Bloomington Democratic mayoral challenger Amanda Barge says Thursday night’s State of the City Address blurred the lines between a festival performance and a public report of the city.
Mayor John Hamilton’s annual address began with musical performances and poetry before he announced new city initiatives, while giving an overview of the past year.
Barge says she didn’t hear any updates on several of the mayor’s signature initiatives, including the failed annexation plan, community wide broadband, ending homelessness, and fixing affordable housing.
“I would love to hear our mayor say, you know what, we could’ve done this better," Barge says. "I wish that we would have done this differently. I think a lot of people are looking for the administration to own when they make mistakes.”
Hamilton boasted the city’s plan to improve affordable housing during his address. Barge says the city’s 2016 initiatives either stalled or didn’t occur.
“We are confusing issues, forcing the hands of developers to give money to a fund so they can get their projects built," she says. "When I’m your mayor, there will be no back room deals.”
Barge says if elected mayor, she would hold a town hall meeting after the State of the City Address to discuss resident concerns.
Barge announced her candidacy for mayor in January. She is currently a Monroe County Commissioner. She’ll face Hamilton in the primary May 7.
