In the ongoing lawsuit over the rightful appointee to Bloomington’s plan commission, Bloomington’s most recent brief has introduced an argument that has not been a part of its previous papers.

The argument is based on the clause of the First Amendment that establishes a right of free association, or non-association.

The lawsuit is now in front of the court of appeals, after Bloomington lost an initial ruling seeking dismissal.

Currently serving on the plan commission since last summer, as the mayor’s appointee, is commercial real estate broker Chris Cockerham.

Litigating the right of Bloomington mayor John Hamilton to make the appointment is Monroe County Republican Party chair William Ellis, who appointed Andrew Guenther, a city environmental commissioner, to the same seat. Continue reading “Plan commission lawsuit update: Bloomington makes First Amendment argument against GOP reading of statute” →