Candidates address city's concerns to Rotary Club

Fred Prall's speech at the Rotary Club luncheon Tuesday afternoon in the Indiana Memorial Union focused on Rotary members' main concerns: safety within the Bloomington community, the inefficiency of the current traffic situation and the quality of jobs in the city.\nPrall, the Republican candidate for mayor, began with a brief introduction explaining his background to the community, and then gave his usual disclaimer. \n"I'm not a politician and not a good public speaker," Prall said. "That's probably clear to you by now."\nPrall outlined his platform, starting with the need for increased safety in the community, citing an overstretched police and fire force. He then discussed the inefficiency of traffic in Bloomington and how to fix the congestion problems the city is facing.\nImproving the quality and quantity of jobs is another main issue for Prall.\n"There are too few jobs to go around," he said. "People aren't getting paid how we'd like them to get paid."\nHe also said he believes the living wage that is currently being debated would be detrimental to Bloomington.\n"If living wage is installed in Bloomington, it'd be very, very hard to overcome, even if I am mayor," Prall said.\nAfter speaking for approximately 15 minutes, Prall opened the floor to questions, saying, "I find it really awkward to talk about myself."\nQuestions ranged from concerns about opening up Seventh Street to through traffic to his specific economic plan for the city. \nWhen asked about his economic plan, Prall detailed three parts that would improve the economic conditions in Bloomington. He said he would first work with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) to take the politics out of the organization. Second, he said he would work with small businesses to create a more friendly environment for them in Bloomington, and try to bring larger technology corporations to the city. \n"In my administration we are going to roll out the red carpet and cut the red tape to make businesses feel welcome," he said.\nIn order to assist these businesses, he said the third part of the plan involves ensuring the construction of I-69. Prall said he has seen a gradual decline in the influence of the IU campus as a whole and in the state of Indiana. \n"I fear that if we don't get I-69 in here, that erosion is going to continue," Prall said.\nPrall concluded by emphasizing again that he is not a politician, distancing himself from his opponent, Democrat Mark Kruzan. \n"I couldn't be a politician because I couldn't always say nothing about something," he said. "I have said my piece as clearly as I can. I don't nibble around the issues."\nFred Dunn, a senior Rotary member and a Democrat, said he is going to vote for Prall because he thinks Prall would be the best person to restore the balance to Bloomington politics. \n"He knows where he stands; his door is always open. He might not agree with you, but he'll listen to you," Dunn said. "He's a 'Mr. Smith goes to Washington' kind of guy. He could easily retire somewhere and be happy, but he wants to help make the community better."\nAbout 100 rotary members were in attendance. Rotary club president, Judy Witt, said the luncheon went well. \n"It was well-attended. Members were responsive. They asked questions," she said.\nPrall agreed that the luncheon was a success.\n"It was good to be with old friends today," Prall said about the luncheon. "It was far too short."\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Viviano at jviviano@indiana.edu.