Jim Redwine GAVEL GAMUT: Congressional Food Fight
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
FOOD FIGHT
President Trump spoke to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 04, 2025 for 99 minutes. His entrance to and exit from the podium each took about 15 minutes. The Cabinet, the Supreme Court and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were in attendance as were invited guests, members of the media and numerous interested observers. The proceedings were telecast to the world by several media outlets, which commented on the events. The Democratic Party’s selected responder, Senator Elissa Slotkin, spoke briefly after President Trump.
As the President entered the chamber, numerous Democrat senators and House members
turned their backs, displayed custom designed placards with anti-MAGA comments and did not applaud; virtually all Republican members applauded incessantly, cheered and arose to stand many times. On television, the effect was as if one-half of attendees were at the Super Bowl and the other half were at a funeral. The gathering looked like a combination of sycophants and official witnesses at an execution who alternated between tossing roses and brickbats.
My reaction was to be rhetorically reminded of food fights at summer camp. My guess is
the only reason there was no general tossing of rotten eggs is due to the price. My overarching impression was: surely there is a better way for members of our national government to interact concerning issues. I will suggest a couple: The Executive Branch could remain in the West Wing while both houses of the Legislative Branch submit proposed bills for the President’s consideration. The Supreme Court could remain stoic unless called upon to resolve a Constitutional issue. The military could and should remain at each of their designated posts until and unless America needs defending as determined by Congress and the President.
There is no good reason to subject anyone to the burlesque show that taxpayers are
paying trillions to endure. If Tuesday night was democracy in action, perhaps we need, at least, less action. I call for no more “Joint Sessions” of any kind. As our mothers made clear, “If you cannot play nice, you will not play”.
Riverside Sink Hole Will Take Weeks to Repair
Westbound lanes of Riverside Drive have been closed since a sinkhole formed. Officials say it could be two weeks or more before repairs can be completed and Riverside reopens.
Evansville Water and Sewer said the problem is a more than 100-year-old brick sewer. Workers must shore up the walls to make the repairs.
“EWSU is working as quickly and as safely as we can to get this repaired,” said EWSU Executive Director Vic Kelson.
When detouring around the site, motorists are reminded to follow the detour signs and use Second Street instead of First. First Street, they say, is an old brick street that is not designed to handle a higher volume of heavy traffic.
February Product Recalls
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following consumer products were recalled in February:
If you believe you recently purchased a recalled product, stop using it, and check its recall notice (linked above for all products). Then follow the notice’s instructions, including where to return the product, how to get the product fixed, how to dispose of the product, how to receive a refund for the product, or what steps must be taken to receive a replacement product.
To view recalls issued prior to February visit the Consumer Protection Safety Commission website.
Otters announce coaching staff for 30th Season
“TJ and Dan will bring quality experience to our coaching staff and I can’t wait to see how they can help us succeed this year,” McCauley said. “I look forward to working with our entire coaching staff to continue the winning culture here in Evansville.”
2025 Coaching Staff:
Andy McCauley – Field Manager
Max Peterson – Pitching Coach
TJ Zarewicz – Hitting Coach
Billy Easley – 1st Base Coach
Boots Day – Bench Coach
Dan Rohn – Spring Training Instructor
Bobby Segal, Phil Britton, JR Seymour, Rob Watson – Assistant Coaches
McCauley enters his 15th season at the helm of Otters’ baseball. He begins 2025 with a 676-617 record as Otters manager. Across his 18 years in the Frontier League (managed Kalamazoo and London prior to Evansville), McCauley has accumulated 805 regular season wins, just three wins behind current Joliet manager Mike Pinto for most all-time in Frontier League history.
Max Peterson returns in 2025 as pitching coach, his 11th season with the Otters. Since he joined the team, Evansville has had 27 pitchers move to the affiliated ranks under Peterson’s leadership. In 2019, Peterson won the Darren Bush Frontier League Coach of the Year Award as the Otters’ pitching staff put up a franchise single season record 868 strikeouts.
TJ Zarewicz joins the Otters in 2025 as the team’s new hitting coach. In 2024, Zarewicz was the hitting coach for the East Division’s New York Boulders. Prior to New York, he served as the bench coach for the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association for three seasons. In 2022, Zarewicz was also an associate pro scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“First, I would like to thank Andy McCauley and the Evansville Otters for the opportunity to join such a historic ball club,” Zarewicz said. “I am extremely grateful and very excited for the chance to make a positive impact on the team and within the Evansville community. Go Otters!”
Billy Easley re-joins the staff for 2025, his fifth season in Evansville. With the Otters, Easley has served as first base coach and working with the Otters’ catchers.
Charles “Boots” Day returns in 2025 in a bench coach role. Day was the Otters’ first field manager in 1995 and continues to help the Otters coaching staff. Serving as a spring training instructor for the last few years, Day has helped the coaching staff make the final cuts to the roster each year in Spring Training. During his playing career, Day was a member of the Evansville Triplets before playing in the major leagues from 1969-1974.
Dan Rohn, another new addition to the coaching staff in 2025, joins the Otters’ staff with a host of baseball experience. After a 12-year playing career, including three stints in the majors with Chicago and Cleveland, Rohn began his managerial career in 1991, overseeing the Twins’ Gulf Coast League team. Over the next 30 years, Rohn managed at nearly every level, including nine years at the Triple-A level. In 2014, Rohn began a five-year managerial stint with the Frontier League’s Traverse City Beach Bums. Rohn also managed the Lake Erie Crushers in 2021.
“I’m excited about coming down for spring training and helping the young lads in the infield and help create a winning atmosphere for the Evansville Otters for the upcoming season,” Rohn said.
Rounding out the coaching staff, Bobby Segal, Phil Britton, JR Seymour and Rob Watson all return in 2025 in assistant coaching roles.
The Evansville Otters are excited to welcome fans back to Bosse Field in 2025 for the 30th season of Otters baseball! Season ticket and group ticket packages are on sale now. Call (812) 435-8686 for more information. Individual game tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks.
The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.
The Otters play all home games at historic Bosse Field, located at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville, Ind. Stay up to date with the Evansville Otters by visiting evansvilleotters.com, or follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more information, visit evansvilleotters.com or call (812) 435-8686.
Agenda for Evansville City Council Meeting March 10, 2025
MARCH 10, 2025
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
03-10-2025 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
2-24-2025 Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2025-06 An Ordinance to Vacate All That Part of Illinois Street Not Previously Vacated Lying Between Roelker’s Subdivision of Blocks 3 and 4 of Sharpe’s Enlargement To the City of Evansville, Lying East of Mary Street and West of Harriet Street and a Twelve-Foot Alley Lying in Roelker’s Subdivision of Blocks 3 and 4 of Sharpe’s Enlargement Located and Running South from Illinois Street to Division Street Sponsor(s): Brinkmeyer Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Koehler Lindsey Discussion Date: 3/31/2025 Notify: Chris Wischer, Stoll Keenon Odgen PLLC G-2025-06 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2025-07 An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of the City of Evansville, Indiana, Economic Development Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 (Downtown Convention Hotel Project) for the Purpose of Refunding Certain Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Approving and Authorizing Other Actions in Respect Thereto, and All Matters Related Thereto Sponsor(s): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 3/31/2025 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS G-2025-07 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE G-2025-08 An Ordinance Granting A Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the Operation of Taxicabs for the Year 2025 (Diamond Transportation Taxi LLC) Sponsor(s): Carothers Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Carothers Discussion Date: 3/31/2025 Notify: Shelia Stanley, Diamond Transporation Taxi LLC G-2025-08 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE F-2025-03 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): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 3/31/2025 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller F-2025-03 Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2025-05 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 624 and 628 E Virginia St Owner: JBMD Corporation Inc Requested Change: R2 & C1 to C2 Ward: 4 Carothers Representative: Matt Lehman, RLehman & Son Consulting R-2025-05 Attachment:
F. ORDINANCE R-2025-06 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1031 Mount Auburn Rd Owner: Shellback Realty LLC Requested Change: M2 to M1 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Matt Lehman, RLehman & Son Consulting R-2025-06 Attachment:
G. ORDINANCE R-2025-07 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2, 4, 6, 61, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 Read St Owner: Fuzzy Dice LLC Requested Change: R5 to C4 w/UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Bret A Sermersheim, Morley R-2025-07 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2025-05 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance G-2025-04 Establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (“DORA”) Pursuant to I.C. 7.1-3-31, Et. Seq Sponsor(s): Allen, Carothers, Heronemus, Trockman Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Carothers Discussion Date: 3/10/2025 Notify: Adam Trinkel, Downtown Evansville G-2025-05 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE F-2025-02 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): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 3/10/2025 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller F-2025-02 Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, March 31, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
B. OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS UPDATE; Joe Atkinson, City of Evansville Communications Director
C. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
USI loses lead, falls to ORU, 9-8
USI loses lead, falls to ORU, 9-8
Story Links
Next Game: at Oral Roberts University • 3/8/2025 | 2 p.m.
TULSA, Okla. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball could not hold onto an early lead and fell to Oral Roberts University, 9-8, Friday evening at J.L. Johnson Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. USI is 6-6 overall in 2025, while ORU goes 7-4 this year.
USI opened the game with a four-run first inning to lead 4-0. Junior rightfielder Patrick McLellan started the rally with a one-out triple and scored on a sac fly by junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens.
USI junior first baseman Kannon Coakley scored the second run on a RBI single by sophomore third baseman Parker Martin. Junior leftfielder BJ Banyon and sophomore second baseman Anthony Umbach finished the scoring with RBI singles.
The Screaming Eagles pushed the lead to 7-0 with three more in the second inning. McLellan extended the lead to 5-0 with a RBI-single, while the lead went 6-0 on a sac fly by Coakley. Junior shortstop Clayton Slack drove in the final run of the frame with the fifth RBI-single of the game.
ORU started to chip away at the margin with three runs in the bottom of the second and trailed, 7-3. The 7-3 score would stand until the bottom of the seventh when the Golden Eagles scored to close the gap to 7-4.
The Golden Eagles took their first lead of the game and pulled in front for good with a five-run eighth, 9-7. Kitchens pulled the Screaming Eagles back to within one run, 9-8, with his second home run of the season.
Slack would give the Screaming Eagles a chance with a one-out single and advanced to second on a passed ball, but would be stranded at second as ORU closed out the 9-8 final score.
At the plate, USI had five players with two hits each and was led by Martin. Martin was two-for-five with two RBIs.
On the mound, sophomore right-hander Aaron Rubio took the loss in relief. Rubio (1-1) allowed four runs on four hits in one-third of an inning of work.
USI junior right-hander Andres Gonzalez started and received a no-decision. Gonzalez allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits and three walks. He also struck out four in four innings of work.
Up Next for the Eagles:
USI and ORU continue the series Saturday at 2 p.m. before the squads complete the three-game set Sunday at 1 p.m.
Due to the ever-changing weather in March, USI encourages fans to watch for potential schedule changes on USIScreamingEagles.com, X, and Facebook.
THUNDERBOLTS POINT STREAK ENDS IN KNOXVILLE
