(Photo by WJBC’s Howard Packowitz)
By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – An attempt to ease tensions between Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner and one of his main adversaries failed Tuesday night at a town hall meeting that also highlighted efforts to grow the local economy and cut the budget deficit.
Renner, at the urging of former city council candidate Sue Feldkamp, apologized and tried to shake hands with Bruce Meeks.
The apology was not accepted after Renner said he didn’t recall when he said about Meeks during media interviews.
“You don’t even remember what you said on WJBC? You don’t remember the emails you sent? You don’t remember the content? As usual, you want to control everything, and it’s all about you,” said Meeks.
Later, the mayor said he does remember what he wrote in middle-of-the-night emails. Renner called Meeks crazy, and claimed Meeks spends so much time digging up dirt on Renner because he doesn’t have an actual job.
Renner’s berating of Meeks led to a public scolding of the mayor in a letter signed by six of the nine city aldermen
Meantime, Renner revealed city leaders and the local economic development council have been talking with a prosthetic limbs manufacturer considering Bloomington for a factory.
Renner said employees’ salaries would range from $30,000 to $100,000 but he didn’t provide other details.
“By and large, these are people who are going to be able to buy homes, are going to be able to buy cars, are going to be able to invest in our local economy,” said Renner.
About 30 people showed up at Tuesday night’s town hall meeting. Renner hosts town halls next Tuesday night at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and December 20th at Miller Park Pavilion. Both meetings start at 5:30 p.m.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
