By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner pledges to meet with one of two out-of-town speakers at Monday night’s city council meeting who took him to task for his comments last month about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Renner and open house participants were talking about diversity on the Connect Transit board when the mayor said Justice Thomas did not act like an African-American.
Cornel Darden, Jr. of Joliet, a board member of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce, said he and his two sons consider Thomas as a role model.
Darden also criticized the city for a poor record of doing business with minority-owned firms.
“We find that the record of procurement is actually God awful,” said Darden.
“It’s actually abysmal, and I would love to discuss that with you,” he added.
Renner says he’ll meet with Darden because he raises a legitimate policy issue.
Kirk Allen, a blogger for Edgar County Watchdogs, said he’s appalled Renner is still the mayor, and called on him to leave office.
“You should resign because your pattern of doing stupid things just continues to build, and it’s evident that it’s not getting fixed,” said Allen.
“I would urge you again to please resign,” he added.
Renner said he believes Allen is trying to make political points and extend the news cycle about an old story.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
