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Commentary: My Christmas List

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By Mary Beth Schneider
The StatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—It’s all well and good to say “all I want for Christmas is you.” But we all know that, truth be told, we want so much more.

Trouble is, much of it cannot be wrapped in pretty paper and tied with a bow. And most of it wouldn’t fit under the Christmas tree. But what wonderful gifts they would be.

So, Santa, if you’re listening: I want a president who doesn’t call opponents juvenile names and who doesn’t Tweet insults. I want a president who supports our allies instead of coddling dictators. I want a president who doesn’t lie every single day, including on easily disproven things such as whether he signed a bill into law that actually was passed under a predecessor or whether any new sections of a border wall have been constructed.

I want traffic lights that are synchronized. (Start with West Street, please.)

I want politicians who put country over party, principles over partisanship and who seek to understand the needs of all their constituents, not just those who wrote them checks. And I want independently-drawn legislative and congressional districts that lead to fair representation.

I want blue jeans that fit perfectly even after they are washed. (Just saying.)

I want health care that is universal and affordable. And I want life-saving drugs such as insulin to be at minimal cost. After all, the people who invented insulin in 1923 – Frederick Banting, James Collip and Charles Best – sold the patent for one dollar because they felt it was unethical to profit from a discovery that saves lives. A life very precious to me has required insulin since she was a child; it shouldn’t cost hundreds of dollars each month.

I want facial moisturizer that really does eliminate wrinkles. (Asking for a friend.)

I want people to realize that the only fake news are lies completely made up. Reporters are human and make mistakes – but take it from me, they agonize over them and strive every day to get important stories out and to get them right. And I want people to know that good journalism doesn’t come for free. Subscribe to as many sources as you can – but especially to your local newspaper. In most communities, there is no one else to cover your mayor, your council, your schools, your community.

I want to win the lottery. (Hey, it could happen!)

I want the Statue of Liberty to represent our present, not our past. I have Dutch ancestors who came to what later became New York in the 1600s, seeking a new world. I have Irish ancestors who fled famine in the 1800s. I have Hungarian ancestors who came in the early 1900s, fleeing oppression. For the most part, they came with almost nothing. Some, like my grandmother, couldn’t speak English. Yet they built homes and lives, and the nation is richer for people like them.

I want zero calorie chocolates. (So long as they taste like a 200-calorie truffles.)

I want children to go to school without once having to wonder if that bang is from a slammed locker or an active shooter, and parents who don’t have to kiss them goodbye in the morning, wondering if that is the last kiss.

I want to go through life without once being told “ok boomer.” (Seriously.)

I want a government and corporations to realize we have very little time – if, that is, we have any left at all – to address climate change before our world no longer sustains life as we know it.

And I want to be more grateful for the gifts I’ve already got.

So I’m grateful for the gift of a father, who loved me no matter what and thought everything I did was just great.

And I’m just as grateful for the gift of a mother who, while she always loves me, definitely doesn’t think everything I do is perfect. It taught me to take responsibility for my shortcomings and to try to do better.

I’m grateful for the gift of a son and daughter who have given me years of memories and the pleasure of knowing so much more are in store. And I’m grateful for a husband who has shared all that with me.

And I’m grateful for the gift of writing and the knowledge that some people enjoy it, too.

Merry Christmas. I’m wishing, too, for your Christmas wishes to come true.

Mary Beth Schneider is an editor at TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalists.

UE Win Streak Reaches Five With Road Win At Green Bay

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Aces defeat Phoenix inside Resch Center

 GREEN BAY, Wisc. – DeAndre Williams recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds while John Hall and Noah Frederking also reached double figures to lead the University of Evansville men’s basketball team to a 72-62 road win over Green Bay at the Resch Center.

Williams was 7-for-8 from the floor and had the same finish from the free throw line.  He also tied for the game high with three assists.  Hall hit five baskets, two coming from outside.  Frederking hit three triples in the UE (8-3) win.

“I thought we did really well, our guys were engaged.  We did a great job playing these guys defensively,” Aces head coach Walter McCarty said.  “In the second half, we let them start hitting from outside to make it close.  This is a really good road win for us, I will take it.”

“The Kentucky win really helped us on the road; we showed that we could play and win in any environment.  That really gave our guys a lot of confidence.”

Leading the Phoenix (3-8) was Amari Davis, who scored 17 points.  He was 6-of-15 from the field.  Kameron Hankerson and PJ Pipes scored 13 apiece.

Evansville took advantage of an early shooting slump by the Phoenix, opening up an 11-4 lead in the first six minutes as Green Bay made just one of their first 13 attempts.  DeAndre Williams got UE on the board before John Hall drained a triple to make it a 5-2 game.  Hall added another bucket to help the Aces extend the lead.

Up by a 14-8 score, the Aces reeled off the next ten points as they pushed the lead up to 16.  Hall got it started with a dunk before Noah Frederking scored five in a row.  Evan Kuhlman capped the stretch off with his first triple of the night to extend the advantage to 24-8 as the game reached the midpoint of the half.

With just over two minutes left in the opening period, Green Bay got back within 11 points at 36-25 before an 8-2 run gave Evansville its largest lead of 44-27 in the final minute.  Frederking and Hall each had 3-pointers in the run.  The Phoenix added the final bucket of the half to trail by a 44-29 margin at the break.

Green Bay would cut the UE lead to just 10 at 48-38 in the opening four minutes of the half before senior K.J. Riley made a huge play.  Riley made an unbelievable spin move and converted the ensuing attempt while drawing a foul.  His and-one set the lead back at 13 points.  Up 51-41, another big run saw the Aces take a game-high 19-point lead at 60-41 with 12:32 on the clock.  Sam Cunliffe got it started with a jumper before Williams dunked it on a beautiful feed from Cunliffe.  Shamar Givance connected on a long ball before another Williams basket completed the rally.

The Phoenix responded with a run of their own, keeping the Aces off the board for a stretch of six minutes while scoring 13 in a row.  Green Bay drained five out of six attempts in the rally while holding UE to eight consecutive misses.  With under seven minutes remaining, a pair of Williams free throws ended the stretch and made it a 62-54 game.

Evansville missed 11 shots in a row over an 8-minute stretch before Dendre Williams put a quick end to it.  His triple with 4:24 remaining gave UE a double figure   once again at 66-56.  Both teams went scoreless over the next three minutes before Sam Cunliffe scored on an inbound pass from K.J. Riley that made it a 12-point contest.

In the final minute, the Phoenix would get back within eight points before the Aces cemented the 72-62 win.  Evansville is a perfect 3-0 on the road after winning just two road games last season.  The defense for the Aces was spectacular, holding Green Bay to just 27.3% shooting.  The Phoenix were held 18 points below their season average.  Evansville shot 46.9% while outrebounding Green Bay by a 44-40 final.

It is a quick turnaround for Evansville who is set to travel to Jacksonville, Ala. to face Jacksonville State on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m.

EPA’s 2019 National Brownfields Training Conference Wraps Up in Los Angeles California

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the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded the 2019 Brownfields National Training Conference in Los Angeles, California. EPA cohosted the event with the International City/County Management Association.

Under the Trump Administration, EPA’s Brownfield and Land Revitalization Program has provided approximately $222 million directly to communities and nonprofits, for cleanup and redevelopment, job creation and economic development through the award of approximately 793 grants. The agency has also allocated $139.8 million to approximately 171 state and tribal entities to establish and enhance their brownfields response programs. These grants provide communities with an opportunity to transform contaminated sites into community assets that attract jobs and achieve broader economic development outcomes.

“Finding ways to revitalize vacant, abandoned, contaminated or potentially contaminated properties is at the heart of EPA’s cleanup programs,” said EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management Assistant Administrator Peter Wright. “EPA is proud to have sponsored this national conference, which provided our brownfields communities and stakeholders with an unparalleled opportunity to learn how to build and improve local programs.”

More than 2,032 stakeholders in cleanup and redevelopment attended this year’s conference to learn from each other about sustainable reuse of brownfield sites and share success stories from across the country. Participants included representatives from communities, non-profits, real estate development, the building industry, and academic institutions, as well as local, state, tribal and federal government leaders.

This week’s conference provided a dynamic educational program of speakers, discussions, mobile workshops, films and other learning formats. Case study examples, program updates, and useful strategies were provided to help attendees meet various brownfield challenges head on. Topics covered at the event included:

  • Success Stories from the Environmental Justice Communities
  • Sustainability, Livability, Resiliency
  • Financing Options, Real Estate, & Economic Development
  • Smart Cities and Communities
  • Community Engagement and Environmental Justice
  • State, Tribal and Local Government Programs and Partnerships
  • Liability and Enforcement
  • Cleanup and Remediation Approaches
  • Small Communities and Rural Places

“It was another incredible week in Los Angeles with brownfielders from across the world coming together in common purpose to elevate our one and only built-environment, said Dan French, Founder and CEO of Brownfield Listings, LLC.  “I’m going home again this year rejuvenated with fresh ideas to consider and so many new colleagues to follow up with.”

“This is the third Brownfields Conference I’ve been to and by far the best one, with great speakers, great presentations and the content was relevant,” said Mark Junker, Tribal Response Coordinator for the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, in Kansas and Nebraska. “The only problem is that I wish there was two of me, so I could see more.”

“I’m really excited to be here and present on concepts around communities because brownfields are more than just the place, they are also about the people who live near them, and the transformation that can happen for the community if they’re properly engaged, especially in the Brownfields-to-Healthfields projects, said Amy Dinn, Environmental Justice Team, Managing Attorney, for Lone Star Legal Aid, in Houston, Texas.

“The National Brownfields Training Conference is a can’t miss event for professionals who wrestle every day with the challenge of remediation and redevelopment of underutilized properties,” said Bruce Rasher, Redevelopment Manager, RACER Trust. “The skills, training and networking provided at the conference are critical to the success of land owners and communities that benefit when these properties are cleaned up and reused.”

“I was surprised to find just how much I could learn about aspects of the brownfields community that are adjacent to, but don’t directly apply, to my field of work in Remediation,” said first-time attendee, Alex Puetz, geological engineer with Barr Engineering Co., Edina, Minnesota. “It’s been great.”

“CCLR is proud to have been able to help organize and participate in making Brownfields2019 a spectacular success,” said Sarah Sieloff, Executive Director of Center for Creative Land Recycling. “To be able to network and share our work with so many national colleagues was a highlight of our conference experience.”

The conference is held approximately every two years and is the largest event in the nation focused on cleaning up and reusing formerly used commercial and industrial properties in communities across the country.

2020 Police Merit Commission Meeting Schedule

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In 2020, the Evansville Police Department Merit Commission will hold regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, beginning at 4:00pm.  The meetings will be held in Room 307 of the Civic Center Complex.  Under I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, meetings will begin with a closed Executive Session and then will be open to the public, following the close of the Executive Session.

You will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of any changes to this schedule throughout the year.

Any questions regarding the Police Merit Commission meetings or schedule should be directed to Sgt. Doug Schneider, Liaison to the Police Merit Commission at 812.436.4950 or dschneider@evansvillepolice.com

Yesteryear: West Side Nut Club Fall Festival by Pat Sides

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Over the decades, the annual West Side Nut Club Fall Festival has evolved into one of Evansville’s most eagerly-anticipated events, as well as one of the largest street festivals in the country, reflecting the Nut Club’s motto “From Small Acorns, Large Oaks Grow.”

The festival officially got underway in 1921, but three similar occasions were held prior to then, beginning in mid-October of 1914. In the early decades, the Fall Festival was a one-night event, but the 1940s brought considerable changes. These included a parade, food booths, carnival rides, and other forms of entertainment.

The festival was not held from 1943 to 1945 because of the war, but soon after it ended, the first Fall Festival Queen was crowned, and the event became week-long. The 1950s attracted huge celebrities to town, such as the cowboy star Hopalong Cassidy, pictured here in 1956.

Otters Sign Cable; Acquire Schulz

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The Evansville Otters have signed right-handed pitcher Tanner Cable and acquired outfielder Nick Schulz from the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association.

Cable returns for his second stint with the Otters. The right-hander joined the Otters near the end of the 2018 regular season before signing with the River City Rascals and winning the Frontier League championship in 2019.

“Tanner is a great clubhouse guy with an unending work ethic,” Otters manager Andy McCauley said. “He was the toughest one to let go in Spring Training last year, but he went on to have a good year with River City.”

“It’s great to sign with Evansville again and knowing I’ll be playing for what I consider to be the best coaching staff in the league,” Cable said. “It will also be great joining back up with the great friendships I made there previously.”

In 2019 with the Rascals, Cable posted a 4.54 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched and 25 appearances. The Hernando, Miss. native also made two starts.

“The 2019 Frontier League championship was my first professional championship and one of my best memories in baseball,” Cable said.

“The main thing I take away from last season is that this is my career, and in the end, I am the one who chooses my destiny.”

“Tanner should compete for a number of roles for us after some development this offseason,” McCauley said.

Cable made two appearances, surrendering one run in 3.1 innings in the 2018 regular season with the Otters. In the 2018 postseason, Cable pitched a combined 5.2 innings, allowing one run, and striking out 10 Washington Wild Things batters.

Schulz comes to the Otters in 2020 after being acquired in a trade with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association, where he spent his 2019 season. With the Saltdogs, Schulz batted .225 with 20 RBIs, 18 extra-base hits, and 16 runs scored.

“Nick is a big acquisition for us, bringing a high level of experience to the middle of our lineup,” McCauley said.

McCauley said the trade for Schulz materialized when James Frisbie, pitching coach of the Gateway Grizzlies in 2019, was named field manager of the Lincoln Saltdogs in November.

“Nick’s experience didn’t fit the American Association’s parameters but certainly a fit for us with the new age limits in the Frontier League,” McCauley said.

Previously, Schulz spent five seasons in the San Diego Padres organization, reaching as high as Triple-A in 2017 and 2018. He spent time with the Fort Wayne Tincaps, Eugene Emeralds, Lake Elsinore Storm, San Antonio Missions, and the El Paso Chihuahuas.

Overall in the Padres organization, Schulz batted .250 with 56 home runs, 91 doubles, 213 RBIs, and 225 runs scored in 525 games.

“I spoke with one of his Triple-A coaches, the El Paso Chihuahuas of the San Diego Padres organization hitting coach, Morgan Burkhart, and Morgan really had a lot of good things to say,” McCauley said.

Burkhart played in the Frontier League with the Richmond Roosters and is the league’s MVP namesake.

Schulz, from Phoenix, Ariz., played collegiately at San Jose State University.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Nick at Bosse Field in the spring,” McCauley said.

Evansville will host Opening Night from Bosse Field against the Gateway Grizzlies May 15 at 6:35 p.m. Preseason exhibitions will begin May 2 for the Otters. The annual Education Day games will be May 6 and May 13 at 10 a.m.

Art Council Pizza & Grants on Tuesday!

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Art Council Pizza & Grants on Tuesday!
Join us at an upcoming Grant Writing Pizza Party to work through your career development grant and the On-Ramp Creative Career Accelerator applications. After this meetup, you’ll leave your grant writing fears behind you.
What you’ll learn:
– How to know when you’re ready to pursue a grant.
– Which grant to pursue.
– Details about grants available from the IAC and others.
– Start your application while you’re here (bring your laptop!).
Tuesday, December 17 – Evansville, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. CT
Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, 212 Main St. in Downtown Evansville
This is completely free, but we want to make sure we order enough pizza, so RSVP-ing is required to attend.

Death List Report For Vanderburgh County

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Death List 12-9-2019 TO 12-13-2019

Join the Friends of Willard Library

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Willard Library Cordially Invites You to Join the Friends of Willard Library!

The Friends of Willard Library was organized in 1972, “to promote awareness and use of Willard Library by providing volunteer service, by increasing financial support, and by sponsoring cultural programs for the community.”

Annual memberships begin for as little as $10 and help to purchase special equipment and furnishings, continues restoration of the building and grounds, increases the library’s collections, and better connects you to library programs and events.

Click Here to Become a Friends Member Today!
https://willard.lib.in.us/services/join-the-friends

Stranded Motorist on the I-80 Toll Road Gets More than a Helping Hand from State Troopers Stopping to Assist

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Indiana State Troopers patrolling on the I-80 Toll Road yesterday afternoon stopped to lend a helping hand to a stranded motorist. What started out as a simple tire change, ended up resulting in the arrest of a suspected car thief and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

Yesterday, December 12th at approximately 2:30pm, Indiana State Troopers Craig Woodcox and Zarek Finley stopped to assist a stranded motorist on the I-80 Toll Road near the 147mm (north of Angola). When Trooper Woodcox initially pulled up, he found a man standing next to a tan Toyota Corolla tending to a flat tire. The man identified himself with a New York identification card as Joshua Anthony Lewis-Brown, 20 years old, from Rochester, New York. Brown advised Trooper Woodcox that he was unable to change the tire and was in need of a tow truck.

Trooper Woodcox was preparing to oblige Brown in his request, however the fictitious homemade paper license plate “DJ39RK” (handwritten in crayon on a grocery bag) raised obvious suspicion and led to further investigation. Running a check of the Toyota’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), Woodcox discovered the Toyota had been reported as stolen out of State College, Pennsylvania the day prior. The Troopers’ also found that Brown had never been licensed to operate a motor vehicle in any state, and was currently on probation for Grand Larceny.

When the roadside investigation concluded, Trooper Finley placed Brown under arrest without incident and transported him to the Steuben County Jail. Brown was booked into custody and charged with Possession of Stolen Property (Level 5 Felony), and Operating Without Ever Obtaining a License (Level C Misdemeanor). Brown will be held on these Indiana charges, and then will face extradition back to Pennsylvania pending their local charges.

Trooper Finley was able to confirm the circumstances surrounding the theft of the vehicle, as reported by Pennsylvania authorities. He learned that the vehicle had been left unattended and unlocked with the engine running outside of a local grocery store by the proper owner. The owner, wanting to keep his car warming in the cold weather temperatures, had run into make a quick purchase, only to find his car missing upon return.

In light of this particular circumstance, the Indiana State Police would remind all motorists that leaving your vehicle unattended with the engine running and doors unlocked, is never a good idea. Auto theft is often a common occurrence during the winter months. This is especially true in our urban neighborhoods where we find a higher concentration of residents wanting to warm their cars unattended in the frigid early morning hours prior to the morning commute.

*It is noted that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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