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IS IT TRUE MAY 27, 20015

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IS IT TRUE todays meeting called by the Indiana Democratic Party Chairman and 8th District Chairman with all Democratic candidates running in the upcoming City election has been cancelled because of lack of participation?  …we say WOW?  … it looks like the State Democratic Party Chairman and the 8th District Chairman called a meeting and are shunned by the local candidates?

IS IT TRUE we were amazed to hear that the person who own O’Hairs Happy Dog Daycare facility on the Southside of Evansville alleges that she called the police department over 52 times in the last couple of years for help without any results? …we were even more amazed to hear an alleged audio on TV of a confrontation between the police and a person that allegedly has harassed the owner of O’Hairs Happy Dog Daycare? …we are stunned that this individual cussing and yelling at our police officers wasn’t arrested on the spot?

IS IT TRUE we wonder what the status of the lawsuit between former City Councilman and Fire Chief Keith Jarboe and the City of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE the mainstream media has all but dropped the story on the meter gate scandal?  ...we are told that some of the utility ratepayers maybe forking over nearly $2,000 plus for the damage caused by replacement of those perfectly dated but working meters?

 IS IT TRUE we wonder if you ever stayed at a hotel that the HVAC units were in your room?  …we have been informed by reliable sources that the new downtown Convention Hotel just might have these type of units in each room?

IS IT TRUE we have been also told  that $1.1 Million dollars have so far been spent on the proposed Downtown Hotel for Architect and Engineering services?

IS IT TRUE the Evansville DMD Director is openly stating that the $15 million dollar North Main TIF project is all but a done deal even without City Council voting on it?   …the DMD Director is buying property and spending money like a drunken sailor before this project has ever been approved by City Council?  … what happens if the City Council denies the project?  … OOPS?

IS IT TRUE some people in the main stream media portrayed 4th Ward City Councilwomen as an angry black woman?  …members of our staff visited Memorial Baptist Church last week and saw Mrs. Robinson being a very happy black woman singing and praises ?

Please take time and vote in todays “Readers Poll”. Also we just posted the current City County Observer TRI-STATE VOICES TV show for you’re viewing pleasure.

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

AG Zoeller, Rx Drug Abuse Task Force support Naloxone training for ISU campus law enforcement

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Terre Haute, Ind. – Today the Indiana Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force supported a training program that will educate Indiana State University (ISU) campus law enforcement on the use of intra-nasal naloxone for opiate/heroin overdose emergencies.  The event was hosted by ISU, in conjunction with the Rural Health Innovation Collaborative.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, who co-chairs the task force, said ISU is the first institution of higher learning in the state to embrace this opportunity.

Last year, Zoeller supported the passing of Senate Enrolled Act 227 which gives legal immunity to first responders who administer Naloxone, a life-saving treatment that counteracts the effects of a prescription painkiller or heroin overdose.  Today, law enforcement agencies across the state that have implemented Naloxone into their standard equipment have helped to save countless Hoosier lives.  The Attorney General’s Office is aware of at least 138 times law enforcement officers have saved Hoosier lives by administering Naloxone since the law passed in 2014.  Additionally, the Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (EMS) estimates that its responders have used Naloxone on victims nearly 1,000 times during the same time frame.

The Attorney General’s Office is working to bring awareness that the Naloxone antidote will cause no lasting harm, even if the medication was used on a person not suffering from an overdose, to overcome some law enforcement concerns of unintended consequences in administering the drug.

“The rise in prescription drug and heroin overdoses is a result of the opioid addition epidemic in Indiana and across the United State and college campuses are certainly not immune.  I hope that other law enforcement and first responders in Indiana will follow suit and we can continue to build knowledge and save Hoosier lives,” said Attorney General Zoeller.

Zoeller is grateful to ISU and other law enforcement agencies across the state that have administered Naloxone programs and saved lives.  He urges others to follow their lead and take advantage of the resources on BitterPill.in.gov.  The website contains a toolkit to assist law enforcement and other first responders in setting up community Naloxone training programs.

Joining Zoeller at the training today was Senator Jim Merritt, co-author of the Indiana Lifeline Law, which gives underage individuals legal immunity from crimes like minor consumption if they call for medical help in an emergency situation.  The goal of this law is to make sure no one hesitates to call for help if a friend has had too much to drink because they fear getting arrested.  Last year, as a result of the rising rate of heroin-related deaths, Indiana legislators expanded the Lifeline Law to address drug use as well as alcohol abuse.  The Lifeline Law now encourages first responders and law enforcement officers to carry and administer Naloxone.

In 2012, Zoeller launched the task force made up of state legislators, law enforcement, members of the medical community, health officials, pharmacists, state and local agencies and education providers. The goal of the task force is to significantly reduce the abuse of controlled prescription drugs and to decrease the number of deaths associated with these drugs in Indiana.

Following the creation of the Task Force, the Attorney General’s Office launched a statewide public awareness campaign highlighting the dangers of prescription drug abuse which included radio, television, print and the website, www.Bitterpill.IN.gov.

Judge believes lack of victim notification of plea supports vacating agreementww.theindianalawyer.com

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Jennifer Nelson for www.theindianalawyer.com

A Court of Appeals judge dissented from his colleagues on Tuesday when he voted to support a trial court’s decision to throw out a plea agreement on the day of sentencing. The trial court discovered the victim in the case had not been notified of the plea agreement.

Judges Melissa May and Rudolph Pyle III reversed Marion Superior Judge Lisa Borges’ decision to grant the state’s motion to withdraw the guilty plea it entered into with Bobby Dunn. Dunn agreed to plead guilty to one count of Class D felony theft in exchange for other charges being dropped.

Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Kevin E. Kelly signed the agreement which said the victim in the case had been notified of the plea deal and the court accepted the agreement. But on the day of sentencing, deputy prosecutor Timothy Baldwin moved to withdraw the plea agreement based on a “mistake in fact” because the victim had not been notified, which he asserted is the victim’s constitutional right under Article 1, Section 13(b).

The majority pointed out that the COA at times has allowed for a guilty plea to be vacated after a court has accepted it, such as when the defendant later claims he or she is innocent, but that the circumstances in this case do not warrant vacating the agreement.

“To the extent the trial court permitted withdrawal based on Deputy Prosecutor Baldwin’s assertion at the sentencing hearing that the victim had not been notified, any error in the trial court’s original acceptance of the plea was invited by the State, as Deputy Prosecutor Kelly’s affidavit represented at the guilty plea hearing that the State had, in fact, notified the victim,” May wrote.

Judge Michael Barnes dissented, pointing to the Indiana Constitution and the victim’s right to be notified of any public hearings regarding prosecution of the accused defendant.

“It is without question that the ultimate decision regarding the course of a prosecution and whether to enter into a plea agreement belongs to the prosecutor and is an inherent part of his or her power and authority,” he wrote. “Although I emphasize that victims do not control the prosecution or plea bargaining processes, they do have the right to have their opinion considered by the prosecuting attorney.”

Barnes also wrote that he believes that withdrawing a guilty plea after accepting it but before sentencing does not negatively impact a defendant’s constitutional rights.

The majority remanded Bobby Dunn v. State of Indiana, 49A02-1407-CR-470, for resentencing.

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.

EPD Activity Report

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

SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS HONOR VETERANS

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By Tom Purcell

It was the most moving Memorial Day ceremony I’ve ever attended.

The event took place at the ACLD Tillotson School in Pittsburgh, a special-needs school with a private academic license approved yearly by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The brain is a complicated thing, you see. Even the slightest deviation in normal brain function can interrupt an individual’s ability to receive, process and communicate information.

According to the National Institutes of Health, one out of seven Americans has Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) — a complex cluster of neurobiological deficits that can severely inhibit the ability to process information.

Interestingly, some of the world’s most inventive people have learning disabilities. Einstein had Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism. Thomas Edison suffered severe ADHD. His third-grade teacher kicked him out of school for being “inattentive, fidgety and slow.”

Tillotson students run the gamut, from children with normal to high IQs who have difficulty learning to read, to some with moderate to severe autism, to others with a host of other learning disabilities. Some go on to college. Others succeed in the trades. Some are taught to maximize basic skills, so they can become productive, self-sufficient citizens.

All of the students require exceptional patience and care. That is delivered in abundance by Tillotson’s teachers and administrators, which was evident when I attended the Memorial Day event.

In the spirit of full disclosure, Kristine Sacco, the Tillotson art teacher who organized the event, is my sister. She said the students have been learning about Memorial Day in social studies. To help them better understand the meaning of service, the school initiated a door-decorating contest — then agreed to take the concept a step further by inviting veterans to visit the students.

Three veterans attended the event: Air Force Capt. Patricia Atkinson, who served for six years following the Vietnam War and is now a paraprofessional at Tillotson; Air Force Reserve Maj. Deborah Gorencic, who served for 23 years and participated in the 1993 Iraq War; and my father, Army Pfc. Thomas Purcell, a military policeman who served for two years after the Korean War.

The veterans were given a tour of the school as students lined both sides of the hallway, waving flags. They proudly displayed their carefully crafted Memorial Day decorations that adorned the doors and walls.

As the veterans were led to the dais, one group of students walked onto the stage. Each took turns explaining how Memorial Day differs from other holidays — that its purpose is to remember those who died in active military service.

As the first student group exited, a second took the stage. Students took turns reciting “The Unknown Soldier” by Roger Robicheau: “You need not ever know my name, this unknown soldier seeks no fame…”

The three veterans took turns describing their service from the podium. One described her experiences as a nurse in the military, where she assisted wounded soldiers returning from battle.

One described how, during the Vietnam War, before she had served, her unit was responsible for evacuating people during the fall of Saigon. She described one tragedy in which a plane filled with babies crashed, killing most everyone on board. Her words were greeted with dead silence.

My father explained what it was like to be a military policeman in Germany in the 1950s — what it was like to be drafted.

The students had spirited, insightful questions for the veterans. The question-and-answer session went on for some time.

At the conclusion of the event, the students presented the veterans with certificates thanking them for their service, then gave them hearty applause.

Learning may be more challenging for these kids than others, but they intuitively understand the meaning of Memorial Day better than most.

They understand that the wonderful school that is helping them blossom and prepare for life is a direct beneficiary of the freedom and prosperity made possible by the many veterans who sacrificed for their country.

As I sat by my 81-year-old dad after the event, one young girl walked up to him and shook his hand.

“Thank you for your service, sir,” she said to him. I got choked up by the respect she gave him.

That’s why this was most moving Memorial Day ceremony I have ever attended.

(ACLD Tillotson School was founded in 1972 by special-education pioneer Katherine Dean Tillotson. Learn more at acldtillotsonschool.org.)

Daily Off Topic Forum May 26, 2015

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IS IT TRUE MAY 26, 2015

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IS IT TRUE that the State Democratic Party Chairman and 8th District Party Chairman have called a special meeting this week to talk with all of the candidates running in the Evansville City Council General election? …we expect them to lecture all candidates running on the Democratic ticket in the Fall election to openly support the Gail Riecken for Mayor campaign? …we expect the theme of this special called meeting will be party loyalty and unity? …if this type of meeting was called 4 years ago the Vanderburgh County Democratic party wouldn’t be in this bad of a shape?

IS IT TRUE that Indiana Democratic party Chairman John Zody have publicly stated that he is focusing on this years municipal elections? …Its obvious that he understands how important it is for Evansville to elect a Democratic Mayor? …we hear that he is ready to commit to the Riecken campaign his full support and economic resources in order to get Gail Riecken elected Mayor of Evansville? …Mr. Zody also understands if the Democrats elect Gai Riecken Mayor of Evansville it shall enhance the chances of electing a Democrat to Governor office?

IS IT TRUE the Vanderburgh County Tea Party Patriots had an extremely informative meeting last week? …Mayor Winnecke had a representative attending this meeting on his behalf? …we were surprised to learn the Mayoral candidate Riecken had no representative at this meeting? …it’s common wisdom if an election is close the Tea Party Patriots shall have a major influence who wins the election? …we repeat that Mrs. Riecken’s Campaign Manager needs to spend some time to understand more about the political workings of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE the Financial Statements published by the Winnecke Administration as of March 31, 2015, stated that last twelve month period ended indicates that the Park/Recreation funds lost $2.8 million dollars? . . . the General Fund lost $1.2 million dollars? . . . the Hospitalization Fund lost $2.1 million dollars? . . . the Downtown TIF lost $5 million dollars?

IS IT TRUE Democratic candidate for Evansville Mayor of Evansville , Gail Riecken, laid out some policies she will implement if elected? … Mayor Lloyd Winnecke quickly dismissed her proposals by claiming he already has them in place? …if the Mayor Winnecke’s statement is correct then why doesn’t he have a whistleblower ordinance or true responsible bidder ordinance?

IS IT TRUE that past Mayor Winezafpel’s Legal Counsel David Jones had a successful political fund raiser for Gail Riecken last Saturday? …we were very surprised to see many of Winezapfel past supporters attend this first class fund raising event for Mrs. Riecken?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville DMD Director is openly stating that the $15 million dollar North Main TIF project is all but a done deal even without City Council voting on it?

Please take time and vote in todays “Readers Poll”. Also we just posted the current City County Observer TRI-STATE VOICES TV show for you’re viewing pleasure.

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

ST. MARY’S WELLNESS CENTER TO OFFER HEARTMATH® RESILIANCE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM

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St. Mary’s Wellness Center at Epworth Crossing will present HeartMath®, the Resilience Advantage Program – Skills for Personal and Professional Effectiveness in June.

This HeartMath high impact program delivers a practical skill-set to respond dynamically and effectively to pressure, emotional challenge and change. Fifteen years of client results show significant, sustained improvements in health costs, productivity, stress levels, resilience, cognition and emotional well-being.

At the program’s core are easy-to-learn self-regulation tools and resilience-building practices that help individuals become more balanced, aware, and high functioning. Benefits include: Ability to focus, process information and solve problems, regenerative sleep, increase vitality and resilience while reducing stress, worry, frustration & fatigue.

A key component is the award-winning emWave® technology, real-time monitoring of the impact of emotions of physiology and cognitive state.

  • Recognize subtle stress signals before they become chronic.
  • Learn powerful techniques to boost performance, resilience and quality of life.
  • Be less reactive, think clearly and make good decisions under pressure

HearthMath® will be led by Wellness Coordinator Helen Emge Shymanski, a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and certified health coach. Shymanski has been professionally trained through Duke University Integrative Medicine, HeartMath®, and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

The program is a four-hour package series. Participants have the option to choose between the daytime or evening program:

  • Tuesday afternoon: June 23rd and 30th from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday evening: June 24th and July 1st from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The cost is $100 per person and includes the required HeartMath® Manual. Please call 812-485-5725 by Tuesday, June 16th to register. For more information, visit StMarysEpworth.com/classes.

Memorial Day and Evansville’s Honor Flight

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Today marks the 144th annual day of remembrance for the heroes who laid down their lives while serving in our country’s armed forces. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, was declared a national holiday in 1971 but has been recognized by our nation since 1871.

In 2000, Congress passed a National Moment of Remembrance Act to encourage every American to reflect in a moment of silence at 3 p.m. and honor those who gave their lives in service to the nation. I encourage all of you to take a moment to honor these brave men and women during that time.

To find out more information about the history of Memorial Day, please click here.

The Evansville Regional Airport recently had the honor of becoming a Regional Honor Flight Hub. With this designation, local World War II veterans will be able to participate in the Honor Flight Network and fly to Washington D.C. On the Honor Flight, veterans will visit the memorials that have been dedicated to them for their sacrifice and bravery. The flight is scheduled for May 30th.

The World War II Veterans attending the Honor Flight are holding a meet and greet this Thursday. The public is welcome to join at the Tropicana Conference Center located at 450 NW Riverside Dr. in Evansville. They will be in the Walnut Room from 4-6 p.m. During this time, I will be presenting House Concurrent Resolution 57, which honors the Honor Flight of Southern Indiana and the Evansville Regional Airport on becoming the new National Honor Flight hub.

For more information about the Honor Flight Network, please click here.

I look forward to seeing you at this event and hope you will join me in showing our gratitude for these brave veterans.

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