JUST IN: UE Faculty Senate Votes No Confidence in Presidentâ€™s Plan

12/17/2020

Evansvilleâ€” 12/17/20 â€” The University of Evansville Faculty Senate today passed a vote of noÂ confidence in the Presidentâ€™s draft academic alignment plan. The vote passed by a margin of 14 to 1Â with 1 abstention.

The President of U of E made no comment on this result as he failed to attend the meeting.

The faculty will now have seven days to vote on this matter.

The resolution through which the Senate offered its position noted that the Presidentâ€™s draft plan doesÂ not recognize the facultyâ€™s role within the universityâ€™s shared governance structure and does not accordÂ with the universityâ€™s policies and procedures on curricular change.

The resolution asks the President of the University of Evansville to make a public written commitment to the following:

All proposals for curricular change within the final draft of the Presidentâ€™s academic alignmentÂ plan, including but not limited to all that on implementation would result in the loss of majorsÂ and/or faculty positions, will be submitted to the Curriculum Committee.

That committee willÂ vote on those proposals and then submit its recommendations to the Senate. The Senate willÂ review those recommendations and then vote to either approve them, reject them, or returnÂ them to the Curriculum Committee for further consideration.

Any recommendations approvedÂ by the Senate that relate to the addition or deletion of degrees and majors will be forwarded toÂ the President, who will approve them, reject them or return them to the Senate for furtherÂ consideration. Finally, any Senate recommendations endorsed by the President will be sent toÂ the Board of Trustees, and the Board will approve them, reject them, or return them to theÂ President for further consideration.

We, the UE AAUP chapter, thank the Senate for its careful and considered response to the Presidentâ€™sÂ draft academic alignment plan. The resolution passed today is valid and necessary. In these difficultÂ times, it is all the more important for the bodies that make up our university to follow its policies,Â procedures, and governance structures. By doing so, those bodies honor the principles that underpinÂ the institution. We firmly believe that every facet of the University of Evansville is worthy of respect.

To learn more:

â€¢ Visit our website at saveue.com â€¢ Follow us on Facebook at Save UE

â€¢ Follow us on Twitter at @Save_UE â€¢ Follow us on Instagram at save.ue

â€¢ E-mail us at ueaaup@gmail.com

“IS IT TRUE” DECEMBER 17, 2020

12/17/2020

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We hope that todayâ€™s â€œIS IT TRUEâ€Â will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way.

City-County Observer Comment Policy:Â Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will be tolerated and will be removed from our site.â€

We understand that sometimes people donâ€™t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.Â The use of offensive language and/or insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.

IS IT TRUEÂ that colleges and universities across the United States have been dealing with challenges they had never thought of due to the coronavirus pandemic, competition from online courses, Community Colleges, and the lack of future pro-active and visionary planning?

IS IT TRUEÂ that the future of higher education has been quietly trending toward online education offerings and the pandemic has just accelerated the speed of change that College Administrators have mostly failed to foresee or even acknowledge?

IS IT TRUEÂ the University of Evansville Board of Trustees is planning to eliminate 17 majors and three departments?…this will enable the layoff of roughly 25% of faculty members serving those degrees?…we been told that many people are wondering how many overpaid and unnecessary administrators are included in the proposed cuts?

IS IT TRUE that the financial woes of the University Of Evansville didn’t happen overnight and won’t be corrected overnight? Â …that the Administration at U Of E is giving the impression that they are in a “Management by Crisis” mode?

IS IT TRUE it been alleged that a University of Evansville spokesperson told a member of the local media that they weren’t allowed to come on campus during the recent peaceful protest? …one word that put members of the mainstream media in a combative mode is CENSORSHIP?

IS IT TRUEÂ that Colleges and Universities all across America are designing and implementing academic programs that prepare students for a lifetime of work? Â …that many College administrators feel that soft majors that do not help a student become more marketable as an adult should be axed, but technology degrees should not?

IS IT TRUEÂ we are surprised to hear that the U of E President wants to put the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science on the chopping block along with the degrees offered in that college?…electrical engineering, computer science, and computer engineering, all of which are slated to be eliminated are some of the most highly paid and demanded degrees across the country?…these degrees routinely see starting salaries of over $100,000 offered to graduates with no work experience whatsoever?…ending those degrees will put the entire region at a disadvantage for future business growth and attraction?

IS IT TRUEÂ eliminating ofÂ Electrical Engineering and Computer Science degrees will also make it necessary for the best and brightest local high school graduates to go elsewhere to college and we will never see them again as they pursue lucrative careers elsewhere?…they wonâ€™t even have any reason to consider Evansville as a place to telecommute from?

IS IT TRUEÂ many people agreed with the U of E student statement “that the professors at U of E are the school and that academics should be the last place to cut, not the first place to cut”?

IS IT TRUEÂ it’s a well-known fact that Athletic Departments at Colleges and Universities all over America have operating budgets exceeding anywhere from $15 million to $50 million dollars?…that the fat and waste in Colleges and Universities athletic department budgets these days is as bad or worse than the fat and waste in government purchasing departments where a $700 hammer is seen as a steal?

IS IT TRUEÂ that Intercollegiate athletic programs will increase the overall enrollment at Universities and Colleges only if they consistently produce nationally ranked teams?

IS IT TRUEÂ that some of the peaceful protesters feel that scaling back on Intercollegiate athletics would be a better option for making budget cuts? Â …they also believe that switching to NCCA Division D3 would save money so U of E administrators wouldn’t have to get rid of whole departments and faculty members?”Â …that some of the peaceful protesters also allege that the current athletic program budget at U of E is around $12 million dollars a year and operates at a serious deficit?

IS IT TRUEÂ that many people feel that a vote of “No Confidence” against an administrator by members of a college faculty could be a career-ender?

IS IT TRUEÂ that the un-reasonable academic criteria mandated by the Regional Higher Education Commission are known to cause Colleges serious budgetary and curricular development problems?

IS IT TRUEÂ that members of the U of EÂ Board of Trustees are outstanding public servants with a great deal of professional and life experiences? Â …that members of the U of E Board of Trustees should be aware that the decisions they make concerning the future direction of U of E turn out to be harmful to the future growth of the University it could stain their impeccable repetitions?

IS IT TRUE that the critical decisions concerning the future of U of E might best be made with outside professional consultation and facilitation? Â …that this move might enable discussions that reflect corporate thinking in the best interests of the University?

IS IT TRUEÂ that many people feel if the University Of Evansville Board of Trustees follows through with the current publically announced proposed budget cuts, this is will be a sad day for the valuable tenured professors, support staff, students, local employers, alumni, and our region?

IS IT TRUEÂ that the plan to distribute a complimentary printed edition of the City-County Observer in an orderly and calculated manner is really moving in the right direction? Â … sometime in the very near future, we will be announcing the permanent locations for you to pick up copies of the printed edition of the CCO? …that our professionally designed newspaper racks have just arrived?

IS IT TRUEÂ we are pleased in the way that the good folks at local TV Channel 14 are providing the masses with up-to-date local news, weather, and sports? Â …we are so impressed by the way they are providing current and accurate news that we have included Channel 14 TV in our 2021 advertising budget? Â …we are extremely impressed with the way that Evan Gorman is presenting the nightly news for Channel 14?

When the people fear the Government we haveÂ Tyranny!Â Â When the Government fears the people we haveÂ Liberty!

TodaysÂ â€˜Readers Pollâ€Â question is: What Â Department should the University of Evansville Board of Trustees cut first?

You now can subscribe to the CCO at no cost.

Â To advertise in the CCO please contactÂ Observer@live.com.

Webex Meeting Invitation Of The Vanderburgh County Board Of Health Meeting Starting At 2:00

12/17/2020

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Join from the meeting link

https://coevc.webex.com/coevc/j.php?MTID=m9a8e88a6a2f86ee8176ff550425737c7

Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)

+1-415-655-0001,,1323170862## US Toll

Join from a video system or application

Dial 1323170862@coevc.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join using Microsoft Lync or Microsoft Skype for Business

Dial 1323170862.coevc@lync.webex.com

Ivy Tech, USI Develop Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for Many Programs

12/17/2020

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Ivy Tech, USI Develop Guaranteed Admissions Agreement for Many Programs

EVANSVILLE, IN –– Ivy Tech Community College and the University of Southern Indiana has established a guaranteed admission agreement to ensure a smooth transfer to specific bachelorâ€™s degree programs at USI, following a studentâ€™s successful completion of an Ivy Tech associate degree. This agreement is now effective.

Ivy Tech Chancellor Daniela Vidal explained that these types of agreements will assist our communities in moving forward, and help to keep our talented population in this area with the degrees they earn. â€œWe are so excited about this opportunity to make earning a bachelorâ€™s degree even more affordable for the communities Ivy Tech and USI serve,â€ Vidal said. â€œThis type of agreement gives a student a clear pathway for their degree and sets clearly the expectations in order to move forward. I would like to thank the University for working with us diligently to make this happen.â€

â€œThis agreement expands on our long-standing collaboration to establish and enhance educational pathways that prepare students for success in a rapidly changing economy,â€ said Dr. Mohammed Khayum, USI Provost.

Qualifying students will be able to transfer to USI with no less than 60 credit hours, in junior status, toward their bachelorâ€™s degree.

Programs covered by the Guaranteed Admission Agreement include:

ProgramÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MajorÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Degree

Biology Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BiologyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Biology, ChemistryÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Science TeachingÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Business AdministrationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Business AdministrationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Business AdministrationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â EconomicsÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Business AdministrationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â FinanceÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Business AdministrationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â ManagementÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Business AdministrationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MarketingÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Business Administration,

AccountingÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â AccountingÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

ChemistryÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BiochemistryÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

ChemistryÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â ChemistryÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Computer ScienceÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Computer ScienceÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BS

Criminal JusticeÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Criminal JusticeÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Early Childhood EducationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Early Childhood EducationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

EducationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Elementary EducationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

EducationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Special EducationÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Civil EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BSCE

EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Electrical EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BSEE

EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BSE

EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Manufacturing EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BSMFE

EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mechanical EngineeringÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BSME

Engineering TechnologyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Industrial SupervisionÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BS

Engineering TechnologyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Manufacturing Engineering

TechnologyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BS

Mechanical Engineering

TechnologyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kinesiology â€“ PE Teaching Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

PsychologyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PsychologyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BA/BS

Respiratory TherapyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Respiratory TherapyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BS

In order to qualify for Guaranteed Admission, most programs listed require the student to have a 2.5 cumulative GPA at Ivy Tech, with exceptions of higher GPA requirements for certain majors.

Ivy Tech Community College has developed several guaranteed admission partnerships with colleges and universities in Indiana including Purdue, Purdue Global, Ball State, WGU, Indiana State, IUPUI, and more. Read more at www.ivytech.edu/guaranteedadmissions or call the Admissions Department at 812-429-1435.

New Harmony Gazette Publisher Request That The Names Of The Five Members COVID Review Committee Be Made Public

12/17/2020

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WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE COVID-REVIEW COMMITTEE?

By: Dan Barton

PUBLISHER OF THE NEW-HARMONY GAZETTE.

January 2020

In the December 2020, edition of the Gazette, I left you with the promise that The New Harmony
Gazette would pursue the names of the members of the Five Member Review Committee that
was left out in Town Council President Alvin Blaylockâ€™s discussion at the Council meeting of
October 20, 2020; or let you know if itâ€™s a dead-end. Well, itâ€™s not exactly a dead-end, but it is a
bit of a conundrum.

I said, that as the publisher of the New Harmony Gazette, I would request the names of the FiveÂ Member Review Committee and I did so, from Town Clerk Karla Atkins and from Town LawyerÂ Erin Bauer.

Town Council President, Alvin Blaylock had reported that such a committee existed and that
The committee â€œlooked at the 32 qualified businesses and recommended dividing the Grant FundsÂ ($263,750) equally among the 32 businesses.â€ Originally, Atkins turned down my request forÂ the 32 businesses, but after she consulted with the Town Attorney, the request was granted andÂ the names of the recipient businesses were released in the November 2020 edition of The NewÂ Harmony Gazette.

Then, it only seemed natural to request the list of the Five unknown Officials who made the
recommendation on how, and to whom, to spend the public COVID Funds with, since I alreadyÂ had the names of the 32 businesses who were recipients of the grant money.

Other businesses, not on the recipient list, were left out of the grant for various reasons. EitherÂ they were not notified by the Town Council personally that they should apply, as some of theÂ grant recipients were personally notified, or they waited too long to file and missed the filingÂ deadline or they didnâ€™t think they had met the criteria for eligibility. However, all of the grantÂ applicants who applied in time were approved. It appears, though, that some of the grantÂ recipients may not have met the criteria description, but were funded anyway.

In that regard, I include the criteria for eligibility that was released by Karla Atkins, Town Clerk,Â as follows

* Be a sole proprietorship, corporate franchise, LLC, corporation, or independent contractor

* Must be considered a small business (100 or less) and actively operation prior to the COVID

pandemic or whose opening was impacted boy the COVID pandemic.

* Demonstrate the direct correlation of their business disruption to COVI-19 in their impact

letters.

* Primary office or business location must be within the New Harmony corporate boundaries.

* Provide a letter about how the influx of the grant funds will help retain a certain number of

employees, and

* Provide documentation of company employees, positions, the average number of hours worked

per week, and average annual salary (based upon the last three monthâ€™s salary x 4)

* Full-time equivalent (FTE) is defined as more than 32 hours per week.

* Micro-businesses/sole proprietors must receive W-2 or 1099 to apply.

* No cash wages will be considered as wages.

* Businesses receiving other COVID-19 assistance such as PPP, EIDL are eligible to apply.

* Business receiving prior OCRA-19 grant assistance are not eligible to apply

* Non-profits are not eligible

Atkins went on to state: The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana will be
providing program management, oversight, and administration of the funds for the communities.

By way of comparison, the description of what The Economic Development Coalition was
responsible for, regarding the grant, as was explained by G. Michael Schopmeyer, attorney forÂ The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, in the following manner:

He said, in part, in his letter to the Gazette, dated, November 25, 2020; â€œThe Coalition itself isÂ not a â€œpublic agency,â€â€¦but is rather an Indiana nonprofit corporation serving as a grant writingÂ body for the promotion of community development, in the Indiana Southwest Region. ItsÂ relationship to the Phase II fundsâ€¦is to act as a resource for the recipient communities and toÂ ensure they comply with the rules established by HUD and OCRA.â€Â Schopmeyer turned down the Gazetteâ€™s request for a list of the Five Members of the ReviewÂ Committee and suggested that our inquiry be directed toward the New Harmony Town Council.Â Which was done by the Gazette, twice.

Erin Bauer, New Harmony Town Attorney, replied to The New Harmony Gazetteâ€™s request for theÂ names of the Five Members, as follows:Â â€œAs I stated on November 7, 2020, the Town of New Harmony does not maintain such a list ofÂ names. The Town is not required to create a list of names. Request denied.â€

Mr. Joseph Basile, Director of Legal Services, (and an attorney), Office of Lt. Governor SuzanneÂ Crouch was contacted by the New Harmony gazette regarding the Review Committee list. HeÂ responded in part by saying:Â â€œ Per my discussions with my colleagues in OCRA, it appears that â€¦ OCRA does not possessÂ any records that are responsive to your request.â€Â So, it would appear, unless Iâ€™m misinterpreting some of the word parsing and legalese, includedÂ in some of the statements, that neither the State, the Region nor the Town of New Harmony,Â including the Town Council of New Harmony, have any list or know anything about a FiveÂ Member Review Committee, that according to Council President Alvin Blaylock, â€œlooked at theÂ 32 qualified businesses and recommended dividing the Grant Funds equally among the 32Â businessesâ€, as Blaylock said during the October 20th Town Council meeting.

If the responsible government bodies and extra-governmental bodies involved did not knowÂ anything about the Five Member Review Committee, where did Mr. Blaylock get his OK, beyondÂ the vote taken by Town Council on October 20th, after Blaylockâ€™s remarks were already made,Â to divide the funds equally among the 32 businesses? His statement to his Council colleaguesÂ appears to be based on invalid information. But, the Council on October 20th, proceeded toÂ vote for the passage to divide the funds equally, anyway, based on the recommendation fromÂ Blaylock, without any questions from them about who was on the committee. The Council voteÂ was three YEAâ€™S for the passage; Blaylock, Watson, and Alsop; and Two Council membersÂ abstained.

The two who abstained were Tom Williams and Roger Wade, both of whom were on the list toÂ receive the grant funds. Neither one questioned the validity of Blaylockâ€™s statement or asked forÂ the names of the Five unidentified committee members.

So, who, Mr. Blaylock, were the Five Members on that COVID Review Committee list? Or wasÂ there a COVID Review Committee at all? If there was no list of Review Committee names thatÂ OKâ€™d the allocation of the funds in equal parts, then it sounds like the Town Council voted toÂ pass the ordinance based on invalid information, disseminated by Council President Blaylock.

If you know the names of these five people, that you say we’re on the COVID Review
Committee, Mr. Blaylock, then you should release the names, so the people of New HarmonyÂ know that you and the Council are operating above board, and not under the table, or in aÂ secret backroom conference. Let the citizens of New Harmony fully participate in their TownÂ government. Do not hide the facts.

There was nothing in any of the New Harmony Town Council minutes over the past four months,Â whereby the Council voted to authorize a Covid Review Committee.

FOOTNOTE: THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER POSTED THIS ARTICLE WITHOUT BIAS, OPINION, OR EDITING.

What I Will Be Changing In 2021Â

12/17/2020

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What I Will Be Changing In 2021Â

by Amy Juday

It’s crazy to think that 2020 is nearing the end. So many things have changed and we are all living our “new normal” (I swore I wouldn’t say that!). But as 2021 approaches, I know exactly how I want to live it!Â I think most would agree that 2020 has been crazy, to say the least. What have you learned this year – about yourself, your friends, your family?

I had insight into my life – before all the shutdowns & quarantining, my family was running ragged! Sports here & there, plans every weekend, often working late, rushing to get through dinner for some reason or another. I thought that was “normal”, maybe it has to be for some.

But being forced to slow down actually taught me something – I need to be present more. Present in my everyday life; in each moment that my son wants to tell me something, have me listen to a song that he found that he loves, show me some silly trick he learned when my husband talks about work (because it is important to him). Those are the important things & it was eye-opening (and actually embarrassing to admit) when my son & husband were often saying “I told you that” or ” remember I showed you yesterday”. I was likely reading a text, checking my email, thinking about work, or what we have going on tomorrow. But, talk about pulling at your heart when your child thinks that you don’t listen to him! ðŸ’” Yikes!!

As 2020 comes to an end (and we see light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine), it kind of saddens me that the hustle & bustle will resume & pick up right where it left off. So, I have decided that’s not what I want for my family or just for me mentally. I want to make some changes, learn new things, take the time to live in the moments that count! The article is a bit long, BUT I did read it!! I took the time â€“ and the “new skill” that I am bringing to 2021 – The Skill of Mindful Living. There are for sure others that I am putting on the list that I stick with it, but I want to be present. I want to savor each moment, especially with family! If there’s anything that I know from working in the long-term care industry, it’s that time goes by fast, family/friends are important and memories are proof that you lived in the moment! The stories I’ve heard from the seniors I’ve visited are the types of things I want to remember and retell. So we should take advantage of the time we have – and be Mindful.

So, I challenge all of you – go ahead…choose something, after all, there are 101 things listed right here for you. It is a new year – make it a great one!!

https://www.developgoodhabits.com/new-skills-to-learn/

AMY JUDAY

Last Day To File Claim For Money After Massive Equifax Data Breach

12/17/2020

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Last Day To File Claim For Money After Massive Equifax Data Breach

Attorney General Curtis Hill said today that the nearly 4 million eligible Hoosiers who have not visitedIndianaEquifaxClaims.com and filed a claim for a restitution payment in light of the massive Equifax data breach must do so today. This is the last day eligible Hoosiers may file a claim.

Attorney General Hill launched IndianaEquifaxClaims.comÂ on Oct. 5 following a settlement with Equifax after the credit-reporting bureau suffered a massive data breach. The breach, which occurred from May 2017 to July 2017, compromised the personal information of approximately 147 million Americans, including roughly 3.9 million Indiana residents. Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, driverâ€™s license numbers and credit card information were compromised.

Indiana was one of two states that opted not to participate in a multistate settlement with Equifax in July 2019. Instead, the Office of the Attorney General chose to file its own lawsuit against the company and, ultimately, negotiate its own settlement.

As part of Indianaâ€™s settlement, Equifax agreed to pay the state $19.5 million. Indiana received more money than any of the states that participated in the multistate settlement, which distributed $175 million among those states. Nearly all of Indiana’s settlement was directed toward restitution payments to affected consumers. A portion of the settlement went toward administering the payments.

The launch of IndianaEquifaxClaims.com kicked off a 73-day campaign to reach the Hoosiers who were impacted in the data breach and ask them to file a claim for a restitution payment. The Office of the Attorney General has used news releases, social media, emails, news media, TV and radio commercials and more methods to reach eligible Hoosiers.

â€œFor more than two months, we have made every effort to reach the nearly 4 million current and former Indiana residents who were harmed by Equifaxâ€™s failure to protect personal information,â€ Attorney General Hill said. â€œIf you havenâ€™t visited IndianaEquifaxClaims.com and filed a claim for payment, please do so today. This is your last chance to claim the portion of our settlement to which you are entitled.â€

If you are not eligible for a payment under the terms of the settlement, it is likely that you have family or friends who are eligible. Please encourage them to visit IndianaEquifaxClaims.com and file a claim today.

Nicholas Hermann Elected to Board Of Directors Of Indiana Prosecuting Attorney

12/17/2020

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Amy Richison Elected President of Prosecutor Association

Nicholas Hermann of Vanderburgh County Elected to Board Of Directors

INDIANAPOLIS (December 16, 2020) â€“Â Huntington County Prosecutor Amy Richison has been elected president of the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys, Inc. for 2021.
Richison was selected by Association members in a mail vote this year, replacing outgoing president Pat Harrington of Tippecanoe County.

Serving along with Richison on the slate of officers for the Association is Lee Buckingham (Hamilton County) who will serve as president-elect, Rodney Cummings (Madison County) was elected as Vice-President and Ken Cotter (St. Joseph County) will be the Associationâ€™s new secretary/treasurer.

Richison, who served as president-elect under Harrington in 2020, will serve a one-year term as president, starting in January. She has been the elected prosecutor in Huntington County since 2007, winning her fourth term in 2018.

â€œI am honored to have been selected to lead the Association by my peers for this upcoming year,â€ Richison said. â€œI, along with my fellow officers, stand ready to help prosecutors at the state level in any way we can. We are ready to continue the great work weâ€™ve been doing for years.â€

Association members also elected a Board of Directors. The members are listed below:
Bernard Carter (Lake County)
William Hartley, Jr. (Wabash County)
Nicholas Hermann (Vanderburgh County)
Jarrod Holtsclaw (Greene County)
Karen Richards (Allen County)
Bruce Aukerman (Vermillion County)
Nathan Harter IV (Decatur County)
Richard Hertel (Ripley County)
Dustin Houchin (Washington County)
Daniel Murrie (Daviess County)

Outgoing president, Pat Harrington, will also stay on the board for 2021 as immediate past-president.

HOR JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

12/17/2020

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Administrative Assistant

WTB LLC – Indiana

$16 an hour

A job for which military experienced candidates are encouraged to apply. Great opportunity for a highly energetic individual. Some work out on remote job sites.

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Dec 7

YouthBuild Program Assistant

EVANSVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY – Evansville, IN

The primary objective of this position is to provide administrative support to the Youth Build Program Manager in the coordination of various areas, includingâ€¦

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Dec 14

Receptionist

SCI Shared Resources, LLC 3.1/5 rating

1,099 reviews – Evansville, IN

Ability to work schedule including Saturday and or Sunday and beyond standard business hours. Consider the possibilities of joining a Great Place to Work!

Dec 14

Veterinary Receptionist

Village East Animal Hospital 3/5 rating

59 reviews – Evansville, IN

Village East Animal Hospital is seeking a full time receptionist. The ideal candidate must be dependable and able to adapt in a fast paced environment.

Dec 14

Secretary/ Office Assistant

Waggin Tails Pet Supplies – Evansville, IN

Responsible for incoming and outgoing mail distribution for the Administration Team. This position is responsible for acting as receptionist and clerical staffâ€¦

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Dec 12

Front Desk Medical Receptionist | Full Time

ProRehab

17 reviews – Henderson, KY

We offer outstanding benefits including a 401k with a 4% match, outstanding health/dental/vision coverage, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO plan withâ€¦

Dec 12

Business Office Assistant – Woodbridge

Golden Living Centers 3.2/5 rating

2,095 reviews – Evansville, IN

Each of our Living Centers is held to the highest clinical standards and is staffed by caring, experienced professionals. High school diploma or equivalent.

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Dec 8

Clerical Assistant (Temporary FT)

Audubon Area Community Services, Inc. 3.7/5 rating

58 reviews – Henderson, KY

$9.45 an hour

Working 30 hours per week through March 2021 or until funds are no longer available. Will enter data, answer phone calls, copy documents, provide customerâ€¦

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Dec 14

Medical Office Assistant

Deaconess Health System 3.7/5 rating

482 reviews – Henderson, KY

We are looking for compassionate, caring people to join our talented staff of health care professionals as we continue to grow to be the preferred, regionalâ€¦

Dec 10

Executive Assistant

Community Foundation of Henderson – Henderson, KY

$16 – $18 an hour

Remote work available

Job Description â€“ Coordinator of Administrative Support *. Executive Director (ED) or Board President. Display a hands-on participatory approach to all work.

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Dec 8

Supplemental Medical Office Assistant

Deaconess Health System 3.7/5 rating

482 reviews – Evansville, IN

We are looking for compassionate, caring people to join our talented staff of health care professionals as we continue to grow to be the preferred, regionalâ€¦

Dec 9

Clerical Associate

Deaconess Health System 3.7/5 rating

482 reviews – Newburgh, IN

We are looking for compassionate, caring people to join our great staff of health care providers. The General Medicine Telemetry Unit is located on the 5thâ€¦

Dec 10

Assistant Branch Manager – Burkhardt Office

Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union 3.6/5 rating

13 reviews – Evansville, IN

The Burkhardt Office hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Previous credit union or financialâ€¦

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Dec 9

Executive Assistant

Eniwetok Group, LLC – United States

$45,000 a year

Remote work available

US Citizen and based in the lower 48 CONUS with excellent internet connectivity in home office (i.e. Flexibility and the ability to work outside normal businessâ€¦

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Dec 7

Receptionist

H&R Block

12,554 reviews – Henderson, KY

Match clients with the best-suited tax professional for their needs. Youâ€™ll be an integral part of showcasing our passion and pride and delivering on ourâ€¦

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Dec 6

Japanese Speaking Admin Assistant

Hummingbird 3.5/5 rating

15 reviews – United States

$18 an hour

Remote work available

_If interested, please send your resume, a cover letter and answers to the questions below as PDF attachments. Your resume and cover letter can be in English.

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EPA Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects

12/17/2020

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored 58 water infrastructure projectsÂ for excellence and innovationÂ within theÂ clean water StateRevolving FundÂ (SRF) and drinking water SRF programs. These exemplary projects demonstrate leadership in innovative financing, partnership, and problem solving while improving water quality and public health protection.

â€œOver the past four years, EPA has helped finance more than $40 billion in water infrastructure and has accelerated investments by working with our state partners to increase the utilization and leveraging of the State Revolving Fund programs,â€Â saidÂ Assistant Administrator for EPAâ€™s Office of Water David Ross.Â â€œThe 2020 State Revolving Fund projects honored today illustrate determination, coordination, and imagination in achieving water quality goals.â€

EPAâ€™s AQUARIUS program celebrates innovation, sustainability, and public health protection demonstrated by drinking water SRF programs and assistance recipients. Twenty-five projects by state or local governments and drinking water utilities were recognized by the 2020 AQUARIUS program, including the following exceptional projects:

Excellence in Innovative Financing: Florence, South Carolinaâ€”Drinking Water System Improvements and Consolidation.
Excellence in System Partnerships: South Delaware County Regional Water Authority, Oklahomaâ€”Surface Water Treatment Plant and Water Main Improvements.
Excellence in Community Engagement: Washington County Service Authority, Virginiaâ€”Rattle Creek Road Water Main Extension.
Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection: Cayuga, Indianaâ€”North Vermillion Community School Corporation Water Main Extension.
Excellence in Problem Solving: Pipestone, Minnesotaâ€”Water Treatment Plant Construction.

EPAâ€™s George F. Ames Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) program celebrates innovation demonstrated by clean water SRF programs and assistance recipients. Thirty-three projects by state or local governments, public utilities, and private entities were honored, including the following exceptional projects:

Excellence in Innovative Financing: St. Cloud, Minnesotaâ€”Nutrient and Energy Recovery Project.
Excellence in System Partnerships: Wetmore, Kansasâ€”Cover Crop Interseeding Project.
Excellence in Community Engagement: El Valle de Los Ranchos Water and Sanitation District, New Mexicoâ€”Sewer Installation.
Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection: The Nature Conservancyâ€”Clinch River Valley, Virginia Land Conservation Project.
Excellence in Problem Solving: Marianna, Floridaâ€”Solar Array Installation.

The SRFs are EPA-state partnerships that provide communities with a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality and drinking water infrastructure projects. Since their inception, EPAâ€™s SRFs have provided more than $189 billion in financial assistance to nearly 43,000 water quality infrastructure projects and 16,500 drinking water projects across the country.