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Teamsters Local 215 Members Employed By Irving Materials Incorporated (IMI) Evansville Went On Strike

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On Monday, June 3, Teamsters Local 215 members employed by Irving Materials Incorporated (IMI) Evansville went on strike. The strike is an unfair labor practices strike. The pickets were extended to IMI Ft. Branch on June 4, and Teamster members there have been honoring the picket lines.

Accordingly to Teamsters 215 President Chuck Whobrey “this strike was totally avoidable. Teamsters 215 members have only wanted to maintain the insurance plan (Central States TeamCare) that they have had for many years, and also to get appropriate wage increases. IMI Teamsters currently make $19.48 per hour. That is $1.60 per hour behind Teamsters employed by Concrete Supply. Teamsters at Concrete Supply have the same insurance plan IMI Teamsters are fighting to maintain. Under the company’s proposal IMI Teamsters would lose dental insurance, life insurance and retiree’s insurance. Teamster members worked without a contract for over two months in an effort to reach an agreement without going on strike. Finally, after some of the things the company did in negotiations, the local union filed unfair labor practice charges and the strike commenced a few days later. Those charges are currently under investigation by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 25”.

Mr. Whobrey also stated that “IMI as a company has benefited immensely over the years because of the Teamsters who work there. On repeated occasions IMI has been awarded contracts because their employees are represented by Teamsters Local 215. The most recent example of this happening was theCostco warehouse construction project on Evansville’s east side. The concrete work on that project was originally awarded to a non-union company. Due to the work of the Teamsters Local Union, that award was reversed and awarded to IMI. The thanks Teamster members got for this is to have the company try to take away their insurance. There are many other examples of work that IMI was awarded because of them being a unionized company. IMI needs to stop attacking the very employees that make them a profitable company”.

FOOTNOTE: This article was posted by the City-County Observer without opinon  bias or editing.

Commentary: With Sarah Sanders’ Departure, The Media Office Has Officially Closed

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Commentary: With Sarah Sanders’ Departure, The Media Office Has Officially Closed

June 19, 2019  

By Michael Leppert
MichaelLeppert.com

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is leaving her job as White House press secretary at the end of the month.

What will President Donald Trump do without his top spokesperson? Will White House press briefings end without her?

That was a trick question. Press briefings already have ended. Arguably, they ended in a traditional sense so long ago, we have already gotten used to simply knowing less about what is happening with the daily grind of the administration. Even the president’s public schedule is an almost daily laugher. For example, the president has not had any documentable activity on his schedule before 11:00 AM since his departure from Ireland on June 7.

Whoops, let me correct that. He did leave to play golf before 11:00 last Saturday and Sunday. Otherwise, his mornings are occupied by “In-House Pool Call Time.” Americans have learned what that means: watching television and tweeting about it.

This week was a banner one for the White House messaging team. On Tuesday, Trump responded to reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had executed his own half brother for being an informant to the CIA. The American president said: “I wouldn’t let that happen under my auspices.” Putting aside Trump’s odd use of the word “auspices,” it certainly appeared that he was committing to Kim that he would not allow the CIA to spy on North Korea.

It’s the kind of comment a spokesperson would normally need to explain, walk back or spin. Of course, “normal” certainly is not what it used to be.

Trump’s best strategy for saying something as outrageous as siding with one of our nation’s most dangerous national security threats over our own top intelligence agency is to say something else that may be even more incredible.

On Wednesday, the American president said in a video interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, that he may not contact the FBI if a foreign power attempted to give him dirt on a political opponent. FBI director Chris Wray, testified to Congress just last month as to how that contact should be made. Trump first said “there isn’t anything wrong with listening,” to such information from a foreign power, and then went on to say in response to Wray that “the FBI director is wrong.”

To recap this episode, America has been listening to Trump repeat the phrase “no collusion” incessantly for the last two years.  The Mueller investigation on that very behavior concluded in March. The U.S. House of Representatives is considering impeaching Trump for his behavior related directly to it. And now he is announcing his openness to collude, violate his constitutional oath and break clear and indisputable campaign finance laws.

Whew!

These are the kinds of comments that could cause a spokesperson’s head to explode. They are indefensible on an epic scale. So, how does the Trump team respond to the barrage of questions and condemnations of his words? The spokespeople are silent, and the president tweets out his expected doubling down on why his whims are right and our rule of law is wrong.

Republicans in Washington are cringing. They should be. Like Sanders, virtually the entire group of GOP members of congress have also become spokespeople for Trump over the last two years. When the president says outlandish things like he has this week the party formerly known as the Grand Old Party now behaves as if they must go along with it.

They can’t just quit like Sanders has.

Wait a minute: yes, they can!

There will be life after Trump in American politics. I enthusiastically look forward to reacquainting myself with the politicians who have fallen in line with Trump’s madness. Will they pretend they didn’t? Will they return to conservative or, dare I say, American values?

Whatever his followers choose in the future, life after Trump will be equally fascinating to me. But for Sanders, her exit from her job at the end of June also appears to be her beginning. Suggestions that she return to Arkansas and prepare for a 2022 gubernatorial run were raised on Thursday. I assume a platform in that campaign will sound like a combination of her two dads: Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, and her soon to be workplace one.

When asked if she regretted not having more press conferences, Sanders said no, and that she still believes they have been the most accessible White House ever. Anderson Cooper of CNN responded to that Thursday night with, “She may be leaving, but she’s still lying.”

Thank you for your service, Sarah. Good luck, and Godspeed.

FOOTNOTE: Michael Leppert is a public and governmental affairs consultant in Indianapolis and writes his thoughts about politics, government and anything else that strikes him at MichaelLeppert.com

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Holly’s House Announces Gift from Vanderburgh Community Foundation

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 Holly’s House, a local child and adult victim advocacy center, announces the Vanderburgh Community Foundation has made a gift to Holly’s House in support of their “Think First & Stay Safe” elementary school child abuse prevention program. A check presentation will take place on June 21, 2019, 9:00 A.M.. at Holly’s House. During the event, representativesfrom the Vanderburgh Community Foundation and Holly’s House will be available for comments.

Implemented in 2010, the primary goal for the “Think First & Stay Safe” program is to improvestudent knowledge and skills relating to protecting their personal safety. Research into child abuse indicates that young people who are abused are much more likely to struggle with depression and anxiety, have poor academic performance, abuse drugs and alcohol, present behavioral problems, and even commit suicide. In addition, children who are abused are at greater risk of being either the aggressor or victim of violence as adults. Successful prevention and early identification of child abuse is one component of preparing young people for success.The “Think First & Stay Safe” program addresses these concerns by teaching children they have a right to be safe and developing common sense skills for self-protection. Through this program, children are advised how to seek help if they, or others they know, encounter unsafe situations or are being abused. For more information, or to support the “Think First & Stay Safe!”program, please visit www.hollyshouse.org.

Holly’s House is a non-residential victims’ advocacy center providing services for victims ofchild abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault in southwest Indiana. The mission of the organization is to empower victims of intimate crime and abuse by providing support, promoting justice and preventing violence. For more information, please visit www.hollyshouse.org.

Vanderburgh Community Foundation was established in 1992, the Vanderburgh Community Foundation is one of nearly 700 community foundations in the United States today. We serve Vanderburgh County, offering people a variety of ways to achieve their goals for this community through charitable giving.

The Vanderburgh Community Foundation is comprised of a collection of endowed assets totaling more than $19,597,159 held in named funds that support a variety of causes in our county. Created by caring local donors, these funds are invested to generate earnings that are distributed to deserving organizations and students in the form of grants and scholarships annually. The Community Foundation currently administers over 145 funds. These funds allowed for grants and scholarships of over $566,591 during our most recent fiscal year.

Students to Receive Free Bicycles at Ivy Tech’s 14th Annual Public Safety Academy

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Many middle school and elementary school students in the Ivy Tech Community College Public Safety Academy will receive a new bicycle, helmet, and bicycle lock on Thursday, June 20, at 2 p.m. in Vectren Auditorium at Ivy Tech Community College Evansville Campus. The bicycles will be awarded to students who demonstrate good attendance, good behavior, and a good attitude while participating in the Public Safety Academy, and other summer activities in the community.

The Academy is a partnership with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the City of Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation, the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana, and the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville.

In addition to the standard bikes, two adaptive bicycles that are specifically designed for children who are physically unable to ride a standard bicycle, will be given away. “We look forward to this event every year and are grateful for the leadership of Ivy Tech Dean Chris Kiefer, and others at Ivy Tech, who have consistently raised funds and collected bicycles for these students, as a reward for positive behavior,” said Chancellor Jonathan Weinzapfel. More than 2,250 bicycles have been awarded since the program’s inception

Bicycles will be presented to the students by donors, representatives from public safety agencies, EVSC, local dignitaries, and community leaders. Students will also be treated to an afternoon of fun, including activities, snacks, a tour of Ivy Tech, and a video on bicycle safety. The event is funded by generous donations from individuals and businesses across the Tri-State.

The Evansville Bicycle Club and Gerling Law will be assisting with the event and will help adjust the bike seats and helmets to ensure a proper fit.

Donors include: EVSC Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, ONI Risk, State Farm Insurance, Tri-State Community Clinic, St. Vincent, Deaconess Hospital, Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel, and Shoulders, 911 Gives Hope, Evansville Federal Credit Union, Banterra Bank, Chris Kiefer, Carol Katowitz, Amy Higgs Insurance, Kara Monroe, Kelly Cozart, Gail Lindsay, LouAnne Kuntzman, Cindy Moore, Sherri Flynn

Partnerships Include:

  1. Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation  (EVSC)
  2. City of Evansville
  3. Evansville Parks Department
  4. Evansville Bike Club
  5. Vanderburgh County Sheriffs’ Office (VCSO)
  6. EVSC Foundation
  7. Ivy Tech Community College
  8. Ivy Tech Community College Foundation
  9. Evansville Fire Department (EFD)
  10. Anthem Blue Cross  Blue Shield  Insurance
  11. Dr. David Smith
  12. Chris Kiefer
  13. Banterra Bank
  14. Evansville Federal Credit Union
  15. Tri-State Community Clinics
  16. Deaconess Health System
  17. Gerling Law Offices
  18. Ivy Tech Employees
  19. ONI Risk Partners
  20. Boys and Girls Club of Evansville
  21. Pacific Cycling
  22. The YMCA of Southwestern Indiana
  23. Evansville Police Department
  24. 21st Century Community Learning Centers
  25. Ziemer Stayman Weitzel and Shoulders LLC
  26. 911 Gives Hope
  27. St. Vincent Ascension

 

AG Curtis Hill: U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision In Virginia Case Involving Uranium Mining As A Win For Indiana

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The U.S. Supreme Court rightly protected states’ sovereign powers by rejecting an energy company’s efforts to overturn a decades-old Virginia statute banning uranium mining, Attorney General Curtis Hill said today.

The Virginia legislature enacted a ban on uranium mining in 1982, and in 2015 Virginia Uranium Inc. sued to challenge the ban, claiming it violated the federal Atomic Energy Act.

The Atomic Energy Act does not give the federal government any authority over uranium mining, but Virginia Uranium tried to argue that it nevertheless displaces any state law motivated by safety concerns, even if the state law regulates an area not regulated by the federal government. The court rejected the company’s tortured interpretation of federal law, with Justice Neil Gorsuch pointing out in his lead opinion that “to accomplish all it  wants, Virginia Uranium would have to persuade us to read 13 words out of the statute and add 2 more . . . That may be a statute some would prefer, but it is not the statute we have.”

“The court wisely rejected the plaintiffs’ attempts to rewrite federal law,” Attorney General Hill said.

The ramifications of the court’s decision reach far beyond the arena of nuclear energy, he added.

“States have the authority to regulate any activity they choose unless Congress or the Constitution have specifically stated otherwise,” Attorney General Hill said. “If the court had accepted the plaintiffs’ arguments, then every state law — no matter its age or subject matter — could have been subjected to an intrusive inquiry into lawmakers’ motivations. Fortunately, the court took a stand for state sovereignty in this case.”

Last year, Attorney General Hill led a 10-state coalition in filing an amicus brief supporting the Commonwealth of Virginia in this case.

St. Vincent Evansville Birth Announcements

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Rubi Zavala Montiel and Miguel Tinoco Gonzalez, Evansville, son, Elias Miguel, June 10

Brooke and Daniel Arnett, Evansville, daughter, Adaline Sheri, June 7

Heather and Corey Hendon, Evansville, son, Brooks Hudson, June 7

Lori and Trevor Lockhart, Bridgeport, IL, daughter, Marabelle Ann, June 10

Alecia and Jessy Sanders, Mount Carmel, IL, daughter, Rozaleigha Opal, June 10

Makensie and Branden Slagle, Newburgh, son, Paul Hunter, June 10

Elizabeth Davis and Jairus Rogers, Carmi, IL, son, Harper Joseph, June 11

Melissa McKinney and Jacob Cuellar, Evansville, daughter, Taylee Bernice, June 12

Mekena Finnerty and Robert Knotts, Evansville, son, Zaxton Colt, June 12

Ashley and Benjamin Wright, Newburgh, daughter, Emma Lucille, June 12

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA

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“LEFT JAB AND RIGHT JAB” JUNE 20, 2019

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“LEFT JAB AND RIGHT JAB”

“Right Jab And Left Jab” was created because we have two commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE” or “Readers Forum” columns concerning National or International issues.
Joe Biden and Ronald Reagan’s comments are mostly about issues of national interest.  The majority of our “IS IT TRUE” columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give Mr. Biden and Mr. Reagan exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and RIGHT JAB”  column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB” AND “RIGHT JAB” several times a week.  Oh, “Left Jab” is a liberal view and the “Right Jab is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments of the two gentlemen is free to do so.

FOOTNOTE: Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

ADOPT A PET

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Ginger is a 9-year-old female orange tabby. She was surrendered March 6th due to her family’s allergies. She currently lives in the Cageless Cat Lounge and is getting along with everyone! Her adoption fee is $40 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

ADOPT A PET

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Elizabeth is a beautiful female Shepherd mix! She was surrendered to the VHS with her three puppies, who have now all been adopted. Now hopefully it’s her turn soon! She’s about 2 years old and her foster mom says she’s wonderful. Her adoption fee is $110 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

 

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