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Letter to the Editor: Mayor Winnecke Shell Games

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Letter to the Editor: Mayor Winnecke Shell Games

Mayor Winnecke has spent his time as Mayor playing a Shell Game with Evansville’s finances, hoping we don’t catch on.

With each passing year, the “Shells” gets bigger and bigger, with more money being moved and shifted around so we, the public, don’t realize the true financial situation Evansville faces.

He can hide the “Shell Games” from the citizens, but he can’t hide it from the State Board of Accounts.

According to the SBOA 2014 Audit:

“Although the General Fund showed a balance of $307,140 as of December 31, 2014, the fund would have shown a deficit balance of $5,888,660 as of December 31, 2014, if not for the following items:

  1. The Wastewater Utility prepaid the 2015 payment in lieu of taxes payment totaling $2,428,000
  2. The City did not pay the General fund’s portion of hospitalization bills for the 3rd quarter of 2014 totaling $3,767,800.”

In reality, we began 2015 $5,888,660 in the hole.

Mayor Winnecke is borrowing tomorrow’s paycheck to pay for today’s bills.  And with each passing year, the amount he has to borrow grows higher and higher.

This type of action, much like it is in our everyday homes, is unsustainable.  We simply cannot continue to treat our finances this way.

I call upon Mayor Winnecke to have a frank and open dialog with the citizens of Evansville about the true nature of our city’s finances.  We cannot continue to shift and move money around, playing accounting tricks, and deceiving the public about our true financial situation.

These certainly are not the actions of a #StrongCity.

Thank you,

Matthew Neville
Evansville

 

FOOTNOTES: Our next “will be posted on this coming Wednesday ?

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:  If the election was held today who would you vote as the next Governor of Indiana?

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

TUESDAYS “READERS FORUM”

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TUESDAYS “READERS FORUM”
Whats On Your Mind Today?

Are you upset that the tax supported not-for profit Evansville Brownfields Corp 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 “will be posted on this coming Wednesday ?

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: If the election was held today who would you vote as the next Governor of Indiana?

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

Protecting Hoosiers from forced municipal sewage tap-ins

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This session, I co-authored a bill protecting homeowners living outside city or town limits from mandatory sewage tap-ins.

This legislation works to protect Hoosiers living outside city limits from being forced to tap into the municipal sewage system. Under current law, a municipality may require connection to its sewer system and the discontinuance of the use of privies, cesspools, septic tanks and similar structures used for sewage disposal if there is an available sewer within 300 feet of a home. The municipality must notify the property owner 90 days prior to the connection date and can enact penalties if homeowners do not tap into the available sewer.

House Bill 1075 would exempt a property owner from being required to connect to the sewer system if the property is located outside of the municipality, and the owner’s sewage disposal system is a septic tank soil absorption system or a constructed wetland septic system that has been approved by and given a written determination from the local health department that the septic tank system is not failing.

If a resident has purchased or built a house within the last 20 years, they would be able to file for a 10-year exemption as well as two five-year exemptions, for a total 20-year exemption from tapping into the municipal sewage system. A house that is five years old is able to file a 15-year exemption, a 10 year old house may file for a 10-year extension, and so on up to 20 years. This is because a typical septic tank has an approximate lifespan of up to 20 years. This would save many Hoosiers the tap-in fee, in addition to other connection fees they may incur.

If it is not necessary for households living near a city to connect to sewage lines, and they have a legal and reliable process of getting rid of sewage waste, they should not be burdened by over-regulations and forced to deal with bureaucratic red tape.

House Bill 1075 is now being sent to the governor where it could be signed into law. Please contact me with questions or input on this bill at (317) 232-9833 or email h75@iga.in.gov.

Americade Queen

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Allison Hayes (right), a Hollywood starlet who visited Evansville in late October 1955 to promote her new movie at the Grand Theater, crowns Bosse High School student Sally Lowe as “Miss Americade.” (The U. S. Marines are unidentified.) Americade was an exposition sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers in cooperation with the Evansville Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations. Its purpose was to promote America’s “tremendous advances” and potential. Nearly 20,000 people attended the four-day event, which was held at the Coliseum.

EVSC Offers 529 College Savings Account for Employees

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The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation today announced a new benefit for employees that will help them plan and save for college. All employees of the EVSC now have the opportunity to participate in Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan via an automatic payroll deduction.

CollegeChoice 529 is a tax-advantaged college savings plan that employees can use for qualified post-secondary education expenses for themselves or their dependents. Money invested in the 529 accounts can be used for tuition; room and board, books, fees, computers and other mandatory higher education expenses.

“By offering this benefit, our employees can easily and effectively save for college,” said David Smith, EVSC Superintendent. “As an educational institution, we definitely know the value of education and what it can do for students. We feel this is something we can offer our employees that will truly pay dividends for our employees, their families and our community.”

Benefits of the CollegeChoice 529 include:

  • Employees can open a 529 account with little as $10 and additional contributions of at least $10 can be made at any time.
  • Earnings grow tax-deferred and are free from federal income tax when used for qualified higher education expenses.
  • Flexible investment options help families maximize their savings.
  • Savings can be used at any eligible school around the country and abroad, including public and private, 2- and 4-year colleges, universities, graduate schools and vocational/technical schools.
  • Employees can save for the education of a child, grandchild, or other beneficiary, or even for an advanced degree for themselves.

Eligible employees can contribute up to $14,000 ($28,000 for married couples) each year without incurring federal gift tax consequences. In addition, participating Indiana taxpayers, can be eligible for a state income tax credit of 20% of contributions to their CollegeChoice 529 account(s), up to $1,000 credit per year.

To enroll, EVSC employees should contact the payroll department in the Office of Business Affairs with the EVSC.

Michael Austin Named Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at UE

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After conducting a national search, the University of Evansville has named Michael Austin as the University’s executive vice president of academic affairs. He will begin his new duties on July 1.

The search process was extensive. Four finalists were chosen from a large pool of candidates. Each finalist visited campus and interacted with a faculty, staff, administrators, and a group of University of Evansville trustees. The search committee surveyed those who had met with the candidates and then made the recommendation to offer the position to Austin.

“The University of Evansville is an excellent school with the reputation of having outstanding academic programs and a strong liberal arts foundation,” said Austin. “I’m looking forward to becoming part of that tradition.”

Austin earned his PhD in English literature from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He earned his MA and BA degrees in English from Brigham Young University.

Austin has 15 years of experience in higher education administration at both public and private liberal arts institutions. He comes to UE from Newman University, where he was provost and vice president of academic affairs and a professor of English. During his career, Austin has also served as dean of graduate studies at Shepherd University, and chair of that school’s English and modern languages department.

He has written several books, including Useful Fictions: Evolution, Anxiety, and the Origins of Literature, That’s Not What They Meant! Reclaiming the Founding Fathers from America’s Right Wing, and Re-Reading Job: Understanding the Ancient World’s Greatest Poem.

“We are very excited that Michael has agreed to become our new executive vice president of academic affairs” said UE President Thomas A. Kazee. “He brings with him a strong background in liberal arts education and collaborative team building. He has a passion for education, and a proven ability to bridge the gap between liberal arts and professional programs.”

Governor Pence Directs Flags Be Flown at Half-staff to Honor Former First Lady Nancy Reagan

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Indianapolis – In accordance with a presidential proclamation issued this morning, Governor Mike Pence has directed that flags at state facilities statewide be flown at half-staff to honor the memory and service of former First Lady Nancy Reagan, who passed away yesterday. Flags should be flown at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on the day of interment.

Governor Pence also asks businesses to lower their flags to half-staff to honor former First Lady Nancy Reagan for her service to the United States.

 

St. Mary’s Hospital for Women & Children Birth Records

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Morgan and Matthew Hussmann, Evansville, daughter, Hattie Marie, Feb. 28

Leigh Ann and John Kirk Greenwell, Morganfield, Ky., daughter, Adalyn Ann, Feb. 29

Janel and Chalon Summers, Evansville, son, Jeriah Li’, Feb. 29

Breanna and Brandon Smith, Evansville, son, Greyson Issac Paul, Feb. 29

Lindsay and Nathanael Willis, Evansville, daughter, Amelia Catherine, Feb. 29

Samantha and Timothy Duncan, Carmi, Ill., daughter, Adelynn Reighn, Feb. 29

Judy and Christopher Bailey, Henderson, Ky., daughter, Kendall Grace, Feb. 29

Lateasha Compton, Evansville, son, Mar’John Carnell, and daughter, Maleeha Chantel, Feb. 29

Sarah Wirth and Daniel Lefler, Evansville, son, Ryder Keith, Feb. 29

Kourtney Knarian and Jesse Webster, Evansville, daughter, Maddie Jo, Feb. 29

Felisha Curry and Dakotah Marshel, Mount Carmel, Ill., son, Kobi Loyton-Roe, Feb. 29

Kara and Tucker Evans, Rockport, Ind., son, Robin Wade, Mar. 1

Julie and Andrew Lynn, Henderson, Ky., daughter, Nora Jade, Mar. 1

Dee and Patrick Iglehart, Mount Carmel, Ill., daughter, Paityn Mack, Mar. 1

Felisha Bloomer, Mount Carmel, Ill., daughter, Adrianna Grace, Mar. 1

Tabor and Grant Schmitt, Fort Branch, Ind., daughter, Grace Ann, Mar. 1

Mikendra Crowley and Jesse Greenwell, Evansville, daughter, Ivey Renae, Mar. 1

Amanda and Scott Cushing, Evansville, son, Aaron Adam, Mar. 2

Kimberly and Justin Oldendorf, Evansville, son, Connor Matthew, Mar. 2

Christianne and Dalen Faughn, Evansville, sons, Houston Beck, and Linden Tate, Mar. 2

Le-Andra Heck and Luke Swinford, Evansville, son, Pierson Thomas, Mar. 2

Ashley Sallee-Robinson and Keith Baker Jr., Evansville, daughter, Adrianne Rose, Mar. 2

Brittney and Cory Henson, Owensville, Ind., daughter, Breanna Nicole, Mar. 3

Brittany and Kevin O’Hair, Evansville, daughter, Kara Rose, Mar. 3

Johanna and Joshua Ackerman, Evansville, son, Harrison James, Mar. 3

Jennah and Troy Bolton Jr., Newburgh, Ind., son, Ilijah Everett Noah, Mar. 3

Britney Schaad, Boonville, Ind., son, Liam Isaiah-Kennedy, Mar. 3

Brynn Howell and Jared Smith, Evansville, son, August Phillip Lachlan, Mar. 3

Toni Fazio and Brandon Justus, Boonville, Ind., daughter, Caroline Diane, Mar. 3

Olivia and Curt Schneider, Wadesville, Ind., daughter, Ellen Rae, Mar. 4

Aces return to midweek action with trip to UT Martin

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 After posting a pair of impressive come-from-behind victories over the weekend, the University of Evansville baseball team will be back in action on Tuesday as the Purple Aces are set to pay a visit to UT Martin.

The Aces (6-4) have now won five consecutive games, and the team will be looking for a second straight midweek win after rallying from an early 6-0 hole at Belmont last Wednesday to win 13-7.

Alex Weigand, who dealt with some adversity in the first inning at Belmont, would settle down as the game wore on, but he ultimately didn’t earn a decision. If the Aces are to be successful on Tuesday, head coach Wes Carroll will be hoping to see the freshman southpaw channel those final few innings as he steps to the mound at Skyhawk Field.

However, the big story for the Aces over the past week has been the high-scoring offense. UE has averaged better than seven runs per game so far this year, topping 10 runs on three separate occasions.

As a team, the Aces are hitting .279 on the season with a .379 on-base mark, and it’s been junior college transfer Trey Hair leading the way. The Firth, Neb., native is hitting .378, while Boomer Synek and Josh Jyawook, who have each boasted of all-conference honors in their career, have combined for 21 runs batted in and 16 scores. Eric McKibban is second on the team with a .368 average and a team-best 10 runs, and Korbin Williams is coming off a week where he posted a .538 average and a .667 on-base percentage.

Meanwhile, UT Martin will be entering Tuesday looking to build on a 4-8 record, which includes a 2-5 mark at home. Mike Murphy leads the way for the Skyhawks with a .405 batting average, and as a team, UTM is out-hitting its opponents .295 to .241.

First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

NOTES: The Aces have now won five consecutive games for the first time since a streak from April 26 – May 2 last season … UE is off to a 6-4 start for the second year in a row … Since 1978, the Aces have posted a 15-3 record against UT Martin … The Aces and Skyhawks have played in each of the past five seasons, with UE posting a 9-1 mark … Last season, the Aces won 15-11 in Martin and 19-2 in Evansville … Overall, UE has taken home five straight wins in the series, including two in a row at Skyhawk Field … Overall, the Aces are 41-22-2 against teams that hail from the state of Tennessee, including a 1-0 mark this year.

 

THUNDERBOLTS WEEKLY NEWS RELEASE

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THE THUNDERBOLTS TO COMPLETE THEIR INAUGURAL NA3HL CAMPAIGN THIS WEEKEND HOME & HOME SERIES VS. NASHVILLE; HOME FINAL SAT. NIGHT; FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT EVANSVILLE PUSHES SOUTH DIVISION CO-LEADING PT. MALLARD TO OT ON FRIDAY NIGHT

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: 2(0-1-1) 2-7
FRI. MAR. 4 POINT MALLARD 3 AT ‘BOLTS 2 (OT) SAT. MAR. 5 POINT MALLARD 4 AT ‘BOLTS 0

THIS WEEK’S GAMES: (2) FRI. MAR. 11 AT NASHVILLE 7:00 PM SAT. MAR. 12 VS. NASHVILLE 7:30 PM (HOME FINALE; FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT)

HOME FINALE — FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT— SAT. MARCH 12TH VS. NASHVILLE 7:30 PM *** ALL THUNDERBOLTS GAMES ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON EVANSVILLE’S WVHI-AM 1330 ***

LIGHTNING BOLTS’ SHOTS: The ThunderBolts are embarking on the final week of their 2015-16 NA3HL inaugural season this upcoming week. Under the tutelage of General Manager/Head Coach Scott Fankhouser, the State of Indiana’s only elite junior hockey team will complete their first-ever campaign this upcoming weekend when they tangle with Midwest Division rival Nashville. The two-game home-and-home series will open on Friday night at 7:00 pm in the “Music City” and conclude with the second installment on Saturday night in a 7:30 pm “Showdown at Swonder” encore engagement. The latter contest will represent the official close of the ThunderBolts NA3HL debut season. ThunderBolts game tickets are always FAN-FAMILY-FRIENDLY priced at ONLY $ 5 !!! ThIS still continues to be absolutely the best deal anywhere and everywhere!!

THE LAST WEEKEND: When the ThunderBolts clash with Midwest Division rivals, the Nashville Jr. Predators this weekend, they will be battling a Nashville club that has virtually cemented third place and a coveted playoff berth. The past weekend, the Jr. Preds divided a two-game series abroad in St. Louis against the divisional kingpins, the Jr. Blues. Saturday night, the “Music City” sextet edged St. Louis, 2-1, to halt a mild 2-game losing spell while bringing to an abrupt, brusque halt the Jr. Blues masterful 12-game winning streak on their home ice. However, in Sunday’s encore presentation, St. Louis dispatched the Nashvillians, 6-2. The ThunderBolts and the Jr. Predators have collided, head-on four different times thus far this season with the Tennessee-based squad ultimately gaining the conquest in each contest. The ThunderBolts have been limited to a scant four goals through those four games, never registering more than one goal in any single game as they have been out-goaled by a rather wide margin of 24- 4. Brandon Bornkamp 4(2-0-2); Mathieu LaForest 4(1-1-2); Brandon Rozema 4(1-1-2) have been the ‘Bolts major marquee marksmen while Josh Hill 4(6-3-9); Trent Kulcyk 4(2-4-6); Logan Orem 4(1-5-6) have been the Jr. Preds premiere point producers against Evansville.

WEEKEND WIND-UP: The past weekend, the second to last weekend of the ThunderBolts nativity season, saw the ‘Bolts battle the torrid, red-hot Ducks of Point Mallard in a two-game home stand series at Swonder Ice Arena. Coach Fankhouser’s yearling contingent did gain one point for their initial season’s resume through a thrilling Friday night overtime affair in a 3-2 ultimate outcome. Game two, Point Mallard was predominant in a 4-0 command performance. The ThunderBolts have garnered three of their five composite standings points this season against Point Mallard which is currently tied for the South Division’s top perch with Atlanta and only two-points clear of third place Texas. The Ducks have won 14-games consecutively and are unblemished in their last 15-starts overall since the ‘Bolts bushwhacked them back on January 3rd in Decatur, 7-4. That loss is Point Mallard’s lone home setback all season long as well.

FIRST-EVER OVERTIME: In their 44th game of their first-ever NA3HL season, the ThunderBolts finally attained the opportunity to play overtime. The past Friday night, the ‘Bolts were intrinsically involved in their first- ever, thrilling and exciting three-on-three five-minute sudden-death overtime clash, locking antlers with Point Mallard. Though the ultimate outcome was not totally ideal, the ThunderBolts did earn one more point on their first season’s standing and they accomplished the crowd-pleasing feat by forging a dynamic and gigantic third period comeback counterattack crescendo. The hometown team triggered a pair of goals 1:45 apart to expunge a 2-0 deficit and force the extra session due to the 2-2 tie. Evansville was 0:53 away from its first-ever endeavor into the OTSO when the Ducks doused and dashed those hopes with the late OT/GWG to earn the available “bonus point.”

UNEXPECTED “RETURNS:” Making a surprise return to the ThunderBolts lineup the past weekend was their All-Star defenseman Triston Theriot. Feared lost for the remainder of the season due to a fractured scapula which he sustained in the opening game of last month’s NA3HL’s Annual Top Prospects Tournament in suburban Detroit, the Fort Wayne, IN product was the supreme catalyst in his club’s stirring two-goal third period resurgence in 1:45 Friday night to prolong the contest to the “OT.” Theriot uncorked a pair of blue line sizzling shots; with the first one being his 6th goal of the season. His second howitzer resulted in a Jon Grimm masterful deflection for the GTG. For the season, Theriot has scored 3 of his 6-goals against the Ducks.

THE BRYSON BARRICADE: Central High School local product Bryson Linenburg continues to bedazzle with his extraordinary improvement as the ThunderBolts human puck barricade. The ThunderBolts backbone backstop was brilliant in both of his starts the past weekend against Point Mallard. Pelted and peppered with a plethora of pucks, Linenburg faced 123-shots during the two-game series, repelling 116 of those attempts for a SPCT of a sparkling .943. He made an amazing 58-saves both nights, earning the ThunderBolts “Penn Station Star of the Game” honors in the Friday night overtime clash.

JONNY B. GOOD: Team captain and leading scoring ace of the place Jon Grimm has enjoyed some of his best performances this campaign against the high-powered Point Mallard Ducks. The past Friday night, “The Captain’s” 16th goal of the season on a picture-perfect, textbook-designed deflection of a Triston Theriot cannonading point shot equalized the contest at 2-2, eradicating a ThunderBolts 2-0 deficit. For the season, in 8-games against the Ducks, Grimm registered 14-points on 5-goals, 9-assists with an excellent, team-best +6 rating.

SPECIAL TEAMS TUNING: It has been six games since the ThunderBolts last connected with a power play goal. They are 0-18 in that span, representing their longest power play drought of the season. The penalty-killing unit has been demonstrating some significant improvement. The opposition is 5 for the last 24 for an efficiency rating of 79.2%. Evansville is the lone team in the league without the benefit of a shorthanded goal this season. The ‘Bolts have allowed 12-shorthanded goals against for the season.

TOP OF THE CROP: With one week remaining in their regular season schedule, ThunderBolts scoring kingpins are ranked in order: 1- Jon Grimm 42(16-25-41); 2- Brandon Bornkamp 44(21-19-40); 3- Mike Kelley 40(10-19- 29); 4- Brandon Rozema 42(14-9-23); 5- Triston Theriot 40(6-13-19); 6- Mathieu LaForest 41(5-11-16); 7- Billy Bonser 42 (8-7-15); 8- Brian Crink 45(3-10-13); 9-Cedric Calhoun 33(5-4-9); 10- Zach Faith 34 (1-8-9).

FEW FUN FAST FACTS FROM “FIC:” The ‘Bolts have collected 3 of their 5 standings points this season against first place Point Mallard. Point Mallard’s current 15-game undefeated streak started after the ‘’Bolts ambushed them in Decatur back on January 3rd, 7-4. Jon Grimm and Brandon Bornkamp really excelled in the 8- game season series against Point Mallard this season. Grimm was 8(5-9-14) with a stellar +6 rating; Bornkamp was 8(4-6-10) with a +4 rating. In their recently concluded 4-game home stand, the ‘Bolts were 4(0-3-1), being outscored, 18-3. In games one and four of the home stand, the ‘Bolts were blanked by replica results of 4-0 by Peoria and Point Mallard respectively. ‘Bolts have scored only 5-GF in the last 5-games. In his last 20-games, Brandon Rozema is the team’s top scoring mogul with 20(12-6-18); last 14(8-6-14); last 6(4-1-5). The ‘Bolts 13 third period goals against Point Mallard represent the most goals that they have scored in a single period against any team this season. The ‘Bolts 44-SOG in the game one OT bout Friday night equaled their second most shots on goal in a single game this season. The most being 45, also against Point Mallard in their 7-4 first-ever victory on January 3rd at Decatur. Evansville’s 21-SOG in the second period on Friday night were its second most in a single stanza thus far this season. The ‘Bolts 13-SOG Saturday night were their third fewest in one game this season. Defenseman Brian Crink is the last man standing. He is the lone ‘Bolts player to play in all 45-games this year. The ThunderBolts have utilized 31-players this season.

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