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 we are told that the EPD Criminal investigation and the Forensic Audit of ECHO Housing have long been completed? …we are told that the findings of the EPD Criminal investigation and the Forensic Audit have been in the possession of the Feds for several months?

IS IT TRUE many people are still wondering why the North Main Street “Jacobsville Join-In” Association closed abruptly early this year without giving any explanation to neighbors of that area and /or City Council members?  …the North Main Street “Jacobsville Join-In” Association was operated by Echo Housing and was funded by the Evansville DMD? …we are told by several people working at the Civic Center that they suspect that the reason for the abrupt closing of “Jacobsville Join-In” office is that they could be part of the Forensic Audit of ECHO Housing?

IS IT TRUE that over the last 6 months City Officials have met with several potential out of town investors to discuss bringing a quality grocery store/retail development to the North Main area of Evansville?  …we give them five (5) cheers for trying to encourage developers to consider building a store/retail development in the North Main Street area?

IS IT TRUE we been told that the First Ward City Council candidate Tim O’Brien works at F. C. Tucker/Emge Reality?  …that Zachary Heronemus the 3rd Ward candidate for City Council works at F. C. Tucker/Emge Reality? …that City Council members Johnathan Weaver and Missy Mosby also work at F. C. Tucker/Emge Reality?

IS IT TRUE we are told that newly elected Vanderburgh County Commissioner Jeff Hatfield is having a lot of one on one meetings with County Department heads in order that he can get a feel of wants going on within the county?  …we are told that the people he has met with so far are extremely impressed with him?

IS IT TRUE that The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted on Nov. 16 to award a license for a new Standardbred  (Harness) track between Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs? …that this lucrative opportunity to offer historical racing in the Oak Grove/ Hopkinsville market was awarded to the WKY Development group (Churchill Downs Inc. and minority partner Keeneland)?  … that CDI and Keeneland plan to build a $150 million five-eighths of a mile harness track that features entertainment, several upscale restaurants,  an equestrian center, and an upscale hotel? …when completed the Oak Grove/Hopkinsville Harness track is also expected to have around 1,500 Historical Horse Racing machines and simulcast horse racing? …construction is scheduled to start early in 2019?

IS IT TRUE that the legislation for “Sportsbook Gaming” in Indiana is quietly sailing through the appropriate State Senate and House of Representative sub-committees?  …we are told that the chances for this legislation passing in 2019 are quite good?

IS IT TRUE the most important ingredient that has been missing from the discussion on how to stretch the city budget is that the City Administration and the City Council needs to adherence to the principle that requires transparency and a willingness to be innovative in order to promote local government efficiencies?

IS IT TRUE it’s obvious that the Evansville City Council misses the political and business skills of former City Council members John Friend CPA and Curt John?

IS IT TRUE over the years we have made numerous reference that the Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities Board was not only known for their political patronage activities but was also used as a funding source to help the City of Evansville in their occasional financial cash flow problems?  … it’s safe to say that over the last several years the Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities Board has been acting as a bank for the City of Evansville by advancing them many millions of dollars in cash to help the city with cash shortfalls?

IS IT TRUE we have an outstanding group of law enforcement professionals that are doing everything they can to protect us?  …It’s almost impossible for members of law enforcement to stop anyone from killing someone?  …It’s obvious that its time for our elected officials to look for additional creative ways to help of our law enforcement agencies so they can do a better job fighting violent crime?

IS IT TRUE  a loyal reader sent us an article published in the AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet posted last year? …we feel this article could be of interest to our readers so we decided to publish it? …this article states that the Medicare program protects consumers by limiting how much physicians and other health professionals can charge Medicare patients? …the fact sheet describes Medicare’s “balance billing” rules for physician services and related rules for physicians who choose not to accept Medicare payment and instead have “private contracts” with all their patients who have Medicare?  …attached is the link of the summary Fact Sheet in this article?  … Read the Fact Sheet (PDF)?  …attached a link explaining Medicare’s current rules limited “balance billing” and private contracts provide important financial protection for consumers. Without these protections, Medicare beneficiaries would likely face higher out-of-pocket costs.

Two 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 Vice President/Corporate Relationship Manager II Old National Bank. He was the past AVP/Middle Market Commercial Relationship Manager with Fifth Third Bank-Evansville, IN. He was employed by Wells Fargo of Indianapolis before moving back to Evansville.

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 also gives back to our community in many ways by serving on such not-for-profit boards as the Boys and Girls Club (current board President), IU Alumni Association (past chapter president), IU College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Board, EVSC Foundation, Leadership Evansville and the Darrell Ragland Foundation. 

He has also previously served on such boards and committees as Evansville African American Museum Gala, Habitat for Humanity, WNIN (as a radio co-host and auctioneer), Harrison High School Booster Club, Corridor of Champions, Chamber of Commerce, United Way and many more. 

A lifelong resident and native of Evansville, Ben, and his wife, Shannon, are blessed with 3 children – Emma, 8, and 5-year-old twins; Sadie and Parker.

Commentary: Baby, It’s Repressive Around Here

Employment attorney Kevin Betz told The Indianapolis Star he won’t take state money, despite a draft of the contract that showed his firm, Betz + Blevins, would receive up to $100,000 in public money to represent Hill and the attorney general’s office. Betz, a longtime friend of Hill’s, would receive $550 an hour under the draft contract, first disclosed by the Star.

“I do not plan to take any public money for representing the state of Indiana, Curtis T. Hill or the Office of the Attorney General as to any of the facts asserted in the four (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) charges,” Betz said.

Hill spokesman Chris Proffitt said Betz’s firm is representing the state free of charge against the claims that four women have filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

“There is no legal action pending against Curtis Hill,” Proffitt noted. “The only filings, at this time, have been EEOC charges filed against the state of Indiana.”

A special prosecutor declined in October to pursue any criminal charges against Hill, despite a state report that witnesses said Hill touched the women inappropriately during the March party at an Indianapolis bar. Hill has denied groping the four women, including Democratic state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon.

So far, Hill hasn’t used any public funds to defend himself, instead of drawing on campaign money and creating a legal defense fund.

While public officials to use taxpayer funds to defend themselves in lawsuits related to acts that happened while they were acting in the capacity of a state employee, using such funds would be difficult to justify in Hill’s case, said Jennifer Drobac, an Indiana University law professor who studies sexual harassment.

“It’s perfectly understandable for Hoosiers to pick up the bill when a state employee is doing something they were supposed to be doing,” she said. “When Curtis Hill goes into a bar and (inappropriately touches women), that is nowhere near what he is supposed to be doing. I don’t know why taxpayers should be paying for it.”

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