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IS IT TRUE MARCH 4, 2016

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IS IT TRUE that former President of the Evansville City Council John Friend CPA posted this comment in yesterdays CCO?  …Mr. Friend said: “Mr. Coures comment about the Council approval of specifics surrounding Brownfields transactions is absolutely false. The 2015 Council approved the overall budgets but never approved any specific transactions of the DMD.” ?  …it looks like Mr. Friend put Mr. Coures in his place?

IS IT TRUE that a couple member of the Evansville Brownfield board (“secret society”) thinks Geoge Lumley is connected with the City County Observer?  …we discussed with Mr. Lumley about starting a monthly for print newspaper but he decided not to go along with this new venture with the CCO?  …we are proud to consider Mr. Lumley as a friend and supporter of the CCO?  …we feel the public owes Mr. Lumley a great deal of gratitude for exposing the bad business practices of the Evansville Brownsfieds Corp?

IS IT TRUE the video that we posted on the Evansville Brownfields Corp a couple of days ago have 1,122 people viewing it on the CCO and 518 views on our Facebook account so far?  …this is why we decided to leave this video up one more day?…we would be extremely thankful if you would send  this video to your many friends?

IS IT TRUE that we were in error when we stated that Vectren was installing more “period” street lighting in the Historic District? That the work in that area involves upgrading and installing new poles and power lines in preparation for the scheduled new downtown projects and we appreciate Brad Ellsworth’s clarification of the facts?

IS IT TRUE that the poster “yy4u” tells us that there is a classified ad in the Courier advertising that City Controller Russ Lloyd will be going to the March 14 meeting of City Council to seek an appropriation of $3.9 million, in addition to this year’s budget?

IS IT TRUE that we congratulate the Courier and Press on exposing the Mayor’s failure to respond to the contacts from the USHL when it was announced the City would be looking for a team to replace the IceMen. ?  The Mayor’s Minister of Propaganda and Spin, blamed the failure to respond to the inquiries on them going to the wrong email account?  We are seeing glimpses of some spot-on investigative reporting from the newest owners of the Evansville Courier and Press , and we hope to see more of it in relation to the 2014 SBOA Audit.

IS IT TRUE that we wonder if the mural behind the McDonald’s on North Main that DMD Director Kelly Coures commissioned in the name of economic development is worth the $65,000 plus that  taxpayers paid  for?  …we beg you to drive to the McDonalds restaurant located on North Main and tell us that the mural painted on the side  of a building  located behind McDonalds on North Main is going to attract economic development?

IS IT TRUE that certain established business owners seem to be very successful in obtaining $50,000 “facade grants” through DMD to upgrade their businesses?  …could this be a prime example of political patronage?

IS IT TRUE that the Mayor, Missy Mosby. Jonathon Weaver, and other profligate spenders are joyfully carving up the $25 million rent advance paid to the City by Tropicana? … that we wonder what would be wrong with holding on to some of the “windfall”?

IS IT TRUE when questioned about the free advertising that Councilors Mosby and Weaver give to their employer, FC Tucker, at City Council meetings with their mugs and pins?  …we are told that other real estate agencies are saying it is not a problem for them?   … they tell us they think that the two may harm Tucker’s business more than it helps them?

FOOTNOTES: Our next “IS IT TRUE” will be posted on this coming Monday?

Please take time and read our newest feature article entitled “HOT JOBS”. Jobs posted in this section are from Evansville proper.

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

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that Evansville Brownfields Corp should be considered a public or private entity?

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

FRIDAYS “READERS FORUM”

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Whats On Your Mind Today?  

Are you happy that a tax supported City Controlled not-for profit won’t release any financial data to the public?  

Do you feel that the City of Evansville should subsidize a Hockey team?

FOOTNOTES: Our next “IS IT TRUE” will be posted on this coming Monday?

Please take time and read our newest feature article entitled “HOT JOBS”. Jobs posted in this section are from Evansville proper.

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

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that Evansville Brownfields Corp should be considered a public or private entity?

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

PROPOSED ADDENDUM NUMBER SIX TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND LICENSE FOR USAGE OF THE EVANSVILLE ARENA

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ADDENDUM NUMBER SIX TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND LICENSE FOR USAGE OF THE EVANSVILLE ARENA

This ADDENDUM NUMBER SIX (“Addendum Number Six”) to the AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND LICENSE FOR USAGE OF THE EVANSVILLE ARENA, dated as of the ___ day of March, 2016, to be effective as of January 1, 2016, is entered into by and between THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE, through its Evansville Redevelopment Commission (“ERC”, “CITY” or “Owner” as the case may be), an Indiana municipal corporation, and VENUWORKS OF EVANSVILLE, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company with offices at 4611 Mortensen Road, Suite 111, Ames IA 50014 (“VENUWORKS” or “Manager”).

WITNESSE:  WHEREAS, The City and VenuWorks entered into that certain Agreement for Professional Management Services, and License for Usage of the Evansville Arena, dated August 12, 2011 (the “Original Agreement”); and ,

WHEREAS, the Original Agreement was modified by numerous addenda, which includes an Addendum, dated September 1, 2011; Addendum Number Two and Addendum Number Three, both of which were dated October 2, 2012; Addendum Number Four, dated December 18, 2012; and Addendum Number Five, dated August 5, 2014, (the Original Agreement, as modified by the foregoing addenda, the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Agreement provides that VenuWorks is to provide management services through December 31, 2016, and the parties desire to extend the term of the Agreement for an additional five (5) years subject to the terms and conditions herein; and

WHEREAS, VenuWorks has entered into a partnership with Evansville Professional Hockey, LLC to secure a franchise in the Southern Professional Hockey League (the “SPHL Franchise”) and the parties desire to clarify certain rights and obligations with respect thereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and agreements herein contained and contained in the Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms. All terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Agreement.

2. Renewal Term. Pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Agreement, the parties hereby mutually agree to extend the term of the Agreement for an additional five (5) year period, which additional five (5) year period shall commence January 1, 2017 and run through and include December 31, 2021 (the “Renewal Term”).

3. Amendments. The Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

  1. Section 4.1(d) of the Agreement entitled “Expense Containment Incentive Fee” shall hereby be deleted in its entirety.
  2. Section 4.1(e)(iii) of the Agreement shall hereby be deleted in its entirety.
  3. Section 4.1(f) of the Agreement entitled “Total Variable Fees Capped” shall hereby be amended to read in its entirety as follows:“Total annual Variable Fees paid to VenuWorks for fiscal year 2012 shall not exceed Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($390,000.00) (the “Variable Fee Cap”). In years subsequent to 2012, the Variable Fee Cap shall be increased by three percent (3%) per year. Upon the commencement of the Renewal Term, the Variable Fee Cap shall reset to Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($390,000.00), and in each year subsequent to fiscal year 2017, the Variable Fee Cap shall increase three percent (3%).”
  4. Section 4.1(g) of the Agreement entitled “Sustained Effort Incentive Fee” shall hereby be deleted in its entirety.
  5. Section 4.6 of the Agreement entitled “Fees with Respect to the Victory Theatre” is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:“The City shall pay VenuWorks Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) per month as compensation to VenuWorks for providing management services for the Victory Theatre.”

4. Disbursement and Use of Sustained Effort Incentive Fee. The parties acknowledge and agree that through the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015 the total amount earned and placed into the Sustained Effort Incentive Fee Account (as defined in the Agreement) equals Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) and that Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) of such amount was deemed due and payable to VenuWorks pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Upon the execution of this Addendum Number Six all amounts held in the Sustained Effort Incentive Fee Account shall be disbursed to VenuWorks to partially offset the cost of the onetime affiliation fee for the SPHL Franchise incurred by VenuWorks in the amount of Two Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($225,000.00) (the “SPHL Affiliation Fee”). Upon disbursement of such funds, the Sustained Effort Incentive Fee Account shall be terminated and neither party shall have any further claims with respect to the Sustained Effort Incentive Fee Account and related funds.

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5. Facility Equipment and Enhancements. To the extent that the annual Variable Fee calculated without regard to the Variable Fee Cap exceeds Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($390,000.00), the amount over Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($390,000.00), but not more than Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), shall be retained by VenuWorks and held in an account for expenditures on equipment or other enhancements to or for the benefit of the Facility (the “Facility Enhancements Account”). Funds from the Facility Enhancements Account shall be spent at VenuWork’s reasonable discretion, and VenuWorks shall provide an annual accounting to the ERC of amounts accumulated in the Facility Enhancements Account and how such amounts have been spent, if at all, during the prior fiscal year.

6. Operation of SPHL Franchise. In the event that VenuWorks assumes operation of the SPHL Franchise pursuant to the terms of its Operating Lease by and between VenuWorks and Evansville Professional Hockey, LLC (the “Hockey Operating Lease”), VenuWorks shall be entitled to utilize Facility staff and resources reasonably necessary in connection with its operation of the SPHL Franchise. During any such periods in which VenuWorks operates the SPHL Franchise all operating expenses of the SPHL Franchise shall be deemed an expense of the Facility and all operating revenues of the SPHL Franchise shall be deemed a revenue of the Facility.

7. Assignment of SPHL Franchise and All Related Intellectual Property. In the event that VenuWorks assumes the operation and legal control of the SPHL Franchise pursuant to the Hockey Operating Lease at the direction of the City and upon reimbursement to VenuWorks of the SPHL Affiliation Fee, VenuWorks shall assign and transfer its interest in the SPHL Franchise, including all SPHL Franchise rights and related intellectual property, to an operator approved by the SPHL.

8. Victory Theatre Fee Cap – 2015. For purposes of clarification, the parties agree that VenuWorks’ total fee in connection with the management of the Victory Theatre for fiscal year 2015 was capped at $50,000.00.

9. Termination of Agreement with Respect to Victory Theatre. Irrespective of anything contained in the Agreement to the contrary, the City may, upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice to VenuWorks, terminate the Agreement solely with respect to VenuWork’s management of the Victory Theatre. Upon the effective date of such termination, the Facility, as defined in the Agreement, shall no longer include the Victory Theatre and VenuWorks shall no longer be paid the fees contemplated by Section 4.6 of the Agreement.

10. Conflict. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Agreement and this Addendum Number Six, the terms and provisions of this Addendum Number Six shall control.

11. Counterparts. This Addendum Number Six may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same Addendum Number Six.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Addendum to the Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE, THROUGH ITS REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

By: _________________________________ Randy Alsman, President

H:\Evansville, City of\DMD – VenuWorks\Addendum No 6 Venuworks and ERC.docx

VENUWORKS OF EVANSVILLE, LLC

By: _______________________________ Printed Name: ______________________ Title: ______________________________

EPA Moves To Cancel The Insecticide Flubendiamide

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EPA Moves To Cancel The Insecticide Flubendiamide

(Products cause risk to aquatic animals and environments – manufacturers fail to comply with the terms of the registration)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a notice of intent to cancel all Bayer CropScience, LP and Nichino America, Inc., flubendiamide products that pose a risk to aquatic invertebrates that are important to the health of aquatic environments.

Required studies showed flubendiamide breaks down into a more highly toxic material that is harmful to species that are an important part of aquatic food chains, especially for fish, and is persistent in the environment. EPA concluded that continued use of the product would result in unreasonable adverse effects on the environment. EPA requested a voluntary cancellation in accordance with the conditions of the original registration.

EPA had issued a time-limited registration to the companies with conditions that were understood and agreed upon. If unreasonable adverse effects on the environment were found by EPA, the companies would submit a request for voluntary cancellation of all flubendiamide registrations within one week of EPA notification.

After being informed of the EPA’s finding on January 29, 2016, the companies were asked to submit a request for voluntary cancellation by Friday, February 5, 2016.  They rejected EPA’s request to submit a voluntary cancellation.  Subsequently, EPA initiated cancellation of all currently registered flubendiamide products for the manufacturers’ failure to comply with the terms of the registration.

Flubendiamide is registered for use on over 200 crops, including soybeans, almonds, tobacco, peanuts, cotton, lettuce, alfalfa, tomatoes, watermelon, and bell peppers, with some crops having as many as 6 applications per year.

Crops that have been properly treated with flubendiamide or that may be treated with existing stocks can still be sold legally.  Provisions on handling existing stocks of the pesticide will be finalized once the products have been cancelled.

IceMen Start March with Three Home Games

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        Tulsa (28-21-3-2) vs. IceMen (20-25-6-2)

           Saturday, March 5th – 7:15 pm CST

           Ford Center – Evansville,  IN

           Book Drive

      

                                                                             

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

This Season:

  • TULSA –Second and third meeting of four.

o   2/19 – Oilers won 5-2 (in Tulsa)

  • WICHITA– Final meeting of three.

o   1/3 – Thunder won 3-2, SO (in Evansville)

o   1/27 – Thunder won 4-2 (in Wichita)

Last Season:

  • IceMen vs. Tulsa:  None
  • IceMen vs. Wichita:  1-1-0

All Time, including CHL (2010-2012):

  • IceMen vs. Tulsa: 3-3-0
  • IceMen vs. Wichita: 4-5-1

 

THIS WEEK:

  • Fri. 3/4 – Tulsa at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center – Evansville, IN
  • Sat. 3/5 – Tulsa at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center – Evansville, IN
  • Sun. 3/6 – Wichita at Evansville (5:15pm) – Ford Center – Evansville, IN

 

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Wed. 3/9 – Quad City at Evansville (6:15pm) – Ford Center

                        College Night with iPad Giveaway

Sat. 3/12 –Fuel at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center

                        Baby Races

Sun. 3/13 – Quad City at Evansville (5:15pm) – Ford Center

                        Subway Family Night

 

FIGHTING SPIRIT

Thousands of fans flocked to the Ford Center Friday and Saturday to honor those who have been affected by cancer at Evansville’s annual Pink the Rink Weekend. Fans decorated the ice with names of loved ones who have fought cancer, and many bid on the special IceMen jerseys that the players wore during the weekend. A portion of the proceeds are going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for cancer research. On the ice, Evansville was held off the scoreboard for over 59 minutes and trailed 1-0 late. But Nathan Moon tied the game with 47 seconds left, and Chris Rumble scored in overtime, as the IceMen fought back to beat the Atlanta Gladiators 2-1 Saturday.

 

COMFORT OF HOME

February was kind to the IceMen, especially on home ice. Evansville went 4-0-2 at the Ford Center in the month, and extended its best home point streak of the season to six consecutive games heading into March. The IceMen continue a season-long six-game home stand against the Tulsa Oilers on Friday and Saturday, and host the Wichita Thunder Sunday. The team wraps up the home stand Wednesday, February 9 against the Quad City Mallards. After struggling at the Ford Center to start the season, Evansville now holds a 10-10-6 home record with 10 games left at the Ford Center in March and April.

 

MARCH ON

The IceMen enter the month of March in 12th place in the Western Conference with 19 games remaining. While a push to get into the playoffs will be difficult, Evansville is still alive in the hunt and is 13 points behind 8th place Tulsa, which makes this weekend that much more important. Last season, the final team into the playoffs in the Western Conference finished with 80 points, meaning the IceMen would likely need to win 16 of its last 19 games to have a chance. Last season, the South Carolina Stingrays won 17 of their last 19 leading into the playoffs, which included a 23-game win streak in the final two months. Crazier things indeed have happened.

 

OILING UP

When the IceMen and Oilers played on January 19 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, it was the first meeting between the two former Central Hockey League foes since February 2012. While the Oilers jumped out to a 2-0 lead, Alex Wideman scored two consecutive goals to tie the game early in the second period. Tulsa capitalized on its opportunities down to stretch to pull ahead and win 5-2. Friday and Saturday, Evansville hosts the Oilers at 7:15pm in what will be the second and third meetings out of four this season. The two teams will face-off one final time April 2 at the Ford Center.

 

ROAR OF THE THUNDER

Evansville finishes off the weekend Sunday against the Wichita Thunder at 5:15pm. It will be the third and final meeting of the season between the teams. The Thunder stole the first meeting 3-2 in a shootout January 3 at the Ford Center, and beat the IceMen again 4-2 January 27 at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita. Evansville enters the weekend 14 points ahead of the Wichita in the standings, and is hoping the third time will be the charm against the Thunder.

 

MARCH BOOK DRIVE

The IceMen will be hosting a book drive for three games in March. The team will be collecting new or gently used beginner to teen books Friday March 4thand Saturday March 5th when Evansville hosts the Tulsa Oilers and again Sunday March 6th when the IceMen take on the Wichita Thunder. Bookmarks will be handed out for every book donated, and anyone with a bookmark can present it at the Ford Center Ticket Office for a discounted ticket to the IceMen game Wednesday March 9th.  All of the books will be donated to Evansville Hangers.

 

FAITH SUNDAYS

Bring any pamphlet or program from your faith service to the Ford Center Ticket Office and receive a $5 discount on tickets anywhere in the building for Sunday home games! There are three remaining Sunday home games: March 6, 13 and 20. Also, stay for the free postgame faith concert after the Sunday, March 6 game against Wichita.  All Sunday games are scheduled for 5:15pm.

 

SUNDAY – SUBWAY FAMILY NIGHT

Bring your friends and family out to the Ford Center Sunday by taking advantage of the Subway Family Night ticket special. It includes a Goal Zone or Corner ticket to the game, an IceMen Subway t-shirt, and vouchers for popcorn and a soda, all for just $21. There is also an opportunity to upgrade to Center Ice or Club seats for just $4 more. Evansville hosts Quad City this Sunday at 5:15pm.

 

FRIDAY HAT PACKS

Get a ticket and a limited edition IceMen hat for only $20 for any Friday home game the rest of the season! This offer is good for any of the remaining Friday games at the Ford Center: February 26, March 4 and April 1. Call the IceMen front office at 812-421-GOAL (4625) for details.

 

POSTGAME SKATE

IceMen Season Ticket Holders and Blizzard Buddies are welcome to participate in a postgame skate Sunday, March 20 after the IceMen take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at 5:15pm at the Ford Center. Fans are encouraged to bring their own skates if they have them, as a limited number of skates will be provided.

 

DOMINO’S 4-GAME HAT PACK

Choose any four IceMen home games and get a FREE limited edition IceMen hat and a large 1-topping Domino’s pizza, starting at only $17 per ticket. Call the IceMen front office at 812-421-GOAL (4625) for details.

 

Visit us at www.evansvilleicemen.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @EvvIceMen for more information about your hometown professional hockey team.

HOW JOE BIDEN SAVED THE GOP’S SUPREME COURT FIGHT

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By Rick Jensen

C-SPAN just ruined President Obama’s great Supreme Court Justice nomination adventure.

You know the drill: Since Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell painted “stupid” on his forehead by preemptively stating the Senate should not confirm anyone Obama nominates, the Democrats and their major media affiliates pounced.

The New York Times, Politico, Washington Post, and the L.A. Times all posted stories claiming there was little or no precedent for such election year stonewalling of the judicial nominating process.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was widely quoted as sayinf, “The President can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate’s most essential Constitutional responsibilities.”

“We’ve never had vacancy and nomination [for] a year that didn’t get voted on,” Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in an interview as reported by Politico. “Obama’s been elected twice, you have to assume if Mitt Romney had been elected he’d be making this nomination.”

Notice partisan Reid and hypocrite Patrick Leahy planted the straw man argument of “for a year” into their complaints as Leahy himself has stonewalled Republican nominees.

In addition to being acutely insensitive to the family of Justice Antonin Scalia, it was decidedly stupid of McConnell to make such a statement an hour after it was reported Scalia was found dead. Politically, it gave Democrats the opportunity to play the roles of victim and constitutional heroes, freshly justified to defy the Republicans in every way they choose.

The wise action would have been to politely suggest that any time prior to the funeral would be “too soon” to make any conjectures and, as some Republicans did indicate to the press, the topic can wait.

The President does have the right to nominate Scalia’s successor, and the Republicans have the right to reject every nominee.

Fortunately for the Republicans, someone at C-SPAN uncovered a uniquely favorable quote by then-Senator Joe Biden saying pretty much the same thing McConnell said.

In June, 1992, Biden was serving as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

President Bush was in a heated battle for the Presidency against Bill Clinton. There were no vacancies on the bench. Biden wanted to make sure that if a justice were to be hit by a truck before the election Democrats in the Senate were united against any Bush nominee should such an event occur.

Joe pleaded, “As a result, it is my view that if a Supreme Court Justice resigns tomorrow, or within the next several weeks, or resigns at the end of the summer, President Bush should consider following the practice of a majority of his predecessors and not—and not—name a nominee until after the November election is completed.The Senate, too, Mr. President, must consider how it would respond to a Supreme Court vacancy that would occur in the full throes of an election year. It is my view that if the President goes the way of Presidents Fillmore and Johnson and presses an election-year nomination, the Senate Judiciary Committee should seriously consider not scheduling confirmation hearings on the nomination until after the political campaign season is over.”

The Republicans now have the Vice President to thank for setting the precedent on election-year Supreme Court nominations.

The Vice President tried to “walk back” his comments, suggesting it was a different time and that he also said he would support a Bush nominee under certain conditions.

Too late. He said what he said.

Every Republican asked by the press any question whatsoever about a President Obama nomination to the Supreme Court now has the perfect answer, allowing them to delay any nominations until after the inauguration of the next President without derision.

That answer is, “We agree with Vice President Biden that the nomination process should begin after the next President is inaugurated.”

That’s it. No more, no less.

Let’s see how quickly Mitch McConnell and other Republicans can snatch a loss from these jaws of victory.

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VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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Evansville, IN – Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Hannah Lee Dike Possession of methamphetamine, Level 6 felony

Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug look-alike substance, Class A misdemeanor

Possession of paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor

Frank Decurtis Dealing in methamphetamine, Level 3 felony

Dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug look-alike substance, Level 6 felony

Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 felony

Legend Drug deception, Level 6 felony

Possession of paraphernalia, Class C misdemeanor

Micah Neil Fuqua Armed robbery, Level 3 felony

Criminal confinement, Level 3 felony

Intimidation, Level 5 felony

Auto theft, Level 6 felony

EHA Finalizing Public Housing Conversion to Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program

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EHA Finalizing Public Housing Conversion to Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program

EVANSVILLE, Ind. ~ The Evansville Housing Authority (EHA) is scheduled to sign documents on March 31 that will finalize Phase 1 of EHA’s conversion to a new business model for operating and funding its public housing properties. The new business model, called the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, will create a public/private partnership that is approved and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The use of low-income tax credits and private funding means that EHA will no longer depend exclusively on federal funding to sustain its properties, says Rick Moore, EHA Executive Director. “With conversion to the RAD program, we’ll be operating on a more stable platform,” Moore notes. “And that financial stability will put us in a much better position to keep our assisted housing developments updated and in proper repair for years to come.”

Evansville is the first housing authority in Indiana – and one of the first in the United States – to be chosen by HUD to launch a new RAD conversion program. The first phase of the conversion – scheduled to take effect on April 1 – will mark the beginning of $18.2 million in much-needed construction repairs while rehabilitating 559 EHA apartments. EHA’s approval for a portfolio-wide RAD conversion will require a second phase of renovations to convert the remaining 329 units of public housing to the RAD platform, an estimated $13.5 million in additional improvements.

Residents Kept Informed
EHA is in the process of conducting site meetings with residents to update them on the recent approvals and paperwork that will be finalized on March 31. Since early in the RAD application process that began in 2013, EHA has kept residents informed about what the change would mean to them. Tim Martin, Director of Operations, says residents have been continually informed through quarterly newsletters, Resident Council meetings and one-on-one interaction – always with the goal of assuring them they will have the right to return to housing in the same development while receiving full professional and personal support throughout the transition. Residents are now looking forward to enjoying high quality housing that will be operated and maintained at levels they can be proud of now and in future generations.

Housing Improvements to Begin April 1
On April 1, preparations will begin for installation of new plumbing and HVAC systems, as well as other repairs and cosmetic updates as needed on the following RAD Phase 1 housing developments: Kennedy Towers, Buckner Towers, White Oak Towers, Schnute Towers and Caldwell Homes.

During renovations, relocation coordinators will assist each resident prior to and throughout the moving process. The relocations are a “no injury” process, meaning EHA and its partners are responsible for moving residents at no cost to them. All packing materials will be provided. Once belongings are packed, residents will be moved to fully renovated units within the same property.

Phase 1 Improvements Are Expected To Be Completed By December 31, 2016.

“We could not be more excited and proud to be a part of this new model for public housing,” Moore states. “There’s so much optimism about the resources available to move EHA services forward now and far into the future. From here, we’ll continue to create partnerships that will help EHA better serve families and individuals in the community for many years to come. The need for housing will remain and EHA is on the path to becoming the assisted housing provider of choice in Evansville.”

A Libertarian Perspective

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A Libertarian Perspective

When I traded trucks a couple of years ago, I opted for an extended cab model, so I could keep some of daily use my tools in the back seat. It seemed like a good idea at the time, since lifting them out of the cross-over tool box on my old truck was getting a little more difficult with each advancing year. It still seemed like a good idea when I organized them and loaded them into the bags, boxes, and racks on the floor and seat behind me.

It didn’t seem like such a good idea after a couple of years of taking tools out and putting them back in an unassigned bag, box or rack, or in a different truck or trailer. It finally reached the point where I had to unload the tools, sort out what didn’t belong there, gather up what did, and start the re-loading process again. Afterwards, I made a solemn vow that I would be more diligent about putting and keeping things where they belong.

I know this isn’t a new problem. When I was a young lad my Dad had some boards nailed up on the wall behind his work bench in the garage. It was before the days of pegboard, or at least before I had seen pegboard, so Dad would drive 2 or 3 strategically placed nails in the board, and hang his hammer, or pliers, or wrenches, or whatever other tools he had on the nails. Then he took a big pencil and traced around each tool so there wasn’t any question where each tool belonged. In the meantime Mom and Dad had 8 children, including 4 boys, and before too long Dad’s tool organizer simply became a display of what tools were missing, and where they were supposed to be. Although he hasn’t mentioned it to me, I’m sure Dad gets some well-deserved vengeful pleasure when I rummage through my back seat grumbling about missing tools.

I read the other day that President Obama had submitted his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. It bumps federal spending up $223 billion over the current budget, to $4.15 trillion. (That’s $4,150,000,000,000.00 if you’re counting zeros.) I’m confident his opposition in congress will fight to limit the increase in spending to $221 billion or so, and then they’ll pat themselves on the back and expect the taxpayers to be thankful for saving us so much money.

It kind of makes you wonder how the government ended up where it is nowadays. Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution was put in place to keep the government in its place. It lists the limited powers the people granted to the government, and all of them combined wouldn’t cost $4.15 trillion since the country was founded, let alone per year. And it wouldn’t have us $19 trillion in debt.

Somewhere along the line, sometimes a little bit at a time, we forgot where government belonged. We stopped expecting it to simply protect us from force and fraud, and started using it to force our neighbors to provide for our retirement and health care. We stood by as it took our money and gave it to businesses that couldn’t or wouldn’t support themselves, and even when it taxed us for things it was granted the authority to do, it spent the money on things it wasn’t granted the authority to do.

The good news is every once in a while we have the chance to clean things up and put things back where they belong. Our next chance will come along in November. Right now things are in such a mess it’s going to take a lot of effort to put things back in place. It’s probably not something we can do in one election, but it’s something we need to get started on right away.

My Dad used to say those tools didn’t just walk away on their own, and they’re not going to put themselves back where they belong on their own, either.

Dad was right.

FOOTNOTE: Rex Bell is a Wayne County Libertarian that writes a monthly column on events that shape our lives from a libertarian point of view. He is also the author of “Stinky Shorts”, available at www.StinkyShorts.com .If you have a comment or question on a particular subject, you can e-mail him at rex_bell@msn.com or write  him at 17059 State Road 38, Hagerstown.