http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx
GREGG CALLS FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT RECORDS
GREGG CALLS FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT RECORDS
INDIANAPOLIS – Ahead of Wednesday’s one-year anniversary of Governor Mike Pence’s failed attempt to launch a state run news service, “Just IN,†today John Gregg called for dramatic improvements to the Indiana’s public records laws.
“While this governor would have created a taxpayer funded propaganda machine to control what information reporters and the public have access to, I want to throw open the doors of state government,†said Gregg, a former university president, businessman and Speaker of the Indiana House.
“Times have changed. With advances in technology and following the lead of other states and communities, similar to what Mayor Pete Buttigeig did in South Bend, we can make our state government one of the most open and transparent in the nation,†added Gregg. “Hoosiers expect and deserve no less.â€
According to a 2015 report by the Center for Public Integrity, Indiana received an ‘F’ for access to public information.
Under Gregg’s “Open Government Initiative,†the third policy proposal of the campaign, the following changes would be made:
• Mandate a 10 Day Turnaround on Public Information Requests
Under Gregg’s proposal, government agencies would be required to produce documents following a public records request within 10 business days. If an agency is unable to fulfill the request because of the size, scope or complexity of the request, it could seek an extension or exemption from the Office of Public Access Counselor. Under current law, agencies are only required to acknowledge receipt of the request and there is no time limit for fulfilling it.
• Strengthen the Powers of the Public Access Counselor
To improve access to public records, Gregg’s plan calls for giving the Office of Public Access Counselor the authority to review information a government agency wishes to be withheld to determine if it should or should not be made public. The office would also be granted power to compel agencies to release information. Existing law only allows the Public Access Counselor to issue non-binding advisory opinions
To improve access to public records, Gregg’s plan calls for giving the Office of Public Access Counselor the authority to review information a government agency wishes to be withheld to determine if it should or should not be made public. The office would also be granted power to compel agencies to release information. Existing law only allows the Public Access Counselor to issue non-binding advisory opinions
• Create an Public Transparency Commission
 Once in office, Gregg will create a Public Transparency Commission made up of experts in the field to review the state’s existing public access laws and make recommendations to improve them. Among other items, the commission would be asked to study giving the Public Access Counselor new enforcement powers, eliminating existing exemptions in public access laws, the creation of a formal appeals process for when information is not released and appropriate staffing and budgeting levels for the Public Access Counselor. The commission would work throughout 2017 with the goal of presenting its findings and recommendations to the 2018 General Assembly.• Create an Open Data Portal in Indiana
In addition to making recommendations about the state’s open records, Gregg will ask the commission to work with his staff to launch an Open Data Portal for state and local government agencies. Building on existing efforts, the goal of the portal would be to provide Hoosiers with access to real time budget information, GIS maps, contracts, reports and various data sets from a range of state, local and federal sources. The data would be searchable, could eventually be linked with similar portals in Indiana communities and other states. Availability of this data will lead to greater accountability within agencies, a more data-driven approach to addressing issues and a deeper understanding of government operations by the public. And, as more data is uploaded to the portal, fewer public information requests will be required, saving time and money.“These common sense steps will give Hoosiers access to the data and information that their tax dollars already paid for and in a more timely, efficient and responsive manner,†added Gregg. “It’s my hope that this will not only lead to greater engagement with the public, but new collaborations and innovations that improve the services government provides.â€Gregg pledged to work with the General Assembly to enact measures requiring legislation and would issue executive orders to establish others.
 A native of Sandborn, John Gregg has worked throughout the public and private sector. He served as President of Vincennes University, Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, worked for two Fortune 500 companies and is a practicing attorney today. A father of two, he holds an associate’s degree from Vincennes University, a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, a master’s degree from Indiana State University and a law degree from Indiana University.
For more information on John Gregg or his campaign for Governor of Indiana, please visit www.greggforgovernor.com or call 317-231-7100.
FOOTNOTES: Our next “IS IT TRUE” will be posted on this coming Friday?
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 City-County Observer@live.com.
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: If the election was held today for State Representative District 77 who would you vote for?
Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
READERS FORUM FOR THURSDAY
TELL US WHATâ€S ON YOU MIND TODAY!
FOOTNOTES: Our next “IS IT TRUE” will be posted on this coming Friday?
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 election was held today for State Representative District 77 who would you vote for?
Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
 Below is a list of the felony cases filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.
David Allen Summitt Intimidation, Level 5 felony
Blake Aaron King Fraud on a financial institution, Level 5 felony
For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Whitney Riggs at
812.435.5688 or via email at wriggs@vanderburghgov.org.
Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are presumed to be innocent until proven guiltyÂ
Join the SWIRCA Rock-a-Thon!
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ROCK-A-THON
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What is our Rock-a-thon?
This a six hour rocking chair marathon event, that will take place on April 10th from 11a-5p. This event will test your rocking skills as teams of at least 6 people will need to keep their rocking chairs moving the entire event. Teams will be competing to raise the most money to support the SWIRCA& More Activity Center.
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Where?
SWIRCA & More Activity Center
16 W Virginia Street
Evansville, IN 47710
When?
 Sunday April 10th, 2016
11am-5pm
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Questions?
Contact Alisha Scoville at acoville@swirca.org, 812-492-7447
or Rachel Sievers at rsievers@swirca.org, 812-492-7436
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Juror Taint Causes Supreme Court To Reverse Involuntary Manslaughter Convictions
Juror Taint Causes Supreme Court To Reverse Involuntary Manslaughter Conviction
 by Scott Roberts for www.theindianalawyer.com
The Indiana Supreme Court reversed a couple’s involuntary manslaughter convictions after it found an alternate juror improperly participated in the deliberations. The justices remanded the case to the trial court for a new trial.
Daniel and Saundra Wahl were each convicted of involuntary manslaughter following the death of a child at their in-home day care facility on June 20, 2013. However, before the trial court handed down their sentences, one of the jurors emailed the trial judge saying the alternate juror had taken over deliberations, leading discussions and playing a DVD over and over again. He also manipulated evidence according to the email.
The defendants filed a motion for a mistrial in light of the email, but it was denied, as was a motion to correct error after the trial was over. The Indiana Court of Appeals also upheld the decision, and the Supreme Court granted transfer to both cases, combining them into one decision.
Justice Brent Dickson wrote the opinion and cited Ramirez v. State, 7 N.E.3d 933, 936 (Ind. 2014) in the court’s decision. The defense arguedRamirez shouldn’t apply because in that case misconduct was committed during trial, and in the Wahl case, misconduct was committed during jury deliberations. But Dickson said Ramirez does apply whenever there is jury taint.
Dickson said the actions of the juror, which were outlined in a sworn affidavit, were more than enough to justify the reversal. The juror took over the deliberations, which directly affected the decision in the case.
Because the presumption of prejudice applied, Dickson said, it was up to the state to prove the prejudice was harmless, which it didn’t do. It only showed that the alternate juror’s participation with the jury was less after he was told he can’t participate, but not that it was harmless.
Justice Mark Massa dissented in part. He agreed with the reversal of the trial court’s denial of the Wahls’ motion for a mistrial, but disagreed there should be a new trial. He said the trial court has a duty to investigate jury taint by interviewing jurors when that is discovered, but didn’t say the state had to do it.
“Today’s decision – in a significant clarification of the burden of proof – extends Ramirez to impose that same duty on the state in a post-conviction setting. The state should thus be given the opportunity to meet that burden before the court makes a determination on the merits. I would therefore remand for additional hearing on the Wahls’ motion, so that every juror can actually inform the court as to the impact of the alternate juror’s misconduct on their respective impartiality.â€
The combined case is Saundra S. Wahl v. State of Indiana, 29S04-1510-CR-605, and Daniel P. Wahl v. State of Indiana, 29S02-1510-CR-606.
Hot Jobs in Evansville
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Nancy Deig Awarded The IAMC Fellow Designation
Nancy Deig Awarded the IAMC Fellow Designation
NEW ORLEANS, LA., March 15, 2016 – Today, the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) awarded Nancy Deig, Economic Development Manager with the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, the IAMC Fellow designation. IAMC Fellows have completed the Leadership Development Program, participating in five leadership seminars in four learning categories: individual, team, emotional intelligence and general leadership.
The Leadership Development Program provides high-quality training that enhances personal and professional leadership skills. Recent seminar speakers and topics include:
- Sara Ross: “Emotional Intelligence: The Science of Leadership Under Pressureâ€
- James Robbins: “9 Minutes on Monday: The Easy Way to Turn Managers into Leadersâ€
- Dr. Relly Nadler: “Teamwork is an Unnatural Act: Are Your Teams and OrganizationDumbed Down?â€
“IAMC Fellows are leaders in IAMC, their companies and the industry at large,†said J. Tate Godfrey, CEcD, executive director of IAMC. “Nancy is a great asset to IAMC. We are very pleased to welcome her to this prestigious group of IAMC Fellows.â€
Since 2006, Nancy has served as key contact for every project lead that comes to the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana working with business leaders and corporate location and site selection consultants. “The IAMC Fellows program has given me great insight into the value of being a good, effective leader; and, has provided rewarding experiences by enabling me to participate in service projects and committee work giving me a better understanding about the IAMC organization,†said Nancy Deig, Manager, Economic Development.
Along with being a graduate of the Fellows program and serving on the Member Relations Committee of the IAMC, Nancy is a member of the International Economic Development Council, Indiana Economic Development Association and a long-time member of Toastmasters International. Recently Nancy helped form Kentuckiana Women in Leadership, a new Toastmasters Club focused on empowering women and building their leadership skills.
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Since 2006, more than 160 professionals have earned the IAMC Fellow designation.
About the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC)
Founded in 2002, the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) is the leading association of industrial asset management and corporate real estate executives, their suppliers, service providers and economic developers. IAMC is a member-focused association providing strategic insights, highest quality educational resources and exclusive networking opportunities for the leaders of the manufacturing and industrial asset management industry. IAMC’s membership totals more than 600 professionals across the United States, Canada and abroad. IAMC is managed by Conway, Inc. For more information, call (770) 325-3461 or visit www.iamc.org.
About the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana
The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana acts as the marketing arm and regional economic development organization for Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick Counties in Southwest Indiana. The Coalition works with its local county economic development organizational partners to facilitate attraction activities and supports efforts to enhance the business climate through regional capacity building. Since its formation in late 2006, the Coalition has helped to secure over $2.8 billion in new investment and 3,794 new jobs from existing and new companies such as Haier America, Berry Plastics, Mead Johnson, Toyota Boshoku, Midwest Fertilizer Corporation and AT&T.
Another important aspect of the Coalition’s multi-faceted job description is helping the communities it serves build new capacity for future development. The Coalition has helped secure over $115 million in grants for such things as expansion of water and sewer systems; building new community centers; and, making improvements to the region’s levee system, which protects thousands of acres.
Andy Lohrman Promoted to Crime Scene and Field Support Section Commander
Andy Lohrman Promoted to Crime Scene and Field Support Section Commander
Indianapolis, IN-Â The Indiana State Police recently promoted F/Sgt. Andy Lohrman to Lieutenant to serve as Section Commander of the Crime Scene Field Support Division.
Lohrman graduated from Northview High School in Brazil, IN. in 1987 and attended Vincennes University where he earned an Associate of Science Degree in Law Enforcement.
He graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy in 1990 and worked road patrol duties until his promotion to detective in 1996. In 2001 he was promoted to sergeant as a Crime Scene Investigator. In 2009 Lohrman was promoted to First Sergeant as the Field Quality Assurance Unit Supervisor where he continued to work until his recent promotion to Lieutenant to serve as the Crime Scene and Field Support Section Commander.
“We are pleased to have Lt. Lohrman serving as our Crime Scene and Field Support Section Commander,†stated Major Steve Holland, Commander of the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division. “Andy has the necessary expertise and practical work experience gained from his service as a CSI and more recently as our Unit Leader in our Field Quality Assurance Unit that will benefit him while leading our field support operations. He is well respected in the crime scene investigation community and will be a great asset to our laboratory system in his new position.â€
Lohrman resides in Brazil with his wife and two daughters.
For further information on Forensic Disciplines go to www.in.gov/isp and click on the “ISP Laboratory Division†link.
EVSC to Offer Summer Engineering Camp
The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation’s Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center (SICTC) is hosting a two-week summer engineering camp, iEngineering 2.0 Summer Experience, for students currently in the seventh and eighth grades in Evansville and the surrounding areas who are interested in exploring engineering-related fields. The camp, scheduled for May 31- June 13, 2016, is a half-day program that will focus on topics related to engineering, manufacturing and architecture. Students will learn about:
- Soldering
- Basic electrical circuits
- Robotics
- 3D scanning and printing
- CNC machining
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software
- Career awareness in science, technology, engineering and math
- Architectural fundamentals
- Electro-magnetic motors
- Introduction to engineering concepts
Students also will attend a field trip to a local manufacturing company. Cost for the summer camp is $40 per student. To register, visit www.sictc.com and click on the iEngineering link on the left hand side of the home page or visit our Facebook page at iEngineering 2.0 Summer Experience. Individuals interested in participating in the camp must register by April 8, 2016.