Mayoral candidates debate violent crime, hospital location

The issues of violent crime and the potential relocation of IU Health Bloomington pervaded Wednesday night’s Democratic mayoral debate at the Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union.

Democratic candidates John Hamilton and incumbent Mark Kruzan both appeared for the debate, moderated by IU Political Science Chair Russell Hanson and sponsored by Union Board, where they answered questions submitted by IU students.

The candidates’ responses to a question about violent crime during Little 500 week extended into the subsequent questions.

Hamilton accused Kruzan of allowing violent crime in the city to double under his watch and then not bringing it to the city’s attention.

“I think as mayor there is a responsibility to talk about an increase in violent crime and how we can improve that,” Hamilton said. “The leadership of the mayor requires communicating to the people about challenges we face.”

Kruzan said Hamilton did not disclose the full story behind the statistics, pointing out that in the most recent year violent crime decreased, and said the city has been open with the public about the crime increase.

The candidates also heatedly discussed the city’s role in encouraging IU Health Bloomington to remain within city limits. Both candidates said they oppose the hospital’s plan to move to more land outside of city limits.

“It is a very important asset to the city,” Hamilton said. He said losing the hospital is “one of the most anti-sustainable actions we have seen in years.”

Hamilton said Kruzan ought to have delivered a plan by now that will keep the hospital within city limits.

Kruzan said the city has taken a proactive role by preventing the extension of sewers to the hospital’s new land and stressing to the hospital the importance of the issue to the city.

Hamilton and Kruzan both encouraged Bloomington residents and students to vote in the municipal primary election May 3.