Home Blog Page 3158

AG Curtis Hill joins pro-consumer network launched by federal agency

0

Attorney General Curtis Hill is one of the first state AGs in the nation to join a pro-business, pro-consumer and pro-innovation network launched this month by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The American Consumer Financial Innovation Network (ACFIN) will encourage competition, consumer access and financial inclusion by helping ensure regulatory certainty for innovators.

“Strong partnerships are essential to the process of developing effective public policy,” Attorney General Hill said. “States need to collaborate with one another, and they need to collaborate with federal agencies. This network provides a venue for doing exactly that as we all work to adequately address fast-changing technologies and market innovations.”

The CFPB has invited all state regulators to join the network. Besides Attorney General Hill, other initial members of the ACFIN are the attorneys general of Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.

“Federal and state coordination promotes consistency in the regulation of consumer financial products and services while facilitating consumer-beneficial innovation,” said Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Kathleen L. Kraninger. “ACFIN will provide a platform for federal and state regulators to coordinate with each other as they develop new rules of the road and apply existing ones. This coordination can provide greater regulatory certainty across jurisdictions and allow regulators to keep pace with market developments.”

Carver Community Organization 74th Annual Meeting and Luncheon September 27

0

Carver Community Organization will celebrate its 74th year at its annual meeting and luncheon Friday at 11:30 a.m. at the Deaconess Orthopedic Neuroscience Hospital Pavilion Room located at 4011 Gateway Blvd., in Newburgh.

This year, Carver celebrates “Milestones in Leadership” with special guest speaker and Evansville native Ondra Berry, a Carver alumnus.

Berry is a 32-year veteran of the Nevada Air National Guard, and was named Nevada’s 30th Adjutant General and the first African American to hold the in August. He is retired from the positions of senior vice president of organizational culture & engagement for MGM Resorts International, and assistant chief of police for the Reno Police Department administration division.

Berry, a graduate of Harrison High School and the University of Evansville, is a board member of the University of Evansville, and No Opportunity Wasted, a college preparatory program which gives ambitious high school students more exposure to higher education opportunities.

For more information contact Executive Director David Wagner at dwagner@carverorg.org or call 812-423-2612.

 

University of Evansville Announces new Director of Alumni and Parent

0

The University of Evansville’s Office of University Advancement has announced Jennifer Whitaker as the new Director of Alumni and Parent Relations. Whitaker is a 1999 UE alumna who earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication with an emphasis in journalism and public relations and a minor in business. She spent the last 14 years of her career with the Buffalo Trace Council in Evansville as the district director overseeing a five-county area. She also teaches an experiential education class through the UE Center for Career Development.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Jennifer back home to the University of Evansville,” said Abigail Werling, vice president for university advancement. “Her professional experiences, leadership qualities, and passion for UE make her the ideal person to work with our alumni and friends to shape powerful and enduring change for our University.”

As the director of alumni and parent relations, Jennifer will work with the university advancement team to promote programming, volunteerism, and philanthropy to 33,000 plus UE alumni and parents around the world. She will work closely with the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Harlaxton Society Board of Directors, and Parents Council in addition to working with our UE Connect Program, regional alumni chapters, and alumni affinity groups.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the UE alumni community, and working on inviting everyone back to campus – not only once a year for homecoming, but for other events and volunteer opportunities,” said Whitaker. “There are so many ways for alumni to get involved. I can’t wait to build new relationships and show them how they can make a difference. Once you are here, it’s impossible not to feel the energy!”

The University is currently finalizing plans for Homecoming 2019 Reunion Weekend, on October 18-20. Plans include special events for certain affinity groups and the inaugural Alumni Awards Celebration, as well as annual favorites such as a tailgate party, theatre productions, and the John Collins Moore Society Brunch. For more information about homecoming, visit www.evansville.edu/homecoming.

EPD REPORT

0

EPD REPORT

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

0

https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx

“IS IT TRUE” SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

1
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?
IS IT TRUE last week EVSC School Board Trustee, Anne Ennis requested a copy of the Workers’ Compensation Report during an official school board meeting? ..that Mrs. Ennis ask for the report that covered the first four months of 2019?
IS IT TRUE that Anne Ennis request was blatantly voted down by the majority of the school board membership?  …it looks like an attempt to make the people business opened to the public has taken a major step backward thanks to Board President-Karen Ragland, Rev. Terry Gamblin, Andy Guarino, and Chris Kiefer? …that Anne’s request was turned down by a 4 to 3 vote margin?
IS IT TRUE that the EVSC School Board policy #3112 states that an elected school board trustee cannot receive information unless a majority of the board votes to allow them to be given the information.  …all we can say about the EVSC School Board policy #3112 is not only insulting but downright stupid?
IS IT TRUE that EVSC School Board Trustee Anne Ennis has filed a “Freedom of Information” request with the State Of Indiana Public Access Officer in order that she can get a copy of the above report?  …we predict that Mrs.Ennis “Freedom Of Information” request will immediately be approved by the Indiana Public Access Officer?
IS IT TRUE that Mrs. Ennis has provided us with a link of a 25-minute transcription of the minutes of the 9-9-19 EVSC school board meeting concerning her request to the full board for a copy of the Workers’ Compensation Report for the first four months of 2019?
 …this transcript of the school board meeting is recorded at 1:15:00 and ending at 1:36:11? …this transcript is extremely enlightening to read?
IS IT TRUE that we couldn’t successfully link the transcript from the official EVSC audiotape sent to us by EVSC Trustee (District 2) Ann M. Ennis? …that we respectfully request for Anne Ennis to post the link to our comment section so our readers will be able to open and read it? …when we receive the link of the transcript from her we will post this transcript without editing or bias?
IS IT TRUE we been told that several local influential Republicans that 2nd Ward City Councilwomen Missy Mosby (D) opponent is going to handily defeat her? …we are also told by several influential Democrats that Missy Mosby aggressive door to door campaigning style, Union and FOP support gives her the edge in this Democratic-leaning Ward?
IS IT TRUE that Mayor Winnecke and “Drive For Five” funded campaign flyers were mailed out last week?  …we are pleased that every one of these Republican City Council candidates mailers pledged that they will hold the line on taxes?  …if their statements are true we look forward to these candidates challenging the decision of the spending many hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars to help subsidize the for-profit Evansville Thunderbolts Hockey team?
IS IT TRUE that 1st Ward City Council candidate Ben Trockman (D) has an upcoming fundraiser that will be hosted by two of the biggest Republican families in Vanderburgh County?
IS IT TRUE that candidate Tim O’Brien (R) has a fundraiser coming up hosted by a long list of Republican officeholders including State Reps, Mayor, City Councilmen?
IS IT TRUE that the First Ward City Council race is shaping up to be extremely interesting?
IS IT TRUE that successful officeholder campaign while they are in office and not when they are running for re-election?
IS IT TRUE that mass mailings don’t get you elected but a door to door campaign can?
IS IT TRUE we are told by several local Democrats that they are going to work for and vote for the Republican At-Large City Council candidate Alex Schmitt because the GOP power brokers are openly working against him?
IS IT TRUE all eyes are on the 3rd Ward race between Steve Melcher and Zack Heronemus?  …we told that Mr. Melcher is relying on his name recognition and the three expensive mailers that will be sent to every registered voter in the 3rd Ward to help him get elected? …are told that Mr. Heronemus is campaigning the old fashion way?  …Mr. Heronemus campaign workers are conducting an aggressive door to door and phone bank campaign? …that the local Trade Unions have traditionally supported Mr. Melcher over the years but are now backing Mr. Heronemus?  …we are told that this Republican-held City Council seat is in serious danger of going Democratic?
IS IT TRUE a member of the CCO staff attended the last week “Golf Scramble” sponsored by County Commissioners Ben Shoulders (D) and Jeff Hartfield?  …he told us this event turned out to be a monster political fundraiser for Commissnors Shoulders and Hatfield?
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Are you going to vote in the upcoming November 5, 2019, general election?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE FILES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS, OBITUARIES  and “LOCAL SPORTS”.
You are now able to subscribe to get the CCO online daily.
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us CityCountyObserver@live.com.

Today’s City Council Meeting Agenda

0


1 NW MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BLVD. ROOM 301 at 5:30 P.M.
 

AGENDA

I. INTRODUCTION

 

Agenda Attachment:
II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM

 

Meeting Memo Attachment:
III. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

IV. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY

 

A. Motion to withdraw Ordinance R-2019-09
V. CONSENT AGENDA:  FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE F-2019-20 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): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 10/14/2019 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller
F-2019-20 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE F-2019-21 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Appropriations and Repeal and Appropriations of Funds Within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 10/14/2019 Notify: Kelley Coures, DMD
F-2019-21 Attachment:
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

VII. REGULAR AGENDA:  SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE G-2019-12 An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Every Appointive Officer, Employee, Deputy, Assistant, Departmental and Institutional Head of the City of Evansville and the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Levee Authority for the Year 2020 and Establishing Salary Administration Procedures Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 9/23/2019 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller
G-2019-12 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE F-2019-15 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Fixing the Salaries of Elected Officials for the City of Evansville, Indiana for the Year 2020 Sponsor(s): Council as a Whole Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 9/23/2019 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller
F-2019-19 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE F-2019-19 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Appropriations and Repeal and Appropriations of Funds Within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 9/23/2019 Notify: Kelley Coures, DMD
F-2019-19 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2019-12 Amended An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as Part of 2800 Colonial Garden Road Petitioner: ANB Investments, LLC Owner: ANB Investments, LLC Requested Change: R-1 to M-1 w/UDC Ward: 1 McGinn Representative: Krista B. Lockyear, Lockyear
R-2019-12 Amended Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2019-20 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 8210 Woodbriar Drive Petitioner: Jina Lancaster Owner: Gladys Hammonds Requested Change: R1 to R3 w/UDC Ward: 1 McGinn Representative: Jina Lancaster
R-2019-20 Attachment:
F. ORDINANCE R-2019-22 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 273 S Sonntag Avenue Petitioner: Justin Stark Owner: Justin Stark Requested Change: R2 to R3 w/UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Ryan Schulz, KDDK
R-2019-22 Attachment:
G. ORDINANCE R-2019-23 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3105 Broadway Avenue Petitioner: Richard & Linda Hogan Owner: Richard & Linda Hogan Requested Change: C4 to R1 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Richard & Linda Hogan
R-2019-23 Attachment:
VIII. RESOLUTION DOCKET

 

A. RESOLUTION C-2019-13 A Resolution Encouraging Changes to the 2020 Budget for SWIRCA Sponsor(s): Adams Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 9/23/2019 Notify: Josh Claybourn, City Council Attorney
C-2019-13 Attachment:
B. RESOLUTION C-2019-15 A Resolution Encouraging Changes to the 2020 Budget for Mayoral Compensation Sponsor(s): Mercer Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 9/23/2019 Notify: Josh Claybourn, City Council Attorney
C-2019-15 Attachment:
C. RESOLUTION C-2019-16 A Resolution Encouraging Changes to the 2020 Budget for City Council Compensation Sponsor(s): Mercer Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 9/23/2019 Notify: Josh Claybourn, City Council Attorney
C-2019-16 Attachment:
D. RESOLUTION C-2019-17 A Resolution Encouraging Changes to the 2020 Budget for Hospitalization Sponsor(s): Mercer Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 9/23/2019 Notify: Josh Claybourn, City Council Attorney
C-2019-17 Attachment:
E. RESOLUTION C-2019-18 A Resolution Encouraging Changes to the 2020 Budget for Non-Union Employee Pay Sponsor(s): Mercer Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 9/23/2019 Notify: Josh Claybourn, City Council Attorney
C-2019-18 Attachment:
IX. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

 

A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council is Monday, October 14, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

XI. ADJOURNMENT

The City-County Observer “Outstanding Community Services Award” Winners for 2019.

0

The City-County Observer  “Outstanding Community Services Award” Winners For 2019.

MARGARET KOCH 

Margaret is a very personable person that is involved in every aspect of our community.

She was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and has her parents to thank for teaching her the importance of stewardship and working to make the world a better place.  She moved to Evansville in the spring of 2000 and worked as a registered nurse for Visiting Nurse Plus, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital and most recently Deaconess Hospital.  She and her husband, Kevin, have two wonderful and busy daughters who are 11 and 9 years old.  They both attend St. Bens Catholic school. 

Due to the needs of her family, Margaret made the decision in 2013, to become a full-time house spouse and community volunteer.

She is a Junior League of Evansville Sustainer, and it was with this amazing organization that she began honing her fundraising skills while working on several money-generating committees.  Since completing her seven-year stint with the Junior League, she has served on the boards of Ark Crisis Child Care Center and the Reitz Home Museum.  With both of these boards, she cultivated relationships within our community working to build partnerships with these wonderful organizations and our many individuals and corporate champions.

Presently she serves on the stewardship committee and pastoral council at St. Ben’s Cathedral, and helps raise money for the Summer Social and Holiday Luncheon.  She also is very involved with St. Ben’s School Mardi Gras committee where she focuses on raising sponsorship dollars that go toward the ongoing upkeep of this outstanding school along with updating technology and educational tools.

She also is a member of the Evansville Museum board, where she helps with the annual gala and serves on the art committee.  She has been a member of the Vanderburgh Community Foundation Alliance Women’s Fund for the past two years and more recently joined 100+ Women Who Care.  She feels privileged to be a part of both of these groups of strong, giving women.

Her passions for animals, conservation, and FUN have been fulfilled with her role as a board member of the Evansville Zoological Society, which is the non-profit arm of Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.  She perhaps a little too enthusiastically participated in a feasibility study and was subsequently asked to chair our zoo’s first-ever capital campaign in 2014.  She is so pleased with the outcome of the campaign so far when she and family enjoy the Engelbrecht Carousel and walk among the spectacular parakeets in the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Budgie Walkabout.  She invites you to visit the zoo and see these spectacular additions, thanks to the generosity of so many individual and corporate donors.

Margaret thrives on helping others and strives to make the world a better place.  She is so proud of the progress happening throughout Evansville and feels honored to be a part of it.

Honorable Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judge Mary Margaret “Maggie” Lloyd

Judge Lloyd is very well respected. In 2000, Judge Lloyd was elected the first female judge in Vanderburgh County.

Judge Mary Margaret “Maggie” Lloyd was born in Evansville, Indiana and graduated from the McKinney School of Law in 1991.  After serving as a law clerk for then Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard of the Indiana Supreme Court, Judge Lloyd returned to Evansville to practice law in her hometown.  Her first position was as a law clerk for then Vanderburgh Circuit Court Judge, Richard L. Young.  Following her clerkship, she served nine (9) years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office litigating hundreds of felony cases.  In 2000, Judge Lloyd was elected the first female judge in Vanderburgh County.  Currently, Judge Lloyd has jurisdiction over Family Law matters and civil cases, and since 2001, has been the Supervising Judge of the Domestic Relations/Family Court for Superior Court.   In 2012, she was elected by her fellow judges to serve as Chief Judge of the Vanderburgh Superior Court.

During her nineteen (19) years of service as a judicial officer, Judge Lloyd was instrumental in the creation of the Vanderburgh County Family Court Project which assists divorcing parties without means to hire an attorney to resolve their cases, themselves.  She has served on the Domestic Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana which created a Domestic Relations Bench Book to be used by all judicial officers throughout the State and helped update the Child Support Guidelines.  Judge Lloyd served as an At-Large Member of the Board of Managers of the Indiana Judges Association, and further serves or served as the Superior Court judicial representative to the Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center, Inc. Board, the Evansville Bar Association Board of Directors, the Vanderburgh County Community Corrections Board, and the Evansville/Vanderburgh County Commission on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault.  Presently, Judge Lloyd has been appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court to serve on the Protection Order Committee and has been selected along with two (2) other Courts in the State to initiate a Pilot Project for the electronic filing of Protective Orders for the State of Indiana.

In 2017, Judge Lloyd led a collaborative effort which culminated in Vanderburgh County Superior Court being awarded $546,344.00 through a Justice for Families Grant from the Office on Violence against Women.  These funds have been used to supply free supervised visits and exchanges at the Parenting Time Center to benefit children affected by domestic violence, and to create a Protective Order Assistance Office which assists victims of domestic violence or sexual assault in seeking protective orders and teaches these parties about their available community resources.  The Grant further provides a free Guardian ad Litem to represent children in paternity and divorce cases where domestic violence has occurred between the parties, there parents.

CHRISTINE H. KECK  

With the February 2019 acquisition of Vectren Corporation by CenterPoint Energy (CNP) Christine leads Federal advocacy and policy engagement for CNP, enterprise-wide, covering the regulated gas and electric utility operations which now encompass 8 states as well as the company’s non- regulated subsidiaries which have a nation-wide footprint.  With the Vectren acquisition, CNP is now the 2nd largest natural gas utility in the United States, serving more than 7 million metered customers.

This builds upon Christine’s efforts since 2008 leading public policy, strategy and external engagement initiatives for Vectren and its subsidiaries, advancing public policy critical to addressing and improving our Nation’s pipeline infrastructure, the nexus between domestic energy production and independence with defense and national security, energy efficiency, regulatory regimes and tax policies.

In 2015 Christine was recognized with the national “Energy Champion” award by the Energy Services Coalition, in recognition of her efforts to advance the use of performance-based contracting and for her efforts in successfully securing a 3-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Christine is active in energy industry associations, including the American Gas Association, the Edison Electric Institute,  the Federal Performance Contracting Coalition,  the National Association of Energy Services Companies and the Energy Services Coalition, for which she is the past board president.

Prior to joining the company in 2008, Keck served as Senior Vice President, Southern Region Corporate Lending Executive for Evansville, Indiana based Old National Bank. Christine began her career with Old National as part of the Bank’s Management Training program, and worked in a variety of capacities, primarily in the Commercial and Corporate Lending groups.

In October of 2018, Christine was elected as Chairman of the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, serving in this capacity to October 2020. In July 2019 Christine became the Chairman of the St. Vincent Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.

In recognition of her community service and leadership, Christine was recently awarded the Sara B. Davies Award by Leadership Evansville. She has also been a finalist for the Athena award in 2018, 2014 and 2012.

EDUCATION

Christine attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada and graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She has received several professional certifications including the prestigious designation of “CRC”, Credit Risk Certified, by the Risk Management Association, a national organization dedicated to the use of sound credit and lending practices in the financial services industry.

LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, AND RECOGNITIONS

  1. Chairman, SW Indiana Chamber of Commerce of Board
  2. Trustee, University of Southern Indiana
  3. Chairman St Vincent’s Hospital (Ascension Health) Foundation Board
  4. Board Member, University of Evansville Schroeder School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board

  5. EPD SERGEANT JASON CULLUM 

    Jason Cullum is an extremely likable person and is involved in every aspect of our community.

    In 2013, Sgt. Cullum founded Cops Connecting with Kids. To date, this unique partnership between law enforcement, schools, and the community has provided all-expenses-paid trips to Walt Disney World for 166 underserved kids from Evansville.

    Sgt. Jason Cullum is a 20 year veteran of the Evansville Indiana Police Department. He has served in many assignments that include co-founding the first-ever EPD Bike Patrol Unit, SWAT team member, Filed Training Officer. He also served as the Crime Prevention Unit supervisor for 3 years.

    He is currently assigned as the agency’s Public Information Officer and also coordinates the department’s Speaker’s Bureau program.

    Sgt. Cullum is an Evansville native and returned home to serve his community after a 4-year enlistment in the United States Air Force, where he served as a Military Working Dog handler and a Korean National Police Liaison.

    In 2016, Sgt Cullum also served as a Fellow for the Office of Community Policing (COPS office) in Washington D.C. where he served as a subject matter expert for community policing development and law enforcement social media.

    STEVE HAMMER 

    He is a  Principal Partner of the Ohio Valley Properties, LLC-Evansville, Indiana, also a  Principal Partner with Roca Bar North, LLC-Evansville, Indiana and is the  Evansville Region Representative the United States, Senator Mike Braun

    He has a BBA-Management degree from the University of Kentucky-Lexington, Kentucky and is a graduate of Central High School-Evansville, Indiana.

    Mr. Hammer Community Involvement:

    Was a Community Emcee at various events & organizations including St. Ben’s Mardi Gras Gala, Multiple Sclerosis Gala, YWCA Legacy of Style and Wesselman Woods Wandering Owl.

    Former Candidate for Vanderburgh County Commissioner, District 2 in 2018.

    Weekly Volunteer at St. Anthony’s soup kitchen since 2017.

    Chef at A Hundred Men Who Cook annual charity event since 2014.

    Basketball Coach for St. Ben’s Catholic School 3rd Grade Girls team in 2018.

    Builder at Mickey’s Kingdom Community Construction Project in 2018.

    Member of A Hundred Guys Who Care charity group since 2017.

    Member of Evansville Country Club since 1999.

    Member of Ziemer Society of St. Vincent Hospital since 2017.

    Volunteers his service as the Chairmen of the CCO ‘Living Outside THe Box” speakers series.

    He is also a  supporter of numerous charities events to numerous to mention.

    He is married to Ashley, a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner at St. Vincent Hospital and they have two wonderful children, William, 22 & Addison 9.

    BEN SHOULDERS

    Three years ago Democrat Benjamin Shoulders ran for the Vanderburgh County Commissioner and was elected by a comfortable margin.

    Since his election, he has been extremely effective in promoting good public policy and has seemly been a voice of reason and compromise. Mr. Shoulders has demonstrated that he can face difficult governmental challenges with an open mind.

    Commissioner Shoulders is extremely outgoing and is from a well respected and prominent political family of this area.

    He is currently the Commercial Lender lll at Banterra Bank and has been in banking 16 years.

    Ben received his college degree from Indiana University (Bloomington) – Bachelor of Arts ’02 CJUS (College of Arts and Sciences). He was graduated from Harrison High School–Magna Cum Laude (College Prep).

    He received his certification from Indiana Bankers Association – Bank Management Series in 2010 and the Indiana Bankers Association – Commercial Lending School (2011 Graduate).

    Ben is married to former Shannon Perrette of Evansville for 11 years and they have three (3) children.  Emma who is 9 years old and 6 years old twins Parker and Sadie and they reside in Evansville.

    Some of Bens favorite things he enjoys doing are coaching youth basketball and taking his family out to eat fish Tacos and drinking slushies.

    His Community Involvement Is Very Impressive.  Listed Below Are Some OF Them.

    Vanderburgh County Commissioner – District One (Elected – Nov 2016; took office – Jan 1, 2017). Elected President President in -2019.

    GAGE (Growth Alliance of Greater Evansville) – Board Member (2018 – present)

    Commission on Homelessness – Board Member (2017 – present)

    Past Community Corrections – Board Member 

    Old Courthouse – Board Member (2017 – present)

    Domestic and Sexual Violence Commission – Board Member (2017 – present)

    IU College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Board (2014 – present)

    Boys and Girls Club of Evansville – Board President (2018 – present); Vice President (2016 – present)

    EVSC Foundation Board of Directors – Vice President (2013 – 2018)

    Darrell Ragland Foundation Board of Directors – Board Development Chair (2014 – present)

    United Way – Keel Club (2014 – 2018); Southern Indiana Campaign Cabinet Member (2016)

    Past “EVSC Hall of Fame” – Co-Chairman 

    IU Alumni Association of Greater Evansville – Past President / Board member 

    Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Commissioners – Board Treasurer (2014 – 2015)

    Past member of the Habitat for Humanity of Evansville – Development Committee 

    Current Leadership Evansville Board of Directors – Recruitment Chairman

    Harrison High School /Warrior Athletic Booster Club – Past President (2010 – 2013)

    Harrison High School Athletic Hall of Fame – Founder and Past Chairman

    WNIN Channel 9 Auctioneer (2011 – 2015, 2017, 2018; ”Red Blue Hoops” radio co-host 2014-16)

    Past member of the Evansville African American Museum Gala – Auction Committee 

     Mr. Shoulders Current And Past Awards and Honors:

    Top Producer/President’s Award – First Federal Savings Bank (2010 and 2011)

    Community Service Award – Fifth Third Bank (January 2013)

    Most “Starz” Volunteer Hours in Evansville Market – Old National Bank (2014, 2015)

    Selected as a Top Performer for Old National Bank 

    Chamber of Commerce Drive – “Big Dawg Award” (most memberships sold)

    Past Recipient of the President’s Award for Community Service – Boys and Girls Club 

    Selected as  a “Top 20 Under 40” – Evansville Business Journal/Evansville Courier and Press in September 2011

    Selected as “Top 20 Under 40” – News 4U Magazine in 2015)

    Involved in 100 Men Who Cook — Chef -Evansville

    Past Vanderburgh Medical Alliance Annual Style Show – Master of Ceremonies

    This year’s awards luncheon will be held at Tropicana-Evansville Walnut rooms A and B. The registration begins at 11:30 am, the event officially starts at 12 noon on October 25, 2019. Reservations for this event maybe obtain by calling 812-774-8011. Deadline for registration is October 15, 2019. Last years event was a sellout.

     

 

Are E-Cigarettes/Vaping “Better” Than Regular Cigarettes?

0

Are E-Cigarettes/Vaping “Better” Than Regular Cigarettes?

David Ryon, MDDeaconess Pulmonary & Critical Care11/09/2018

As a doctor specializing in lung diseases, I have seen the negative outcomes that result from smoking and tobacco use. I also know that patients, who are trying so hard to quit, often begin using e-cigs, vaping devices, etc. instead of cigarettes. Many patients ask me if “vaping” is a better option than cigarettes.

I tell them the answer is complex.

Let me start with this statement: all currently available data tells us that e-cigs/vaping are less harmful than tobacco use. That being said, it’s been shown that most smokers who casually attempt to quit smoking using e-cigs end up smoking both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Additionally, youth who start with using vaping devices are more likely to also become cigarette users.

What is an e-cigarette?

Smokefree.gov defines e-cigarettes as battery-powered devices that work by heating a liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales and exhales. The e-cigarette liquid typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, and other chemicals.

As indicated in the photo, there are many kinds of e-cigarettes. Some look like traditional tobacco products and some do not.

Photo from drugabuse.gov

You may have heard your teenager or college student talk about JUUL. It’s the brand name of an e-cigarette that resembles a USB or “flash” drive. According to the non-profit group Truth Initiative, in just two years on the market, JUUL has already “amassed nearly half of the e-cigarette market share.”

Photo from https://truthinitiative.org/news/what-is-juul

What’s in an e-cigarette?
There are a number of chemicals involved in e-cigs/vaping. First is the PEG, polyethylene glycol, which is the “carrier” of the other contents in vaping devices. (In JUULing, we don’t know as much about the “carrier” substance.)

PEG is thought to be a harmless food additive and is the same medium often used for theatric “smoke” and lighting effects at concerts and shows. We know that people with lung conditions can have trouble with PEG, and studies are only now looking at PEG as a heated, inhaled substance.

Second is nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive substance that causes people to become hooked on these devices and all tobacco products. Nicotine is no longer thought to be an otherwise harmless chemical, and has been linked to the development of COPD, and implicated in other negative health outcomes. (According to the product website as it relates to nicotine, a single JUUL cartridge is roughly equal to a pack of cigarettes, or 200 cigarette puffs.  https://truthinitiative.org/news/what-is-juul)

The third is formaldehyde and heavy metals. Formaldehyde is a probable carcinogen – it can cause cancer – and promotes respiratory issues such as bronchitis. Vapor from e-cigs has as much formaldehyde as cigarette smoke. On top of that, to generate vapor, e-cigs heat the chemicals inside the device, leading to heavy metal particles from the heaters being detectable in the vapor/smoke.

Are teens using e-cigarettes?
In a recent report regarding tobacco/nicotine use in Indiana, it was stated that 29% of Hoosier 12th graders report the use of e-cigarettes/vaping. This number is similar to national trends.

Teen vaping is a major public health concern, and here’s why:

  • As I mentioned earlier, vaping is a gateway drug. Youth who start with using vaping devices are more likely to eventually become cigarette users as well.
  • There is concern about the effects of nicotine on the developing adolescent brain, especially the part responsible for regulating attention and judgment.
  • We know that smoking among adolescents is associated with impaired attention, working memory and ability to concentrate. Nicotine is thought to be the cause of these problems.
  • There are studies that support smoking as a risk factor for an impaired cognitive function later in life.
  • Nicotine addiction is incredibly hard to break. Kids could be setting up a habit they may struggle with for the rest of their lives.

Another point of note is that many—if not most—e-cigs products are sponsored by big tobacco companies. These companies are interested in maintaining their market share, and in my opinion, they’re not too concerned about whether their market is people who vape people who smoke cigarettes or both.

We—parents, doctors, society—should be concerned about the use of flavors, such as bubble gum, cotton candy, ‘frutti tutti’ and other tastes that are clearly used to entice young people into using these products.

One of my favorite expert authors on the subject of tobacco, vaping, and marketing of such products is Dr. Stanton Glantz who is a professor of medicine at UCSF.

In his writings, Dr. Glantz points out that the FDA has been relatively ineffective in limiting the use and protecting children from e-cigs. He strongly recommends that local communities create ordinances to restrict uthe se of these products. (This strategy has worked well in California.) Taxation of vaping products can also reduce rates of youth vaping. It’s been proven to work with traditional tobacco products.

Dr. Glantz has published multiple articles about the marketing of vaping products. Here is one of particular interest:  https://tobacco.ucsf.edu/ftc-should-collect-and-release-detailed-information-e-cigarette-marketing-and-promotions

Additionally, Georgetown University’s School of Nursing & Health Studies has published a recent article, With the Jury Out on Vaping, Clinicians Pause to Identify the Cons of E-Cigarettes. The article discusses key social factors that influence adolescent e-cigarette use, along with significant statistics regarding this issue in the United States. Also highlighted is how e-cigarettes are often a gateway to tobacco use.

To learn more 
Here are some additional websites to help explain the basics of e-cigarettes and the health effects of smoking and/or vaping:
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm
http://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/tclc-guide-reg-ecigarettes-2016.pdf

UE Graduate And Professor Publish Research On Predictors Of Teachers’ Intentions To Report Suspected Child Abuse

0

UE graduate Tess Hupe, Class of 2018, and Dr. Margaret Stevenson, UE associate professor of psychology, recently published research in the Journal of Child Custody titled “Teachers’ Intentions to Report Suspected Child Abuse: The Influence of Compassion Fatigue.” This research was previously awarded an Outstanding Student Paper Award from Division 41 of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychology and Law Society (AP-LS), and was ranked in the top 20 papers presented at the 2018 AP-LS conference.

Their research reflects one of the few studies to explore teachers’ and school administrators’ (N = 299) knowledge of abuse reporting policy and their self-reported intentions to report hypothetical instances of suspected child abuse – research questions with relevance to the policy given that teachers are legally mandated to report suspected child abuse. Moreover, the authors also explored the relationship between compassion fatigue (i.e., job burnout and secondary traumatic stress stemming from vicarious exposure to client trauma) and teachers’ attitudes toward reporting suspected child abuse.

They found that a significant minority of teachers indicated that they would not report suspected child abuse – a finding that held even after eliminating the 10.3% of teachers who were unaware of a policy requiring teachers to report suspected child abuse. Supporting hypotheses, as compassion fatigue increased, negative attitudes toward child abuse reporting significantly increased. Additionally, increased compassion fatigue was significantly associated with increased job efficacy cynicism, psychological detachment from students, and diminished knowledge about reporting child abuse – all factors that statistically explained the relationship between compassion fatigue and negative attitudes toward reporting suspected abuse.

As the results of their research suggest, teacher compassion fatigue not only reflects the suffering of teachers, but it can also indirectly contribute to lack of intervention for child victims of abuse, in turn, perpetuating child suffering.

1...3,1573,1583,159...7,211Page 3,158 of 7,211