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Cloran to present on the importance of ideas and failure in fostering entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur Michael Cloran will be this year’s speaker for the University of Southern Indiana Romain College of Business Entrepreneur’s Perspective Speaker Series Monday, September 28 in Carter Hall in University Center West.  His presentation, “Ideas Matter†will be held at 10 a.m., and a second topic, “Failure is a Feature,†at noon.  Both events are free and open to the public.
Cloran is a founding partner of DeveloperTown, a designer and developer firm focused on using technology for a strategic advantage. Existing firms and entrepreneurs turn to DeveloperTown’s talented and experienced team to transform ideas into winning web and/or mobile products.
Prior to founding DeveloperTown, Cloran was a software developer and co-founded a number of startups, including Quant Trading, a wall street bond trading software firm; EnterAct, an innovative internet service company; Interaction, which has raised over $100 million to transform the way major companies utilize automated voice systems; and StuffRaiser, a company devoted to helping not-for-profits benefit from recirculating valuable goods.
The Entrepreneur’s Perspective Speakers Series highlights speakers who provide insights on entrepreneurship and the connection between education and entrepreneurial outcomes.
F.J.Reitz Class of 1960 55th Reunion
On Friday October 2 2015 the Reitz class of 1960 will gather at Howell Shelter House on Barker Avenue for food, fellowship and fun. Â A very nice catered meal will be served at 5:30 pm. Â Sodas, coffee, and water will be provided.
Our Reitz Panthers will be away playing the North Huskies at Bundrant Stadium for those wanting to attend a Panther Football game. Â Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Reitz Athletic Office or at the gate. Transportation is not provided.
On Saturday October 3 2015, the Reitz Class of 1960 will gather at VFW 1114 on Wabash Avenue for our main event. Â The evening will feature a catered meal, soft drinks will be furnished and a Cash Bar will be available. Warren Batts, of the original Bill Haley’s Comets will entertain.
The following classmates are still on our “lost list”: Linda Dennis Bush, Ellis Fields, Breanda Frost McNew, James Harralson, Michael Todd, Larry Toole, Barbara Harralson Townsend and Rita Harrington Cardin. Â If you have information on these classmates please call: Don Counts 812-422-1792 or Sue Albin 812-985-5072.
Dr. Bucshon Votes Against Iran Deal
House rejects the Iran nuclear deal, votes to suspend the President’s ability to lift sanctions.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Friday, Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon released the following statement after voting to oppose the Iran nuclear agreement:
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“On the 14th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, we are reminded that the stakes have never been higher in our efforts to protect our nation and allies from the enemies of freedom. Unfortunately, this nuclear agreement negotiated by President Obama and Secretary Kerry fails to make the world a safer place and paves the way to a nuclear Iran. The deal gives Iran $150 billion that even the President has admitted will help fund organizations that kill Americans and allows Iran to acquire intercontinental ballistic missiles that will give the regime long-range firing capacities. Our negotiators gave up these concessions, yet failed to secure the release of four Americans who are still detained in Iran. Not to mention, Congress and the American people still have not received the full agreement, including the secret IAEA side deals. Finally, like most Hoosiers, I cannot trust a regime that publicly chants ‘death to America’, refers to the United States as ‘satan’, and expresses its desire to eliminate Israel in the next 25 years to act in good faith. As a member of Congress who swore an oath to protect the American people, I cannot support this deal.â€
The House rejected (162-269) H.R. 3461, to approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iranand passed H.R. 3460, to suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran.
On Thursday, the House passed H. Res. 411, a resolution stating the President has not fully complied with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Act of 2015 by failing to provide Congress with a copy of an agreement between the IAEA and Iran, and that, as a result, the president remains unable to lift statutory sanctions against Iran
BACKGROUND:
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On July 14th, Dr. Bucshon posted the Iran deal to his website for his constituents to review and provide feedback:Â http://goo.gl/4lRMnA.
On July 15th, Dr. Bucshon released a statement expressing his concerns with the deal:Â http://goo.gl/wYydUl.
On August 5th, Dr. Bucshon released a video outlining his opposition to the nuclear deal and encouraged Hoosiers to review the text and provide feedback. That video can be accessed by clicking here:Â http://goo.gl/grYKLO.
On August 26th, a group of nearly 200 retired generals and admirals sent a letter to Congress urging opposition to Iran nuclear agreement arguing it threatens national security.
On September 8th, Dr. Bucshon released a statement supporting a letter sent by Governor Pence and 14 other governors to President Obama highlighting state-level concerns with the Iran deal:Â http://goo.gl/tzy0d3.
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. Â
Zoeller, Rx Task Force meet with U.S. Surgeon General on prescription drug abuse crisis in Indiana
 Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and members of the Indiana Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force met with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy and Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams today to discuss the prescription drug abuse epidemic in Indiana, progress being made to combat this scourge and the need for federal support to further such efforts.
Drug overdose deaths in Indiana have increased five-fold since 1999, and half of overdose deaths today are a result of prescription drug abuse according to a Trust for America’s Health report.
Zoeller created the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force in 2012 to respond to this crisis, reduce the abuse of controlled prescription drugs and decrease the number of deaths associated with these drugs in Indiana. The Task Force is made up of approximately 100 stakeholders including legislators, state and federal regulators, clinicians, treatment providers, educators and law enforcement.
“Prescription drug addiction is at the root of a very serious public health crisis that impacts much of our society today,†Zoeller said. “Prescription drug abuse has fueled high rates of overdose death and greater heroin use in Indiana, and led to unprecedented disease outbreak in Hoosier communities this year through shared needle use among intravenous prescription drug abusers. Preventing prescription abuse is now more pressing than ever.â€
Zoeller and other Task Force members discussed Task Force initiatives, progress and additional areas of need during a meeting with Surgeon General Murthy and Commissioner Adams today at the Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI) Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health. Topics included public and prescriber education, prescription drug monitoring and addiction treatment.
“At a time when too many of our communities are struggling with prescription drug abuse, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to fight this crisis head-on,†Surgeon General Murthy said. “That is why we’re committed to working closely with all of our state and local partners, both in Indiana and throughout this country, to put an end to this epidemic.”
“We’ve seen in Indiana this year the steep toll that prescription drug abuse can have on our residents and their families,†Commissioner Adams said. “It’s encouraging to know that our U.S. surgeon general is willing to listen to some of the lessons we’ve learned as he looks for ways to fight opioid abuse on a national level.â€
Since its creation, the Task Force has advanced a number of initiatives to reduce prescription drug abuse. The Task Force has hosted five annual prescription drug abuse symposiums reaching 2,500 stakeholders with plans underway to host its sixth-annual symposium on Oct. 28-29. Additionally, the Task Force helped establish safer prescribing rules, developed statewide training efforts to reduce drug diversion, supported safe disposal efforts and launched a public awareness campaign through www.BitterPill.in.gov.
“The confluence of opioid over use, heroin accessibility, and social determinants has created an enormous burden of addiction and mental health challenges,†said Dr. Palmer MacKie, clinical educator with the Indiana University School of Medicine and Task Force member. “Indiana is not alone but rather representative of this nationwide crisis. It is imperative that additional resources and coordination be engaged to confront these issues collectively and address the symptoms as well as the root causes. Combining local, state and national resources is required. We are therefore pleased and optimistic the Surgeon General has joined our efforts in understanding the issues and tackling this urgent and costly, in human as well as financial terms, health crisis.â€
The Task Force has also worked on many legislative efforts to reduce abuse, including providing more oversight for pain clinic operators, stronger reporting requirements to the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, greater access to addiction treatment services and to the overdose antidote naloxone, and – most recently – allowing communities with an HIV or Hepatitis C outbreak to establish syringe exchanges that discourage shared needle use and direct people to treatment options.
“On behalf of the Task Force, we are grateful for the U.S. surgeon general’s attention to this public health battle in Indiana and to receive his input,†Zoeller said. “There is a not a quick or simple fix to stopping deadly prescription drug abuse, but we believe we are beginning to make important progress to reverse this trend.â€
More information on the Task Force and the Attorney General’s efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse can be found at www.BitterPill.in.gov.
Indiana State Agencies Partner for Road Safety Message ahead of Harvest Season
With harvest season starting this week, motorists should expect to see slow-moving farm equipment from Indiana’s 58,000+ farms on Hoosier roadways. Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and Indiana State Police (ISP) are teaming up to bring attention to the need for more safety on Indiana’s rural roads.
“While motorists cruise the beautiful rural roadways of Indiana this fall, they should be aware of slow-moving farm equipment using those roads during harvest season,†Lt. Governor Ellspermann said. “It is incredibly important to get this message out to ask all drivers to have patience and drive safely around slow-moving vehicles. I encourage all Hoosiers to be mindful and alert for farm equipment on roadways this harvest season.â€
The following tips will help ensure the safety of motorists, passengers, and operators of slow-moving equipment:
- Farmers on roadways are going to or from work, just like many other people on the road.
- Most farmers will pull over when they are able to let you pass, but it may take time for them to get to a safe place to do so. Be patient.
- Farm equipment is wide, sometimes taking up most of the roadway. Be careful when passing.
- The red triangle on the back of an implement, farm machinery or other vehicle indicates a slow-moving vehicle (under 25 mph).
- If you’re driving 55 mph and come upon a tractor that’s moving 15 mph, it only takes five seconds to close a gap the length of a football field between you and the tractor.
- Do not try to pass a slow moving vehicle on the left without ensuring that the vehicle is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over for you to pass when it is actually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and the farmer.
- Do not pass if you are in a designated “No Passing Zone†or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure, or tunnel.
- Do not assume that a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right or is letting you pass. Due to the size of some farm implements, the farmer must execute wide left-hand turns. If you are unsure, check the operator’s hand signals and check the left side of the road for gates, driveways or any place a farm vehicle may turn.
“As our farmers are working to bring in this year’s crop, we want to remind all Hoosiers of farmers’ increased presence on the roadways,†ISDA Director Ted McKinney said. “We want to reinforce to motorists that these farmers have every right to use the roadway, too. Waiting a few minutes to safely pass or for the driver to pull over will not impact their drive substantially, and they will get to their destination unharmed.â€
“With slow-moving vehicles during harvest, patience and allowing extra time for travel is crucial,†said Dr. Michael Olinger, state emergency medical services director with IDHS. “Also, it’s critically important to avoid any distractions, such as smart phones. Distracted driving is the biggest cause of vehicular injuries.â€
Indiana State Police Supt. Doug Carter said, “To get from the farm field to the dinner table takes cooperation of drivers of both regular vehicles and farm vehicles safely sharing the road as crops are harvested and transported to market.â€Â  Supt. Carter continued, “A distraction or lapse in judgment for either driver can have catastrophic consequences, which is why we ask all to be attentive to the full time task of safely driving, be it in a car, truck or a piece of farm equipment.â€
“This harvest season drivers should watch for both farm equipment and vehicles waiting to pass to prevent crashes where traffic slows or stops suddenly,†said INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson. “Drivers also should anticipate large vehicles as they navigate hills and curves on country roads.â€
By law, farm equipment must have the nationally designated slow-moving vehicle sign – a red triangle-shaped reflector – to warn oncoming drivers that their equipment is on the road. These vehicles often travel at speeds no higher than 25 mph.
For more information about agriculture safety in Indiana, visit:Â www.getprepared.in.gov