IS IT TRUE OCTOBER 11, 2017

10/11/2017

We hope that todays â€œIS 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 TRUE it now looks likeÂ former City Council President and Finance Chairman John Friend, CPA predictions three years ago that starting in 2018 the City of Evansville will be experiencing a major budget melt down was spot on? Â …after last Mondays evening City Council budget meeting it Â also looks like Mr. Friend predictions that the 2019 and 2020 city budgets will be financial disasters may be spot on?

IS IT TRUEÂ that the statement made by Deputy Mayor Steve Schaefer that Mayor Lloyd Winnecke does not support the COIT tax increase is not only laughable but insulting to the intelligence of the taxpayers of this community? …everybody knows that if the Mayor didn’t want to increase taxes it wouldn’t happen?

IS IT TRUE that the 2018 City budget included an item thats is really confusing us? Â …we wonder if anyone can explain in detail why City Council approved $11 million dollars for a Downtown loan debt?

IS IT TRUE that was nothing was said during the budget meeting about how Mayor Winnecke plans to pay for the Evansville Thunderbolts Hockey team operating expenses for 2018? Â …we couldn’t find any reference to the Thunderbolts in the proposed 2018 City operating budget? … Its time for City Council Finance Chairman Dan McGinn to make a formal and detailed statement concerning this issue at the next City Council meeting?

IS IT TRUEÂ last Monday evening the Evansville City Council approved a 20 percent tax increase for the citizens of Vanderburgh County while members of the County Council remained silent? Â …were extremely disappointed that County Council President John Montrastelle decided not to address this issue? …County Council members may run but they won’t be able to hide from the rural voters in the next county wide election?

IS IT TRUEÂ that the majority of City Council members did some political back peddling to keep the funding ofÂ $102,500 for New Hope Missionary Baptist Church’s bus route to North 41 businesses, reversed the $105,500 allocation to provide support to 14 nonprofit organizations? Â …when elected officials take a strong budgetary stance and do a 180 an degree reversal it’s a major disappointment?

IS IT TRUE that it has been reported that the management group that is in charge of the McCurdy apartments in Downtown Evansville face a $750,000 water/sewer bill for a 5 month period starting April 1st and ending September 30^th?…the bill happened as a result of The Kunkel Groupâ€™s installation of an open-loop geothermal system to heat and cool the recently embattled Riverfront building?…the CityÂ of Evansville estimates, the McCurdy sends 12 million gallons of water to the treatment plant perÂ month, which amounts to 3 percent of the East Side treatment facility’s capacity?…This exorbitant cost has the potential to be the death knell of the McCurdy as it amounts to $150,000 per month which equates to over $1,500 per apartment per month?…The Kunkel GroupÂ is thought to have investedÂ $10 millionÂ into redeveloping the historic building, which faces the Ohio River?…we are concerned for the future of renewable energy in Evansville, In as the rent for these apartments to sustain the operational cash flow will have to be between $2,500 and $3,000 per month for the operator to have any incentive to do anything but dump the McCurdy back onto the market at which time it will most likely sit there unoccupied for another 9 years or more?

IS IT TRUE there are many in the medical and social services world who are still stumped by the unbelievably high suicide rate in Vanderburgh County and what is driving it?…as a refresher Vanderburgh County was exposed for having one of the highest suicide rates in the nation back in 2009 when 49 people took their own lives?…as of April of 2017 there had been 22 suicides already which put us on pace for a record year of 66 self inflicted fatalities?…if the trend holds through the end of the year and there are 66 suicides then Evansville’s suicide rate will be 36 suicides per 100,000 population?

IS IT TRUEÂ in the first 9 months of 2017 here have been 55 deaths by drug overdose?…last year there were 50 but years ago this number was single digits?…Evansville does have a relatively low murder rate compared to peer cities?

Today’s ‘Readers Poll” question is: Do you believe the statement made at last Monday evening City Â 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.

If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.

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

Indiana Vague About Reasons For Withholding Pence’s Emails

10/11/2017

IL for www.theindianalawyer.com

Indiana officials are refusing to release an indeterminate number of emails from private AOL.com accounts Mike Pence used as governor, and they’re not saying whether the vice president’s lawyers influenced which messages should be withheld.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office has released more than 1,300 pages of his predecessor’s emails, although most of the documents â€” released in multiple batches over recent months â€” contain little substance. They largely consist of correspondence from staffers sharing press releases or news articles, laudatory notes from Pence’s fans and documents so heavily redacted they’re barely readable.

“It’s hard to justify withholding information after a governor leaves office,” said Nate Jones, of The National Security Archive at George Washington University, which advocates for government transparency. “It makes it look like they aren’t subscribing to good open government practices.”

A Pence spokeswoman declined to comment on Monday.

The Associated Press has sought emails from Pence’s private AOL accounts, which he regularly used for state business, since shortly after he was tapped to be Donald Trump’s running mate in July 2016.

The emails released to date reveal little about some of the divisive topics that defined Pence’s term as governor, including a religious objections law he signed in 2015 that critics decried as discriminatory against gays. Amid the national backlash, Pence held a press conference to push back, hired a crisis management firm and ultimately signed a “fix” into law.

But 293 pages of recently released emails about the controversy predominantly consist of news story summaries and links. A few show Pence staffers providing an opinion article to the Wall Street Journal. And one exchange alerts him that the publication of a critical story was postponed. Left out, however, was any meaningful discussion about one of the most difficult situations he faced as governor.

Indiana has a weaker public records law than many states, and Holcomb’s office says it can withhold records deemed “advisory” or “deliberative.” Those classifications are open-ended, giving state officials wide latitude to shield from disclosure documents containing internal debates, advice or speculation. Holcomb’s office also declined to provide an accounting of the number of emails it withheld because state law doesn’t require it.

“Not knowing what they are withholding is a big disadvantage to the public,” said Gerry Lanosga, an Indiana University journalism professor and former investigative reporter. “Without at least an index or some detail about what those records are, it’s hard not to be skeptical.”

During the presidential campaign, Pence suggested that Hillary Clinton’s use of a private server while secretary of state disqualified her from becoming president because it threatened state security. His aides have said charges of hypocrisy regarding his own private email use are unfair because there is a big difference between the secretary of state’s correspondence about sensitive national matters and business conducted by a governor.

Pence aides have said that he had an Indiana government email account, but it is unclear if he regularly used it. Most records released before and after he was governor either obscured his email account domain name or show they were routed to an AOL.com account.

Still, one of Pence’s AOL.com accounts was subject to a phishing scheme in spring 2016, when his contacts were sent an email falsely claiming that the governor and his wife were stranded in the Philippines and needed money.

At Holcomb’s request, Pence’s attorneys provided guidance about what could be withheld, state records show. Holcomb’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Wilson, declined to comment specifically on how much weight was given to that advice but said the governor’s office is “independently evaluating” disclosure decisions.

Pence long presented himself as a champion of the free press, but his office regularly delayed or withheld documents when he was governor.

It was only after Pence’s use of the private AOL accounts was widely reported in March that he handed over 13 boxes of paper copies. A searchable electronic database wasn’t provided to state officials until July, as they faced a backlog of more than 50 records requests for Pence’s emails from news organization, activists and political parties, among others.

As governor, Pence stuck to a tight script, often offering vague talking points instead of concrete detail. The records could offer a window into weighty public policy decisions Pence made.

Besides the religious objections law, he also drew negative attention over new abortion restrictions he signed into law, and a standoff he had with the Catholic Church over attempts to block the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Indianapolis.

Indiana also faced two high-profile public health crises during his time in office. Public health officials have said Pence’s initial reluctance to allow needle exchanges exacerbated a southern Indiana HIV outbreak tied to intravenous drug use. In 2016, lead contamination from a superfund site in northwest Indiana eventually led to the evacuation of a housing complex.

Grau named GLVC Runner of the Week

10/11/2017

University of Southern Indiana cross country seniorÂ Bastian GrauÂ (HÃ¶chstadt, Germany) has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Runner of the Week for his efforts at the Lewis Conference Crossover Saturday.

Grau was the top finishing GLVC runner in a field of 361 competitors, as he crossed the line in 11^thÂ place with an 8,000-meter time of 25 minutes, 17.2 seconds. The meet also featured 10 of the top 25 teams in the nation.

This is the first GLVC Runner of the Week award for Grau and the second of the season for the Screaming Eagles, as seniorÂ James CecilÂ (Owensboro, Kentucky) won the award for the week of September 6.

Next up for USI are the GLVC Championships October 21 in Kirksville, Missouri.

Jacob Ball Wish Fund Presents Tuck Everlasting

10/11/2017

This year the Friends of the JACOB BALL WISH FUND will present their annual â€œWishâ€ fundraiser, Tuck Everlasting, the Musical.

The production of the musical supports the mission of the group: A 501C3 fund designed to funds wishes to teachers and caregivers, who work with special needs children across the tri-state area and beyond.

Plan to attend October 17/18, 2017 at the AIS Performing Arts Center, corner of Diamond and Stringtown Roads, formerly the North High School. There is no ticket price, with donations graciously accepted at the door; the performances begin at 7:30 PM each evening. .

The production, done for the first time off Broadway in this region, is based on the childrenâ€™s story of the same name. The theme is centered on the age-old question: Is eternal life a blessing or a curse?

Children and adults, plan to attend this intriguing adventure of the Tuck Family while you support Special Needs children in the tri-state area.

Thank you for your kind considerationâ€¦

For additional information contact:

Tiffany S Ball: 812-431-4909
Brian D Ball: 812-431-4910
Jack B. Schriber: 812-453-7023

â€œA fearsome and beautifully written book that canâ€™t be put down or forgottenâ€ The New York Times

Judges Reverse Resisting Law Enforcement Conviction, Citing Insufficient Evidence

10/11/2017

Jennifer Nelson for www.theindianalawyer.com

A Fort Wayne womanâ€™s conviction for misdemeanor resisting law enforcement was overturned Thursday by the Indiana Court of Appeals after the judges determined the state didnâ€™t prove she fled from the police officers.

Fort Wayne Policeâ€™s Emergency Services Team executed a warrant on Dori Westâ€™s home resulting from an investigation into a major drug ring involving the sale of synthetic drugs. Westâ€™s 18-year-old son had previously delivered Spice to a confidential informant in front of Westâ€™s home.

At the time police entered the home, Westâ€™s 2-year-old grandson was in a bedroom asleep; other children were in the home getting ready for school. Police shouted several commands for people to come out of the home as the officers broke through the window into the living room.

An officer saw West look at the them then turn her back and begin going to the bedroom where the boy was sleeping. An officer fired a foam baton at her. Afterward, she left the home and was detained. The officers then removed the 2-year-old and an 11-year-old boy from the home.

The state charged West with Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement by fleeing in November 2014 but didnâ€™t go to trial until March 2017, where she was found guilty.

West, in her appeal, raised several claims, but the Court of Appeals addressed the sufficiency of evidence claim only. Judge Robert Altice noted that in the 20 seconds of chaos during which West is alleged to have fled, there was no evidence West was ordered to stop. The officers instead shouted for everyone to exit.

â€œDirecting West to exit her home was not the same thing as ordering her to stop,â€ Altice wrote. â€œ[T]here is no evidence from which a reasonable factfinder could conclude that West intended to flee, escape, or even unnecessarily prolong her exit from the home.â€

Westâ€™s conviction was reversed in Dori J. West v. State of Indiana, 02A04-1704-CR-783, and her case remanded with instructions to vacate the conviction and sentence.

HoopFest tickets now available to general public

10/11/2017

Fans of the University of Evansville menâ€™s and womenâ€™s basketball teams are invited to sign up for their seats to the 2017 HoopFest event, which is set for October 25, 2017 at Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

Tickets are free, but seating is limited.Â You can guarantee your ticket is by registering at this link: (http://www.uealumnionline.com/s/1096/index.aspx?sid=1096&gid=1&pgid=1900&cid=3403&ecid=3403).Â Tickets can also be obtained by calling or texting 812-488-ACES or by visiting the Carson Center ticket office.Â Approximately 500 seats remain and are going fast.Â Fans are limited to four tickets apiece.

HoopFest, which is presented by Heritage Federal Credit Union, will take place starting at 7 p.m. on the 25^th with the doors opening an hour prior.Â Both the menâ€™s and womenâ€™s squads will be on hand for scrimmages, contests and much more.

Schedule posters for both teams will be available with a team autograph session following the event.Â For more information, call 812-488-ACES.

This will also be the first opportunity for season ticket holders to pick up their ticket boxes.

The 2017 Indiana Teacher of Year to Visit UE on October 11-12

10/11/2017

Jitka Nelson, 2017 Indiana Teacher of the Year, will visit the University of Evansville campus on Wednesday and Thursday, October 11-12. She will be speaking to students and professors on such topics as strategies and tips for working successfully with ESL students and their families. There will also be an informal Q&A session.

Nelson has been a teacher at Logansport Community High School since 2006. During her career as an educator, she has been an instructional assistant and classroom teacher in the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United States. A graduate of the University of Southern Bohemia, she has a BA in Pedagogy and dual MA in Russian as a Foreign Language and Music.

She has received numerous awards including the 2016 Crystal Berry Award – Logansport District Teacher of the Year Award, the 2015 Woman of Distinction Award – Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and the 2014 Pillar of the Logansport Community School Corporation Award.

The mission of the Indiana Teacher of the Year program, which began in 1957, is to â€œinspire, rejuvenate and celebrateâ€ the profession, according to the Indiana Department of Education website. Those who earn the designation continue to support the education community. As Indianaâ€™s 2017 Teacher of the Year, Nelson will represent Indiana in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Eagles Finish Road Schedule Out West

10/11/2017

The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team concludes the 2017 regular season road schedule with a visit to the western edge of the GLVC when it goes to William Jewell College Friday and Rockhurst University Sunday. Kickoff Friday at WJC in Liberty, Missouri, is set for 5 p.m., while the start time against Rockhurst is slated for noon in Kansas City, Missouri.

Coverage of the Screaming Eagles road games, including live stats and video, is available on GoUSIEagles.com.

Week 7 Eagle Notes:Â

Eagles split homestand:Â USI (5-3-4, 3-2-4 GLVC) split its homestand last weekend, falling 1-0 to 14th-ranked Quincy University before winning a 2-1 decision over Truman State University.

McCormick named GLVC Offensive Player of the Week:Â Â Freshman forwardÂ Taylor McCormickÂ (Rapid City, South Dakota) was named the GLVC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring both goals in the win over Truman State University. The award was the first for McCormick and the first for the Eagles since junior midfielderÂ Olivia WildeÂ (Racine, Wisconsin) won the award during last year’s opening week.

Logjam for the scoring lead:Â The Eagles have a logjam at the top of the goal scoring column with four freshmen and a senior leading the way. Freshmen defenderÂ Madelyne JuengerÂ (Columbia, Illinois), forwardÂ Maggie WinterÂ (St. Louis, Missouri), midfielderÂ Sunny LehmanÂ (Evansville, Indiana), forwardÂ Taylor McCormick, and senior forwardÂ Haley RheinlanderÂ (Evansville, Indiana) have recorded three goals each this season. Juenger is the team’s overall leader in points with nine on three goals and three assists, while Rheinlander, Winter, and McCormick are tied for second with eight points on three goals and two assists each.

Eagles down in the all-time lead series with Cardinals:Â The Eagles trail the Cardinals of WJC in all-time series, 4-2-0, after losing a 1-0 overtime decision last year at home.

RockhurstÂ holds the all-time lead over USI:Â USI is behind in the all-time series with Rockhurst, 11-1-1, after falling to the Hawks last year, 4-0, at home. The last time USI defeated the Hawks was in 2010, 2-1, at Strassweg Field.

USI, WJC, and Rockhurst in the GLVC:Â USI and WJC (6-4-2, 4-3-2 GLVC) is tied for fifth in the league with a .556 winning percent. Rockhurst (6-6-0, 4-5-0 GLVC) enters this week’s action 13th in the league.

Schoenstein enters his second year:Â USI Head CoachÂ Eric SchoensteinÂ is in his second season as the head coach of the Eagles, producing a 14-12-5 mark (.532).

Eagles Head To Road, Flying High

10/11/2017

The University of Southern Indiana men’s soccer team travels to the far west of the GLVC this week when it visits William Jewell College Friday in Liberty, Missouri, and fourth-ranked Rockhurst University Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri. Friday’s kickoff at WJC is set for 7:30 p.m., while Sunday’s start time at Rockhurst is slated for 2:30 p.m.

Links to coverage of the USI western road swing, including live stats and video, is available on GoUSIEagles.com.

Week 7 Eagle Notes:Â
Eagles sweep homestand:Â USI (6-5-0, 4-5-0 GLVC) moved back over the .500 mark with a homestand sweep last weekend. The Screaming Eagles defeated Quincy University, 2-1, to start the weekend before shutting out Truman State University, 1-0, to complete the homestand.

USI on longest winning streak of 2017:Â The Eagles have won three-straight matches, their longest winning stretch of the year.

Raines and Ramirez power weekend wins:Â Freshman defenderÂ Justin RainesÂ (Bartlett, Tennessee) and sophomore forwardÂ Eric RamirezÂ (Vincennes, Indiana) powered the offense in the win over Quincy and Truman State. Raines scored both goals in the 2-1 toppling ofÂ Quincy, while Ramirez scored the only goal of the match versus Truman State. Ramirez also had the assist on Raines’ game-winning second goal on Friday.

USI’s 2017 Offensive Leaders:Â Leading the USI offense this season is sophomore midfielderÂ Sean RickeyÂ (Columbia, Illinois), who has 11 points on five goals and one assist. Freshman defenderÂ Justin RainesÂ follows with eight points on four goals, while sophomore forwardÂ Eric RamirezÂ is third with seven points on three goals and one assist. Senior midfielderÂ Riley BeldingÂ (Columbus, Indiana) has a team-best four assists.

Second shutout of the year:Â USI senior goalkeeperÂ Adam ZehmeÂ (Orland Park, Illinois) recorded his second shutout of the season versus Truman State and has 14 in his career. The 14 shutouts ties Zehme for third all-time at USI with Kyle Pennick (2002-05).

USI closing on William Jewell in all-time series:Â The Eagles follow the Cardinals of WJC in the all-time series, 3-2-1, but have gone 2-0-1 in the last three meetings. USI defeated WJC in 2016, 3-0, at Strassweg Field.

USI trails all-time series with Rockhurst:Â USI trails the all-time series with Rockhurst, 19-1-3, after falling to the Hawks in the regular season in overtime, 2-1, and in the NCAA Division II Tournament, 3-1. The only time the Eagles defeated Rockhurst was at Strassweg Field in 2012.

Santoro begins his ninth year:Â USI Head CoachÂ Mat SantoroÂ has a 70-68-16 overall record at the helm of the Eagles since 2009.

USI in the GLVC:Â The Eagles moved into a tie for 11th in the conference standings after winning the last three matches, percentage points out away from a berth in the GLVC Tournament at the end of the month. Rockhurst (9-0-2, 8-0-1GLVC) leads the GLVC by two matches, while WJC (3-8-0, 1-8-0 GLVC) is 14th in the standings.

Two Artists, One Amazing Show – OPENING FRIDAY!

10/11/2017

Plural: An exhibit featuring Barbara and David Rodenberg

Join the Arts Council to launch Plural: An Exhibit featuring Barbara and David Rodenberg with a reception Friday, October 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Arts Council gallery.

The exhibit, showcasing the work of assemblage artist Barbara Rodenberg and ceramicist David Rodenberg, will be on display October 13 through November 3.

Come out to view never-before-seen pieces — and purchase one for your home! Most pieces are for sale, and at very reasonable prices!

**Opening Reception**

Plural: An exhibit featuring Barbara and David Rodenberg

Friday, October 13, 2017

5:30 – 7 p.m.

Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana

318 Main Street, Suite 101, Downtown Evansville

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