City council approves historic district, data access, tax abatement\nThe Bloomington city council voted 9-0 Wednesday to establish a historic district for a duplex in the University Courts neighborhood.\nProperty owner Marjorie Hudgins petitioned to have the duplex, 315 N. Fess Ave., named a historic district, a move recommended by the Bloomington Historic Preservation Committee. The designation would require the preservation committee to approve any changes to the exterior of the building, ensuring its preservation. \nIn other business, the council unanimously approved a request for a 10-year tax abatement and economic revitalization area designation. Developer Gene Moncel plans to build two affordable homes on West Sixth Street.\nThe council also voted unanimously to approve a fee schedule for providing electronic data to the public. Citizens would have access to maps, city code and other public data online at www.city.bloomington.in.us.\nNext week's council committee meeting has been pushed back to May 2.\nFreeman-Wilson steps down as state drug czar to take Washington job\nTwo months after being named Indiana's first drug policy coordinator, Karen Freeman-Wilson has left the post for a new job in Washington D.C. The former state attorney general has accepted a job as executive director of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.\n"We're disappointed that she's leaving," said Thad Nation, a spokesman for Gov. Frank O'Bannon. "But we congratulate her on her good fortune."\nFreeman-Wilson lost her bid for attorney general to Republican Steve Carter in November's election. O'Bannon appointed her to the post in February 2000. She replaced Democrat Jeffrey Modisett, who left to take a job in the private sector in California before completing his term.\nNation said she informed O'Bannon of her plans to leave the government ranks a few weeks ago.\nIn February, the governor appointed Freeman-Wilson to the newly created post of director of the Indiana Office of Drug Control Policy, an agency charged with overseeing the state's war on drugs.\nThe governor is seeking Freeman-Wilson's replacement, but no timetable has been set.
sh: Wayfinder test pilot program under way\nsh: Wayfinder pilot program launched\nsh: City launches Wayfinder pilot program
A test sign for the upcoming Wayfinder sign program has been set up on College Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Streets. The sign -- the first of a series intended to enhance the locations of numerous attractions, event locations and municipal facilities -- is a part of a program launched in fall of 1999.\n"Destination Marketing Group indicated one of the area's greatest needs was a better and more comprehensive signage or 'wayfinder' program," said Mayor John Fernandez. "We've been working with a firm who has had great success in many areas around the country in producing a program that is both attractive and practical."\nCorbin Design Group, with its headquarter in Mississippi, has provided similar wayfinding expertise to 14 communities throughout the country including Madison, Wisc., and Indianapolis.\nFernandez said the experiences of these cities has shown that the number of directional signs in a community decreases when a wayfinder program is implemented. Directional information scattered across several signs is consolidated into a signal sign.\n"The wonderful thing about the program," said Valerie Pena, executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, "is its ability to create a system of signs that will begin on the highway with symbols and colors and lead guests down a systematic path through a series of changing signs to their desired location."\nThe pilot sign on Walnut Street is the third level of the sign series that indicates specific locations within a certain symbol district. \n"We needed to test font size and style in a real life situation," Deputy Mayor James McNamara said. "This will give us the opportunity to gain feedback on whether it is legible from a vehicle traveling up to 30 mph. If not, we can still make any necessary changes before going into full production."\nFunding for the Wayfinder program comes from the City of Bloomington, the Monroe County Highway Department and several private organizations.\nAnyone wishing to provide feedback can e-mail wayfinder@city.bloomington.in.us.
sh: Governor presides over community college expansion\nsh: O'Bannon expands state community college
Gov. Frank O'Bannon announced the inclusion of Muncie, Marion and Anderson campuses into the Community College of Indiana on Thursday. \n"Community College of Indiana has had tremendous success with two consecutive semesters of record-setting enrollment growth at the first four campuses," O'Bannon said. "I'm pleased to announce today that even more Hoosiers will now have the opportunity to achieve affordable and accessible higher education." \nThe community college system combines Vincennes University's courses in general education with Ivy Tech's technical programs and statewide availability. Last year, O'Bannon announced the first community college campuses in Evansville, Indianapolis, Lafayette and Gary. \nWhen the system is fully operational, Hoosiers will have 23 campuses across the state from which to choose. \n"The numbers of students enrolled for our earlier openings around the state confirm our belief that the initiative is precisely what Indiana citizens needed and wanted," Vincennes University President Phillip Summers said. "We are confident that this positive trend will continue here at Muncie and at each new location as we implement additional sites."\nSummer's sentiment is shared at Ivy Tech.\n"We're delighted that the Community College partnership is coming to East Central Indiana, and the communities of Marion, Muncie and Anderson," Ivy Tech State College President Gerald Lamkin. "The premise of this partnership is simple: offer greater educational opportunity to all Hoosiers, young and old, through increased course and program offerings from both Ivy Tech and Vincennes." \nAt the governor's urging, state lawmakers created the Community College of Indiana to help Hoosier workers sharpen their skills and to encourage business growth, especially in the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the future. \nO'Bannon said the state has set a goal of holding tuition for six years at just under $200 per course, which is about half the cost of attending a four-year institution. Such a system, he said, is perfect for Hoosiers who must balance their work, family responsibilities and education. \n"The Community College of Indiana is flexible, accessible and affordable," O'Bannon said. "Through this system, Indiana workers can build a better life for themselves and their families. And, the state gains a better-educated workforce to keep Indiana competitive as a high-tech center in the Midwest." \nO'Bannon is urging legislators to continue funding Community Colleges of Indiana to keep the state moving forward while the state is experiencing an economic downturn. Earlier this week, O'Bannon proposed a responsible budget plan that allows the state to meet its most important obligations, including $4 million in start-up funds for the new Community College campuses and continuing the tuition freeze at Community College of Indiana, Vincennes University and Ivy Tech State College.
