City councilman steps down after nearly 11 years of work

Bloomington City Councilman Jason Banach described his nearly 11 years on the council as "pure bliss." Despite having said he enjoyed his years as a council member, Banach announced Wednesday that he will be retiring from his city council seat representing District 2 effective Sept. 30, just 15 months shy of the end of his third term. \n"This is not a decision I made lightly," Banach said. "This is something I've been contemplating for months."\nBanach, 33, was first elected in 1995 while still a senior at IU and was the youngest person ever elected to serve on a city council in Indiana at age 22. \n"I will always be humbled that the citizens of this extraordinary city have entrusted me with this incredible honor for over a decade," Banach said. "It is only after thoughtful deliberation and discussion with my family and peers that I have decided the citizens of Bloomington deserve a representative that can continue to devote their full energy to this position."\nBanach cited professional reasons for his decision to step down. He serves as assistant director of real estate for IU and has responsibilities on all eight IU campuses.\n"As things have been getting busier and busier at work, it's been difficult to make it to meetings," Banach said. "I've been late, I've missed meetings, and it's not fair to my constituents or to the council to serve in that fashion. Something had to give."\nBanach was introduced to city politics by Kirk White, the city councilman for District 2 at the time, who is currently vice president of university relations at IU. While working on White's mayoral campaign in 1995, Banach was asked if he would replace him on the council.\n"I was stuffing envelopes one night at his house, and Kirk looked at me and said, 'What about you?' I was clueless at the time," Banach said. \nBanach served as a member of a Republican minority on the council for his entire career, and said he found the experience both frustrating and illuminating.\n"We have different ideas as how to get to utopia," Banach said. "It's frustrating when you have an opinion and you can't even be heard, but I moderated over the years. You really gain an appreciation for viewpoints that I never thought I would."\nFellow councilman Chris Gaal, a Democrat, echoed the sentiments of the entire council and Mayor Mark Kruzan when he said Banach will be missed.\n"Jason could always be counted on as a straight shooter," Gaal said. "He had an open mind with the issues, and what you saw was what you got. I've always appreciated his honesty."\nBanach plans to stay in Bloomington after officially stepping down.\n"I will not rule out a future run for any office, but for the time being, I need to direct my efforts to my family and career," Banach said. "I plan to stay involved with the community as much as is practicably possible."\nBanach said he has shared his decision with Monroe County GOP Chairman Franklin Andrew, and that Andrew has said a caucus will be scheduled to pick a replacement for Banach as soon as possible.