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“IS IT TRUE” AUGUST 7, 2019

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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.

IS IT TRUE a couple of days ago we published a letter that the Executive Director of the Area Planning Commission sent to City Councilman Jonathan Weaver concerning the Rathbone project?…that Mr. London told Mr. Weaver that under his watch “the Arts Overlay Zone, Jacobsville Overlay Zone, and West Franklin Street Overlay Zones have been created and have helped reduce parking requirements and have been completed through a properly vetted process by the entire community”? …yesterday Shannon Huffer Esq. Broker, Attorney, Investor, Entrepreneur of the Rathbone Apartments project responsed to the Executive Director of the Area Planning Commission letter that he sent to Evansville City Councilman Jonaphon Weaver?

IS IT TRUE many people are saying that its time that members of the Evansville City Council, Vanderburgh County Commission and County Council to ban together and style an ordinance that will revamp the Area Planning Commission makeup?  …that we are also told that they would also like to see that the city and county officials reduce Mayor Winnecke’s authority of making the majority board appointment to APC? …we also told that several people hope that members of the Evansville City Council, Vanderburgh County Commission and County Council will also insert language in a new ordinance that will set term limits on persons serving on this board?

IS IT TRUE we are told that there are  four political party fundraisers planned during the next several months? … that the newly formed Republican PAC (Political Action Committee) called “Evansville Future PAC” and the Democrat PAC (formed last year) called “Victory Fund PAC” are both hosting party fundraisers this weekend?

IS IT TRUE the “Evansville Future ” PAC’s committee has named their event “Drive for Five” which is scheduled for this Friday, August 9th?  …that Governor of Indiana, Lt Governor of Indiana, both United States Senators of Indiana, the 8th District U.S. Congressman and the Mayor of Evansville will all be guest speakers at this function?  …we have been told tha the”Evansville Future PAC’” committee members are hoping that they will raise around $100,000 for Republican City Council canidates?

IS IT TRUE the “Victory Fund” second fundraising event has been named this event “4 Under 40” which is this Thursday, August 8th?  …that money raised from this event will be donated to democrats running for Evansville City Council? …that this event is is projected to raise over $20,000?  …that a fundraiser event held last year by this PAC committee raised almost $70,000?

IS IT TRUE Vanderburgh County Commissioner Jeff Hatfield and Ben Shoulders are hosting a joint golf outing at local public golf course on Friday, September 20th called “Commissioner Cup”? …we hear that this golf outing will be sold out and is projected to raise ton of money?
IS IT TRUE that Vanderburgh Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave will be hosting her annual fundraiser at Wolf’s BBQ on Thursday, September 26th?  …we hear that this event will once again be held during lunch time?   …we are told that County Commissioner Musgrave should raise around $20,000 at this annual lunch hour fundraiser?
IS IT TRUE that Mole #17 tells us that there may be a class action lawsuit filed against the casino operators in Kentucky alleging that are falsely misrepresenting the betting functions of “Instant Historical Racing” machines?…we are also told that the Family Foundation of Kentucky has an eye on all things in the state that disrupt families and their interest in one-armed-bandits seems to be peaking?
IS IT TRUE that once upon a time there was a beer made in Louisville called Falls City Beer?…Falls City was to Louisville as Sterling was to Evansville?…neither of these brands of beer would win any tasting contests against today’s environment of craft beers that cost $8 per bottle but they did provide affordable products to the working people of these two river towns and succeeded for many years but ultimately were the victims of the de-industrialization of the Midwest along with many other manufacturing industries?…these two brands were seen as home grown businesses in Evansville and Louisville and still bring a smile to people’s faces?
IS IT TRUE in the mid 1990s when Falls City Beer was failing and when it was announced that G. Heileman Brewing Company announced that it would close the Evansville brewery, the Falls City brand was purchased by a group of investors seeking to keep the Evansville brewery in operation?…the new company became known as the Evansville Brewing Company and they sought to reinvigorate the Falls City name, especially in its home market of Louisville, Kentucky?…in the late 90’s the Evansville Brewery closed for good and it is not known whether the investors made out okay or not?…what is needed in Evansville today is a significant commitment to invest locally in good ideas with high potential for invention, innovation, and profits?…it also needs to come from the private sector as the attempt to keep a brewery alive?
IS IT TRUE that Evansville seems to lag every podunk town in the country when it comes to access to Angel Investments and Venture Capital?…the only visible attempt at playing Angel Investor in recent times was the totally botched attempt to invest taxpayer dollars in the Earthcare Energy LLC debacle back in 2012?…that Evansville City Council was literally humiliated by having the wool pulled over their eyes by people who made claims that could have been verified or proven false in 10 minutes by anyone with any knowledge of vetting claims of patent ownership?…that insane round of ignorance probably soured the atmosphere for investing in start-up businesses in Evansville for over a decade?…some private deals happen, but they keep it quiet as these guys do not suffer fools the way elected officials do?
Todays“Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that the Area Planning Commission is an antiquated bureaucracy and should be reorganized?
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Footnote: City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall 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.
Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

AG Hill Says President Trump Is Right To Embrace “Red Flag Laws” In Wake Of Mass Shootings

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Attorney General Curtis Hill today expressed support for President Trump’s embrace of “red flag laws” in the wake of recent mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas. Red flag laws are statutes allowing law enforcement officers to take possession of firearms from people they believe to be dangerous as defined in the statutes.

Indiana was one of the first five states in the nation to enact red flag laws, passing such a statute in 2005. Today, 17 states and the District of Columbia have such laws.

“Indiana’s red flag law is a common-sense measure that in no way inhibits the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens,” Attorney General Hill said. “As President Trump takes concrete actions to stop gun violence in our country, he is wise to encourage more states to adopt these kinds of provisions.”

Under Indiana’s law, a person is considered “dangerous” if the person presents an imminent risk of physical injury to himself or others. A person can also be considered dangerous if the person presents a potential risk of physical injury and has either been diagnosed with a mental illness and failed to take prescribed medication, or if there is documented evidence that the person has “a propensity for violent or emotionally unstable conduct.”

Indiana’s law prescribes that within 14 days after a firearm is seized from a person deemed dangerous, a court hearing must be held to determine whether the firearm should be returned. To keep possession of a firearm, law enforcement officials have the burden of proving by “clear and convincing evidence” that a person is dangerous.

In an Aug. 5 address to the nation, President Trump said, “We must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to public safety do not have access to firearms, and that, if they do, those firearms can be taken through rapid due process. That is why I have called for red flag laws, also known as extreme risk protection orders.”

On a White House visit in February of 2018, Attorney General Hill touted the value of red flag laws in conversations with President Trump and other officials. He traveled to Washington D.C. again in March of 2018 to discuss red flag laws with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Commentary: The Democrats’ Slow-Motion Demolition Derby

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Commentary: The Democrats’ Slow-Motion Demolition Derby

August 6, 2019  

By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.com 

INDIANAPOLIS – Maybe it would easier and less complicated to have all the Democrats who aren’t running for president debate.

Part of the problem with the two-night debate marathon that just ended in Detroit is that there were too many people on the stage. The result was a mess, a kind of slow-motion demolition derby that confused more than it illuminated.

CNN has received criticism for the format, but it’s hard to see how the network could have devised something that would have served that many candidates and the audience than this approach did. Until the process winnows the field, it’s going to be hard to hold an event involving the candidates that dips below the surface in any meaningful way.

This shouldn’t be a surprise.

In 2016, the Republicans had a massive field of candidates, too. Their debates also were shambles, but they were shambles enlivened by Donald Trump’s successful efforts to turn the presidential race into a reality TV show. People tuned in to track the latest outrage.

Thus far, no Democratic candidate has been willing to debase himself, herself or the process in the way that Trump did. This helps the candidates and the process preserve dignity, but it doesn’t make for compelling television viewing.

That’s a problem for Democrats going forward.

They’re unlikely to beat Trump, regardless of who the nominee is, if the national discussion stays at a superficial level. No one eligible to run for president this time around can command attention the way the current president can. He is the master of the Tweet and the quick sound bite designed to provoke a response. He loves to say what he thinks or what he will do.

It’s the how that always trips him up.

That’s why, more than three years after he promised a wall along the Mexican border that the Mexican government would be thrilled to pay for, he’s still scrambling to find a way to start construction and stick the U.S. taxpayers with the bill. The same goes for his pledge to implement a new healthcare plan that would cover everyone at greatly reduced costs. Or his commitment to revitalize America’s struggling manufacturing sector.

On the surface, some of Trump’s pronouncements may sound alluring. Most fantasies do.

But people live in the world of facts, which is why President Trump has struggled to deliver anything of substance to his working-class base.

The Democrat who can beat Trump will be able to point that out. He or she will be able to drag Donald Trump away from his quick-hit, let’s-ignore-reality pronouncements and pull him back to the real world, the land where things don’t just happen because someone says they should.

So far, that Democratic candidate has yet to emerge – and it’s hard to see how she or he could in a field this crowded.

In Detroit, former Vice President Joe Biden performed better than he did a few weeks ago, but he looked as though contentious campaigning was something he was enduring rather than enjoying. He didn’t look like a guy who would enjoy mixing it up with a street fighter like Trump.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, demonstrated that she plays offense better than she does defense. She may be able to hit Trump harder than any other Democrat, but she has yet to show that she can take a hit and keep moving forward.

The two leading progressives – Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren – made effective cases for showcasing universal healthcare coverage as a Democratic campaign centerpiece, but at a cost. Their dismissal of concerns about taking choices away from Americans and the costs of their plans as “Republican talking points” indicated that they really didn’t have answers for what will be, in fact, Republican talking points.

South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg did the best job of staying on message and then expanding on that message, but it’s still hard to see him as a figure who could unite a fractious party, particularly given that the only way he becomes the nominee is by dispatching rivals who waited for their shots a lot longer than he did.

But that’s the way things stand now.

If this crowded field shrinks to, say, about eight candidates, a lot could change.

Democrats should hope that happens soon.

FOOTNOTE: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

This article was posted without option, bias or editing.

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Commission to Combat Drug Abuse Meets Thursday in Indianapolis

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INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s Commission to Combat Drug Abuse will meet Thursday afternoon at the Indiana State Library. At the meeting, Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement Jim McClelland and other commission members will discuss continued efforts related to the drug crisis.

WHAT: Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse

WHO:  Jim McClelland, Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement Members of the Commission to Combat Drug Abuse

WHEN: Thursday, August 8, 2019 10:00 a.m. ET

WHERE: Indiana State Library, History Reference Room 211 315 W. Ohio Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

The Empathetic Leader: The Lasting Effects of Empathy on Culture and Retention

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by on August 5, 2019 in Emerging Leaders, Leadership and Management, Teamwork and Communication
Leadership styles vary from one person to the next, but one character trait that is steadily becoming essential in the modern workplace is empathy. It’s the age-old saying of putting oneself in others’ shoes to fully understand and experience their feelings. It’s the importance of taking into consideration how your actions or inaction affect those around you. And in organizations, it’s the key to building a strong culture and retaining employees.According to the 2019 State of Workplace Empathy study by BusinessSolver, 93% of employees reported they would stay with an empathetic employer; moreover, 82% of employees would leave their position to work for a more empathetic organization. In a tight labor market, empathy can be the outlier that gives organizations a competitive advantage.The study also found that 72% of CEOs believe the state of empathy needs to evolve, yet 58% struggle with consistently exhibiting the trait. So, the desire is there, but the execution needs work.

Leader Empathy – Vicarious Introspection

In psychology, empathy is defined as vicarious introspection, which can build a tighter bond between two parties. Yet with so many different types of communication styles, personalities, and levels of extroversion and introversion, it’s no wonder 58% of leaders struggle with empathy.

However, there may be a solution to understanding others better. From Myers-Briggs to DiSC to Enneagram, there are several different types of personality tests to help teammates understand one another and strengthen their ability to connect. While helping people gain a stronger sense of self-awareness, we also gain insight on how, when, and where to connect with others.

For those who want to dig deeper into being a more empathetic leader, they can do this by embracing open communication with their teams and allowing focused, face-to-face conversations with employees. Sometimes the only way to fully understand the wants, needs, and emotions of others is to open up and be vulnerable. When a person is honest about themselves, it creates an open space for others to do the same.

Company Empathy – The Strength of Benefits

As people are the heart of empathy, it can be more difficult for organizations to exhibit empathetic characteristics than it is for one-on-one relationships. A leader can have the ability of vicarious introspection, but how can an organization exhibit the same trait? Empathy can be achieved on both levels. Understanding what employees want and need can be shown by organizations through the way they treat employees to the benefits they offer.

According to the 2019 State of Workplace Empathy study, employees cited health, scheduling, and financial benefits as signs of more empathetic employers. For employees, 95% say family/work-life balance benefits, including daycare assistance and flexible work hours, are empathetic, while 94% believe paternity leave is empathetic. Whereas, 93% cite companies that offer extended bereavement leave are empathetic.

For the empathetic company, offering benefits isn’t merely a perk to help recruit top talent or the bare minimum to retain employees. Modern organizations understand that offering these types of benefits is necessary to create a deeper connection with their staff members. And, 78% of employees who feel connected and understood by their empathetic employer say they would work longer hours, being more productive than other organizations.

Culture of Inclusion and Diversity

Another way leaders and organizations show empathy to employees is by having a culture that embraces inclusion and diversity. Leaders come from all different backgrounds, ethnicity, and cultures, so it only seems fit to have a diverse leadership team. These types of teams tend to exude more connections with their employees. And, leadership tends to agree. According to the study, 90% of HR professionals and CEOs agree that companies are more empathetic with diversity in leadership. With a more diverse leadership, comes more paradigms and prospective, helping organizations connect with all types of employees.

Inclusion and diversity aren’t just important in leadership to show empathy, but leaders must embrace these actions organizationally. Creating a culture where employees feel included empowers team members to treat others around them with the same type of compassion. It starts with the top and filters through every facet of an organization.

The Power of Empathy

Embracing open communication and a drive to connect with others is the first step in becoming an empathetic leader and creating an organization that follows suit. The change doesn’t happen overnight, but through practice and patience, empathy can create ripple effects that will create a lasting impression on an organization as a whole. Of the five characteristics of emotional intelligence, empathy is the trait that changes the way a leader connects with others. By understanding you and your organization’s impact on your employees, you will be better fit to strategically plan, get employee buy-in, and lead a team that is empowered to be their best. All you have to do is put on someone else’s shoes.

How have you embraced empathy? What does your organization do to be more empathetic with employees? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

 

This Week At USI

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 Below is a list of events and activities happening in and around the USI community in the coming weeks:

Conference runs Thursday, August 8 – Friday, August 9

2019 Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness

The University of Southern Indiana and SWIRCA and More, the local agency on aging, will present the 12th annual Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness (MAIA) on the USI campus on Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9, with a pre-conference workshop on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care scheduled for Wednesday, August 7.

There is a discounted rate for students and retirees. Morning keynote sessions will be free and open to the public; however, due to seating limitations, advanced registration is required.  More information about registering is online at USI.edu/maia or by calling 812-464-1989. Read More 9 a.m. Thursday, August 15

Welcome Week and Campus Housing Check-in

USI will welcome new students living in residence halls and campus apartments at check-in beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, August 15 at Screaming Eagles Arena. Students with last names beginning with A-L are asked to arrive starting at 9 a.m., and students with last names beginning with M-Z are asked to arrive starting at 12:30 p.m. During this time, students pick up their key, parking permit and Welcome Week schedule as well as visit a resource fair for more information from campus departments and local businesses.  More Information

STUDENT EVENTS

A collection of events on campus and in the community sponsored by USI student organizations can be found on the USI events calendar by clicking here.

SAVE THE DATE

Registration closes Tuesday, October 15; Race is Saturday, November 2

Registration now open for the 18th annual Norwegian Foot March
The 18th annual Norwegian Foot March, an intense mental and physical challenge, will take participants 18.6 miles through the rolling hills of Evansville’s west side. Carrying a 25-pound rucksack, participants will begin and end on the USI campus, working to make it back to the finish line generally in under four and a half hours depending on age and gender. ROTC cadets, soldiers and veterans, as well as civilians, may register individually or as part of a four-member team.

Registration can be completed online or by calling USI Outreach and Engagement at 812-464-1989. Early registration is recommended, as the event sells out quickly. ROTC cadets from any school can register for $25 and all other participants can register for $45. Registration will close on October 15 or when the event is full at 500 participants. More Information

 

 

 

 

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

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Board Certified Behavior Analyst BCBA
BRIDGES OF INDIANA – Evansville, IN
ABA methodologies including Functional Behavior Analysis, Antecedent Strategies, Discrete Trial Training, Verbal Behavior Analysis, Error-less Learning,…
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PSE MAIL PROCESSING CLERK
United States Postal Service 3.6/5 rating   21,415 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Fingerprint check, state and county checks). Applicants must successfully complete the Virtual Entry Assessment – MP (476)….
Aug 1
News Production Assistant
Bayou City Broadcasting (WEVV-TV) – Evansville, IN
Duties will include running teleprompter, operating studio camera, operating the audio board, and other technical tasks associated with the production of a…
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Aug 2
Administrative Assistant – Mail Room/HR/Admin
Countrymark Refining and Logistics – Mount Vernon, IN
Employee must have valid driver’s license if operating a company vehicle or their own vehicle for work purposes….
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HR/Payroll Admin
ABG Operating LLC – Evansville, IN
*Human Resources Administrator/Payroll* * Proficiency with Microsoft Applications (Namely Excel) * Employee Relations Experience * 2-4 years HR Experience …
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Payroll Clerk/Administrative Assistant
A@D Constructors LLC. – Evansville, IN
Provides payroll information by answering questions and requests.\*\*. Analyzing Information, Data Entry Skills, Attention to Detail, Confidentiality,…
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Jul 29
Production Artist
Ten Adams – Evansville, IN
Implement design templates and master pages and create styles based on design specs. Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or Visual Communications preferred….
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Aug 2
Experienced Tax Accountant
Harding Shymanski & Company, PSC – Evansville, IN
CPA certification a plus. Bachelor’s degree in accounting or taxation. Tax with CPA firm:. Established in 1975, Harding Shymanski & Company has offices located…
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General Dentist Associate
Midwest Dental – Evansville, IN
Whether you are fresh out of school looking for your first experience, a seasoned veteran looking for a change or anywhere in-between, we match you with…
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Optical Lab Technician
Vision Service Corp – Evansville, IN
Cleans, stocks and organizes the optical lab. We will train the correct applicant….
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Cullen’s homer pushes Evansville to victory

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 Hunter Cullen’s solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning Tuesday was the difference as the Evansville Otters claimed a 5-4 win against the Lake Erie Crushers to snap a four-game losing skid.

In a game that was a pitcher’s duel between Crushers starter Patrick Ledet and Otters starter Tyler Vail, runs were hard to come by early on.

 

Lake Erie struck first when Dale Burdick’s RBI double scored Emmanuel Marrero to give the Crushers a 1-0 lead after one.

 

After innings two through four were scoreless, the Otters were able to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth.

 

After Cullen led off with on a hit by pitch, Dakota Phillips knocked in Cullen from first base on an RBI double to tie the game at one.

 

In the top of the sixth and with runners on first and second, Lake Erie’s Brody Wofford moved both runners over a sac hit. Then Steven Kraft scored from third on an RBI groundout by Zach Racusin in the next at-bat to put the Crushers in front 2-1.

 

Vail would pitch a scoreless seventh inning, giving the Otters a chance to win. The veteran right-hander tossed seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits while throwing seven strikeouts. He ended up taking a no-decision.

 

The Otters were able to get to Ledet in the bottom of the seventh as J.J. Gould walked and David Cronin singled with one out, which led to reliever Augie Gallardo taking the baseball from Ledet.

 

Then a single by Keith Grieshaber would load the bases for the Otters.

 

With Ryan Long at the plate, a pass ball allowed Gould to score from third and advance the other two baserunners. Cronin would soon score from third as Long hit into a fielder’s choice with the throw home not in time to tag out Cronin, giving the Otters a 3-2 lead.

 

With Mike Rizzitello at the plate, Grieshaber at third, and Long at first, a wild pitch by Gallardo allowed Grieshaber to score, making the Otters’ advantage 4-2.

 

Ledet would be charged for the runs by Gould and Cronin, totaling to three earned runs in 6.1 innings pitched. The Crushers lefty allowed six hits while also striking out five. His line would also result in a no-decision.

 

In the top of the eighth, Lake Erie would bounce back with two runs of their own.

 

With two walks and a single to load the bases and no outs, Marrero was able to score from third on a wild pitch, bringing the Crushers within one.

 

A batter later, Racusin would record another RBI groundout, scoring Kraft to tie the game at four.

 

Otters reliever Cam Opp would minimize the damage there at 4-4.

 

In the bottom of the eighth and one out, Cullen hit his eighth home run of the season on a solo shot to right field off Crushers reliever Evy Ruibal to get the Otters back in front 5-4.

 

The top of the ninth was not easy for Otters closer Taylor Wright as the Crushers did not go down without one last effort.

 

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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

ADOPT A PET

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Goliath is a 10-month-old male pit mix. He was surrendered at the end of May from a family who had too many animals. He does very well with pottytraining here at VHS! His adoption fee is $110 and includes his neuter, microchip, & vaccines. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

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