Home Blog Page 5953

IS IT TRUE JULY 23, 2015

32

IS IT TRUE the Brownfields Corporation had a non-advertised meeting last Friday to approve the purchase of a parcel of land related to the new Hotel and IU Medical School?…the Brownfields Board of Directors voted 6 to 1 to pay the Evansville Housing Authority $55,000 for a strip of land where the future parking garage for the hotel and medical school will sit?…the mission statement for the nonprofit entity is to acquire environmentally distressed properties located within the city of Evansville in order to benefit the city of Evansville and its economic development thereby lessening the burdens of local government?…the strip of land owned by the Housing Authority was neither brown nor environmentally distressed?…the appropriate entity to purchase the land would have been the Evansville Redevelopment Commission but such a purchase would have occurred with public knowledge?

IS IT TRUE the ERC was unable to quietly secure the property without the public knowing of its failure to yet purchase all of the necessary land for the IU Medical School, because the parcel was not on a City Council approved list of potential land purchases?…the ERC would have had to notify the public if it had followed relevant statutes related to land acquisition?…this $55,000 will not be reimbursed to the Brownfields Corporation out of the $57 million bond for the medical school project or $20 million bond for the hotel and can be added to the top in terms of cost along with the $7 million sewer relocation, $3.6 million in additional tax payer funds, the $2.6 million already spent by the ERC on the hotel project and any costs related to site preparation for the  Convention Hotel?

IS IT TRUE the Brownfields Corporation Board of Directors are Kelley Coures of the Department of Metropolitan Development, Luke Yeager of Evansville Commerce Bank, Joshua Armstrong of the Chamber of Commerce, local architect and City representative on the hotel project Sara Schuler, Kevin Axsom of FC Tucker Emge Realty, Brad Ellsworth President of Vectren, and City Councilwoman Connie Robinson?….Robinson and Ellsworth were the only members to question whether the purchase of the land was reasonably related to the nonprofits mission?…Robinson was the only member to vote against the use of funds in this way? …the use of Brownfields Corporation is a slush fund for the Mayor’s office and seriously calls into question the public’s ability to trust the organization with public funds that are earmarked for blight removal that meet behind closed doors?

IS IT TRUE that we received this e-mail yesterday concerning a public call to rid of Cheryl Musgrave from the ERC board?. …we can’t wait to read your response to Mosby’s e-mail?

Council Members,

I could not agree more with Councilman Weaver. Cheryl proposal on Tuesday, during an ERC meeting, that an illegal real estate transaction be made by the ERC. Had the ERC simply given the parking lot at the McCurdy to the developer, per Cheryl’s request, it would have violated state statute and possibly led to even more lawsuits. Furthermore, according to Eyewitness news, Cheryl claims this is the process that was used for the Downtown Convention Hotel – which is completely false! This property was offered in a public bid in 2012 in the hotel RFP.

I also understand there was some controversy last year when Cheryl wanted to acquire some Downtown Property from DMD. These concerns were expressed to me by Kelley Coures when Cheryl was appointed to be one of our Council’s representatives on the ERC.

The City of Evansville has major projects moving forward and we must maintain the trust of the public; therefore, I am requesting that Cheryl Musgrave either resign or be removed as City Council’s appointee on the ERC.

Sincerely,

Missy Mosby-3rd Ward City Council

IS IT TRUE it’s time for City Councilpersons Mosby and Weaver put up or shut up concerning the call for Cheryl Musgrave to resign from the ERC board? …Ms. Musgrave publicly stated that she will not resign from the ERC board? …Weaver and Mosby should publicly ask City Council to vote to remove Ms. Musgrave from the ERC board this coming Monday evening? …we can’t wait to see how City Council handles Mosby and Weavers requests

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: EVSC Negotiations Op-Ed

7

I am writing to clarify exactly where we are with regard to the negotiations between the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and Teamsters Local 215.

There have been two issues that the School Administration has insisted must be addressed in these negotiations.  One is to have employees have the choice as to whether or not they join the union or pay an agency fee, and the other is to have the School Board be the final arbiter of employee grievances.

While we felt it was unfair and unnecessary to change the existing perfectly legal agency fee provision, in the spirit of compromise, we agreed to allow the employee a choice on joining the union or paying agency fees.  Under our proposal all existing employees will have a ten (10) day period to opt out of union representation and the fees associated with that representation, and all new employees will have the choice as to whether or not they join the union.  The EVSC can now stop repeating over and over that our union won’t agree to do away with the agency shop.

The demand by the EVSC to be the final step in the grievance procedure is a proposal that no fair minded person could ever agree to.  The School Board is the party that approves and signs this contract.  In other words, it is a party to the contract.  There is nothing fair or just about a dispute resolution procedure where one party to the dispute gets to act as judge and jury.

Based on the response we have gotten, it is clear to me that the overwhelming majority of this community also agrees that the School Board should not be the final arbiter of disputes.

We have made a variety of proposals on this issue, but have been unwilling to agree with the Board being the final step of the grievance procedure.

Because of the EVSC’s negotiating approach, none of our members’ proposals or concerns have even been talked about.

Last year, the EVSC held quickie elections on union “recertification” for both our bus driver unit and secretarial unit.  The bus drivers affirmed their desire for union representation by a vote of 120-27 and the secretaries affirmed their desire for union representation by a vote of 70-27.

At that time Superintendent David Smith said “our employees have a voice, and they certainly have spoken.  As we have said before, we will honor their wishes.”  It is time for those words to be lived up to.

Sincerely,

Chuck Whobrey

President and Business Manager of Teamsters Local 215

New policy to handle court ordered seized gun to be implemented by EPD

0

Following lengthy discussions with local judges, The Evansville Police Department will be changing the long standing policy that requires some seized guns to be destroyed. The current policy requires the guns to be destroyed upon receiving a court order to do so.
The change in policy will allow the courts to order certain guns to be sold to Kiesler’s Police Supply in Jeffersonville Indiana. In the coming weeks, The Evansville Police Department will be selling 145 guns valued at $24,915. The proceeds will be used by the Evansville Police Department to purchase weapons for newly hired officers. The department will also be able to purchase ammunition for training and on- duty use.
The policy will still require guns that were used in a manner that caused bodily injury to be destroyed. The policy will also continue to allow guns to be returned to the lawful owner in certain situations.

AG Zoeller: Phone carriers should immediately offer more comprehensive call-blocking technology to customers

0

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today led 45 state attorneys general in calling on the major phone companies to offer call-blocking technology to their customers and to take steps to better inform their customers that the service exists.

In a joint letter to the chief executives of AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and CenturyLink, the attorneys general said a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule clarification allows telecommunication service providers to offer customers the ability to block unwanted calls, and verifies that federal law does not prohibit offering the services in a more comprehensive way.

Currently some carriers offer call-blocking, but those services have limitations and do not offer more mass blocking options that would stop calls before getting to the customer.

In the letter the attorneys general stated, “Every year, our offices are flooded with consumer complaints pleading for a solution to stop intrusive robocalls. Your companies are now poised to offer your customers the help they need. We urge you to act without delay.”

Zoeller said phone carriers had previously claimed they could not offer such services.  At a July 2013 hearing before a Senate subcommittee, representatives from the US Telecom Association and CTIA-The Wireless Association testified that “legal barriers prevent carriers from implementing advanced call-blocking technology to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls.”

“Now that legal hurdles have been cleared, phone companies should immediately start offering call-blocking services to customers,” Zoeller said. “Attorneys general work to deter and prosecute scammers and ruthless telemarketers who make intrusive calls, but these bad actors continue to skirt laws and harass people. I am asking the phone companies to act now to assist us in this fight and help protect their customers’ telephone privacy rights.”

Zoeller said call-blocking options already exist for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service (NoMoRobo.com) and Android cell phones (Call Control), and the phone carriers should move quickly to implement and inform their customers of these options.

Last September, Zoeller led 39 attorneys general in a letter urging the FCC to allow phone companies to utilize call-blocking technologies. The FCC chairman endorsed the request in late May and the FCC voted to pass the rule clarification on June 18.

Unwanted calls and texts are the most common complaint received by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, with more than 13,000 complaints being filed in 2014. Within the last year, nearly 7,500 Indiana residents complained to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office specifically about illegal robocalls.

Indiana residents can sign up for the state’s Do Not Call list or file an unwanted call complaint by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1.888.834.9969.

Daily Off Topic Forum July 23, 2015

1

BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY: Agenda

0

AGENDA
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015

Building Commission – Ron Beane Police Department – Chief Billy Bolin Transportation & Services – Todd Robertson Fire Department – Chief Mike Connelly

~ Pledge of Allegiance ~

Business with Representatives:

1. Adam Kunkel, The Kunkel Group, requesting approval for the sidewalk to be closed at Riverside Drive; 1st Street to be closed between Walnut Street & Locust Street; parking lane on Walnut Street. Parking will be unavailable starting August 1st, 2015 through May 1st, 2016.

Departmental Reports:
A. Police Department – Chief Billy Bolin

1. Request approval to purchase an unmarked soft car for use by the Evansville Police Department undercover officers. The car to be purchase is a used vehicle from Henderson Chevrolet/GMC at a cost of $12,000.

B. FireDepartment–ChiefMikeConnelly

  1. Request approval for the new Report of Workplace Injury policy 500.006.
  2. Request approval for the 2015 Architect, LLC Contract.

C. Building Commission – Ron Beane

  1. Request approval for the Resolution of an Agreement for Services with Heidorn Construction, Inc. for Sealing of Unsafe Structures. Heidorn’s bids were as follows $4.40/sq. ft.; $75.00 – Show-up Fee; $80.00 Re-Seal Fee; $100.00 Estimating Fee; $1.10/lineal ft. (for framing).
  2. Request approval to open and award bids for the following demolitions:
    1. 1212 SOUTH GARVIN ST. – RAZE TEPE PARK POOL HOURS ONLY
    2. 1430 HARMONY WAY – RAZE/REMOVE REFAB CLASSROOM ONLY (LEAVE

      GRAVEL UNDER THE CLASSROOM)

    3. 1007 WEST MARYLAND STREET – RAZE FIRE DAMAGED COMMERCIAL

      STRUCTURE(S) – REMOVE ALL FENCING AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE LOT. AT THE CORNER OF N. THIRD AND WEST MARYLAND STREET – ALSO KNOWN AS 1007 WEST MARYLAND ST.

    4. 2831 EGMONT ST. – RAZE FIRE DAMAGED HOUSE
    5. 2403-2405 NORTH HARLAN AVE – RAZE FIRE DAMAGED HOUSE/DUPLEX AND

      SHED

    6. 2215 WEST IOWA ST. – RAZE HOUSE
    7. 415 SOUTH LINWOOD AVE – RAZE FIRE DAMAGED HOUSE, TWO (2) SHEDS AND

      REMOVE THE FRONT (EAST AND NORTH SIDE) FENCES

    8. 702 NORTH THIRD AVE – RAZE HOUSE
    9. 704 NORTH THIRD AVE – RAZE HOUSE
    10. 19 WASHINGTON AVE – RAZE HOUSE AND REMOVE THE NORTH SIDE FENCE

D. Transportation & Services – Todd Robertson

1. Request approval for the following items:

  1. Install a “Do Not Block Drive Entrance” sign in the parking lot entrance on N.W. 3rd St. next to Clayton’s Cleaners across from 12 N.W. 3rd St.
  2. Install a “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” sign on Theatre Drive at Old Boonville Hwy.
  3. Remove “Incoming Traffic Does Not Stop” and Install “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” on Hirschland Drive at E. Columbia Street due to the extension of E. Columbia Street.
  1. Install “No Parking Anytime” with “Tow Away Zone” at 912/915 Sorenson at Dead End.
  2. Install “30 MPH Speed Limit” signs for northbound & southbound traffic on Maryland Street & Barker Street (near Jacobsville Park).

2. Doris Strupp, Amhearst Manor Subdivision – Homeowners Association Representative, is requesting permission to paint “SLOW” on Oaklyn Dr. eastbound of the subdivision entrance sign. Painting will be completed by a profession road painting contractor and all associated costs will be paid by the Homeowners Association.

E. Special Event Permit – Sgt. Josh Wittmer

  1. Funk in the City requests approval for the “Funk in the City Art Festival” on September 25th, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Closing 2nd Street between Washington Ave & Jefferson Ave; Adams Ave between 1st Street & Putnam Street. ***BARRICADES REQUESTED & PENDING INSURANCE APPROVAL***
  2. Komen Evansville Tri-State Affiliate requests approval for “Race for the Cure” on September 27th, 2015 from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Closing Vogel Road from Newton Avenue to Tutor Lane; Tutor Lane from Vogel Road to Columbia Street; Columbia Street from Tutor Lane to Kimber Lane; Kimber Lane from Tutor Lane to E. Virginia Street; E. Virginia Street from Kimber Lane to the far North entrance to Eastland Mall just North of Toys R Us. ***BARRICADES REQUESTED***
  3. Townsquare Media requests approval for “America on Tap” on October 3rd, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. No road closings for this event. ***PENDING INSURANCE APPROVAL***
  4. Westside Nut Club requests approval for “WSNC Fall Festival, Main Parade, Pet Parade, Lighthouse Parade” on October 3rd, 2015 until October 11th, 2015. Closing Franklin Street between St. Joseph Ave and Wabash of Flags, all side streets.

Consent Section:

A. Road Closure

1. Evansville Public Library requests approval to close Chestnut Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd & SE 8th Street.

B. ParkingPermit

1. Overdrive’s Digital Bookmobile (Evansville Public Library) requests approval for a parking permit on July 24th, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

C. Massage Clinic Permit
1. Request approval for the following massage clinic permit:

a. Massage Envy Spa – 6501 E Lloyd Expressway – 436-3689 – Julie Hull – paperwork in order D. Dumpster in the Street Permit

1. Craig Miller requests approval for a dumpster to be placed at 2020 E Mulberry Street from July 23rd, 2015 until July 30th, 2015 for removal of furniture left behind by former tenant.

E. Taxi Cab Permit
1. Request approval for the following taxi cab permits:

  1. Charles R. Gillim
  2. Karla Keese
  3. Gerald L. Smith

F. Parking Permit

 

1. Request approval for three (3) parking permits for Ronda Nurrenbern to be used to park her RV’s on the street due to the high water and emergency evacuation.

OTHER BUSINESS:

1. Approve claims.
2. Approve the minutes of Wednesday, July 8th, 2015

Announcements:
Next Meeting, August 12th, 2015

Adjourned:

Antwane L. Broomfield found guilty Tuesday

0
SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ. 
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.

 

After a two-day trial, an Evansville man was found guilty of multiple charges stemming from an incident that occurred more than a year ago.

Antwane Lavonte Broomfield, 29, was convicted of carrying a handgun without a license, operating a vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, Class C felony, possession of cocaine, D felony, and possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance, A misdemeanor.

Broomfield was convicted of those charges by a 12-person jury in Vanderburgh County Superior Court on Tuesday before Honorable Judge Leslie Shively. They found him guilty of driving a vehicle as habitual traffic violator while he was in possession of a handgun, cocaine and synthetic cannabinoids on March 11, 2014.

After his conviction, Broomfield admitted in court that he had a prior felony, which raises the carrying a handgun without a license charge from an A misdemeanor to Class C felony.

Additionally, he pleaded guilty to the habitual offender enhancement by admitting he had two prior unrelated felony convictions. The possible penalty for the enhancement is four to 12 years added to his sentence.

His sentencing date is set for 11 a.m. on Aug. 14 in Vanderburgh Superior Court.

Phone Scam: Fake Sheriff’s Deputy Claims Money is Owed to Court

2
SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ. 
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.

The caller claimed that someone in the household had a warrant for their arrest. The caller knew the correct name of the resident, but did not appear to possess any personally identifiable information. The caller attempted to get the victim to send money to an account via PayPal in order to have the warrant recalled.

The Sheriff’s Office does not solicit the payment of fines or fees on behalf of the court. Area residents are advised to treat any unsolicited caller who requests payment or access to personally identifiable information with extreme skepticism, regardless of who the caller claims to represent. When in doubt get the caller’s name, hang up, and then call the business or government entity back at a phone number you know to be correct.

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of attempted telephone fraud involving a caller claiming to be a Sheriff’s Deputy.

EPD Activity Report

0
SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ. 
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.

Mannheim Steamroller Pre-Sale Password

0
PRE-SALE PASSWORD:

JOY
SMG Evansville
Follow us on Facebook
Full Calendar

TICKET PRE-SALE starts Friday, July 17th at 10:00am until Thursday, July 23rd at 10:00pm.

Tickets go on-sale to general public on Friday, July 24th at 10:00am.

Pre-Sale Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster online, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or at our Box Office by using the password: JOY

 Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30pm
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS
BY CHIP DAVIS		 find tickets
Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. Their holiday CDs have become synonymous with Christmas and continue to occupy top spots on Billboards’ Seasonal Charts every year!
More Information
Price: $68, $58, $38, $28
1...5,9525,9535,954...7,171Page 5,953 of 7,171