“IS IT TRUE ” AUGUST 28, 2023
Vanderburgh County Political Parties Elect Leadership
A who’s who of local politics gathered Saturday morning to determine who will lead the local parties for the next four years. It was “Reorganization Day,” and each party held its own meeting to vote on a county chairman, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer to serve a four-year term.
The Democrats presented a united front and reelected their central committee members without contested races. In a room filled with political luminaries, including Mayor Stephanie Terry, Sheriff Noah Robinson, and some city council members, the Democrats cast their votes to keep Cheryl Schultz as Chair, James Powell as Vice Chair, Ann Wallis as Treasurer, and Shannon Dierlam as Secretary.
The GOP lacked a sense of harmony, so two sheriff’s deputies watched over the gathering “just in case.” The day was peaceful, with not a single argument breaking out.
The Republican gathering was attended by 212 precinct committeemen (PCs) and their vice PCs, about 80 percent of the PCs in the party. It was more than double the turnout from the 2021 Reorganization Day. Interest ran high for this caucus after the past four years marked by GOP infighting.
Last year, conservatives in the party actively recruited candidates to run for PC and convention delegate positions. The result was a record number of PC candidates on the May ballot. Conservative activists Ken Colbert and Cheryl Batteiger-Smith recruited many of those candidates. GOP Chairman Mike Duckworth contested some of the candidates under what is referred to as the “two primary rule”. Colbert and Batteiger-Smith became very vocal critics of Duckworth’s actions.
After the May primary, when the PCs were elected, Duckworth removed Colbert, Batteiger-Smith and former mayoral candidate Michael Daugherty from their elected positions as PCs. Colbert vowed to have Duckworth removed as county chairman.
Colbert and other Duckworth detractors decided to wait until Reorganization Day to get a candidate to their liking into the office. That candidate was a Frank Peterlin, a conservative Christian with plenty of political experience. Running with Perterlin were Lauren Bell, Walter Valiant, and Brian Pease.
Evansville pastor Steve Ary was next to throw his hat in the arena. Steve ran against Duckworth four years ago and lost by a handful of votes. Ary did not recruit a slate of candidates for the other seats in the committee, opting instead to work with anyone that gets elected to the central committee.
Kyhle Moers, husband of Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers, assembled a slate of candidates that includes the incumbent vice chair of the party and Vanderburgh County Clerk Dottie Thomas, Joe Kratochville, and former mayor and current county recorder Russ Lloyd, Jr.
Colbert was confident that the “America First Team” led by Peterlin would win, but Dottie Thomas and Mike Duckworth found at least 25 PC or vice PC positions open and they could fill those positions with anyone they wish. Adding those additional PCs with voting rights in the caucus would end up having a huge impact on the outcome of the vote.
With three candidates running for chair, many people expected the outcome of the first ballot would not give any candidate a clear majority, forcing a runoff vote. But, on the first ballot, Steve Airy had 36 votes, Frank Peterlin had 64, and a clear majority of 112 votes went to Kyhle Moers.
Moers’ slate of candidates all won, Dottie Thomas, Vice-Chair; Joe Kratochvil, Secretary; and Russ Lloyd Jr, Treasurer.
Moers says that he will be focused on unifying the party.
The Word in 120: Tame Your Tongue
By Jerome Stewart
There is a real need today to lower the temperature of the words coming out of our mouths. Words that promote division can be harmful instead uplifting to the hearers of them. The constant anger on display today is doing irreparable harm to our children. The 800 pound gorilla in the room today is that notorious tongue.
In this country today, we must re-think how we talk to one another or else all kinds of un-godly behavior will escalate. There are great words of wisdom throughout the bible on how we are to treat one another. James chapter 3 vs. 5 says; “the tongue is a little member and boast great things.” Vs. 8 says’ “But no one can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” It cannot be overstated that divisive talk today needs to take a prolong vacation. Somebody needs to be willing to speak words that are tender, soft and easy on our hearing, words that edify. There are great people doing great things, so there is good happening today. But we hear too much noise! We need to stop and think before we speak.
James addressed the general congregation of believers. He asked a very important question to be pondered in vs. 11 saying; “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” The answer is no. Vs. 12 he says “Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” Matthew chapter 7 vss. 15 thru 17 Jesus says; “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” Paul said to the brethren (that’s church folk) in Ephesians chapter 4 vss. 29 thru 31; “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Gogel selected as USI Director of Development
Gogel selected as USI Director of Development
Taylor Gogel has been named Director of Development at the University of Southern Indiana, effective March 3. He has served as Assistant Director of Development since 2020. Gogel will report to Andrea Gentry, Vice President for Development and President of the USI Foundation.
In this role, Gogel will plan, manage and direct development efforts in collaboration with USI funding priorities and will collaborate with the appropriate personnel for various projects and events. He will also serve as a primary gift officer for major, leadership and deferred gifts.
Gogel is a proud two-time alumnus of USI. Immediately after obtaining his undergraduate degree, he began working for the Green River Area Development District in Owensboro, Kentucky. In 2016, he began his first role at the USI Development Office as Annual Giving Officer. He serves on the board of directors for the Rotary Club of Evansville and previously held board memberships and volunteer service roles at the Potter’s Wheel Ministries, Vanderburgh County Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee and the Donor Relations Committee at the Arc of Evansville.
Gogel earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2013 and a master’s degree in public administration in 2019, both from USI.
Indiana Grown Symposium welcomes agriculture focused businesses for one-day training event
Indiana Grown Symposium welcomes agriculture focused businesses for one-day training event
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 27, 2025) —Indiana Grown , the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s local marketing initiative, will be hosting a day-long conference focused on educational seminars for Indiana’s food and farming businesses.
The event is March 18, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds (1900 E. Main St., Danville, IN 46122). Registration is $45 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Interested businesses and Indiana Grown members have until March 12 to register for the event at indianagrown.org.
Businesses do not have to be an Indiana Grown member to attend. A networking and social hour will occur from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to ensure businesses have the opportunity to connect and learn from each other.
This event is an opportunity for agribusiness operators, food system advocates, agricultural agencies and others who want to develop and expand their business and brand. The symposium provides numerous educational sessions on marketing and advertising, growth through food safety, perfecting your sales pitch, defining your brands story and much more.
Attendees could include small agribusinesses looking to expand their products into new markets, businesses interested in social media and marketing expertise, creating a memorable guest experience, operator liability, consumer trends and much more.
“Indiana Grown is thrilled to be hosting our third Indiana Grown Symposium and to be opening this event to all business owners looking for support as they continue to expand,” said Caroline Patrick, Indiana Grown Director. “This is a great opportunity to connect with different business owners, top experts in their fields and engaging presenters. This is a one-of-a-kind event for Hoosier agribusinesses, and we are so excited to gather for continued learning and networking.”
Featured speakers include:
- Jay Chaudhary, Sagamore Institute
- Brianna Schroeder, Janzen Schroeder Ag Law
- Sam Sandala, Dittoe Public Relations
- Dana Dull, Dull’s Tree Farm
- Dr. Loi Hoagland, Purdue University
- Renee Evans, GM Production Solutions
- Sustainability Panel moderated by Brent Kumfer
- Sharon Pattee, Indiana Department of Health
- Todd Rimer, Element 212
- Madison Mehringer, Food and Entrepreneur Manufacturing Institute
- Donniella Winchell, Ohio Wine Producers
- Rocky Walls, 12 Stars Media
- Stephanie Bossung, New Point Marketing
Including representatives from:
- Indiana State Department of Agriculture
- Indiana Farm Bureau
- Indiana Small Business Development Corporation
- Indiana Destination Development Corporation
- Veterans IN Farming
- USDA
- Indiana Grown for Schools
- Fairs and Festivals
- Farm Service Agency
- Optiviz Media
- Indiana Produce Safety
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ABOUT INDIANA GROWN
Indiana Grown is administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in partnership with the lieutenant governor’s office. The initiative educates consumers on the importance of buying Indiana Grown products, helps Indiana farmers and producers sell more products and supports Indiana businesses in their efforts to process more Indiana Grown products. Indiana Grown members and partners include farmers, producers, processors and artisans, as well as retailers, grocers, hospitals and restaurants. For more information, visit indianagrown.org.
CenterPoint Energy adds advanced mobile leak detection technology
CenterPoint Energy adds advanced mobile leak detection technology
Story by CenterPoint Energy
Evansville, Ind.– CenterPoint Energy continues to deploy advanced gas leak technology to detect methane in the air more quickly and accurately than ever before. The Picarro Advanced Mobile Leak Detection System, a state-of-the-art vehicle-mounted technology, allows CenterPoint crews to find and fix potential natural gas leaks faster, reducing methane emissions and enhancing system safety.
The company was one of the first utilities in the country to adopt the Picarro technology, piloting its use in Minnesota and Texas in 2013. Now, the company operates one of the world’s largest fleets, with units across the company’s six-state natural gas footprint. Alongside other modernization initiatives, the Picarro system reflects CenterPoint’s investment in innovative technology that strengthens safety, reliability and sustainability.
The Picarro Surveyor is 1,000 more times sensitive than traditional leak detection methods, identifying methane emissions at parts per billion (PPB) levels rather than parts per million (PPM). The increased sensitivity of this technology enables crews to pinpoint issues earlier, allowing for faster mitigation and repair of potential natural gas leaks.
“This technology allows us to detect potential leaks with greater precision and speed, strengthening the safety of our system and is one of the many ways that we’re investing in keeping natural gas in the pipe and out of the air,” said Richard Leger, CenterPoint’s Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Business. “We’re continuing to advance innovative solutions to provide safe, reliable service that benefits our customers and the communities we’re privileged to serve.”
What this means for customers and communities
By allowing potential leaks to be detected and addressed faster, the Picarro system not only enhances safety and reduces the risk of service interruptions, but it also plays a critical role in reducing methane emissions, also improving environmental sustainability. As part of its broader efforts to modernize the natural gas system, CenterPoint is working toward lowering methane emissions by approximately 33% by 2035 from a 2021 baseline. These advancements strengthen system reliability today while also supporting a more sustainable energy future for customers and communities.
How the technology works
The Picarro system uses advanced analytics and real-time monitoring to enhance leak detection and response through:
· Faster, more accurate detection: The Picarro system continuously scans air samples while a vehicle follows a designated route, typically at night when atmospheric conditions allow for a higher degree of accuracy.
· Pinpointing potential issues, reducing disruptions: The system logs indications of emissions release, allowing field crews to conduct targeted inspections, determine if a leak exists and make necessary repairs, as needed, with minimal impact to customers.
· Smarter, more reliable infrastructure: By reducing methane emissions and improving maintenance efficiency, Picarro plays a role in system reliability and helping CenterPoint to continue delivering safe and dependable service for customers.
For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Picarro.
Challenge to Embrace Change
As we navigate the evolving landscape of the church, I firmly believe that we’re poised on the threshold of a revolutionary transformation. The question is who will be willing to shift?Adult Crafternoon at Willard Library
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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
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