LETTER FROM MAYOR TERRY TO THOSE SERVING CITY BOARDS

LETTER FROM MAYOR TERRY TO THOSE SERVING CITY BOARDS

by JOHNNY Kincaid

AUGUST 21. 2021

Between the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, there are 66 boards and commissions that give citizens the chance to serve and provide valuable input to help improve the quality of life. The boards and commissions work on specific areas such as parks, climate, homelessness, tourism, and more. The authority to place members on these boards is divided between several different authorities, including the Mayor, city council, and çounty commissioners., and County Council.

Currently, there are dozens of vacant seats on various boards, including six seats that Mayor Stephanie Terry has the authority to fill.  A list of the boards and a link to the application can be found below: https://www.evansvillegov.org/egov/apps/services/index.egov?view=detail;id=17

Those who are appointed by the mayor serve at the mayor’s pleasure and can be removed from the board at any time.

Attached Below Is The Full Text Of the letter That Was Sent To Mayor Terry’s Appointees:

“On behalf of the entire Evansville community, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for your dedicated service as one of our City board and commission members. Your commitment and expertise contribute to the betterment of our city, and for that, we are truly thankful.

Since taking office in January, this administration has achieved several significant milestones that are vital for our community’s growth and prosperity. We have established the Mayor’s Education Roundtable and the Interfaith Council, fostering collaboration and inclusivity across educational and faith-based initiatives. The formation of a Blue-Ribbon Committee to evaluate the development approval process (es) at the city to create a more streamlined approach to development enhancing our city’s infrastructure, making it more efficient and accessible for growth.

We broke ground on The Vault on Main, which will feature 161 residential units with first-floor commercial space in the heart of Downtown, furthering efforts towards revitalizing our urban core. The unveiling of the River Vision initiative alongside E-REP and Sasaki reflected our commitment to enhancing our waterfront, creating a more vibrant and attractive cityscape. We established a Park Police Unit to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our public spaces.

The creation of the Forward Together Grant Fund with $500,000 and the allocation of $250,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, bringing the total fund to $750,000 in 2024, demonstrate our dedication to supporting community initiatives and addressing housing affordability. Our collaboration with Evansville Regional Airport to reinstate the Chicago flight expands our connectivity and economic opportunities. Finally, accepting proposals for the use of $1.3 million in Opioid Settlement Funds signifies our proactive approach to addressing public health challenges and supporting recovery efforts in our community.

As a Mayor appointee to one of our city’s boards or commissions, you play a critical role in shaping the future of Evansville. Your work aligns with the administration’s priorities, which include Public Safety, Neighborhood Revitalization, Economic Development, Improving City Services, and Youth & Education. These areas are vital to our city’s growth and prosperity, and your contributions help us achieve our collective goals.

While there are varying term limits across administrations, it is essential to remember that you serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. We trust that you will make decisions with the administration’s priorities in mind, always aiming to enhance the quality of life for all Evansville residents.

Please keep the Mayor’s Office updated when issues or concerns arise, ensuring we can address them promptly and effectively. Should you find yourself unable to continue serving at any point, please do not hesitate to contact the Mayor’s Office at 812.436.4962 or via email at mayor@evansville.in.gov.

Thank you once again for your dedication to our city. Your service is invaluable, and we look forward to the positive impact your work will continue to have on Evansville.

Forward Together,

Mayor Terry”