral and city council contests.
The Town of Normal has about $81 million in bonded debt. But is that a healthy or unhealthy level of debt? I think there is a healthy level. I think we are past it, said Marc Tiritilli, who is challenging Mayor Chris Koos in the April 6 election for the second time.
Incumbents in the council and mayoral races in Normal maintain the debt level is healthy. Koos said you don t have to take his word for it.