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The Machine comes home

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John Krull, publisher, TheStatehouseFile.com

ST. LOUIS—Old guys.

They rule.

I’m in St. Louis near the end of a long road trip. I’ve come to Busch Stadium to catch one of the stops on the Albert Pujols farewell tour.

Pujols is in the last season of what has been a Hall-of-Fame career. At one time, he was the most feared hitter in the game, a deadly combination of power, consistency and discipline. He not only could tear the hide off the ball when he sent it scorching to the stands, but he also was a tough out, a batter who rarely, if ever, was fooled or swung at a bad pitch.

In his best years—a stretch from 2001 to 2010—he invariably hit well over .300, slammed 40 or so home runs per season and drove in more than 120 runs. He was so well-drilled that his nickname was “La Maquina.”

The Machine.

Pujols spent those glory days here in St. Louis. He led the Cardinals to two World Series titles before the lure of a huge contract prompted him to sign with the Los Angeles Angels.

After he left this river city, he was never the same player. Though he was still formidable, he no longer towered over the game and the other players the way he had when he wore the Cards’ uniform.

After more than a decade away, Pujols came back to St. Louis for what he promises will be his final season. He says he’s 42 now, but rumors persist that he’s really two to three years older than that.

Time and injuries have taken their toll on him. Never the fleetest of players, even in his prime, he now runs like an arthritic plow horse.

At one recent game in Toronto, when the Cardinals’ third-base coach waved him toward home to try to beat a throw from the outfield, Pujols could be seen shaking his head in disbelief as he lumbered around the bag. The throw beat him by more than a city block.

But he’s still figured out ways to contribute, to help the team. His season got off to a slow start—he struggled to hit above .200 for a time—but he’s caught fire lately and his batting average has crept toward .250.

In the game in Toronto where he was thrown out at home, he carried the Cardinals to victory. Their best and much younger players couldn’t make the trip to Canada because of COVID protocols, so Pujols was inserted into the lineup.

He collected multiple hits and hit the home run that put the Cardinals over the top.

On this night, there won’t be similar fireworks.

The Cardinals host the Milwaukee Brewers. The two teams are battling for the lead in the National League’s Central Division with the Cards holding a slight edge.

It’s a beautiful night for baseball, warm but not hot with an occasional breeze wafting through the park. The game is a taut, hard-fought one, a defensive struggle that makes both runs and hits hard to come by.

Every time Pujols comes to the plate—each time facing a pitcher almost young enough to be his son—the huge crowd buzzes.

I saw him play often when both he and I were much younger. Then, I marveled at his power and native skill, the ability not just to hit pitches coming in at 100 miles an hour but send them blazing to spots he seemed to have chosen.

Now, I find myself moved by the ways he relies on experience and guile to substitute for youthful prowess and natural energy.

He’s still a tough out. He puts the bat on the ball a couple of times, hitting it hard but straight at fielders.

On his last time up, though, he rips a grasscutter between shortstop and third, finding a hole that yields a base hit. It’s a canny, veteran bit of hitting, sniffing out a weak spot and exploiting it.

The Machine at work, one more time.

After he reaches first, the Cards’ manager sends in a pinch runner, both to avoid a replay of the Toronto third-base debacle and to give the crowd and Pujols a chance to salute each other.

As he leaves the field, applause rolls over the big stadium.

Pujols tips his cap as he heads to the dugout, an aging gladiator taking a modest bow.

Old guys.

They rule.

John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. The opinions expressed by the author do not represent the views of Franklin College.

End of Summer ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

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End of Summer ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

 Drive sober or get pulled over. That’s the warning coming from the Indiana State Police as it gears up to participate in an end-of-summer impaired driving enforcement campaign. Starting this weekend through Labor Day, officers will be increasing patrols designed to target those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

“We’re asking everyone to have a plan in place if they know they’ll be drinking,” said Lieutenant Corey Culler, District Commander, Fort Wayne Post. “We are encouraging drivers to think about the choices they’re making and the consequences before they get behind the wheel so that we can prevent a needless tragedy.”

Alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities have increased over the past few years, as have other dangerous driving behaviors, fueling a nationwide surge in roadway deaths. It’s an unfortunate trend that doesn’t appear to be slowing.

Newly released data from NHTSA shows that an estimated 9,560 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first quarter of 2022. That’s up 7% from the previous year and the highest number of deaths in 20 years for that period.

In Indiana, traffic fatalities increased by more than 20% during that time compared to 2021. If the pace continues, 2022 could be the third straight year with more fatalities, following 897 in 2020 and 931 in 2021.

“People who drive drunk or high aren’t thinking about the repercussions,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “It’s not just their life they’re risking, but the life of the person in the car next to them and the pedestrian crossing the street. No one ‘accidentally’ drives impaired. It’s always a choice.”

Drunk driving continues to be a major factor making up roughly 25% of the state’s fatal collisions, but alcohol isn’t the only concern.

Research indicates drug prevalence has been on the rise among drivers during the pandemic. Last year, the number of blood samples submitted to the Indiana Department of Toxicology for drug analysis after a crash increased by 7%.

“Since the start of the pandemic, more drivers are testing positive for THC and poly-drug use, a combination of drugs,” said Robert Duckworth, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “We’re working to address that by training more officers in advanced detection techniques and providing new tools to law enforcement, but the best and easiest solution is for people to not drive high in the first place.”

Driving under the influence, whether it’s drugs or alcohol, is illegal in Indiana. Those who choose to drive impaired are, not only risking their life and the lives of others, but also could face an arrest, jail time, and substantial fines and attorney fees. The average drunk driving arrest costs up to $10,000.

With officers showing zero tolerance throughout the campaign, the department recommends celebrating the end of summer responsibly by having a safety plan in place. Even if it’s only one drink, designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.

It’s also important to wear a seat belt at all times. It’s the best form of protection against drunk drivers. Motorists are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 or contacting the department.

For those of you personally wanting to make a real difference in the fight against impaired and dangerous driving, please go to www.IndianaTrooper.com today, and head down the path to becoming an Indiana State Trooper. 

MOM KNOWS BEST MOM KNOWS BEST

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redline

MOM KNOWS BEST

by Judge Redwine

AUGUST 20, 2022

Tom Nichols is a staff writer for The Atlantic magazine. In his opinion piece of August 15, 2022, Nichols asserted the United States is living in a “new era of political violence.” Nichols compared our current political climate to America’s Civil War and declared:

“Compared with the bizarre ideas and half-baked wackiness that now infest American political life, the arguments between the North and the South look like a deep treatise on government.”

Of course, Nichols, as all of us do, meant those ideas he disagreed with. He wrote his article as a warning against “the random threats and unpredictable dangers from people among us who spend too much time watching television and plunging down internet rabbit holes.”

While I believe Nichols falls victim to the kind of incitement to political violence he warns the rest of us to avoid, I agree with him that much of our poisonous political atmosphere is both created and exacerbated by “instigators who will inflame them from the safety of a television or radio studio.”

When I try to glean news from Facebook, MSNBC, CNN, FOX News and even sometimes NPR and the regular commercial news outlets, I spend a lot of my time hearing the echo of my Mother’s sage advice, “If you can’t say something nice about somebody, don’t say anything at all.”

In our current political discourse, it seems almost every discussion has to first set forth the commentator’s pro or anti-Trump diatribe and then morph into the “real news.”  I keep trying, with little success, to block out the opening statements as I wait for any significant new facts.

This atmosphere of dueling slings and arrows, some of which are more than mere rhetoric, is the “political violence” Nichols refers to. People commit random acts of physical violence against complete strangers for no reason other than to attempt to give some meaning to their uninteresting lives. And as many of us have suffered through the discomfort, or worse, of political conversations with our friends and family these last few years, it is not just random strangers who have accosted one another with Nichols’ “New Era of Political Violence”. Long-time friendships and relationships have often suffered due to competing political views.

A large contributor to the current “Era of Bad Feeling” is the tendency to classify those who do not share our political views as holding “half-baked” or “wacky” ideas because, in Nichols’ view, they suffer from “a generalized paranoia that dark forces are manipulating their lives.” The sense I get from our current political in-fighting reminds me of the McCarthy Era from the 1950’s when Senator Joe McCarthy held hearings that ruined countless lives with accusations of Communistic leanings among American citizens. Sure, eventually we, as a democracy, saw through the “Red Scare” but it was too late to save many good citizens.

It feels to me now as those Red Baiting times felt. We seem to go immediately to anger when the “other side” speaks its views. Perhaps we could learn from our history instead of repeating it. As Mom would have said, “Just because someone sees things from their viewpoint doesn’t make them wrong. And just because someone else voices an opinion opposed to ours doesn’t mean they are bad.” It kind of goes back to that old advice, “If it ain’t good, don’t say it.”

That does not apply to real news, only personal character assassination. We need our democracy to have unfettered access to information about many subjects. That is, we need facts to make good decisions. What we do not need is vituperative personal attacks masquerading as evidence.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

Or “Like/Follow” us on Facebook & Twitter at JPegOsageRanch

Gov. Holcomb announces new Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Darron Cummings/AP/Shutterstock (11717541e) Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb delivers his State of the State address virtually, in Indianapolis State of the State, Indianapolis, United States - 19 Jan 2021

INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today announced that David J. Adams is the new commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

“David Adams has spent decades focusing on the connections between workforce talent and the needs of today’s industries, and he leads with a tremendous energy that brings results, time and time again,” said Gov. Holcomb. “I’m excited David is returning to Indiana and the impact he will make in helping our Department of Workforce Development to skill up our workforce to be second-to-none and prepared for the next phase of our economic growth.”

Adams was executive director of the Indiana Public Retirement System from 2005 – 2007.

Since 2017, he has served as the chief innovation officer at the University of Cincinnati, where he is the leader of the Cincinnati Innovation District, which connects the economic engine of the university to global, mid-sized and small companies with a focus on growing, attracting, and retaining talent. The innovation district became the model for the state of Ohio and was instrumental in securing the recent $20 billion Intel investments, including the development of the future workforce.

Adams has deep experience in industry, higher education, and public service. In addition to his efforts at the University of Cincinnati, he was chief administrative officer at the University of Louisville and served as the CEO of the Institute of Product Realization.

He was a founding member of the Enlace Academy in Indianapolis and is a member of the board of directors of the Purdue Research Foundation. He’s also a board member of REDI Cincinnati, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and CincyTech.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to connect and convene Indiana’s talent pool with the resources the state has built to skill-up workers, matching them with the best in-demand careers that they are suited for,” Adams said. “With our partners across the state, we will empower Hoosiers to be trained for the economy of today, and ready for the economy Gov. Holcomb is building.”

Adams is a graduate of the Speed Scientific School of Engineering at the University of Louisville and has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in industrial engineering.

He begins his tenure on Sept. 19. He replaces Fred Payne, who stepped down to become president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Central Indiana.

Virtual Author Talk: Michele Harper On August 22 At 8 PM

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

City Council Meeting Agenda

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City Council Meeting On AUGUST 22, 2022 At 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA

I. INTRODUCTION

 

08-22-2022 Agenda Attachment:
II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM

 

8-08-2022 Memo Attachment:
III. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

IV. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY

 

V. CONSENT AGENDA:  FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE G-2022-13 An Ordinance to Vacate all of the 12.5’ Alley Running in the North/South Direction, lying West of Lots 17-27 and East of Lots 16 and 28 in Block 4 of Greeksville, an addition to the City of Evansville – Located South of Virginia St, North of Michigan St, East of 1st Ave and West of Oakley St within the City of Evansville, Indiana Sponsor(s): Brinkmeyer Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 9/12/2022 Notify: Bret Sermersheim, Morley
G-2022-13 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2022-14 An Ordinance Creating Chapter 2.225 (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): Burton Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Mosby Discussion Date: 9/12/2022 Notify: Marco Delucio, ZSWS
G-2022-14 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE G-2022-15 An Ordinance to Vacate a Certain Public Way or Public Place Within the City of Evansville, Indiana, Commonly Known as Part of Blackford Grove, As Per Plat Thereof, Recorded in Plat Book C, Page 308 in the Office of the Recorder of Vanderburgh County Sponsor(s): Burton Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 9/12/2022 Notify: JR Trockman, KDDK
G-2022-15 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE F-2022-15 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Moore Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Moore Discussion Date: 9/12/2022 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller
F-2022-15 Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2022-31 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 400 Fuquay Rd and 7801 E Walnut St Owner: Eagle Crest Associates, LLP Requested Change: C2 w/ UDC to C2 w/ UDC Ward: 1 Trockman Representative: Joshua Claybourn, Jackson Kelly
R-2022-31 Attachment:
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

VII. REGULAR AGENDA:  SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE G-2022-11 An Ordinance to Vacate Certain Public Ways or Public Places within the City of Evansville, Indiana, Commonly Known as the 12’ alley lying West of Lots 10 and 21 and East of Lots 1-9 in Block 2 of Rheinlander Place also Cornelius Ave lying North of Lots 16-21 in Block 2 of Rheinlander Place also part of Martin Avenue lying South of Lots 11-15 in Block 2 of Rheinlander Place, all as per plat thereof, Recorded in Plat Book F, Page 159 in the Office of the Recorder of Vanderburgh County, Indiana and commonly known as 3211 Martin Ave Sponsor(s): Brinkmeyer Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 8/22/2022 Notify: Megan Wirth
G-2022-11 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2022-12 An Ordinance of the Evansville Common Council Authorizing the City Of Evansville, Indiana, to Issue One or More Series of its Economic Development Tax Increment Revenue Bonds (Central Lofts Apartment Project) and Approving and Authorizing Other Actions in Respect Thereto Sponsor(s): Burton Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Moore Discussion Date: 8/22/2022 Notify: Nick Cirignano, ZSWS
G-2022-12 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE F-2022-14 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Moore Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Moore Discussion Date: 8/22/2022 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller
F-2022-14 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2022-11 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 313 E Columbia St, 321 E Columbia St, 712-714 N Governor St Petitioner: Dennis Gates Owner: Dennis Gates Requested Change: C4 to M2 Ward: 3 Heronemus Representative: Dennis Gates (Ordinance R-2022-11 has been withdrawn.)
R-2022-11 Amended Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2022-19 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1211-1217 E Michigan St Petitioner: PAR Management, LLC Owner: PAR Management, LLC Requested Change: R2 to C4 w/ UDC Ward: 3 Heronemus Representative: Krista Lockyear, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC
R-2022-19 Amended Attachment:
F. ORDINANCE R-2022-22 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3300 Maxx Rd (Partial) Petitioner: Briar Pointe Development, LLC Owner: Briar Pointe Development, LLC Requested Change: R4 w/ UDC to R4 Ward: 5 Elpers Representative: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates
R-2022-22 Attachment:
G. ORDINANCE R-2022-23 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3300 Maxx Rd (Partial) Petitioner: Briar Pointe Development, LLC Owner: Briar Pointe Development, LLC Requested Change: M2 to R4 Ward: 5 Elpers Representative: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates
R-2022-23 Attachment:
H. ORDINANCE R-2022-24 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 415 NW Fifth St Petitioner: Zion Evang & Reformed Church Inc Owner: Zion Evang & Reformed Church Inc Requested Change: C4 to C3 Ward: 4 Burton Representative: James Morley, Morley
R-2022-24 Attachment:
I. ORDINANCE R-2022-25 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1 S Lafayette Ave and 223 John St Petitioner: Tech Center LLC Owner: Tech Center LLC Requested Change: C4/M2 to M2 w/ UDC Ward: 4 Burton Representative: Christopher Wischer, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC
R-2022-25 Amended Attachment:
J. ORDINANCE R-2022-26 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3410 Claremont Ave Petitioner: Matt Lehman Owner: Claremont Warehouse LLC Requested Change: M3 to M2 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Matt R Lehman, RLehman & Son Consulting
R-2022-26 Attachment:
VIII. RESOLUTION DOCKET

 

IX. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

 

A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, September 12, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
B. SCORE EVANSVILLE
C. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

It’s a Red and Blue ping pong game – and we’re their ball.

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..Or maybe it’s Good Cop/Bad Cop. Whatever it is, is tearing us apart.

Freedom, IN – A little over half my friends and family are loyal Republicans, so I try my best to understand why they’re so faithful to a party that continuously stabs them in the back in lost rights, more violation of constitutional limitations, more authoritarianism, more bad science and corruption from Big Pharma and Big Ag, more spending, more debt, more spying, lying and militarization both foreign, and domestic. You can follow the campaign dollars and see why. As long as they get reelected no matter what, they’ll happily take the money and run…all over us.

But I was asked to listen to Donald Trump’s speech at CPAC, since, especially after the FBI raid, he’s once again idolized as the savior of our nation. So I listened. Since I agree that the current leaders of the Democratic Party are barking-at-the-moon nuts, I too am hoping for miracles…other a Libertarian Sweep of our federal government, of course.

Here are my observations (excluding any mention of extreme narcissism and self-aggrandizement):

  1. Much of what Trump said of his accomplishments is not true. For example, the spending and debt by his signature ($4.2 trillion spending is worst-ever), as well as the Fed “stimulus” he supported, is more than half the cause of our current inflationary spike. And “the economy” was not even close to our best-ever; even excluding the COVID-19 madness over which he presided. Also, the supposed drop in unemployment was well under way with Obama before Trump took the helm.
  2. While he was only partly wrong about the elimination of drug problems in Singapore, his insinuation that we should add death penalties and harsher enforcement of our already unconstitutional “War On Drugs” is tragically wrong-headed.
  3. He spoke of “draining the Swamp” as if he hadn’t already had the reason, authority, power and duty to do that already. All Executive Agencies, for example operate and indeed exist under his direct constitutional authority; he should have stopped their anti-constitutional powers and operations, or eliminated the corrupt agencies completely, with one of the few correct uses of Executive Orders.
  4. My faithful Republicans believe that ex-POTUS Trump has learned from his past errors, will drain the swamp at last, repair foreign policy, and turn domestic policy and action over to VPOTUS DeSantis… which of course can’t happen.
  5. Yet another “red wave” can’t possibly fix anything. If Republican voters once again vote red, the kingmakers, puppet masters, unelected bureaucrats, permanent partisan staffers, National Security State, Mainstream and New Media that comprise “the Deep State” will still be in charge. In fact that crony network would be even more empowered, since Trump said he’d have to ask Congress to do his job of governing the executive agencies. Too few in the GOP have ever read the constitution to which they pledge their support; even fewer understand what it says.
  6. Voters can of course clean up this mess, but only by tearing down the Two Party System that is, like it or not, as wholly and irredeemably corrupt as Trump admitted, it is. That swamp is quite able to suppress any attempts to clean house from inside the system that the swamp owns and controls anyway. Only voters can tear away the partisan firewall, expose the puppetmasters, and clean up this destructive madness.

I am not unsympathetic. I understand the need to turn from national self-immolation. But the partisan seesaw we’ve played with two parties who’ve acquired increasingly unfair, corrupt and anti-constitutional power since before we got D/R-only Primary Elections in the 1970’s has been increasingly divisive, increasingly corrupt, and increasingly destructive.

“When you see that your horse is dead, dismount” is a fine saying, but it doesn’t go far enough. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” also fails to capture the absurdity of the mess that we keep reelecting. This mess is the direct reflection of We The People. Our government is our avatar. Nothing gets better until we do.

We need a cultural epiphany and reconsideration of who we are, and what the abstraction we call “The United States of America” is all about. We need a revolution that starts in our collective hearts and minds. And we need it fast.

Fortunately, that’s what elections are for. Our vote is not a poker chip. This is no game. We have in our voting arm the power of peaceful revolution. And we certainly need that. Right now.

Each of us also has a voice, people to talk to, and at least a little money to offer to those who really are trying to fight this two-headed monstrosity on our behalf.

We are not powerless. But the historical clock of societal collapse is ticking…

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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