GOP Chair Speaks Out on Eligibility of New Democrat City Council Member
GOP Chair Speaks Out on Eligibility of New Democrat City Council Member
by Johnny Kincaid City-County Observer
Tanisha Carothers attended her first Evansville City Council as a representative of the 4th Ward on Monday, but questions have been raised regarding her eligibility to serve in that position. The dispute centers on whether Tanisha Carothers meets the residency requirements to represent the 4th Ward.
Voting records show that Carothers was registered to vote in the 3rd Ward and an online application for an address change was filed on November 2, changing her address from a Bayard Park residence in Ward 3 to 39 Washington in the 4th Ward.
Members of both parties have voiced concern that Carothers is not legally able to serve, including Vanderburgh County Republican Chair Mike Duckworth, who said, “I have been provided the documents which show that she was ineligible, not sure where the disconnect was but it appears that she has been sworn into an office she was not eligible to be considered for my state law. The local Democratic Party appeared to have missed it or ignored it. Either way, it should be corrected.”
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party chair, Cheryl Schultz did not respond to our request for comment.
Carothers opponent at the caucus, Angie Bullock is also voicing concern about the eligibility.
Indiana State Code 3-8-1-27 says, “A candidate for membership on the common council of a second or third class city must:
(1) have resided in the city for at least one (1) year; and
(2) have resided in the district in which seeking election, if applicable, for at least six (6) months before the election.”
The CEB 5, declaration of candidacy for office to be filled by a caucus, was signed by Carothers on November 1, 2024. She states in the form that she is registered to vote in the 4th Ward, but she did not file to the change of address until the next day and, according to voter registration records, Carothers voted in the 3rd Ward on November 5. Above her signature, the form states, “I, the undersigned, certify that the information in the Declaration of Candidacy is true and complete, and that I meet the specific requirements of this office.”
Carothers was endorsed by Alex Burton to take his seat on the council. In a letter to Our Times newspaper, Burton said, “The council needs and deserves a voice that is in touch with the entire 4th ward. The council needs and deserves a voice that works in the 4th Ward, worships in the 4th Ward, and has for years believed in the entire 4th Ward and all of it’s people – that’s you, me, and us.”
No decision has been made about whether there will be a legal challenge of Carothers’s eligibility to serve as a 4th Ward council member. Some have raised the question of whether Bullock would automatically replace Carothers if found ineligible, or will the Democrats have to conduct another caucus.
FOOTNOTE: THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.
Agenda for Evansville City Council Meeting 11/18/24
NOVEMBER 18, 2024
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
11-18-2024 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
11-11-2024 Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE F-2024-19 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): Allen Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 12/9/2024 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller F-2024-19 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE F-2024-18 AMENDED 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): Heronemus Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Allen Discussion Date: 11/18/2024 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller F-2024-18 Amended Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE R-2024-30 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 4519 Claremont Ave Owner: 4th Man Properties LLC Requested Change: R1 to R3 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Joshua A. Claybourn, Jackson Kelly PPLC R-2024-30 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE R-2024-31 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 306 N Seventh Ave Owner: Franklin St Lofts LLC Requested Change: M3 to C2 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative:
G. Michael Schopmeyer, Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP R-2024-31 Amended Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2024-32 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 712 N Alvord Blvd Owner: Betty Sue Wakeland Requested Change: M2 to R2 Ward: 3 Heronemus Representative: Heather Lobermann, Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP R-2024-32 Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2024-33 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3008 Mount Vernon Ave Owner: Scott A Goelzhauser Requested Change: C4 to R2 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Matt Lehman, RLehman & Son Consulting R-2024-33 Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
A. RESOLUTION C-2024-25 A Resolution Approving Interlocal Agreement for Mutual Aid with Evansville Vanderbugh Airport Authority District Sponsor(s): Allen, Trockman, Mosby Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 11/18/2024 Notify: Tony Knight, Fire Chief C-2024-25 Attachment:
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, December 9, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
Nov. 15 Declared America Recycles Day by Governor Holcomb
Nov. 15 Declared America Recycles Day by Governor Holcomb
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a proclamation declaring Nov. 15 America Recycles Day in Indiana. In partnership with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the proclamation recognizes America Recycles Day, which is the only nationally recognized day in the U.S. reminding us of the importance of recycling. The day provides an educational platform to raise awareness about the value of reducing, reusing and recycling – recognizing the economic, environmental, and social benefits of recycling and promoting a circular economy.
More than half of Indiana’s waste goes to landfills or incinerators instead of being recycled. America Recycles Day serves to remind Hoosiers to increase recycling efforts and commit to reducing waste, making recycling an everyday habit, and buying recycled products.
Recycling is growing in Indiana. The statewide recycling rate was 12% in 2015 and increased to 19% in 2023 (5-year average). Additionally, Indiana diverted more than 7000,000 tons of commodity recyclables (glass, metals, paper, plastics) from landfills in 2023. Paper and cardboard represented the largest amount of material diverted, followed by glass.
To learn more about recycling in Indiana, visit recycle.IN.gov. More information about America Recycles Day can be found at americarecyclesday.org.
An Evansville History Snapshot Of McCollough Library
LEADERSHIP EVERYONE TAKING NOMINATIONS FOR 30TH ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY
Leadership Everyone (LE) is again seeking nominations for its 30th Annual Celebration of Leadership Awards Ceremony (COL) for individuals (including youth), programs, projects and organizations who make significant, collaborative contributions that improve and transform communities across the Evansville region. LE accepts nominations in the following categories: Arts and Culture; Community and Neighborhood; Education; Government, Public Service, and Environment; and Health and Social Services.
Nominations are scored by the following:
- Their commitment to bettering or inspiring community in the Evansville metro region;
- How well they practice collaborative/servant leadership that impacts the region; and
- How well they’ve demonstrated a commitment to equity and diversity in the region.
Award recipients are selected by a diverse group of community members—multiple nominations per nominee do not increase the chance of an award. All nominees and recipients will be honored at our annual event on March 18, 2025 at Old National Events Plaza.
To nominate, visit col.leadershipeveryone.org and complete the form. If you do not have internet access, call (812) 425-3828 x3. Nominations are due on December 14, 2024.
HOT JOBS
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USDA OFFERS GRANTS FOR PEOPLE’S GARDENS
Approximately $1 million in funding is available from the People’s Garden Initiative through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, in partnership with The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2025 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. The program will fund projects that support community-based gardens promoting sustainable agriculture practices that benefit people and wildlife. Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2025.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include unincorporated individuals, businesses, international organizations, state agencies and U.S. Federal government agencies.
Applicant gardens do not need to be registered as People’s Gardens prior to applying, however, they will be asked to sign up once funding is awarded. Gardens of different sizes and types, including school gardens, community gardens, urban farms, and small-scale agriculture projects in rural and urban areas, can be recognized as a People’s Garden.
Project must meet the People’s Garden criteria:
- Join the People’s Garden community by registering a garden at gov/peoples-garden
- Grow the garden using sustainable practices that benefit people and wildlife
- Teach about gardening and resilient, local food systems
Priority will be given to projects that
- Educate and train local citizens, build diverse partnerships, foster local food systems and provide other socio-economic benefits
- Provide measurable ecological, educational and community benefits
- Support the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat, especially at-risk species including migratory birds and pollinators
This funding is available nationally.
For more information and instructions on how to apply, please see the Request for Proposals. For more information about the People’s Garden Initiative please visit The People’s Garden website.
UE Student Government Association Unveils Legacy Courtyard
UE Student Government Association Unveils Legacy Courtyard
University of Evansville’s (UE) Student Government Association (SGA) officially unveiled the Legacy Courtyard project during a dedication ceremony Thursday.
Located on the 300 block of South Frederick Street, the dedicated student recreation area includes a patio, hammock village, two sand volleyball courts, and an open green space slated for future phases of development.
The multi-year project began in Fall 2022 and has been spearheaded, designed, and fully funded by the SGA with demolition of five university-owned homes commencing in June 2024. In collaboration with various other student organizations, SGA ensured that all plants and trees in the green space are native to Indiana.
“SGA saw the need for more outdoor study and recreation areas on campus, and we were committed to meeting that need,” said Benton Simpson, President of SGA. “The Legacy Courtyard reflects the vision and dedication of our students. Designed by students, for students, it stands as a lasting symbol of our contributions to campus.”
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.