By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Two of Bloomington city government’s most vocal critics appealed to the city council Monday night to get to the bottom of a situation that’s led to a police officer’s dismissal.

City Manager Tim Gleason declined to provide details because it’s a personnel matter. However, conservative blogger Diane Benjamin compared the situation to misconduct she said she uncovered years ago with the downtown arena’s former management team.

“If you don’t take the time to investigate what’s going on, and get to the bottom of it, it’s going to turn into another Coliseum,” Benjamin said.

“I’m just warning you, don’t blow me off this time!”

“If that officer did some of the things that we’re being told, you could have a very big legal problem coming down the road if they’re not addressed in advance,” said Kirk Allen, co-founder of the Edgar County Watchdogs.

“Those people that could possibly been wronged need their justice as well,” Allen said.

Allen and Benjamin said the city has denied three Freedom of Information Act requests for documents about the officer’s firing.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]