IS IT TRUE OCTOBER 10, 2017

10/10/2017

IS IT TRUE that last night the City of Evansville 2018 budget was approved by a 8 to 1 vote? Â …5th Ward City Council member Justin Elpers was the only one who voted “No” on the 2018 city budget?

IS IT TRUEÂ its obvious that Councilman Justin Elpers understands that problems associated with economic distress cannot be solved by increasing taxes, not making any serious budget cuts, building a new penguins exhibit and practicing political patronage?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville City Council doesn’t have a revenue problem? …they just have a spending problem?

IS IT TRUEÂ it was announced that Mayor Winnecke was opposed to City Council increasing the COIT tax for 2018? Â …it’s a well known fact that the Mayor has total control over the political and economic decisions made by City Council?

IS IT TRUE that City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr stunned those in attendence when he stated that all the medical bill payments are current? Â …if Mr. Lloyd statement is correct then why does the city currently have a $3 million dollar healthcare deficit?

IS IT TRUE at last nights City Council meeting very few cuts were made to the 2018 budget?

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville is anticipating to collect $371 million in taxes in 2018 which is an increase of 7.6% over last year?…we wonder how on earth that a city that has ZERO population growth and minimal wage growth feel that they can collect 7.6% more tax money from its huddled masses than it did the year before?

IS IT TRUE with this kind of runaway spending at the city level, coupled with the rise in Â electric bills, increase in the county wheel tax and the coming oppressive water and sewer bills, one could easily conclude that the citizens of River City are bleeding to death from the irresponsible governance past, present, and future?

IS IT TRUE that nothing was said about how Mayor Winnecke plans to pay for the Evansville Thunderbolts Hockey team operating expenses for 2018?

IS IT TRUE that one of the items on last nights budget chopping block was a $102,500 annual subsidy grant given by the city to New Hope Baptist Church to provide a shuttle to drive people to work on outer Highway 41? Â …council decided to fund the work shuttle grant for another year even after finding out that currently the work shuttle has only one rider?

IS IT TRUEÂ at last nights council meeting 8 City Council members gave themselves a nice raise for 2018?Â Â …that 5th Ward Councilman Justin Elpers declined to accept a pay increase for 2018

IS IT TRUE we were told that the city provides council members and city employees with Â a city paid healthcare benefit package that charges a monthly premium of $85 for single peopleÂ or a family premiums charge of $183 month with a $1,500 deductible?

IS IT TRUEÂ we wonder how many of our readers have an employer paid healthcare benefit package that cost $85 a month for single people or a family premiums offering for $183 month with a $1,500 deductible?

IS IT TRUEÂ because of last night tax increases we are worried that some of our citizens who have the comfort of mobility will see the writing on the wall and will get out of Evansville while they can sell their house for more than they owe on it?

Todays READERS POLL question is: Do you believe the statement made at last night Council meeting that Mayor Winnecke was against the COIT tax increase is true?

Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled â€œLAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBSâ€ and â€œLOCAL SPORTSâ€ posted in our sections. Â You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

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EDITORâ€™S FOOTNOTE: Â Any comments posted in thisÂ columnÂ do not represent the views orÂ opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers

Channel 44 News: Income Tax Hike, Budget Approved in Four-Hour Long City Council Meeting

10/10/2017

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It was a busy and long day at Evansville City Council.

There were two hot-button items on the agenda: a county-wideÂ income taxÂ hike and the 2018Â city budget.

The purpose behind the income tax hike is to use theÂ money collectedÂ for public safety. Currently, people in Vanderburgh County pay about a one percent income tax. The tax hike increases the rate to 1.20 percent.

â€œI just donâ€™t feel like putting a tax on the back of the tax payers is something they donâ€™t really get a benefit of,â€ said Hayden. â€œI mean we agree public safety needs more stuff, but I think the weâ€™ve shown them in years prior that weâ€™ve gotten them things in other ways.â€

With the money collected from the tax helping fund the jail, police and firemen salaries, emergency services, and 911 are just a few of the things it could go toward. It would ultimately be up to city council to decide where the money goes.

â€œI have a question, itâ€™s rhetorical anybody can answer it,â€ said Larry Zuber, Fire Union president. â€œDoes anybody want to drive around with their kids in a thirty year old vehicle? I think not, yet itâ€™s okay until last month to run 15 firefighters in a vehicle that was 26-years-old.â€

The tax hike narrowly passed city council with a 5 to 4 vote. Council members Missy Mosby, Jonathan Weaver, Dan McGinn, Dan Adams, and Michelle Mercer voting in favor of the tax hike. Council members Connie Robinson, Justin Elpers, John Hayden and Jim Brinkmeyer voting against it.

Evansville City Council then moved on to discuss the proposed $370 million dollar budget for 2018.

Discussions between council members began with 13 amendments to the budget. Finance Committee Chairman McGinn did this in hopes all council members could get on the same page and later pass the budget.

Council was originally going to take away METS U.S 41Â bus routeÂ ($120,000) in an amendment but after public comment, they voted to withdraw the amendment. There was also an amendment to eliminate $105,000 worthÂ of funding to 16 non-profits, who have been hit hard by budget cuts in years past.

â€œWhen we succeed, we all succeed. When we grow, we all grow,â€ said one man during public comment. â€œSo thus, these non-profits are essential in growing this community. So I would ask you to reconsider that as we grow together, let this be a collaborative effort, not one by which we say that weâ€™re just going to let the non-profits fend for themselves.â€

That amendment was voted down by council, which means those organizations will receive funding for at least one more budget year.

After going through all 13 amendments council voted on the budget. Council cut about $1.5 million dollars from the budget. With an 8-1 vote the 2018 Evansville Budget was passed by council.

Ellis Park’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze!

10/10/2017

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Ellis Park’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze!

Fall is here! Come to Ellis Park to enjoy our Pumpkinfest!

Along with the pumpkin patch and corn maze, check out our corn box, fire pit, bouncy house, pumpkin painting, corn hole, pumpkin checkers, and a straw maze for the little ones! In addition to all of these great things, admission also includes one pumpkin of your choice!

We also accept parties!

Please call to make reservations! We love to host birthday parties, school trips, church outings, or any occasion at Ellis Park’s Pumpkinfest.

Call now at 812-435-8905 to make reservations for your party!

[3300 US 41 N]

[Henderson, IN, 42420]

Bruce Ungethiem Announces Plans To Run For Indiana House District 64

10/10/2017

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Bruce Ungethiem, current Vanderburgh County Commissioner President has decided to run for Indiana House district 64 in the upcoming 2018 election. Mr. Ungethiem, who is in his third year a commissioner in Vanderburgh County, will forgo a second term as Commissioner to run for the Indiana house seat currently held by Tom Washburne.

Mr. Ungethiem said it has been a pleasure to serve as Commissioner for Vanderburgh County residents and he plans to take that experience in serving the people in local government to the State house. â€œAs I learned more about local government I realized that much of what the local governments do is dictated by state law. I hope to bring a logical approach of a professional engineer with a local government experience to the law-making process. Â

As I talked to current District 64 representative Tom Washburne about the job, it became clear to me that that there are only a few legislators with local government experience so I believe that my experience as a commissioner would be a valuable addition.â€

Mr. Ungethiem will file for Indiana House District 64 in January of 2018.

Ivy Tech Community College – Evansville Receives National Recognition

10/10/2017

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Evansville has received the annual merit award from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) for achieving a 100% pass rate on the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination for the cycle of August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017. Graduates obtaining national certification as a CST demonstrate, by examination, understanding of the basic competencies for safe patient care in the operating room. The CST is widely recognized in the health care community as the foremost credential for surgical technologists in the nation. The CST is required for employment within many local, state and national health care organizations.

According to NBSTSA Chief Executive Officer Ben Price, the NBSTSA has a 40 year history in CST examination development. The CST examination is a fully accredited examination by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) for surgical technologists. NCCA accreditation assures that the CST examination meets stringent standards of examination development and administration. Certification as a surgical technologist exhibits professional pride, the desire to be recognized for mastery of surgical competencies, and most importantly an ongoing commitment to quality patient care.

There are criteria that a surgical technologist must meet in order to qualify to take the CST examination. For an application and information about the CST examination or about the NBSTSA, please go to the NBSTSA website at www.nbstsa.org, email lia@nbstsa.org or call 1- 800 707 0057.

Men’s soccer receives USC Team Academic award for fifth-straight season

10/10/2017

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The University of Evansville men’s soccer team received the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the fifth-straight season, it was announced Monday.

The award, which was initiated in the 1996, honors collegiate and high school men’s and women’s soccer teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.00 cumulative team grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.

United Soccer Coaches recognized 825 teams, 286 men and 539 women on Thursday. EvansvilleÂ was one of 195 schools to have both their men’s and women’s programs honored this year. This year marks the fifth-straight year and ninth overallÂ that both men’s and women’s soccer teams have earned the team academic honor.

“It’s part of what our institution is all about,” said Aces head coach Marshall Ray. “We want to recruit student-athletes who want to compete academically and want to compete athletically on the field and we give them the opportunity. We are a small, private liberal-arts institution that puts a huge value on the education component, but also gives students the opportunity to compete against the best teams in the country. We are very proud of the guys and hopefully we can continue to compete on the field and compete off the field.”

UE is joined on the list by fellowÂ Missouri Valley Conference members Bradley, Central Arkansas, Loyola, Missouri State, and Valparaiso. UE’s 3.30 team GPA was second best among MVC teams.

Evansville returns home for a non-conference matchup with Belmont on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Arad McCutchan Stadium.

Justices to consider resisting law enforcement convictions stemming from fatal crash

10/10/2017

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IL for www.theindianalawyer.com

A man who killed three people while driving the wrong way down Interstate 69 as he fled from police will make his case to the Indiana Supreme Court this week as to why he should not be convicted of three counts of resisting law enforcement in relation to each of his victims.

In the case of Brian Paquette v. State of Indiana, 63S04-1709-CR-570, Brian Paquette was under the influence methamphetamine and was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-69 when a police officer began pursuing him. To evade the officer, Paquette crossed the median, began driving southbound in the northbound lanes, and caused a three-car collision. Autumn Kapperman and her unborn child, Jason Lowe, and Stephanie Molinet were each killed in the accident.

Paquette pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including three counts of resisting law enforcement â€“ one count for each of the victims. However, the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed two of those convictions after finding that he committed only one act of resisting law enforcement that resulted in three deaths. According to his appellate briefs, Paquette will urge the high court to affirm that reversal during oral arguments at 9:45 a.m. Thursday.

Immediately prior to Paquetteâ€™s oral arguments, the justices will hear the case of Shelly Phipps v. State of Indiana, 28S05-1707-CR-499. In that case, Shelly Phippsâ€™ pastor, K.G., obtained a protective order against her in 2008, yet she continued to try to communicate with him through letters and by sending emails to the churchâ€™s elders

As a result, Phipps was convicted of invasion of privacy, but a divided panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed that conviction in May, citing insufficient evidence. Judge Rudolph Pyle dissented.

Arguments in Phippsâ€™ case will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Also on Thursday, the high court will hear the case of Darryl Calvin v. State of Indiana, 02S03-1709-CR-611, in which Darryl Calvin was convicted of Level 4 felony burglary and was found to be a habitual offender based on a prior unrelated felony conviction in Illinois. The Court of Appeals rejected Calvinâ€™s appellate argument that the state failed to establish that at least one of his prior unrelated felonies â€œis not a Level 6 felony or a Class D felony,â€ as required by Indiana Code 35-50-2-8(b). He will make his case before the Supreme Court at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

McCormick named GLVC Offensive Player of the Week

10/10/2017

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University of Southern Indiana freshman forwardÂ Taylor McCormickÂ (Rapid City, South Dakota) was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week during her efforts against 14^th-ranked Quincy University and Truman State University last weekend. The GLVC Player of the Week honor is the first for McCormick and the first of the year for the Screaming Eagles women’s soccer team.

The last Eagle to win the GLVC Offensive Player of the Week was junior midfielderÂ Olivia WildeÂ (Racine, Wisconsin), who received the honor in week one of last season.

After being held scoreless in Friday’s loss to top-20 Quincy, McCormick rebounded and earned the weekly honor by leading the Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Truman State University Sunday. The freshman forward scored both of USI’s tallies in the win, tying the game, 1-1, during the first half and scoring the eventual game-winning goal during the last 20 minutes of the second half.

The goals on Sunday were McCormick’s second and third of the season, tying her for the team lead with freshman defenderÂ Madelyne JuengerÂ (Columbia, Illinois), freshman forwardÂ Maggie WinterÂ (St. Louis, Missouri), freshman midfielderÂ Sunny LehmanÂ (Evasville, Indiana), and senior forwardÂ Haley Rheinlander(Evansville, Indiana) with three each. McCormick also is tied for second on the team in total points with eight on three goals and two assists.

USI (5-3-4, 3-2-4 GLVC) and McCormick resumes GLVC action Friday when they travel to William Jewell College for a 5 p.m. match in Liberty, Missouri. The Eagles, currently, are tied for fifth in the GLVC standings with WJC, a game-and-a-half behind fourth-place University of Indianapolis.

Women’s soccer earns USC Team Academic award for 11th-straight year

10/10/2017

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Evansville one of 195 schools to have both men’s and women’s teams earn honor

The University of Evansville women’s soccer team received the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the 11th-straight season, it was announced Monday.

The award, which was initiated in the 1996, honors collegiate and high school men’s and women’s soccer teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.00 cumulative team grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. The Aces earned a 3.42 cumulative team GPA in the fall of 2016 and spring of 2017.

United Soccer Coaches recognized 825 teams, 286 men and 539 women on Monday. EvansvilleÂ was one of 195 schools to have both their men’s and women’s programs honored this year. This year marks the fifth-straight year and ninth overallÂ that both men’s and women’s soccer teams have earned the team academic honor.

UE is joined on the list by six fellowÂ Missouri Valley Conference members Drake, Illinois State, Loyola, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, and Valparaiso.

The Aces are back in action on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. atÂ Arad McCutchan Stadium for homecomingÂ when Evansville hosts Drake. Saturday’s homecoming festivities will begin at 2 p.m. with food trucks and live music until 5 p.m.. The homecoming doubleheader will also feature postgame fireworks following the Aces men’s soccer contest with Loyola.

Long Struggle for Racial Equality in Indiana to be Topic of UE Fiddick Lecture

10/10/2017

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James H. Madison, Thomas and Kathryn Miller Professor Emeritus of History at Indiana University, Bloomington, will be the speaker for this yearâ€™s University of Evansville Thomas C. Fiddick Memorial Lecture. The event is planned for Friday, November 3. at 7:00 p.m. in Room 170 (Smythe Lecture Hall) in the Schroeder School of Business Building. This is the 16^th year for the lecture, which is free and open to the public.

Madison will be delivering an illustrated lecture on â€œHoosiers and the Long Struggle for Racial Equality.â€

For over two centuries the people of Indiana have struggled with challenges of race. There were times when African American Hoosiers could not vote, when the danger of lynching was real, when the Ku Klux Klan seemed right and necessary, when segregationists created schools, restaurants, and basketball tournaments for whites only. Beginning in the1950s, Indiana reformers began a push toward equality that we know as the great civil rights movement. Madisonâ€™s lecture will focus on several flash points of challenge and change to spark thinking about race and about where we have been, where we are, and where we want to go as citizens in a changing world.

Madison is without doubt one of the most distinguished scholars to work in the field of Indiana history. An award winning teacher for over four decades at IU, he is the author of several books, including Eli Lilly: A Life; A Lynching in the Heartland: Race and Memory in America; and Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II. He has taught as a Fulbright professor in Japan and England and has served on the boards of Indiana Humanities and the Indiana Historical Society, as well as being a member of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission. Madisonâ€™s most recent book is the highly acclaimed bicentennial history, Hoosiers: A New History of Indiana; it is the basis for an Emmy-awarded PBS documentary on Indianaâ€™s history.

â€œProfessor Jim Madison is an extremely eminent scholar of Indiana History and we are absolutely thrilled to bring him to the University of Evansville to deliver the Fiddick Lecture and interact with students in class,â€ said James MacLeod, UE professor of history and director of the Fiddick Memorial Lecture Series.

â€œAs recent events have catapulted race relations back into the center of public discourse,â€ MacLeod added, â€œthis is a perfect time to educate ourselves about the history of racial equality in our home state. There can be few better-qualified people to tell this story than Professor Madison. It is especially appropriate given Tom Fiddickâ€™s lifelong passion for many of the key issues discussed by Jim Madison, especially Civil Rights.â€

Thomas C. Fiddick, for whom the Fiddick Memorial Lecture is named, served as professor of history at the University of Evansville from 1963 to 2002. In his 39 years at the University, he was a dedicated teacher, a productive scholar, and a tireless fighter in the cause of justice. His untimely death on the day of his retirement in 2002 stunned the UE community, especially his many former students. It was from the former studentsâ€™ efforts in particular, with the support of Fiddickâ€™s friends and the University, that the annual Thomas C. Fiddick Memorial Lecture was established.

â€œThe Fiddick Lecture is one of the best events of the year, as we get to celebrate the career of a truly outstanding faculty member here at UE,â€ MacLeod said. â€œTom Fiddick was a brilliant scholar and an incredible teacher who made a life-transforming impact on generations of students.â€

For more information, please contact the UE Department of History at 812-488-2963.