8th District Congressional Candidate Dr. Richard MOSS Earned Receives EndorsementÂ
 Andy Horning, a well-known political columnist and constitutional scholar, is now supporting us, saying “he’s the most likely…to cut the size, cost, and intrusiveness of our government.”
Hoosiers are ready to send someone to Washington who is committed to restoring the vision of our Founders. In Congress, Dr. Moss will fight every day to restore accountability and slash the size of government.
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUEâ€Â 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 TRUEÂ according to At-Large Evansville Councilmen and Finance Chairmen, Jonathon Weaver it looks like members of the Winnecke Administration kept the Evansville City Council in the dark by withholding material information prior to a vote that commits ECHO Housing Corporation money that the City is supposed to be providing financial stewardship over?
IS IT TRUE the first time this happened was when members of the Winnecke Administration snuck Earthcare Energy LLC a $200,000 advance against and anticipated $4M gift that they hoped the City Council would okay?…in that particular case the wheels fell off the bus when the whiz bang contraption that some of the technical dimwits did not understand turned out to be junk science and Earthcare Energy LLC couldn’t produce a patent that they claimed to have had?…the advance payment was hidden from the City Council and all looked like fools by the time the taxpayers of Evansville had been fleeced for $200,000?
IS IT TRUE this time members of the Winnecke Administration kept the facts about a quiet investigation of an alleged theft at Echo Housing a secret before City Council voted to approve a $400,000 plus funding request?…Councilman and Finance Chairmen Jonathan Weaver and 5th Ward Council member Justin Elpers are baring their political fangs and threatening to withhold all future support for Echo Housing and part of the reason for this manic disappointment is that fact that they got the wool pulled over their eyes again?
IS IT TRUE that an Echo Housing Board member has now responded to the claims by the Evansville Police Department that the board of directors was not cooperating with law enforcement to investigate the alleged theft?…the response basically claims that they have always cooperated with the EPD and never resisted an investigation?…the also acknowledge that they are required to have an annual audit conducted by an outside CPA firm and that the audit is available at Guidestars which is a non-profit information clearing house?…we suspect this audit and past ones will be dissected thoroughly in the coming weeks?…with funding from federal, state and local government plus plenty of philanthropic dollars, Echo had better have their act together or something that smells is going to hit the fan?
IS IT TRUEÂ a recent grant application submitted to the City of Evansville listed the current Board of Director members of the Echo Housing Corporation? …the names listed on the grant application were: Roy Dane Chandler of Banterra Bank-Evansville, Reverend Gerald Arnold, President of the local NAACP, Tom Moore, Director of the Vectren Foundation and former EHCO Housing Executive Director, Stephenie TenBarge? Â …we are amazed to find out that no one knows who appointed the above individuals to the current ECHO Board of Directors? Â …one thing we do know for certain is that many people feel that above individuals have not been good stewards of the public trust and should be immediately replaced with new board members?
IS IT TRUE that a groundbreaking has now occurred for a downtown Hyatt Place hotel that is being completely financed by private money?…this hotel will have 139 rooms and is expected to cost $18 Million which is less than the City of Evansville gave away to subsidize the downtown Doubletree Hotel?…years ago the City-County Observer opined that the IU Medical School would attract hotels without a handout and that just came true?…one can only imagine what could have been done with the $20 million plus in subsidies paid to the Doubletree owners to put a hotel in downtown Evansville?…patience could have saved all of that money?…neither the Weinzapfel or Winnecke Administrations have been known for  good financial judgement when it comes to city subsized capital projects?
IS IT TRUE that the University of Evansville seems to have pulled off a coup de tats to hire Walter McCarty away from the Boston Celtics to coach the Purple Aces?…according to Celebrity Net Worth, Walter has a net worth of over $10 Million and earned a good living when he played in the NBA?…Walt is a great example of a hometown boy who did very well and we are glad to see him coming home to give back to his hometown?…we are pretty sure that McCarty is not getting NBA dollars from UE since they have consistently been the lowest paying college in the Missouri Valley Conference?…if Walter can win 25 games a year and get the attendance at home games back up to 10,000 per game he will be worthy of a 7 figure salary from UE and we hope he earns it?
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that the current ECHO Housing board members were not good stewards of the public trust and should be immediately replaced?
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By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.comÂ
INDIANAPOLIS – Joe Biden did something dumb.
The former vice president of the United States boasted that, earlier in his life, if he had heard someone speak as disparagingly of women as the president of the United States has, the young Biden would have taken Donald Trump behind the gym and beaten sense into him.
Trump being Trump, the president tweeted in response that he would have been the one to administer the whipping.
Biden barked back. Trump taunted some more.
The two men stopped just short of insulting each other’s mothers.
And, thus, the nation and the world were treated to the edifying spectacle of two septuagenarians of immense prestige trash-talking like a couple of teenagers who had forgotten to take their meds.
I blame Biden, for a couple of reasons.
The first is on grounds of maturity.
I long ago stopped expecting Donald Trump to demonstrate much decorum or dignity. The man’s made his career by behaving like a boor. He’s not going to start acting like an adult now just because he’s in the Oval Office.
All who think otherwise are fooling themselves.
Biden, though, has demonstrated that he is capable of the grace and self-discipline Americans should expect from their leaders – or from any grown-up, for that matter. He has shown he can conduct himself with compassion and an awareness of his duty to his best self and his country.
That’s why this was far from the former vice president’s best moment.
But the other reason it was dumb is that it was self-defeating.
One cannot make the case that Donald Trump isn’t up to the demands and responsibilities of his high office by stooping to his level. To do so is a losing strategy. No one can or will out-Trump Trump.
Marco Rubio tried to do that during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries. He taunted Trump about his manhood by saying the future president had tiny, uh, hands. Rubio jabbed at Trump about his personal life, his aversion to telling the truth and his practice of bullying people.
All Rubio gained from his efforts were a spanking from Trump and a substantial loss of dignity.
Biden, I know, prides himself on his blue-collar background. Perhaps he saw this as a way to reaffirm his bona fides in that arena, a way to demonstrate he could and would be willing to mix it up with the president.
That would suggest calculation on Biden’s part. If so, that doesn’t bother me. Saying politicians are calculating is like saying fish have gills.
Gills are necessary for fish to survive.
The same goes for politicians and calculation.
The problem here is that it wasn’t intelligent calculation.
The Americans who yearn for a president who is prone to braggadocio, immaturity and irresponsibility already have their champion. He’s in the White House, dismantling the social safety net, triggering trade wars with China and inching us toward actual war with North Korea.
What the rest of America wants – no, needs – is an alternative to Donald Trump, someone who thinks before acting and doesn’t let ego-driven impulses overwhelm rational consideration.
What America needs is a president who is tough, not one who boasts about how tough he is.
Joe Biden has a chance to be that alternative.
But he won’t be if he continues to allow President Trump to dictate the terms of engagement.
My grandfather was the first in our family to go to college. He likely would have been considered blue-collar if the times required and his family could afford collars. He once gave me some useful advice.
“It doesn’t pay,†Grandpa said, “to get into a peeing contest with a skunk.â€
(Okay, I cleaned that up.)
Good counsel.
Joe Biden and anyone else who wishes to joust with the president would be wise to heed it.
The key to beating Donald Trump isn’t to be found in acting “tougher†than he does.
No, the path to besting the president lies in being tougher than he is – more mature, more disciplined, more responsible, more grown-up.
An increasing number of Americans, myself among them, care less than we once did about whether a conservative or a liberal is in the White House.
We’d just like to know that there’s an adult in charge.
FOOTNOTES: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism, host of “No Limits†WFYI 90.1 Indianapolis and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
The City County Observer posted John Krull article without opinion, bias or editing.
Indiana’s primary is being held on May 8, 2018. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Here’s a list of the candidates that will be on the primary ballot.
US SENATORÂ
Joe Donnelly – Democratic (incumbent)
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Mike Braun – Republican
Luke Messer – Republican
Todd Rokita – Republican
DISTRICT #8-U S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVEÂ
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Larry Bucshon – Republican (incumbent)
Rachel Covington – Republican
Richard Moss – Republican
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
William Tanoos – Democratic
State Senator, District 47 (Crawford, Orange, Harrison, Perry and Washington Counties, and Eastern Dubois County)
Erin Houchin – Republican (incumbent)
Nicholas A. (Nick) Siler – Democratic
State Senator, District 48 (Pike, Spencer, and Portions of Dubois, Knox, Gibson, and Warrick counties)
Mark Messmer – Republican (incumbent)
State Senator, District 49 (Posey County, Portions of Vanderburgh and Gibson Counties)
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARYÂ
Edie Hardcastle – Democratic
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Jim Tomes – Republican (incumbent)
State Representative, District 63 (Portions of Daviess, Dubois, Pike and Martin Counties)
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Shane M. Lindauer – Republican (incumbent)
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARYÂ
Dennis Tedrow – Democratic
Joseph “Joe†Lannan – Democratic
State Representative, District 64 (All Of Gibson County and Portions Of Knox, Pike, Vanderburgh and Posey Counties)
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Ken A Beckerman – Republican
Matt Hostettler – Republican
Bruce W Ungethiem – Republican
State Representative, District 74 (All Of Perry and Crawford Counties And Portions Of Spencer, Dubois and Orange Counties)
REPUBLICAN PRIMARYÂ
Stephen R. Bartles – Republican (incumbent)
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Larry K. Kleeman – Democratic
State Representative, District 76 (Most Of Posey County And A Section Of Vanderburgh County)
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Wendy (Mac) McNamara – Republican (incumbent)
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Stephen (Steve) Folz – Democratic
State Representative, District 77 (Portions Of Vanderburgh County)
Ryan Hatfield – Democratic (incumbent)
State Representative, District 78 (portions of Vanderburgh And Warrick Counties)
Holli Sullivan – Republican (incumbent)
Prosecuting Attorney
Nicholas G Hermann – Republican
Auditor
Brian A Gerth – Republican
Sheriff
Dave Wedding – Democratic
County Assessor
Bill Fluty – Republican
County Commissioner, District 2
Michael J Duckworth Sr – Republican
Steve Hammer – Republican
Vernon Stevens – Republican
County Council, District 1
David Christmas – Republican
James Raben – Republican
County Council, District 2
Tom Shetler Jr – Republican
County Council District 3
Stephanie Terry – Democratic
County Council District 4
John Monstrastelle – Republican
Armstrong Township Trustee
Randy L Kent – Republican
Armstrong Township Board (choose three)
James Memmer – Republican
David W Schmitt – Republican
Center Township Trustee
Gary Burdsall – Republican
Center Township Board (choose three)
Tom Gant – Republican
J Ervin Stafford Stucki – Republican
James F Tolen – Republican
German Township Trustee
Tim Schaefer – Democratic
Tricia Gerteisen – Republican
Sherri Schlitt – Republican
German Township Board (choose three)
Frank T Peterlin – Republican
Beverly White Rowley – Republican
Knight Township Trustee
Kathryn Martin – Democratic
Wm. Billy D Garrett – Republican
Johnny Kincaid – Republican
Knight Township Board (choose three)
Donald R Boerner – Republican
Norman L Kniese – Republican
Christopher Politano – Republican
David Woods – Republican
Perry Township Trustee
Rick Riney – Democratic
Perry Township Board (choose three)
James L Eickhoff – Democratic
Charlie Guetling – Democratic
Lloyd D Jost – Democratic
Ted Miller – Democratic
Pigeon Township Trustee
Mary E Hart – Democratic
Mariama Wilson – Democratic
Pigeon Township Board (choose three)
Shirley A Baker – Democratic
Mary Ann Eickhoff – Democratic
Mary Louise Hall – Democratic
Ruby McGlown – Democratic
Brittany A Mitchell – Democratic
Callie M Rogers – Democratic
Bridgett Tate – Democratic
Scott Township Trustee
Bob F Harris – Republican
Scott Township Board (choose three)
Keith D Kahre – Republican
Steven Jackson – Republican
Jim McCutchan – Republican
Union Township Trustee
Joseph Steinkamp – Republican
Union Township Board (choose three)
Michael Kolb – Republican
Chris Winiger – Republican
By Abrahm Hurt
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS —Gov. Eric Holcomb signed legislation to expand the state’s sexual harassment policies and include more government officials.
House Enacted Bill 1309 calls for at least one hour of sexual harassment prevention training for members of the General Assembly each year. Prior to the bill’s signing, Indiana lawmakers did not have to complete harassment prevention training even though it was a requirement for General Assembly employees.
The bill creates a four-person subcommittee from the legislative council of both chambers to create a policy on sexual harassment.
The legislation was amended in the Senate to allow each member of the subcommittee to appoint an additional individual to the group. Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, said he plans to name a female member of his caucus to serve.
Lanane authored an amendment that allows the committee to create a procedure to investigate claims of sexual harassment against a member of the General Assembly.
“My understanding of any sexual harassment policy, at a minimum, should also include the process for how to handle a complaint,†he said. “That wasn’t in there.â€
Lanane said this bill was an example of partnership in the General Assembly.
“We all came together. There really wasn’t any controversy whatsoever,†he said. “We worked together to find as strong a bill as we possibly can.â€
Holcomb also announced that all state agency heads will have to complete annual training for workplace harassment. Managers and supervisors at all levels will receive additional training, and all state employees will be required to take a computer-based training on an annual basis.
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush speaks during the signing of HEA 1309. Rush said the judicial branch is also strengthening its harassment policies. Photo by Quinn Fitzgerald, TheStatehouseFile.com
“Due to multiple and recent high-profile sexual and workplace harassment cases, we decided in this office to take another hard look at what our policy was currently and to reexamine what enhancements could, or should, be done,†Holcomb said at the bill signing. “Because of that, we decided there is just absolutely no room for any harassment in the workplace, period, and we would go to any length necessary to make sure that that message got sent.â€
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush joined Holcomb at the signing to announce changes to strengthen harassment policies at the judicial level as well.
Rush said the judicial branch updated its policy and created an online complaint form for instances of sexual harassment. She stressed the curriculum to prevent harassment will emphasize civility to all who participate in the training.
“It’s a good day for Indiana,†she said. “All three branches of government coming together saying they’re not going to tolerate sexual harassment.â€
FOOTNOTE: Abrahm Hurt is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Individuals who would like to learn more about expunging their legal records are invited to a presentation by the Vanderburgh County Courts, on April 3 at 5:15 p.m. in Vectren Auditorium on the Ivy Tech Community College Evansville campus.
Sponsored by Ivy Tech’s Human Services, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies programs, the event is free and open to the public. Expungement is a legal process where an arrest or conviction may be erased from a person’s criminal record. This could be beneficial when a person’s past history may be interfering with future goals such as employment, education, or housing.
Speakers at the event will be the Honorable Les Shively, presiding judge in all expungement cases in Vanderburgh County; attorneys Katherine Ryback and Shanda Lynch; and Deputy Prosecutor Doug Brown. The panel will address the new “second chance†law and answer questions to provide guidance to those wanting to clean up their record.
| Community: ECHO Housing Corporation theft case moves forward as the group now listed as the victim of the alleged theft
Evansville Police continue to investigate allegations of theft funds from the ECHO Housing Corporation. On Friday, March 23rd, ECHO Housing representatives met with EPD investigators to discuss the case. As a result, ECHO Housing Corporation is now listed as the Victim in the ongoing case. Investigators are now awaiting the results of a forensic analysis of the ECHO Housing financial records. |
 The University of Evansville women’s golf team opened the Little Rock/Arkansas State Invitational in ninth-place after the first round at Maumelle Country Club in Maumelle, Ark.
Evansville recorded a first-round team score of 332, placing the Purple Aces in ninth in the 10-team invitational after the opening day. Leading the tournament is UTEPÂ finished the first day with a team score of 284, holding an 11-stroke advantage over second-place Little Rock.
Minka Gill led the way for the Purple Aces in the opening round with an 81, putting her in a tie for 38th after the first day. The lead marks the first time that Gill has led the Aces after a round during the spring season.
A pair of Aces followed Gill in Sophia Rohleder and Madison Chaney each carded an 82 in the first round. The 82s placed the duo in a tie for 43rd after the opening day, just one stroke back of Gill.
Finishing the day in a tie for 53rd was Giulia Mallman, who recorded an 87 in the opening round while Lexie Sollman completed the first round in 55th with a first-round 90.
The Purple Aces conclude the Little Rock/Arkansas State Invitational with two rounds on Tuesday at Maumelle Country Club in Maumelle, Ark.
MARILYN ODENDAHL FOR WWW.THEINDIANALAWYER.COM
With the just-passed federal spending bill putting an extra $25 million into the Legal Services Corporation’s coffers, Indiana Legal Services is anticipating a raise in funding to help with its work in providing civil legal assistance to indigent individuals and families across the Hoosier state.
President Donald Trump signed the $1.3 trillion spending package Friday that will keep the federal government funded through September. Included in the bill was a $410 million allocation for LSC for fiscal year 2018 which is a raise from the $385 million appropriated each fiscal year in 2017 and 2016 and the highest appropriation since 2010.
In a press release following the signing of the spending bill, LSC said $376 million of the total allocation will be distributed to 133 independent legal aid organizations serving every county in every state and the territories.
Indiana Legal Services is a recipient of LSC funds and, in 2016, depended on the federal dollars for more than two-thirds of its annual $9.71 million budget.
“We’re pleased about the increased federal funding for LSC, and we will use the additional money to serve the vital legal needs of even more low-income Hoosiers in the upcoming months,†said ILS executive director Jon Laramore. “We expect the budget increase will translate into more than $400,000 in additional annual funding for Indiana Legal Services, and our board will determine how best to use those funds over the upcoming months.â€
Although LSC remained confident it would ultimately be included in the federal budget, how much funding it would receive was unclear. Initially, the White House proposed eliminating the agency’s appropriation altogether, but Congress appears to have ignored that suggestion.
The U.S. House of Representatives proposed allocating $300 million to LSC while the U.S. Senate offered to keep the funding at $385 million. However, the final draft that passed the House, 256-to-167, and the Senate, 65-to-32, included $410 million for LSC.
“Investments in legal aid are investments in the safety and health of working families, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, patients, and Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs,†said Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, D-Massachusetts. “Despite President Trump’s shortsighted budget, this program is above partisan politics because of its direct impact on our constituents in ever single state and Congressional district.â€
Kennedy and Rep. Susan Brooks, R-Indiana, serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Access to Civil Legal Services Caucus along with Reps. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, and Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan.
Brooks, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, has been an advocate for civil legal aid. After the White House released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2019 which again called for defunding LSC, the Indiana Congresswoman said in February she would work to protect access to legal services.
“The Legal Services Corporation does important work to help millions of low-income Americans when they are facing legal action…, whether it’s eviction, custodial issues, wills and estate planning, disability, employment and everything in between,†Brooks said. “…As we plan for next year’s appropriations process, we must remain focused on providing for the security of our citizens and their families, and I am disappointed the President did not include funding for this operation that can be life-changing for Americans across the country.â€
LSC is the nation’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. The extra funds, said LSC president James Sandman, would directly aid individuals such as victims of domestic violence seeking protection orders, veterans trying to access the benefits they earned and tenants trying to avoid unlawful evictions.
“We are grateful to Congress for recognizing that the Legal Services Corporation promotes the most fundamental of American values — equal justice under law,†Sandman said in a press release.
LSC board chair John Levi echoed Sandman’s sentiments and thanked Capitol Hill for supporting civil legal aid.
“Congress’ action reflects broad bipartisan support for LSC’s mission of helping to ensure equal access to justice,†Levi said. “No American should be disadvantaged by the inability to navigate the country’s legal system. I want to thank the congress for this vote of confidence for the important work LSC has been doing for the past 44 years.â€
Freshman batted .857 against UNIÂ
 In a week that saw her record a hit in six out of seven at-bats, University of Evansville freshman Eryn Gould was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player and Newcomer of the Week.
“Eryn had a tremendous weekend at the plate,†UE head coach Mat Mundell said. “She was just locked in no matter what they threw hit. She has been or most consistent hitter all season long.â€
Gould entered the weekend series against UNI batting .400 on the season. An unbelievable 2-game performance saw her notch six hits in seven at-bats to raise that average to .442, third in the MVC. She batted an unreal .857 in the series, going 6-7 with five runs scored, two doubles, a home run, walk and an RBI.
In game one on Sunday, Gould went a perfect 3-3 while scoring three times and reaching on a walk. Gould completed the doubleheader with a 3-4 effort while scoring two more runs and posting her first RBI of the weekend. She also recorded her third home run of the season in the contest. Over the two games, she was on base 85.7% of the time and slugged 1.571.
This is the first Player of the Week honor for Gould and her second Newcomer accolade this season.
