>>> THE MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY HAVE A FEW MORE WEEKS TO MAKE PROGRESS ON A NEW JAIL.

THEY WILL NEED AMOVAL FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO AVOID A NEW LAWSUIT FROM THE ACLU.

MEET THE FOUR DEMOCRATS COMPETING FOR THE DOMINATION IN INDIANA'S 9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TO FACE INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN ERIN HOUCHIN.

>> AND WE REMEMBER CHARLES WEBB, THE LONG-TIME DEAN OF JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC, WHO DIED IN BLOOMINGTON ON MONDAY.

WE'LL HAVE THOSE STORIES AND MORE, COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: ♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, BLOOMINGTON WILL NOT RENEW ITS CONTRACT WITH FLOCK.

THE CONTROVERSIAL LICENSE PLATE SURVEILLANCE COMPANY.

THE CITY SAYS IT'S STARTING TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM THE SERVICE.

CITY LEADERSHIP DEFENDED ITS USE OF LICENSE PLATE READING CAMERAS AS A CRIME-SOLVING TOOL, BUT FLOCK CRITICS WORRY THAT THE COMPANY'S DATA SHARING POLICIES MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUTSIDE DEPARTMENTS TO USE DATA TO TRACK VEHICLES FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND ABORTION PREVENTION DESPITE LOCAL POLICIES AGAINST DOING SO.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I.U.

POLICE DEPARTMENT AND STATE POLICE STILL WILL HAVE CONTRACTS WITH FLOCK.

>>> THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MAY HAVE A FEW MORE WEEKS TO MAKE PROGRESS IN A NEW JAIL.

AS WTIU'S ETHAN SANDWEISS REPORTS, THEY WILL NEED APPROVAL FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO AVOID A NEW LAWSUIT FROM THE ACLU.

>>> SINCE THE ACLU INDIANA FILED SUIT OVER POOR CONDITIONS AT THE JAIL IN 2009, OFFICIALS HAVE SOUGHT EXTENSIONS AS THE COMMISSIONS AND COUNTY COUNCILS DEBATED THE SCOPE, SIZE AND COST OF THE REPLACEMENT.

THE PREVIOUS DEADLINE WAS APRIL 15.

UNDER THE NEW AGREEMENT, COMMISSIONERS WILL APPROVE A PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR A SITE NORTHWEST OF BLOOMINGTON AND AGREE AT THIS POINT ONLY TO A NEW JAIL, NOT AN ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPLEX.

THEY HAVE UNTIL MAY 29th TO GET COUNTY COUNCIL ON BOARD OR RISK LITIGATION.

>> IF THE PRIVATE SETTLEMENT DISAGREES, THE QUESTION IS IF THERE'S NEW LITIGATION AND WHAT FORM THAT WILL TAKE.

BUT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE YET BECAUSE I'M A SHAMEFUL OPTIMIST AND I ASSUME THAT THINGS WILL WORK OUT BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF MAY.

>> COMMISSIONERS SIGNED THE LATEST EXTENSION AGREEMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE PARTIES TO THE ORIGINAL LAWSUIT WHILE COUNTY COUNCIL IS NOT.

THE TERMS, INCLUDING THE LOCATION OF THE PROJECT WERE WRITTEN BY THE ACLU.

BUT THE SITE HAS ALREADY BEEN REJECTED BY THE COUNTY COUNCILMEMBERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND THE SITE'S DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN SERVICES.

FAULK SAYS HE DOESN'T CARE WHAT COMPROMISE THEY REACH, BUT AS LONG AS THEY DO IT SOON.

>> I'M TRYING TO PRESERVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

IF THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO DO IT, THAT'S FINE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> THE AGREEMENT SAYS THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WILL BE PRESENTED TO COUNTY COUNCIL AT ITS MAY 12th OR 26th MEETING.

>>> FOUR DEMOCRATS ARE COMPETING IN THE 9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND THE RIGHT TO FACE INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN ERIN HOUCHIN IN THE FALL.

HAD STRETCHES NORTH THROUGH BLOOMINGTON AND INTO SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA, A LARGELY RURAL AREA THAT HAS LEANED REPUBLICAN IN RECENT YEARS.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH SPOKE WITH EACH CANDIDATE AND WHILE THEY AGREE THAT VOTERS ARE STRUGGLING WITH RISING COST.

>> IN INDIANA'S 9th DISTRICT, THE ISSUE THAT CANDIDATES KEEP COMING BACK TO IS SIMPLE, AFFORDABILITY.

THE 9th DISTRICT COVERS A WIDE SWATH OF INDIANA, FROM RIVER DOWNS LIKE JEFFERSONVILLE AND NEW ALBANY AND BLOOMINGTON AND SMALLER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE REGION.

THAT MIX OF COLLEGE TOWN, MANUFACTURING HUBS AND RURAL COUNTIES SHAPES THE ISSUES AND THE STRATEGY IN THIS RACE.

FROM GROCERIES TO HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE, ALL FOUR CANDIDATES SAY THE COST OF LIVING IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING VOTERS.

FOR TIM PECK THAT REALITY IS WHAT PUSHED HIM TO RUN EVEN AFTER LOSING TO HOUCHIN IN 2024.

>> IT COST TOO MUCH TO WORK RIGHT NOW.

IN ORDER TO WORK, YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR GAS BILLS TO GET TO WORK, AND YOUR CAR, YOU HAVE TO PAY DOWN YOUR EDUCATION THAT YOU HAD TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT JOB.

>> PECK IS AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN IN SOUTHERN INDIANA.

HE SAYS THOSE FINANCIAL PRESSURES AREN'T JUST SOMETHING HE HEARS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

THEY ALSO SHOW UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> YOU CAN MAKE 60, $70,000 AND STILL NOT BE BREAKING EVEN RIGHT NOW IN THIS ECONOMY.

AND SO THAT, BY FAR, IS THE MAJOR ISSUE THAT IS DRIVING VOTERS, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT.

>> PECK'S CAMPAIGN FOCUSES ON LOWERING COSTS, ESPECIALLY IN HEALTHCARE.

>> HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT.

EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE HEALTHCARE.

I MEAN, AS AN EMERGENCY DOCTOR, I'M TREATING THESE PATIENTS ALL THE TIME, WHO ARE COMING IN, WHO ARE CHOOSING BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, THEIR LAST BILL AND SHOULD THEY BUY THEIR NEXT PRESCRIPTIONS.

>> BRAD MEYER, A NAVY CIVILIAN ENGINEER IS ALSO FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC ISSUES.

BUT HE SAYS THE PROBLEM GOES BEYOND JUST RISING COSTS.

>> SO THE SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE IS ACTUALLY THE DIVISION THAT HAS BEEN SEWN BETWEEN US, WHERE WE ARE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE CHANGES THAT AREN'T IN THE BENEFIT OF ANYBODY.

>> MEYER ARGUES THAT DIVISION HAS PREVENTED MEANINGFUL POLICY CHANGE, AND HE'S CALLING FOR A MORE AGGRESSIVE RESPONSE.

>> I'M ADVOCATING FOR A $20 MINIMUM WAGE AND ADVOCATING FOR $20,000 -- FIRST $20,000 TO BE TAX-FREE.

AN INCREASE ON THE CAP OF WHO CAN GET OVERTIME.

>> HE SAYS DEMOCRATS NEED TO BE MORE DIRECT ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE OFFERING VOTERS.

>> I AM MUCH MORE PROGRESSIVE AND MUCH MORE ACTIVIST THAN THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

MOST OF THE CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO RUN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

>> KELL ROARK IS TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

HE'S A FORMER UAW ASSEMBLY WORKER AND NAVY OFFICER WHO IS LEANING INTO HIS WORKING-CLASS BACKGROUND.

>> I SPENT 11 YEARS IN THE NAVY AND I'M DEEPLY WORRIED ABOUT THIS COUNTRY AND THAT'S WHAT DROVE MY DECISION TO RUN.

>> LIKE THE OTHER CANDIDATES, HE SAYS AFFORDABILITY IS THE TOP ISSUE.

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT, IT'S COST OF LIVING.

AFFORDABILITY, RIGHT?

THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THAT IMPACTS EVERYBODY.

>> ROARK SAYS HIS EXPERIENCE SHAPES BOTH HIS POLICY APPROACH AND HOW HE PLANS TO CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, A BLUE DOG IS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S GOING TO GET ELECTED.

THAT'S MY PREDICTION.

YOU HAVE TO BE A CENTRALIST, YOU NEED TO SPEAK WITH REASON AND SANITY, AND THAT'S JUST THE REALITY.

>> JIM GRAHAM SAYS DISSATISFACTION WITH CONGRESS IS THE REASON HE JOINED.

GRAHAM SAYS IT COMES WITH THE FRUSTRATION WITH HOW WASHINGTON OPERATES.

>>> IN MY OPINION, CONGRESS IS BROKEN.

WE ARE NOT GETTING THINGS DONE THAT NEED TO BE DONE FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY.

>> HE IS SAYS, LIKE THE OTHER CANDIDATES, THE BIGGEST ISSUE HE HEARS FROM VOTERS IS AFFORDABILITY.

>> THE OVERWHELMING PROBLEM THAT VOTERS SEE IN THE DISTRICT IS -- THEIR OWN PERSONAL FINANCE.

THEY'RE WORKING VERY HARD AND IN MANY CASES JUST BARELY MAKING IT.

>> GRAHAM SAYS THAT SHAPED THE FOCUS OF HIS CAMPAIGN AND AS AN INDEPENDENT PERSON, HE'S BEST EQUIPPED TO REPRESENT THE 9th DISTRICT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE I KNOW ARE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND IT'S REALLY THE MIDDLE WILL SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS WE HAVE.

>> THIS RACE COMES AS REPUBLICANS HAVE GAINED GROUND IN THE DISTRICT.

>> AND WE WILL TAKE THIS FIGHT TO WASHINGTON.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, THANK YOU.

GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> REPUBLICAN ERIN HOUCHIN FIRST WON THE SEAT IN 2022, AND WAS REELECTED IN 2024 BY A WIDE MARGIN.

IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A DECADE SINCE A DEMOCRAT LAST REPRESENTED THE DISTRICT IN CONGRESS.

AND WHILE ALL FOUR CANDIDATES POINT TO THE SAME CORE ISSUE, THOUSAND THEY WOULD ADDRESS IT IS WHERE THE DIFFERENCES START TO APPEAR.

ON HEALTHCARE, FOR EXAMPLE, PECK SAYS THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON CHANGING WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF CARING FOR THOSE IN NEED.

>> MAKING THINGS LIKE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION ILLEGAL WHICH IS THE -- YOU KNOW, THE PROGRAM THAT STANDS IN BETWEEN ME AND YOU, GIVING YOU THE CARE THAT YOU NEED AND THE MEDICATIONS THAT YOU NEED.

AND JUST CAUSES A TON OF CORPORATE BLOAT.

>> MEYER SAYS THE SYSTEM ITSELF IS THE PROBLEM.

>> WE NEED TO GET RID OF THE FOR-PROFIT SYSTEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT PROFITING US.

AND IT -- IT REALLY IS KIND OF A COERCIVE THING THAT KIND OF OVERWHELMED EVERYTHING WE'VE EVER TRIED TO DO TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE.

>> ROARK TAKES A MORE INCREMENTAL APPROACH.

>> OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE THE A.C.A.

AND THE SUBSIDIES.

I THINK THAT'S THE EASIEST AND QUICKEST WAY TO GET FOLKS ACCESS AND HAVE IT BE AFFORD.

ABLE ACCESS.

>> GRAHAM SAYS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SHOULD BE REVISITED AND EXPANDED.

>> I THINK IT WAS REALLY VERY SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE INSURANCE ON INSURANCE.

AND NOW IT'S BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE AND LESS ACCESSIBLE.

>> ENERGY POLICY IS ANOTHER AREA OF CONTRAST.

MEYER SAYS THE TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

>> IT'S A HARD SELL FOR PEOPLE THAT MAKE THEIR LIVING OFF OF COAL, BUT THE FACT IS, IS THAT GENERATING ELECTRICITY WITH COAL IS MORE EXPENSIVE NOW THAN IT IS TO GENERATE IT OFF RENEWABLES.

SO ECONOMICALLY, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO HOOSIERS TO STICK WITH COAL.

>> ROARK SAYS THE ENERGY INDUSTRY NEEDS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR COAL AND GAS WORKERS TO TRANSITION WITH WORKING WITH RENEWABLES.

>> LET'S GO INTO A SKILLS TRADE PROGRAM AND LET'S WORK ON GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES TO MAKE ACCESS TO THOSE PROGRAMS AT IVY TECH, FOR EXAMPLE, SO FOLKS CAN GO TO SCHOOL AND BECOME A MILL RIGHT OR A PIPEFITTER OR PLUMBER.

>> PECK SAYS RENEWABLE ENERGY NEEDS TO PRIORITIZE THE EXISTING WORKFORCE NEEDS.

>> AS WE TRANSITION FROM FOSSIL FUEL TO CLEAN AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES, WE CAN'T HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WE'RE JUST TAKING LARGE FOSSIL FUELS AND CHANGING THE WEALTH GAP TO BE OWNED BY LARGE ENERGY COMPANIES THAT ARE DOING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.

>> GRAHAM SAYS THE TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS WILL TAKE TIME, BUT IT'S NECESSARY.

>> OUR ENVIRONMENT IS IMPORTANT TO US, AND WE WANT TO LEAVE SOMETHING THAT'S SUSTAINABLE FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS.

SO, YOU KNOW, LONG TERM, THAT HAS TO BE THE PLAN.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY ACTUALLY REALIZE THAT, THE ACTUAL WORKERS.

EXECUTIVES IS A DIFFERENT STOREY.

>> THE CANDIDATES ALSO DIFFER IN HOW THEY APPROACH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

MEYER IS EMBRACING A MORE PROGRESSIVE MESSAGE.

>> I'M EMBRACING THE MUCH MORE ACTIVIST AND PROGRESSIVE SIDE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

IF THEY -- IF THE PARTY COMES OUT WITH WEAK AND TEPID AND TIMID THINGS THAT WE'RE JUST GOING TO TRY TO MANAGE THE DECLINE THAT WE'RE ON, I'M NOT FOR THAT.

>> ROARK SAYS WINNING REQUIRES A MORE MODERATE APPROACH.

>> IF YOU COMPARE TO A.O.C., FOR EXAMPLE, I WOULD SAY MYSELF AND A.O.C., WE ARE GOING TO DISAGREE ON A LOT OF THINGS BUT WE WILL AGREE ON A LOT OF ECONOMIC STUFF.

>> PECK SAYS DEMOCRATS NEED TO REBUILD FROM THE GROUND UP.

>> THEY ARE NOT ON THE GROUND.

YOU KNOW, THE CALVARY IS NOT COMING.

IT'S A RESPONSIBILITY OF DEMOCRATS, OF CENTRISTS AND RIGHT-OF-CENTER PEOPLE, INDEPENDENTS, PROGRESSIVES WHO WANT TO MAKE A UNIFIED FRONT HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MAKE CHANGE IN CONGRESS.

>> GRAHAM SAYS AS AN INDEPENDENT, HE DOESN'T HAVE A STRONG ALLEGIANCE TO EITHER PARTY.

>> IF I'M ELECTED, I'M -- YOU KNOW, I DON'T REALLY FEEL ALLEGIANCE TO -- TO OTHER PEOPLE.

I WANT TO WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE, BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS THAT WERE IN THE CONGRESS, BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY YOU GET THINGS DONE.

BUT I REALLY THINK MY TOP PRIORITY IS ARE THE CITIZENS OF THE 9th DISTRICT.

>> THAT ALL LEADS TO THE CENTRAL QUESTION IN THIS RACE, HOW DOES A DEMOCRAT WIN HERE?

ROARK SAYS IT STARTS WITH RELATABILITY.

>> I AM PROVIDING A SOLID CAMPAIGN BASED OFF POLICIES TO MAKE LIVES BETTER FOR PEOPLE.

AND I REALLY THINK MY UNIQUE BACKGROUND FITS WITH OUR DISTRICT PROBABLY BETTER THAN ANY OTHER CANDIDATE.

>> MEYER SAYS IT'S ABOUT OFFERING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> WE HAVEN'T OFFERED WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO BE OFFERING.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS CYCLE IS, I THINK WE'VE REACHED THE POINT THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT ARE HURTING AND SEEING THAT THESE ECONOMIC POLICIES ARE NOT PROFITING THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO TAKE A LOOK.

>> PECK SAYS THE ENVIRONMENT IS SHIFTING.

>> IT'S DIFFER ABOUT THE CYCLES, THE WHO WILL COUNTRY IS DIFFERENT.

WE ARE SEEING ACROSS THE COUNTRY DOUBLE DIGITS DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT A RESET AND WHO THEY WOULD LIKE TO LEAD THEM.

>> GRAHAM SAYS ECONOMIC MESSAGING IS KEY TO WINNING IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I THINK CLEARLY THAT'S A MESSAGE THAT WILL APPEAR NOT ONLY TO DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS AND SOME REPUBLICANS AND AS YOU POINT OUT, THAT'S THE MASS OF THE DISTRICT.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE THE MAJORITY.

SO WE GOTTA GET SOME OF THEM LOOKING AT OUR ISSUES.

>> WHOEVER WINS THIS PRIMARY WILL FACE HOUCHIN WHO WON WITH 24% OF THE VOTE AGAINST PECK.

THAT'S SHAPING HOW EACH DEMOCRAT IS MAKING THEIR CASE IN ELECTABILITY.

AND A DISTRICT THAT HAS TRAINED REPUBLICAN IN RECENT YEARS THAT MAY ALSO DECIDE WHO MOVES FORWARD.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>> THE INDIANA PRIMARY ELECTION IS MAY 5th.

EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY.

>> WELL, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY SHELBY BROWN FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

>> HI, SHELBY, WELCOME.

>> THANKS, SHOW.

>> THE LAND CONSIDERED PART OF THE BLOOMINGTON'S CONVENTION CENTER CAMPUS WILL SOON BE OWNED BY THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD.

THE TRANSFER FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY IS INCLUDES THE SOUTH PARCEL WHERE SEMINARY POINTE AND FRIENDLY BEAT CIDERY ARE LOCATED.

THE CITY REQUESTED COMPENSATION FOR THE SITE LAST YEAR DURING NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE HOST HOTEL.

>> BUT NOW WITH THE TRANSFER OF LAND FROM THE COUNTY, THE C.I.B.

IS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A POSITION TO MAKE ITS OWN OFFER ON THE COLLEGE SQUARE SITE.

>> IN A LETTER TO CITY OFFICIALS, THE C.I.B.

IS OFFERING A LAND EXCHANGE FOR THE PARCELS SOUTH.

THE LAND WAS BOUGHT FROM THE COUNTY AND KEPT FOR FUTURE TAX USE.

THEY ARE SEEKING A HOST HOTEL AND PARKING OPTIONS.

>>> INDIANA IS POISED TO INFUSE $200 MILLION INTO A STATE AND FEDERALLY-FUNDED PROGRAM TO HELP LOW-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES PAY FOR CHILD CARE.

THE MONEY WOULD END A FREEZE ON ENROLLMENT THAT HAS LASTED MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> THIS INVESTMENT ALLOWS US TO REOPEN ACCESS AFTER 15 MONTHS OF FROZEN ADMISSIONS AND PUTS US ON A GOOD SUSTAINABLE PATH FORWARD.

>> THE MONEY IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR VOUCHERS FOR ABOUT 14,000 CHILDREN CURRENTLY ON THE WAIT LIST.

>>> STUDENTS AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN INDIANA WILL BE ABLE TO USE THEIR STUDENT I. D.s AS IDENTIFICATION TO VOTE IN THE STATE'S PRIMARY ELECTION MAY 5th.

FEDERAL JUDGE RICHARD YOUNG GRANTED A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION YESTERDAY AFTER PLAINTIFFS ARGUED THAT THE LAW UNCONSTITUTIONALLY BURDENED THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG VOTERS.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA SAYS HE INTENDS TO APPEAL.

>>> REAL ESTATE COMPANY EXECUTIVES SAY BLOOMINGTON'S PLANNING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS MAKE IT TOO DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AT THE REGIONAL HOMES SUMMIT, THEY CITED THE COST OF LAND, PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS ALONG WITH HIGH PROPERTY TAXES.

ONE CALLED FOR SELLING SMALLER PLOTS OF LAND AS A SOLUTION.

>> YOU WILL HAVE TO BRING DOWN THE PRICE BECAUSE ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SIZE WE CAN'T BRING UP THE AMOUNT OF RENT THEY ARE DOING BECAUSE IT NO LONGER BECOMES AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> THEY DISCUSSED ELIMINATING BARRIERS AND THE EFFECT OF LEGISLATION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>>> BROWN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED WEDNESDAY TO DELAY ACTION ON A PROPOSED CHANGE TO WHERE THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER'S EXCESS RECEIVE KNEW GOES.

CLAYTON BAUMGARTH HAS MORE.

>> THE PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD ALTER THE AGREEMENT SO THAT 100% OF EXCESS REVENUE WOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COUNTY, INSTEAD OF 25%.

THIS PROPOSAL CAME AS A SURPRISE TO THE MUSIC CENTER WHICH REQUESTED THAT THE ISSUE BE TABLED UNTIL THERE IS PUBLIC INPUT.

>> THE COMMISSIONERS REFUSED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE MUSIC CENTER UNTIL THIS VERY MEETING, TEN MINUTES AGO.

WE'VE HAD ZERO TIME TO REVIEW IT AND CONSIDER IT.

WE WOULD PROBABLY LIKE TO DISCUSS IT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL OURSELVES.

>> THE BOARD CHAIR FOR THE BROWN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WHICH CURRENTLY RECEIVES 75% OF THE EXCESS REVENUE WAS ALSO SURPRISED BY THE PROPOSAL.

THIS MARKS HIS NINTH TIME OF DIVERTING FUNDS FROM THE MUSIC CENTER TO THE COUNTY.

>> WE ALSO DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS AGGRESSIVE PERSISTENCE TO DIVERT THE FUNDS.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM-SOLVING AMOUNT OF FUNDS MEASURED AGAINST THE COUNTY BUDGET.

>> COMMISSIONER TIM CLARK SAYS THE RESOLUTION WAS MEANT TO PROMPT PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS DURING FUTURE WORKING SESSION.

>> AND THE RESOLUTION OPENS UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

THEY WILL BE HEARD AND STREAMED AND PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO VOICE THEIR OPINION.

>> COMMISSIONER KEVIN PATRICK SAYS HE DOES NOT WANT TO DISRUPT WHAT HE SEES AS A FUNCTIONING ARRANGEMENT AND THAT ANY CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE VENUE.

>> PAYING MONEY IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES, GIVEN EXCESS REVENUE, AND WE'RE PAYING ALL OF THEIR -- THE HEALTH THAT THEY DO PAY.

THEY'RE PAYING PERFORMERS.

I MEAN, THEY'VE GOT A WORKING MODEL.

>> THE TOPIC MAY COME UP AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S MEETING AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

COMMISSIONERS SAY THAT THE MONEY, IF INCREASED WOULD BE SPENT ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CLAYTON BAUMGARTH.

>>> THE FORMER I.U.

MEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS ALLEGING SEXUAL ABUSE BY A TEAM DOCTOR ARE APPEALING LAST MONTH'S DISMISSAL OF THE CASE.

LAWSUIT WHICH NAMED I.U.

AND FORMER TRAINER TIM GARL AS DEFENDANTS CENTERED ON THE CONDUCT OF TEAM DOCTOR BRAD BOMBA WHO DIED LAST YEAR AT 89.

THE CASE PROCEEDED FOR HALF A YEAR.

>> NEARLY 100 RESIDENTS ATTENDED FIRST WASHINGTON COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING.

DAVID RHOADS SAID THERE WERE NO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA REGARDING THE PROPOSED DATA CENTER.

THE CROWD STAYED ANYWAYS AND NO PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WAS OPENED.

>> IT'S FRUSTRATING, BUT WHEN YOU'RE KNOCKING ON THE DOORS OF POWER THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

WHEN YOU SHOW UP TO THE MEETINGS THEY USUALLY HAVE SIX PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AND THERE'S NO WAY TO GET IN THE DOOR NOW WITH THIS MEETING.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

>> AND, JOE, IF IT CAME TO PASS, THE DATA CENTER WOULD BE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF I-69 AND U.S.

50 AND SPAN ACROSS 150 ACRES.

>> MORE DATA CENTER NEWS.

I'M SURE WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT ONE.

>> THE FORMER DEAN OF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC CHARLES WEBB DIED ON MONDAY AT THE AGE OF 93.

WEBB WAS KNOWN TO MANY AS A PERSONABLE AND WARM LEADER WHO ELEVATED THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC TO INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE.

WTIU'S EDDIE STEWART HAS THIS REMEMBRANCE.

>> CHARLES H. WEBB STARTED PLAYING PIANO AT AGE 4 AND NEVER STOPPED.

HE CAME TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY IN 1958 AS A DOCTORAL STUDENT, AND QUICKLY ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE FACULTY.

BECOMING DEAN OF THE MUSIC SCHOOL IN 1973.

AND IN 1997 DOCUMENTARY CELEBRATING WEBB'S RETIREMENT, HE SAID HE NEVER EXPECTED TO RISE TO THE RANK THAT HE DID.

>> IF ANYBODY SAID TO ME THAT FIRST DAY WHEN WE WALKED AROUND THESE HALLS THAT I WOULD SUCCEED WILFRED BAIN AS THE DEAN OF THIS SCHOOL, I WOULD HAVE FAINTED AWAY NEVER TO RECOVER.

>> THE SCHOOL BECAME INTERNATIONALLY FOR THE SKILL OF ITS STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

HE SPEAR HEADED SEVERAL INITIATIVES TO SOME OF THE MOST RENOWNED PERFORMANCE HALLS IN THE WORLD, INCLUDING THE KENNEDY CENTER AND METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE.

>> THE WORLD DID BEGIN TO NOTICE THAT SOMETHING MUSICALLY GREAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

>> WEBB RECRUITED SEVERAL RENOWNED ARTIST FACULTY MEMBERS TO THE SCHOOL AND OVERSAW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EARLY MUSIC INSTITUTE AND GUITAR DEPARTMENT.

HE ALSO BROUGHT MUSICAL LUMINARIES TO STAY IN BLOOMINGTON, INCLUDING A SIX-WEEK RESIDENCY FOR RENOWNED COMPUTERS AND CONDUCTOR LEONARD BERNSTEIN.

WHILE LEADING THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC HE WAS KNOWN FOR FREQUENCY HOSTING MUSICIANS, AND PHILANTHROPISTS.

WEBB'S SON MALCOLM SAYS MANY OF THE PEOPLE WOULD CAME BY THE WEBB'S FAMILY FELL LIKE FAMILY.

>> SELDOM WAS THE DOORBELL RUNG, THEY JUST CAME THROUGH THE GARAGE AND WALKED UPSTAIRS AND ANNOUNCED THEMSELVES.

>> WEBB BALANCED HIS RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC WITH AN ACTIVE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE.

HE CONDUCTED MUSICAL ENSEMBLES EVERYWHERE FROM INDIANA TO CARNEGIE HALL AND WAS A REGULAR ORGANIST FOR FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN BLOOMINGTON FOR NEARLY 62 YEARS.

WEBB LOVED PLAYING THE ORGAN SO MUCH HE HAD ONE INSTALLED IN HIS HOME AND HE HAD THREE PIANOS.

HI PIANO PRACTICE WOULD SERVE AS AN ALARM CLOCK.

>> HE WOULD GET UP AT EVERY MORNING FOR 6 A.M., AND FOR ONE HOUR HE WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT SCALES.

HE HAD A ROUTINE THAT HE WORKED THROUGH AND IT WAS CERTAINLY A GRUELING ROUTINE, BUT HE DID IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> DEAN OF THE JACOBS SCHOOL, AVRA BUSH SAYS WEBB WAS AN INSPIRATION TO HER.

>> CHARLES WAS AN AMAZING MAN.

I TRULY MARVEL AT WHAT HE WAS ABLE TO DO.

>> WEBB REQUIRED FROM THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC IN 1997, AFTER 4 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP.

EVEN AFTER RETIREMENT, HE ATTENDED FACULTY RECITALS AND OPERA PERFORMANCES ALMOST EVERY WEEK.

>> HE KEPT HIS SEATS AT THE MUSICAL ARTS CENTER THAT HE AND MY MOTHER PICKED OUT WHEN IT OPENED IN 1972.

HE HAD A EIGHT SEATS IN THE MUSICAL ARTS CENTER AND HE KEPT THOSE.

AND SO HE WOULD BE A REGULAR FIXTURE UP THERE FOR EVERY OPERA PERFORMANCE.

>> AND IN 1997 GALLA CELEBRATING HIS RETIRE.

WEBB SAID HE WAS PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL TO THE HEM BEHIND THE I.U.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

>> IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS DEAN OF THIS SCHOOL.

I THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH FOR COMING TODAY AND FOR IN OUTPOURING OF LOVE AND AFFECTION.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M EDDIE STEWART.

>>> WEBB IS SURVIVED BY FOUR SONS AND TEN GRANDCHILDREN.

THE JACOBS SCHOOL WILL HOLD A MY MORIAL SERVICE ON MAY 16th FAVORITE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN BLOOMINGTON.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE