Owing to the abundance of natural resources in southwestern Indiana when Evansville was founded over 200 years ago, many coal mines have existed in the region. This is Ingle Coal Mine as it appeared in 1901, about a half-century after it became the first coal mine to open in Indiana. It was located on the city’s west side at the base of a hill near the Ohio River. When the mine closed in 1918, the land was cleared so that the new West Side junior high school, which was later renamed Reitz High School, would have a less obstructed view of the river.
FOOTNOTES: We want to thank Patricia Sides, Archivist of Willard Library for contributing this picture that shall increase people’s awareness and appreciation of Evansville’s rich history. If you have any historical pictures of Vanderburgh County or Evansville please contact please contact Patricia Sides, Archivist Willard Library at 812) 425-4309, ext. 114 or e-mail her at www.willard.lib.in.us.

LETTER TO EDITOR:  TODAY”S GOP CAUCUSn by  J D STROUTH

Dear Fellow Precinct Committeemen,

Yesterday I received an email from Wayne Parke, Vanderburgh County Republican Party Chairman, with a question, “Out of curiosity, why do you like Selby over Myers?” Since I thought that was such a good question, I decided to share my answer with each of you since we will be caucusing this evening to select our nominee to fill the ballot vacancy for Vanderburgh County Commissioner – District 1. I am probably one of only a few precinct committeemen who knows both Robb Myers and Sean Selby.

I met Robb Myers last year while sharing platforms with him at candidate forums. He was the Libertarian candidate for an at-large seat on the Evansville City Council, and I was our Republican nominee for Evansville City Clerk. I like Robb! He is a nice enough guy. I personally have nothing against him, but Robb is a Libertarian. I confirmed yesterday morning with Bart Gadau, Vanderburgh County Libertarian Party Chairman, that Robb is a current member and officer (Treasurer) of their party. As you may have read in today’s Evansville Courier & Press, Robb twice passed on identifying himself as a Republican or denying that he is a Libertarian. I am hopeful that Wayne Parke was unaware of Robb’s current Libertarian Party status when speaking with him about running in our caucus. And I have nothing against Libertarians. It’s just that members of the Libertarian Party are not Republicans. In light of the backlash from today’s article as well as comments on City-County Observer’s website, I wouldn’t be surprised if Robb announced today that he has resigned as an officer of the local Libertarian Party. But that alone would not suffice. We do have a great alternative.

I met Sean Selby eight years ago. I immediately recognized that Sean was a respectful, intelligent, inquisitive, and conservative young man. These qualities, which he still possesses today, would serve as great attributes for a County Commissioner. In a day when we encounter some public officials who forget that they were elected to be public servants, I look for candidates that are respectful of their constituents. In a day when some government officials show a lack of common sense, we need to elect those who possess this type of intelligence. Asking those who would contract with the county tough, insightful questions is essential for a County Commissioner. Sean’s fiscal conservatism would cause him to be a great steward of our (taxpayers’) money.

Sean is founder and CEO of integriCORE, a technology consulting business. While committing not to bid on work with the county to avoid a conflict of interest, Sean would offer valuable insight when the County Commissioners craft their IT contract. As a small business owner, Sean understands what small businesses need to thrive in our economy.

But having these great qualities alone are not guarantees to victory on November 8th. A successful candidate must be a great campaigner as well. Sean has extensive experience working in the trenches as campaign manager, fundraiser, etc. for dozens of Republican candidates. He already has commitments of campaign contributions from several people including other small business owners. I believe Sean represents our best opportunity to win the District 1 seat in November and keeping it in the hands of Republicans. Sean is a fellow Republican precinct committeeman and 100% Republican. This is why I asked Sean several weeks ago to prayerfully consider filing for this ballot vacancy. I am glad he did!

The narrative of today’s vote should not be that the Republican Party is not welcoming of Libertarians. I believe we should welcome any Libertarian, Democrat, or Independent who shares our Republican values to join us in the Republican Party and work with us to help elect Republican candidates. And after we get to know that person as a committed Republican, then we may select him/her as our Republican nominee for public office.

I look forward to seeing you later today at the 6 PM caucus.

Sincerely,

J.D. Strouth

3-11 Precinct Committeeman

FOOTNOTE;  THIS LETTER WAS POSTED WITHOUT OPINON, BIAS OR EDITING.

Observations And Opinions On CORE Reorganization Meeting.

I attended COREs Tuesday night reorganization meeting. It was well lead and organized. I could tell some thought and preparation had went into the planning, yet the leadership had allowed flexibility for comments and input for the restructuring. It was well attended and I sensed that I was surrounded by many intelligent, well informed, and thoughtful people. I was impressed by the number of political officials and hopefuls who attended, and they all deserve commendation for attending. Their input was often informative and educational. Their presence gave evidence that CORE does carry some weight in the Evansville community.

A mission statement of education, engagement and empowerment was presented along with a suggestion that the group would be named E3. One of the objectives discussed was that this group could be a resource where leaders and citizens could come together to understand both the function and concerns of our leaders while they also heard our voice. The majority of us learned for the first time from Cheryl Musgrave exactly how the property tax cap works. That einformation was a great example of the education function of the mission statement.

Most of the time was spent listing perceived concerns which were listed on poster boards hung on the walls and lightly discussed. A few of us described the concerns posted as weeds which included concerns for roads and sidewalks, transparency and accountability in government, health risk from fluoride and meters, government waste, blight in Evansville, and the fate of Mesker Amphitheater. To“cut down the weeds” an informal straw poll was taken in which we were asked to vote for our top three. Transparency in government, financial accountability, and explanations of the function of the DMD were the top three picks. I was pleased to see that there was a commitment to, while asking for explanations, witch hunts not being tolerated.

My top pick was Mesker Amphitheater. While the top picks by all means are top shelve concerns, they are intangible, a bit trite in political jargon, and difficult to measure, I feel that a focus on Mesker could bring the top issue to bare with a tangible asset to show for our efforts. Mesker already has the attention of our residents and a soft place in their hearts with a pleasant spot in their memories. Concerns like financially accountability, what happened to the trust fund? Responsibility, is an amphitheater a justifiable function of government or should it be privately supported? dealing with blighted properties, what do we save or tear down? and why are there funds to purchase properties far above market value but not save a gift and treasure to our city?

Never the less, whatever direction this E3 group proceeds, I expect to see positive and long lasting change come from it’s efforts. Perhaps it is a clump of weeds after the first meeting, but I predict that in a short time it will be well groomed lawn.

Thanks

Jerry Wirth