BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERSÂ REGULAR MEETINGÂ IN THE KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER CHAMBERÂ IN ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEXÂ ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020Â AT 12:00 NOON
 AGENDA
1.   CALL TO ORDER
2.   MEETING MEMORANDUMFOR OCTOBER 7, 2020
3.   CONSENT AGENDA                       Â
     a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Rental Agreement for use of Lloyd Pool with Evansville
       Vanderburgh School Corporation. – Holtz
 b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement for use of C.K Newsome Community Center
   by an Independent Certified Fitness Instructor, Jessica Ellis.- Holtz          Â
     c. Approve and Execute Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Dates for 2021.
     Â
4.   OLD BUSINESSÂ
     a. Request Re: N/A
Â
5. Â Â Â NEW BUSINESSÂ
      a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Contract with Tri State Painting for exterior Giraffe barn,Â
        exterior Jaguar steel exhibit framing and several exterior areas of the Kley Building at MeskerÂ
        Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. –Beck*
      b. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments
*Previously Approved By the Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Advisory Board.
6.    REPORTS
      Brian Holtz- Executive Director, Department of Parks and Recreation    Â
“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jabâ€Â was created because we have a couple of commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE†or “Readers Forumâ€Â columns concerning National or International issues.
The majority of our “IS IT TRUE†columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give our more opinionated readers exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and Middle Jab and RIGHT JAB† column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB†AND “MIDDLE JAB†AND “RIGHT JABâ€Â several times a week.  Oh, “LEFT JAB†is a liberal view, “MIDDLE JAB†is the libertarian view and the “RIGHT JAB is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments in this column is free to do so.
  It is with great sadness that the Vanderburgh Humane Society announces the cancellation of Pet Pictures with Santa 2020 due to COVID-19.
This would have been Pet Pictures’ 35th year, one of the Tri-State’s most beloved holiday traditions and held on November 6-8 of this year.
VHS leadership says that even if the people getting photos taken were able to be properly socially-distanced with masks… the risk to the volunteers, staff, photographer, and Santa himself is simply too great.
“Even though this year has been devastating to our organization’s finances,†says Amanda Coburn, VHS Development Coordinator, “we simply can’t justify putting our team members or our vendors at risk. As a private nonprofit that receives no funding from city/county taxes or national organizations, and that has not seen a single dollar of local COVID-19 relief, we will be relying on the community even more now to contribute what they can and help us continue our mission.â€
This now means that every single in-person fundraising event in the VHS’ annual budget since March has been canceled. The total deficit from the loss of these fundraisers amounts to more than $100,000.
Those who would like to help support the organization’s mission can make a financial donation atwww.vhslifesaver.org/donate. The Vanderburgh Humane Society has still been helping pets and people every single day throughout the pandemic, and will continue to do so.
The VHS team is keeping their paws crossed that they will see everyone again for next year’s Pet Pictures with Santa: November 5-7, 2021.
Payrolls, payroll taxes, sales tax and light bookkeeping which is some accounts payable and bank reconciliations. If circumstances require can be done remotely.
Citizens, lawful permanent resident aliens, citizens of American Samoa or other territory owing permanent allegiance. This job has an exam requirement.
Heritage Crystal-Clean119 reviews – Evansville, IN
$13 an hour
Is a publicly traded company that continues to be a leader in the environmental services industry. We are seeking highly motivated individuals with a strong…
Deaconess Health System473 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, regional…
Columbia Healthcare Center897 reviews – Evansville, IN
Compassion, Accountability, Relationships and Excellence are the core values for American Senior Communities. These words not only form an acronym for C.A.R.E.,…
Columbia Healthcare Center897 reviews – Evansville, IN
Compassion, Accountability, Relationships and Excellence are the core values for American Senior Communities. These words not only form an acronym for C.A.R.E.,…
Evansville Tennis Center2 reviews – Evansville, IN
$10 an hour
We are looking for a pleasantFront Desk Clerkto undertake all receptionist and clerical duties at the desk of our main entrance. Greet and check in guests.
University of Southern Indiana115 reviews – Evansville, IN
$12.66 an hour
Setup online administration of course evaluations utilizing Qualtrics survey software, including scheduling invitation and reminder emails and response rate…
Local insurance agency seeking a dependable and enthusiastic switchboard operator/file clerk to join our team. Handles, on average, 150 in-coming calls per day.
Seth is a 2-year-old male bully breed mix. He is VERY excited about all things in life, but particularly squeaky toys! He was transferred to VHS from Evansville Animal Care & Control when VHS had available kennel space. Ella’s adoption fee is $110 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Get details at www.vhslifesaver.org/adopt!
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Health today announced that 1,629 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at the state laboratory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 147,582 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s dashboard.
A total of 3,704 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 19 from the previous day. Another 233 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by the state and occurred over multiple days.
To date, 1,555,437 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 1,545,927 on Saturday. A total of 2,512,174 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26.
INDIANAPOLIS— As Indiana recorded yet another record number of new COVID-19 cases Thursday, the Democratic candidate for governor, Dr. Woody Myers, called for Gov. Eric Holcomb to roll back the reopening of the state.
Myers, a former Indiana health commissioner, argued that the rising number of cases show that the Stage 5 reopening isn’t working and that reversing course would protect Hoosiers.
“Instead of swift action, we’re seeing a governor frozen in an intensifying spotlight,†Myers said of Holcomb.
Dr. Woody Myers, the Democratic candidate for governor, said Indiana needs to roll back its reopening because of ever-higher numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Photo by Erica Irish, TheStatehouseFile.com
Myers held a virtual press conference to urge the move to Stage 4, which bars and venues would be open at 50% capacity opposed to Stage 5’s 100% and restaurants would be open at 75%. Malls and retail stores would still be open at full capacity as long as social distancing is observed.
Holcomb announced at his virtual press conference Wednesday that, in spite of the rise in cases, he would keep the state at Stage 5 and cautioned that it doesn’t mean a return to pre-pandemic normal. He signed an order keeping Indiana at Stage 5 and the mask mandate in place until Nov. 14. In the briefing, he also said that contact tracing shows viral spread is not happening in large gatherings, rather through friends and families.
Since moving to Stage 5 Indiana has seen a soaring number of new cases—an average of more than 1,500 positive cases per days for a 15.74% positivity rate over the past seven days, according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center.
On Thursday, the Indiana State Department of Health reported a record 1,962 positive cases of the contagious novel coronavirus for a total of 141,212 people who have contracted the disease since March. Another 23 people have died from the virus for a total of 3,632.
Myers noted that the state is also seeing a rise in hospitalizations, straining medical resources in some parts of Indiana. The health department has reported that there are 1,355 people hospitalized.
Myers said he would be willing to roll back the reopening to Stage 3 if a move back to Stage 4 failed to slow the spread.
“We should take the action right now today before this gets a lot worse so that we don’t find ourselves in the situation that New York found itself in a few months ago,†Myers said. New York City saw a surge in COVID-19 cases that overwhelmed the public health system, requiring a near-total lockdown of the city.
Though Myers criticized the state’s actions, he wished Dr. Kristina Box, the state health commissioner, and her family a swift recovery from COVID-19. Box announced Wednesday that she along with family members tested positive for the virus and as a result, Holcomb, his staff and members of Box’s staff were tested Wednesday. It was confirmed Thursday Holcomb and the staff members tested negative.
Gov. Eric Holcomb at his virtual press conference Wednesday. TheStatehouseFile.com
Wednesday afternoon Holcomb announced that Indiana will remain in Stage 5 despite the rise in COVID-19 cases statewide.
“The virus does not know where it is…the virus does not know we are in a restaurant, in a church, school…does not know your age, race, sex, gender,†Myers said in response. “We have to be smarter than the virus.â€
The candidates for governor are scheduled to debate 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the WFYI-TV studio. As the debate approaches Myers made a request to the Indiana Debate Commission to require all candidates to take COVID-19 tests Monday morning and make those results public. He also requested that the candidate’s podiums be as far apart as the physical setting allows.
Libertarian candidate Donald Rainwater said that he does not plan to take a COVID-19 test unless the debate commission requires candidates to take them or he has been near someone that tested positive. Holcomb’s campaign said that he will also be tested when deemed necessary. Neither candidate addressed the positioning of the podiums.
The debate commission confirmed that members have a late day meeting Thursday concerning the debates and any new protocols.
FOOTNOTE: LaMonte Richardson Jr is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Attorney General Curtis Hill on Monday was presented with the Daniel Award at Right to Life of Northeast Indiana’s fall banquet. The annual award recognizes public servants who make extraordinary efforts to stand for the lives of unborn children.
“When a pregnancy is terminated, it means the life of a precious baby was ended before it ever had a chance to begin,†Attorney General Hill said. “Every single child deserves an opportunity to live a life full of love, meaning and happiness. I am honored and humbled to receive this award from Right to Life of Northeast Indiana, and I will never stop working to protect our children.â€
Attorney General Hill has vigorously defended Indiana’s abortion laws during his time in office, prioritizing both the sanctity of human life and the health of Hoosier women. Most recently, a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana upheld many statutes and regulations under the Due Process Clause. The ruling, issued last week, was in response to a lawsuit filed by abortion provider Whole Woman’s Health challenging Indiana’s most significant abortion regulations.
Last month, Attorney General Hill appealed a U.S. district court’s ruling against an Indiana law requiring physicians, hospitals and abortion clinics to report complications arising from abortions.
Planned Parenthood in August conceded defeat in a lawsuit that challenged an Indiana law requiring ultrasounds at least 18 hours before women undergo abortions. That requirement, Attorney General Hill said at the time, is rooted in empowering women with knowledge.
And in February, Attorney General Hill organized and spoke at a South Bend burial service for 2,411 aborted fetuses found last year on the property of the late Dr. Ulrich Klopfer. The fetuses are associated with abortions Dr. Klopfer performed in Indiana clinics located in Fort Wayne, Gary and South Bend.
“AG Curtis Hill has been a great partner in the defense of unborn boys and girls,†said Cathie Humbarger, executive director of Right to Life of Northeast Indiana. “It is impossible to know how many babies have been saved by the efforts of AG Hill and his staff. I look forward to partnering with him to continue this work for many more years.â€
Prior recipients of the Daniel Award include now-Vice President Mike Pence, former state Sens. Amanda Banks and David Long, and state Sen. Liz Brown.
