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Only One Week Until The First Tradition Lottery Drawing Of 2019
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: IN SUPPORT OF DRAG QUEEN HOUR
IN SUPPORT OF DRAG QUEEN READING HOUR
BY WALLACE PAYNTER
The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library is joining other libraries around the nation, creating new and innovative programs that encourage reading.
The newest upcoming program, Drag Queen Reading Hour, is being created to promote diversity and to encourage student reading. The program is not a mandatory program that students have to attend. It is a program at a library where parents can choose to bring their kids.
There are many other reading programs which have adults dressed in costume, most recently the Santa reading hour.
As I read the details of the opposition’s petition, it focuses on sex and sexuality. It misses the mark … children’s story hour doesn’t discuss sex and sexuality. It’s a performer reading a book and doing crafts or activities … and letting the kids know that we are all different in some way and that’s okay.
I believe City Council member Justin Elpers has important issues to work on that impact city government. This isn’t one of them. Parents who support this program will take their kids to it. The publicity he has given this event will have the reverse effect …. I believe the event will be standing room only because of the publicity he has given the event.
My thanks to the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library for promoting diverse events that promote reading.
Click on this link to sign the petition in support of this program: https://www.change.org/p/evansville-vanderburgh-public-library-we-support-drag-queen-story-hour-at-evpl-d5d8c91b-a77c-40dd-a5e2-6cf8899f5766
Wally Paynter, President
Tri-State Alliance
Advocacy Group Pushes for Cigarette Tax Increase
Advocacy Group Pushes for Cigarette Tax Increase
JANUARY 9TH, 2019 
TYRONE MORRIS INDIANA
An advocacy group in Indiana is pushing for a $2 per pack cigarette tax. Raise it for Health released a new poll which shows the majority of Indiana voters are in favor of the tax as a way of getting people to stop smoking.
They say 70 percent favor the tax and 29 percent were against it. They say fewer people smoking means less money the state has to spend on smoking-related illness and health issues.
Raise it for Health chairman Brian Hannon says, “I mean this is an evidence-based solution. We’re not just promoting a cigarette tax to promote a cigarette tax. We know it drives down smoking rates, we know it keeps kids away from tobacco, and we know it raises significant new revenue that we can dedicate to other urgent public health programs.â€
A bill regarding this proposal is expected to be introduced during this year’s legislative session.
Opponents are worried any kind of tax is a tough sell for voters.
One Of Three Indiana Hate Crimes Bill Has Momentum; Evansville Groups Are For It
One Of Three Indiana Hate Crimes Bill Has Momentum; Evansville Groups Are For It
JANUARY 11TH, 2019 AMANDA PORTER INDIANA
Some lawmakers argue a hate crime law would restrict free speech, but Republican Governor Eric Holcomb is urging lawmakers to no longer be one of five states in the nation without a hate crimes law on the books.
Here in Southwestern Indiana supporters of the proposed hate crimes legislation say they’re optimistic the bill will pass this session.
Indiana state representative Ryan Hatfield co-sponsored one of the three hate crime bill considered in this year’s General Assembly, and House Bill 1093 seems to be getting the most traction.
Different groups in Evansville say it’s not the perfect hate crimes Bill, but agree it’s a step in the right direction.
Indiana is one of five states in the U.S. Without a hate crimes law, but legislators and groups in the Hoosier state are pushing to change that.
“I do think that is an embarrassment. So every time there is a Swastika that is put on a temple, or our local temple had someone shoot a bullet through one of the windows. That is something that could be considered that this happens locally, and it happens in Indiana,†says Tri-State Alliance President Wally Paynter.
A bias crimes bill authored by Representative Gregory Steuerwald, and co-sponsored by Indiana Representatives Wendy Mcnamara and Ryan Hatfield doesn’t include any specific group.
“We didn’t want anyone to be excluded. This includes every identity that exists now and in the future,†says Rep. Hatfield.
Hatfield says this is the only Bill that can pass the legislative session.
“This Bill includes everybody. Its the most comprehensive, strongest language that the legislature has before it, and I think that it will pass. I hope that it will pass, and I am a proud co-author of it.â€
“I do believe this is the best hate crimes Bill that can pass the General Assembly and I do hope our local delegation will support this Bill,†says Paynter.
Different groups in Evansville say House Bill 1093 is a start in protecting groups in Indiana.
“Once we drill down into that and we see that then perhaps we can support him in this effort, and I believe that Representative Hatfield has it in his heart to make sure that everybody is considered in this Bill regardless of their race, creed, color, or sexual orientation,†says Evansville NAACP President Reverend Gerald Arnold.
“I believe that we are included, and I do believe that it is an effective Bill that would be a good first step in passing a hate crimes Bill in Indiana,†says Paynter.
House Bill 1093 would instruct judges to aggravate a sentence when they find bias in a crime which would prolong a sentence.
Hatfield says this Bill would ensure the state doesn’t have to amend the Bill each year to add different groups.
ETFCU Returns Nearly $4 Million To Members Via Checking Account Programs
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union paid out nearly $4 million to its members through consumer checking counts alone in 2018.
The $3,797,732 returned to members through ETFCU’s premier checking accounts represent a 61 percent increase over the 2017 total. That included a return of 3% APY on balances of up to $20,000 for members who use Vertical Checking (up from a maximum of $15,000 in 2017); reward points on debit card purchases plus bonus ScoreCard reward points each month to Platinum Rewards Checking members, who can redeem for brand-name merchandise, travel, gift cards and more; and ATM-fee reimbursement anywhere worldwide up to $15 on both accounts.
“Our mission is to provide the best value for our members,†ETFCU President and CEO Bill Schirmer wrote in a letter to members. “We do this through innovative products and services that provide real benefits on a monthly basis.â€
Members received $2,299,956 in interest on Vertical Checking, $1,099,583 in redeemable points for Platinum Rewards Checking, and $393,193 in ATM-fee reimbursements.
ETFCU, which was recognized as Best in State for Banking and Credit Unions by Forbes in 2018, has grown to more than 205,000 members with assets of $1.8 billion. Schirmer was honored with the Indiana Credit Union League’s Professional Achievement Award in 2018, marking a first for an Evansville-based credit union leader.
The credit union operates six offices in Evansville, along with Indiana locations in Fort Branch, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Princeton and Vincennes, and Kentucky locations in Henderson and Owensboro (2). An office will open in Washington, Indiana, in the spring.Â
For more information about ETFCU and its programs, go to etfcu.org.Â
USI Promotes Student Affairs Administrator
University of Southern Indiana President Ronald S. Rochon has announced that Dr. Marcia Kennard Kiessling has been promoted from associate provost for Student Affairs to vice president for Student Affairs. The change took effect on January 1, 2019.
The position will report directly to the president and will continue to oversee USI student programs and general administration, with management and the direction of Career Services and Internships, the Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office, Housing and Residence Life, the Multicultural Center, Religious Life, Student Development Programs, Student Publications, the University Health Center and Recreation, Fitness and Wellness.
“Dr. Kiessling is consistently student-focused and has brought a tremendous energy and passion to this position,†said Rochon. “She is an ambassador, advocate and voice for students at all times. USI has benefited greatly from her leadership.â€
Kiessling has nearly 40 years of experience in student affairs and leadership development. She was appointed associate provost at USI in 2011. Prior to joining USI, Kiessling served as the assistant vice chancellor for Student Activities, Diversity, and Special Projects at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She previously worked at Clemson University in South Carolina, Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and at Ventura College in California. She has served as a presenter at national conferences, chaired a national convention, served on public policy regional and national committees, and her research has been published in peer-reviewed publications.
Kiessling completed her doctorate in education from North Carolina State University. She holds a master’s degree in recreation and park administration with an emphasis in college union administration from Western Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in pre-theology with an emphasis in English, philosophy and religion from the University of Evansville.
After completing eight years of service to USI this summer, Kiessling is also planning to begin her retirement August 2, 2019. A search will begin immediately for her replacement with the goal of a hire
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
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ADOPT A PET
Macaroni is a male mixed-breed. He’s a happy & fun-loving boy who has done fine with several other dogs during his time at the shelter. He’s only a year old. His adoption fee is $110 and includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!
Gallery Showcases Art And Design Faculty Work To Ring In The New Year
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries, an art exhibition showcasing the works of University of Southern Indiana Art and Design Department faculty will be on display in the gallery from January 2 through February 3.
The show features a wide variety of artworks in media ranging from wood, ceramics, oil paint and steel, to digital imagery and animation.
The 16 exhibiting full-time and adjunct art professors are:Â Brett Anderson, Erika Navarrete Anderson, Jane Case-Vickers, Ella Combs-Larmann, Corliss Chastain, Joan deJong, Andrea Hoelscher, AL Holen, Xinran Hu, David Huebner, Rob Millard-Mendez, Min Pak, Nancy Raen-Mendez, Shea Stanley, Joseph Uduehi and Katie Waters.
The public will be able to meet the faculty artists during a free public reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, January 13, at the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries, located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. Light refreshments will be served.
The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and the gallery is open to the public. Call 812-228-5006 or visit USI.edu/liberal-arts/art-center-galleries for more information.