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IS IT TRUE MARCH 21, 2016

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IS IT TRUE we read a well written, detailed and interesting article in Sundays Evansville Courier and Press did on  our local Hospitals building spree?  …this article give a lot attention to the future expansion efforts of St. Mary’s and Deaconess hospital facilities and how they are looking for ways to lower costs of services?  …we are surprised that  this article didn’t make any reference concerning the excessive annual salaries that both CEOs of St. Mary’s and Deaconess hospitals make each year?

IS IT TRUE were hear that the owners of  the new Evansville Hockey team entertained a past coach of the Evansville IceMen during the last couple of days?  …we look forward to the local sports writers to give us an reason on why did the owners of the new Evansville Ice Hockey team invite a past coach of the Evansville IceMen to Evansville?

IS IT TRUE we wonder if the main stream media are aware when the  LST move from their present location the City contract with Inland Marina may have some expensive contractual issues to deal with?

IS IT TRUE we hear that our readers agree that its inappropriate for our part-time City Council members to receive an extremely generous  $20,000 Health Insurance benefit package paid by the taxpayers of Evansville? …we  now hear that our part-time elected County officials are also receiving this generous $20,000 Health Insurance benefit package paid by the taxpayers of Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE CCO poster Joe Wallace said: “Does anyone think that $20,000 health insurance in a country with a per capita income of $28,011 is sustainable? Even when compared with the median family income of $53,000 for the nation ($42,000 in Evansville) this is an insane level of expense. This cannot continue”?

IS IT TRUE we hear our readers strongly disagree with the decision of the Mayor and City Council giving the Developer of the Downtown Hotel over $20 million dollars without having ZERO ownership?  …we now  would like to know who are the individuals that are going to benefit from this $20 million gift from the taxpayers of this community?

IS IT TRUE we wonder if you are aware that City-County Officials have discreetly increased our property tax assessment over the last several years which in turn have increased our property taxes?

IS IT TRUE we are pleased that you agree that the Mayor and the 2015 City Council shouldn’t have committed $57 million dollars to the I U Medical School without the local taxpayers having any ownership in this project when it is finished?  …we would like to know who are the individuals that are going to benefit from this $57 million gift from the taxpayers of this community?

IS IT TRUE we hear that a candidate for a Vanderburgh County office may have some legal issues concerning the collections of past personal debts?

IS IT TRUE in yesterdays “READERS POLL'”  question was if the election were held today for State Representative District 77 who would you vote for?  … that Lori Sherman received 158 votes, Brandon Lee Ferguson received 114 votes and Ryan Hatfield received 116 votes?

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

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

If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us citycountyobserver@live.com

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: If the Republican primary was held today for Vanderburgh County Clerk who would you vote for?

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

Candidate Ann Ennis Offers Representation Pledge

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Candidate Ann Ennis Offers Representation Pledge

Ann Ennis, Republican candidate for State Representative, presented a pledge of representation March 19 to residents of Indiana District 64.  The pledge was read at the Tea Party Patriots Legislative Meeting in Evansville this afternoon.

In it, she pledges to attend all five district county council, county commission, soil and water and school district meetings at least quarterly during her term.

“A representative’s main obligation is to represent the interests of the district she serves,” Ennis said.  “Out-of-state or even Indianapolis-based interests are not necessarily addressing local needs.  As state rep, I will meet regularly with district county and school officials to assure Indy hears our reality.”

Ennis said she has been surprised to hear during her travel throughout the district, which covers all or parts of Gibson, Knox, Pike, Posey and Vanderburgh counties, that state legislators do not regularly confer with local elected officials before or during session.

“I heard recently that in 2014 HB 1006 Criminal Code Revision includes mandates that time served less than x-days for various felonies was then to be served in the county of prosecution.  News noted the savings to state prisons, but overlooked was that according to me sources, no monies from the state came with this influx of offenders.”

The commissioner who first shared the story with Ennis noted that he had no calls from any state representative about the law’s effect.

Her experience has been that state representatives do not regularly consult with elected school boards or professional educators when considering new state-mandates in K-12 schools, either.  “Centralized, big government direction is how we got into the ISTEP testing mess.  Centralized, big government direction is not going to get our local schools the help they need to teach,” she said.  “No one making the rules is talking to the educators in our communities.”

With five counties, and seven public school districts, including commissioners and councils and soil and water conservation to represent, Ennis calculates that is 88 meetings in the course of a 52-week year.  “That is easily manageable.  More grassroots direction has to be given to Indy,”

Ennis said. “It is absolutely essential to make noise for the district.  That is a representative’s duty.  Counties and schools cannot take any more fiscal pressure from the General Assembly without having their voices heard.”

A copy of the pledge is posted on Ennis’ campaign committee Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FriendsOfAnnEnnis and this week is being mailed to each county commission and school board in the district.

Ennis is a lifetime resident of District 64 with 30 years’ experience in civic leadership, including serving as Executive Director of Keep Evansville Beautiful (Evansville), and executive fund development positions with Habitat of Evansville, Ruth’s House (substance abuse recovery) and the Public Education Foundation of Evansville. She has been an officer in her family’s coal and oil exploration contracting firm, and worked in finance and media marketing.

FOOTNOTE:  This letter was posted without opinion, bias or editing,

IceMen Stun Cyclones in Comeback Shootout Win

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IceMen Stun Cyclones in Comeback Shootout Win

(Evansville scores twice in final seven minutes to force overtime, beats Cincinnati in shootout.

EVANSVILLE, IN – The Evansville IceMen scored two goals in the final seven minutes of regulation Sunday to force overtime, before beating the Cincinnati Cyclones 6-5 in a shootout at the Ford Center.

The Cyclones scored the first goal in a back-and-forth first period when Tommy Mele buried a rebound into the top shelf over IceMen goalie Scott Greenham six minutes into the game. Andrew Harrison tied the score for Evansville when he snuck the puck past the right pad of Cincinnati goaltender Andy Iles off of a centering pass from Matthew Zay behind the net.

The IceMen took the lead 1:01 after Harrison’s goal, as Alex Wideman through a centering pass off the skate of Ryan Penny, who was crashing the net. Cincinnati evened the score at 2-2, when Nick Huard stick-handled around an Evansville defenseman and through a pass to the net that caught the stick of Christiaan Minella before deflecting in past Greenham.

Cincinnati took its second lead of the game early in the middle period, when Huard set up Brett Wysopal with a backdoor pass on a power play and Wysopal flipped the shot behind Greenham 1:17 into the frame. Colin Mulvey rifled a shot into the net from high in the slot on a transition rush to make it 4-2 in favor of the Cyclones at 4:24.

Late in the period, Sebastian Strandberg carried the puck the full length of the ice and made a highlight reel move around the Cyclones defenseman and then Iles to cut the IceMen deficit to one heading into the second intermission.

An early power play goal from Jack Downing gave the Cyclones a 5-3 lead just 21 seconds into the third period. But the IceMen scratched and clawed to tie the game with two goals in the final seven minutes of play. Curtis Leonard picked off a Cincinnati clearing attempt and fired a wrist shot past Iles with 6:46 left for his first professional goal to bring the IceMen within one. Wideman scored the equalizer with 4:33 to go, when he chipped in a setup pass from Nathan Moon, as Evansville battled back to force overtime.

After a scoreless extra period, Wideman and Tyson Fawcett both scored in the shootout, and Greenham stopped Mulvey and Zach Budish to steal the win for the IceMen.

The IceMen hit the road this week for three games in four days. Evansville first faces the Missouri Mavericks at 7:05pm CST Wednesday at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. The IceMen then head to Moline, IL for the final meeting with the Quad City Mallards at 7:05pm CST Friday at iWireless Center. The team wraps up the week with a 7:30pm EST Saturday contest against the Fort Wayne Komets at Memorial Coliseum.

NEXT WEEK

Wed. 3/23 – Evansville at Missouri (7:05pm) – Silverstein Eye Centers Arena

Fri. 3/25 – Evansville at Quad City (7:05pm) – iWireless Center

Sat. 3/26 – Evansville at Fort Wayne (7:30pm EST) – Memorial Coliseum

FINAL HOME GAMES

Fri. 4/1 – Cincinnati at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center

Autism Awareness Night

Sat. 4/2 – Tulsa at Evansville (7:15pm) – Ford Center

Home Finale – TRCI Mini Stick Giveaway – Zooperstars

A Unique Shopping Experience In Historic Downtown Evansville Opens April 1

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A Unique Shopping Experience In Historic Downtown Evansville Opens April 1

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (March 28, 2016) – Julie Kruse, Owner,  announced the April 1 opening of Jules Specialty Grocery & Gift Shop, March 15, 2016, as part of the continuing growth in Downtown Evansville. The store will feature a more natural approach to grocery shopping, with organic and/or local produce, gluten free and vegan selections as well as general grocery items and fresh bakery selections.

Located at 204 Main Street, between Second and Third streets, the Shop will feature a variety of products including a grab and go cooler with salads and healthy snacks; local produce provided primarily by Seton Harvest; interactive olive oil and balsamic station where clients can assemble their own selections in recyclable/re-useable bottles provided by Jules; gluten free bakery items provided by Aunt Mandy’s Bakehouse; special order restaurant grade meat cuts-available for next day pickup; all-natural beverages by Riley Soda; gift shop items with everything from greeting cards to leather luggage to bath items; art and jewelry consigned from local artists; Neal’s Yard Organics skin care items from England; vegan soaps and bath items; and, a locally sourced eclectic mix of old and new including  antique and salvaged items, jewelry, totes and leather bags. The shop will be open 9-6 Monday thru Saturday.

Jules Specialty Grocery & Gift Shop LLC is located in the historic Bitterman Building. Built in 1906 as the new home of Bitterman Brothers, the store was designed by Shopbell & Company and featured the latest ‘Chicago School’ style windows. Street parking is available in the immediate area, including a few 5 minute spaces directly across the street on Main. “We’ll be happy to help you to your car with your bags,” adds Kruse. Plans are also in the works to provide curbside pick-up.

The building has most recently served as the home of the Bitterman Mini Shoppes. “There is so much retail history in this building. It’s warm and rich, and I believe people will appreciate that I have added to the building, not on top of it” said Kruse. She further adds, “There is such great vision for Downtown Evansville. We are fortunate to have plans in place to support the revitalization of our Downtown area.”

Kruse is pleased to be a part of the continuing resurgence of Downtown Evansville. “There are over one-hundred-thirty units of housing under construction within just of few blocks of the store, this feels like a great time to offer these items to the residents, workers, and visitors of downtown.”

 

Additional information is available at julesgrocery.com, or find us on Facebook.

Dr. Bucshon Supports Resolution Defending Article I Powers of Congress

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(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Thursday, Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. voted to approve a resolution granting the Speaker of the House authority to file an amicus brief before the Supreme Court defending the Article I powers of Congress.

“The Constitution is crystal clear: the Legislative Branch writes laws and the Executive Branch faithfully executes them. Unfortunately, under President Obama the White House and unelected bureaucrats are essentially writing the laws the American people are governed by. The president is free to disagree with the actions of Congress. However, his disagreement does not grant him authority to circumvent the Legislative Branch and write laws, period.

“This resolution grants the Speaker authority to file a brief on behalf of the House before the Supreme Court defending and protecting the Article I power of Congress as the sole branch of government with legislative authority. In turn, it protects the American people from a growing unaccountable bureaucracy and restores the principle of self-governance. ”

  1. Res. 639authorizes the Speaker of the House to appear as amicus curiae on behalf of the House of Representatives in the matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15–674.

BACKGROUND (via the office of the Speaker):

Article I vs. Article II. In United States v. Texas, the Supreme Court asked whether the president’s executive amnesty violates the president’s duties under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed”? This is a question the House is uniquely qualified to answer: under Article I, “all legislative powers” are vested in Congress. Neither the president nor unelected bureaucrats are permitted to write laws. Only Congress is.

  • The resolution.H. Res. 639 authorizes Speaker Ryan to file a brief on behalf of the whole House defending Congress’s Article I powers. The decision to file these briefs is usually made by the House’s Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, not the full body. This is the first time any speaker has taken this step. Given that this overreach is a direct attack on Congress’s Article I powers, it is essential for the institution to respond as a whole.

Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. is a physician and Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee serving his third term representing Indiana’s 8th Congressional district. The 8th District of Indiana includes all or parts of Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, and Warrick counties.  

EPA Awards $500,000 to Help Reduce Children’s Exposure to Pesticides 

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WASHINGTON–U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two grants to help reduce students’, teachers’ and staffs’ exposure to pests and pesticides in our nation’s schools, while saving money, energy and pesticide treatment costs.

“Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society, and EPA is working to protect them from needless threats,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for the office of chemical safety and pollution prevention. “Our goal is to have schools across the nation implement sustainable pest management practices to provide a healthier learning environment for our students and teachers.”

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to controlling pests that focuses on prevention. This program is designed to utilize all appropriate pest management strategies, including the judicious use of pesticides.

These strategies include repairing water leaks, adding weather stripping to windows, and installing door sweeps.  The result is a reduction in pest problems, pesticide use, and treatment costs along with water and energy savings. The IPM approach emphasizes removing the underlying conditions for pest to thrive.

The two projects that received awards are:

NEHA Mentorship Program for Developing School IPM Capabilities— National Environmental Health Association, $241,000

This project will promote effective and environmentally sensitive pest management practices in schools through an intensive mentorship program between local health departments and underserved school districts. The mentorship program, pairing local health departments with school districts, will provide increased access to technical resources, and partnerships. This project will take place in 2016 and 2017.

Keeping the Pests Out: The Economics of Integrated Pest Management in Schools – Health Resources in Action, $300,000

This project will examine the costs and benefits of implementing school IPM activities. Currently, there are only a few studies about the economics of school IPM. This project will help school districts understand the costs and benefits associated with establishing and sustaining IPM programs. The results of this two year project will be available in early 2018.

IPM is a smart, sensible, and sustainable approach that takes advantage of all appropriate pest management strategies, including the judicious use of pesticides.

These projects support EPA’s vision that all of the nation’s students can attend schools with IPM programs.

Governor Mike Pence Will Sign Into Law A Number Of Bills

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Governor Mike Pence Will Sign Into Law A Number Of Bills

Indianapolis – Tomorrow, Governor Mike Pence will sign into law a number of bills aimed at combatting drug abuse in Indiana at a ceremony at the Hope Academy in Indianapolis, a tuition-free, public charter high school for students in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Three of these bills were included on the Governor’s 2016 legislative agenda and were a product of the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement Treatment and Prevention. Later in the day, Governor Pence will sign into law the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which creates a savings program for Hoosiers to better provide for their loved ones with special needs by allowing them to save money for disability-related costs without placing other benefits at risk. Details below.

Monday, March 21:

9:45 a.m. EDT – Governor Pence to sign HEA 1235, SEA 271, SEA 187, SEA 297 at Hope Academy, a tuition-free, public charter high school for students in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction

*Media are welcome to attend and are asked to check-in at the front desk.

Hope Academy – 8102A Clearvista Parkway, Indianapolis, IN

3:30 p.m. EDT – Governor Pence to sign ABLE Act (SEA 11)

*Media are welcome to attend.

Statehouse Rotunda – 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN

Feldman: Pence’s health-care plan is great success

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The Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 is now just over a year old. It’s Indiana’s version of the expanded Medicaid program offered by the Affordable Care Act. But unlike traditional Medicaid, Indiana received waiver approval for an alternate system that incorporates personal responsibility and consumer-driven health care. Here’s the theory: if one is financially engaged, it encourages a sense of ownership, personal empowerment, and responsible utilization of medical services.

Waiver approval was important since the expansion is almost entirely funded by the federal government. Before the expansion, Indiana Medicaid covered only low-income pregnant women, children, the disabled and parents below 24 percent of poverty; childless adults were excluded. Now, HIP 2.0 covers all adults below 138 percent of poverty. That’s nothing short of a sea change for Indiana.

I support the HIP 2.0 approach. It adds a small measure of financial responsibility but does not appear to discourage participation by the eligible poor. Actually, the personal financial contribution is negligible for the vast majority of HIP participants. If below the poverty level, participants can opt not to contribute to a HSA-like POWER account and pay small co-pays for medical services other than preventative services. If participants do contribute to the POWER account, they receive enhanced services and have no co-pays. The typical contributions are from $1 to a few dollars per month for the vast majority of participants. If between 100 to 138 percent of poverty, the personal contributions are moderately more substantial.

The HIP 2.0 program has been a great success and well received by patients. The Pence administration has aggressively encouraged participation through effective outreach; approximately 370,000 people are now covered, including 270,000 new participants and more than 5,300 new health-care providers. Seventy percent of participants have chosen to contribute to a POWER account. Emergency department visits by HIP recipients formally on Medicaid are reported to be down 40 percent, and patients appear more aware of the cost of medical care. HIP 2.0 has also been a godsend to Indiana hospitals, important economic and medical-care anchors for our communities, which are now seeing significant reductions in uncompensated care while facing reduced reimbursements from Obamacare.

 

 

 

Feldman is director of medical education and residency training at Franciscan St. Francis Health and a former Indiana State Health Commissioner.

 

 

Matt Lloyd

Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications and Strategy

Governor Mike Pence

317-864-0884 (cell)

 

 

 

U of E Men’s Golfers Finishes Opening Round In Sevierville

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Aces Have Two Rounds Remaining

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Will Knights was the Purple Aces’ top performer of the day as the University of Evansville men’s golf team wrapped up the opening round of the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate at Sevierville Golf Club.

Knights finished the day with a round of 73 and stands in a tie for 25th place with two rounds to go.  He completed the day four shots ahead of Tyler Gray.  Gray’s opening round saw him card a 77 to sit in a tie for 52nd.

Rick Voyvodic and Wil Pahud each notched rounds of 80 while Joseph Addante recorded an 84.  Jon Pick finished round one with a 78 as an individual while Noah Reese scored an 80.

As a team, the Aces are in 12th place in the field with a 310.  They are five behind Tennessee State and 7 strokes in back of Samford, who is 10th.  Murray State goes into Monday’s second round with a lead of six shots.  The Racers notched a 282 while Oakland and Western Kentucky are tied for second with a 288.

Preston French of MSU and Blake Smith from the Hilltoppers pace the individuals.  Each finished Sunday with a 67.

 

Adopt A Pet

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 Deanna is a 1-year-old female American Fuzzy Lop rabbit! She and Castiel were pet store bunnies who, surprise surprise, had an accidental litter back in January. Castiel is looking for a home, too. Before you buy your kid a bunny for Easter on a whim, remember that they live for 8-10 years and they are not happy living in a cage all the time. Bunnies are social, can be litter-trained, and need to be kept indoors as a family pet. Rabbit adoption fees are $30 and includes spay/neuter surgery! Visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

 

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