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EPA Deletes All or Part of 27 Superfund Sites from the National Priorities List, Continuing Recent Trend of Historic High Deletions

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Under the Trump Administration, EPA has deleted 82 sites from the NPL in four years equaling the number of deletions between 2008-2016

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 the Agency deleted all or part of 27 sites from the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). This marks the third year in a row that EPA has deleted a historically high number of Superfund sites, sending a clear message that human health and the environment are protected and paving the way for redeveloping these properties into community assets.

“Cleaning up these Superfund sites brings real environmental benefits to places that have suffered environmental degradation while also helping move them forward,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Once the land has been cleaned up of historical pollutants, the sites can be repurposed and reused in ways that create jobs and enhance the health of entire communities. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and there is still more work to do.”

EPA deletes sites or parts of sites from the NPL when no further cleanup is required to protect human health or the environment. Years, and sometimes decades, of complex investigation and cleanup work have gone into getting these sites to where they are today.

While EPA encourages site reuse throughout the cleanup process, deletions from the NPL can help revitalize communities and promote economic growth by signaling to potential developers and financial institutions that cleanup is complete. Over the past several years, the EPA has placed special emphasis on deleting sites and portions of sites to demonstrate to communities that cleanup is complete.

During the first term of the Trump Administration, EPA has deleted all or part of 82 sites from the NPL matching the site year total over two terms of the previous administration. In FY 2017, EPA doubled the number of full and partial sites deleted over the previous fiscal year with a total of six sites. In FY 2018, the Agency increased the total number of deletions to 22, and in FY 2019, increased it to 27. This past year, in FY 2020, EPA continued to achieve a historically high rate of deletions with 14 full sites and parts of 13 additional sites, for a total of 27 deletion activities.

In FY 2020, EPA employees initiated a project to evaluate and improve the deletion process and as a result consolidated the rulemaking process to streamline the administrative steps involved in deleting sites from the NPL. Going forward, this improvement is expected to reduce workloads, shorten process lead-times and lower program costs.

The 14 sites EPA fully deleted from the NPL are:

  1. FMC Corp. (Dublin Road Landfill), Town of Shelby, NY
  2. Hormigas Ground Water Plume, Caguas, PR
  3. First Piedmont Corp. Rock Quarry (Route 719), Pittsylvania County, VA
  4. Fairfax St. Wood Treaters, Jacksonville, FL
  5. Red Panther Chemical Company, Clarksdale, MS
  6. Dupage County Landfill/Blackwell Forest, Warrenville, IL
  7. Fridley Commons Park Well Field, Fridley, MN
  8. Scrap Processing Co., Inc., Medford, WI
  9. Cimarron Mining Corp., Carrizozo, NM
  10. Tulsa Fuel and Manufacturing, Collinsville, OK
  11. Annapolis Lead Mine, Annapolis, MO
  12. JASCO Chemical Corp., Mountain View, CA
  13. American Crossarm & Conduit Co., Chehalis, WA
  14. Northside Landfill, Spokane, WA

The 13 sites EPA partially deleted are:

  1. Industri-Plex, Woburn, MA
  2. Maccalloy Corp., Charleston, SC
  3. Redstone Arsenal U.S. Army/NASA, Huntsville, AL
  4. Allied Chemical & Ironton Coke, Ironton, Ohio
  5. Douglass Road/Uniroyal Inc., Landfill Mishawaka, IN
  6. Fort Wayne Reduction Dump, Fort Wayne, IN
  7. Southeast Rockford Ground Water Contamination, Rockford, IL
  8. U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery, Inc., East Chicago, IN
  9. Omaha Lead, Omaha, NE
  10. Anaconda Co. Smelter, Anaconda, MT
  11. Idaho Pole, Co., Bozeman, MT
  12. Libby Asbestos Site, Libby, MT
  13. Queen City Farms, Maple Valley, WA

 

JOBS FOR SOUTHWEST INDIANA ANNOUNCES FALL ENDORSEMENTS

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 EVANSVILLE- The Jobs for Southwest Indiana Political Action Committee (JPAC) announced their endorsements for the fall elections today. 

The Southwest Indiana Chamber created JPAC in 1996 as a separate organization to support pro-business candidates for local and state offices. JPAC is a nine-member, bipartisan board co-chaired by a Republican and Democrat member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The members use long-established criteria and guidelines to determine support for pro-business candidates. JPAC’s criteria also focuses on leadership in job preservation and creation, and demonstrated quality communication skills. JPAC does not endorse unless a race is contested. 

During this election cycle, the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee interviewed candidates in several regional and state races. The recordings of these interviews can be found at www.swinchamber.com. 

JPAC has endorsed candidates in the following area contested races: 

For Governor & Lt. Governor: 

JPAC again endorses Eric Holcomb and Suzanne Crouch – the work during their first term has proven valuable to our region and the state as a whole by creating a solid fiscal foundation for the state while making progress on infrastructure projects like I-69 and broadband development. The steady hand of these leaders will be valuable as we continue to work through the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2 

For Indiana House District 74: 

JPAC again endorses Matt Hostettler for a 2nd term in the Indiana House. Rep. Hostettler has been responsive to learning about business and regional issues during his first two years in office and has the potential to be a stronger voice for SW Indiana as he spends more time in the Statehouse. 

For Indiana House District 76: 

Wendy McNamara has again earned our respect and endorsement as a thoughtful representative for Southwest Indiana, especially for her work on criminal justice issues. Her attention to making Indiana a great business location and her commitment to Indiana’s investments in our children and education serves our community well. We think Wendy is well-suited to continue to make Southwest Indiana a region to be reckoned with. 

For Indiana House District 77: 

Ryan D. Hatfield has become a recognized leader in the legislature as a voice for our region and on issues such as energy planning. He is a thoughtful representative for Southwest Indiana and JPAC is pleased to again endorse Ryan Hatfield for re-election. 

For Indiana House District 78: 

Holli Sullivan has proven to be a valuable legislative leader in her caucus and across party lines working on transportation issues and as a leader on the Ways and Means Committee considering the state budget and other financial issues. Sullivan has consistently been responsive to the needs of our regional business community and we are honored to again endorse Holli Sullivan for re-election. 

For County Councils: 

The County Council is the ultimate decision-making body for local fiscal affairs. The council has authority to view or review fiscal matters, determine proper policy, and set priorities for the allocation and expenditure of county funds. 

This year, Vanderburgh County is fortunate to have many worthy candidates who have stepped up to serve and we look forward to several of these candidates working for the betterment of our community for years to come. Four years ago, JPAC supported Joe Kiefer, Mike Goebel. and Angela Koehler Lindsey. and we’re pleased to recommend that they be re-elected. 

In addition, JPAC endorses Amy Back, a first-time candidate who has demonstrated a strong understanding of the issues our community faces and provides a fresh perspective on ways to address them. Back is also a former Southwest Indiana Chamber employee, so we are very familiar with her strong work ethic and commitment to community. 3 

In Warrick County JPAC endorses incumbent Bradley Overton, who continues his prudent oversight of Warrick County finances and we are pleased to endorse long-time State Representative Ron Bacon who we have endorsed for said prior office. Bacon has demonstrated commitment to Warrick County issues and a substantial command of the budgeting and public management skills we appreciate in public office. 

For Vanderburgh County Commissioner: 

The Commissioners are the executive leaders of county government for Vanderburgh County. Their role as community leaders has been emphasized and strengthened as the Commissioners and Evansville Mayor have worked closely together to manage local government and address community needs as we’ve reacted and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

JPAC endorsed Ben Shoulders in his first bid for public office and we are pleased to recommend his re-election this year. He has built a reputation for being “everywhere” as a visible and active community participant, which is one key to his success as a responsive, thoughtful leader. 

For EVSC Board: 

Under the leadership of the EVSC School Board and Superintendent Dr. Smith, the EVSC has elevated the rating of our schools, set the standard for pre-school enrollment, and implemented a compensation model that incents and supports good alignment of our teaching talent with the schools that face the greater challenges. JPAC has long challenged the EVSC leadership to ensuring that our most valuable regional asset, our children, are well-prepared for training beyond high school and to participate fully in the civic and economic future of our region. The following individuals are deserving of another term of service and have won our support for their willingness to set informed policy, study and debate the financial choices put before the board, and for establishing the culture in which Dr. Smith, the administrators, and educators manage the third largest school district in Indiana. JPAC endorses Terry Gamblin and Jeffrey R. Worthington. Newcomer candidate for local elected office, but not to the issues of public education, former educator and business-women Amy Word also impresses with her attention to the interests of EVSC teachers and students. 

#END 

Haynie’s Corner Market Robbery

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On today’s date around 10:15 a.m., the Evansville Police Department was called to 37 Adams for a hold up at the Hanie’s Corner Market.

  When officers arrived they spoke to the clerk who told them that a tall male threatened her with bodily harm unless she gave him money from the register. The suspect then walked behind the counter and took money from the register.

  A video from this incident has been included with this press release. It shows the suspect taking money from the register. 

  Anyone who might recognize this person is asked to contact the Evansville Police Department’s Detective Office at 812-436-4016, 812-436-7979, or 1-800-78-Crime. 

HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS

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Bosse Field To Host ‘Field of Dreams’ Movie Night

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Historic Bosse Field will host ‘Field of Dreams’ Movie Night on Friday, Oct. 16, showing the classic baseball film. The showing of the movie will start at 7 p.m., and the gates will open at 6 p.m.
Tickets for admission can be purchased online at evansvilleotters.com. Ticket proceeds will benefit Youth First. Tickets require a minimum purchase of 2 per group, maximum of 6 per group.
Seating will be in marked spots on the field. Each ticket group purchase secures your reserved spot on the field that evening. You are welcome to bring your own blankets and/or lawn chairs.
Masks are required in the stadium except when seated in your reserved spot. 
Bosse Field is a spacious, open-air facility that allows for safe social distancing.
Come enjoy an evening at Bosse Field to watch ‘Field of Dreams!’ Get your tickets now!
BUY TICKETS HERE

Shooting at Enlow and Stringtown

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 On October 4 around 10 p.m., the Evansville Police Department was called to the area of Enlow and Stringtown for a shots fired call. 

  A female victim was later found in the area with a gunshot wound to her lower left leg. She was transported to the hospital by an ambulance. 

  Information from the victim was very limited and no arrests have been made at this time. The Evansville Police Department’s Detective Office is asking that anyone who might have knowledge of this case to call 812-436-7979 or 1-800-78-Crime.

DR. WOODY MYERS HEADLINES EARLY VOTING EVENT IN EVV

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Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Central Committee
Edie Hardcastle, Chair; ediehardcastle@gmail.com
Nick Iaccarino, Vice Chair
Alex Burton, Political Director
Cheryl Schultz, Treasurer
Melissa Moore, Secretary

Help Us Get Out the VOTE: Donate Now
VANDERBURGH COUNTY DEMOCRATS TO HOLD EARLY VOTING RALLY OCTOBER 6 AT OLD NATIONAL BANK EVENTS PLAZA

Dr. Woody Myers, Democratic Candidate for Governor
Linda Lawson, Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
and
Jonathan Weinzapfel, Democratic Candidate for Attorney General are all scheduled to appear.

Early In-Person Voting Begins
Tuesday, October 6

8:00am to 4:00pm
at Old National Bank Events Plaza
715 Locust Street
Evansville, IN 47708

*** Masks are required at all early in-person voting locations. Be sure to wear yours and practice social distancing. 

Make a Plan to VOTE EARLY
Absentee ballots are being sent out now.
*******************
YOU CAN STILL REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION

Contact Cheryl Schultz

phone: 812-459-7645
email: cherylschultz611@gmail.com

You’ll need to provide your name, address, phone number, and date of birth.

***Please note: This is a request for an absentee ballot application. As soon as you receive the application, fill it out and return it as soon as possible using the envelope provided. Once received and approved, your ballot will be mailed to you. Complete the ballot, sign and date the outside of the envelope, and return it as soon as possible.
PHONE BANK
We are phone-banking every Monday until Election Day from 5:00 to 6:30pm.Click HERE to join the Monday Zoom phone-banking meeting starting at 5:00pm.

Campaign Contributions may be sent to :

McWilliams for Vanderburgh County Recorder
8102 Lander Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715

*** Unfortunately, this in-person event is being cancelled due to the recent increase in spread of COVID-19 in Vanderburgh County.

Those living in subdivisions or condominium complexes with homeowner associations, otherwise known as HOA’s, may have the impression that due to covenant they cannot display political signs. This is not strictly true. Indiana Code supersedes any HOA covenants for the month preceding an election. This year signs can be displayed (probably within certain limits – check your HOA’s covenants) beginning October 4. We have provided the text of the applicable sections below.

 

IC 32-21-13-4
Prohibition on homeowner association adoption or enforcement of rules relating to display of political signs; exceptions
Sec. 4. Except as provided in section 5 of this chapter, a homeowners association may not adopt or enforce a rule that prohibits a member of the homeowners association from displaying a sign on the member’s property during the period:
(1) beginning thirty (30) days before; and
(2) ending five (5) days after;
the date of the election to which the sign relates.

As added by P.L.5-2010, SEC.1.

IC 32-21-13-5
Permissible rules relating to display of political signs
Sec. 5. A homeowners association may adopt and enforce rules relating to a sign described in section 3 of this chapter if the rules do any of the following:
(1) Restrict the size of a sign if the rule permits a homeowner to display a sign that is at least as large as signs commonly displayed during election campaigns.
(2) Restrict the number of signs that may be displayed if the rule permits a homeowner to display a reasonable number of signs.
(3) Restrict the locations where a sign may be displayed. However, a restriction under this subdivision may not prohibit the display of a sign:
(A) in a window on the homeowner’s property; or
(B) on the ground that is part of the homeowner’s property.

As added by P.L.5-2010, SEC.1.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DAILY $300 RAFFLE WINNERS!

Tuesday – Laurie Ewers
Wednesday – Jenn Schultheis
Thursday – Jenny McWilliams
Friday – Ken Thacker
Saturday – Lisa Jones
Sunday – Amy Tank
Monday – Suzy Blesch

AND THE WINNER OF OUR $2,500 GRAND PRIZE IS:

 Sarah Fortune 

CONGRATULATIONS, SARAH!

Thanks so much to everyone who played! 

“IS IT TRUE” OCTOBER 5, 2020

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” 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. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will be tolerated and will be removed from our site.”
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.
IS IT TRUE that last week’s presidential debate has finally created something that almost everyone in the United States can actually agree on?…there seems to be universal agreement that the debate of September 30, 2020, was the worst presidential debate that has ever been held?… President Trump interrupted either Joe Biden or moderator Chris Wallace more than 120 times?…not to be outdone Biden interrupted President Trump nearly 70 times, called him a clown, and told him to “shut up man”?…Trump countered with insults as well pointing out that Biden had a drug addict son who was tossed out of the military and greased with 3.5 million dollars from Moscow?… Trump also called Biden dumb?
IS IT TRUE to make things even more chaotic, President Trump has been diagnosed with the deadly COVID19 virus and was videoed working at a desk located at the private Presidential Suite at Walter Reed Hospital?…he must also be doing better because he is also been tweeting and has even taken a short photo-op trip around the hospital in his Presidential limousine to wave at his supporters?
IS IT TRUE we are told that during the next couple of days will be when we know if President Trump is going to recover quickly or be under more critical care for as much as 3 weeks?…it is even possible that his recovery will last until after the election?
IS IT TRUE that all human beings have flaws and being able to tolerate people who are less than perfect is the only way to live in peace?
IS IT TRUE several people are encouraging us to make an endorsement in the Indiana Governors race?  …our answer would have been “YES” if  Suzanne Crouch’s name was listed as a candidate for the Governor of Indiana?
IS IT TRUE we are hearing that the Mayors’ Re-Opening Evansville Task Force will soon announce some much-needed adjustment to their original plans? …we give this committee five (5) cheers for looking for creative ways of keeping local businesses open during the COVID-19 virus crises?
IS IT TRUE we get a kick out of career politicians when are they talking to the masses about the race issues and political, social, economic, judicial, and police injustices? …it’s even more intriguing when career politicians masterfully try to convince the masses that they understand and feel their grief, they understand their economic plight and suffering caused by racial injustice and institutional racism?
IS IT TRUE that we are told by a reliable source at the EVSC that School Superintendent Dr. David Smith may soon announce that no football fans will be allowed to attend future high school football games?
IS IT TRUE we would like to congratulate the candidates running for a position on the Vanderburgh County Council for conducting a positive issue-based campaign?
IS IT TRUE we just received the good news that former CCO Editor Joe Wallace no longer has the deadly COVID -19 Virus?   …even the COVID -19 Virus couldn’t keep a good man down?
IS IT TRUE we give five (5) cheers to the management at Tropicana-Evansville for providing an extremely safe and clean environment so their partons can experience a gaming experience without the worry of attracting the COVID-19 virus?
IS IT TRUE we wonder what the Board Of Directors of the Evansville Museum has done with the multi-million dollars “PICASSO On Glass” painting?
IS IT TRUE that the Evansville city employee’s hospitalization fund has been insufficiently funded over several years? …the city’s hospitalization fund, from which city employee medical claims are paid, has had a negative balance of several millions of dollars over the last several years?  …we are now hearing that the city’s hospitalization fund will continue to be an issue in the proposed 2021 City budget? …all we can say is “very interesting?”
IS IT TRUE we are proud of the success of the Ivy Tech LPN Nursing students because every year they achieve an extremely high pass rate for their LPN State tests? …we would like to congratulate Ivy Tech-Evansville faculty for preparing the LPN student to pass this extremely challenging test?
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
IS IT TRUE when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny!  When the Government fears the people we have Liberty
FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

 

Community Leader and Prominent Businessman to seek Local GOP Chairmanship

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(Wayne Parke is the current Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party and has remained silent about his intentions to seek another term as the local GOP party Chairmen) 

October 1, 2020

Dear Fellow Republicans;

After the November 3rd elections, I’m going to announce my intention to run for Vanderburgh County Republican Party Chairman this coming Spring 2021!

I have secured the support of a number of high-profile Republicans on the city, county, and state levels.

I feel my skill sets and experience would fit the position well. I further believe that in an all-volunteer organization that it’s a bottom-up leadership scenario, meaning I would serve and answer to all good Republicans and PC’s.

Now, more than ever, we need to be a county party that is exciting, unified and something younger folks want to be apart of.

I would ensure we attract qualified, hard-working candidates, maintain Republican values, and raise the needed funding to operate our party.

Here are a few of my credentials and qualifications in case you are interested:

Married to Ashley, a cardiac Nurse Practitioner at St. Vincent, and father to Will, 23, and Addie 10.

A lifelong Northern Vanderburgh County resident. Central High School 88’ and the University of Kentucky 92’

Managing Partner at Hammer Property Group, a real estate investment company with substantial holdings in Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties, Indiana. Managing Partner at Roca Bar North, a McCutchanville restaurant and bar.

Employed part-time as the United States Senate Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) Evansville Area Representative.

Involved with numerous organizations and efforts including Winnecke for Mayor, FeedEvansville, Mickey’s Kingdom, Ziemer Society of St. Vincent, St. Ben’s Catholic Church, Southwest Indiana Chamber, the Vanderburgh County COVID-19 Task Force, A Hundred Guys Who Cook, A Hundred Guys Who Care. A community emcee for the St. Ben’s Mardi Gras Gala, the Multiple Sclerosis Gala, YWCA Legacy of Style, and Wesselman Woods Wandering Owl event.

As well as a founding member of Evansville’s Future PAC, the primary fundraising vehicle that supports Vanderburgh County Republican candidates.

Received the 2019 “Community Service Award” at the City-County Observer Awards Luncheon.

Finally, I hope I can count on your support and would appreciate any immediate feedback or thoughts you might have!

Regards,

Steve Hammer