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“READERS FORUM” MARCH 24, 2017

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Todays “READERS POLL” question is” Should the Vanderburgh County Council approve the spending of $500,000 to combined both county offices into one business pod?

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.

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City County Observer has been serving our community for 18 years.

EDITORS FOOTNOTE: For the last several years we have had the following questions and statements on our mind and would like for you to help us to expand this list.  Bottom line,  we feel its time that our elected and appointed officials practice good public policy.

QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FOR YOU TO EXPAND ON

Are you disappointed that State officials received a $57 million dollars commitment from the taxpayers of Evansville to build the new downtown IU Medical School and then quietly eliminated Ivy Tech medical Tech students from this project?

Are you upset that the Evansville City Council voted to reduce our Homestead Tax Credits by 2% this year without consulting the taxpayers of this community?

Are you getting tired of the wasteful spending habits of our local elected and appointed officials?

Are you getting sick and tired of the broken political promises made to us by our elected officials?

Do you feel that Its time to challenge the out of control nepotism and political patronage practices at the Civic Center?

Does it concern you that our local elementary schools continue to post F grades while our extremely well paid EVSC Administrators create new slogans and workshops in an attempt to attack this unacceptable problem without measurable results?

Do you feel it was wise for EVSC to spend $3 1/2 million dollars to purchase a golf course without any immediate plans to develop the land?

Are you aware that  the Evansville DMD has been purchasing vacant lots and dilapidated property on North Main way over assessed value?

Did you know that DMD also has given hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars for Facade Grants to political supporters of the Mayor?

Are you tired of our elected officials awarding legal, consulting and construction contracts to out of town individuals and firms?

Are you feed up with the practice of firms and individuals that donate money to our locally  elected officials campaigns receive city and county contracts?

Are you concerned that the Mayor continues to support deficit spending without regard to budgetary constraints?

Does it concern you that The City of Evansville Employee Health Care Fund owe city employees medical providers about $7 1/2 million dollars as of February, 2017?

.Are you offended about the way that Veterans Council Commander Mark Acker was mistreated by individuals at the Civic Center when he was asked to turn over the keys to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum?  You agree that this was an insult  to all veterans of this community?

Do you agree with the decision of the Mayor and City Council giving the Developer of the new Downtown Doubletree Hotel over $21 million dollars without us having any ownership?

Are you concerned that the Mayor and City Council committed exactly $57 million dollars to build  the downtown IU Medical School without us having any ownership

Do you feel that its time that our elected officials be encouraged to become “Good Stewards of the Public Trust?

Are you ready to take a stand against the tax and spend practices of our local elected officials?

Do you feel that the local political environment is becoming ripe for the “Masses to Assemble” to protest in a positive, creative and non-violent way against the wasteful spending habits of our  elected and appointed officials on useless public works projects?

Are you aware “when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny! When the Government fear the people we have Liberty”?

Do you remember back in the Sixties when the “Masses Assembled” to voice their grievances against the government?  These protests changed the direction of this Nation for years to come.

After reading the above questions and statements we wonder if you feel that the time is right for the “Masses To Assemble” on the Civic Center steps to voice their grievances against the mis-deeds of our local elected and appointed officials?

Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Channel 44 News: Indiana Lawmakers are Looking Out for Landlords

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Indiana Lawmakers are Looking Out for Landlords

Lawmakers in the Hoosier state are are working to make it cheaper for landlords. Some Indiana municipalities charge landlords when police come to their properties. With Senate Bill 558, when victims have to call the police, property owners…

Lawmakers in the Hoosier state are are working to make it cheaper for landlords. Some Indiana municipalities charge landlords when police come to their properties. With Senate Bill 558, when victims have to call the police, property owners…

Lincoln School Principal to be Duct Taped to a Wall Today

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Lincoln School Principal to be Duct Taped to a Wall

Friday, March 24 TODAY
1:15 p.m.
Lincoln School, 635 Lincoln Ave.
Lincoln School Principal Ronnetha Darrett gave her students a challenge. Raise at least $300 in the school’s Leukemia/Lymphoma Pennies for Patients drive and she would allow herself to be duct taped to a wall in the school’s gym. Not only did students reach that goal, they doubled it, raising more than $670. So on Friday, Darrett will keep her word and allow students to duct tape her to a wall.

Schedule change made for USI-Drury Softball DH

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University of Southern Indiana Softball’s Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader versus Drury University has been moved to a 10 a.m. start Friday in Springfield, Missouri.

The doubleheader was originally scheduled for Saturday, but rain in the forecast forced the schedule change.

USI’s GLVC doubleheader versus Missouri University of Science & Technology Sunday in Rolla, Missouri, remains unchanged.

For further weather related changes, follow USI Athletics on social media at @USIAthletics.

 

UE’s Delta Sigma Pi Presents Business Leadership Awards

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The University of Evansville’s chapter of Delta Sigma Pi bestowed its annual business awards on Thursday, March 23 in a ceremony on UE’s campus. Bill Johnson, president and CEO of Farm Credit, received the Business Leader of the Year award. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., was given the Business of the Year award. Bo Gebbie was presented the Young Business Leader of the Year award.

Johnson has worked at Farm Credit, a financial co-op that serves farmers and rural homeowners in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee, for 33 years. Previously he was executive vice president for business services for AgriBank of St. Paul, Minnesota. Johnson earned his degree in business administration and finance from UE, and serves on the University’s Board of Visitors.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) is located in Princeton, Indiana. It employs more than 5,000 team members. Toyota has invested more than $4.3 billion into the 4.3 million square foot plant that annually produces 230,000 Highlanders, 150,000 Siennas, and 20,000 Sequoias.

Gebbie is currently vice president of sales and services for Evolving Solutions. He previously was vice president of sales, server solutions, for the IBM Corporation. Gebbie earned his degree in finance and mass communication from the University of Evansville. He has served as a Trustee and a class agent for the University. He is a member of UE’s Board of Visitors and the John Collins Moore Society.

Delta Sigma Pi is a professional fraternity organized to foster the study of business in universities; to encourage scholarship, social activity, and the association of students for their mutual advancement by research and practice; to promote a closer affiliation between the commercial world and students of commerce; and to further a higher standard of commercial ethics and culture and the civic and commercial welfare of the community.

Link to AHCA Letter from Governors

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AHCA Letter

Justices Consider ‘Grossly Disproportionate’ Standard In Civil Forfeitures

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Dr. Bucshon’s Statement on Governor Holcomb’s Letter on AHCA

Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

The U.S. Supreme Court established a standard nearly 20 years ago for determining when the punitive nature of a civil forfeiture has surpassed a reasonable limit: if the forfeiture is “grossly disproportionate” to the criminal conduct in question.

In the case of State of Indiana v. Tyson Timbs and a 2012 Land Rover LR2, 27S04-1702-MI-00070, the state of Indiana argues the civil forfeiture of Tyson Timbs’ Land Rover as a fine for his drug convictions does not surpass the “grossly disproportionate” standard in United States v. Bajakajian, 524 U.S. 321, 338 (1998), because of the “gravity” of Timbs’ crime of dealing in heroin. But from Timbs’ perspective, his crime was at the “lower end of the scale,” so the forfeiture of a $40,000 vehicle as punishment for a roughly $500 drug deal is excessive.

Both the trial court and Indiana Court of Appeals agreed with Timbs’ argument, with the trial court holding that there was a statutory cap on fines of $10,000, and the appellate court ruling the $40,000 forfeiturewas unconstitutionally excessive.

During arguments before the Indiana Supreme Court Thursday, Justice Robert Rucker told deputy attorney general Justin Roebel that the Bajakajian Court established an admittedly vague standard for finding the grossly disproportionate threshold — whether the amount of the civil forfeiture is grossly disproportionate to the “gravity of the offense.” Considering how severely Indiana law treats and punishes drug crimes, Roebel said a $40,000 forfeiture would not extend past the Bajakajian standard for a heroin conviction, an offense considered particularly grave. He maintained the forfeiture of the Land Rover was not grossly disproportionate.

But David Stone, Timbs’ counsel, noted that Timbs only made two drug sales, each for about 2 grams of heroin. While dealing in drugs is treated seriously in Indiana, Stone said looking at the continuum of drug crimes, Timbs’ conduct would be categorized among lesser offenses.

Further, Stone called into question another portion of the state’s argument —Timbs admitted to predominantly using the Land Rover to drive from Marion to Richmond to fuel his heroin addiction. Stone said the state did not raise that issue as grounds for the forfeiture until after it lost in the trial court, so its argument in that regard is “too little, too late.”

Similarly, Chief Justice Loretta Rush noted the trial court had made findings as to Timbs’ frequent use of the car to go to Richmond to purchase heroin, yet still found that the forfeiture would be excessive. But Roebel said the trial court had erred in its legal conclusions by failing to give weight to the fact that more often than not, Timbs used his car to purchase the drugs.

Further, Roebel said when Timbs raised an Eighth Amendment “excessive fine” claim, the state then moved to the Bajakajian standard, which requires an examination of surrounding criminal conduct, such as the use of the car to drive to Richmond.

When asked by Justice Geoffrey Slaughter where a bright line could be drawn to determine when a potential fine comes grossly disproportionate, Stone suggested an amount three times the value of the asset versus the potential fine. That rationale would align with the same rationale the Legislature used when determining how much can be recovered as damages in a civil action for conversion of property, Stone said.

Given the ambiguity of the Supreme Court’s directive in Bajakajian, Rucker asked Roebel why Stone’s three-times-the-value proposal could not work. Roebel noted that the value of the fine was one of many factors the Supreme Court urged courts to look at in civil forfeiture actions and repeated that the gravity of the crime should be given considerable weight.

The full oral arguments can be viewed here.

USI-Bellarmine baseball series moved up GLVC-opening 4-game series starts Friday

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The opening series of the 2017 Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule for the University of Southern Indiana and Bellarmine University has been moved up due to the forecast of rain this weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. The four-game series, which was originally schedule for Saturday and Sunday, has been re-scheduled to begin Friday with a noon (CDT) doubleheader and conclude Saturday with an 11 a.m. (CDT) doubleheader.

Live coverage of the series can be found on GoUSIEagles.com.

11 Named As Semifinalists For Rucker’s Spot On Supreme Court

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11 Named As Semifinalists For Rucker’s Spot On Supreme Court

 (Rep. Thomas W. Washburn, Old National Bancorp., Evansville Is A Finalist)

The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission has cut the number of people still in contention to become a Supreme Court justice from 20 to 11.

The commission announced the names of the semifinalists Wednesday afternoon for the upcoming vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court. Justice Robert Rucker will retire from the court May 12 after 17 years on that court, and 26 overall as an appellate judge.

The semifinalists are:

• Clark Superior Judge Vicki L. Carmichael, Jeffersonville
• Morgan Superior Judge Peter R. Foley, Martinsville
• Wabash Superior Judge Christopher M. Goff, Wabash
• Floyd Superior Judge Maria D. Granger, New Albany
• Elizabeth C. Green, partner, Riley Bennett Egloff, Indianapolis
• Leslie C. Henderzahs, partner, Church Church Hittle & Antrim PC, Fishers
• St. Joseph Superior Judge Steven L. Hostetler, South Bend
• Boone Superior Judge Matthew C. Kincaid, Lebanon
• William N. Riley, partner, Riley Williams & Piatt LLC, Indianapolis
• Peter J. Rusthoven, partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Indianapolis
• Rep. Thomas W. Washburne, Old National Bancorp., Evansville

The second round of interviews will be April 17-19. The commission will then select three names to be sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his selection.

5 for $25 Deals on Sale for UE Baseball and Softball

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Promotion is a great deal to see numerous opponents

With University of Evansville baseball and softball in full swing, a special ticket deal has been announced for each sport.

For just $25, you receive tickets to five games against the top competition the squads will be playing in 2017.  Along with your tickets, you will also get a free Purple Aces t-shirt.

The baseball promotion includes one any five games from the following series: USI (April 5), Indiana State (April 7-9), Northern Illinois (April 21-23), Missouri State (April 28-30) and Dallas Baptist (May 18-20).  The series against NIU includes Alumni Day and the DBU series features Senior Day.

On the softball side, the series include: Austin Peay (April 5), UT Martin (April 11), Southern Illinois (April 19), Indiana State (April 22-23) and Illinois State (April 29-30).  The series versus the Sycamores includes Alumni Day while Senior Day is part of the weekend against the Redbirds.

Fans can pick exactly which games and series they choose to attend.  This season is also the first where beer is available at the concession stand.

To purchase your package or for more information, contact 812-488-ACES or email UE Assistant AD for Ticket Operations Scott Peace at sp166@evansville.edu.

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