https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx
“IS IT TRUE” SEPT 14, 2020
We hope that today’s “IS 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?
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IS IT TRUE It’s obvious that outside groups and agitators are attempting to foment lawlessness and unrest to advance their own objectives to cause anarchy in America? Â … are a nation born of the revolutionary spirit of protest, coupling expressions of grievances against injustice with the desire to be free? Â …we deplore the theft, lotting, and the burning of businesses and historical landmarks caused by the random acts of lawless anarchists and thugs? Â … that we believe that these lawless thugs should be arrested and their asses should be thrown in jail?
IS IT TRUE at this evening City Council meeting President Alex Burton will be floating the idea of moving $250,000 from the Evansville Police Department budget into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund? …that President Burton also wants to take $250,000 from the Public Safety Tax Revenue fund and put it back in the Evansville Police Department budget? …we hope that this idea doesn’t turn out to be just another political “Bait And Switch” move?
IS IT TRUE that 5th Ward City Councilman Justin Elpers’s response to President Burton’s idea of moving $250,000 from the Evansville was extremely pointed? …that Mr. Elpers told Mr. Burton; “That your idea suggesting to re-appropriate money that intended for the Police Department to the Affordable Housing Fund Trust Fund is insane”?
IS IT TRUE that the main reason why the “Affordable Housing Trust Fund “cash balances’ is almost depleted is that the majority of Evansville City Council members recently voted to award a not-for-profit developer located in the 4th Ward a $400,000 grant for a housing project for the economically disadvantaged? …it looks like it’s time for a few Evansville City Council members to take a class in cash flow management at Ivy Tech?
IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Council controls a special fund called the “Sheriff’s Commissary†fund?  …we been told that this fund accumulates over $90,000 on an annual basis?  …we have also been told that a Vanderburgh County Sheriff can pay himself a 10% stipend from this fund after a certain time limit if he decides to do so? …that former Sheriff Brad Ellsworth and Eric Williams declined to increase their annual income by taking money from this fund which would had equated between $9,000 to $10,000 per year?  …we are told that this fund currently has well over $900,000 in it?  …we wonder if the Vanburgh County Council has any plans to use this money in the near future?
IS IT TRUE that Vanderburgh County employees will receive at a 2% pay increase for 2021 without increasing our taxes?
IS IT TRUE that the City Of Evansville employees will not receive a pay increase for 2021?
IS IT TRUE Â that the City of Evansville will not fill fifteen (15) city positions because of shortfalls in revenue for 2021?
IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville Employees Hospitalization fund deficit has been going on for five (5) consecutive years?  …that the Evansville Employees Hospitalization fund deficits average has been between $2.5 to $3.5 million dollars each year?  …this is a prime example of bad business practices?
IS IT TRUE that the City Of Evansville Board Of Public Works has the reputation of being a “Rubber Stamp” committee for the Evansville DMD? …at the last meeting of the Evansville Board Of Public Works approved a funding request from DMD of around $1.6 million from the Federal Community Block Grant program) without any meaningful questions or little discussion?
IS IT TRUEÂ we wonder if the Evansville DMD sent out public notices to all the non-profits in Evansville announcing that were eligible to compete for the $1.6 million dollars in Federal Community Box Grant money by filling out a simple “Request For Proposal” application? ..we are also told that Mayor Winnenecke and the CEO of the Evansville DMD make recommendations to the City Council on which non-profits should receive funding from this program created by the Feds to help non-profits organizations to offset their deficit shortfalls?
IS IT TRUEÂ that sometimes politicians 15 minutes of fame turns out to be a week of political fame?
IS IT TRUEÂ the mooring dock for the LST at Marina Point was built by Mayor Weinzapfel years ago at a price tag of over $3 million? Â …it makes good economic sense to find a way to re-purpose it for the benefit of the taxpayers of Vanderburgh County?
IS IT TRUE that Evansville city officials are attempting to salvage any value (appraised at several millions of dollars) of the former LST dock at Marina Point? Â …if you have any ideas om how to re-purpose it please contact the Mayor’s office to submit your ideas?
IS IT TRUEÂ we been told that Evansville City officials are interested in re-purposing the LST dock at Marina Pointe by allowing Riverboats or River Barges to moor there for a nominal fee?
IS IT TRUE since the Convention And Vistors Bureau isn’t getting any results in bringing a Riverboat to Evansville we respectfully suggest that Mayor Winnecke appoints his energetic Deputy Mayor, Steve Schaefer to work out a financially creative deal with a Riverboat or a Barge company so the re-purposing of the “old†LST dock at Marina Pointe will become reality?
IS IT TRUE if one door closes and another door opens you are probably in jail?
IS IT TRUEÂ that sometimes unexpected people come into your life out of nowhere, makes your heart race, and change you forever? Â …we call those people cops?
IS IT TRUE  if you’re sitting in public and a stranger takes a seat next to you, just stares straight ahead and says, “Did you bring the money”?  …our guess is that you’re being shaken down for a campaign contribution by a politician?
IS IT TRUE we want to thank Lora Niemeier Chief Deputy City Clerk of Evansville for sending us the current City Council agendas in a timely manner?
IS IT TRUE we are really pleased with the way that Deputy Vanderburgh County Treasurer Dottie Thomas helps Susan Kirk runs her office?  … that Dottie Thomas is well respected among other county officials, the public, and her employees alike?  …if you see Dottie at the Civic Civic Center tell what a great job she is doing?
IS IT TRUE that we continue to be impressed with John Martin over at the Evansville Courier and Press? Â … kudos to John for using his reporter’s skills to reach a highly probable conclusion about complex issues?
IS IT TRUE we give five (5) cheers to TV Channels 14 credible job covering breaking news?
IS IT TRUE when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny! Â When the Government fears the people we have Liberty
IS IT TRUE our “READERS POLLS†are non-scientific but trendy?
Today’s “Readers Pollâ€Â question is:  How would you classify your political status?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE FILES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, “READERS POLLâ€, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBSâ€, EDUCATION, OBITUARIES, and “LOCAL SPORTSâ€.
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FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.
Today’s City Council Meeting Agenda At 5:30 PM At The Civic Center
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
09-14-2020 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
08-24-2020 Draft Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA:Â FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2020-11 An Ordinance Amending Section 2.10.120 (Common Council) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): Trockman, Moore Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Trockman Discussion Date: 9/28/2020 G-2020-11 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2020-12 An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Every Appointive Officer, Employee, Deputy, Assistant, Departmental and Institutional Head of the City of Evansville and the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Levee Authority for the Year 2021 and Establishing Salary Administration Procedures Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 10/12/2020 G-2020-12 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE F-2020-13 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Repeal and Reappropriation of Funds within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 9/28/2020 F-2020-13 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE F-2020-14 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): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 9/28/2020 F-2020-14 Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE F-2020-15 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Appropriating Monies for the Purpose of Defraying the Expenditures of Departments of the City Government for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 10/12/2020 F-2020-15 Attachment:
F. ORDINANCE F-2020-16 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Appropriating Monies for the Purpose of Defraying the Expenditures of Evansville-Vanderburgh Levee Authority District for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2021 Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 10/12/2020 F-2020-16 Attachment:
G. ORDINANCE F-2020-17 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Fixing the Salaries of Elected Officials for the City of Evansville, Indiana for the Year 2021 Sponsor(s): Council as a Whole Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 10/12/2020 F-2020-17 Attachment:
H. ORDINANCE F-2020-18 Amended An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Approving and Adopting the 2021 Budget for the Port Authority of Evansville Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 10/12/2020 F-2020-18 Amended Attachment:
I. ORDINANCE R-2020-23 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 420 SE Tenth St Petitioner: Evansville Townhomes, LP Owner: Evansville Townhomes, LP Requested Change: R4 to CO2 Ward: 4 Burton Representative: Krista Lockyear, Lockyear Law R-2020-23 Attachment:
J. ORDINANCE R-2020-24 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 513 Hess Ave Petitioner: Zeller Properties, LLC & Deborah Zeller Owner: Zeller Properties, LLC & Deborah Zeller Requested Change: R2 to C4 w/UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Matt R. Lehman, RLehman & Son Consulting R-2020-24 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA:Â SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
A. RESOLUTION C-2020-17Â Resolution Encouraging Responsible Use of Paper Sponsor(s): Trockman, Burton, Heronemus, Moore Discussion Led By: President Burton Discussion Date: 9/14/2020 C-2020-17 Attachment:
B. RESOLUTION C-2020-18 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana, Authorizing Affordable Housing Funds for Memorial Community Development Corporation 50 Homes Inititiative in an Amount Not to Exceed One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) and for Memorial Lofts Develpment in an Amount Not to Exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: President Burton Discussion Date: 9/14/2020 C-2020-18 Attachment:
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, September 28, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
FOOTNOTE: The big reason why the “Affordable Housing Trust Fund “cash balances’ is almost depleted is that the majority of Evansville City Council members recently voted to award a not-for-profit developer $400,000 for a housing project for the economically disadvantaged. Commentary: Earned Skills Will Jumpstart Our Community’s EconomyÂ
Earned Skills Will Jumpstart Our Community’s Economy
By Daniela Vidal, Chancellor, Ivy Tech Community College Evansville
You see it every day in the news, or you are hearing it from your children at residential campuses across the nation – the four-year college experience this year is not what it once was. Getting together after class for a study session or a coffee; walking down the dorm halls where doors are open and dropping in on your neighbors; social events and sporting events – all are largely gone. Many, if not most classes, are meeting virtually. The classroom has largely become the student’s dorm room or apartment.
I understand it. We do what we need to do to keep everyone safe. I became chancellor a week before our Ivy Tech Community College campus went home to quarantine in March. My first foray into leading a college was helping it pivot every spring class into a virtual realm.
Those safety precautions taken early, and continuing in even greater detail today – are what are allowing Ivy Tech to have classes in-person, blended virtual/in-person and with maximum flexibility, the Learn Anywhere model. We need our colleges and universities to stay safe and open because our economy needs our graduates!
As our community faces a rapid shift in employment opportunities and resources become more scarce, it presents a double conundrum to those in need…new high-wage jobs require the acquisition of higher-level skills but many don’t currently have the resources to be able to afford the education to obtain those skills.
This is why Ivy Tech is a great answer to how we give individuals the skills they need quickly, and affordably, and get them into the workforce to jumpstart our economy. Our certificates, technical certificates and associate degrees make Ivy Tech a great option as students navigate their educational experience under COVID; and our flexibility with class delivery is making this a reality.
We also now offer a majority of our courses in an eight-week term. Not only do students complete faster, but new students can also start every eight weeks. Our next term begins on October 26.
It also begs us to ask the question of how our colleges and universities can serve our communities better. Now, more than ever, we need to find collaborative models among educational institutions, employers, and government entities to make changes that will accelerate the learning curve and increase affordability. Watch for an exciting local announcement about this soon!
We have also been blessed to be able to offer a wide variety of courses where qualifying individuals can earn a certificate or technical certificate at no cost, through the Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant. And, we also have opportunities for students attending other colleges, to be a guest student here and earn credits to transfer to their home institution.
Employers are seeking skilled workers and there are tremendous career opportunities available now. Within every great challenge are even greater opportunities, and Ivy Tech can help our employers get the skilled staff they need.
Interested individuals don’t need to wait. Starting at Ivy Tech in October is the first step toward a brighter future.
“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab†SEPTEMBER 14. 2020
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 so1
ADOPT A PET
Mints is a handsome male cat with two little tiny “goatee†spots on his chin! He’s only 11 months old, and he gets along with other cats just fine. His $40 adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Get details on adoption at www.vhslifesaver.org/adopt!
ADOPT A PET
Frankie is just over a year old! She has previously lived successfully with other dogs and with cats. She’s a very smart girl who loves the challenge of a good strong chew toy! Her adoption fee is $110 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at www.vhslifesaver.org/adopt for details!