16 agencies to be funded

More than $100,000 of taxpayer money was allocated to various social services groups Wednesday night. The Bloomington City Council approved 16 agencies to receive funds from the Jack Hopkins Social Services Funding Program. \nThe agencies, ranging from the Community Kitchen to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, requested the money from the city as part of the Hopkins program, started in 1993 and named after former Councilmember Jack Hopkins. The city offers a predetermined sum of money every year to any agency whose social programs serve residents in the city.\nThis year, the city received 20 applications, but determined that some of the applicants were not eligible for aid. Planned Parenthood, one group on the final list, caused council and public debate. Some felt that since Planned Parenthood performs abortions, it should not be eligible for taxpayer dollars. \n"Tax-payer dollars should not go to an organization that ends human life," Bloomington citizen Scott Tibbs said.\nJim Sherman, a former councilmember, offered his opinion in a letter read to the council. He reminded the council that it has to legislate with legal standards rather than moral standards. He claimed that since Planned Parenthood is legally eligible for the funding, they can't be denied funds just because some citizens are anti-abortion.\nPlanned Parenthood representatives were at the meeting and explained that the money from the city would not be used for abortions directly or indirectly. The organization wants to use the funding to buy an autoclave for cleaning instruments used in medical procedures such as gynecological examinations. \nCouncilmember Anthony Pizzo, who chaired the committee that compiled the final list of agencies, reminded the audience that all the agencies would be reimbursed for what they purchased, not just given a lump sum of money. \nCouncilmember Jeffrey Willsey was not at the meeting, but submitted a letter expressing his disapproval of the allocation to Planned Parenthood. Willsey offered the same sum of money to Planned Parenthood, out of his pocket, if they would remove its name from the list of agencies. The organization refused his offer, and he claimed it wanted to make a political statement with the money, not just buy an autoclave. \nIn other business, the council approved the construction of various sidewalk projects: along Second Street between High Street and College Mall Road. It also gave final approval to two tax abatement; one for the Buyers Only apartment community on Rockport Road and the other for the Renaissance Rentals community on Covenanter Drive. Renaissance Rentals' request to rezone this community was also approved.