Kruzan lays out term in State of City speech

In his first State of the City speech of his second term, Mayor Mark Kruzan laid out his vision for Bloomington’s next four years.

“This is a new year and a new term ... and I feel reenergized,” Kruzan said. “I feel better educated, better situated and certainly better prepared.”

Kruzan said one of his first goals for his second term will be to meet with community leaders and businesses to try to lessen the impact of the announced closing of the local General Electric plant in late 2009.

More than 900 employees are expected to lose their jobs. “These aren’t simply 900 jobs. We’re talking about 900 families that have just had their lives sadly, profoundly affected,” Kruzan said. Kruzan called the plant’s closing “angering” and said hundreds of thousands of American workers are being displaced every year in the same fashion.

“These policies are making America something less than it once was ... I want my country back,” Kruzan said, to loud applause.

Despite the GE announcement, Kruzan said he has enjoyed “the best three weeks of my time as having served as mayor.”

He said the plant’s closing is not indicative of the area’s economy. More than 900 jobs were added to the local workforce in 2007, Kruzan said. He also said the city ended 2007 with a “healthy” $5.5 million in its general fund and $3.4 million in its rainy day fund. “Financially, the city is in great shape,” Kruzan said.

Kruzan said that property tax legislation in the General Assembly makes some aspects of the city’s future revenue uncertain.

But, he said Bloomington is more prepared than other Hoosier cities. “Our strong financial condition is more critical now than ever,” Kruzan said. “Our sound fiscal management practices have left us far more prepared to any potential impact to our funding stream than our many local governments in the state.”

Citing the city’s financial situation, Kruzan announced the city will forge ahead with plans for the B-Line Trail, a multi-use public walkway that will incorporate public art and green spaces. He sees the trail as an economic stimulus project.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to convert an underutilized site into something our community will use and enjoy for years to come,” he said.

The city’s plans for Phase I of the trail’s construction have been approved by the Indiana Department of Transportation, Kruzan announced. Second District City Council representative Brad Wisler, the only Republican on the body, said the mayor presented worthwhile ideas and goals overall, but some of them need practical guidance.

“We need to have a little bit greater focus on individual jobs,” Wisler said. “The B-Line trail will be a great economic development for the community, but it will not employ one single person who gets laid off from GE.”

A colorful new logo was unveiled for the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District, a downtown-focused initiative aimed to spur development and growth. The graphic highlights the district’s four main focus areas: music, arts, dining and shopping.

“My goal is for people to know this logo ... beyond these borders ... and to help make this city a destination attraction,” Kruzan said.

Kruzan also made a series of announcements concerning the upcoming year. The city will put forth a renewed effort to focus on water conservation. Anticipated growth in Bloomington will strain resources, Kruzan said.

“We will not be able to stave off the needs for tomorrow’s Bloomington,” he said. “but we hope to show how small changes in behavior can reap big results.” Susan Sandberg,

City Council representative at-large and current president of the body, said Kruzan’s second term will yield results. “We recognize a number of opportunities and challenges,” she said. “Now is our time to consider the art of the possible as we examine our considerable resources ... I’m certain that we will come together as a community to meet any challenge.”