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“IS IT TRUE” That The City of Evansville 2018 Budget Is Estimated To Cost $23 Million More

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IS IT TRUE during the last several years former City Council President and Finance Chairman John Friend, CPA have been warning select members of Council,, members of the main stream media and the City County Observer that the City of Evansville future budgets are heading for a major deficit spending free fall?  …it looks like Mr. Friends predictions was also spot on?

IS IT TRUE we have been told by an creditable source that John Friend, CPA has been contacted by a couple of City Council members asking him if he would look over the proposed 2018 City of Evansville budget?  … they want him to give them advice on how they can balance the $23 Million budget shortfall for 2018?  …they offered to pay him a mere $2,500 for his consulting services?  …Mr. Friend declined their offer?

IS IT TRUE that the proposed budget for the City of Evansville has now been made public and there must be some seriously good things going on in the local economy for such an increase in spending to be proposed with a straight face? …the overall budget has swelled by $23 Million over last year to $368.4 Million which represents an increase of 6.7%?

IS IT TRUE that the biggest cost center on the public dole is the Evansville Sewer and Water Department that is increasing 17% to a total of $164.1 Million at a time that wages are stagnant and brain drain continues to rage?

IS IT TRUE those astronomical increases in the Evansville Water and Sewer Department budget by definition mean that the cost of those services will be going up by 17% too?…if your water and sewer bill today averages $150 per month then you can expect to get your pocket picked for another $25.50 per month?…if you are earning $35,000 per year working for the City of Evansville, your take home pay with a 1% increase will go up by $24,80 per month?…then you will get to fork it all over to the City for your water bill plus another 70 cents?…this is not what one might call upward mobility?

IS IT TRUE when it comes to employees of the City of Evansville the Office of the Mayor is not nearly as generous as they are with other types of spending? … regular old rank and file city employees can expect an increase of a whopping 1% while police and fire will be faced with the daunting task of not spending their 2% increase in all the same place?…both of these wage increases are below the cost of living increase of 2016 and the expected cost increases in 2017?…the unbudgeted reality is that workers at the City of Evansville will have less discretionary money next year than they had this year?…this tradition of getting a little worse off every year continues but the expenses keep going up?

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville budget proposal amounts to $3,066 for every man, woman, and child who dwells in Evansville?…on the family level that equates to about $7,000 per household?…that is a big darn tax bill for a poor town to absorb?…there are some debts that are being serviced from the general fund now and none of them were supposed to create undo stress on the city budget?…the biggest offender and colossal disappointment in financial support remains the Ford Center that is budgeted to consume $8.26 Million next year?…that is the same Ford Center that former Mayor Weinzapfel and his handpicked consultants told us would cover its own debt?…this is the sixth year and it hasn’t covered so much as a dime of its own debt yet, leaving the taxpayers of Evansville underwater by $50 Million and counting?…that was and is a bunch of hockey?…Horse hockey that is?

IS IT TRUE we were surprised to find a line item for a Penguin exhibit at the zoo that is guaranteed from day one to lose money?…next year the planned loss is $430,000?…the highly touted spending on sewer repair that increased the sewer and water budget by 17% ($24 Million) is only $6 Million?…we wonder where that other $18 Million is going?…$6 Million is a pittance in the face of a “Billion Dollar Problem” that is going to raise the sewer and water bills by as much as $300 per home?

IS IT TRUE the taxpayers are also paying off an annual debts payment for the new downtown medical school ($2.7M), the downtown hotel ($1.26M) without having any ownership position? …we wonder who are the owners of the hotel and medical school buildings that the taxpayers are paying off the loan notes on?

IS IT TRUE that the two Republicans on the Vanderburgh County Commission voted to raise the LOIT earlier this year? …that the lone Democrat voted no? …it looks like County Commissioner Ben Shoulders (D) understands that the taxpayers of Vanderburgh County don’t want any more tax increases?

Todays READERS POLL question is: Tell us ways that the Evansville City Council can balance the 2018 budget?
Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS” posted in our sections.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.
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McGrath, Keller sweep MVC Player of the Week honors

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Aces named Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week after weekend sweep

After pair of victories to open the regular season, the University of Evansville men’s soccer team swept the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards, it was announced in a release Tuesday afternoon.

Senior midfielder Ian McGrath was named MVC Offensive Player of the Week and senior goalkeeper Matthew Keller was selected as MVC Defensive Player of the Week.

McGrath, a native of New Lenox, Ill., recorded two goals, both game-winners, and a pair of assists in the Aces’ season-opening wins. In UE’s 9-0 victory over Anderson (Ind.), McGrath opened the match with a goal in the 11th minute before assisting on two other goals. On Sunday, the senior scored the lone goal of the match on a long-range shot from the midfield stripe. McGrath earned national recognition as his game-winner against Marshall was named the No. 8 play on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.

A native of Carmel, Ind., Keller provided a steady force for the Aces in goal on the opening weekend of the season. Keller earned the victory against Anderson (Ind.) making one save in 55 minutes of action. Against Marshall, the senior held the Herd at bay, earning the win and making a pair of saves. The wins mark the fifth and sixth victories in Keller’s Aces career.

The honors are Keller and McGrath’s first weekly conference awards in their careers.

The Player of the Week awards are the first for the Aces since Zac Blaydes captured Offensive Player of the Week honors October 31, 2016.

The Aces return home for the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic on Friday and Sunday at Arad McCutchan Stadium. The classic features UE, Bradley, Northern Illinois, and Milwaukee. The Aces take on Milwaukee at 7:30 p.m. Friday before challenging NIU at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Schedule change for Women’s Soccer match with Illinois

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The University of Evansville women’s soccer team has made an alteration to its weekend schedule due to inclement weather in the forecast.

Originally scheduled for Friday at 1:30 p.m.,the Purple Aces will now play the University of Illinois on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Arad McCutchan Stadium.

Channel 44 News: Officer-Involved Shooting Update, Second Weapon Found at the Scene

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Officer-Involved Shooting Update, Second Weapon Found at the Scene

AUGUST 30TH, 2017  TYRONE MORRIS EVANSVILLE, INDIANA

 55-year-old Ricky Ard is identified as the man who was shot dead outside of the Federal Courthouse. The incident happened around 11:18 a.m. near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Sycamore Street in downtown Evansville.

Authorities say Ard returned Tuesday morning with a baseball bat and began to break multiple windows at the entrance of the building. A federal officer was injured by flying glass while trying to stop Ard from getting into the building.

Officers attempted to stop Ard using tasers but were ineffective. Two officers then discharged their weapons, killing Ard. SGT. Jason Cullum says, “This wasn’t vandalism this was an individual who was attempting to make entry into the Federal Courthouse by violent means so we want to make sure the public understands that. That this isn’t just an individual with a bat.”

Police can confirm Ard was not armed with a firearm but a second weapon was recovered from the scene.

Police could not confirm if there is an officer body camera footage from this shooting. EPD says if there is, they will work with the prosecutor’s office to determine if it will be released.

Justices: Caseload limit statute doesn’t warrant mandate for compliance

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Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

The Indiana Supreme Court has declined to issue a judicial mandate that would require the Department of Child Services to comply with statutory caseload limits, finding the statute in question does not provide specific compliance guidelines that would warrant issuing a mandate.

That decision, reached Monday in the case of Mary Price v. Indiana Department of Child Services; Director of Indiana Department of Child Services, 49S05-1705-PL-285, comes after DCS family case manager Mary Price sued her employer for failing to comply with Indiana Code 31-25-2-5, which limits her caseload to 17 children. According to her 2015 complaint against DCS and its director, Price’s caseload rose as high as 43 children, prompting her to seek an order mandating compliance with the caseload limits in the statute.

The department moved to dismiss on the grounds of a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, and the Marion Superior Court dismissed Price’s complaint under Rule 12(B)(6). But a divided panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed as to the mandate, finding a “clear, absolute and imperative duty on DCS to comply with maximum caseload standards as determined by the legislature.”

After hearing arguments in the case in June, the Indiana Supreme Court agreed with the trial court that dismissal of Price’s case is the appropriate action, finding the issuance of a mandate would be inappropriate in this case.

Noting a judicial mandate is an “extraordinary remedy,” Justice Geoffrey Slaughter wrote Monday for the unanimous court that such a remedy is only available when needed to compel a specific, ministerial act and only if the plaintiff is clearly entitled. While I.C. 31-25-2-5 does impose strict caseload limits, it does not specifically explain how DCS is expected to comply with those limits, Slaughter said. Without that specific guidance, the statute “affords the Department wide latitude in complying” and, thus, is not amenable to a mandate, he wrote.

“Although she seeks a mandate to force the Department’s compliance with caseload ratios, her brief recognizes the department’s discretion in accomplishing that goal: ‘How DCS does this is, of course, ultimately up to DCS,’” Slaughter wrote. “Price’s acknowledgment underscores our conclusion that the statutory cap is an outcome not susceptible to a judicial mandate.”

“…We think the best yardstick for resolving this question is the extent and nature of judicial oversight required to ensure compliance with the underlying obligation,” Slaughter continued. “Weighing in favor of mandate are those matters requiring little or no judicial time or expertise. Militating against mandate are those matters requiring more oversight, expertise, and that are not readily susceptible to a simple directive to obtain compliance.”

Price also supported her claim by pointing to the 1934 Indiana Supreme Court case of Gushwa v. State ex rel. Oster, 206 Ind. 237, 189 N.E. 129, in which the high court affirmed a judicial mandate to require a township trustee to comply with a statute that said the trustee “shall establish and maintain…a high school,” in certain conditions which had been met. But Slaughter rejected that argument, noting no cases since Gushwa have followed its precedent and that no other case authorizes the “issuance of a mandate to compel such an open-ended set of tasks.” However, the justices did not expressly overrule the 1934 case.

Though Price cannot proceed with the mandate action, the high court noted she can still seek relief through the state’s civil-service complaint procedure. However, it did not specify what relief she might be entitled to.

AG Hill: Police Access To Military Surplus Is Right Move

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USI Radio/TV Students Nominated For Seven National Student Production Awards

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Students at 95.7 FM The Spin, the University of Southern Indiana student-run radio station, and SETV12, USI’s student-run television station, were named finalists for seven National Student Production Awards (NSPAs) by the College Broadcasting Institute (CBI).

The awards recognize achievement in student television and radio from across the nation. USI received the highest number of finalists among all participating institutions.

Finalists from USI are:

  • Best Promo – Audio: 95.7 The Spin, “USI Basketball at Kentucky State”
  • Best DJ – Audio: 95.7 The Spin, “The Tyler Cooper Show”
  • Best DJ – Audio: 95.7 The Spin, “The Morning Show with Colin and Riley”
  • Best Station Imaging: 95.7 The Spin
  • Best Documentary/Public Affairs – Video: SETV12, “Angel Mounds: Finding a Lost City”
  • Best Sports Play-by-Play – Audio: 95.7 The Spin, “USI Basketball at Purdue”
  • Best Newscast – Audio: 95.7 The Spin, “95.7 News: Christie York”

Winners of the awards will be announced at the National Student Electronic Media Convention, held from November 2 – 4 in San Antonio, Texas.

For more information about 95.7 The Spin, visit their website at 957thespin.com. For more information about SETV12, contact Dr. David Black at dblack@usi.edu.

Evansville HydroFestâ„¢ Information

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The goal of Evansville HydroFest™ is to provide world-class entertainment in a safe and comfortable setting for all. To make the event as enjoyable as possible, organizers of this Labor Day Weekend’s Evansville HydroFest™ are urging race fans to be aware of the following:

  • Riverside Dr. in downtown Evansville will be CLOSED to all traffic beginning at 9:00 am CDT Monday, August 28th from Court St. (next to Tropicana Hotel Casino) to Cherry St. (across from the Evansville Museum). The closure will enable set up of all the facilities needed for this world-class event. Riverside Dr. will re-open Tuesday at 9:00 am, September 5th. Please schedule travel plans accordingly
  • All United States Armed Forces Veterans will be admitted to Evansville HydroFestâ„¢ FREE! Just show a valid Military ID at one of the four Admission Gates. Organizers thank you for protecting our freedom, so all can enjoy this event.
  • Admission Gates are located on Riverside Dr. at:

Court St., Main St., Cherry St., and Waterworks Rd. They will open at 8:00 am CDT Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Admission Wristbands will be available for $10 at all gates.

  • You CAN bring coolers to Evansville HydroFestâ„¢. They should be no larger than 12″x12″x12″ and contain NO glass. Anheuser Busch products will be available for sale at very fair prices on the Riverfront at several locations.

What You CANNOT Bring

  • Guns – Pets – Skateboards – Bicycles – Scooters – Drones – Fireworks – Tents – Shade Umbrellas

Viewing Areas

The permanent concrete bleachers on the lower level of Dress Plaza WILL be open for seating! And, at no additional cost! Seating will be on a first come – first served basis. You can bring blankets and chairs, but tents/shade umbrellas are NOT allowed here. Food and refreshments, including beer, will be conveniently close by. Toilets will also be adjacent to the area.

Four Choices for Viewing the Hydroplane Action

  1. In the Bleachers. Blankets and chairs ARE allowed, but NO tents/umbrellas.
  2. On the Riverside Dr. sidewalk, overlooking the Pits and Racecourse. Blankets and chairs ARE allowed, but NO tents/umbrellas. There will be some corporate tents here.

On the Greenway, from the Four Freedoms Monument to Waterworks Rd. Blankets and chairs ARE allowed, but NO tents/umbrellas.

  1. On the Ohio River from a pleasure boat. See below for details.

Boaters

  • Boaters, per the United States Coast Guard, the Ohio River will be closed to all traffic from 7:30 am CDT to 5:30 pm CDT on Friday September 1st, Saturday September 2nd, and Sunday September 3rd. Please plan accordingly.
  • Pleasure boats WILL be able to enjoy the non-stop racing action from two locations. Upriver from the racecourse, and downriver from the racecourse. There will be a clearly visible line with buoys. This area will be patrolled to keep everyone safe and at the proper distance.
  • Boaters, you are not required to, but organizers would certainly appreciate your purchase of a $10 Admission Wristband for everyone 13 and over on your craft. This helps defray the cost of a world-class event. Remember, your wristband also admits you to the live concerts on Friday and Saturday at Tropicana’s Outdoor Events Plaza, so it’s a great value!  Your consideration is appreciated.

Parking and Viewing for Attendees with Disabilities

  • There will be free parking in an area reserved for attendees with disabilities. The lot will be located on Main St. between First St. and Second St. Also offered will be a raised viewing area for race fans in wheelchairs. Those wishing to sit in the designated section are asked to use the Main St. Admission Gate near Old National Bank. A $10 Evansville HydroFestâ„¢ Admission Wristband is required.

$10 Admission Wristbands

  • The $10 Admission Wristband admits ages 13 and up to all three days of racing. Ages 12 and under are free. For those 21 and above, the Wristband includes admission to the Concert & Beer Garden at Tropicana’s Outdoor Events Plaza, Friday and Saturday, 6:00 pm to midnight.
  • Purchase Admission Wristbands at all six Evansville-area Schnuck’s stores, nine Heritage Federal Credit Union locations, the Evansville Museum of Art, History and Science, and SWIRCA until August 31st.  Starting September 1st, Admission Wristbands will be available at Riverside Dr. Admission Gates: Court St. attended by CASA, Main St. attended by SWIRCA, and Cherry St. attended by the Evansville Museum Guild. For each $10, the non-profit group earns $2 to further its positive impact on our City.

Evansville HydroFestâ„¢ is presented by Evansville Events, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit entity of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bob Warren is Executive Director. Serving on the Executive Organizing Committee are Vernon Stevens, President of Southern Business Machines and Randy Lientz, President of AXIOM. Warren, Stevens, and Lientz all reside in Evansville.

 

Gov. Holcomb Welcomes Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to Indiana

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Governor Eric J. Holcomb joined various state and local officials today to welcome Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to Indiana. They cut the ribbon on the 80/90 PUSH Project in Granger and participated in a roundtable discussion about the South Shore Line at the South Bend International Airport.

 

80/90 PUSH Project Ribbon Cutting

Sec. Chao addresses the group in Granger before cutting the ribbon on the 80/90 PUSH Project.

 

“Perhaps my favorite part of this project is that it was completed on time and under budget. That’s how we roll here in Indiana.” –Gov. Holcomb

Gov. Holcomb, Sec. Chao, President and CEO of the Indiana Toll Road Concession LLC Nic Barr, President and CEO of Reith-Riley Construction Keith Rose, and Head of Infrastructure for Industry Funds Management Julio Garcia cut the ribbon on the 80/90 PUSH Project. Find information, infographics and a video about the 80/90 PUSH Project at this link.

 

 

South Shore Line Roundtable

U.S. Senator Todd Young hosted Gov. Holcomb, Sec. Chao and other federal, state and local officials at the South Bend International Airport to discuss investment in the South Shore Line.

Sec. Chao addresses the media in South Bend about the South Shore Line, recapping her visit to Indiana with Gov. Holcomb, Sen. Young, Rep. Walorski and Rep. Visclosky.

 

From left to right: Gov. Holcomb, President and General Manager for the South Shore Line Mike Noland, Sen. Young, Sec. Chao and President and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority Bill Hanna.

 

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Edil M. Mercado Jr: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Level 6 Felony)

Sarah E. Proebstein: Impersonation of a public servant (Level 6 Felony)

Nicholas Tapp: Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony)

Dinada A. Shields: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Level 6 Felony)

Sara M. Wilhite: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony)

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