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Governor Mike Pence Declares August 23-29, 2015 Rail Safety Week

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(Indianapolis, IN)- Governor Mike Pence declared August 23 through August 29, 2015 as Indiana Rail Safety Week.  Indiana Operation Lifesaver, Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), local law enforcement and railroad companies have partnered together to raise public awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossings laws and trespassing on railroad property.

“Train versus car collisions are completely preventable,” states Jessica Feder, Executive Director of Indiana Operation Lifesaver.  “Indiana law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring railroad crossings and checking for trespassers during Indiana Rail Safety Week. We want the public to know how dangerous it is to try and beat a train and that trespassing on railroad tracks and property is dangerous and illegal.”

Indiana Operation Lifesaver has scheduled numerous enforcement blitzes throughout Indiana involving law enforcement agencies. There will also be public safety announcements throughout the state, safety information distributed at college campuses, posters on SouthShore commuter trains and at stations, and media coverage of events. INDOT will also have rail safety messages on the dynamic message boards along major roads. Indiana Operation Lifesaver is taking a proactive lead in the elimination of trespassing and pedestrian fatalities at railroad crossings.

In 2014, there were 122 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 50 people injured and nine fatalities in the state of Indiana. Indiana is currently ranked 4th nationally for railroad crossing collisions. The Hoosier State had 10 trespasser deaths last year as well as 11 injuries.

“We are constantly striving to improve our statistics with both crossing collisions and trespasser incidents,” said Feder. “We encourage everyone to take these warning devices seriously and pay attention at all railroad crossings. It’s the law and it could save your life!”

Indiana Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade intersections and on railroad rights-of-way through public education, engineering and enforcement.  To learn more about Indiana Operation Lifesaver, please visit them online at www.oli.org or call (812) 528-4327.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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

http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

St. Mary’s to Participate in “Aging-in-Place” Fair for Seniors

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St. Mary’s is teaming up with The Home Depot to participate in Aging-in-Place, a health and information fair for senior citizens. Other involved organizations include SWIRCA & more, YMCA, Tropicana, and Electrical Assistance of Evansville. There will also be product demonstrations from Delta Faucets, Glacier Bay and Re-Bath, whose President is coming for the event.

Aging-in-Place is Thursday, September 17th, from 4:00 – 7:00pm at The Home Depot Store at 5230 Pearl Drive in Evansville. The event is designed to equip seniors to safely continue to live in their homes and maintain independence. St. Mary’s will offer a mini-health fair with:

  • Home modification tips such as grab bars
  • Balance screenings
  • Ramp specification tips
  • Blood pressure checks
  • Fall prevention tips
  • Adaptive equipment demonstrations with walkers & bath benches

For more information, Contact Stu at The Home Depot 812-423-6710

 

Catch the Latest Edition of “The Indiana State Police Road Show”

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Catch the latest edition of the “Indiana State Police Road Show” radio program every Monday morning at your convenience.

This week’s show features Indiana State Police Public Information Officer, Captain Dave Bursten. Captain Bursten discusses the upcoming Indiana State Police/Church Brothers car show on August 29th to benefit the Gary Dudley Memorial Scholarship Foundation and Gary’s Ride on August 22nd at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, IN.

Download the program from the Network Indiana public websites at www.networkindiana.com.  Look for the state police logo on the main page and follow the download instructions. The ISP Road Show can also be viewed via YouTube.

Go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu5Bg1KjBd7H1GxgkuV3YJA or visit the Indiana State Police website at http://www.in.gov/isp/   and click on the YouTube link. This 15 minute talk show concentrates on public safety and informational topics with state wide interest.

The radio program was titled “Signal-10” in the early sixties when it was first started by two troopers in northern Indiana. The name was later changed to the “Indiana State Police Road Show” and is the longest continuously aired state police public service program in Indiana.

Radio stations across Indiana and the nation are invited to download and air for FREE this public service program sponsored by the Indiana State Police Alliance and Cops for Kids, a subsidiary of the Indiana State Police Alliance.

What’s driving the teacher shortage? It’s complicated

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press release

Indianapolis

It’s called confirmation bias. And it’s defined as our tendency to embrace evidence that supports our preconceptions and to ignore anything that contradicts those beliefs.

 

Exhibit A: The current assertion by opponents of education reform that Indiana’s efforts in recent years to improve student achievement are the primary triggers of an emerging teacher shortage.

 

Has the number of college students enrolled in schools of education declined in recent years? Yes.

 

Have some public schools in some parts of the state struggled to find qualified educators? Yes.

 

Well, that proves it. Conservatives really are trying to destroy public schools. Republicans really do hate teachers. And Mike Pence really is guilty of “borrowing” second-graders’ lunch money.

 

If you believe that, then there’s really not much I can write that will shake your faith. The “ISTA says it, I believe it, and that settles it” crowd is largely unpersuadable about anything that doesn’t fit the script.

 

But for those who still have open minds about education issues the evidence about what’s driving the drop in the number of future educators is far more nuanced than the “blame it all on the reformers” trope.

 

For instance, would you be surprised to hear that the teacher shortage isn’t isolated to Indiana?

 

As National Public Radio (not exactly the home of Rush Limbaugh) reported this week, the problem extends from coast to coast, and several points in between. “In California, enrollment in teaching programs is down more than 50 percent over the past five years. Enrollment is down sharply in Texas, North Carolina, New York and elsewhere,” NPR told its listeners.

 

California and New York? How was Mike Pence able to infiltrate those bastions of blue state bliss?

All right, smart aleck, so what is going on?

 

To answer that, let’s first acknowledge that some education reform efforts may be one driver of the teacher shortage. Repeat: one driver.

 

I’ve talked to too many discouraged teachers over the years to pretend that all is well. It’s not. Their discouragement may well turn off some prospective teachers who’ve heard a lot of complaints about rising expectations, stagnant pay, mounting frustrations and shifting blame.

 

Those of us who believe strongly, for the sake of our state and of our people, that student achievement must continue to improve significantly need to be willing to assess and adjust our methods and our message. We need to communicate, over and over, that teachers are really important and truly valued.

 

And we need to push hard for generously rewarding those educators who are excelling in the classroom, often without adequate recognition and compensation.

 

But the story doesn’t stop there.

 

A decade or so ago, a lot of trees were killed to publish a lot of stories (yes, kids, people once used paper as a communication app) about the teacher shortage to come one day when large numbers of baby boomers began to retire. Well, that day is here.

 

Also, the shortage of prospective employees isn’t isolated to the education sector. As we continue in Indiana and the nation to draw closer to full employment, workers suddenly have a lot of options. Recent news reports have documented employers’ struggle to find enough carpenters, plumbers, electricians, chefs and truck drivers. No one is blaming the trucker reform movement on why fewer people want to climb into a big rig for the long haul.

 

The aftershocks of the great recession need to be considered as well. For example, in California, between 2008 and 2012, schools wiped out 80,000 teaching jobs. Now, they’re hiring again, but the pipeline hasn’t been primed. That may be because all those not-so-old stories about teacher layoffs linger in the minds of bright young people when they’re choosing a career.

 

A final point: If I were a teacher, I’d view the developing shortage of workers in my chosen profession as a good thing, at least personally. When demand holds steady or grows, and supply shrinks, good things tend to happen for the people prepared to meet that demand. At least that’s the case in an open market.

 

Now, if our public schools aren’t operating like an open market, then we’ve got another problem.

 

Contact Swarens at tim.swarens@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @tswarens.

 

 

RIECKEN PROPOSING A NEW CITY ORGINANCE CONCERNING “RESPONSIBLE BIDDERS”

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Mayoral candidate Gail Riecken is proposing to the Evansville City Council that they pass an ordinance being referred to as a “Responsible Bidders” ordinance.  This ordinance would be based on the idea that a responsible bid for a city construction project should get the residents of Evansville more value for their dollar, keep the public safe with quality work, and that using Journeyman workers will produce higher quality work and achieve these goals.

“When the city collects bids for construction contracts, there is a need to ensure that they are getting the highest quality work and the best value for their dollar.” said Riecken.  “It is in the best interest of the residents of Evansville, for both public safety reasons and long term financial savings, to hire Journeyman workers who are highly trained in their field.  A Journeyman can be union or non-union. He/she must certify Journeyman status training, education and experience.”

Riecken came out in support of this ordinance, which is supported by the State Building Trades Council, because it would provide for a safer and higher quality end product, with work preformed by Journeyman workers who are highly trained.  She also urged Mayor Winnecke to get behind it as well.

“This ordinance is just what we need here in Evansville,” said Riecken.  “From the information I have been given on this proposed ordinance, I think this is just what we need to get the quality construction we are entitled.  I urge the City Council to pass and enact this ordinance immediately.  It is too important to play politics with this issue.   I ask Mayor Winnecke to join in with this ordinance and help encourage the City Council to pass this now.”

Gail Riecken is running for Mayor of Evansville and is a former Evansville City Council-woman, Evansville Parks Director, and a current member of the Indiana State House of Representatives.  She is a lifelong Evansville resident, has been married for 46 years, and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

Daily Off Topic Forum August 24, 2015

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IS IT TRUE AUGUST 24, 2015

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IS IT TRUE attached are the Official Minutes of the Salary Administration Committee meeting for July 15, 2012 that recommended major salary increases to 12 select city employees?  …could this be a good reason to Call The People To Assemble?

The Official Salary Administration Committee Meeting Reads As Follows:

The Salary Administration committee met on June 25,2012 in the Mayor’s Conference room. In attendance were the following:

. Lloyd Winnecke, Mayor
. Russell Lloyd, City Controller
. Dan McGinn, City Council
. Connie Robinson, City Council
. John Friend-CPA, City Council
. George Fithian, Administrative Services
. Carol McMichael, Administrative Services

After a discussion of salary changes, the committee approved the following increases for 2013:

SAC-12-001 Levee Authority
Supervisor 111-The committee approved the salary for this position to increase to $49,588 annually.
. Mike Feller is in this position.
. Salary from $47,588 to $49,588.
Hourly from $22.8789 to $23.8403
. Difference is $2,000

SAC-12-002 Building Commission
Project Manager-The committee approved the change from an lnspector’s position to that of Project Manager, a non-exempt position.
The committee approved the salary far this position to increase to
$46,300 annually.
. Roseann Young is in this position.
. Salary from $34,985 to $46,300.
Hourly from $16.81 98 to $22.2596.
Difference is $11,315.

SAC-12-003 Departmemt of Metropolitan Development
Committee Development Coordinator-the request was to increase the salary to $49,155 annually.
The committee agreed to defer this decision until a later date.

SAC-12-04 Water and Sewer Utility
Staff Accountant-The committee approved to change this position from an Account Clerk to a Staff Accountant.
The approved salary will be $52,000 annually.
. Currently this position is vacant

SAC-12-05 Administrative Services
Payroll Supervisor-The committee approved the salary for this position to increase to $46,163 annually.
. Vicki Pinnell is in this position.
Salary from $41,968 to $46,163
. Hourly from $20.1769 ta $22.1937
. Difference is $4,195

SAC-12-06 Administrative Services
Deputy Director-The committee approved the salary for this position to increase to $52,981 annua1ly.
. Carol McMichael is in this position.
Salary from $45,855 to $52,981
. Hourly from $22.04 56 to $25.4716
. Difference is $7,126

SAC-12-07 Department of Metropolitan Development
Senior Project Manager-The committee approved to change this position from Redevelopment Specialist to Senior Project Manager.
The approved salary will be $49,369 annually.
. Lana Abel is in this position.
. Salary from $44,477 to $49,369 Hourly from $21 ,3831 to $23.750
. Difference is $4,892

SAC-12-08 Mayor’s Office
Cammunications Director-The committee agreed to change the titie to Communications Director from Executive Secretary. The committee approved the salary for this position to increase to $48,000 annualiy.
Ella Johnson-Watson is in this position.
Salary from $37,217 to $48,000
Hourly from $17.8929 to $23.0769
. Difference is $10,783

SAC-12-09 Mavor’s Office
Chief of Staff-The committee approved the salary for this position to increase to $75,000 annually.
. Stephen Schaefer is in this position.
. Salary from $63,818 to $75,000
– Hourly from $30.588 to $36.0576
. Difference is $11,182

SAC-12-10 Mayor’s Office
Coordinator-The committee approved the salary for this position to increase to $38,450 annually.
. Michelle Kerr-Heuck is in this position.
Salary from $35,275 to $38,450
. Hourly from $16.9591 ro $18.4855
. Differ:ence is $3,175

SAC-12-ll Controller’s Office
Accountant III/BudgetManager and Intemal Auditor. The committee agreed to change the title to Accountant III/Budget Manager and Internal Auditol from Accountant 1ll/Internal Auditor.
The committee approved the salary for this position to increase to $41,189 annually.
. Tammy Masden is in this position.
. Salary from $42,899 to $47,189
. Hourly from $20.62 45 to $22.687
. Difference ts 4,290

SAC-12-12 Controller’s Office
Account Clerk II-The committee approved the salary for this position to increase to $30,464 annually.
. Anita Martin is in this position.
Salary from $28,739 to $30,464
. hourly from $13.8171 to $14.6461
. Difference is $1,725

FOOT NOTE:  We thought by posting these minutes from the past would remind you of this fiscally irresponsible decision made by the above elected and appointed officials.  We hope you will engage members of the “The Salary Administration Committee” in a serious conversation during the upcoming City election.  Please ask them why they recommended to City Council these unacceptable salary increases for these 12 City employees.

IS IT TRUE we urge you to read todays Feature Article entitledI “IS IT TIME FOR THE “CALL TO ASSEMBLE”?

Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Don’t miss reading today’s  FEATURE articles because they are always an interesting read.

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

Armed standoff suspect injured following car chase, officer involved shooting

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SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ. 
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
At 7:35pm on Saturday, Evansville Police were called to Vann Park for a report of a suicidal man that was armed with a handgun and a box cutter. The 911 caller reported that the man may have already tried to shoot himself. Officers were told that the man was on the lot in a truck.
A patrol officers arrived and began speaking with the man in attempt to disarm him and de-escalate the situation. The man refused to cooperate. A Crisis Negotiator was notified began speaking with the man. Despite an hour long negotiation, the man refused to cooperate and began to drive away. Efforts to contain him in the lot were unsuccessful and he fled the scene in his truck.
The man led officers on a chase that ended at a business on Green River Rd just south of the I-69 cloverleaf. During the chase, the man continued his phone conversation with a negotiator. He told the negotiator he was armed with a handgun.
The man drove onto the property and crashed through a locked gate. Once on the lot, the man collided with a police vehicle and then drove towards other police units.
Based on the information provided by the 911 caller, statements made by the man, and his dangerous actions, 4 EPD Officers discharged their weapons and ended the situation. The man was injured by gunfire. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. His name and condition are not being released at this time.
The scene at Vann Park and the scene where the chase ended are still actively being processed. Further information will be released as it becomes available.
Per EPD policies, the officers involved in the shooting have given initial statements to investigators and will be placed on administrative leave with pay while the incident is investigated. The names of the involved officers will be released in the coming days.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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