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SHAME ON WHO?
SHAME ON WHO?
BY GEORGE LUMLEY
Is the current and recent City Administration letting garbage pile up in the neighborhoods so they can promote special interest projects? I was recently talking to a minister who encouraged me in my mission but also explained to me that no mayor wants to be remembered as the mayor who took out the trash. Mayors have to have and strive for a project to put their name on, like a new downtown hotel. So yes, garbage piles are left in the neighborhoods and available funds are spent on special downtown projects.
Recently in the news is the 8 lot parcel located at 1007 West Maryland St. This major story made front page, Sunday edition of the Courier and Press. A nice article about a burnt out warehouse, the dangers posed to the neighborhood children and general dismay of neighboring residents having to look at a growing garbage heap in their neighborhood. Yes a growing garbage heap. As with most of these abandoned properties, which the city has many, they become the place to pitch that old mattress or tv.
The article focus is on the deadbeat businessman who owned the property before it became garbage. That is just water under the bridge. Shaming the owners of these zombie properties might be fun and interesting; however, it is not going to get them cleaned up. I have not seen it work yet. If there is an action to be had against a former owner it is usually for the cleanup cost and pushing the cleanup date out to future years is not going to help that case. The shame is on the Government Body ultimately responsible for the cleanup and hauling off the city’s garbage.
When does the city plan to haul this garbage off? According to the paper maybe next year. Well good at least this site has their attention. It is a larger site than most with eight lots rather than the usual 2 or three lot sight scattered around Evansville. Is this a major portion of Evansville’s blighted lots? No, this is just eight lots of the estimated hundreds.
The city will ultimately clean this up. Why not do it now? “We don’t have the funds in this year’s budget to do it†according to Ron Beane as quoted in the Courier Press article.
This property burned in October of last year. I am sure the city officials knew this would be a city cleanup project shortly after the fire. If the Mayor and his staff were interested in property values and the residents of this neighborhood they would have requested an additional appropriation from the council. The mayor has had no problem requesting appropriations for other special interest items.
I recently ran across a document published just two months ago by the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Community Planning and Development titled National Stimulus Plan (NSP) production report by Grantee. It is like a report card of how cities spent their NSP grant money. Although this program started a few years back and ended for most recipients, Evansville program is still not closed out. I found Evansville on page 50.
The record shows sum of projected Demolitions 136, sum of actual Demolitions 86, remaining demolitions 50. Interesting, grant documents show this was a $3,735,204.00 grant. Do we still have funds or owe the government 50 demolitions on a grant where we spent the money but did not accomplish the goals?
I contacted the Director of the Department of Metropolitan Development and he said “we met all requirements of the grantâ€. Pushed for more info he said “It was a flexible program that resulted in new homes in the inner city and a couple of major rehabsâ€.  I don’t know what his definition of “inner city†is but it appears the funding that was targeted to help get rid of the garbage around the city was focused on subsidizing construction around Haney’s corner and Downtown.
I hear we have a $15 million dollar Main street project where the city has already bought a not so old but vacant CVS for close to half a million and plans to demo it for a parking lot. The city paid for the old Haney’s corner drug store and demolished it. The city bought two blighted properties, for around $400,000.00, at the 500 block of NW 4th street and then paid to demolish them. Cover photo of the NW 4th St property shows how downtown blight is handled. Buy the property at inflated prices and then tear it down. In the remaining neighborhoods the property has to fall down and then wait for years to be cleaned up. This property at 1007 W Maryland is a bargain in blight removal with no inflated purchase price. As with most properties that are ready for demolition, the owners are willing to give them away.
I think I see a pattern here. We have blighted, vacant, zombie structures in the neighborhoods and that’s good because we can get grants and approved appropriations for getting rid of it and then spend the funding on something else. It might be a bad thing to actually get rid of some of the garbage in the neighborhoods because it would be more difficult to get the approval for grants and appropriations for helping the neighborhoods. Is that what is happening to the $500,000 annual appropriation in the city budget? Does most of it go for buying and then demolishing commercial buildings at select locations and the regular neighborhoods are just out of luck?
If anyone should be shamed into cleaning up the garbage it is the public officials where the task has been relinquished. With Corporations, LLCs, LLPs, bankruptcy, and the simple fact that you cannot get blood out of a turnip, the executive, legislative and judicial branches have all left the city and county officials holding the garbage bag on this one. Evansville needs to quit just holding the bag and start making progress on hauling off the garbage. Let’s fix that. Ask the Mayor and County executives why Evansville/Vanderburgh County cannot afford to haul off its garbage.
Adoption reversed: Putative father wrongly denied genetic testing
Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com
A child born to a married couple who placed the newborn for adoption may have had a different father, and a trial court erred in denying his requests for genetic testing that could have given him standing to contest the adoption, the Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
L.D. and J.D. filed a petition to adopt I.J. three days after she was born to mother Ka.J. and her husband, Ke.J. I.J. was given to L.D. and J.D. at birth on March 21, 2014, and the adoptive parents have raised and cared for her since. Their adoption petition was granted last December.
On April 3, 2014, T.M. told the court he believed he was the child’s biological father, and he signed up with the putative father registry on April 15, 2014. He later sought genetic testing to prove his paternity, which Noble Circuit Judge G. David Laur denied multiple times.
Appellate Judge Melissa May wrote for the panel that the trial court erred in its reading of I.C. 31-19-5-2(a). “As T.M. registered before I.J. was thirty days old, his registration was timely. T.M. therefore was entitled to notice of the adoption and should have been permitted to contest it.
“We are mindful of the fact that I.J. has been in the care, custody and control of Adoptive Parents since birth and our reversal may create instability in her young life. But we cannot ignore the constitutional dimension of the parental right that arose with T.M.’s timely registration with the putative father registry. Accordingly, we reverse and remand,†May wrote.
Judge Margret Robb concurred but wrote separately to stress why the court erred in refusing T.M.’s request for genetic testing. She noted the adoption consent statute grants a third party who claims to be the biological parent the right to seek genetic testing to rebut a husband’s presumption of paternity.
“As we have determined herein that T.M. timely registered with the putative father registry, and with the clarification that T.M. has the right to seek genetic paternity testing irrespective of Ke.J.’s presumed paternity, I concur,†Robb wrote.
The case is In re the Matter of: I.J., Child, T.M. v. L.D. and J.D., 57A03-1501-AD-28.
JAG Successes for At-Risk Youth Nationally Recognized
Governor Mike Pence today announced that Indiana’s Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) programs has been recognized among the most successful in the nation, achieving record graduation rates, placement and positive outcome rates for participating Indiana high school students and youth. Eleven of 12 Indiana regions were rewarded with national “5 of 5†awards for their success, achieving the national program’s highest rankings for the first time. A list of today’s winners can be found attached.
Indiana’s program has been expanded by Governor Mike Pence, with additional support from the Indiana General Assembly, and has grown to be the largest in the nation posting successful results for at-risk youth. JAG is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to reconnecting at-risk students academically by helping them overcome barriers to graduation. Students receive adult mentoring from a JAG Specialist while in school and one year of follow-up counseling after graduation. Indiana’s program graduates more than 90 percent of participants and many students choose to continue their education after high school. Photos from the March 2015 JAG Career Development Conference can be found attached.
“Congratulations to our students and Jobs for America’s Graduates teachers who serve as specialists for our kids in the program who have achieved remarkable accomplishments in their quest for graduation and success beyond their diplomas,†said Governor Mike Pence, who also serves as Vice Chair of the national JAG board. “Your dedication and commitment to personal success, regardless of obstacles, is inspirational to all Hoosiers as your journeys continue into real world opportunities.â€
Awards were presented in Indianapolis today to the JAG specialists who lead outstanding programs, both in school and out of school, across the state. The specialists gathered in Indianapolis to learn new techniques designed to continue their success in helping young Hoosiers graduate. JAG’s annual awards and training seminar focuses on learning new teaching methods while recognizing specialists who were successful in increasing graduation rates and student participation in higher education. Last year’s seminar was so significant that it resulted in JAG Indiana being awarded the prestigious “5 of 5â€Â statewide award for the first time this year.
Significant JAG achievements include:
- The 2014 class achieved graduation rate of 93% the state’s JAG highest ever, followed for a one year period to include all students.
- Eleven of twelve regions (92%) have achieved the prestigious “5 of 5â€Â recognition, a nationwide designation that requires high marks in Graduation, Employment, Positive Outcome, Full Time Placement, and Full Time Employment categories.
- This is the first time in JAG Indiana’s history that it has achieved a statewide “5 of 5â€Â classification. Last year, only 12 other JAG statewide programs in the country achieved this mark.
- “5 of 5â€Â is the highest award bestowed upon any JAG program because it highlights the importance of graduating from high school and the one year follow-up to ensure the student is taking positive steps along their chosen career path.
- The JAG class of 2015 has received more than $15 million in scholarships, which exceeds the $10.3 million JAG students received in 2014.
“Indiana’s JAG program is the largest in the nation, thanks to leadership from Gov. Pence and the support of the General Assembly,†said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “The ‘5 of 5’ successes are possible because of our Specialists’ dedication and their ability to inspire young Hoosiers to reach their full potential.â€
More than 13,000 students have participated in Indiana’s JAG program since 2006. Students are taught up to 88 competencies such as critical thinking, team leadership and effective communications skills that will increase their marketability to employers. The JAG program is the largest program in the nation and is funded through grants provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
STATE REP. GAIL RIECKEN APPOINTED TO COMMITTEE STUDYING TEEN SUICIDES
State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) has been named to the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana.
The interim study committee will examine the issue of teen suicides when the committee meets in the coming months.
Each of the interim committees will submit a final report to the Legislative Council before Nov. 1. The reports will contain the committee findings and recommendations, which will be considered by legislators during the 2016 Indiana General Assembly.
IS IT TRUE JULY 9, 2015
IS IT TRUE Teamsters Local 215 established a Taft-Hartley Scholarship Fund in 1998? …the Trustees of the fund are Chuck Whobrey and Rick Voyles as employee Trustees and Gary Staley and Alan Braun as Employer Trustees? . ..since 1998 the fund has awarded $2.4 Million Dollars in Scholarships to sons and daughters of Teamsters members whose employers contribute to the fund?
IS IT TRUE common knowledge that rather than embracing this outstanding scholarship program EVSC Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Smith has offered only lukewarm support.?
IS IT TRUE the North Main corridor master plan designed to replace street parking is moving right ahead even without City Council approval? …the Master plan makes reference to Block By Block “First Look†Properties located on Franklin to Michigan? …this report cites that there is presently heavy retail use? …this statement is extremely laughable? …we invite you to go to North Main street and see what kind of heavy retail businesses they have on that block?
IS IT TRUE that Gail Riecken’s new Campaign Manager arrived today and started his new job. He brings a wealth of experience and has a history of managing very tough races and generating tremendous success?  …we predict that 2015 Mayoral campaign begins in earnest as of today?
IS IT TRUE that the overly zealous DMD Director, Kelley Courses is quickly becoming a political liability with his questionable distribution of taxpayers monies?  …at a recent social event held at a Haynie’s Corner pub he was openly bragging about the amount of Facade Grants money he given individuals on behalf of his boss? …that some people took his remarks as “influences peddling”?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if Police Chief Billy Bolin is in retreat?  … he hasn’t been heard from or seen in the local media recently?  …he was previously one of the most highly visible department heads in the Winnecke Administration?  …it is also widely known that morale on the department is at an all-time low.
IS IT TRUEÂ it’s been alledged that several Democrats that are co-sponsors of the upcoming Winnecke For Mayor fundraiser may have been already rewarded with jobs for family members and political appointments to City Boards? Â …it looks like political patronage is well and live in Evansville?
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.
Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
AG Zoeller: Feds continue to backpedal on e-cigs
Indiana, Maine AGs oppose federal legislation that would weaken Tobacco Control Act
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and Maine Attorney General Janet Mills are urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations to oppose current legislation that would weaken the Tobacco Control Act (TCA), specifically as it relates to e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products that have entered the market in recent years.
Zoeller and Mills serve as co-chairs of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Tobacco Committee.
The proposed legislative change would remove the product review requirements under the TCA for products that have entered the market since Feb. 15, 2007. This would include thousands of electronic cigarette products that have exploded onto the market in recent years.
Under the pre-market review process, manufacturers are required to provide information about new products which allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make a science-based assessment of the risks of the product, and prevent the sale or place additional restrictions on it if it finds such action “appropriate for the protection of the public health.â€
The attorneys general argue in their letter to committee members that the FDA should retain its ability to prevent the sale of a dangerous product, require labeling changes, and restrict marketing in order to help reduce youth usage and protect public health.
“The federal government continues to backpedal on the issue of e-cigarettes and every day more teens are being introduced to nicotine addiction,†Zoeller said. “We have been regulating cigarettes to successfully curb smoking and youth addiction for decades, and yet cannot seem to extend this model to include the latest smoking trends. Government needs to act to protect public health rather than to continue to hide behind the lack of long-term research on e-cigarettes.”
Youth usage of e-cigarettes tripled from 2013 to 2014, according to a 2015 study by the Centers for Disease Control. Last year, there were nearly four thousand calls to poison control centers due to exposure to e-cigarettes, more than double the calls made in 2013.
“Congress should not be providing a complete exemption from such a review, which could allow the continued sale of a dangerous product and undermine the public health of the nation,†the attorneys general said in their letter.
The proposed change is contained in Section 747 of the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2016.
This proposal to weaken the TCA comes less than a month after Zoeller and Mills urged the FDA to quickly finalize the deeming regulations that were proposed in April 2014 to add e-cigarettes to the Act so that the products could be regulated similarly to traditional tobacco products.
In October 2013, Zoeller and 40 other state attorneys general sent a letter to the FDA asking that the agency issue proposed rules and begin regulating e-cigarettes. After the proposed deeming regulations were issued, 29 attorneys general filed comments on Aug. 8, 2014, supporting the deeming action and recommending that the regulations be strengthened in several respects. These additional recommendations include banning flavors, prohibiting Internet sales and subjecting e-cigarettes to the same advertising and marketing restrictions as combustible cigarettes.
“Although we urge the FDA to do more than initially proposed in the deeming regulations to protect our youth from the dangers of nicotine, at a minimum, the TCA should not be weakened by removing product review requirements,†the attorneys general said in their letter.
In addition to his role on the NAAG Tobacco Committee and as Indiana’s top consumer protection official, Zoeller serves on the Board of Directors of the Legacy Foundation, a national public health organization dedicated to ending tobacco use in the United States.
A copy of the letter sent on July 7, 2015 is attached.