| WASHINGTON, July 14, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared Aug. 2 through 8, 2015, as “National Farmers Market Week.” The declaration was made official by proclamation signed by Secretary Vilsack. This year marks the 16th annual National Farmers Market Week in honor of the important role that farmers markets play in local economies. Throughout the week, USDA will celebrate thousands of our nation’s farmers markets, the farmers and ranchers who make them possible and the communities that host them.
“National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for farmers markets across the country to host special events to showcase all the tremendous services they provide,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support farmers and help grow rural economies. They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms and providing Americans with fresh, healthy food.” Throughout the week, USDA officials will celebrate at farmers market locations across the country. On Saturday, Aug. 1, Anne Alonzo, the Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – which conducts research, provides technical assistance, and awards grants to support farmers markets – will kick off the week at the Santa Fe Farmers Market in New Mexico. The Santa Fe Farmers Market is the oldest in New Mexico and is ranked as one of the top ten farmers markets nationwide. Farmers markets provide consumers with fresh, affordable, convenient, and healthy products from local producers. With support from USDA, more farmers markets offer customers the opportunity to make purchases with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program; and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs. Supporting farmers markets is a part of the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department’s policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems as one of the Four Pillars of Agriculture and Rural Economic Development. |
Secretary Vilsack Proclaims August 2-8 National Farmers Market Week Â
PENCE CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES RECORD FUNDRAISING FIGURE
Mike Pence for Indiana announces more than $4.2 million cash on hand and more than $1.6 million raised so far in 2015
Indianapolis, IN (July 13, 2015) — The Mike Pence for Indiana Campaign announced today more than $1.6 million raised for the first half of 2015, and a record breaking $4.2 million cash on hand.
The $4.2 million figure is a record for an incumbent governor halfway through his first term. The total raised for this period is $1,634,066.82
“These contributions show broad support from all income levels across Indiana,†said Marty Obst, executive director of Mike Pence for Indiana. “More than 90 percent of our donors call this state home and over 75 percent of our donations came from Hoosiers.â€
“Governor Pence enjoys terrific grassroots support,†said Fred Klipsch, treasurer of Mike Pence for Indiana. “In fact, 91 percent of the contributions to our campaign during this fundraising period were for less than $100.â€
The Mike Pence for Indiana campaign finance report is available on the Mike Pence for Indiana web site at:
Indiana Black Expo Governor’s Awards Recognize Ten Outstanding Hoosiers
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Indianapolis – Today, Governor Mike Pence presented 10 outstanding African-American Hoosiers and community leaders from across the state with several different awards during the Indiana Black Expo, Inc. 45th Annual Summer Celebration (IBE) Governor’s Reception.
“The men and women we honor today are uniquely Hoosier and fully embody the Hoosier spirit,†said Governor Pence. “Their tireless efforts and dedication to their respective communities and this great Hoosier State deserve our utmost gratitude and respect, and I could not be more thrilled to honor them today.â€
Eight individuals received the Governor’s Award for Achievement in the fields of physical fitness, education, military, religion, entrepreneurship, and community service. The Governor also awarded the Sam Jones Trailblazer Award and the Reverend Charles Williams Community Service Award.
Reverend Charles Williams Community Service Award – Former Representative Bill Crawford
Former Representative Bill Crawford served 40 years in the Indiana House of Representatives, after running for office in 1972 at the urging of late Congresswoman Julia Carson. He is currently Indiana’s longest serving African-American legislator. He authored many pieces of legislation and became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee before his retirement in 2012. He was President of the Black Expo for five years before passing it to longtime President Charles Williams.
Sam Jones Trailblazer Award – Genois Wilson Brabson
Genois Wilson Brabson is the first female firefighter of the city of Fort Wayne. In the fire department, she exemplified leadership and eventually became a District Chief before she retired. She inspired many other women to become a firefighter, and one of those women was named Chief of the Fort Wayne Fire Department in 2012.
Governor’s Award for Achievement in Physical Fitness – Cleveland Harp
For several years, Cleveland Harp has worked as an NBA usher at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. He was also a former professional basketball player and played for the Harlem Globetrotters. During his tenure with the Harlem Globetrotters, Harp was known as “The Deacon†and played with ex-Trotters Marques Haynes and Goose Tatum.
Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership: Education – Joyce Akridge
Joyce Akridge is a Lead Principal for Carl Wilde Indianapolis Public School-79. Under Akridge, Carl Wilde has been rated by the Indiana Department of Education as an “A†school four years in a row. She has been recognized in Who’s Who Among America’s Educators and has also been nominated by the Federal Department of Education for leading a nationally Distinguished Title I school to higher achievement.
Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership: Military – Chaplain Obadiah Smith, Jr.
Chaplain (Capt) Obadiah Smith, Jr. is the senior chaplain with the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest reserve refueling wing in the United States Air Force. As senior chaplain, he leads a variety of activities at Grissom, including Sunday morning worship services during the primary Unit Training Assemblies for nearly 1,500 airmen. Among his many awards, he was recognized as the 2010 Outstanding USAFR Chaplain of the Year.
Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership: Religion – Alphonso Bailey
Alphonso Bailey is the founder and Executive Director of the Down But Not Out, Inc. ministry. He’s an ordained minister and serves as a volunteer chaplain at the Marion County Jail #2, Marion County Juvenile Detention, and the Hamilton County Juvenile Services.
Governor’s Award for Achievement in Entrepreneurship – Gil Michel
Gil Michel is the CEO and President of Caleb Group, Inc., a small business solutions firm located in South Bend. Paying it forward, Michel has formed a financial literacy program for teens called TACTT, Inc. which empowers teens in five areas: business/real estate, banking, personal finance, investing, and positive life skills.
Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership: Community Service – Jesse Moore, Frankye Calloway, Al Polin
Jesse Moore currently serves as the first Director of Supplier Diversity at Purdue University in West Lafayette. He comes to this position armed with many years of experience in economic development, diverse business advocacy, strategic planning, community involvement, and public policy.
Frankye Calloway is a retired educator with over 30 years of experience with the Evansville School Corporation. She primarily served minority and at-risk students and coached the Caze Academic Olympics for 15 years. Calloway is the director of the New Hope Baptist Church Vacation Bible School, the church tutoring program and the New Hope Church Youth Program.
Al Polin has been fighting crime in the Mapleton Fall Creek Neighborhood Association for 40 years as a block captain. He was part of the night patrol with the Mattie Coney Crime Watch Safe House Program and The IPD Ride Along Program. Polin helped organize several block clubs around the association and was the Weed and Seed Coordinator when it began under former Mayor Stephen Goldsmith.
Award recipients were selected by the Governor in collaboration with state and community leaders. Governor Pence and IBE President and Chief Executive Officer Tanya Bell presented the awards during a ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center.
Future Is Uncertain As School Board Engages In Union Busting
UNION FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN AS EVSC ENGAGES IN UNION BUSTING
By David Reitz Ballard
They are supposed to be the body responsible for the education of our youth, but where is there sense of honor and integrity. What the EVSC School Board is attempting to do in their recent negotiations with the Teamsters Local 215 is union busting, plain and simple.
It seems the dynamics have changed between the School Board and the Teamsters, two groups that used to be political allies. By allowing EVSC non-educational staff the ability to opt out of paying representation dues to the Teamsters, the School Board has set a dangerous precedent.
If more and more EVSC custodians, maintenance worker, secretaries and bus drivers decide to opt out of paying dues to the Teamsters, eventually those employees will have little or no collective bargaining power or job security. If this happens they will wish they hadn’t when the time comes and it’s their jobs are on the chopping block.
Another issue at stake concerns the discipline process of EVSC employees. If appearing before the School Board becomes the final stage of discipline, eliminating the current third-party mediator, there will be less objective oversight when it comes to issues of discipline and termination.
By attempting to decrease the power of the Teamsters, the School Board has put the system in turmoil. Morale is poor for nearly 700 members EVSC staff.  We can only hope that the School Board’s decisions do not have a negative impact on our students.
Bottom line: You, as the electorate should take responsibility and have your voice heard! Let the School Board know that by breaking apart the Teamsters’ collective bargaining power and limiting oversight over discipline issues, they are hurting our students chances for success in the future!
Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Don’t miss reading today’s Feature article because it’s always an interesting read. New addition to the CCO is the Cause of Death reports generated by the Vanderburgh County Health Department.
Sample Featured Article 2
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Sample Featured Article 1
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Stuff a Caddy Tomorrow
“Stuff a Caddy for Kids!†will take place on Tuesday, July 14th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Newburgh Walmart, 8599 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN. Members of the community are invited to stop by to purchase and donate school supplies for Youth First Social Workers to help provide necessities for kids during the school year. Youth First serves Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Pike and Martin counties in southwest Indiana.
Representatives from Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union, United Companies and Kitch and Schreiber as well as Youth First staff and volunteers will be on hand to stuff Cadillac SUVs (provided by Romain Buick GMC Cadillac) with the donated supplies.
Azzip Pizza will also be holding a “We Give a Zip†Give Back Day for Youth First on July 14th.  Coupons must be presented in person or shown on your phone at the Newburgh location on High Pointe Drive or the Evansville west location on Pearl Drive.  Coupons are available at the Stuff a Caddy event, on the Youth First Facebook page or at www.youthfirstinc.org.