By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner does not agree with a departing alderman’s contention that the city’s elected leaders don’t respect each other’s talents and strengths.

However, the mayor said he and the council can do a much better job communicating with each other.

Alderman Diana Hauman cited council dysfunction as a reason for her decision not to run for reelection in Ward 8, which includes Bloomington’s east side.

Renner said communication is the council’s most serious problem.

“Our communication is where we are really falling short between all 10 of us, myself included, so I’m not directing this just at the council,” said Renner.

“You have to return phone calls, for example. If you have an issue, call somebody rather than maybe politically posture,” he added.

Renner said diversity on the council is good for the city.

“We have two lawyers, we have a majority of women on the council, we have a Millennial, and we have someone of color, so have some degree of diversity, and I think that diversity is a strength,” said Renner.

According to Hauman, aldermen didn’t work as a team when they hired Tim Gleason as city manager even though the council was unanimous in choosing the ex-Decatur city manager for the job. Hauman expressed frustration she could not help her colleagues work as a cohesive unit even though she’s trained in organizational development and leadership.

Renner said he and Hauman like to get things done, but the wheels of government don’t always move very fast.

The mayor said he’ll miss Hauman on the council even though she challenged him for re-election last year.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]