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Governor Pence Names Appointees to Multiple Boards and Commissions

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Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence recently named the following individuals to boards and commissions.

 

Indiana Arts Commission

Jennifer L. Perry (Vigo County), appointed to serve the remainder of an unexpired four-year term through June 30, 2017

 

Ball State University Board of Trustees

Dustin W. Meeks (Hamilton County), appointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017 as a student member

 

Indiana University Board of Trustees

Anna Marie Williams (Marion County), appointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017 as a student member

 

Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists

Don Neeley (Marion County), appointed to serve a four-year term through June 30, 2019

 

Purdue University Board of Trustees

Vanessa J. Castagna (TX), reappointed to serve a three-year term through June 30, 2018 as an alumni member

 

Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Fund Board

Wade A. Lange (Marion County), appointed to serve a four-year term through June 30, 2019

 

State Workforce Innovation Council

Allison B. Barber (Marion County), appointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017

Billie K. Dragoo (Marion County), reappointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017

Randall J. Holmes (Tippecanoe County), reappointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017

  1. Renee Palmer (Vanderburgh County), reappointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017

Paul S. Perkins (Clark County), reappointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017

 

University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees

Jeffrey L. Knight (Vanderburgh County), reappointed to serve a four-year term through June 30, 2019

Theodore C. Ziemer, Jr. (Vanderburgh County), reappointed to serve a four-year term through June 30, 2019

Evan K. Stieler (Warrick County), appointed to serve a two-year term through June 30, 2017 as a student member

 

Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission

David Ziegner (Johnson County), reappointed to serve a four-year term through March 31, 2019

 

Vincennes University Board of Trustees

Joslyn Denise Gray (Vanderburgh County), appointed to serve a one-year term through June 30, 2016 as a student member

 

Governor Pence to Join Furniture Manufacturer for Northeast Indiana Jobs Announcement

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Indianapolis – Tomorrow, Governor Mike Pence will join executives from Smith Brothers of Berne for an economic development announcement in Adams County. Details below.

 

Tuesday, June 23:

 

2:45 p.m. EDT – Governor Pence to join furniture manufacturer for northeast Indiana jobs announcement

*Media are welcome to attend.

Smith Brothers of Berne, Inc., 356 Monroe Street, Berne, IN

Students to Receive Free Bicycles at Ivy Tech’s 10th Annual Public Safety Academy

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Middle school and elementary school students in the Ivy Tech Community College Public Safety Academy will receive a new bicycle, helmet, and bicycle lock this week at Ivy Tech. The bicycles are awarded to students who demonstrate good attendance, good behavior, and a good attitude while participating in the Public Safety Academy, and other summer activities in the community. The Academy is a partnership with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation’s (EVSC) 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the City of Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation, the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana, and the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville.

 

Ivy Tech Community College Public Safety Academy – Annual Bicycle Giveaway Event

Ivy Tech Community College

3501 N. First Avenue

Tuesday, June 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m.

 

Over 219 bicycles will be awarded to students this year, the majority of them at Ivy Tech Community College this Tuesday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m.  In addition, 2 adaptive bicycles, specifically designed for children who are physically unable to ride a standard bicycle, will be given away.

 

Bicycles will be presented to the students by representatives from public safety agencies, EVSC, local dignitaries, and community leaders. Students will also be treated to an afternoon of fun, including activities, snacks, a tour of Ivy Tech, and a video on bicycle safety. The event is funded by generous donations from individuals and businesses across the tri-state.

 

The Evansville Bicycle Club and Gerling Law will be assisting with the event and will help adjust the bike seats and helmets to ensure a proper fit.

 

IS IT TRUE JUNE 23, 2015

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IS IT TRUE at last night’s City Council meeting a concerned citizen came forward to ask Mayor Winnecke’s Chief of Staff Steve Schaefer pointed questions concerning the proposed Downtown Hotel? …the Mayor’s Chief of Staff wanted to know who styled the questions presented to him by a concern citizen? …at one point Mr. Schaffer charged that the questions were written by the “BLOG” City County Observer? …Chief of Staff Schaefer’s charges are laughable because these questions are much too detailed to be written by us? …we were sent the questions that Mr. Schaefer was given last night by a source that wanted to remain anonymous? …and we did agree the sender shall be anonymous?

IS IT TRUE Mr. Schaefer’s demeanor at last night Council meeting was similar to the way he acted at his old Chamber of Commerce job?

ATTACHED BELOW ARE THE QUESTIONS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE MAYOR CONCERNING THE DOWNTOWN HOTEL

IS IT TRUE the original rendition of the Convention Hotel represented 10 stories, 257 rooms, 78 high end apartment with a total public investment of tax dollars at $20 million?

IS IT TRUE we now understand that the 257 room hotel has been cut to 240?

IS IT TRUE we now understand the apartments have been eliminated from the project decreasing the hotel from a 10 story building to only 5 stories?

IS IT TRUE we now understand the original plans had an indoor swimming pool and now we have an outdoor swimming pool?

IS IT TRUE, the original public commitment was only $20 million and now it has grown to at least $23.6 million?

IS IT TRUE  the project alone is $44 million or $183,333 per room and based on Hilton’s 2013 Development Cost & Prototype Building Cost data, the avg. seven-story full service hotel WITHOUT land costs, average less than $165,000 per room? … why is our hotel costing us more than the average? …equaling $4 million more or 10% greater?

IS IT TRUE, that any savings on the project will go to HCW? and who is overseeing the construction cost to keep the other contractors honest?

IS IT TRUE, the streetscape and infrastructure alone on Walnut and down SE Sixth Streets will be funded by funds outside this project and development agreement? . . .what are those project costs and what is the alternative source of funding especially since the April 2015 downtown TIF declined by $5 million?

IS IT TRUE the Garage includes 552 spaces of which 200 are for the Med School costing $10,050,000 or $18,200 per space? .. . the original garage before the Med School was finalized was priced out at $5,461,956 or $16,500 per space .so does is the Med School’s extra 200 spaces have a premium of $1,700 space? …therefore, based on the original design for 332 space vs 552, the total cost should be only $9,081,000 not $10,050,000 a premium of $969,000 to have IU?

IS IT TRUE the garage will be owned by HCW, not leased, and the city will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the garage etc? . . .what will this cost the taxpayers of Evansville per year?

IS IT TRUE that the development agreement requires the city to be financially responsible for everything except the hotel with the guarantee going from $7.5 million to $9.9 million? . . .why did the Mayor do this? …those ancillary cost appear to be $16,850,000 plus the guarantee of $9,900,000 equals $26,750,000? . . .so why is the City’s paying $28,250,000 or $1,500,000 more than the project cost?

IS IT TRUE that the City is responsible for the ancillary components budget overruns? …what contingency has been built into the budget to cover? .. .If none, where are these funds coming from?

IS IT TRUE that no members of City Council have a copy of the revised Development Agreement, if not why not?

IS IT TRUE the General Contractor is not required to use local subs and suppliers if the cost and quality is not an issue?

IS IT TRUE that for $44 million each and every hotel room will have a window Air Conditioning units.? .. .it so, will Hilton approve it?

IS IT TRUE the original UV windows have now been replaced with ordinary window glass? . . . so the mirror like glass is gone ?

FOOTNOTE:  As they say, enquiring minds want know. Worst yet, the elected City Council has a legal right to know and the taxpayers of the City of Evansville expect their Mayor to be honest and forthright and disclose the details of this hotel.  So far Mayor Winnecke talks about transparent government,  but talk is cheap.

Lat night Mr.  Schaefer did acknowledge that the new Downtown Hotel will have an outside swimming pool. and will not have window A/C.  He told Council is didn’t know much more than that at this point.  He promised to have answers to these questions at next Council meetings.  All of us demand to know the  entire  truth. about the newly redesigned Hotel plans. Where is the main stream media?   Why  aren’t they asking these questions?  Is the main stream media  granting the Mayor cart blanche on this project?

The Arts Council Announces Winners of the Mayor’s Arts Awards at Upcoming Press Conference

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The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana will announce the winner of the 2015 Mayor’s Art Award and 11 other arts awards at a 10:00am press conference on June 23rd, 2015. The award winners will have an opportunity to speak about the work that they have done for the arts in the community. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke will be present to announce the prestigious Mayor’s Art Award winner. The press conference will take place at the Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Gallery, located inside the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana at 318 Main Street in downtown Evansville.

 

The Arts Council’s annual Mayor’s Arts Awards honor individuals, groups, and institutions that have made significant contributions to the advancement of the arts in Evansville and the surrounding counties. The winners will be honored at the Mayor’s Arts Awards gala on Thursday, August 20th, 2015 at 6pm.

 

To reserve your seat at the press conference, please contact Reva Bourgasser at reva.bourgasser@artswin.org or call the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana at (812) 422-2111. To keep updated with the Mayor’s Arts Awards, visit artswin.org or “like” the Arts Council of Facebook. Tickets will be available to the public following the scheduled press conference.

 

Our mission: Enhancing the quality of life and supporting economic development through advocacy and promotion of the arts, arts education, and arts organizations in Southwestern Indiana.

AG Zoeller named ‘Attorney General of the Year’ by national AG group 

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Zoeller’s leadership team also earns high honors

INDIANAPOLIS – The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) honored Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller with its 2015 Kelley-Wyman Award, also known as “Attorney General of the Year” Award during its annual conference.

The Kelley-Wyman Award is the association’s highest honor given each year to the state attorney general who exemplifies and helps forward the objectives of NAAG. It is named in honor of former Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley and former New Hampshire Attorney General Louis Wyman.

“Greg (Zoeller) certainly demonstrates the collegial and collaborative efforts that NAAG strives to facilitate among its membership,” said Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, the outgoing president of NAAG, during the award presentation. “He has distinguished himself among his peers by consistently advancing the direction, leadership and purpose of NAAG.”

AG Hood recognized Zoeller’s numerous leadership roles within NAAG. Zoeller serves as chair of the NAAG Midwestern Region and is a member of the NAAG Executive Committee. He is also chair of the Tobacco Committee and Federalism/Preemption Committee, as well as an active member of the Consumer Protection, Human Trafficking, and Training committees.

“It is an honor to receive this award from my fellow state attorneys general,” Zoeller said. “The training, collaboration and resources NAAG facilitates is instrumental to my work as attorney general of Indiana and has helped me and my staff immensely in defending and protecting Hoosiers. It has been a worthwhile endeavor to work cooperatively with our national association that serves consumers in our state and other states.”

Zoeller was selected to receive this award by a committee of state attorneys general. As one attorney general noted in a recommendation, “Greg Zoeller represents the highest examples of an attorney’s general sense of justice, fairness and strength.”

Zoeller’s leadership staff was also honored by NAAG this year. Staci Schneider, Chief of Staff for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, received the Senior Staff of the Year Award. This award is given each year to a management-level AG staff member who has provided exceptional service to NAAG and the attorneys general through exemplary leadership, expertise and achievement.

“Staci is a modest force in the AG community, and a capable manager and leader,” said Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden during the award presentation. “Since she started in her chief of staff role in 2009, Staci’s professionalism, communications expertise, and strategic planning have had a significant and far-reaching impact not only in her office, but also within NAAG.”

Schneider previously served as Communications Director in former Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter’s administration before becoming Chief of Staff for AG Zoeller’s office.

NAAG represents 56 state and territorial attorneys general. This year’s awards were presented during its annual Summer Meeting, held June 16-18.

 

Daily Off Topic Forum June 23, 2015

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Jackson Kelly Welcomes Jonathan C. Luedloff to the Firm  

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – June 22, 2015 – Jackson Kelly PLLC is pleased to welcome Jonathan C. Luedloff to the Firm.

 

Luedloff joins the Firm as an attorney in the Land and Natural Resource Development Practice Group in the Evansville, Indiana, office. His practice focuses on real estate, banking and industry regulations. He regularly handles commercial real estate transactions and estate/probate matters.

 

Prior to joining Jackson Kelly, Luedloff served as general counsel for a title company, a supervising attorney for a large real estate firm, a manager of a title company and as a title insurance agent.

 

Luedloff received his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas where he also received his Bachelor of Science in psychology. He is licensed to practice in Indiana and Arkansas and the Eastern and Western District Courts of Arkansas. Luedloff is a member of the Indiana and Arkansas Bar Associations, the Indiana Land Title Association and the Evansville Bar Association. He is also a Notary Public for the State of Arkansas and the State of Indiana and is a licensed Indiana title insurance agent.

 

Client Focus, Industry Insight, National Reputation. Jackson Kelly PLLC is a national law firm with more than 175 attorneys located in twelve offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Colorado and the District of Columbia. With a focus on companies working in and around the energy industry, the Firm works with its clients to help resolve their operating challenges by teaming to develop and implement strategies that minimize risks, quickly and effectively. Focusing on clients’ industry-specific needs, the Firm serves a wide variety of corporate and public clients and enjoys a national reputation in business, labor and employment, litigation, government contracts, tax, safety and health, permitting, natural resource and environmental law. The Firm’s clients and peers recognize its commitment to providing superior client service as Jackson Kelly has repeatedly been selected as a Go-To Law Firm for the Top 500 Companies in the U.S. and is regularly named to BTI’s Client Service A-Team.

Riecken Criticizes Mayor Winnecke For Lack Of Transparency And Accountability‏

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Riecken Criticizes Winnecke for Lack of Transparency and Accountability

June 22, 2015. – Evansville, IN

n a video released today, Democratic mayoral candidate Gail Riecken calls on Mayor Winnecke to stop spending tax dollars the city doesn’t have.

Riecken states “With each passing year, our General Fund starts out with less money than the year before.  Our city credit card is becoming maxed out.  We cannot continue to borrow future money to pay the city’s bills today. This type of action is unsustainable. “

Riecken also calls on the Mayor for transparency and accountability, as the Mayor refused a visit to the City Council to answer questions about the hotel. Riecken says the Mayor shows a lack of respect to the citizens of Evansville for not presenting his budget plan before the August hearings and pledges, as mayor, to present her fiscal priorities prior to the official meeting so citizens can have input.

“I pledge to you that, as mayor, I will lay out my fiscal priorities prior to the official budget hearings, so all Evansville citizens can have an opportunity to look at, question, and give input on it,” says Riecken.

The You Tube video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/ndnUWnKI0Eo

Paid for by Gail Riecken for Mayor, Mike Woods Chairman

Teen’s arrest did not violate 4th Amendment

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Jennifer Nelson for www.theindianalawyer.com

The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a teen’s adjudication for carrying a handgun handed down after police arrested the occupants of the car he was riding in after smelling burnt marijuana during a traffic stop. The judges unanimously held the officers had probable cause to arrest the car’s occupants, including the teen.

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer pulled over a car with very dark tinted windows. He smelled burnt marijuana from inside the car, where K.K. was a passenger in the back seat. The three occupants denied that any drugs or weapons were present, and the three were briefly patted down and handcuffed. Another officer believed K.K. was acting nervous and conducted another pat down and found a loaded handgun in his pocket.

K.K., who was 17 at the time, was adjudicated as a delinquent child for committing what would be Class A misdemeanor dangerous possession of a firearm if committed by an adult.

In K.K. v. State of Indiana, 49A02-1410-JV-687, he argued that the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the car did not provide probable cause for the officers to arrest him and the other two occupants, which led to the search of K.K. and the discovery of the gun.

The appellate judges relied on Edmond v. State, 951 N.E.2d 585, 591 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), Bell v. State, 13 N.E.3d 543, 544-45 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014), and Lessley v. City of Madison, Indiana, 654 F.Supp.2d 877 (S.D. Ind. 2009), to support their decision that probable cause existed to arrest the occupants of the car in which K.K. was a passenger.

“K.K. suggests that the Edmond decision requires that, for probable cause to exist, the officer must not only smell marijuana emanating from the vehicle, but, in addition, the defendant driver must be alone in the vehicle when the smell is detected, and the officer must detect it on the individual’s person or breath. To the extent that Edmond could be interpreted to require the presence of all of these factors, we respectfully decline to follow it. In our view, whether the defendant is alone and whether the odor of marijuana – burnt or raw – is also present on an individual or his breath are factors to be considered in the analysis, not bright-line prerequisites necessary for probable cause to exist,” Judge James Kirsch wrote.

Since the judges found the arrest was supported by probable cause, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the firearm to be admitted into evidence because it was discovered pursuant to a lawful search incident to K.K.’s arrest.

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