Youth First, Inc. honored community leader and former board member Dan Arens at its 13^th Annual Breakfast of Champions event on Tuesday, October 22^nd at St. Vincent Manor in Evansville.

Arens received the Dr. William Wooten Champion of Youth First Award at the event, sponsored by German American. In addition to recognizing Arens, the organization celebrated its hundreds of donors, supporters and volunteers with approximately 300 attendees.

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke proclaimed October 22^nd, 2019, as “Dan Arens, Champion of Youth First Day.”

Dan’s passion for youth and the community is evident in everything he does, including raising a family with his wife Scherri, growing a business, and serving as a volunteer for numerous organizations. An Indiana native, Dan received undergraduate and graduate degrees in management from Purdue University and launched his business consulting career. In the late 1970s he moved to Southwest Indiana, where he co-founded Keller Schroeder, an information technology and consulting firm.

While serving on Youth First’s Board from 2004 – 2011 and continuing to volunteer to this day, Dan has been instrumental in helping the organization plan for healthy growth and sustainability. His current community involvement includes the Downtown Evansville Rotary Club, the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville, the Evansville Industrial Foundation, the Evansville Police Department Foundation, Crossroads Christian Church, and Youth First.

Breakfast of Champions attendees enjoyed remarks from Brad Hill, Evansville Police Department Deputy Chief; Carrie Ellspermann, Old National Bank Chief Talent Development Officer; Brian Williams, Co-Managing Partner of Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn; Youth First President & CEO Parri O. Black and Founder Dr. William Wooten, as well as friends and family of Arens.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that it completed 117 federal enforcement actions from October 2018 through September 2019 to ensure that entities such as renovation contractors, landlords, realtors and others comply with rules that protect the public from exposure to lead from lead-based paint. Exposure to lead dust, chips or debris from lead-based paint can pose serious risks to human health, particularly for young children.

“EPA’s work to enforce federal lead paint laws helps protect children all over the country,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Susan Bodine. “These cases deter bad actors by holding violators accountable for their actions and help maintain a level playing field for companies that follow the rules.”

EPA has designated the reduction of childhood lead exposures as a high priority. The actions announced today support the agency’s implementation of the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts issued December 2018.

Regulations promulgated under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (LHRA) apply to most pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied facilities. These regulations – TSCA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, TSCA’s Lead-based Paint Activities Rule, and LHRA’s Section 1018 Lead Disclosure Rule (LDR) – require lead-safe work practices and disclosure of information about lead-based paint, among other things. By ensuring compliance with federal lead-based paint requirements, EPA can address a major source of lead exposure that occurs in communities across the nation.

Since the 1970s, the United States has made tremendous progress in lowering children’s blood lead levels. Lead exposure, particularly at higher doses, continues to pose a significant health and safety threat to children, preventing them from reaching the fullest potential of their health, their intellect, and their future. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified.

Included in the FY 2019 lead enforcement actions are EPA civil administrative proceedings and judicial civil and criminal prosecutions by the U.S. Department of Justice. Enforcement actions require alleged violators to come into compliance with the law and, in most cases, to pay penalties. In determining the appropriate civil penalty amount, the agency considers a violator’s ability to pay, ability to continue to do business, and other factors. In many of the settlements announced today, EPA reduced the penalty because the cases involved small-scale lead-based paint businesses. Also, in some settlements the alleged violator has agreed to perform a Supplementary Environmental Project (SEP) or other project to help prevent lead exposures.

Progressive Evansville Political Action Committee today announced its endorsements in the 2019 Evansville City election.

The non-partisan committee is voicing its support for the re-election of Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, citing his administration’s public-private partnerships that have made quality-of-life and affordable housing projects possible.

In the Second Ward City Council race, the group is endorsing Natalie Rascher, calling attention to her recognition of the diverse population in the ward and the disproportionate impact that crime and tax increases have on low-income residents. Her education and professional background will be assets for the city council.

Alex Burton received the committee’s nod in the Fourth Ward City Council contest. His progressive ideas; experience in the private sector; community involvement, and work preparing high school students to successfully enter the workforce give him a good foundation for public service. He has demonstrated a clear understanding of the ward he will represent.

The group supports the election of Jennifer Yaser in the Fifth Ward City Council race. Her personal story, work experience and progressive approach to problem-solving are impressive. She displays a level of compassion and down-to-earth sensibility that will serve the citizens well. 

In the At-Large City Council races, Progressive Evansville is giving its endorsement to Gina Robinson Ungar and Ron Beane.  As a former small business owner and city department head, Beane has experience following government rules and enforcing government guidelines. This gives him a sound foundation for carrying out the public’s business.  Robinson Ungar also owned and operated small business. Her personal history, along with her work with Evansville Housing Authority clients, give her valuable insights into the challenges some citizens face. 

“Even though we found good reasons to support these candidates, we will be looking at what they do for the city going forward. We want them to offer new and progressive ideas to improve opportunities for everyone in this city,” said Progressive Evansville Chairwoman and City Council member Connie Robinson.