WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

“IS IT TRUE” will be posted on this coming Wednesday.

Todays READERS POLL question is: Would you vote for Evan Bayh to the United States Senate in this coming November General election?

Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS” posted in our sections.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribute

The City-County Observer is greatly impressed with the turn-out and conduct of the remonstrance on Ordinance G-2016-21 at City Council last evening.

We saw the sun begin to shine on the future of Evansville in Room 310 of the Civic Center , because people came together to show how much they cared about our First Amendment rights.

The thing that we are most pleased about is the diversity of the group that showed up to claim their rights. The people were young and old, men and women, black and white, and hailed from all parts of the city.

Concerned citizens were greeted by Council President Mosby’s condescension and denial that the proposed ordinance was aimed at taking the voters’ voices. She vehemently denied that the ordinance was aimed at blocking public participation in public matters, and declared it to be aimed at greater transparency of Council actions.

Councilwoman Mercer chimed in to remind the citizens in attendance that according to State law, the Council is not obligated to hear public questions and comments, except in allocations of federal money. Ms. Mercer even saw fit to repeat that piece of “wisdom” a second time.

Councilwoman Anna Hargis asked numerous question, and then confessed that although she had the ordinance for a month, she really “didn’t understand it until tonight.”

In sharp contrast to certain Councilmen, many of the audience members came forward with well-reasoned and specific questions and positive suggestions. The crowd was very enthusiastic and frequently broke into applause, but Miss Mosby was apparently unnerved by the energy in the room. At one point, there were five peace officers in the room, two policemen, two deputies, and a Civic Center Security officer, although most of the time there were only four officers present.

Only Connie Robinson and Dr. Dan Adams appeared pleased to public input into the matter. Ms. Robinson verbalized what many were likely thinking when she asked what was wrong with them spending six hours a month for a $19,000 salary and medical benefits.

At one point, speaker Mandraki Rankin joked that Mrs. Robinson and Dr. Adams were”awesome” but warned the other Councilors had better watch out because “I am coming for your seat next election.” Councilman Weaver commented that Mr. Rankin’s comments were “politicking and bullying” of the sort the ordinance seeks to stop.

Bottom line, It looks like Ordinance G-2016-21 has awaken and united the  true freedom loving people of this community!

Evansville, IN (July 11, 2016) – In an ongoing commitment to give
players MORE, Tropicana Evansville will break ground on a new 75,000
square foot entertainment complex Tuesday, July 19, 2016. The new
development will dramatically transform the 21-year-old riverfront
casino property.

“Evansville is the entertainment hub of the entire Tri-State Area. This
extensive expansion project, along with Tropicana’s distinctive service
program, will provide guests with a new and vibrant hospitality
experience,” said John Chaszar, General Manager of Tropicana
Evansville.

The ground breaking event will be held at the construction site from 10
a.m. to 11 a.m. on July 19. Tropicana representatives will gather with
local and state officials and invited guests to officially launch the
construction phase of the land-based entertainment complex.

Joining Chaszar will be Tropicana Entertainment President & CEO, Tony
Rodio; Evansville Mayor, Lloyd Winnecke; and Executive Director of the
Indiana Gaming Commission, Sara Tait. Media representatives are invited
to attend the ground breaking event. Reserved parking will be provided
for media vehicles at the construction site entrance.

The expansion project includes 45,000 square feet of new gaming space,
a yet-to-be-named upscale restaurant and bar, a deli, and a combination
lounge/entertainment venue. The new facility is expected to open in
December of 2017. Visit the live Construction Cam feed at
www.tropevansville.com<http://www.tropevansville.com> to watch the
project take shape.

About Tropicana Evansville

Tropicana Evansville is a $110 million entertainment facility that
includes a 2,700 passenger riverboat casino, a 243 room hotel, a 96
room boutique
hotel<http://www.tropevansville.com/hotels/le-merigot-hotel/>, an
executive conference
center<http://www.tropevansville.com/groups-meetings/facilities-rental/>,
a 1,660 vehicle parking garage and Riverfront Pavilion housing
pre-boarding facilities, retail shops, restaurants and lounge area.

About Tropicana Entertainment
Tropicana Entertainment Inc. (OTCQB: TPCA) is a publicly traded
company that, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates eight casinos
and resorts in Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Missouri, New
Jersey and Aruba. Tropicana properties collectively have approximately
5,526 hotel rooms, 8,075 slot positions and 277 table games. The
company is based in Las Vegas, Nevada and is a majority –owned
subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises, L.P. (NASDAQ: IEP).

Alison Nicholson I Advertising Administrator

Tropicana Evansville

421 NW Riverside Drive

Evansville, IN 47708

www.TropEvansville.com<http://www.TropicanaEvansville.com>

o: 812.433.4055 I f: 812.433.4063

[cid:image001.png@01CE35F5.EF9F3090]

Join the FUN at TropWorld Social
Casino<http://app.adjust.io/t8z151_tcmrod?fallback=http://tropworld.com>

This communication and any files transmitted are PRIVILEGED AND
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended only for the use of the individual or
entity to whom they are addressed. The information contained in this
communication is the property of Tropicana Entertainment Inc. and its
subsidiaries and affiliates. The information contained in this
communication is confidential, may be attorney-client privileged, and
may constitute inside information. If you are not the name

CPLI Report Highlights ‘Crisis’ Caused By School Discipline Practices

Marilyn Odendahl for Indiana Lawyer

Describing the current disciplinary practices in Indiana school as creating “a crisis” that is disproportionately impacting African-American students, a new report is offering a framework for involving parents, educators, law enforcement and legislators to improve learning and reduce suspensions and expulsions in classrooms across the state.

The report, “Leaders Collaborating to Advance Positive School Discipline in Indiana Summit Report and Recommendation,” is a summation of ideas and solutions developed during a daylong meeting hosted by the Children’s Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana in October 2015. Professionals from a cross-section of education, government and legal sectors gathered in Indianapolis to discuss and brainstorm ways to prevent students from being kicked out of class.

“We’re very happy with the report,” said attorney and CPLI president JauNae Hanger. “I think it fairly reflects what was discussed by the different teams.”

The 16-page document contains nine recommendations aimed at fostering a learning environment in schools that will help more students to be successful. Noting that 22 percent of Hoosiers between the ages of 18 to 24 do not have a high school diploma or high school equivalency, the report asserts the state’s economic future is being impaired.

“Zero-tolerance practices are creating young adults who are uneducated and unemployable and feeding the school-to-prison pipeline at an alarming rate,” the report contends.

It cited stats showing 87,000 Indiana students lost 751,366 instructional days after being subjected to exclusionary discipline practices which included suspensions and expulsions. African-American students were disproportionately suspended or expelled at a rate of more than one in every five students compared to the overall rate of almost one in 10 Hoosier school children.

“High rates of exclusion result in poor learning environments, lost instructional time, student disengagement, academic failure, and increased risk of delinquency and juvenile justice involvement,” the report states. “This data coincides with a growing concern across the nation about how educational disciplinary practices are increasing the criminalization of children and contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline.”

The report emphasizes that bringing change will require a systemic approach rather than just two or three actions. As Hanger explained, the onus cannot be on a single group to do the work. A broad array of stakeholders from the home to school and in the Statehouse will have to take part.

“There is not one solution,” she said.

Likewise, the corresponding recommendations call for engaging the student and family along with collecting and analyzing disaggregated data from all school districts to expose practices that need to be changed and ensure transparency as well as accountability.

Also, the recommendations advocate using evidence-based best practices to create positive learning environments and providing regular training and professional development opportunities for school staff, faculty and administrators.

Vital to that training is state support. The final recommendation appeals for the state and the Legislature to provide resources and funding to support school discipline reform efforts. Hanger said the goal is to prevent youngsters and teenagers from going into the juvenile justice system, but schools need resources to help the teachers and law enforcement utilize alternative methods of discipline.

The report has been released to CPLI members and those who attended the summit. It will be sent to state legislators on education committee in both the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate as well as to the Indiana Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and the Indiana Commission on Improving the Status of Children. It will also be given to professional associations, nonprofits, and child advocates.

CPLI is hosting meetings in August and October, Hanger said, to explore ways to determine the next steps to take to build on the momentum of the report.