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“IS IT TRUE” DECEMBER 28, 2018

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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  we are told that the chickens of 2009 may be coming home to roost on the City of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, and some surrogate agencies during the 2019 election cycle?…we are told that several lawsuits could be filed during the coming months for wrongful dismissal, defamation of character, restraint of trade, and the negative impacts associated with such actions?…we are also told that the current and past Mayors may well be named as respondents in the forthcoming suits that are up against the 10 year statute of limitations for grievances of this nature?…that during the same time period the actions of a former City official lead to a settlement for a former CEO of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau?…we were told that the reality at that time was that many non-profit agencies were alter egos of the City of Evansville and other government supporters because the boards of directors of these organizations were dominated by politics in ways that corrupted their independence?…piercing that veil that is supposed to be intact would expose local government to significant settlements for meddling in the management of governmental controlled non-profits?…the director’s and officer’s insurance policies of all of these agencies and their alter ego status could be quite expensive when the extent of the financial damages they caused are adjudicated?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Courier and Press was slammed for publishing an article on the sad fact that the origins of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana happened in Evansville where the first charter for the hate group was signed?…there are many people who are posting comments that it is not appropriate to point out that this started here and are quite offended to learn this undisputed fact?…the reality is that all places have a thing or two that do not make their residents proud but it does a bit of good to revisit one’s past so that the sins of the past to not repeat themselves in the future?…while one thing that most people can agree on is that the Ku Klux Klan was a despicable hate-based organization that has no place in a kind and loving world, to deny the past is to doom something to be repeated in the future?  …perhaps a commendation is warranted for every citizen of Evansville/Vanderburgh County who can take the remainder in stride and reaffirm their commitment to inclusion, diversity, peace, love, and understanding in a world that seems to be foaming at the mouth for contention?

IS IT TRUE  for many years we have been telling our readers that the City of Evansville Employee Health Insurance had several million dollar deficits with very little money in the rainy day fund to bring these medical bring bills current? …every time we brought this subject up to the people in the Controllers office all we heard from them were the sound of crickets?

IS IT TRUE we expect that one day the seven (7) current Evansville City Council members will finally realize the mistake they made when they voted to release $500,000 dollars of taxpayers dollars to the embattled ECHO Housing Corp. of Evansville, Ind.?  …we believe  that this vote may prove to be one of the reasons why several City Council members may have a difficult time of being re-elected? 
IS IT TRUE that last year the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation purchased a golf course?…the large block of acreage on the Northside where people play one of the sports of kings was picked up by the EVSC for the handsome sum of $3.5 Million? …golf is a declining sport when it comes to mass participation and it is no wonder that the family who owned the course were open to letting it go?…we wonder why the EVSC could not find a piece of land that was undeveloped, so they could get a better price?
IS IT TRUE everyone is aware that the population is moving out if the City of Evansville and into the unincorporated area on the North and West side?…at this point there is a new North High School, a new McCutchanville and this land is slated for a new Junior High, none of which would have been necessary if the City of Evansville had not been allowed to degrade to the point of no return?…we predict the Northside schools will continue to dominate the academic performance rankings along with the Signature School and area Catholic schools?…we wonder why the City of Evansville based schools and especially those on the South and Southeast sides have been allowed to degrade to the point that the kids are performing at a failing grade level?
IS IT TRUE last year the basketball championship games of the GLVC tournaments drew a disappointing total of 809 people to the Ford Center on Sunday? …one semifinal session with USI playing drew 929 attendees while the other only drew 401?…there were two championship games, one for men and one for women and only 7% of the seats in Ford Center were occupied?…the tickets, when bought in the overall ticket package, were less than $2 per game and still the crowd was paltry? …we hope that the newly hired CEO of the Evansville Sports Corporation will correct the marketing mistakes of the past by creating sporting events that will be an economic boom for Evansville proper?
IS IT TRUE that government works best when its shut down? ….that the stock markets flourishes best when the government is shut down?  …government works best when President Trump doesn’t tweet?
IS IT TRUE Mayor Winnecke will file for re-election at the Civic Center on January 9, 2019?   …following his filing, he will be hosting a campaign “Gala” at Party Central for his many supporters?
Todays“Readers Poll” question is: If the Republican primary for the Mayor of Evansville was held today who would you vote for?
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St. Vincent Evansville Birth Announcements for December

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Octavia James and Vernon Jones, Evansville, son, Vernon Joseph Jr., December 17

Michelle and Jeremy Wells, Reed, KY, son, Levi Sawyer, December 17

Abby and Daniel Roach, Newburgh, daughter, Anna Katherine, December 17

Erica and Jeffrey Sharp, Rockport, IN, daughter, Kinlee Grace, December 18

Lauren and Matthew Menke, Evansville, daughter, Briar Joy, December 18

Candace Todd and Adam LaRue, Henderson, KY, daughter, Jane Logan, December 19

Chelsea Vasquez and Blake Devine, Evansville, son, Noah Alan, December 19

Mary Raben and Rodney Broshears Jr., Evansville, son, Zeke Van, December 19

Chasidy and Christopher Tewell, Fort Branch, IN, son, Jensen Zeke, December 19

Susan and Drew Greenwell, Waverly, KY, son, John Luke, December 19

Pam and Hugh Stogsdill, Fort Branch, IN, son, Jaxyn Hugh, December 19

Abigail Weller and Nathan Miller, Evansville, son, Elijah Michael, December 20

Angela Thomas and Antonio Hale, Evansville, son, Ayden Demarco, December 20

Harli and Benton Evans, Mount Vernon, IN, daughter, Brynlee Faye, December 20

Audrianna Fuchs and Jesse Hertel, Evansville, daughter, Mila Rae, December 21

Ciara Winstead and DeMario Ray, Newburgh, son, Jamar Antwon, December 21

Oteasha Martin and Glenn Eastwood, Evansville, son, X’Aviyon Rayshawn, December 22

  1. Shellie and Steven Young, Evansville, son, Paxton Gray, December 22

Victoria Austin, Evansville, daughter, Marcella Rosalind, December 23

Lindsey and Mason Kempf, Evansville, daughter, Sloane Olivia, December 23

 

Records: Probe of Indiana’s AG Cost Taxpayers At Least $26K

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IL for www.theindianalawyer.com

An investigation into allegations that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill drunkenly groped four women at a party last March cost taxpayers at least $26,300, according to records obtained through open records requests.

Special prosecutor Daniel Sigler’s bill totaled $5,217 — mostly for hourly wages — while the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department paid an estimated $3,226 for a sex crime detective’s work on the Hill investigation, The Indianapolis Star reported.

But the bulk of the expenses, $17,861, came from the office of Inspector General Lori Torres, which opened its inquiry after requests by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and legislative leadership.

Documents from Torres’ office show that a special agent worked 285 hours for total expenses of $8,618, while various legal professionals worked about 200 hours, with an average hourly wage of $41.62, for a total of $8,344, the Star reported.

The remaining balance was paid for 27 hours of work from a transcriptionist and 1.5 hours of an administrative assistant.

Hill, a Republican, has denied allegations that he inappropriately touched an Indiana lawmaker and three legislative assistants during a March 15 party held at an Indianapolis bar to mark the end of the legislative session.

In October, Sigler declined to file criminal charges against Hill, saying he lacked sufficient evidence to secure a battery conviction.

Hill was also cleared of any ethical breaches by the Inspector General’s office, which released a searing report detailing its findings.

That report said eyewitnesses told investigators that Hill’s behavior at the party was inappropriate, “creepy” and made many of the women at the party uncomfortable. But he didn’t break any state ethics rules.

Hill declined to comment on the cost of the investigation through his spokesman, Chris Proffitt, who noted the costs were incurred by other agencies. Hill hasn’t used any public funds to defend himself, instead of drawing on campaign money and creating a legal defense fund.

It’s unclear whether taxpayer funding would pay for Hill’s defense in a potential civil case. Documents first disclosed by the Star show that Hill’s office drafted a contract that would pay $100,000 to the Indianapolis law firm of Betz and Blevins to represent Hill and his office.

Hill’s office has declined to answer questions asking whether Hill intended to pursue that agreement.

Hill’s private attorney, Kevin Betz, said he doesn’t plan to take any public funds to defend Hill against any civil or discrimination claims.

Lamasco Bar Hosts Family Friendly Drag Show

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Lamasco Bar Hosts Family Friendly Drag Show

DECEMBER 27TH, 2018 TYRONE MORRIS EVANSVILLE, INDIANA

It’s proven to be a controversial topic but drag shows are nothing new for one local bar and grill. For the last six months, Lamasco in Evansville has played host to a monthly drag show.

They invited people of all ages to come to enjoy a family-friendly show to spread a little holiday cheer.

Though, it’s not just about the glitz and glamor and performing. For many of these drag queens events like this give them a chance to meet people in the community

Drag queen Londyn Starz says, “Character development is exhausting. Cause you learn things as you go. But I think the most exciting thing would probably just networking.”

The performers take the stage at Lamasco on the last Thursday of every month.

Thursday night was the first family-friendly show for the bar.

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YESTERYEAR BY PAT SIDES

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SALMS CLOTHING STORE

The northeast corner of Fourth and Main was home to the locally-owned Salm’s clothing store, which was still thriving when this photo was taken in the 1950s.

A few months after the retailer’s president died in 1967, the family announced that the business would be liquidated after a decades-long run downtown. Founded by brothers Isaac and Samuel Salm, the store opened in 1907 and relocated to 400 Main in 1934.

The prominent five-story building was razed in late 1971, along with others that fell victim to urban renewal and the relocation of Old National Bank at the other end of the block. Since that time, the old Salm’s site has been vacant, functioning as a park and playground in the midst of a changing downtown landscape. 

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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 Below Are The Felony Cases To Be Filed By The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office Today.

Roger Dale Carroll: Battery resulting in bodily injury to a pregnant woman (Level 5 Felony), Intimidation (Level 6 Felony)

Jeffrey Wayne Cross Jr.: Auto theft (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony), Reckless driving (Class C misdemeanor), Disregarding automatic signal (Class C infraction)

Paris Jimmerson: Attempt Fraud on a financial institution (Level 5 Felony)

Benjamin J. Norris: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)

Amanda Lynne Porter: Auto theft (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), False informing (Class B misdemeanor)

Michael John Turpen: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony)

Saul Lara Rivera: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), Operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license (Class A misdemeanor), Leaving the scene of an accident (Class B misdemeanor)

Terrice Holt: Conspiracy Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony)

Taria D. Buchanan: Conspiracy Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), False informing (Class B misdemeanor)

Scott A. Bastain: Failure of a sex offender to possess identification (Level 6 Felony)

Isaac James Horne: Stalking (Level 5 Felony), Invasion of privacy (Level 6 Felony)

Andrew C. Kemp: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor)

Elmer Jones Jay Demoss Jr.: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Invasion of privacy (Class A misdemeanor)

Stacy Jean True: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony)

Timothy Allen Wilson: Aggravated battery (Level 3 Felony), Criminal confinement (Level 3 Felony)

James R. Connor: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)

Dwayne Lavell Dixon: Battery against a public safety official (Level 6 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor)

April Dawn Amos: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class A misdemeanor)

Shawn Marie Stehlik: Operating a vehicle as an habitual traffic violator (Level 6 Felony), Speeding (Class C infraction)

 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Shaina Erin Moore: Theft (Level 6 Felony), Criminal trespass (Class A misdemeanor)

Michael V. O’neal: Failure to register as a sex or violent offender (Level 6 Felony)

Michael Dewayne Charles: Burglary (Level 5 Felony), Burglary (Level 5 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony), Theft (Level 6 Felony)

Katrina Nichole Bennett: Escape (Level 5 Felony)

READERS COMMENT POSTED BY PAST COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHN FRIEND-CPA

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Thanks Pete. I personally enjoy reading your well thought out comments. Our only focus is “good public policy” regardless of ones political affiliations.

Editor

Pete

Thanks for your input.The County Commission and County Council allow citizens to address them without a time limit. City Council allows citizens to address them, for only 3 minutes. Our point is 3 minutes is to short for any person who want to discuss a governmental issue that that concerns or effect them. Granted some people carried away and ramble which shouldn’t be allowed.

Our point is that members of the Vanderburgh County Commission and County County practice good public policy and transparency by allowing taxpayers the opportunity to address them without any time limit. We feel that the Evansville City Council should do similar.

Thanks for your input.
Editor

 

I don’t think the CCO and some of the contributors have a good grasp on law regarding participation in public meetings. First of all, the public has a right to attend and observe—only. Participation is not a right afforded by free speech or otherwise. Those meetings are for the purpose of the public board to conduct business on behalf of the public, not necessarily with the public. They are totally within the law to eliminate any public comment if they wish. I don’t agree with that position, but they can do it. As for three minutes, well if you can’t state your position in three minutes, you are editorializing. The chair should have the right, and capability to control the meeting. This blog is for editorializing, a public meeting is not.

Pete

Thanks for your input.The County Commission and County Council allow citizens to address them without a time limit. City Council allows citizens to address them, for only 3 minutes. Our point is 3 minutes is to short for any person who want to discuss a governmental issue that that concerns or effect them. Granted some people carried away and ramble which shouldn’t be allowed.

Our point is that members of the Vanderburgh County Commission and County County practice good public policy and transparency by allowing taxpayers the opportunity to address them without any time limit. We feel that the Evansville City Council should do similar.

Thanks for your input.
Editor

 

 

 

John,

I agree with your post. I was unaware of the rigid nature of the governance currently in place at the Council meetings. I am a proponent of giving the chair the proper tools with which to control a meeting. That said, I would also expect the chair to exercise a flexible use of that control to allow an adequate opportunity for a taxpayer to appropriately express themselves.

 

IS IT TRUE we wonder how many members of the Evansville City Council are aware that the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 protects people with orthopedic, visual, speech and hearing impairments issues?

IS IT TRUE  we wonder if the unreasonable “3-minute Governmental Censorship” rule imposed two (2) years ago by former Evansville City Council President Missy Mosby (D) could be something that members of the “Indivisible Evansville” group should address?

IS IT TRUE we wonder if City Council will provide an interpreter for those attending Council meeting who have a major hearing problem or may be deaf that want to address the Council about a city issue? …we also wonder if Council President Jim Brinkmeyer (D) will impose the unreasonable “3-minute Governmental Censorship” rule when a hearing impaired persons address Council?

IS IT TRUE we wonder how Council President Jim Brinkmeyer (D) would handle a request from persons who have a speaking challenge because they have a serious studdering problem? …we wonder if Mr. Brinkmeyer (D) will impose the unreasonable “3-minute Governmental Censorship” rule on them when they address Council?

IS IT TRUE if a Civil Rights attorney who is well versed on the end and outs of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 made a presentation on this subject would City Council President Jim Brinkmeyer (D) cut him off from speaking on this highly complexed legal subject after three (3) minutes?

 

Pete,

During my tenure as President of the Evansville City Council, I contemplated limiting public input regarding issues, but I believed that those who elected us as their representatives should have a forum to express their grievances and concerns.

There were instances where individuals as you would say, editorialized and when occurred, it was my responsibility to terminate the discussion with dignity. Your assessment is correct about the right of the public to address the common councils, i.e. the councils have the ruling authority. but, common sense should rule the day and allow open public discussion.

The limiting discussion has its purpose, but, on many occasions, three minutes will not be sufficient especially when council members have a discussion among themselves running out the clock. Implementing a one size fits all approach may be interpreted as censorship resulting in degrees of suspicion by the public.

Consequently, the councils should allow any individual to state the subject matter to be discussed and in some cases where the complexities of a particular issue, the individual should request and the chair should grant an extension of time. Apparently, the present policy seems to be too inflexible and probably will not help reduce the negative opinion of City Council of the electorate.

FOOTNOTE: The City-County Observer recently posted a “READERS POLL” and the final results were:  462 people casts votes.  370 voted ‘YES.”  57 voted “NO” and 35 said they had “NO IDEA.”

They “READERS POLL” question was:  Do you feel that the Evansville City Council should resend the unreasonable “3-Minutes Governmental Censorship” speaking rule?

Men’s basketball back in action Sunday at Miami

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Aces and RedHawks play at noon CT

In its final non-conference game of the regular season, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team travels to Miami Ohio for a 12 p.m. CT contest on Sunday afternoon

– Live video will be available via ESPN+

 

Setting the Scene

– The Purple Aces put their 6-6 mark on the line in Sunday’s contest against the RedHawks

– UE has won five in a row against Miami and 9 out of 10 in the series

– It will mark the second trip of the season to the Cincinnati area as UE played its second game of the year at Xavier

– Evan Kuhlman is from that part of Ohio and had the best game of his career against the Musketeers, recording 12 points

 

Last Time Out

– Another great second half effort pushed the Aces past Green Bay, 80-75, on December 22

– K.J. Riley scored a career-high 24 points while hitting 12 out of 14 free throw attempts

– Evansville’s defense clamped down once again, holding the Phoenix to 40.3% shooting overall and 39.4% in the second half

– Free throw shooting also played a role, the Aces finished at 85.7% (24/28) marking the fourth time in the last five games UE has shot 75% from the charity stripe

– For the season, Evansville has taken 49 more free throws than the opposition

 

Takeaways from Green Bay

– After the first nine games of the season were all decided by six or more points, the last three have been decided by five or fewer

– With his 12 free throw makes and 14 tries, K.J. Riley is now in the top 34 in the nation in both statistics

– Marty Hill hit double figures for the 5th time in the last six games

– Shea Feehan was scoreless in a season-low 13 minutes; he has a total of two points in the last two games

– Devan Straub made his home debut, playing two minutes

 

Scouting the Opponent

– Miami is 7-5 in 2018 and have won four of their last five games including a 79-55 win over South Carolina State on Dec. 20

– Nike Sibande leads the RedHawks with 17 points per game while Dalonte Brown stands with 14.9 points per contest

– Brown is their top rebounder with 5.9 per game

– Bam Bowman has scored 9.5 points per game and is their most accurate shooter at 57.6% overall and 47.6% from outside the arc

 

 

IU McKinney, WTC Indianapolis Create International Trade Law LL.M. Track

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IL for www.theindianalawyer.com

A new partnership between an Indiana-based global trade organization and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law has resulted in a new educational track for foreign-born lawyers pursuing a Master of Laws degree from the Indianapolis law school.

IU McKinney and World Trade Center Indianapolis announced last week the creation of the Master of Laws track in international trade law, the seventh track available to the school’s LL.M. students. The track was created pursuant to a memorandum of understanding signed by the law school and WTC Indianapolis on Thursday, creating a program that seeks to combine higher education and business and provide law students with opportunities to garner legal experience in the areas of international trade and commerce.

The international trade law track will be launched in 2019 following a pilot program earlier this year.

“World Trade Center Indianapolis is pleased to partner with IU McKinney School of Law to offer hands-on legal training in international trade,” WTC Indianapolis President and CEO Doris Anne Sadler said in a statement through the law school. “International trade conducted in Indiana accounted for over $92 billion in economic activity in just the last year. Our state’s long-term economic growth relies on strengthening our connections abroad through education and commerce.”

As the only WTC licensed in Indiana, WTC Indianapolis connects Hoosier businesses to a global marketplace through a network of more than 300 World Trade Centers across the world. During the pilot program, McKinney students served in pro bono service roles with WTC Indianapolis that allowed them to lead trade missions to China, coordinate inbound trade missions with officials from foreign business, and assist in organizing a memorandum of understanding between WTC Indianapolis and World Trade Center Harbin in China.

“Thanks to their experiences with World Trade Center Indianapolis, our LL.M. students have graduated and entered the workplace with practical knowledge of and expertise in international trade,” IU McKinney vice dean Karen Bravo said in a statement. “Whether they return to their home countries or seek a career in the United States, they are well-prepared to apply the knowledge and skills earned in expanding Indiana’s international and foreign investment footprint to their post-graduation professional endeavors.”

WTC Indianapolis chair Greg Zoeller said he expects the MOU to have long-term benefits for the Hoosier state while providing unique opportunities for IU McKinney students.

“These students will become international trade ambassadors for Indianapolis and the State of Indiana through their experience with our world-class law school,” Zoeller said in a statement.

 

FOOD INSPECTION REPORT FOR VANDERBURGH COUNTY

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Food Inspection Reports 12-27-18

1...3,6983,6993,700...7,198Page 3,699 of 7,198