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Public – Private Partnership Launches New AmeriCorps Program to Help Communities Build Resilience

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Federal agencies, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Cities of Service announce Resilience AmeriCorps initiative as part of Administration’s effort to build climate resilience nationwide

WASHINGTON – Building on the President’s Climate Action Plan, today the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The Rockefeller Foundation, and Cities of Service, announced a new commitment to launch a Resilience AmeriCorps pilot program.

Resilience AmeriCorps will help communities plan and implement efforts necessary to become more resilient to shocks and stresses, including extreme weather and other impacts of climate change. Through the pilot program, AmeriCorps VISTA members will serve in up to 12 communities in 2015-2016 to support the development of resilience strategies that will both help communities better manage the unavoidable and avoid the unmanageable.  AmeriCorps VISTA members will build volunteer networks to carry out program initiatives, and create education and outreach materials to strengthen awareness and citizen engagement in low-income communities.

“EPA understands that environmentally overburdened communities are often those most in need of resources to help prepare for and respond to climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “We are excited to support the new Resilience AmeriCorps pilot program and look forward to its potential for encouraging service opportunities that will meet local needs.”

“National service is a powerful and proven solution to local issues communities face today, including making communities more resilient, especially those most vulnerable in the face of disasters,” said Corporation for National and Community Service CEO Wendy Spencer. “This partnership will expand the role of our AmeriCorps VISTA members in strengthening communities and will build on AmeriCorps VISTA’s long history of partnering with federal agencies, philanthropy, and city leadership. I am confident that the work of our AmeriCorps members will have a significant impact on these communities and its residents.”

“At the Department of Energy, we are strong advocates for public-private partnerships to enhance the resilience of our Nation,” said Deputy Energy Secretary Liz Sherwood-Randall.  “Through this initiative, we will help some of our most vulnerable communities become more resilient and get better prepared to meet the challenges of climate change and extreme weather.”

“Crisis is increasingly part of the 21st century, which is why it is imperative that communities – large and small – place a premium on building resilience. With collaborative efforts across all sectors we can ensure our country is prepared for the inevitable shocks and gnawing stresses so that disruptions no longer become disasters,” said Dr. Judith Rodin, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “The new Resilience AmeriCorps program will create a new generation of talented individuals who are committed to building resilience, and who can support cities today while deepening the bench for innovative leadership in years to come. Resilience is a journey, not a destination, and the time to embark on it is now.”

“As communities around the nation become more vulnerable to severe extreme weather and climate related events, NOAA and its partners are working to build resilient communities and economies,” said Holly Bamford, Ph.D., assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA’s National Ocean Service performing duties of the assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management.  “These pilot projects are an exciting step in providing communities with the tools, information, and services they need to become more resilient.”

“We are excited to help lead the country’s first Resilience AmeriCorps with our federal partners and the Rockefeller Foundation,” said Cities of Service Executive Director Myung J. Lee. “Cities of Service works with our mayors to help engage their citizens, improve their communities with impact volunteering, and achieve results. We are glad to be a part of this program that will strengthen cities structurally as well as socially, toward greater national resilience.”

The pilot program is one of a series of actions the White House announced in support of the Administration’s commitment to building resilience in vulnerable communities. Resilience AmeriCorps was developed in response to a recommendation made by the President’s State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.

On Wednesday, July 15 at 2 p.m. EDT the White House will host a Google+ Hangout to discuss the important role of community service in helping vulnerable communities become more resilient. The event will feature speakers from the Administration, The Rockefeller Foundation, Cities of Service, and local communities engaged in building community resilience. Members of the public are encouraged to ask the participants questions during the livestreamed conversation using the Twitter handle #ActOnClimate.

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The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. Since 1994, more than 900,000 Americans have provided more than 1 billion hours of service to their communities and country through AmeriCorps. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

Cities of Service is a national nonprofit that supports a nonpartisan coalition of mayors and city executives to design and implement high-impact volunteering initiatives addressing multiple issues from supporting youth and education, to disaster preparedness and neighborhood revitalization. It provides technical assistance, programmatic support, planning resources, and funding opportunities. Founded by Michael R. Bloomberg in 2009, Cities of Service is comprised of more than 200 cities in the U.S. and UK whose mayors are committed to engaging citizen volunteers to solve local pressing challenges. Cities of Service helps coalition cities share solutions, best practices, and lessons learned, as well as spreads awareness about meaningful work happening in cities. Visit citiesofservice.org to get involved, and follow @citiesofservice on Twitter.

For more than 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission has been to promote the well-being of humanity throughout the world. Today, The Rockefeller Foundation pursues this mission through dual goals: advancing inclusive economies that expand opportunities for more broadly shared prosperity, and building resilience by helping people, communities and institutions prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from acute shocks and chronic stresses. To achieve these goals, The Rockefeller Foundation works at the intersection of four focus areas – advance health, revalue ecosystems, secure livelihoods, and transform cities – to address the root causes of emerging challenges and create systemic change. Together with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation strives to catalyze and scale transformative innovations, create unlikely partnerships that span sectors, and take risks others cannot – or will not

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Sherri Brown’s Open Letter To EVSC Board Members

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 Sherri Brown’s Open Letter To EVSC School Board Members

To EVSC School Board members,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak at Monday’s meeting. I figured that after approximately 1 and 1/2 hours listening to speakers it probably becomes difficult to remember everything that was said. I tried to find the minutes for the meeting but could not find any. I looked at the EVSC Schools website, but could only find Dr. Smith’s comments. How do you review what happens at the meetings? How do you know you didn’t miss or forget something important? How does anyone check back and review history? Are public speakers mentioned? Are there any records as to what these speakers said? If there is not record of public input then the minutes are not actually a complete and accurate reflection of what transpired at the meeting. Are there minutes somewhere? If so, would you please tell me how to find them?

I, honestly, do not know what protocol is pertaining to public comments. I do know that I would not have spoken unless I felt the issues were important and that my comments would be of value. For this reason I am sending you a copy of my comments. I thought this would especially be of value to the two board members who could not be present at Monday’s meeting. I know many people are worried about viruses so I am copying and pasting my comments instead of sending them as an attachment.

One new item-while doing research I ended up on the City-County Observer website. They had recently filed a Freedom of Information Request concerning the most current EVSC Superintendent employment contract, and they provided a link to that contract. As you must be aware this is a 5 page document. I would like to draw you attention to Item 9 on page 5. It states:

If during the term of this contract, it is found that a specific clause of the contract is illegal under federal or state law, the remainder of the contract not affected by such a ruling shall remain in force.

I am not a lawyer, but doesn’t it seem that this item totally takes care of your concerns pertaining to taking union dues out of employees’ paychecks. One simple sentence. If you are truly concerned about what impact future laws might have on the deducting of union dues, is this not the answer? Why did you put it in Dr. Smiths contract, but not consider putting it into the Teamster contract? It appears that you have been engaged in a fight for several months over an issue that you already resolved. And, I might add, it didn’t cost the taxpayers thousands of extra dollars for an expensive Indianapolis lawyer to do so. It is almost elegant in its simplicity. Can someone explain this?

And last but not least, would you please respond in some way so that I know you did, in fact, receive this email read it. I have been told that the board member are not opening emails from their constituents. I have not accepted this as the truth because it is just too awful to be true. Any response will work. I hope and pray I get a response from each of you. Again, thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,
Sherri Brown

Freedom Bakery!

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By Daryl Cagle on Jul 09, 2015 09:46 pm
Republicans are very concerned that bakers have the freedom to refuse service to gay couples who want to buy wedding cakes. Now that marriage equality is the law of the land, our attention is turned to the poor, abused bakers.

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.

RICH MAN, POOR MAN, BEGGAR MAN, GREECE!

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OLD THINGS By Jim Redwine

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Gavel Gamut

By Jim Redwine

(Week of 13 July 2015)

OLD THINGS

I saw a photograph of an antique judge’s bench in the Mt. Vernon Democrat along with an article in which my friend and Posey County historian, Ray Kessler, gave his opinion the bench had once been in the Posey County Courthouse.

Mt. Vernon Mayoral Assistant and my friend, Sherry Willis, was quoted as calling for ideas as to how the old item could be saved and maybe reused. It had to be moved due to the construction of a new City Hall.

I called my friend, Mt. Vernon Mayor John Tucker, and suggested this piece of Posey County history should be returned to the courthouse. John was enthusiastic and helpful. He and Sherry invited me to go view the bench and the other courthouse furnishings that had once been used for city council meetings on the top floor of city hall.

My Chief Probation Officer and friend, Rodney Fetcher, and I went to city hall and observed the antique judge’s bench, the old attorneys podium, three audience benches and the bar that once divided the judge and attorneys from the public.

Sherry and my friend and Mt. Vernon City Councilman, Bill Curtis, showed the items to Rod and me. They suggested the city would move the items to a staging area in the new city hall where Posey County could have them repaired and refinished. Then they could be returned to the courthouse to be used as an alternative courtroom when the regular one was in use and another hearing needed to be held by another judge.

Bill used to be the court administrator for former Judge Steve Bach in the Posey Circuit Court. During that time Bill was instrumental in helping to preserve numerous items of antique furniture we still use every day.

Posey County has had six courthouses, five for the first 60 years and our current courthouse for 139 years: the first was Absolom Duckworth’s living room (1815 for county organization); a one room log cabin in Caborn (1816); a fine two story structure in Springfield (1817-1825); a one room log structure on our current court campus (1826 while the first regular Mt. Vernon courthouse was being built); the first brick courthouse in Mt. Vernon (1827-1876); and our current courthouse (1876 to today).

Ray suggested the furniture probably was loaned or given to Mt. Vernon by our county government when the furniture we now use was bought (1892/1893). This is a logical assumption. And, it is my opinion the furniture probably was made by some talented Posey County (German) craftsmen for the 1817 Springfield courthouse and moved to the 1826 courthouse before being replaced by the 1892 courtroom furniture.

I base this on the style and on my knowledge of the frugality and wisdom of Posey County’s Commissioners and Council from 1815 to today. It is difficult for me to believe Posey County would have abandoned fine, almost new, furniture.

Also, as my friends, John, Sherry, Bill, Ray and Rodney might say, my opinion may have been formed when I was at the Springfield Courthouse as the items were being moved to Mt. Vernon.

Daily Off Topic Forum July 11, 2015

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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING

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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER CHAMBERS

ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015

12:00 NOON

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. MINUTESJuly 1, 2015

3. CONSENT AGENDA

             a.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Park Use Application with the Rehabilitation Center for

Usage of Garvin Park for Fantasy of Lights November 5, – January 10, 2016. – Hayes

b.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Independent Skating Professional Agreement with

Judith Hardesty for Swonder Ice Arena. – Crook

c.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Independent Skating Professional Agreement with

Amy Hoon for Swonder Ice Arena. – Crook

d.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Independent Skating Professional Agreement with

Brianna Linenburg for Swonder Ice Arena. – Crook

e.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Independent Skating Professional Agreement with

Grace Myer for Swonder Ice Arena. – Crook

f.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Independent Skating Professional Agreement with

Kiersten Overton for Swonder Ice Arena. – Crook

g.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Independent Skating Professional Agreement with

Dana Tang for Swonder Ice Arena. – Crook

h.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Independent Skating Professional Agreement with

Christin Thompson for Swonder Ice Arena. – Crook

i.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Design Services Agreement with Fosse and Associates

for Kley Building at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. – Beck *

j.   Request Re:  Approve and Execute Agreement with American Eagle for Tree Removal

at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. – Bouseman*

*Recommendation from Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Advisory Board.

4.         OLD BUSINESS N/A

5.         NEW BUSINESS

a.   Request Re:  Accept Donation of Property from Echo Housing Corporation. – Stephanie

Tenbarge

b.   Request Re:  Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments.

6.        REPORTS

a.   Denise Johnson, Executive Director

7.        ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS

 

8.        ADJOURN

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/recent-booking-records.aspx

IS IT TRUE JULY 10, 2015

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IS IT TRUE the Evansville’s taxpayers share for the Downtown Convention Hotel project is now up to $28.5 million dollars from the original $20 million dollars?

IS IT TRUE the taxpayers of this community have No Equity position in our $28.5 investment of the Downtown Convention Hotel project?

IS IT TRUE the Hotel is a now a $60 plus million dollar project? …private investors have little if anything invested.? …the City taxpayers invest $28.5 million dollars, $12 million dollars is invested by Old National Bank and $20 million dollars from a bank loan? …where is the private contribution?

IS IT TRUE we wonder how much did the taxpayers invest in the building of the two hotels at Tropicana-Evansville?

IS IT TRUE we wonder what the status of the old McCurdy Hotel is?

 IS IT TRUE we wonder what the status of the old Riverhouse Hotel is?

IS IT TRUE we wonder how many Facade Grants did DMD give to start up businesses during the last two years?  …we wonder how many Facade Grants did the DMD give to startup businesses located on the far Westside, Eastside and Northside of town? …we wonder how many Facade Grants were giving to start up and established businesses located downtown,  North Main and Haynie’s Corner?

IS IT TRUE we wonder if “Preacher Steve'” will show up at Mondays City Council meeting to get answers to the 16 questions he submitted to the Mayor Chief of Staff at the last City Council meeting?  …we bet the Mayors Chief of Staff and the City Controller will be lawyer up to stop the real truth to “Preacher Steve” 16 questions from being answered?

IS IT TRUE posted below is an e-mail from DMD Director Kelley Coures to the City Council? …please note the arrogant tone of Mr. Coures email to City Council?

From: “Coures, Kelley” <kcoures@evansville.in.gov>

Date: July 9, 2015 at 12:23:47 PM EDT

Subject: Vann Pollack Park

Good morning.

I am very pleased that several city councilmembers are so keenly interested in our proposed allocation for Vann Pollack Park! I do not ever remember so many individual inquiries about HUD policy, data research, funding and other facets. Sounds like someone wants to work in DMD!

Since there have been so many, I thought I would just address them together in summary form:

Our search for unused CDBG continues, and when I find additional money I immediately bring it to council if I have a project in mind, like the funds for sidewalks and now Vann Pollack Park. I do not, at this time, have a complete count as it is ongoing and requires quite a bit of time. We will find it all, however I am sure.

Our Coordinator Josh Calhoun completed the survey data of census tract 36 within HUD requirements at the block level from the HUD website itself, and determined its qualification as a QCT. In fact, we were able to add Census tracts 8, 10 and 37.02 to our list.

We are, and will continue to be, in 100% compliance with HUD policies as long as I am director. Someone else may come in later and do things against policy but I won’t.
HUD allows improvements to parks as long as they are open to everyone in the census tract and the area is low/mod (i.e. we couldn’t improve a private golf course or Country Club)

We have done several of these projects in cooperation with the Parks Foundation such as Howell Park parking lot, Jacobsville Park playground, and upcoming Tepe Park’s new basketball court (you all approved those funds earlier)
I have met with the neighborhood and they approve of the plan
We are not leaving out any other project

No, we cannot put those funds into one of the agencies we serve through Public Service as that would violate the 15% cap HUD establishes for Public Services
Yes, the Mayor is aware and supports the project
Yes, the Parks department is aware of the project and helped secure estimates for the materials

Yes, we can pay for the project with Federal funds
No, I don’t think this is an exorbitant amount to pay for a park improvement our basketball court at Tepe is $25,000.

And finally why am I pursuing this at all: because I believe the children of the 2nd ward are as important as the children in every other ward. As the Obama administration states so eloquently “No child’s future should depend on his or her zip code”.

If I have left any individual question unanswered please let me know. Again, I am so pleased you all are interested in how we do what we do. Who would have thought some park equipment would make such a difference? Not me! If any of you are interested in light reading, I sent the entire state’s roster of census blocks to Councilman Friend. Its interesting reading even little rural counties have some poverty.

Have an excellent day!!! As always, thanks for all you do and your unwavering support to Evansville’s neighborhoods!

Kelley M Coures
Executive Director
Department of Metropolitan Development
1 NW MLK Jr. Blvd
Evansville IN, 47708
kcoures@evansville.in.gov
812-436-7806

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