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IS IT TRUE JUNE 19, 2017

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IS IT TRUE Evansville City Councilman Jonathan Weaver has raised the idea of privatizing the Mesker Zoo?…Public records indicate the city funded over $4.8 million for the zoo this year, but the zoo only brought $1.1 million in revenue?…Weaver reportedly says that $3 million loss got him thinking that with tax dollars being in short supply that Evansville would be well served to turn this loser over to a private investor?…one would have to question whether Councilman Weaver knows anything about the for profit world, because any operation that is losing $3.7 Million per year isn’t worth a thing?…it is sort of shocking to learn that the zoo only took in $1.1 Million after dropping over $10 Million on the jaguar exhibit and $600,000 to draw plans for a $8 million dollar Penguin exhibit?…the real question Weaver and others should be asking is how much the City of Evansville would have to pay a real investor to take the zoo off their hands?…for the $3.7 Million in losses every person in Evansville could have been given a trip to St. Louis to see a real zoo and still have money left over?…the CCO raises the question about whether or not Evansville has anything at all that breaks even?…the list of losers won’t even fit on this page?  …we wonder why Mr. Weaver just discovered that the Zoo is losing over $3 million dollars each year since he’s been a member of the Evansville City Council for 6 years? …we thank Councilman Weaver for providing a big laugh for everyone in Evansville that can add and subtract?  …we can’t wait to hear what City Council Finance Chairman and former Zoo Director Dan McGinn is going to say about this issue since he once declared that the Zoo is close to a breaking even point?

IS IT TRUE in an instance of idiocy that rivals several other blatant oversights, the North Main projects is being ripped up to make the street 6 inches wider because it was not designed to allow for two busses to be able to pass each other?…now there will be a 6 inch margin of error for the drivers to negotiate?…we wonder if whomever designed this has the good sense to use a tape measure on a bus to find out how wide a road should be before pouring concrete?…this ridiculous oversight had to have been stamped by the appropriate professionals and approved by the planning department?…these geniuses somehow decided to put 20 pounds of product in an 18 pound bag and now are standing in amazement that it wouldn’t fit?…we hope they check the width of the highly prized bike lanes because we really don’t want to see anyone get killed because the people in charge can’t read a ruler?

IS IT TRUE this is not the first time something that was literally stupid happened with infrastructure improvements?…once upon a time someone approved a paving project on Diamond Avenue that wouldn’t allow a semi truck to pass under a railroad bridge without getting stuck?…the first truck through got stuck and the tires had to be flattened to let it pass?…we guess that one was missed by 6 inches too?…that one required an expensive rework too?…then there was the scoreboard at the new expensive ball fields that wasn’t useful for baseball?…the same ball fields missed the length of the base paths for the leagues that the park was built for?…we really need to bring back vocational education so then professional design folks in Evansville can learn to read a ruler?…the advice measure twice and cut once doesn’t even save someone from making a mess when the design is wrong?…you can’t even make this sort of idiocy up and it always falls on the taxpayers to bail out the 1st grade failures of the City of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that one thing done right the second time on North Main was replacing the dilapidated water pipes?…we wonder why that took a second look?…common sense does not run deep in the Civic Center?

IS IT TRUE we are being told that the Evansville city employees Healthcare costs are totally out of control and will have a major shortfall problem this budget year?  …we wonder where the City Controller is getting the extra money to pay for the city employees Healthcare costs cost overruns?

IS IT TRUE that we wonder, if any current member of our City Council went to a new car Dealership and signed a legal contract to purchase a MERCEDES-BENZ and they were told that they had to accept a Volkswagen for the same price, would they agree to the transaction?  … their answer should be “HELL NO”?  …this is seemly what happens every time the city gets involved in a big ticket capital project (new downtown Hotel, North Main Street project, new Smart Water meters, Amazonia project at the Zoo. etc.)?

Todays “READERS POLL” question is: Do you feel that someone should be held accountable for the major mistake made in redesigning the $18 million dollar North Main project?

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

Bipartisan Bill from Bucshon, Grassley, Schatz, Bera Would Help Document Areas Underserved by General Surgeons

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Bipartisan Bill from Bucshon, Grassley, Schatz, Bera Would Help Document Areas Underserved by General Surgeons
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would produce high quality data on where general surgeons are in short supply around the country.  The need for general surgeons is especially high in rural or other under-served communities.

“As a practicing surgeon for nearly 15 years, I understand that access to general surgery services can significantly improve health outcomes and save lives,” Bucshon said.“Unfortunately, many of our rural communities in Indiana, and across the country, are facing a shortage of general surgeons, which can prevent many of our citizens in those areas from receiving the care they need. This legislation will provide important data and information on how we can best develop solutions to address this growing challenge.”   

“If you have an accident on a farm in rural Iowa, there are usually no general surgeons available nearby to treat you,” Grassley said.  “You need a general surgeon to find any hidden injuries and perform the surgery to treat them.  We know generally that general surgeons are in short supply all over.  Our bill would help determine exactly where those doctors are needed the most.  With that information, policymakers and the medical community will be able to place surgeons where they’ll do the most good.”

 “You can’t solve a problem without understanding it first,” Schatz said. “This bill will shine a bright light on the communities that need general surgeons, and in doing so help us expand access to health care for Americans, no matter where they live.”

“We need to prepare today to avoid serious physician shortages in the future,” Bera said.  “We know that our current supply of surgeons will not be able to keep pace with a growing and aging population. This bill will help us understand which areas are most in need and how we can best target effective solutions so that every American has access to high quality care regardless of where they live.”

The Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2017 is identical in the Senate and House of Representatives.  The measure would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the designation of general surgery shortage areas.  Such an area is an urban, suburban or rural area of the United States with a population underserved by general surgeons.  High quality, impartial data should consider health outcomes, utilization trends, growing and aging populations and delivery system needs, which all have an effect on surgeon demands.

The text of the Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2017 is available here.  The Senate bill is S. 1351.  The House bill is H.R. 2906.

 

CHANNEL 44 NEWS: Surprise Birthday Cards for Newburgh Teen With Autism

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Surprise Birthday Cards for Newburgh Teen With Autism

Marlo Hamilton posted a little note on Facebook for her friends to see. It was a simply request: send birthday cards to her son Dawson for his 18th birthday. Since then it has been growing and growing and cards have started to come in. Dawson has…

Justices Question Teen’s LWOP Sentence At Oral Arguments

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Justices Question Teen’s LWOP Sentence At Oral Arguments

Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

In Indiana, only five juveniles have been sentenced to life without parole. Now, the fate of the fifth juvenile rests with the justices of the Indiana Supreme Court, who must decide whether the teen’s act of shooting and killing another 17-year-old rises to a level of offense that warrants spending the rest of his life behind bars.

In a direct LWOP appeal to the state’s highest court, the case of Carltez Jamall Taylor v. State of Indiana, 82S00-1610-LW-00576 was heard by the justices on Tuesday. The case came to the court after Carltez Taylor, a then-17-year-old, shot and killed another teenager, J.W., after lying in wait for him on a street corner. A jury in Vanderburgh Circuit Court recommended a life without parole sentence for Taylor, but his counsel now challenges that sentence, telling the court LWOP sentences should be reserved for only the most heinous of juvenile crimes.

To illustrate that point, Matthew McGovern, Taylor’s counsel, pointed the justices to the case of Conley v. State, 972 N.E.2d 864 (Ind. 2012), in which the Supreme Court upheld juvenile Andrew Conley’s LWOP sentence for killing his younger brother, but only because the crime constituted an “unimaginable horror.” The court in Conley noted the death of the victim was not a “nearly-instantaneous death by a bullet,” but rather was a drawn-out process. Here, however, J.W. died within five minutes of being shot, so McGovern said his client’s conduct did not rise to the same level of heinousness as the defendant in Conley.

But Kelly Loy, counsel for the state, presented a different view of J.W.’s murder, one in which Taylor coerced J.W.’s girlfriend into bringing him to the scene unarmed, then waited several minutes around a dark corner before emerging into the street and opening fire. While Loy did concede the circumstances in Conley were more gruesome than those in Taylor’s case, she said the level of premeditation Taylor exhibited in the hours leading up to the fatal shooting rise to the level of an appropriate LWOP sentence.

However, Justice Mark Massa noted that in Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551, 125 S. Ct. 1183 (2005), the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the death penalty was unconstitutional when applied to juvenile defendants. Considering the fact that a life sentence is essentially a “death sentence” for Taylor, who will never be released from prison if relief is not granted, Massa asked Loy why the Roper holding should not be applied to the instant case.

According to Loy, “death is different,” and although Indiana’s capital punishment and LWOP statutes are the same, the same logic does not necessarily apply to the two types of sentences. Chief Justice Loretta Rush then wanted to know what about Taylor made him so “irredeemable” so as to have no hope for a rehabilitated future, and Loy once against pointed to the perceived premeditation of J.W.’s murder, as well as Taylor’s growing criminal history.

McGovern, however, said Loy was trying to view Taylor’s actions through the lens of an adult, not a juvenile. At 17 years old, juveniles may not be able to fully process the consequences of their actions, McGovern said, so it would be unfair to impose an adult’s thought process on Taylor’s case.

McGovern also urged the court to provide Taylor relief on the grounds that the jury did not return a special verdict form indicating the appropriate LWOP aggravating factor had been found. Such a form is required under Indiana law, he said, and the failure to return the form constitutes a Sixth Amendment due process violation. Loy, however, said although the special form was not returned, the jury properly considered the case and was properly instructed.

Full oral arguments in the case are available here.

Adopt A Pet

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Kit is a 7-month-old male orange tabby. He gets along just fine with other cats! His $30 adoption fee includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact the Vanderburgh Humane Society at (812) 426-2563 or adoptions@vhslifesaver.org for details!

 

2016 Fallen Law Enforcement Officers 24oz Travel Tumbler

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Blue Alert again is Honoring our (144) 2016 Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty by Creating a 24oz Memorial (Hot/Clod) Tumbler with Lid.

Also, this Tumbler Honors the Five Dallas Officers that were killed in Dallas on July 7, 2016.

This is a Pre-Order Item as it is Custom made .

ORDER HERE:
http://www.bluealert.us/BlueAlertStore#!/PRE-ORDER-2016-Fallen-LEOs-Memorial-Cup-24oz-Hot-Cold/p/86218525/category=0 

The Tumblers will Ship on 7/7/2017

All 144 Names of the Fallen are on the Tumbler.

Sale ends on Wed. 6/21/2017 at Midnight (PT)

Get yours Now and Support Our Fallen Heroes

The Blue Alert Foundation Helps Families of the Fallen Killed in the Line of Duty.

Suit alleging Kroger stores didn’t collect sales tax reverts to state court

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Dave Stafford for www.theindianalwyer.com

A Fort Wayne attorney’s lawsuit alleging Kroger stores in Indiana have for years knowingly failed to collect and remit state sales tax on hundreds of non-exempt food items and other goods will be heard in state court after a judge denied the grocers’ bid to transfer the suit to federal court.

Michael D. Harmeyer filed a whistleblower complaint in Marion Superior Court in which he alleges more than 1,400 unique items were purchased since 2014 at Kroger and affiliated stores in Indiana where sales tax should have been collected but wasn’t. The products range from candy and prepared foods to magazines, kitchenware and trees.

Harmeyer presented his findings to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office as a qui tam complaint under the Indiana False Claims Act that would entitle him to a percentage of any amount recovered on behalf of the state. Last year, though, the attorney general’s office and Office of the Inspector General declined to intervene in the case, according to the record, but Harmeyer proceeded with the case.

Citing the state’s refusal to intervene among other things, Kroger moved to venue the complaint in federal court, but Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson this week denied the motion in the District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in Indianapolis. She ruled that even though Indiana officials didn’t intervene in Harmeyer’s complaint, the state was nevertheless a real party in interest in the case, and the federal court therefore lacked jurisdiction to hear the dispute. The suit was remanded to Marion Superior Court for further proceedings.

The state court record includes Harmeyer’s itemized, 122-page shopping list spreadsheet that lists dates and stores where he says items were purchased that he alleges do not qualify for Indiana’s food sales tax exemption. The items were purchased at Kroger, and at Food 4 Less, Jay C, Owen’s, Pay Less Super Markets, Ruler Foods and Scott’s Food and Pharmacy stores that operate under Kroger’s corporate umbrella, almost always with no tax paid. The spreadsheet also includes dates and purchases of a few similar goods at non-Kroger grocers such as Meijer and Walmart, and the amount of tax that was paid at those stores.

Under the Indiana False Claims Act, a whistleblower is entitled to 15 to 25 percent of any amount recovered if the state intervenes, or 25 to 30 percent if the state does not.

Harmeyer and the attorneys who represent him, Helmer Martins, Rice & Popham of Cincinnati, did not immediately reply to messages seeking comment Friday, nor did attorneys who represent Cincinnati-based Kroger in this action, Smith Fisher Maas Howard & Lloyd of Indianapolis. A Kroger spokesperson also did not immediately reply to messages seeking comment Friday.

The suit is State of Indiana ex. rel Harmeyer v. The Kroger Co. et al., 1:17-cv-538.

 

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

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Customer Service Front Desk Associate
Midwest Behavioral Health – Evansville, IN
Currently we are searching for someone to join our team who is responsible, experienced in behavioral health and organized, to work at our front desk….
Easily apply
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Clerical Asst
SkillDemand – Boonville, IN
Receives and responds to routine inquiries from client and/or the public by telephone and/or correspondence regarding case information, services, and/or…
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Office Administrator
thyssenkrupp Elevator Americas 815 reviews – Evansville, IN
Which may include running Account History reports, weekly pre-invoicing reports, high profile service account reports, WIP, Routing, TK Exact, missed service…
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Patient Account Representative
Southwestern Healthcare 10 reviews – Evansville, IN
Applicants must pass the required criminal background checks, pass a drug screen, hold a valid driver’s license and qualify for Southwestern’s vehicle liability…
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Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Hamlin Equipment Rental – Evansville, IN
Receive incoming shipments. Applicant must be able to perform timely and accurate completion of basic order fulfillment as well as ensuring that shipping and…
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Hot Topic, Inc 872 reviews – Evansville, IN
Takes responsibility for own performance and consistently meets commitments. Able to use store equipment including cash registers, sensors, cutters, scissors,…
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Conduct activities in a safe manner, follow corporate safety guidelines and requirements (no cell phones while driving, proper bending, etc.), use personal…
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$26,000 a year
Must have valid Driver’s License, Be accepted on our Insurance, pass DOT Physical, If Indiana resident – will need to get Chauffeur License, We reimburse your…
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Valid Driver’s License. Select, repair and organize tools as needed. Fork truck operation. Receive material and distribute to jobs or trucks….
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Now hiring at 909 North First Avenue,…
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(Part Time) Activities Assistant – Signature HealthCARE of Newburgh
Signature HealthCARE LLC 372 reviews – Newburgh, IN
Current driver’s license with clean driving record and proof of insurance is required for this position. We’re currently hiring for a Part Time Activities…
Jun 9
Rehab Tech Level 1 Full Time
CHS Therapy 5 reviews – Newburgh, IN
??Answers phones and handle customers in a professional and courteous manner. ??Assists Rehab Director in month end billing reconciliation procedures and…
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COLLECTOR I
Old National Bank 103 reviews – Evansville, IN
We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have an agreement signed by the SVP Talent…
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Old Chicago Pizza | CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries Group, Inc. 71 reviews – Evansville, IN
Answer phone calls and respond to inquiries or transfer calls and effectively use paging system. Greet Guests and seat them at tables suitable for their needs…
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STOLL’S COUNTRY INN SOUTH, INC. – Evansville, IN
In addition, they will ensure that guests are satisfied with their dining experience. Ensure maintenance of proper cleanliness in all areas of front of house…
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Now hiring at 135 South 2nd Street,…
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Responsible for giving employees and non-profit groups direction in the cleaning of equipment, break down stations and general sanitation policies as set forth…
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Mobile Phlebotomist
APPS Paramedical Services 8 reviews – Evansville, IN
Ship specimens to lab for testing (no cost to you). Record medical history, collect blood and urine specimens, do oral swabs, EKGs and more….
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Production Supervisor- 06092017
SRG Global 115 reviews – Evansville, IN
Bachelor’s degree in management or related field / degree. Observe and comply with all federal, state and local safety and environmental regulations associated…
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Clinical Office Assistant CMA – Research Institute
Deaconess Health System 28 reviews – Evansville, IN
Current certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (CMA) or licensure as an LPN in the state of Indiana….
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Hot Topic Assistant Manager – Part Time
Hot Topic, Inc 872 reviews – Evansville, IN
Associate Discount, Monthly Bonus, Medical/Vision/Dental/Life Insurance, 401K, Tuition Reimbursement, Concert Reimbursement and more!…
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Hot Topic Assistant Manager – Full Time
Hot Topic, Inc 872 reviews – Evansville, IN
Associate Discount, Monthly Bonus, Medical/Vision/Dental/Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement,. Minimum 1-2 years of specialty/apparel Store Manager experience…
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Indiana Chamber names Sullivan a ‘Legislative Champion’

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STATEHOUSE (June 16, 2017) — State Rep. Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville) has been named as one of five 2017 Indiana Chamber Legislative Champions for her work as a co-author on House Enrolled Act 1004, which provided for the expansion of pre-K education. The award is given to individuals in the legislature who take on tough tasks and work diligently to see much-needed policies across the finish line.

The Chamber recognized her passionate advocacy for the passage of the expansion of Indiana’s pre-K program and noted, “Though not even a member of the governing committee, Sullivan worked hard all session for the measure, which will make a real difference for at-risk students in her district and around the state.”

“I was especially honored to be acknowledged for my work on a bill that I was very passionate about,” Sullivan said. “As a parent of school-aged children, I fully understand how important high-quality early childhood education opportunities are to a child’s future. I also believe that better equipping our youth will provide a huge benefit to the entire state in the future through a better prepared workforce and a reduction in the need for state services.”

Sullivan also earned a 100 percent on the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Vote Analysis for her support of pro-jobs, pro-economy legislation.

Sullivan’s score is based on her performance during the 2017 session of the Indiana General Assembly and her votes cast in agreement with the chamber’s position on certain bills, including measures on long-term road funding, ISTEP replacement and pre-K.

“We want employers and citizens to take note of this report because it makes it very clear which legislators were supportive of bettering Indiana’s economic climate and which were not,” said Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar.

According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Indiana’s statewide unemployment rate as of April stood at 3.6 percent, which is lower than the national average of 4.4 percent. U.S. News and World Report ranked Indiana as the best-run state in America based on fiscal responsibility, streamlined operations, improved services and enhanced transparency.

“Putting more Hoosiers to work and keeping unemployment numbers down is always a goal of mine,” Sullivan said. “Making sure our workforce is prepared for available jobs is another way to make sure Indiana’s economy remains healthy and vibrant.”

Sullivan, a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, received a four-year aggregate score of 94 percent.

 

Help The Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Rename Their Dinner!

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We are exploring the possibility of changing our yearly banquet name, and WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are looking for a name that shows that the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party is a party forward looking, inclusive, progressive minded, and for the working people.
And the best part is, if we choose your name suggestion, you will win 2 free tickets to this year’s dinner!
Reply to this email before Friday, June 30th, to be entered to win!
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