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GOP- Be in the Know August 25, 2020
At approximately 3 pm on August 17, 2020, Officers were dispatched to a deceased subject in the 300 block of N. Main St. Officers arrived and located a deceased male, that was later identified as Burk Jones. An investigation immediately followed and it was determined that Mr. Jones suffered from multiple blunt force trauma. Steven Nail, was developed as a suspect and a warrant for murder was issued for his arrest. Nail was located by officers around 8 am in the 100 block of W Michigan St. on today’s date. Nail was transported to EPD headquarters and interviewed in reference to the issued warrant and confessed to his involvement in Mr. Jones’s murder. Steven Nail was then transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail and booked under the charge of murder. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Mayor Winnecke Appoints New EWSU Director
Mayor Lloyd Winnecke announced a new appointment to his cabinet.
Lane Young will lead the Evansville Water & Sewer Utility (EWSU) as its new Executive Director.EWSU Board of Directors?
Young is an Evansville native. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Indiana University and a Master of Arts, Adult Education, and Student Development from Wheaton College.
Young previously served as Campus Director at Columbia University for Christian Union, an organization that develops transformative student leaders on university campuses; Executive Director of TeachBeyond Global, which equips educators, schools and organizations for the purpose of transforming individuals and societies; President and CEO of Evansville Titles and Assistant Vice President Commercial Lending at Old National Bank. He’s also a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a Field Artillery Officer.
“Lane has a strong background in executive leadership, finance, strategic planning, communication and has a sincere passion for servant leadership,” said Mayor Winnecke. “I’m confident that Lane’s diverse background, and commitment to lifelong learning, will serve him well in his new role.”
Young will head Refresh and Renew Evansville, two long-term plans to address our City’s aging water and sewer systems:
- Refresh Evansville will replace aging water mains and supporting infrastructure. EWSU maintains 1,000 miles of water lines, 600 miles of which are cast iron pipes with an average age of over 90 years. These are now at or past their life expectancy. Refresh Evansville will take decades to complete, but these ongoing annual improvements will ensure that our children and future generations will continue to enjoy safe, clean drinking water.
- Renew Evansville includes approximately 200 utility projects slated through 2040. Those projects will upgrade existing sewer infrastructure, address combined sewer overflows, and provide environmentally sustainable solutions for utility operations.
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work with Mayor Winnecke and our terrific EWSU staff,” said Young. “Together, we will work to ensure two of our City’s most important assets — our water and sewer systems — meet present and future needs.”
Young will start effective immediately.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTs
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Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Agenda For Today
AGENDA
 The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners for August 25, 2020
At 3:00 pm, Room 301. Civic Center
- Reconvene Emergency Meeting
- Attendance
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Action ItemsÂ
- Superior Court: Agreement for Professional Services with Carly Jerstead
- Sheriff Deputy Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Purchasing: Award RFP-01-032-2020 Vehicle Batteries to Busler Enterprises Inc.Â
- Final Reading of CO.08-20-007: An Ordinance Adding Section 9.04.140 to the County Fair Housing Ordinance of the Vanderburgh County Code
- Building Authority: Jail Bond RefundingÂ
- County Engineer:Â
- R/W offers on Kansas Road:Â
Parcel 1 – McCutchanville United Methodist Church – $43,700.00
Parcel 2 – McCutchanville Cemetery Association – $38,000.00
- Boonville New Harmony Rd. r/w offers:
Parcel 18 – McCutchan – $1,320.00
Parcel 34 – Simpson -$6,200.00
Parcel 35 – Nicholson – $3,400.00
Parcel 39 – Garrett – $4,650.00
Parcel 40 – Bender – $4,550.00
Parcel 42 – Kimmel/Johnson – $4,700.00
Parcel 44 – Bittner Trust – $5,450.00
Parcel 45 – Moore – $8,000.00
Parcel 48 – Mobley – $6,550.00
Parcel 49 – Young – $6,250.00
Parcel 50 – Leinenbach – $4,900.00
Parcel 57 – Richardson – $3,100.00
Parcel 58 – Taylor/White – $3,000.00
Parcel 59 – Doan – $2,900.00
Parcel 60 – Woods – $3,700.00
Parcel 61 – Feldpausch – $5,200.00
Parcel 62 – Harris – $5,050.00
- Street acceptance request for Heartland Crossing
Faith Way in Sec. 1 – 386 ft.
Faith Way in Sec. 2 – 145.39 ft.
- Street acceptance request for Creekside Meadows sec. 5 phase 2
Kenly Drive – 875.31 ft.
Halle Drive – 351.02 ft.
- Street acceptance request for Wolf Creek Village III
Wisdom Way – 307 ft.
- Department Head Reports
- New Business
- Old Business
- Consent Items
- Approval of August 11, 2020 Meeting Minutes
- Employment ChangesÂ
- County Auditor: Claims Voucher Reports 8/10-8/14/2020 & 8/17-8/21/2020
- County Treasurer: July 2020 Monthly Report
- County Clerk: July 2020 Monthly Report
- Weights and Measures Monthly Report
- Assessor’s Office: Surplus Request
- Sheriff Office: Road Closure Request
- Superintendent of County Buildings: DeBra-Kuempel CO2 Sensor Replacement
- County Engineer: Department ReportsÂ
- Public Comment
- Recess Meeting
Holcomb Adds New Cabinet Post To Address Racial Inequality
Holcomb Adds New Cabinet Post To Address Racial Inequality
By Hope Shrum
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb, in a formal statewide address, announced Tuesday that he is creating a new cabinet post to deal with racial disparity issues and will equip front-line state police with body cameras by the summer of 2021.
Those were two of a series of changes he said he will make in the coming weeks and months as his administration addresses what he described as equity and inclusion issues and provide Black and other minority Hoosiers with equal opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
“I admit, I can’t put myself in a Black person’s shoes, can’t fully appreciate the everyday indignities and slights our friends and associates have had to deal with, let alone the fear of some things I’ve never had to think about,†Holcomb said.
The new cabinet member, with the title of chief equity, inclusion and opportunities officer, will report directly to the governor and focus on removing systemic barriers in the government workplace. That person will also work with state agencies to implement their own plans for diversity, inclusion and opportunity.
During the address, Holcomb said that he spoke with Dr. Sean Huddleston, president of Martin University, Indiana’s only predominately Black institution, about how barriers to success need to be removed so everyone can benefit and achieve their dreams.
“While Black lives matter, Black livelihoods matter, too,†Holcomb said, quoting Huddleston.
Body cameras will be phased into law enforcement, with every Indiana state trooper being equipped with one before the summer of 2021. Costs are estimated at $5 million initially, along with around $1.5 million annually for maintenance and upkeep.
Along with body cameras, Holcomb said a third-party will come in to review the state police and law enforcement academy curriculum and training. This is meant to not only inform state law enforcement but also help modernize the way officers are trained.
They will look at areas such as the use of force, de-escalation training and implicit bias training to help the state’s nearly 17,000 law enforcement officers on how to keep citizens safe while staying safe themselves. The one issue not addressed was banning the use of chokeholds like those that have led to the deaths of Blacks in police custody.
Holcomb said he will also work with the state’s new secretary of education, whom he will appoint, and other state leaders to help minorities in the education and training sectors. This includes using the $50 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security—CARES—Act for jobs and training programs.
To monitor the state’s progress, the Indiana Management Performance Hub will create the Public Disparity Data Portal, which will track and share data on various fronts that are important to transforming an individual’s life at every stage, Holcomb said.
The fronts will include pre-kindergarten enrollment, graduation, college enrollment, employment rates, health indicators, foster care placement rates, incarceration rates and more.
Even though Holcomb’s state address was focused solely on equity and inclusion in Indiana, he never mentioned the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, or IBLC, which has been working for months to promote changes in the state. Late last week the IBLC called for more reforms to the criminal justice system, including a more inclusive hate crime law.
The IBLC issued a statement after the address saying that they see a lot of similarities between Holcomb’s proposal and their justice reform policy agenda, and they look forward to working with him in executing the initiatives, including consulting about the new cabinet member.
“We know what needs to happen for our community, and it doesn’t end at body cams, revised training and another data portal,†IBLC said. “As mentioned by the governor, creating economic opportunities for minority communities in Indiana is vital and will go a long way for justice reform. When we see economic and educational opportunities are fair across the board, we will truly have equality.â€
In response to Holcomb’s address, Dr. Woody Myers, Democratic candidate for governor, simply said, “Much too little, much too late.â€
Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ali Brown also released a statement after Holcomb’s address saying that it was long overdue.
“The governor’s sudden policy rollout about ending systemic racism is welcoming, however, any hopes of substantial change should be met with cautious optimism, because throughout this whole summer, Gov. Holcomb has been largely silent and unwilling to even acknowledge the simple fact that Black Lives really do Matter,†Brown said.
Several Republican state leaders including House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, and Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, released statements praising Holcomb’s plans and saying that they will work together to end racism and improve the criminal justice system.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce said Holcomb’s plans represent a positive step forward for achieving true equity for Hoosiers who have experienced racism. The chamber has already endorsed Holcomb for the general election in November.
“The Indiana Chamber vows to continue to pursue policies and programs that will raise up the education level and prosperity of all Hoosiers – especially focusing on those who have been underserved and in greater need,†the Indiana Chamber said. “For our businesses and communities to succeed, all of our citizens need to have a pathway to thrive as well.â€
In the governor’s address, Holcomb talked about COVID-19 and racism being two insatiable viruses that have ravaged the nation and the state, but they will not stop Hoosiers.
“Truly, like never before, we’re in this together,†Holcomb said. “And that’s why, ultimately, we will prevail — together.â€
FOOTNOTE: Hope Shrum is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Happenings At The Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
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School of Education Receives $735,000 Grant
School of Education Receives $735,000 Grant
 August 21, 2020
The School of Education at the University of Evansville (UE) recently received a grant totaling $735,247 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, which was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). GEER Funds were created to provide support to local educational agencies and higher education institutions to develop and improve distance learning techniques and technologies throughout the state of Indiana.
With the grant funds, the UE School of Education will focus on implementing two main initiatives: 1) a free community tutoring program for students, and 2) professional development for teachers and UE students to improve student outcomes. While working toward these goals, UE will be partnering with seven school corporations throughout Southern Indiana, including the Diocese of Evansville, Warrick County Schools, Loogootee Community Schools, North Lawrence Community Schools, Orleans Community Schools, Shoals Community Schools, and Tell City Schools. While the first preference will be given to partner schools, the grant activities will also be open to in-service teachers and students in K-12 corporations throughout Southern Indiana.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption to schools across the nation, and education systems are working diligently and creatively to meet the needs of students and families during unprecedented times. Many educators fear that the extended delay in classroom instruction could impact learning outcomes and student achievement. Using the grant, the UE School of Education will offer a free tutoring program geared toward community K-12 students. UE students and current educators will be connected with students in partner schools and other K-12 school corporations, and they will provide targeted interventions to assist in closing learning gaps. Tutoring sessions will take place via Zoom or in-person using social distancing guidelines.
Monies from the grant will also be utilized to boost in-service and UE pre-service teachers’ capacity to efficiently and effectively provide remote and virtual instruction. The UE School of Education will utilize Zoom sessions to introduce participants to the G Suite for Education, which is a suite of tools designed by Google to empower educators and students and promote innovative learning. Training sessions will focus on teaching in a Google-infused classroom, as well as instructional best practices for online and hybrid learning. After completion, participants will receive Google for Education Fundamentals Training certification.
“We are so honored to provide this support to our students and teachers, which is heavily needed after the last several months,” said Lisa Hale, assistant professor of education at UE. “The training this grant provides will not only enhance the technology-based remote learning but also improve in-person methodology once schools return to full-time classroom instruction.”
Hale commented that the grant will enhance the learning experience for students in the School of Education. Additionally, Google for Education certification will further prepare students for the classroom and provide a competitive edge when entering the workforce.
The grant-writing team was composed o staff and faculty at the University of Evansville, including Sylvia DeVault, Sharon Gieselmann, Lisa Hale, Alison Jones, Mary Kessler, Shari Millikan, and Leanne Nayden. UE also worked with alumni Rick Roll and Joe Lannon for a united team effort.
Across the state, over $61 million in GEER funding was distributed to educational agencies and institutions. The needs-based, competitive grant program was a collaborative effort among the Indiana Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana State Board of Education, and the Governor’s office. Through their efforts, the grant was created to support the unique challenges associated with distance and remote learning, including device access, internet connectivity, and educator training/development.