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IS IT TRUE JUNE 14, 2017

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IS IT TRUE that we wonder if the dogmatic pursuit of the excessive taxation of obsolete printing equipment in the possession of the Evansville Courier and Press by Vanderburgh County Assessor office ultimately led Gannett to move the printing operation to Louisville?…this is just the sort of thing that drives companies to pack their bags and head across the money saving bridge to some state that does not rake them over the coals for taxes on something that is gathering dust and has very little value?…there should be some sanity check to taxing property other than having someone in the assessor’s office who doesn’t know a printing press from a yo-yo assigning an arbitrary value to something they know very little about?…now that all is said and done, all of those jobs associated with printing the Courier and Press have moved across the river? …we predict that Vanderburgh County Assessor Bill Fluty (R) will have an extremely qualified Democratic opponent in the next General election?

IS IT TRUE Reckitt Benckiser Group announced that it has received final regulatory approval to acquire Mead Johnson Nutrition that has operated a manufacturing plant in Evansville for the last 102 years?…the deal is expected to close this Thursday?…it was about 6 years ago that Mead Johnson left the friendly confines of Evansville to move their headquarters to Chicago?…MJ has about 950 employees in Evansville who earn $85 million in wages and $30 million in benefits with nearly 100 holding advanced degrees?…we hope that the Vanderburgh County Assessor’s Office does not run this good business out of town by taxing dust gathering equipment as though it was golden?

IS IT TRUE that the saga of the downtrodden folks who are fearful of losing their subsidized housing continues with Mayor Winnecke’s political proclamation that he feels their pain?…it makes one wonder how someone who grew up in a middle class home without having experienced things like little food on the table, utilities shut off, health care insecurity and the threat of eviction from your home could really feel such pain?…Mayor Winnecke, like many Americans has lived a fairly comfortable middle class life and living in a nice home growing up, received his education at a private University, and a career path with very few pitfalls? …communication is truly what Mayor Winnecke is very good at but it must be pointed out that words do not pay the rent, utilities bills, provide basic health care, provide warn clothing for their kids or put groceries in the refrigerator?

IS IT TRUE it is unfortunate that Evansville has people who have been living a subsidized life so long that living without adequate subsidies for food, housing, clothing and medical care that instills fear in their psyches?…we hope that these people do find a way to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and escape the bondage of dependence?…we also understand that it is these people and not a person of privilege  that really know the fear of homelessness and an empty stomach?

IS IT TRUE it was recently announced that the KIDS FREEDOM PARK play ground located at Sunset Park will be moved to make way for a City of Evansville waste water pump station project?  …we highly recommend that the City of Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities folks check the land deed to see if they can use the soon to be vacated land for a water and sewer pump station project?  …we have been told that deed to this property clearly states that this land can only be used as a city park?  …we recommend that city check the deed to this property before building something on it?

IS IT TRUE we have been told that the City of Evansville design of $18 million dollar upgrade to the North Main street area may have an expensive repair issue facing them?  …we are hearing that the design work concerning the road width may be to narrow for delivery trucks to use?

Todays “READERS POLL” question is:  Do you feel that individuals in the Vanderburgh County Assessors office sometimes assigns an arbitrary value to something they know very little about?

We urge you to take time and click the section we have reserved for the daily recaps of the activities of our local Law Enforcement professionals. This section is located on the upper right side of our publication.

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

 EDITORS FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column doesn’t represents the views or opinions of our advertisers.

 

Dr. Bucshon Supports Landmark VA Accountability Bill

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Congress Sends Legislation To President Trump Granting The VA Secretary Authority To Fire Employees For Misconduct And Protecting Whistleblowers From Retaliation.
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – On Tuesday, the House passed S. 1094, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, landmark legislation to implement necessary reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs that hold bad actors accountable and protect whistleblowers.

 Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. released the following statement after voting to send S. 1094 to President Trump for his signature:

“The VA is failing to live up to the commitment made to our veterans and that should be unacceptable to every American,” said Bucshon. “To turn things around, the Secretary of the VA should be able to hold bad employees accountable, which is made nearly impossible under current law. The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act is landmark legislation that ensures bad actors are terminated or held accountable and whistleblowers who bring forward misconduct are protected. This legislation builds off our work to provide robust funding and badly needed reforms that improve the care delivered to veterans after several scandals involving VA-provided care came to light, like the atrocities we saw at the Phoenix VA. Our previous work combined with the legislation we passed today go a long way to ensuring veterans receive the timely and quality care that they have earned through their service.  I’m happy President Trump supports this common-sense measure and intends to sign it into law.”

After the U.S. Senate passed S. 1094 on June 6, 2017, President Donald Trump called on the House to expeditiously approve the legislation tweeting, “Senate passed the VA Accountability Act. The House should get this bill to my desk ASAP! We can’t tolerate substandard care for our vets.”

 

Desire For Second Boat Lift Not Enough To Override Prior Orders

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Desire For Second Boat Lift Not Enough To Override Prior Orders

Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com

The Indiana Court of Appeals swatted away an appeal of a dispute between pier owners, finding previous trial court orders resulting from more than 26 years of litigation over access to a lake clearly stated when a pier’s location can be changed.

Robert and Deborah Miller, who have property on Webster Lake in the Epworth Forest subdivision in Kosciusko County, requested the neighboring pier belonging to Gerry Lee and Patricia Ann Powell, who own property in the subdivision but not on the lake, be removed. The Millers needed the room to add a second boat lift to their dock.

The Epworth Forest Administration Committee, Inc., approved the request and the Powells responded by filing a lawsuit against the EFAC and the Millers. They argued the committee’s decision was arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable.

Kosciusko Circuit Court found for the Powells. It ruled the EFAC’s decision did not conform with the prior judgment and orders regarding the lake and that there had been no significant change in circumstances to require the removal or relocation of the Powells’ pier.

EFAC appealed, arguing the trial court misinterpreted its prior orders. The committee claimed not only did the court’s order require each pier to be placed in the center of each assignment but that the EFAC lacked the authority to order the Millers to move their pier because piers belonging to lakefront property owners were permanent.

In an opinion that included footnotes highlighting deficiencies in the briefs and exhibits submitted as part of the appeal, the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court in Epworth Forest Administration Committee, Inc. v. Gerry Lee Powell and Patricia Ann Powell, 43A03-1610-MI-2332.

The appellate panel described the prior orders from the previous years of litigation as using “unambiguous language.” Those previous rulings did not mandate the piers be located in the center of the assignments and they viewed all the piers to be permanent regardless of whether the owners lived directly on the lake or not.

Like the trial court, the Court of Appeals found the desire for a second boat lift did not constitute a “substantial change of circumstances” that would necessitate the Powells remove their pier.

 

Sara Dickey Signs Professional Contract

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UE Star Set To Play in Portugal

The leading scorer in University of Evansville women’s basketball history will play at the next level as Sara Dickey has inked a deal to play in Portugal in the upcoming season.

“I am really thankful for the opportunities that basketball has given me,” Dickey said.  “I am extremely excited to be going to Portugal.  It will be a culture shock, but an eye-opening experience at the same time.  I have been in a lot of contact with the coaches and team already, which makes me excited to get started.”

Dickey will be playing for Clube Juvenil Boa Viagem.  The club is located in Angra do Heroismo, Portugal in the Azores region of the country.  Founded in 1976, her team plays in the Liga Feminina in Portugal.  The team has enjoyed success over the years and has won several tournament championships.

“I am extremely happy for her; it has been a pleasure to see her develop and grow on and off the floor over the last few years,” Purple Aces head women’s basketball coach Matt Ruffing said.  “She has earned this opportunity and I am excited to see what she will do with it.  This is big for our program to have her play professionally.”

“She has set the bar high for what future Aces will aspire to be,” Ruffing added.  “For her to be in Portugal, it will be a new life experience and a new country that will allow her to grow even more.  Sara is self-motivated and self-driven and will do well on her own and mold her game.  She is ready go and I look forward to following her.”

With 2,099 points in her illustrious career, Dickey left the program as its all-time leading scorer and the 10th-best point total in Indiana Division I women’s basketball history.  That tally was also 6th in the Missouri Valley Conference record books.

Eat in the City, Art in the City deadline, NTOI volunteers needed, and more!

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See Art in the City, then Eat in the City!
Join us at the Arts Council to see our newest exhibit, Art in the City, then visit a participating restaurant to have 5% of your purchase donated to the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana!
We will launch Art in the City, our members-only exhibit, with an opening reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Arts Council. That same evening, participating restaurants will be a part of the Eat in the City fundraiser, where they will donate 5% of their sales to the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana! Current participating restaurants include Angelo’s, Arazu on Main, The Dapper Pig, Evansville Brewhouse, Gangnam Korean BBQ, Lamasco Bar and Grill, Peephole Bar & Grill, River City, and Sauced.
Be sure to make reservations now for your table the evening of June 23!
Eat in the City, Art in the City deadline, NTOI volunteers needed, and more!
ART IN THE CITY
PRE-REGISTRATION DUE FRIDAY!
Hurry! Pre-registration is available until June 16 for the Art in the City exhibit, which opens June 23. All Arts Council members are invited to participate in this members-only show, but pre-registration is required for all entries. All submissions entered will be displayed (if requirements are met).  Click here for the prospectus.
Not a member? Become one and take part in this show! Click here to join today!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
NATIONAL THEATRE ON ICE IN EVANSVILLE
National Theatre On Ice seeking volunteers June 20-June 25 at Swonder Ice Arena and the Ford Center. Volunteers receive free admission to the event on the day of their choice and a chance to win two tickets to Holiday World.  Click here to find volunteer positions that fit your interest and schedule.  All volunteers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license.  Ice Monitor volunteers must be 18 years or older.

YESTERYEAR: National City Bank by Pat Sides

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These happy National City Bank employees “ride” a tram that disguises some of the construction work behind the main office building at 227-229 Main Street. The date was December 1962, and the thriving bank was expanding to create more space for its loan departments. National City could trace its roots back to at least 1850, when it opened as the Canal Bank on Water Street (now Riverside Drive). In 1866, the bank moved to Main Street, eventually ending up at Third and Main. Over its long history, Canal Bank underwent several names changes: First National Bank, City National Bank, Old National Bank, and in 2000, Integra Bank. The institution closed in 2011.

Governor Holcomb Announces Low-Interest Disaster Loans for Washington and Surrounding Counties

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INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced the availability of low-interest disaster loans for Washington and the surrounding counties following spring flooding in southern Indiana.

Washington County qualified for the low-interest disaster loans and, as a result, the contiguous counties of Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Lawrence, Orange and Scott are also eligible.

“The low-interest disaster loans are a crucial step in the process of recovering from severe spring weather,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It is my hope that the citizens and businesses in these counties are able to fully recover in an efficient manner.”

The loans are available to residents, businesses and non-profit organizations through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Loan Amounts – Businesses and Organizations

Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. These loans are available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Loan Amounts – Citizens

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property.

How to Apply

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Applications and program information are available by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Deadlines to Apply

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is August 11, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 12, 2018

For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.

 

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Man suspected of numerous burglaries arrested, stolen items recovered

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Evansville Police have made an arrest in a string of home burglaries. Police believe the suspect, Destin Svestka, committed as many as 28 burglaries in recent weeks. The crimes happened on the east and northeast sides of Evansville.
Svestka was identified by a relative who caught him burglarizing her home. Based on the details of that burglary, police developed Svestka as a potential suspect in numerous other cases.
Svestka had an active warrant for his arrest and officer began trying to locate him. Based on a tip, police determined Svestka was at a home on E Morgan Ave. Svestka tried to run from the house as officers arrived, but was unable to do so. He went back into the residence and attempted to hide.
He was apprehended inside the home by a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s K-9 team. Police located items stolen in several of the burglaries at the home on Morgan and another home on Old Boonville Hwy.
Svestka is facing numerous charges including Bur glary, Resisting Law Enforcement, and a Parole Violation.

Teacher Bootcamp

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High School teachers and counselors learn about manufacturing

Friday, June 16; times below

Background:  The Alcoa Foundation Teachers’ Manufacturing Bootcamp is taking place in the month of June with 24 area teachers and counselors from middle and senior high schools from EVSC, Gibson Southern, Mt. Carmel, Mt. Vernon, and Boonville. On June 16, the group will be at Ivy Tech Community College for a breakfast and a hands-on tour.

The schedule includes:

8:30 a.m.: Breakfast in Room 107

9 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: Hands-on Campus and Lab Tours which will include:

  • Flying drones
  • Computer Numeric Controls – creating Teachers’ Boot Camp Commemorative Coins
  • Advanced Automation and Robotics Technology – Seeing robotics in action
  • Welding – Using the welding simulator
  • Mechatronics – Vibration analysis

Manufacturing is a very important component of the economy in Indiana providing 30% of the state’s earnings. It also provides high wages for the people engaged in manufacturing with an annual average of about $70,000. However, the retirement rate for manufacturing is increasing rapidly as the skills gap for the incoming workers continues to grow. This Bootcamp is one of the efforts underway in Southwest Indiana to help combat this trend.

Contact at the event:  Jim Heck, Executive Director of Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce; and at the breakfast – Ivy Tech Chancellor Jonathan Weinzapfel

Rep. Messer Votes for Landmark Legislation to Reform VA, Improve Care for Veterans

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Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) voted today on landmark, bipartisan legislation to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs and improve care for veterans, after years of poor performance and scandal.

  1. 1094, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, streamlines the process to remove, demote or suspend any VA employee for poor performance or misconduct, while protecting employees’ due process rights and expanding protections for whistleblowers.

Messer spoke on the House Floor in support of the bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today.

“The Veterans Accountability Act will hold bureaucrats accountable, make it easier to dismiss bad employees, and strengthen protections for whistleblowers. These are common sense reforms and long overdue,” Messer said in his remarks. “Our military men and women – our Hoosier heroes – fought to protect us, the least we can do is fight for them … to ensure they get quality care.”

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This bipartisan legislation is Congress’ latest response to VA scandals over the past few years, including waitlists so long they’ve been attributed to veterans’ deaths, theft and wrongful prescription of opioids nationally and locally in Cincinnati, and calls to the VA suicide hotline going unanswered.

  1. 1094 has already passed the U.S. Senate and now heads to the President’s desk.

VIDEO of Messer’s full remarks is available here.

 

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