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IS IT TRUE JANUARY 31, 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 that a public hearing was held recently to discuss the possibility of increasing Vanderburgh County/Evansville water rates?  …this fact-finding meeting was held at Bosse High School?  …this public hearing was hosted by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in order to discuss future increases of water and sewer rates the city is planning?  …just in case you missed the meeting you can send your questions to the office of utility consumer counselor via their website?  …we are puzzled why we didn’t receive any advance notice of this public hearing from anyone with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission or the Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities Department?

IS IT TRUE despite the obvious attempt to discourage any of the Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities Department rates payers to attend this hearing sponsored by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission a good crowd of people attended this event and voiced their opposition to the proposed water and sewer rate increases?

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 give the City of Evansville many millions of dollars in cash advances to help the city with cash shortfalls?
IS IT TRUE that the cost of complacency is about to come crashing down on the customers of the City of Evansville Water and Sewer Utility?…long needed replacements of old cast iron water pipes is finally underway and the cost of the project is staggering?…the latest estimate for replacing just 1.5% of the pipes that need replacing will increase the price of the average water bill in Evansville’s service area by $412 per year per customer?…that works out to just under $40 per month to replace just 1.5% of the pipes?…that if we could just do that 66 more times all the pipes would be replaced and we may be good for another century?
IS IT TRUE if you multiply that $412 per year by 66 the result is $27,720 or an increase in water bill of $2,310 per month?…if we were going to bring our infrastructure up to date in the next three years and if the cost for each foot of pipe replaced is the same then come the summer of 2022 the average water bill in the service area will be about $2,400 per month or $28,800 per year excluding taxes?…this is almost the entire earnings for the average Evansville household?…this doesn’t even include the BILLION DOLLAR SEWER REPAIR that is mandated by the EPA because a half-century of Evansville Mayors was content to spew raw sewage into the streets and the Ohio River?…it is entirely feasible to conclude that with the needed repairs to the water pipes, sewers, roads, sidewalks, plus the highest electricity in the state hat your average household in Evansville will not have a red cent available to live in the future?
IS IT TRUE this situation may well impoverish the region so badly that digital infrastructure like Gbps internet service and 5G communications will never be implemented because the market can’t support the cost?…the responsibility for this lies firmly with the leadership of the City of Evansville during at least the last 60 years if not further? …time and time again, Evansville, has squandered taxpayer dollars on fun and games  and political “pork barrel” projects while neglecting basic infrastructure?….the game that our litany of Mayors has played has Evansville in a position of overextended finances with no high-value workforce to pay for the cost to bring the place into the modern world?
IS IT TRUE that by 2021 when these few miles of water pipes are replaced, the water rates will have increased by 118% in only 5 years?…the new pipes alone are causing a 48% increase in the next 3 years?…if you like that just bend over and prepare for this to happen 66 more times with just the water pipe replacement program?…while the CCO is supportive of and an advocate for these updates, we are very concerned that the people who live in Evansville will be run out of town by the costs associated with doing them?
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: DO YOU FEEL THAT OUR “IS IT TRUE” COLUMNS ADD SUBSTANCE TO THE CITY COUNTY OBSERVER?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us CityCountyObserver@live.com.

 

“READERS FORUM” JANUARY 31, 2018

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WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

We hope that today’s “Readers Forum” 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?”
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that President Trump did a credible job presenting his State Of The Union speech last night?
Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.
EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

 

CCO “Outstanding Community Services Award Winner” The Honorable Judge James Redwine

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The City-County Observer is excited to announce our fourth (4) “Outstanding Community Services Award” winners for 2018.

Our fourth (4) “ winner of the 2018 “Outstanding Community Services Award” is the popular, creative and extremely interesting Judge James Redwine from Posey County. He has been Circuit Court Judge from 1981 to the present.  Prior to that, he was County Court Judge from 1981-1983. Word is that Judge Redwine may be putting down up his gravel in the very near future so he will have more time to travel and do some creative writing.

He is a faculty member of the National Judicial College.  He’s a well-known columnist (Gavel Gamut), author of three books – soon to be four, contributing author to an Indiana historical book.

Judge James M. Redwine claimes that during a dark and stormy night outside the tiny log cabin on the Osage Indian Nation. A.C. Redwine could only hold his wife’s hand and pray as Clarice struggled to give life to her beloved son, James Redwine. It was during the best of times; World War II was half over. It was the worst of times; World War II was only half over.

Judge Redwine Was Born or Hatched: 1943 in Pawhuska, Osage County, Oklahoma.

He And His Wife Reside At: JPeg Ranch, South of New Harmony, Posey County, Indiana, with wife, Peg, and a cat named Phantom who hates them.

Immediate Family: Son, Jim who is married to Gina, two daughters,
Heather and her husband Tony, Nikki and her husband Doug and
seven grandchildren: Alec, Adrian, Kerstin, Paxton, Jonathan, Nick
and Elyse;

Employment: 1981 to the present – Posey County and Circuit Court Judge

Education: Pawhuska Oklahoma High School, 1961;
U.S. Air Force, Honorable Discharge
He Graduated from Indiana University in 1968.
He graduated from the I.U. School of Law (Bloomington) in 1970.
Indiana Graduate Judges College in 1997.

Judicial Teaching: National Judicial College faculty member;
Has taught judges from Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, Jordan, Bahrain
and America for the NJC since 1998;

Hobbies: Snow skiing, golf, writing, traveling and mowing lots of grass.
Used to work with boxers but quit in 2001 because it hurt and made him tired.

News Column: Gavel Gamut – has written more than 700 weekly columns
since 1990 that are published in newspapers in Posey County and
Evansville, Indiana, Southern Illinois and Richmond, Missouri.

Author of 4 books: JUDGE LYNCH!, Gavel Gamut Greetings from JPeg Ranch,
Echoes of Our Ancestors: The Secret Game, History of the
Indiana Supreme Court (contributing author).

Soon To Be Published – Unanimous for Murder.

In the next several weeks we shall be announcing the final “Outstanding Community Services Award” winners for 2018. This year’s awards luncheon will be held on March 19, 2018, at Tropicana-Evansville Walnut rooms A and B. The registration begins at 11:30 am, the event officially starts at 12 noon on February 28, 2018. Reservations for this event may be obtained by calling 812-774-8011. Deadline for registration is March 20, 2018. Last year’s event was a sellout.

 

TANOOS OFFICIALY FILES FOR 8TH DISTRCT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT

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William Tanoos Files Candidacy For Indiana’s 8th Congressional District

Tanoos running to restore middle class and fight for working Hoosiers

Terre Haute, IN – Local attorney William Tanoos filed his candidacy today for Indiana’s 8th Congressional District.

“After six months of campaigning up and down the 8th District, I have met the most wonderful people and am even more encouraged that we are on a positive path forward to taking back the US House of Representatives seat in 2018,” Tanoos said. “Therefore, I have officially filed my candidacy today and will be on the ballot seeking the Democratic nomination in the 2018 primary election.”

Tanoos currently works as a disability attorney, getting help to those most vulnerable. He pledges to take that spirit with him to Washington and work for the people of the Eighth District.

“I’m running because I believe our middle class is what has made America the greatest country in the world for generations. It’s clear to everyone that those currently in Congress have lost their way. They no longer work for the working families in their communities, but instead for the special interests that have come to define Washington. I want to go to Congress to change that,” Tanoos said.

“Our work continues to fight for the middle class and working men and women throughout the 8th District,” Tanoos said. “It’s time to strengthen the American Dream and make it available to all Hoosier families. This campaign is all about positivity and what we can do to improve people’s lives.”

Tanoos is an alumnus of South Vigo High School and Indiana University, where he graduated cum laude with concentrations in History and Political Science. He earned his Juris Doctorate from IU’s McKinney School of Law and practices law in the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.

Away from his practice, Tanoos is interested in film, writing, and spending time with his family. William and his family have been active members of St. George Orthodox Christian Church for generations. William and his wife, Katie, reside in Terre Haute with their beautiful 11-month old son, Jack, and Truman, the family dog.

FOOTNOTE: If you have any questions about William Tanoos candidacy call 812-249-3879.

 

 

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IURC Nominating Committee To Conduct Candidate Interviews

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The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Nominating Committee announced today that on Tuesday, Feb. 6 it will interview seven candidates to fill the commissioner vacancy created when Jim Atterholt retired.

The Candidates To Be Interviewed Are:

Eric Hand

Stefanie Krevda

Allen Mounts

Rep. David Ober

Michael Shaver

Marcus Turner

Tristan Vance

Following the interviews, the committee will present Gov. Eric J. Holcomb a list of three qualified candidates from which he will select one to fill the remainder of Atterholt’s term. Commissioner Atterholt’s term expires Jan. 31, 2020.

The nominating committee will conduct interviews in the Indiana Government Center South Building in Conference Room 2, 401 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

Members of the nominating committee are Committee Chairman Allen Paul, Eric Scroggins, John Blevins, Bill Davis, Jeb Bardon, Greg Server and Johnathan Little.

 

Student Journalists Need Immunity?

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By GAIL RIECKEN

City-County Observer Statehouse Editor

It was refreshing to read the Statehouse File about the young high school journalist testifying before the House Education Committee. She was testifying in support of HB1016.
If the bill becomes law, it would provide freedom of speech and freedom of press protections for student journalists in grades 7 through 12 and in state educational institutions.

Anu Nattam, the presenter, is editor-in-chief of Plainfield High School’s news magazine. She was testifying because school officials were sending signals they might start censoring the magazine’s content.

The conflict started when a school board member became upset over articles about LGBTQ+ interests, dating violence and finding a lasting relationship. ( Plainfield High School’s Dating Guide.)

While I’m impressed with the student standing up for what she feels is right, I am equally impressed with the person who must be her teacher.
Here is a teacher who I am certain must have weighed all the risks helping students understand our present-day society. Let’s thank her for helping students deal with the realities that are with them every day.

This bill is about immunity for journalism students, but it is also very much about setting up an environment where school administrators and teachers can offer the best educational experience for their students.
HB1016 promotes an opportunity for great education.

The vote on HB 1016 could go to the House floor as early as Tuesday. I hope the legislature makes what amendments are necessary and pushes this legislation on to the Senate.

Hate Crime Bill Dies In Senate Committee

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IL for www.theindoanlawyer.com

Hate crime legislation has again failed in the Indiana Statehouse after Senate Republicans could not reach a consensus on what the bill should include.

However, while saying the Indiana Legislature would revisit the issue in the future, Senate Pro Tempore David Long maintained case law in Indiana already allows courts to increase a sentence if the crime was motivated by bias against the victim.

“So, there’s not a group that’s left out under the current rules,” Long said. “Every Hoosier can be a victim of a bias crime. It can be anyone of us for any reason depending on the motivation of the individual who committed the crime. Under Indiana’s current law, this is covered.”

As in the two previous legislative sessions, a hate crime bill authored by Sen. Susan Glick, R-LaGrange, was positioned to move forward. Glick’s measures had passed through the Senate committee in 2016 and 2017, and in 2016 had received approval from the full Senate on a 34-to-16 vote.

Yet, the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law tabled a vote on Senate Bill 418 last week after extensive testimony from proponents and opponents of the measure. At the committee hearing this morning, chair Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis, said the bill would not be brought up for a vote.

He then adjourned the hearing and immediately, he and Glick walked down the hall to another room for a press conference to explain the situation. They were joined by Long, R-Fort Wayne.

Long said the Republican caucus had robust and extensive discussions about the bias crime bill but could not find common ground.

A sticking point seems to have been the list of characteristics that the bill highlighted as to why the victim was the target of the crime. The bill enabled the court when imposing a sentence to consider as an aggravating circumstance that the crime was committed because of bias against the individual. The list of characteristics included race, religion, disability, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation and ethnicity.

Both Long and Young said Senate Republicans had diverging views about the list and the bill. Some saw the need for the list as it was contained in the original bill and some did not want any list included while others believed the list was excluding people and, therefore, should be expanded.

 Also, Glick noted Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s office submitted language that she described as essentially stripping the bill and inserting enhancement provisions.

“We didn’t feel at this time that we wanted to go forward with a bill that was cobbled together,” Glick said. “It’s much better to step back, go through the process and maybe in the future come back with something that’s better written and does what we intend to do with this bill.”

After the press conference, Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, blasted the majority. He has also authored hate crime legislation, including this session’s Senate Bill 271, but his measures have never gotten hearings. His bills have also included comprehensive lists of characteristics that singled out the victim for the crime.

“I am more than disappointed and angry on behalf of victims in this state that another year has gone by and the General Assembly has chosen not to put a law on the books to protect those who are affected by bias-motivated crimes,” Taylor said.

Long and Young stressed that the Indiana Supreme Court’s 2003 ruling in Witmer v. State along with a provision in Indiana’s criminal law statute (subsection (c) of Indiana Code 35-38-1-7.1) enables courts to enhance a sentence if a crime was motived by hate.

“…everyone is covered, not only in Witmer but also in subsection (c),” Young said. “We just don’t have the specific names but they’re covered.”

Glick said even with the court ruling and the provision in the sentencing statute, she still sees a need to hate crime language to be added to the state statute. Her bill, she said, would protect all Indiana residents and emphasize that Hoosiers do not stand for hate.

“Sometimes we draw double lines under things and we highlight in bold because we want people to understand, and to make it very clear and that’s what we were attempting to do with this bill,” Glick said.

St. Vincent Evansville Birth Announcements For January 30, 2018

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Erin Lawrence, Evansville, IN, daughter, Emerie Jade, Jan. 21

Kendra and David Schultz II, Newburgh, IN, son, Jonas Christoph, Jan. 22

Brianna and Jason Jett, Evansville, IN, daughter, Diana Catherine, Jan. 22

Betty and Jacob Cobb, Washington, IN, son, Jacob Hubert Jr., Jan. 22

Eve and Jonathan Lamar, Evansville, IN, son, Dean Jaden, Jan. 22

Sarah and Joseph Schriver, Evansville, IN, daughter, Stella Grace, Jan. 22

April Nuffer, Newburgh, IN, son, Oliver Tate, Jan. 22

Breanna Yott, Evansville, IN, daughter, Zaila Marie, Jan. 23

Kristen and Christopher Head, Evansville, IN, daughter, Tessa Aurora, Jan. 23

Jessica and Charles Hernandez, Evansville, IN, daughter, Lucy Leann, Jan. 23

Elizabeth Swanson and Daniel Dudley, Mount Carmel, IL, son, Ezrah Ray, Jan. 23

Angela and John Caldwell, Evansville, IN, son, William David, Jan. 24

Whitney and Brad Mayer, Fort Branch, IN, daughter, Abigail Breanne, Jan. 24

Jennifer and Jonathan Parris, Evansville, IN, daughter, Maya Joy, Jan. 24

Kiersten and Joshua Werner, Evansville, IN, daughter, Sadie Marie Nicole, Jan. 25

Kara and Kerry Fuller, Evansville, IN, son, Layne Robert, Jan. 26

Iris and Brian Morgan, Fort Branch, IN, daughter, Amelia Lynn, Jan. 28

Laicee and Andrew Collins, Princeton, IN, son, Rhett Jayson, Jan. 28

Lindi Stauber and Matthew Madden, Evansville, IN, son, Brooks Matthew, Jan. 28

Mackenzy Blair and Jason Witty, Evansville, IN, daughter, Brylee Jo, Jan. 28

Britini and John Bratcher, Evansville, IN, son, Ezra David, Jan. 29

Crystal Sisson Selected As Co-President at National Children’s Alliance Conference

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Crystal Sisson Selected As Co-President At National Children’s Alliance Conference

Evansville, Ind.   Holly’s House, a local child and adult victim advocacy center, has announced their “Think First & Stay Safe” Lead Prevention Educator, Crystal Sisson, has been selected to co-present a session on School-Based Prevention Education, along with Jennifer Wooden Mitchell, Co-President of Child Lures Prevention, and a national child safety expert. The National Children’s Alliance 2018 Leadership Conference will be held June 11th through June 13th in Washington, D.C.

The “Think First & Stay Safe!” program is taught by Holly’s House prevention educators in elementary schools in Gibson, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick Counties in Southwest Indiana. Since the program’s inception in 2010, almost 31,000 elementary students have been reached. This evidence-based program was developed by Child Lures Prevention and teaches children personal safety skills, how to identify unsafe situations, and how to react when they feel someone may be dangerous.  Holly’s House is one of 21 international Child Lures ® Prevention/ Teen Lures Prevention partners whose mission is to help ensure the personal safety of children and youth through increased awareness, education, advocacy, and action.

Holly’s House Executive Director, Sidney Hardgrave, said, “We are honored that Crystal has been selected from the hundreds of worthy candidates. In her four years with Holly’s House, she has worked tirelessly to ensure our local elementary students have the skills to recognize child abuse and understand the importance of seeking help from a trusted adult.”

For more information, or to support Holly’s House and the “Think First & Stay Safe!” Child Abuse Prevention program, please visitwww.hollyshouse.org.

FOOTNOTE: Holly’s House is a non-residential victims’ advocacy center providing services for victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault in southwest Indiana. The mission of the organization is to empower victims of intimate crime and abuse by providing support, promoting justice and preventing violence. For more information, please visit www.hollyshouse.org.

House Explosion Mastermind Mark Leonard Dies In Prison

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Mark Leonard, the man convicted in the massive 2012 Indianapolis house explosion that killed two in the Richmond Hill subdivision, has died at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Correction confirmed Tuesday. He was 48.

Leonard and his brother, Bob, were convicted on a slew of charges after they caused a natural gas explosion at the home of Monserrate Shirley, Leonard’s girlfriend. The explosion killed Shirley’s neighbors, Jennifer and Dion Longworth, and damaged or destroyed dozens of homes in the neighborhood on Indianapolis’ far south side.

Bob and Mark Leonard each were sentenced to life without parole. Shirley was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Earlier this month, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Mark Leonard would not appear before them again after denying transfer to his challenge of one of his numerous felony convictions.
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