Bloomington’s Ward 8 is yet again a contested race, with a former city firefighter and paramedic announcing his candidacy Monday.
Travis Wilson manages the McLean County Area Emergency Medical Services system. He is running against Jeff Crabill, a corporate lawyer for State Farm.
Wilson said the city should run like a business.
“I was concerned about how fiscal decisions were being made, how our tax money was being spent, and we’re getting away from our beginnings which were focusing on public safety, infrastructure, and economic growth,” Wilson said. “Those are the things I’d like to see the city government refocus on so we can continue to build a better city and have a legacy for our children.”
If elected to the council, Wilson said he first wants to review the city’s budget.
“We can’t continue business as usual. If we do, then we end up in a state kind of like the State of Illinois,” he said. “And I think that we need to figure out ways to have budgets in surpluses rather than budgets that are running in the red.”
County Board member Josh Barnett pulled his candidacy for Ward 8 last week. Current Ward 8 Alderman Diana Hauman announced she will not seek reelection earlier this year.
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