EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
“IS IT TRUE” JULY 14, 2024
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” provokes honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address rationally and responsibly.
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IS IT TRUE that Mayor Terry recently announced that the State Board Of Accounts is currently conducting a financial audit/review of the books of the outgoing Winnecke administration? …many taxpayers are looking forward to Mayor Terry the audit results being made public?
IS IT TRUE that Evansville is also facing many hundreds of millions of dollars of additional bond debt because of numerous unfinished big-ticket capital Water and Sewer projects, making needed repairs and improvements to city parks, and repairing and repaving many of our crumbling city streets?
IS IT TRUE that Evansville is also facing many hundreds of millions of dollars of additional bond debt because of numerous unfinished big-ticket capital Water and Sewer projects, making needed repairs and improvements to city parks, and repairing and repaving many of our crumbling city streets?IS IT TRUE that many months ago members of the Evansville City Council agreed to sell the naming rights of 24 city streets to raise 9 million dollars to pay for renovations costs at the Ford Center?
IS IT TRUE that we have been told that not one naming rights to any of the 24 City Streets were sold? …we wonder where members of the City Council got the 9 million dollars to make needed repairs on the FORD CENTER?
IS IT TRUE that many Evansville taxpayers are extremely puzzled why members of the Evansville City Council decided to give 9 million dollars to E-ERP to help the well-healed Developer pay to build the underground parking garage at 420 Main?
IS IT TRUE that we have also been told that this proposed project may have several financial moving parts concerning this multi-million dollar capital project? …that we look forward to hearing the details concerning the costs of the companion capital projects in Warrick, Posey, and Gibson) counties?
IS IT TRUE that “The Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority” is where E-REP gets its development funds? …that members of the Indiana General Assembly voted to give E-Rep the statutory authority to levy a tax on any project shortfall costs on the property owners in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, and Posey counties?
IS IT TRUE that free government money always comes with strings attached?
IS IT TRUE what government giveth they can also taketh away?
IS IT TRUE that one of the hardest words for our local politicians to say during a budget hearing is the word “NO”?
IS IT TRUE we wonder when Mayor Terry and members of the City Council will make
public their plans to repair and repave our city streets, make needed repairs to our parks, and find ways to cut the annual million-dollar losses at the Ford Center and make some major cuts to the 2024 budget?
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Our publisher is at home and doing better after he had a freak accident (Traumatic Brain Injury) on January 29, 2024. He’s now receiving extensive Rehab therapy 4 days a week. He will have to continue relying on Johnny Kincaid and Jay Young, his wife Marilyn, his family members, and friends to help publish the City-County Observer for a while. We would also like to thank the many CCO readers for their prayers of healing for Ron.
Today’s Readers Poll question is:
Evansville Regional Economic Partnership CEO Tara Barney To Retire
Evansville Regional Economic Partnership CEO Tara Barney To Retire
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (July 12, 2023) – After nearly seven years of service in the Evansville Region, and more than two decades as a chamber executive, Tara Barney will retire as CEO of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, a unified economic development and chamber organization, in 2024.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to lead the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership and work in an industry I love,†said Barney. “We have evolved E-REP into an essential community partner and are a key enabler in the region’s strategic growth. Perhaps most importantly, we also now have the most talented team we have ever had, with the entire staff and board working together to move the organization forward for the betterment of the entire Evansville region.â€
Appointed in March 2018 as President & CEO of the Southwest Indiana Chamber, Barney led the strategic alignment between the Chamber, the Growth Alliance of Greater Evansville and the Economic Development Coalition which merged on April 1, 2021.
“Tara has provided great leadership and has prepared us well for the next phase of E-REP’s mission,†said Curt Begle Chair of E-REP and President of Health, Hygiene & Specialties at Berry Global. “The list of accomplishments Tara has had during her career is too long to list, but she has exemplified what makes the Evansville Region so special through her collaborative and innovative efforts.
Since serving as CEO, Barney has been awarded several prestigious leadership awards including the 2023 Women of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana and the 2021 Woman of Empowerment Award from the Junior League of Evansville. She has also been twice recognized as one of Indiana’s top 250 most influential business leaders.
Barney said she is looking forward to spending more time with family, especially her two; soon to be three, grandchildren, and expects to stay active in community advancement after she steps down from her position as E-REP CEO. Barney plans to retire within the next 12 months.
E-REP’s board has established a committee to conduct a nationwide search for Barney’s replacement. The search committee is led by Vice Chair Beth McFadin Higgins of McFadin Higgins and Folz, LLP and Vice Chair Christine Keck with American Water.
“We are forever grateful for all that Tara has accomplished over this tenure. She leaves a legacy which will not be forgotten and will hand over a very successful and effective business advocacy organization to her successor,†said Curt Begle.
About the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership
The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) leads economic development efforts for the Evansville, Indiana region and elevates the overall quality of life through transformational projects, planning, advocacy, and business engagement. Additionally, E-REP supports the attraction, startup, and growth of regional businesses.
Braun, Brown introduce bipartisan bill to restore retirement benefits for Delphi Salaried Employees
Braun, Brown introduce bipartisan bill to restore retirement benefits for Delphi Salaried Employees
WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Sherrod Brown led the introduction of the Susan Muffley Act, bipartisan legislation to restore retirement benefits to over 20,000 Delphi Salaried Retirees. When General Motors filed for bankruptcy during the Great Recession, the U.S. Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) assumed responsibility for the terminated benefits but could not pay an individual more than a statutory maximum benefit. Therefore, retirees experienced significant losses to their benefits, affecting 20,000 Delphi Salaried Retirees, including more than 4,000 retirees in Indiana and 5,000 retirees in Ohio.
“Over 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees, including 4,000 Hoosiers, lost their retirement benefits at no fault of their own. This bipartisan legislation is a long overdue effort that would restore pensions rightfully earned by these American workers,†said Sen. Braun.
“After years of work by workers and retirees in Ohio and Michigan, it’s past time to restore the full benefits of the Delphi Salaried Retirees,†said Sen. Brown. “I’ll keep working with members of both parties and the White House to get results for these retirees.â€
This legislation—supported by Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives—would restore the terminated pensions, making the retirees whole. This bill would make up the difference between the pension benefits earned by Delphi Salaried Retirees and what they received following the GM bankruptcy in 2009. This means beneficiaries who have already begun receiving benefits will receive a lump sum payment of the difference between what was actually paid by PBGC and what would have been paid without the limitations, plus interest. Retirees may pay income taxes on this lump sum over three years to ease the tax burden. All beneficiaries will receive their full earned benefit amount moving forward.
In addition to Braun and Brown, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Todd Young (R-IN), Bob Casey (D-PA), and John Fetterman (D-PA) will introduce the legislation in the Senate. U.S. Representatives Dan Kilde (D-MI-8) and Mike Turner (R-OH-10) introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.
For over a decade, the Delphi Salaried Retirees have been fighting to restore their benefits. In September 2009, the Delphi Salaried Retirees Association (DSRA) filed a lawsuit against the PBGC to restore their pension benefits. After losing decisions at lower courts, the DSRA petitioned to take their case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case in January 2022. Congressional action is now the only option for restoring their pensions.
The legislation is named after Susan Muffley, who was part of the DSRA’s core leadership in the effort to restore their pensions. Her husband, David, worked at Delphi as an electronics technician for 31 years, but lost the full value of his pension in 2009. Despite health problems, Susan avoided seeing her doctor given her family’s financial constraints due to losing their pension. She was ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away on August 9, 2012.
There are over 20,000 affected Delphi retirees across the country, including:
Michigan: 5,859
Ohio: 5,181
Indiana: 4,044
New York: 2,337
Florida: 801
Texas: 564
Alabama: 564
Wisconsin: 405
Mississippi: 387
Arizona: 198
North Carolina: 156
Tennessee: 156
California: 153
South Carolina: 147
Georgia: 141
Pennsylvania: 117
Other States: 672
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Ivy Tech Plans Scholarship and FAFSA Day July 25
Ivy Tech Plans Scholarship and FAFSA Day July 25
Evansville, IN –New and continuing students at Ivy Tech Community College have all the assistance they will need to get funding for going to college, at Ivy Tech’s First Scholarship and FAFSA Day, July 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This Tuesdays@theTech event will be in the Koch Student Center in Ivy Tech’s main building at 3501 N. First Avenue in Evansville.
Any student who plans to attend Ivy Tech this fall, will be able to be considered for scholarships if applying by the priority deadline of Aug. 4. Individuals will be on hand to assist students with writing the scholarship essay; and also, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if they have not done so.
Fall Scholarships will be awarded prior to the start of classes on Aug. 14. One lucky person filling out the FAFSA at the event will win a $1,000 scholarship.
For additional information, contact Caleb Fendrich, Ivy Tech director of financial aid, at cfendrich@ivytech.edu
Attorney General Todd Rokita and team sue Indianapolis apartment complex over negligent disregard of tenants’ living conditions
Attorney General Todd Rokita and his Homeowner Protection Unit team have filed a civil lawsuit against the owners and property managers of Willow Brook Apartments in Indianapolis — alleging that they have habitually failed to respond to residents’ maintenance calls, allowed conditions to become uninhabitable, failed to provide executed lease agreements, and improperly billed tenants.
“We are here to protect Hoosiers,†Attorney General Rokita said. “That’s why we regularly take action against businesses doing harm to consumers through either negligent or willful misconduct, and this case represents just one more instance in which we are defending the rule of law and standing up for the little guy. This case represents yet another example of out-of-state real estate investors seeking to put their heel on the neck of working-class Hoosiers. Our office will not allow that kind of conduct to continue.â€Â
Defendants in this case are Willow Brook Gardens LLC, the property owner, and Beztak Properties, the property management company, who the lawsuit alleges are not registered to do business in Indiana and are also operating without a required real estate broker company license. The mortgage assignee, U.S. Bank N.A. — as trustee for a mortgage-backed security underwritten by Freddie Mac — is also named as a defendant to assert any interest it may have in the property.
The complex, which consists of 48 townhomes, is located at 2121 E. 52nd St., Indianapolis.
Allegations of uninhabitable conditions and unresponsive property management personnel have been corroborated by civil actions initiated by Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County. Violations cited by local authorities include issues associated with the facility’s plumbing, electrical wiring, foundation, moisture control, and utility shutoffs.
Marion County’s Health and Hospital Environmental Court has ordered judgments against Willow Brook Gardens LLC on Jan. 24, 2023, and May 9, 2023. Â
Neither Willow Brook Gardens LLC nor Beztak Properties have responded substantively to authorities’ efforts to communicate with them about issues at the apartment complex. Residents also report that management is absent and unresponsive to requests for assistance.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants’ conduct violates Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act and the Home Loan Practices Act.
Attorney General Rokita thanked members of his team for their hard work. Overseeing the Homeowner Protection Unit is Section Chief Chase Haller. The State of Indiana is represented in the lawsuit by Assistant Section Chief of the Homeowner Protection Unit Timothy Weber and Deputy Attorney General Regan Perrodin. Further, HPU Investigator Molly Jefford also worked on this matter.
“In each instance in which defendants renew or sign a new lease with a tenant, they do so with the knowledge that they have been deficient at meeting their basic legal obligations to their tenants all the while they continue to unfairly collect rent and line their pockets,†Haller said. “Such activity is unfair, deceptive and abusive to their tenant residents. Our unit has a duty to protect vulnerable Hoosiers who are simply trying to keep a stable roof over their heads, and we take that duty very seriously.† Â
This lawsuit primarily aims to force the defendants to make good on their obligations to tenants. Alternatively, Attorney General Rokita and his team will seek a court-ordered receivership of the defendants’ assets if they are noncooperative or otherwise prove unable to meet their legal obligations to tenants.
The lawsuit — which is attached — also seeks costs and civil penalties.
The mission of the Homeowner Protection Unit is to protect the rights of all individuals involved in the housing market, including tenants, homeowners, and aspiring homeowners, by investigating and redressing deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending and violations of relevant state and federal laws. The unit strives to ensure equal access to housing opportunities for Hoosiers and promote the proper functioning of homeowner’s associations. The unit works closely with law enforcement agencies at all levels to ensure justice is served and homeowners and tenants are protected.
EPD URGING DRIVERS TO SLOW DOWN
Evansville, Ind. — This summer, the Evansville Police Department is teaming up with other law enforcement agencies in Indiana to keep drivers and passengers safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits.
From July 10 to July 31, Evansville Police Officers will be on high alert for speeding vehicles while participating in the Speeding Slows You Down campaign (Blitz 119), funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
Not only is speeding illegal, it’s also deadly. In 2021, speeding killed 252 people in Indiana, accounting for more than one-quarter of all crash fatalities. Tragically, there was a dramatic increase (15%) in speeding-related crash fatalities from 2021-2022.
Preliminary data shows that in 2022, speeding killed 290 people in Indiana, with nearly 300 fatalities projected in 2023. The Evansville Police Department wants to remind drivers that, no matter how seasoned you are as a driver, ultimately, Speeding Slows You Down.
Much like impaired driving, speeding can have deadly consequences for the driver, passengers, and pedestrians. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. Even the safest cars with the newest technologies are limited in how much they can help reduce the odds of a crash.
“Speed limit signs are not suggestions, they are the law. “They are posted for the safety of the driver and others. Unfortunately, we see people speeding every day,†said Sgt. Anna Gray with the Evansville Police Department.
*For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.
Virtual Author Talk: Charles Soule
You’re invited to an awe-inspiring chat with New York Times bestselling author Charles Soule as he talks about his newest book, The Endless Vessel, which explores the way we’re all connected—and what can happen when we lose our capacity for joy.
The Endless Vessel transports us to a few years from now, in a world similar to ours, where there exists a sort of “depression plague†that people refer to simply as “The Grey.†No one can predict whom it will afflict or how, but once infected, there’s no coming back. A young Hong Kong-based scientist, Lily Barnes, is trying to maintain her inner light in an increasingly dark world. The human race is dwindling, and people fighting to push forward are increasingly rare. One day, Lily comes across something that seems to be addressing her directly, calling to her, asking her to follow a path to whatever lies at its end. Is this the Endless Vessel that leads to happiness? She leaves her life behind and sets out through time and space to find out.
Charles Soule artfully channels history, science, and drama to create a story for the ages—a story of hope and love, and possibility.
About the Author: Charles Soule is a New York-based, #1 New York Times-best-selling novelist, comic book writer, musician, and former attorney. While he has worked for DC and other publishers, he is best known for writing Daredevil, She-Hulk, D
His first novel, The Oracle Year, was released in April 2018 by the Harper Perennial imprint of HarperCollins. His second novel, Anyone, was released in November 2019. His third original novel is The Endless Vessel.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.