FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Joe Biden and the determination to get back up
Joe Biden and the determination to get back up
Joe Biden’s irritation was evident.
John Krull, publisher, TheStatehouseFile.com
During his interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, the president almost seemed to shake his head in disbelief throughout.
If his thoughts had been revealed in a word balloon above his head, they would have read something like this:
“My opponent kept falling asleep in the courtroom where he was being tried and ultimately convicted on 34 felony counts, mistakenly identified a photo of a woman who had accused him of sexual assault in a civil case as being one of his ex-wives, forgets when he’s speaking on the stump who he’s running against and who’s president now, tells a lie with every other breath—and I’m the guy you’re asking to prove his fitness to hold office?”
Biden’s implied argument through the Stephanopoulos interview was that he’s being held to a different and higher standard than Donald Trump is. The president thinks he’s being treated unfairly.
Biden is right, but his contention is beside the point.
More on that in a moment.
I understand Joe Biden’s frustration.
The place where I was born—in a housing project in Cleveland, Ohio—isn’t far removed culturally or geographically from the president’s birthplace in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
I have a good idea of the waves of condescension Biden had to wade through as he started his climb. I can guess how many self-styled blue bloods sneered at him because he didn’t go to the right schools or come to the office with a social pedigree.
What sustained him while he made his way in the world was the same quality that does so for every American striver—a determination to endure and keep moving forward. He learned that lesson young and it has carried him through the tragedies of losing his first wife and two of his children, along with the lesser disappointments of political defeats and other setbacks.
You can hear that bedrock determination in the Biden refrain repeated again and again following his disastrous debate against Trump: “When you get knocked down, you get back up.”
A core Biden belief is that things happen in life that are beyond our control, but how we respond to those events is entirely our responsibility.
As I listened to the Stephanopoulos interview, I was struck by how often Biden said his failure during the debate was his fault and his alone, but when he started to tout his accomplishments as president and was using the first-person singular—the word “I”—he quickly caught himself. He said the victories were possible because he has a great team with him.
The contrast with Trump—who can’t stand to share credit with anyone and blames every setback on someone else—was stark.
Biden said once he wouldn’t even be seeking re-election if Trump weren’t running again. While that likely isn’t true—the engine of ambition driving a lifelong striver like Biden never rests and always finds fuel—it explains at least part of the president’s unyielding refusal to step aside.
Guys like Joe Biden learn young that the last guy you let back you down is a trust fund baby such as Donald Trump, a career scammer who’s spent his entire life ducking the consequences of his misdeeds and fleecing the people you grew up with.
When a guy like that tells you he wants a fight, you give him one.
You keep getting back up no matter how often you get knocked down.
You don’t quit.
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Murder Arrest
On July 17th at approximately 8 p.m. officers were dispatched to 302 E. Louisiana in reference to shots fired. On scene officers found 37-year-old Joshua A. Seymour deceased.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Seymour’s cause of death was a shotgun wound to the chest.
The investigation led detectives to obtain a warrant for murder for 54-year-old Martin K. Miniard. Miniard was located in New Harmony on July 19th
. Multiple agencies worked together and Miniard was taken into custody, and booked into the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center, just after midnight on July 20th
.The Evansville Police Department would like to thank the many agencies that assisted us with the quick capture of Miniard. We greatly appreciate the assistance of the U.S. Marshall Service, the Posey County Sheriff’s Dep
Gage Bobe named Men’s Basketball Graduate Assistant
Gage Bobe named Men’s Basketball Graduate Assistant
Bobe played five seasons for the Purple Aces
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Gage Bobe’s journey with the University of Evansville men’s basketball program began as a walk-on in 2019. After earning a scholarship, Bobe worked his way into the starting lineup on a regular basis. With his playing career complete, Bobe will remain with the program as a graduate assistant.
“Gage has been a part of the Aces program since he entered college 6 years ago and that will continue. He embodies all that we look for in our program when my staff and I are recruiting,” Purple Aces head coach David Ragland said. “We want self-starters, everyday guys, hard workers, consistent workers, vocal leaders, individuals willing to sacrifice for the greater good, and individuals focused on leaving a situation better than they found it.”
“Those that know his story know that he came to UE as a walk on then earned a scholarship. Gage didn’t stop there, he then earned playing time and eventually a starting role on our team. He was not given anything along the way, he worked his tail off to create opportunities for himself,” Ragland continued. “As my staff and I learned Gage more, we admired not only his work ethic but also his knowledge of the game of basketball. As time went on and Sammy was towards the completion of his graduate assistantship, it became clear to my staff and I that Gage was the perfect replacement. We are very much excited to have Gage remain here at the University of Evansville in the role as our Graduate Assistant.”
Bobe improved in each season with the UE program. The 2022-23 campaign may have been his best as he completed the conference portion of the season converting 44.0% of his attempts, tops in the Missouri Valley Conference. Starting 31 games, Bobe averaged 5.6 points and set his career scoring mark with 22 points at Valparaiso.
“Accepting the position of GA at UE was a no brainer when Coach Ragland offered me this opportunity. I am going on year 6 now in the city of Evansville and this place feels like home. All I have ever wanted since I have been here was to see this program succeed,” Bobe exclaimed. “When I had the opportunity to continue to accomplish that goal, saying yes was easy. I believe Coach Ragland and the rest of the staff are the perfect people to get this program on track and I am thrilled to be part of it. This new chapter of my life is not just a professional milestone but a personal mission to give back to a program that gave me so much.”
His sharpshooting continued in 2023-24 as he connected on a 3-pointer in 15 of the final 16 games while chipping in an average of 4.1 PPG. Over the final 11 games of the season, he drained 22 of his 48 outside attempts.
VUVB Trailblazers close out 2024 recruiting class with addition of Karen Kodi
VINCENNES, Ind. – The three-time defending Region 24 Champion Vincennes University volleyball team picked up another big addition this week to close out their 2024 recruiting class with the addition of outside hitter Karen Kodi.
Kodi is a five-foot 11 outside hitter that comes to Vincennes University from West Carrollton High School just outside of Dayton, Ohio.
“We needed to recruit pins,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “We graduated several from last year’s team. We have a lot of middles returning, but it was definitely a priority after losing that many outsides and right sides, the pins were really a priority in recruiting.”
“The thing that I like about Karen is that she can hit on either side,” Sien added. “She does play six rotations. We’re always looking for six rotation players. I just really like the way she plays. She plays with an attitude and I like the way that she carries herself on the court. She has a real presence on the court and if we do end up using her on the left side, you need to have that. You have to go up there with the mentality of getting a good swing on the ball and not making an error because the sets are coming from all over the court.”
“We will have a tough competition to replace our two outsides from last year,” Sien said. “We had two outsides that were six rotation players for two years. To have both of them gone, it’s been a few years since we’ve had to replace both at the same time. How tough it’s going to be to replace those two is a big compliment to both Audrey Buis and Paige Parlanti for their consistency and their leadership.”
“We’re not just looking to replace the positional skills, but we are also replacing the intangibles too,” Sien added. “Not that they have to step up right away and be a leader from day one, but that wouldn’t hurt either. We are looking for Karen to definitely be in that mix, possibly on the left side or the right side depending on who goes where.”
Kodi had a stellar senior season for the Pirates last year, finishing with 221 kills, 393 digs, 95 aces and 43 blocks while also finishing with a .380 hitting percentage.
Kodi was named the Team MVP last season for West Carrollton High School and was also an Honorable Mention for the 2023 All-Miami Valley League team.
Kodi also spent time playing for the Western Buckeye Volleyball Club in Fairfield, Ohio just outside of Cincinnati.
“Karen is going to a program where she can be a major contributor to the team’s success and to a team where she can be a star,” Kodi’s High School Coach Rob Hays said. “Karen is the best athlete I have ever coached. She works hard and plays harder. She makes any team instantly better.”
Kodi’s addition closes out the 2024 recruiting class for the Trailblazers as the VUVB team begins to set their sites on the first day of official practice on Aug. 1, the first scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 10 ta St. Mary-of-the-Woods and the start of the 2024 regular season Friday, Aug. 23 when VU hosts Region 24 opponent Wabash Valley College at 7 p.m. eastern.
The Vincennes University Athletic Department is excited to welcome Karen Kodi to the 2024 Trailblazer recruiting class.
Parks’ walk-off lifts Otters to extra inning victory
EVANSVILLE, Ind – For the first time this season, the Evansville Otters are walk-off winners in a 3-2 extra innings finish over the Washington Wild Things at Bosse Field.
On the first pitch in the bottom of the tenth inning, Pavin Parks launched a blast into the night sky that cleared the right field wall to send the Otters (22-26) home with a series-opening victory.
Drawing first blood in the opening frame, the Wild Things (38-19) jumped ahead 1-0 before starting pitching took over the game.
Parker Brahms settled down after a rocky start and finished the night going eight innings, allowing one run on four hits, four strikeouts and no walks. He battled against Dariel Fregio, who also pitched into the eighth, but the Otters gave Brahms the offensive edge to make the difference.
The bats took until the eighth inning to get a run on the scoreboard, but it shifted the momentum of the game. Parks led off with a double. After moving to third on a flyout, he was brought home with a sacrifice RBI from Mason White.
No team could score in the ninth, but Washington jumped ahead again in the tenth inning with a run. Despite giving up the lead, Jon Beymer (4-1) left the bases full to limit the damage, as he would later earn the win because of the walk-off in his two frames of work.
Parks’ home run tonight was his fourth of the year. It was the club’s third extra-inning victory this season.
Gyeongju Kim (3-3) was dealt the loss after pitching in the final frame.
Evansville has a chance to win their first series of the year against Washington with the series middle game tomorrow. The first pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. CT. Coverage is available on the Otters Digital Network and FloBaseball.
FEATURE: Prioritizing Infrastructure Investments: Balancing Needs and Wants in City Planning
Prioritizing Infrastructure Investments: Balancing Needs and Wants in City Planning
July 20, 2024
written by JOE WALLACE
City governments face a challenging task: allocating limited resources to a variety of infrastructure projects that serve the diverse needs and desires of their populations. Critical infrastructure such as sewers, roads, and essential services are foundational to the well-being and functioning of urban areas. However, parks, recreation facilities, and other amenities also play a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for residents. Striking a balance between these “needs” and “wants” is crucial for sustainable urban development.
The Imperative of Addressing Needs
Critical infrastructure projects form the backbone of any city. These projects include maintaining and upgrading sewers, ensuring roads are safe and efficient, and providing essential services like water supply, waste management, and emergency response. Without these foundational elements, cities cannot function effectively.
- Public Health and Safety: Sewers and water treatment facilities are essential for public health. Proper waste management systems prevent the spread of diseases and contamination of water supplies. Similarly, well-maintained roads reduce the risk of accidents and improve emergency response times.
- Economic Stability: Reliable infrastructure supports economic activities. Efficient transportation networks facilitate commerce and reduce the cost of goods and services. Furthermore, businesses are more likely to invest in areas with robust infrastructure, driving economic growth and job creation.
- Resilience and Adaptation: As cities face increasing challenges from climate change, investing in resilient infrastructure becomes paramount. Upgrading sewers to handle extreme weather events, reinforcing roads, and ensuring reliable energy supplies can mitigate the impact of natural disasters and help cities recover more quickly.
The Role of Wants in Urban Life
While critical infrastructure is necessary, amenities such as parks, recreation centers, and cultural facilities contribute significantly to the social fabric of a city. These “wants” play a vital role in making cities vibrant and livable.
- Quality of Life: Parks and recreational facilities provide spaces for physical activity, relaxation, and social interaction. These areas contribute to mental and physical health, reducing healthcare costs and improving overall well-being.
- Community Building: Recreational projects foster community engagement and social cohesion. Public spaces where residents can gather, participate in events, and engage in cultural activities strengthen community ties and promote a sense of belonging.
- Attractiveness to Residents and Tourists: Cities with rich cultural and recreational amenities attract tourists and new residents. This influx can boost local economies and generate additional revenue that can be reinvested into critical infrastructure.
Strategies for Balancing Needs and Wants
City governments can employ several strategies to balance investments in critical infrastructure and recreational amenities:
- Integrated Planning: Urban planning should consider both needs and wants in a holistic manner. Creating comprehensive plans that include provisions for essential infrastructure alongside recreational projects ensures balanced development. Prioritizing projects that offer dual benefits, such as green spaces that also function as flood management systems, can maximize resource utilization.
- Public Participation: Engaging residents in the planning process helps identify community priorities and ensures that investments reflect the population’s needs and desires. Participatory budgeting allows citizens to have a direct say in how funds are allocated, fostering transparency and accountability.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data to assess the condition of existing infrastructure and predict future needs can guide investment decisions. Geographic information systems (GIS) and other technologies can help city planners identify areas with the greatest need for upgrades and those that would benefit most from new recreational facilities.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborating with private entities can leverage additional resources for both types of projects. Public-private partnerships can facilitate the development of recreational amenities while freeing up public funds for critical infrastructure.
- Sustainable Financing: Implementing innovative financing mechanisms, such as infrastructure bonds or tax increment financing, can provide the necessary funds for large-scale projects. Additionally, seeking grants and subsidies from higher levels of government can supplement local budgets.
Conclusion
Balancing investments between essential infrastructure and recreational amenities is a complex but necessary task for city governments. By prioritizing needs while also recognizing the value of wants, cities can create environments that are not only functional and resilient but also vibrant and enjoyable for their residents. Strategic planning, community engagement, and innovative financing are key to achieving this balance and ensuring sustainable urban development.
Attorney General Todd Rokita co-leads 17 states defending Indiana teacher’s
Attorney General Todd Rokita co-leads 17 states defending Indiana teacher’s religious liberty against required use of ‘preferred pronouns’
Attorney General Todd Rokita is co-leading 17 states in asking a federal appeals court to rule in favor of the religious liberty of a former Brownsburg High School teacher forced to resign because he declined to use the preferred names and pronouns of transgender students — an action that violated the teacher’s sincerely held beliefs.
John Kluge, who taught orchestra, was originally permitted to call all his students by their last names so transgender students would not feel singled out. The school district, however, withdrew its initial approval and insisted Kluge use students’ preferred names and pronouns.
Leveraging the voices of likeminded attorneys general from other states to empower parents, Attorney General Rokita is asking the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court’s ruling that the school district could not accommodate Kluge’s religious beliefs without experiencing “undue hardship.”
“By addressing all students by their last names, this teacher conscientiously worked to treat everyone equally and respectfully while also staying faithful to his own religious convictions,” Attorney General Rokita said. “But no concession short of full surrender will placate the powerful forces devoted to making sure we all march in lockstep with the transanity agenda.”
In rejecting Kluge’s attempts at a compromise, school leaders cited litigation risks under Title IX and concern for the educational environment. Such concerns, however, should not override the First Amendment’s protection of religious liberty in this case.
“Title IX does not mandate the use of a student’s preferred name or pronoun,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Nor does requiring use of preferred names and pronouns help schools fulfill their academic mission. To the contrary, kicking this teacher to the curb sends students the wrong messages about America’s heritage of respecting religion. And, at a time when teachers are in short supply, this kind of intolerance of faith among faculty members is sure to push additional good teachers out of the classroom.”
The amicus brief is attached.