“IS IT TRUE” JUNE 13, 2023
IS IT TRUE it has often been written and said that a nation divided cannot stand? …across the Ohio River, the flag of the Commonwealth of Kentucky has a similar saying on it that says, “United We Stand, Divided We Fallâ€?…if there is any single word that describes the state of our nation today, that word is DIVIDED?
IS IT TRUE that while politics is divided, other things are not so divided?…businesses large and small want to pursue the American dream of entrepreneurial success without bureaucratic restraints?
IS IT TRUE that hate is still driving the political narratives and it is being fed by the very people who preach or promised unity?
IS IT TRUE that been told that an interesting idea is being suggested to members of the Vanderburgh County Commission? Â …that a couple of individuals would like for the Vanderburgh County Commissioners to consider raising the Food and Beverage Tax in order to raise $20 million to renovate the dilapidated historical Soldiers And SAILERS COLISEUM in downtown Evansville? Â …we find the proposed renovating project to be an extremely worthy community project but object to increasing the Food And Beverage tax during economic times like these? Â …it would make better sense for the good people of the Evansville Events Corp to spearhead a capital fundraising campaign by asking individuals and Corporations in the public and private sectors to help fund this most worthy community project?
IS IT TRUE that in major American cities crime rates have risen by double or even triple digits and very little seems to be happening to contain crime?…things really need to start moving in the right direction soon, or we will pass the point of no return?…today feels very much like the 1970s and that is not a good thing at all?…the decline of work ethics, out of control drug use and civil unrest started the decline over the years and we is still happening today?…it is time to refocus this nation on civility, personal accountability, and pursuit of excellence?
IS IT TRUE that the next time you vote for someone running for public office that the media highly recommended please spend some quality time researching and analyzing the candidates to determine if they have the skills to manage a multi-million budget?
IS IT TRUE that several locally elected officeholders spend more of their time promoting themselves rather than promoting the communities they represent?
IS IT TRUE that we hope the majority of voters participating in the upcoming Evansville general election will demand that the candidates address the following issues that loom over our fair city: Â Evansville cash flow problems; address the current excessive bond indebtedness; finding money to repair our crumbling streets and sidewalks; curtail the excessive water and sewer rates; find an affordable way to renovate our city parks; correct the serious financial shortfall of the City Of Evansville City Employee Health insurance costs; Â improve the morale problems at the Evansville Poice Department and find a creative way to stop the serious financial losses at the Ford Center?
IS IT TRUE that we are told by reliable sources that many cities have serious revenue problems because of their excessive spending on political pork barrels and fun and games projects?
IS IT TRUE that over the years we have made numerous references that the Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities Board was being used as a funding source to help the City of Evansville in their occasional financial cash flow problems? Â …we wonder if this financial arrangement is still happening today?
Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda
Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners – June 13, 2023 DRAFT Agenda
AGENDA Of The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners June 13th, 2023 3:00 p.m. meeting in Room 301, Civic Center ComplexÂ
- Call to OrderÂ
- AttendanceÂ
- Pledge of AllegianceÂ
- Action ItemÂ
- Ordinance No. CO.06-23-012 – Eighth Amendment to ARPA Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Utilization Plan Â
- County EngineerÂ
- Permission to Open Bids – VC-23-05-01 “Milling and Resurfacing of Green River Roadâ€Â
- Oak Hill Road Reconstruction Title SheetÂ
- Notice to Bidders – Burdette Park Tennis & Pickleball CourtsÂ
- Butler, Fairman, and Seufert, Inc. Engineering Agreement – Kleitz Road Bridge #1131Â
5. Amendment to Interlocal Agreement for Relocation of Water Lines Related to Reconstruction of Kansas RoadÂ
- Sheriff’s OfficeÂ
- Inter-Local Government Agreement Between Posey County and Vanderburgh County Regarding the Transfer of Inmates Pursuant to I.C. 35-33-11Â
- Vanderburgh County Election Board c/o Clerk of the Circuit CourtÂ
1.Letter to Request Vanderburgh County Election Worker Pay IncreaseÂ
- Computer ServicesÂ
- Alpha Laser and Imaging Individual Lease Agreement 1202m – Auditor’s Office F. Superintendent of County Buildings Â
- TK Elevator Corporation MAX Link Emergency Services Agreement – Old  Courthouse Elevator.
- Public Hearing and Final Reading of CO.V-06-23-001: An Ordinance to Vacate (2) Public Utility Easements & (1) Drainage Easement on part of lot 21B of Bluegrass Farms Minor Subdivision: 11450 Blue Grass RoadÂ
- Resolution No. CO.R-06-23-004 Coliseum Improvement ProjectÂ
- Health Department Â
- Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Grant Agreement Contract # 73620 -Â Immunization and Vaccines for ChildrenÂ
2. Resolution No. CO.R-06-23-005 – A Resolution of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners Accepting State Public Health Funding
Department Head ReportsÂ
- New BusinessÂ
- Ordinance to be Heard at June 27th Board of Commissioners MeetingÂ
1. Ordinance No. CO.06-23-011 – An Ordinance Amending Title 17 of the Â
Vanderburgh County Code Concerning Land Use and Zoning to Create an Airport Overlay ZoneÂ
- Old BusinessÂ
- Consent Items
This Week at USI
USI UPCOMING EVENTS
Now through August 5
Artist Jacinda Russell to be on display at USI New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
USI’s New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is proud to present Metaphorical Antipodes: Stories of Ice, featuring photography and sculpture works by Jacinda Russell.
SAVE THE DATE
August 10-11
Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness returns to USI August 10-11
USI and SWIRCA and More, a local agency on aging, will present the 16th annual Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness August 10-11 on the USI campus.
April 7-8, 2024
USI to celebrate the total solar eclipse with Solarpalooza April 7-8, 2024
USI is excited to announce a free and open-to-the-public multi-day event, Solarpalooza, culminating with the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 7 with a talk by trailblazing electrical engineer and retired NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham in the Screaming Eagles Arena as part of the Romain College of Business Innovative Speaker Series, followed by a full day of experiential learning and engagement on Monday, April 8—the day of the eclipse.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Released Thursday, June 8
USI names Interim Provost and Interim Dean of Pott College
The University has named Dr. Shelly Blunt, Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, as Interim Provost. Dr. William Elliott, Jr., Professor of Geology and Associate Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, was named Interim Dean of the Pott College. Both positions are effective July 1.
Students Competing For Indiana FFA State Officer Positions
INDIANAPOLIS (June 12, 2023) — Twenty-four Indiana FFA members from across the state are preparing for the opportunity to serve as an Indiana FFA State Officer for the upcoming year. After a week of FFA engagement opportunities, seven individuals will be selected to fulfill the roles of president, secretary, northern region vice president, southern region vice president, treasurer, reporter, and sentinel.
During the 94th Indiana FFA State Convention, the candidates will participate in a rigorous interview and selection process, in which, the chosen candidates will be announced at the final session on Thursday, June 22.
“Indiana FFA students always go above and beyond, and it is an honor to work closely with the State FFA Officers each year,†said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I look forward to seeing who is selected to lead this group of outstanding students for the next year, and I wish everyone competing the best of luck.â€
Once selected, the newly-elected officers will embark on a year of service, providing direction and overseeing the development of the student-led organization, which has more than 13,000 members statewide.
Along with promoting FFA, agriculture, and agricultural education, a majority of their responsibilities include conducting FFA chapter visits, facilitating leadership conferences, and hosting career and leadership development events, to name a few.
This year, due to the large number of candidates, a preliminary selection round was held on May 27 at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. Twenty-four candidates participated in four selection rounds. Indiana FFA state staff announced the 16 state officer candidates proceeding to the final candidate interviews at the state convention.
“It is such a joy to see so many leadership-driven students wishing to represent all Indiana FFA members on the state level,†said Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. “With such an outstanding and large group of candidates, the student–led organization will have a trying time choosing just seven students. I wish them all the best of luck on representing Indiana FFA.â€
The following list includes the 24 Indiana FFA State Officer candidates:
*denotes moving forward to the final round
- Brenden Blosser, NorthWood FFA*
- Alexis King, Elkhart Community FFA
- Caylee James, Prairie Heights FFA*
- Conner Keeslar, Prairie Heights FFA*
- Lucas Hartman, Prairie Heights FFA
- Logan Forbing, Carroll @ Ft. Wayne FFA*
- Caden Sixberry, Southmont FFA*
- Kayla Vandenberg, Wm Henry Harrison FFA
- Tanner Weakley, Western Boone FFA*
- Maddax Stewart, Rossville FFA
- Carson Rudd, Carroll @ Flora FFA*
- Grace Allee, Hamilton Heights FFA*
- Brodie Carr, South Putnam FFA*
- Kenzie Slough, Shakamak FFA*
- August Whitman, Sullivan FFA
- Kailee Cooper, Owen Valley FFA*
- Jayden Simpson, North Putnam FFA*
- Camille Thopy, Southwestern Shelby FFA*
- Ella Jones, Indiana Ag & Tech FFA
- Kelby Roberts, Rushville FFA*
- Madalyn Denton, Blue River Valley FFA*
- Katelynn Larrimore, Salem FFA
- Blaine Wagner, North Decatur FFA*
- Erica Weaver, Franklin County FFA
“As a past state officer myself I know the stress that comes with running for a State Officer position,†said Skylar Clingan, Assistant Director of the Indiana FFA Association. “This year we have a great group of students who want this role and wish to give back to their communities and to FFA. That is truly a privilege for our organization. I wish all contenders the best.â€
The 2023-2024 Indiana FFA state officer team will be announced on June 22 on inffa.org and on Indiana FFA’s social media channels.
Robyn Scherr-Wells inks contract extension with Purple Aces
Scherr-Wells is entering her third season at UE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With two years of steady improvement to the University of Evansville women’s basketball program, University of Evansville Director of Athletics Ziggy Siegfried has announced a contract extension for head women’s basketball coach Robyn Scherr-Wells.
“Robyn is one of the most driven coaches that I have ever worked with in my career. She has shown a commitment to academics, the student-athlete experience and competitive excellence and her engagement with the campus and community has been fantastic,†Siegfried stated. “Robyn is committed to being at UE and understands that commitment takes time. We are proud to show that commitment to her. I have no doubt that she is a leader who can and will build a championship program.â€
In a short amount of time, Scherr-Wells has made significant progress in building the Purple Aces program. The first season under her direction saw the team post its highest amount of wins in five seasons. Her team followed that up with an 11-win campaign last season, which was the marked the first double digit win season and the highest victory total since the 2016-17 season.
“I would like to thank President Pietruszkiewicz, Dr. Siegfried, and Sarah Solinsky for their belief in me and their commitment to Evansville Women’s Basketball. I am grateful to lead the Purple Aces,†Scherr-Wells said. “We have made great strides forward in the last two years, and I am excited to continue to build upon that. When I was hired in 2021, I wanted the job because of the top, private school education that UE offers combined with high mid-major basketball in the MVC.â€
“We fit a unique niche in Division I basketball that not many schools can offer, and I am so proud to recruit student-athletes to UE. I will continue to work tirelessly to build UE Women’s Basketball into an MVC championship program!â€
Scherr-Wells’ system has led to a much higher pace of play. In four seasons prior to her arrival, UE averaged 59.5 points per game and under. Since she took the helm, the team has averaged 66.1 and 64.6 points, respectively. Her staff has recruited and coached four All-Missouri Valley Conference selections and that success translated to increased attendance and the first sellout in program history.
Off the court, her impact has been just as important. The team GPA for the women jumped from 3.0 in her first season to 3.3 last year. Her efforts have also translated to an increase in fundraising. During the 2022-23 campaign, her program raised over five times the amount of funds as it did in the season prior to her arrival.