WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays “READERS POLL” question is: Do you feel that the Mayor has been  a good steward of the public trust?

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IS IT TRUE we are expecting the Judge to rule today on the merits of the law suit filed against the City by the FOP and EFD concerning their Employees Health Care benefits? …we are told the ruling of the FOP and EFD employee injunction for a stay could go either way? …if the injunction is granted by the Judge the City employee Heath Care insurance costs will remain the same as agreed on in the 2016 employee contract? …if this happens the City of Evansville shall face a major financial crisis beyond belief?

IS IT TRUE a quiet search for a replacement of the current Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party is presently being conducted? …we are hearing that the current party Chairman is beginning to appoint precinct leaders that will choose the new party Chairman? …isn’t this called “stacking the deck”? …we hear that Mathew Newell is considering running for this position? … Attorney Scott Danks is being encouraged by many of the party movers and shakers to run for this position? … Mr. Danks has outstanding organizational and fund raising skills that could quickly turn things around for the local Democratic? … we hear if Mr. Danks want to be the next Chairman of the Vanderburgh Democratic party it’s his for the asking?

IS IT TRUE the next Vanderburgh Democratic Party Chairman will immediately be challenged to raise around $40,000 plus for past unpaid bills? …this figure doesn’t include money needed to hire new staff and pay for future operational costs?

IS IT TRUE that the proposed upscaled Second Street Hotel are causing major concerns for the developers of the City of Evansville subsided Convention Hotel?  …we are hearing that the Evansville Convention and Visitors group may be promoting a corporate rate of well over $200 per night for the soon to be opened Evansville Convention Hotel located next to the Ford center?

IS IT TRUE the once proud and powerful Vanderburgh Democratic Party demise started when Mayor Jonathan Winezapfel cut a backroom political deal to defeat Mayoral candidate Rick Davis? …a couple of the same individuals involved in the Rick Davis for Mayor situation also cut another backroom political deal to insure that Mayor Winnecke would win re-election over Gail Riecken? … when Mayor Weinzapfel left office he took with him a political war chest of $750,000 and landed a high paying job as Chancellor of Ivy Tech-Evansville? …you now have the answer why many supporters of Rick Davis and Gail Riecken shall never support or trust anyone in involved in the demised of their candidates? …this is why the new party Chairmen must not be someone who was involved in working against Rick Davis and Gail Riecken Mayoral campaigns?

IS IT TRUE City Officials are planning to established a “Special Tax District” for Downtown Evansville ? …this project is being touted as way to generate money to create new capital for Downtown Evansville without using public money? …when Government create a new source of revenue for future capital projects this is called a “TAX”?

IS IT TRUE we wonder why the City of Evansville continues to pour millions of dollars into the Downtown and the Haynies Corner Art District areas and avoid doing similar for the West Franklin Street, Lincoln Avenue (Center City) and South Green River Road areas?

FOOTNOTE: Todays “READERS POLL” Do you feel that newly elected County Commissioner Ben Shoulders (D) represents the future of the Vanderburgh County Democratic party?

First Security Bank Announced Three promotions In Owensboro

Kevin Roark has been promoted to Vice President – Commercial Banker. Roark is located at the Downtown Owensboro Banking Center, located at 313 Frederica Street, and joined First Security Bank in July of 2010. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Financial Management from Western Kentucky University. Kevin serves as the Vice President of the Board of Southern Little League where he also is a volunteer coach.

Dayne Higginbotham is now Assistant Vice President – Commercial Banker, based at the South Frederica Banking Center located at 3560 Frederica Street. Higginbotham joined First Security Bank as a Credit Analyst in November of 2013.  Higginbotham earned his Bachelor of Arts in Geographic Information Systems from Eastern Kentucky University. He is a graduate of the Kentucky Bankers Association Banking School. Higginbotham serves on the Community Investment Team and Campaign Cabinet Team for United Way, and also volunteers for Junior Achievement of West Kentucky and Owensboro READs.

Audrey Lillpop has been promoted to Treasury Management Officer. Lillpop has been with First Security Bank since 2010, most recently as Assistant Vice President/Branch Administration Manager. In the newly created Treasury Management position, she will be responsible for working with new and existing business customers to better manage their financial assets and liquidity. Lillpop has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bellarmine University; a Master of Science in Business Management from Brescia University; and is a graduate of the Kentucky Bankers Association Banking School. She serves on the Executive Board of Junior Achievement of West Kentucky and received the 2016 Presidential Service Award for Volunteers. She also volunteers for the Daviess County Public Schools Sited Based Council and Owensboro READs.

First Security Bank is a $560 million asset bank with 11 banking centers in Owensboro, Bowling Green, Franklin and Lexington, Kentucky, as well as Evansville and Newburgh, Indiana. With more than 150 employees, in its four markets and corporate office, First Security Bank has differentiated itself from larger competitors with its focus on relationship banking and the ability to make credit and other business decisions locally.

Toyota Forklifts Adding High-Wage Jobs in Indiana

Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU), a full-line material handling solutions provider of forklifts and related equipment, announced plans to strengthen its workforce in Columbus, creating up to 71 new high-wage jobs by 2019.

“Indiana’s economy is built for growing companies like TMHU,” said Governor Mike Pence. “TMHU chose to bring its headquarters here as our state was developing one of the nation’s top climates for job creation, putting Hoosiers at the helm of one of the top businesses in the heavy equipment industry. Today, as TMHU announces that it is adding even more high-wage jobs for Hoosiers, Indiana stands as one of the top-ranked economies in the nation.”

TMHU relocated its headquarters from Irvine, California, to Columbus in 2012 after investing $4.6 million to expand its office here. The company has added 79 new positions in Indiana since relocating and is now investing in employee-focused initiatives to further strengthen its workforce. Toyota recently constructed a new restaurant-style dining hall, which opened in July, and is now building a new wellness center, the Toyota Recreational Complex, to provide more health and wellness opportunities to its employees through a basketball court, track, fitness equipment and group exercise classes.

TMHU, which currently employs 182 full-time associates, plans to primarily hire for salaried professionals working in a corporate environment. New positions are expected to pay an average salary of more than double the state average wage. Interested applicants may apply online at www.toyotaforklift.com/careers.

“Relocating TMHU’s headquarters to Columbus was a great move for us,” said Tracy Stachniak, director of human resources and training and development at TMHU. “Indiana offers a robust economy, Midwest hospitality and an attractive overall lifestyle. It’s a great place to work and live.”

TMHU is physically connected to Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg. Inc., a zero-landfill manufacturing facility where the majority of Toyota forklifts sold in North America are built. Both operations as well as two additional Toyota sister companies make up Toyota’s 126-acre campus in Columbus, which employs a network of more than 1,400 Hoosiers.

Founded in 1967, TMHU is the material handling division of its sister company, Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM). A subsidiary of Japan-based Toyota Industries Corporation, the company manufactures and distributes forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, pallet jacks, tow tractors and AGVs. TMHU celebrated its 25th anniversary of operating in Indiana just last year, after locating its first North American forklift manufacturing facility in Columbus in 1990. Toyota Forklifts has been the top-selling lift truck brand in North America since 2002, generating revenue of $8.2 billion in 2015 and sales growth of 8.2 percent over 2014.

“Columbus, Indiana, is proud to be home to the highest concentration of Japanese investment in Indiana,” said Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop. “TMHU and TIEM each have great reputations as being a place that people want to work, and this latest investment further strengthens their standing in and around south central Indiana as being a preferred employer of choice.”

Today’s announcement continues a trend of investments from across the Toyota brand of companies in Indiana. In May, Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb joined executives at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton – where it has announced expansions three of the last four years – to celebrate the automaker’s 20th anniversary of assembling cars in southwest Indiana. And in July, auto supplier Toyota Boshoku Indiana announced plans to expand in Indiana, adding 160 new jobs in Princeton this year to produce vehicle seats and doors for the new Toyota Highlander.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered TMHU up to $100,000 in performance-based training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. In August, the city of Columbus approved a tax abatement in support of a separate $3 million investment by TIEM.

TMHU is the 12th Japanese company just this year to announce job creation plans in Indiana. Together, these companies plan to create more than 900 new Hoosier jobs. Among all states, Indiana has the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita, with more than 53,000 Hoosiers working at upwards of 260 Japan-owned business facilities across the state.

OBAMA SILENT ON VIOLENT, POST-ELECTION PROTESTS

By Rick Jensen

Why does President Obama refuse to condemn violent protesters?

On CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Leslie Stahl asked President-elect Trump to address the violence.

“When we interviewed him on Friday afternoon Mr. Trump said he had not heard about some of the acts of violence that are popping up in his name… or against his supporters,” Stahl reported., “Nor he said had he heard about reports of racial slurs and personal threats against African Americans, Latinos and gays by some of his supporters.”Here’s the back-and-fourth Stahl had with Trump:

Donald Trump: “I am very surprised to hear that– I hate to hear that, I mean I hate to hear that—-”

Lesley Stahl: “But you do hear it?”

Donald Trump: “I don’t hear it—-I saw, I saw one or two instances…”

Lesley Stahl: “On social media?”

Donald Trump: “But I think it’s a very small amount. Again, I think it’s—-”

Lesley Stahl: “Do you want to say anything to those people?”

Donald Trump: “I would say don’t do it, that’s terrible, ’cause I’m gonna bring this country together.”

Lesley Stahl: “They’re harassing Latinos, Muslims—-”

Donald Trump: “I am so saddened to hear that. And I say, “Stop it.” If it– if it helps. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it.”

Yes, president-elect Trump looked directly into the camera and said, “Stop it.”

Not the most eloquent language to engage people, and he did it nonetheless.

The very next day, Monday, November 14, President Obama addressed the nation on cable, broadcast TV and radio.

His first press conference since the election was casual with the friendly crowd of reporters, waxing along rather vaguely about issues domestic and international.

What he did not do was address the violent protesters.

Why not?

After all, protesters burning cars and looting stores are reacting to President Obama being replaced by someone who frightens them (at least the ones who are not being paid to do so).

These are, ostensibly, his people. They would not be rioting if he were elected to a third term, no matter that hypothetical concept’s lack of constitutional authority.

Some people suspect Obama wants the protests to continue; to create more fear and dissent towards a Trump presidency.

I really don’t know and cannot understand why he refuses to show such leadership.

Now, it’s unlikely they will stop, especially those who are paid by left-wing organizations to keep the protests and violence going.

The Washington Times reported …. “The far-left ANSWER Coalition and Socialist Alternative rushed to organize protest marches in major U.S. cities within hours of Mr. Trump’s presidential victory Tuesday, as did MoveOn.org, which has reportedly received funding from Mr. Soros, a billionaire.”

Republican Kellyanne Conway, who smashed the “glass ceiling” as the first woman to manage a successful presidential campaign, is calling upon Hillary Clinton and President Obama to publicly address the protesters, asking them for calm.

People, mostly Republicans in the Trump campaign, have publicly asked him to make such a plea.

Is it possible that President Obama is so privately angry at Trump’s win that he doesn’t care what the protesters do?

This is the irrational part.This is still your country, Mr. President.Why not speak to them?

It would be helpful for the country if President Obama would address the protesters and ask them to do so respectfully without violence.

Thanks to Wikileaks, we all know for a fact that radical leftist groups whose leaders say they were paid by the DNC and Hillary campaign instigated the violence at Trump rallies.

Now, with evidence these new violent protests are also funded by leftwing groups, it makes even more sense for the liberal President to speak directly to them.

He had another opportunity on Thursday, November 17, and chose to encourage protesters to keep protesting without admonishing violent leftists to do so lawfully.

Silence is consent.

#EpicFail

Justices Rule In Favor Of Woman Alleging ‘Warrantless Intrusion’ By Officer

Olivia Covington for www.theindianalawyer.com

Although a police officer believed that a Hamilton County woman could have been injured after being stuck under her car, the facts surrounding the situation did not lend themselves to an emergency situation that could justify the “warrantless intrusion” of stopping the woman’s car after she drove away.

That is the opinion handed down by the Indiana Supreme Court Tuesday in Mary Osborne v. State of Indiana, 29S02-1608-CR-433. Mary Osborne was at a gas station in Fishers when she became stuck under her vehicle. Officer Jason Arnold received a call from dispatch about Osborne’s situation and drove toward the gas station to investigate, but dispatch informed him that Osborne had freed herself and driven away before he arrived.

As he was pulling into the gas station, Arnold saw Osborne’s car leaving. He began to follow her and did not see any driving infractions or criminal conduct, but still chose to initiate a traffic stop because he was “concerned that (she) potentially could have been seriously injured.”

Arnold saw no injuries on Osborne’s body, but did notice signs of intoxication. After she failed multiple sobriety tests, she was arrested and charged with Class A misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated in a manner that endangers a person and Class C misdemeanor operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08.

Osborne moved to suppress the evidence, claiming that Arnold’s warrantless stop violated her federal and state constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure. The trial court denied that motion but the Court of Appeals agreed with her. In oral arguments before the Indiana Supreme Court last month, the state argued that Arnold’s actions were lawful because he genuinely believed that Osborne might have been injured as a result of being stuck under her car. http://www.theindianalawyer.com/justices-consider-rights-of-privacy-vs-public-safety-in-4th-amendment-case/PARAMS/article/41665

While the justices did not contend that Arnold’s motives weren’t pure in their Tuesday opinion, Justice Mark Massa, wrote the facts of the case “‘(do) not establish an exigency sufficient to justify (the) warrantless intrusion’ of stopping Osborne’s car.”

Massa pointed specifically to the Indiana Court of Appeals decision in Trotter v. State, 933 N.E.2d 572, 577 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010), which found that although police officers believed Trotter may have been intoxicated and passed out inside a home, the officers were not met with circumstances that would have caused a reasonable belief that Trotter was in need of emergency assistance.

Similarly, in Osborne, Massa wrote that Osborne had freed herself from the car and was driving normally, and that Arnold did not see her commit any traffic infractions or criminal activity. Those facts do not constitute an emergency that would make Arnold’s stop of Osborne permissible, he said.

“In a close case on these unique facts, we err, if at all, on protecting the privacy rights of Hoosiers against intrusion by the State,” Massa wrote. “Accordingly, we find that the State has failed to carry its burden of showing that an exception to the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment justified the stop.”

The justices also found that the stop was impermissible under Article 1 Section 11 of the Indiana Constitution and reversed the trial court’s denial of Osborne’s motion to suppress the evidence. All justices concurred.