IS IT TRUE FOR JULY 8, 2015
IS IT TRUE that EVSC Superintendent of Schools is giving the impression that local Teamsters local 215 is off base for trying to engage in Collective Bargaining discussions with school board members?
IS IT TRUE if Dr Smith doesn’t watch out he could turn what should be a simple labor negotiations issue into a battle between the “haves” verses the “have nots”?
IS IT TRUE EVSC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT is one of the faithful readers of the CCO? … …members of his staff and the School Board also read the CCO?
IS IT TRUE the School Board hired Dr. David Smith to be EVSC Superintendent of Schools? Â . …this makes Dr. Smith the employee of the School Board? …the above action makes the School Board the employer of Dr. Smith? …we wonder why EVSC employee Dr. David Smith can make long and rumbling speeches on how honest and forthright he’s been throughout the entire negotiations process with local TEAMSTERS 215 while his bosses (elected School Board members) sit like puppets and starring out into space?
IS IT TRUE we wonder how many School Board members have family members employed by EVSC? …we wonder how many family members of EVSC top Administrators are employed by the school system? …we wonder how many EVSC top Administrators family members have service contracts with the system? …we can’t wait for our readers to give their answers to these questions in today’s CCO?
IS IT TRUE if the newly elected School Board and their hired help are doing such a great job why are our elementary schools located in the Center City continue to record failing grades?
IS IT TRUE that Missy Mosby and Jonathan Weaver were the only members of the City Council invited to review the Downtown Hotel plans?  After their endorsement by Republican County Chairman Wayne Parke is it any surprise they were given this private viewing? Isn’t it strange the Council President and Finance Chairman were not invited?
IS IT TRUE that 2nd Ward Council Member Missy Mosby was on the telephone calling Council members asking for their help in supporting a special appropriation by DMD for special funding for the Vann Avenue Park?  …looks like we may have another political “Pork Barrel” deal in the making?…it looks like its time for the taxpayers to call for a State and Federal compliance audit of DMD?
IS IT TRUE that US Congressman Larry Bushon is sponsoring a fund raiser for 3rd Ward GOP Council Candidate? Â … when have you ever heard of a US Congressman holding a fund raiser for a City Council candidate?
Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Also we just posted the current City County Observer TRI-STATE VOICES TV show for you’re viewing pleasure. 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 report generated by the Vanderburgh County Health Department. Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records
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Governor Pence Statement on Indiana Joining Lawsuit Challenging EPA’s Rule Redefining “Waters of the United Statesâ€
Pence: “EPA must be held accountableâ€
Indianapolis –Governor Mike Pence today offered the following statement regarding Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s decision to enter Indiana into a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s final “Waters of the United States†rule.
“I am pleased that Indiana will join more than two dozen other states that are challenging the final ‘Waters of the United States’ rule. Once again, the Environmental Protection Agency has stretched beyond its authority under federal law, and they must be held accountable. They cannot be allowed to continue to expand federal authority over more aspects of Hoosiers’ lives.â€
In November of 2014, Governor Pence and Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, as well as the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, sent letters to the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urging them to withdraw the proposed rule that redefines “Waters of the United States†protected under the Clean Water Act.
AG Zoeller announces settlement to ensure competition remains following Dollar Tree/Family Dollar merger
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced the terms of a settlement that he and 16 other states have reached with Dollar Tree, Inc., following their review of the company’s proposed acquisition of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. The merger combines two large national chains of deep discount stores.
Working with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the state attorneys general are requiring Dollar Tree to sell more than 300 Family Dollar stores to a new competitor in order to complete the acquisition. All of the affected stores are to be sold and re-branded as DollarExpress stores, a new chain of deep discount stores being launched by Sycamore Partners.
Zoeller said he was concerned that the merger would substantially lessen competition in certain Indiana cities and is requiring five stores in the following areas to be sold to Dollar Express:
- Diplomat Plaza, 4157 Cleveland St., Gary Ind., 46408
- County Market Place, 2535 Garfield St., Gary, Ind., 46404
- 5307 Decatur Rd, Ft. Wayne, Ind., 46806
- 715 E. 38 St., Indianapolis, Ind., 46205
- 9950 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis, Ind., 46236
In addition to these stores being sold to Dollar Express, Dollar Tree will be required to report or notify the Indiana Attorney General’s Office of future acquisitions or store relocations or closings.
Dollar Tree operates stores under both the Dollar Tree and Deals banners. Stores using the Dollar Tree banner typically price all merchandise for $1 while both Deals stores and Family Dollar stores offer additional merchandise for higher prices. The stores tend to be smaller in size and are often located within or near neighborhoods.
“The several stores impacted in Indiana are important to the everyday options for local residents,†Zoeller said. “I wanted to ensure competition remained despite this large merger so that consumers had access to fair prices and the best merchandise.â€
Zoeller said his office worked with the FTC and the other state attorneys general in conducting a national review of the transaction. The attorneys general have filed their lawsuit and proposed consent judgment in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia.
Sycamore Partners is expected to acquire the stores being divested over the coming few months and operate them under its DollarExpress banner.
Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR) is headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia and operates more than 4,200 stores. Family Dollar (NYSE: FDO) is headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina and operates more than 8,000 stores nationwide.
The other states involved in the settlement are Florida, Maine, Missouri, Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Utah and West Virginia.
7th Circuit affirms ruling for Emmis in unpaid-dividend suit
Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com
A ruling in favor of Emmis Communications in a federal lawsuit brought by owners of preferred shares in the company was affirmed Thursday by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Preferred-stock owners claimed Emmis owed more than $34 million in unpaid dividends on shares issued in 1999. Emmis stopped paying guaranteed dividends on the shares in 2008, and their value plummeted. Through a swap arrangement, the shares eventually were placed in escrow by mutual agreement, and Emmis acquired voting rights in the preferred shares.
The 7th Circuit affirmed U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker’s ruling in favor of Emmis.
Circuit Judge Frank Easterbrook wrote for the panel that Indiana law under I.C. 23-1-20-24 is unique among the states in allowing corporations to vote their own shares. “The owners observe that Emmis structured this transaction so that it would bear the economic risk of the shares, while the original owners no longer faced variability in the shares’ market price. That’s true.
“So if this transaction had been conducted in any state but Indiana, a court probably would have said that Emmis could not vote these shares,†Easterbrook wrote. “But Indiana allows corporations to deal in and vote their own shares. … Indiana law is distinctive, but it is not our job to reduce inter-state variance in corporate law.
“Indiana’s willingness to allow corporations to vote their own shares may be good, or it may be bad, but the ability to negotiate for better terms, or invest elsewhere, rather than judicially imposed ‘best practices,’ is how corporate law protects investors,†the panel concluded.
The case is Corre Opportunities Fund, LP, et al., v. Emmis Communications Corp., 14-1647.
inShare
ST. MARY’S MARKET DAYS KICKOFF CELEBRATION
St. Mary’s Market Days returns Thursday, July 16th. To celebrate we are having a special ribbon cutting and blessing at 8am with Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and President Keith Jewell.
An annual tradition, Market Days offers handmade items like jewelry and crafts, fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, herbs, honey and other homegrown items. New vendors this year expand breakfast and lunch offerings. Cleo’s Bakery, Pizza Revolution, Cisse’s Bread Bakery, and St. Mary’s own Touchpoint join the lineup with returning Butcher Holler. Our St. Mary’s Wellness booth has various health and wellness tips, where market goers can enter the raffle for a Market Days gift basket.
St. Mary’s Market Days begins July 16th and runs every Thursday through September 3rd from 8:00am – 1:00pm. Located along St. Mary’s Boulevard off Washington Avenue.
IS IT TRUE JULY 7, 2015
IS IT TRUE Teamsters 215 stated publicly they understanding the EVSC Board’s concerns and has proposed several other options such as?
IS IT TRUE proposal number one is? Â A mediator which is a free service provided by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service?
IS IT TRUE the second proposal is to select panel of three (3) consisting of one being chosen by EVSC, one being chosen by the Union and the third being mutually agreed upon by the other two panel members?
IS IT TRUE proposal number three is select an arbitrator from Indiana that has expertise in school related issues.
IS IT TRUE that In last forty years local Teamsters 215 have had only 5 cases get to the arbitration stage? Â …its obvious that both sides are clearly capable at working out labor issues if they put their mindset to doing it? Â …we understand there are times when both sides truly feel they are right and the fair thing to do is have a third party make the final decision?
IS IT TRUE than 2nd District School Board candidate Andrew Guarino he was quoted as saying: “IN the interim, we will meet with the Teamsters, to forge a more trusting relationships”?  …we wonder what Mr. Guarinos wife (State Senator Venneta Becker) thinks about his husband political flip flop on the collective bargaining issues with the local Teamsters 215?
IS IT TRUE that At-Large School Board candidate Rance Ossenberg publicly stated in the CITY COUNTY OBSERVER: “As a board member, i would want a better relationship with all the union and employee groups. Â The perception of the public with the latest negotiations is there was a luck of communication between the administration and bargaining units. This open the door to rumor and half truths that create distrust and a negative environment. Â Collaborastion between all parties is imperative if we are to create a positive positive work environment that in turn will help optimize learning conditions for students”?
IS IT TRUE newly appointed Superintendent DR. David Smith publicly stated that “at every level  I’m convinced that relationships are hugely important,”  “the way we approach our employees and treat our employees will not change,” ‘we value our employees” and ” built that trust and collaborative relationships over the years.”?
IS IT TRUE than School Board candidate for re-election and now EVSC President Mike Duckworth publicly stated: “I think as long as we have dialogue and keep communication, keep talking, we can disagree but we want to collaborate and see how we can make it better for all of us,” he said?
IS IT TRUE concerning the proposals regarding the Grievance Procedure that the Teamsters are trying to achieve specifies language that the Union feels is fair for both sides? …the Union doesn’t think it is fair to have the EVSC School Board be the final decision maker on grievances,? …we feel other proposals need to be brought to the table to try to address other concerns expressed such as where the arbitrator is from and costs? …the EVSC Board feels that as elected officials they should make the final determination on grievances, especially if financial issues are involved?
Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Also we just posted the current City County Observer TRI-STATE VOICES TV show for you’re viewing pleasure. 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 report generated by the Vanderburgh County Health Department. Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Prominent Midwest Mayors in Evansville to Support Gail Riecken
State Representative Gail Riecken, candidate for Mayor of Evansville, announced today that Mayor 
Karen Freeman-Wilson of Gary, IN and Mayor Nan Whaley of Dayton, OH will be coming to Evansville to host a forum on leadership in government and business and to headline a fundraiser for her campaign.
Both events will be held at the Memorial Baptist Church in Evansville on July 14, 2015.
“Mayor Freeman-Wilson is one of the most effective mayors in our great state,†said Riecken. “She has used her background in government to unify her city behind a broad group of fresh ideas and creative approaches to growing the economy and improving public safety.â€
Mayor Freeman-Wilson is a former Indiana Attorney General and was the first female mayor in Gary’s history.
“Mayor Whaley has also been a truly transformative leader as Mayor,†said Riecken. “Nan has launched new initiatives aimed at growing small businesses and addressing her city’s housing challenges. She’s used her background on City Council as a springboard to an aggressive approach as Mayor.
“We are looking forward to learning a lot from these very impressive mayors and we hope to host a broad group of Evansville citizens for this important forumâ€