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“IS IT TRUE” JULY 31, 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 since the coronavirus lockdowns began in March and April, crime has been increasing in large American cities where street protests have been happening at alarming rates?…domestic violence in New York City has increased by over 100% as have shootings in places like Chicago and Portland?…companies are doing what they can to protect their employees and it is disrupting the large cities where crime is increasing?

IS IT TRUE that Google just announced that their entire workforce can now work from home until July of 2021?…this is driving those workers to pack their bags and move to locations that are safer and have less expensive housing?…in a survey of tech workers in San Francisco over 50% of those surveyed expressed a desire to move out of the City by the Bay?…these cities are also known for excessive taxation so workers who earn high salaries or who are about to get large bonuses are taking advantage of telecommuting to move to states that do not pick people’s pockets?  …we wonder if this could be an opportunity Evansville/Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE Tesla CEO Elon Musk is having a great year in the stock market and has a contract that could pay him up to $50 Billion in stock related bonuses in the next several years?…as a resident of California, Mr. Musk will owe the state $6.5 Billion in taxes on these bonuses?…in Texas where Tesla is investing a billion dollars to put in a new auto manufacturing plant, Musk will pay ZERO in income taxes?… Musk recently has divested of all of his California real estate holdings?…this is a precursor to his change of personal residence to Texas where he will save $6.5 Billion in income taxes?…these big city-driven high tax states had better wake up to this or every job-creating and wealth-creating entrepreneur will abandon their sinking ships and there is not one thing they can do about it?
IS IT TRUE the “Defund the Police” movement has been a great thing for companies that manufacture and sell guns?…3 million guns have been purchased by private citizens since March?…half of those sales happened during the month of June after protesters hit the streets and obliviously served as a human shield for anarchists who are determined to destroy buildings and burn down public places?…the rate at which the FBI is currently doing background checks on private gun purchases is 176,000 per day?…people should not be surprised if private citizens who own homes and businesses in or around the violent protests eventually take matters into their own hands and teach the violent street thugs a lesson they will never forget?…we do hope that the peaceful protesters wise up and stop serving as human shields for the criminals committing violent acts?
IS IT TRUE on July 21, 2020, Vanderburgh County Treasurer Susan Kirk sent us a letter expressing her open displeasure concerning the activities of the Evansville Board Of Public Works?…Ms. Kirk said “If you’ve ever attended a Board of Public Works meeting – in most cases it is very short. Once the agenda item is announced, the representing committee member gives a very brief description, and then it goes to vote like this: Do we have a motion, then a second?  then they say so moved. Next item up? There is little if no discussion whatsoever. All the while they allocate thousands and thousands of dollars”? …Ms. Kirk’s letter caught our attention and we decided to put her words to the test?  … posted below are some interesting agenda items and decisions made by the Evansville Board Of Public Works at their July 23 and 30 meetings? …it looks like the comments made by Vanderburgh County Treasurer and Civic Center icon Susan Kirk about how the Evansville Board Of Public conducts their meetings are spot on?
IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Board Of Public Works made quick decisions to dispose of the 11 agenda items brought before them on July 23, 2020? …it only took the board around 10 minutes to approve all 11 agenda items?
IS IT TRUE it was revealed at the July 23, 2020 Board Of Public Works meeting not only does this board handles the bids for the City but also for Vanderburgh County? …at this meeting, the board approved a request by the Purchasing Department to advertise for bids for batteries and new vehicles for both the City and County alike?  …we find this procedure interesting since all three (3) board members are appointed by the Mayor and none are appointed by the County?
IS IT TRUE at the JULY 23rd meeting of the Evansville Board Of Public Works approved $3,254.00 in Community Development Block Grant money to pay 50% for new a sign for the Zestos fast food restaurant located on West Franklin Street right off North Main Street? …this issue was approved by the board by a 3-0 vote?
IS IT TRUE on July 23, 2020, at the Board Of Public Works meeting the board approved award $10,000 in Community Development Block Grant money to EEMSCO (Electric Motor & Mechanical Services)?  …that EEMSCO (Electric Motor & Mechanical Services) is a fifth-generation family business located in the Jacobsville area?  …this grant was award to the   EEMSCO (Electric Motor & Mechanical Services ) to purchase cleaning supplies to help keep their employees safe? …this issue was approved by the board 3-0?
IS IT TUE that the Evansville Board Of Public Works continued to make quick decisions of agenda items brought before them at the July 30th, 2020 meeting?  …there were only four (4) four new items on their agenda, not including approval of bills and payroll?  …that this meeting only lasted around five minutes?
IS IT TRUE at the July 30th meeting of the Evansville Board Of Public Works approved a Historic Commercial Façade Grant Agreement with Lic’s Deli & Ice Cream buy a new exterior storefront awning?  …this Historic Commercial Facade Grant funding agreement will not exceed 50% of the total cost of the new awning up to $10,000?  …this issue was approved by the board 3-0?
IS IT TRUE on July 30, 2020 meeting of the Evansville  Board Of Public Works the board approved a second amendment agreement with the City and Community Action Program of Evansville and Vanderburgh County?  …it’s our understanding that this second amendment agreement will allow for operating funds for the Home investment Program to be extended thru 12/31/2020 by using funds from HUD?  …the board voted 3-0 to approve to the amendment without giving any financial details or discussion concerning this issue?
IS IT TRUE it looks like Vanderburgh County Treasurer Susan Kirk has opened a can of political worms concerning the possibility of a taxpayer’s sponsored board not given the proper due diligence when it comes to discussing the people business?  …we are told that the future actions and decisions of the Evansville Board Of Public Works will be scrutinized by individuals that expect that individuals sitting on this board practice good public policy?
IS IT TRUE when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny!  When the Government fears the people we have Liberty?
IS IT TRUE our “READERS POLLS” are non-scientific but trendy?
Today’s “Readers Poll” question is: Are you practicing social distancing and wearing a protective mask when around people?
EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted by our readers in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE FILES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, “READERS POLL”, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS”, EDUCATION, OBITUARIES and “LOCAL SPORTS”.
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Governor Announces State To Remain In Current Stage Of Back On Track

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Governor Eric J. Holcomb yesterday announced the state will remain in Stage 4.5 of the Back On Track Indiana plan until Aug. 27.

Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines.

“This virus will take what we give it, so it is incumbent upon us to be on our best behavior, practicing physical distancing, good hygiene, and masking up,” Gov. Holcomb said.

Gov. Holcomb has used data to drive decisions since the state’s first case of the novel coronavirus in early March and he continues to do so. The state will continue to monitor and respond to these four guiding principles:

The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide has decreased for 14 days

The state retains its surge capacity for critical care beds and ventilators

The state retains its ability to test all Hoosiers who are COVID-19 symptomatic as well as health care workers, first responders, and frontline employees

Health officials have systems in place to contact all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and expand contact tracing

The executive order also extends the moratorium on evictions from rental properties and the prohibition on filing foreclosures through Aug. 14.

Following consultation with the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the mandatory mask order for schools has been modified to allow students to remove masks for classroom instruction when they are able to maintain at least three to six feet of distance between students.

The state government capital complex will begin to open to the public on Aug. 17. Hoosiers who need assistance may continue to schedule appointments with agencies in Indianapolis and throughout the state. Many offices, such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, are open without an appointment needed.

Details and guidance will be updated at BackOnTrack.in.gov.

 

CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES TO HELP PUBLISH A PRINTED SUNDAY PAPER

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The City-County Observer has grown extensively over the past 17 plus years. We owe this growth to both our readers and our community as a whole. 2020 has so far proven to be yet another huge year for the City-County Observer.

We want to thank our advertisers for staying committed to our cause and continuing to support us with their advertising dollars during our 17-year transition.

Our plans to print the Sunday Edition of the City-County Observer is going well. The publishing date for our inaugural printed edition is currently in limbo because of the status of the COVID-19 virus.

We are currently looking at professionally produced content that will enhance our society, community, business/finance, and entertainment sections.

We are looking for people to write sports, community news, and political articles once a week for a reasonable rate of pay. We especially are looking for a digital graphic layout and design person to prepare our paper ready to print.

We especially would like to interview current college students majoring in journalism and graphic design.

If anyone that would like to assist us in producing a printed Sunday downhome non-partisan community newspaper, please send your resume to the Editor at the City-County Observer@live.com.

YESTERYEAR: H. Schminke Company

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YESTERYEAR: H. Schminke Company

by PAT SIDES

When this photograph was taken in the early twentieth century, these buildings were already old and would soon be razed. On the corner of what is now Market and Court streets is Henry Schminke’s company, which manufactured stoves, furnaces, tin and slate roofing, and other goods.

Schminke was one of many local German immigrants engaged in the building trades who profited from a construction boom during this era. Nearby was the flourishing company of George L. Mesker, the son of German immigrants, who operated his flourishing ironworks, which later was renamed Mesker Steel.

The city block shown here was razed to make way for the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum, which was dedicated in April of 1917.

Former Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan Remembered

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Former Gov. Joe Kernan Remembered

July 29, 2020  

By Isaac Gleitz
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—Rep. Patrick Bauer remembers his friend and colleague Joe Kernan as a man who could talk with people in spite of their differences better than anyone he’s ever known, and the South Bend Democrat has seen a lot in his 50-plus years in politics.

“He liked people, and people liked him…He could bridge a lot of gaps,” Bauer said of Kernan, who died Wednesday of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease at age 74. “I think everybody that Joe got to know ended up being good friends with him.”

Former Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan, who died Wednesday.

Bauer and the other public officials who offered tributes to Kernan all talked about his dedication to public service and his strength of character from his year as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam to his tenure as mayor of South Bend and later as lieutenant governor and then governor of Indiana.

“When Gen. Douglass McArthur talked about duty, honor and country, the general was talking exactly about Joe Kernan,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday during his weekly press briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Without regard for personal cost, Joe Kernan devoted every ounce of his life, time and again, to upholding the oath he took and serving the country and state he loved,” Holcomb said in a separate press release.

“His optimism and his positive attitude built every place up that he worked at… the baseball field, in the mayor’s office, lieutenant governor and governor’s office,” Bauer said.

Former Gov. Mitch Daniels, who beat Kernan in the 2004 governor’s race, called him a friend. Daniels is now president of Purdue University.

“Joe Kernan was at different times my ally, opponent, and advisor, but always a friend to me, and as far as I could tell,  to everyone he met,” Daniels said of his one-time political rival in a statement. “He was a true leader, and we have lost him far too soon.”

Kernan was born on April 8, 1946, in Chicago and ended up in South Bend when his family moved there when he was 10. He was two years behind Bauer at St. Joseph High School and, like Bauer, he attended Notre Dame University where he played baseball.

In 1972 as a flight officer in the Navy, he was on a mission over North Vietnam when his plane was shot down. He spent the next year as a prisoner of war.

After the war, Kernan returned to South Bend and spent a number of years in business before becoming involved in politics. Elected mayor of South Bend in 1987, he served for three terms.

Bauer said that as mayor, Kernan was available to his constituents, adding, “He listened to people and responded to the needs of the city.”

Kernan was elected lieutenant governor in 1996, serving with Gov. Frank O’Bannon, and the team was re-elected in 2000. Kernan became governor in September 2003 when O’Bannon died suddenly of a stroke. He lost a bid for a full term the next year to Daniels.

He remained active in local politics and civic life when he returned to South Bend and, along with other investors, helped keep a minor league baseball team in town.

“His optimism and his positive attitude built every place up that he worked at… the baseball field, in the mayor’s office, lieutenant governor and governor’s office,” Bauer said.

Bauer’s sentiments were shared by many civic leaders. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett called him a great role model who “never before wavered in his principled dedication to doing the right thing.”

Rep. Brian Bosma, a Republican and former speaker of the House, said, “There were no finer gentlemen in politics. He was always upbeat and always had the best interest of Hoosiers in his heart.”

Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar said, “Joe Kernan was one of the most down-to-earth and humble people in a world that is too often lacking those qualities.”

“He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all Hoosiers, a commitment he held throughout his entire life. I hope every Hoosier will pledge to carry on his amazing legacy and live by his timeless example,” said Democratic U.S. Rep. André Carson of Indianapolis.

Holcomb has directed that flags be flown at half-staff until Aug. 5 to honor Kernan’s life and service.

He is survived by his wife, Maggie. Funeral arrangements are being handled at Welsheimer’s Funeral Home in South Bend.

FOOTNOTE: Isaac Gleitz is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

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Recognizing Annual Child Support Awareness Month Could Benefit More Than 250,000 Hoosier Children

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Indiana’s Child Support Program will spread the word about its support of Hoosier families this August in recognition of Child Support Awareness Month.

The month-long celebration gives program coordinators an opportunity to provide information about services and connect with the community. The public is encouraged to celebrate by wearing something green, the official color for Child Support Awareness Month, on the Aug. 3 kickoff.

The child support program is administered by the Child Support Bureau of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Custodial parties or non-custodial parents may enroll at no cost at their county prosecutor’s office.

The Child Support Program provides a number of services to assist in getting child support dollars to families, including:

  • Locating non-custodial parents
  • Establishing paternity
  • Establishing and modifying child support and medical support orders
  • Enforcing payment of child support

“The Child Support Program is an important function of how DCS serves Hoosier families and children,” said DCS Director Terry Stigdon. “We see this month as our chance to educate the public on all the ways we can offer support.”

Approximately 250,000 families participate in Indiana’s Child Support Program, but experts estimate that’s only half the number of families that could benefit.

“There are about 250,000 additional families with a child support order in place that aren’t receiving child support services,” said DCS deputy director Adam Norman of the Child Support Bureau. “They may not know about us or how to enroll, and we hope that child support awareness month can help spread the message that we’re here to help.”

EPA Announces Significant Step In Effort to Reduce Lead In Drinking Water

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to reduce lead in plumbing materials used in public water systems, homes, schools and other facilities. This action marks a significant milestone in implementing the Trump Administration’s Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts. Along with other actions taken by EPA and our federal, state and local partners, this final rule will help protect public health—especially children’s health—from the risks associated with lead exposure.

“The Trump Administration is committed to providing clean and safe drinking water for all Americans,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The Lead-Free rule is a critical step in EPA’s efforts to substantially improve children’s health and further the agency’s Action Plan goal of reducing children’s exposure to lead sources.”

The Lead-Free final rule significantly limits the lead content allowed in plumbing materials (e.g., pipes, fittings, and fixtures) used in new construction and replacement of existing plumbing. Specifically, the new rule reduces the percentage of lead content allowed in these materials from eight percent to 0.25 percent in accordance with the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act. The final rule also requires that manufacturers or importers certify that their products meet the requirements using a consistent verification process. As a result, this new rule will reduce lead in drinking water and assure that states, manufacturers, inspectors and consumers have a common understanding of “Lead Free” plumbing.

Today, EPA is also announcing that it has sent the final Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) to the Office of Management and Budget. This will be the first major update to the LCR in nearly three decades. On October 10, 2019, EPA proposed a proactive and holistic approach to improving the current LCR — from testing to treatment to replacing lead service lines to telling the public about the levels and risks of lead in drinking water. These improvements would further reduce lead in drinking water and help assure that water is less corrosive to older, lead containing plumbing materials.

The Lead-Free final rule will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register and the certification requirement must be implemented within three years.

To learn more about the final “Use of Lead-Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder, and Flux for Drinking Water” rule, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/use-lead-free-pipes-fittings-fixtures-solder-and-flux-drinking-water.

Ace Purple Continues Unprecedented Run In MVC Mascot Madness

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For the first time in the competition’s history, University of Evansville mascot Ace Purple has advanced to the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Mascot Madness, presented by Purina Dog Chow.

The Aces are encouraging fans and the community to support Ace in his pursuit of a Mascot Madness Championship.

Fans can visit the Missouri Valley Conference Facebook Page and help Ace Purple defeat Boomer (Missouri State) for a spot in the championship. Voting is now live and polls close today (7/30) at 3 p.m. CT.

When fans are voting for Ace, Evansville asks that they also vote for our ally, Kaboom! (Bradley), who the Aces formed a partnership with at the beginning of the competition.

Start Your Career With The Indiana Department of Correction

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Starting a career with the Indiana Department of Correction couldn’t be any easier. Just tune into one of eight upcoming virtual hiring events during the month of August to begin the hiring process.

There are two types of events being promoted: “All IDOC” events and “Regional” events where participants can learn about the facilities in certain areas of Indiana. Each virtual hiring event will be hosted on Microsoft Teams with an IDOC Recruiter and a representative from the Human Resources Department to answer questions and schedule an interview.  The session starts with a 15 minute informational overview followed by a question and answer format.

Persons receiving this news release can see an advance airing of the Indiana State Police Roadshow featuring a 15 minute video interview with Indiana Department of Correction Recruiter Tyler Schitter.  Watch this now to get information about career opportunities at the Indiana Department of Correction. 

The regional virtual hiring events, with MS Teams links, are listed below. All times are Eastern Standard.

This All IDOC virtual hiring event will have information on all available positions:

The Indiana Department of Correction has a variety of openings but the greatest need is for correctional officers and maintenance personnel. Please refer to the IDOC Recruitment page on Facebook to stay up-to-date on scheduled events.

All openings are essential full-time positions that include health, dental and vision benefits. Once hired, training is paid for and uniforms are provided.

ADOPT A PET

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Chevy is a sweet little “mini” pit bull mix. She came in with a minor skin condition (demodectic mange) which is actively being treated and 0% contagious. She’s a wiggly & smiley girl who is about a year old. She weighs about 30 lbs. Her adoption fee is $110 and includes all regular vetting + her mange treatment at no extra cost! Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for details!

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