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Kwiatkowski Named Interim Executive Director at Indiana State Board of Education

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Gov. Eric J. Holcomb  said he has appointed Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski as interim executive director of the Indiana State Board of Education to replace Matt Voors, who has accepted a position outside of state government. Dr. Kwiatkowski will continue to be the governor’s senior education adviser.

“Lee Ann will serve in this dual role as we work through the legislative session. We’re fortunate to have someone with her mix of expertise and experience to lead the board’s operations,” said Gov. Holcomb.

Dr. Kwiatkowski was named senior education adviser to Gov. Holcomb in May 2018. She previously served as chief of staff to Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick. Before that, she was a principal and assistant superintendent for M.S.D. Warren Township. From 2005 to 2011, she worked for the Indiana Department of Education, leading Title I, differentiated learning and school turnaround efforts. She began her career in education in 1984 as a classroom teacher and literacy facilitator for Indianapolis Public Schools.

 

Key Committee To Consider Sullivan’s Workforce Legislation

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The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday will consider State Rep. Holli Sullivan’s (R-Evansville) legislation to strengthen Indiana’s workforce pipeline.

Sullivan said House Bill 1002 would reallocate funds to proven workforce programs so Hoosiers could increase their certifications, earn stackable credentials and secure high-paying jobs in high-demand fields to meet the changing needs of Indiana employers.

“Indiana is ranked among the top 10 in the nation for our business climate and pro-growth policies, but more needs to be done to build up our workforce and better prepare Hoosiers for careers in high-demand fields,” Sullivan said. “By building off of our previous work, promoting early career exploration and encouraging employers to participate in successful workforce programs, we can increase our talent pipelines and fill the needs of businesses today and in the future.”

According to Sullivan, the legislation would also prioritize career and technical education and provide additional flexibility for schools to partner with employers and establish work-based learning opportunities.

The committee will meet upon the adjournment of session on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Statehouse. Visit iga.in.gov to watch the committee hearing live and learn more about House Bill 1002.

 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: OPPOSED TO LIBRARY DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR

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OPPOSED TO LIBRARY DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR

by THERESE FINN

My name is Therese Finn and I live in Evansville. I do not support the drag queen story hour plans with the library.  I presently have my own business but also have a college background in Child Development and Family life as well as having raised 4 children.

I think as tax payers and as voters we as citizens have the right to know where our leaders stand on this issue and what if anything you are willing to do about it.  Along with many things I could say about the harmful effects this has on our child’s brain and development

I also am appalled at the library’s obvious liberal agenda. I do not believe that Evansville wishes to follow the same path as some other states like New York and California who have been an avid proponent of this project. As a business owner I am very aware that the reason people move out of some of these areas and into the Midwest is because we have common sense conservative values that support both business and family life in a positive way.  This program does not support the voters and taxpayers in any way and is an embarrassment to the values and goals of this area.

I would also like to say that if there are positions on the EVPL board that are open I would be willing to consider serving in this capacity.

Sincerely, 

THERESE FINN

FOOTNOTE: The City-County Observer posted this article with bias or editing.

SOUTHWEST INDIANA CHAMBER ANNOUNCES RESULTS FROM FAMILY BUSINESS PEER GROUP STUDY

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The Southwest Indiana Chamber Family Business Alliance in partnership with the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center announced the results of a study performed by Diehl Consulting Group to examine and understand the efficacy of the Family Business Alliance Next Generation Peer group.

The Next Generation Peer Group members are emerging leaders in various family owned businesses in Southwest Indiana. These businesses represent over 1300 employees and $450 mil in revenue. Participants were interviewed and asked questions to help evaluate the efficacy and impact of peer group meetings.

All participants interviewed reported that participation in the Next Generation Peer Group was yielding positive benefits, with 86% reporting that they strongly agreed they received positive benefits.

Overall, a number of key benefits were identified and include:

1. Gaining insights into effective business practices related to strategic planning, operational practices, personnel decisions, employee engagement, time management and overall leadership;

2. Finding support, understanding and practical suggestions for issues that are unique to family owned businesses;

3. Creating and deepening professional and personal peer to peer relationships.

4. Better connections with the Southwest Indiana community and becoming aware of and invited to attend other groups were also noted as benefits.

Peer group member, Katie Lowhorn said, “The Next Generation Peer Group has provided us the opportunity to share ideas and best practices to achieve next level success. As a part of a multi-generational family owned-business, I have enjoyed the networking and relationship building with other professionals in our wonderful community.”

“Peer Groups are a critical strategy for Chambers of the future. The outcomes of this review underscore the Chamber-Southwest Indiana SBDC commitment to serve the interests of family and locally-owned businesses that are critical to the future of this region, said Southwest Indiana Chamber President and CEO, Tara Barney.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Family Business Alliance or participating in a Family Business Alliance Peer Group, contact Kim Howard, Regional Director, Southwest Indiana SBDC at khoward@swinchamber.com. Or go to: www.swinchamber.com/family-business-alliance/.

About the Family Business Alliance

The Southwest Indiana Chamber Family Business Alliance (FBA) started in early 2015 in partnership with the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC). The goal of the FBA is to provide resources that support and encourage the health and growth of family enterprises by providing educational events, networking, and access to industry experts. A Steering Committee comprised primarily of family owned businesses works with the Chamber and the ISBDC to develop programs and events targeted to family business enterprises in Southwest Indiana. A key aspect of its work in 2018 included launching a Next Generation Peer Group.

About Southwest Indiana Chamber

Since 1915, the Southwest Indiana Chamber has been a trusted ally of the regional business community. Today we are one of the state’s largest, strongest, and most impactful nonprofit business organizations, representing a total membership of more than 1,500 businesses, organizations, and agencies. About one-third of members have invested in our organization for 10 or more years. While nearly all major employers in our region invest in the Southwest Indiana Chamber, 71% of our member businesses have 25 or fewer employees.

Learn more about the Chamber, our members, and the Southwest Indiana regional business community at www.swinchamber.com. 318 Main St., Suite 401, Evansville, IN 47708.

Former Rep. Messer Joins Faegre Baker Daniels

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IL for www.theindianalawyer.com

Former Indiana Congressman Luke Messer has joined Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting as a principal in Washington, D.C., where he will advise businesses and other entities across the nation on federal regulatory and policy developments.

Messer, a Republican who served Indiana’s 6th Congressional District from 2013 to 2019, will co-lead the firm’s bipartisan federal advocacy team with Faegre principal Ted Bristol, who served as a legislative advisor to senior Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate.

“I am excited to join a major firm with a strong presence in Washington, D.C. and nationwide,” Messer said. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues to help clients navigate the complex maze of federal policy decisions in Washington.”

Messer opted to run for the U.S. Senate during the 2018 midterms instead of seeking re-election to the House. However, he lost in the May Republican primary to Jasper businessman Mike Braun, who eventually beat incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in November.

While on Capitol Hill, Messer successfully authored legislation addressing banking, taxation, immigration, federal deregulation, foreign affairs and education issues. He served on the House committees on financial services, education and the workforce, budget and foreign affairs. Also, he was chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, focusing partly on clean energy, women in the workforce, law enforcement and the American worker.

Tom Froehle, Faegre Baker Daniels chair and managing partner, said the law firm was pleased to welcome Messer.

“Our firm has always had an active practice working with federal, state and local government decision makers,” he said. “Luke’s addition strengthens our expertise and ability to help clients achieve their (legal and) public policy objectives.”

Messer graduated summa cum laude from Wabash College with a bachelor’s degree in speech in 1991 and earned a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1994.

TODAYS BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS  REGULAR MEETING

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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

 REGULAR MEETING

 KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER

CHAMBERS in ROOM 301,

CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX

 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 At

12:00 NOON

 AGENDA

1.      CALL TO ORDER

2.      MEETING MEMORANDUM   JANUARY 2, 2019

                                                          

3.      CONSENT AGENDA     

         a.   N/A

                                                                                                                        

4.     OLD BUSINESS  

          a.   N/A

 

5.       NEW BUSINESS  

          a.   Request Re: Permission to eliminate Tuesday Pricing at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic

                Garden. –Beck

          b.   Request Re: Permission to cancel the 7-10 PM Public Session at Swonder Ice Arena 

                January 18, 2019, for a Junior Thunderbolts game and the USI Residence Life 

                Program. – Fankhouser

  1. Request Re: Permission for National Skate Month participants to stay for the public skate session from 1-3pm at no charge.- Fankhouser
  2. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Hafer PSC for Deaconess Aquatic

Center .- Holtz

          e.   Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments

6.        REPORTS

           a.   Brian Holtz- Executive Director

       

7.        ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS

 

8.        ADJOURN

ADOPT A PET

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It’s the three blind mice! Okay, they aren’t blind, but they still need a home. Three male mice who are 7 months old. (They all look exactly the same.) Their adoption fee is $15 total ($5 each.) Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

Lt. Gov. Crouch Statement On State of the State address

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 “Our governor Eric Holcomb continues to build upon the successes the legislature and previous administrations have made. His plans to increase teacher pay and develop a skilled workforce will pay dividends for future generations of Hoosiers.

“It is imperative we are keeping on the path of taking Indiana and those who call it home to the Next Level, and I look forward to working with our governor to meet our goals.”

Nationally recognized choir to present concert Downtown

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The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana presents a world-class choral concert this month as part of the nonprofit’s Classics by Candlelight concert series.

Millikin University Choir performs 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20 at First Presbyterian Church, 609 S.E. Second St. in Evansville.

The choir, from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, will perform as part of its annual winter tour, showcasing its reputation for innovative programming and tonal variety with a repertoire spanning five centuries.

The choir has a deep touring history including performances in Scandinavia, Russia, Haiti, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, China, Taiwan, the Baltic States and throughout the United Kingdom.

For more information, contact Zach Evans with the Arts Council at zach.evans@artswin.org, or Robert Nicholls with First Presbyterian Church at robertn@firstpresevansville.com.

The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana is a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Downtown Evansville at 212 Main St. The Arts Council operates the Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Art Gallery and is the only free public arts space in the city.

The Arts Council’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and support economic development through advocacy and promotion of the arts, arts education and arts organizations in Southwest Indiana. To learn more about the Arts Council, visit artswin.org, and follow them on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.

Eagles Head West For Two GLVC Bouts

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University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball heads west to take on Rockhurst University Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri, and William Jewell College Saturday at 1 p.m. in Liberty, Missouri.

The Screaming Eagles (11-4, 4-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference) begin the week following a 75-49 win over visiting Quincy University this past Saturday at the Physical Activities Center. Senior guard Alex Davidson (Salem, Indiana) had 18 points, six rebounds and five assists to pace the Eagles, while junior guard Ashley Johnson (Louisville, Kentucky) finished with seven points, seven assists and five steals.

Davidson leads the Eagles on the year with 13.2 points and 3.9 assists per game, while senior center Kacy Eschweiler (St. Charles, Missouri) is chipping in 11.8 points and a team-best 7.7 rebounds. Sophomore forward Imani Guy (Columbus, Indiana) is averaging 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest, while Johnson and sophomore guard Emma DeHart (Indianapolis, Indiana) are each averaging 9.5 points per outing.

Both games this weekend will be aired live on 95.7 The Spin and the GLVC Sports Network, while live stats, audio and video can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com. GLVCSN is available both on your desktop and mobile/tablet devices as well as four over-the top (OTT) platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV 4th Gen. GLVCSN.com is the official website of GLVCSN, while the GLVCSN mobile app is available for iOS in the App Store and Android on Google Play.

USI Women’s Basketball Notes
• Eagles split GLVC play last week. USI Women’s Basketball went 1-1 in GLVC play last week, falling to Truman State, 83-72, Thursday before earning a 75-49 win over Quincy. USI outshot and outrebounded both opponents, but too many fouls led to a combined 45 points at the charity stripe.

• Last week’s leaders. Led by sophomore forward Imani Guy, who averaged 13.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 block per game last week, the Eagles had five players average in double figures on the week and eight average at least 6.5 points per appearance. Senior guard Alex Davidson added 12.5 points and 3.5 assists per contest, while junior guard Ashley Johnson contributed 10.5 points, 6.5 assists and 2.5 steals per outing. Senior forward/center Mikayla Rowan dished in 10.0 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game.

• Double-figures. Freshman forward Ashlynn Brown scored a season-high 10 points in USI’s win over Quincy, making her the ninth different USI player to score in double figures this year. USI has had seven different players reach double-figures in the scoring column multiple times in 2018-19 and four different players reach the 20-point plateau.

• Distribution. USI averaged 17.0 assists per game last week, including 20 assists in its win over Quincy. The Eagles’ ball distributors put USI in position to shoot 46.8 percent (59-126) from the field on the week.

• Rowan posts first-career double-double. Rowan recorded her first career double-double in the Eagles’ loss to Truman as she finished with 11 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Senior center Kacy Eschweiler also grabbed 11 boards in the loss, marking the first time this year the Eagles have had multiple players with 10-or-more rebounds.

• GLVC Tournament Points Rating System. After three weeks of GLVC play, the GLVC Tournament Points Rating System (GTPRS) has the Eagles in second place with a rating of 4.20. Drury (4.30) leads the league, while Lewis (4.10), Truman State (4.08), Maryville (3.42) and Bellarmine (3.10) round out the top six in the standings. The GTPRS will determine the participants and seeding of the GLVC Tournament in 2018-19.

• Up next. USI travels to Kansas City, Missouri, to take on Rockhurst Thursday before visiting William Jewell Saturday in Liberty, Missouri.

• About Rockhurst. The Hawks begin the week with a 5-8 overall record and a 1-4 mark in GLVC play after losing the last three contests. Junior guard Madeline Ronshausen averages 16.2 points and 2.4 assists per game to lead Rockhurst, while junior forward Marisa Lowe is contributing 10.8 points per contest. Two years ago, Lowe scorched the Eagles for 30 points and eight rebounds in an 84-79 USI victory at the PAC, but she red-shirted a year ago.

• About William Jewell. The Cardinals, who host Bellarmine Thursday evening, begin the week with an 8-5 overall record and a 2-3 mark in GLVC play after a 72-51 road win over Rockhurst last week. Freshman guard Antoinette Mussorici averages 12.2 points and 2.3 assists per game to lead the Cardinals, while sophomore forward Kiara Bradley is contributing 11.5 points and a team-best 5.5 rebounds per contest.

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