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Friend Responds To Mayor Winnecke On Facebook

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Dear Mr Mayor,

City Councilman John Friend
City Councilman John Friend

In response to your criticism concerning my questioning of your Utility Director, Mr. Allen Mounts, in the month of November of 2014, Councilman O’Daniel and myself attended an exit conference. The attendees were Jennie Collins, CFO, the field examiner and his supervisor, Russ Lloyd and Allen Mounts. The field examiner passed out the proposed Utility Financial Statements for discussion. During my review of those Financial Statements I immediately noticed that the Utility Department had omitted the amounts owed by the City, i.e. when the SBOA required that the City and Utility checking accounts be separated in June of 2012, the Administration failed to pay the Utility approximately $2,000,000. In other words, shorted the Utility in the transfer of the Utility’s money into the newly created checking account of the utility. So, the City kept this money until December of 2014; however, the receivable was left off of the utility financial statements that were passed out that day.

The field examiner immediately confessed that he missed it!! I said that this was the responsibility of the Utility to prepare the Financial Statements to assure their accuracy and completeness. Then Russ Lloyd said “it does not matter because the City is on the cash basis…but I informed him that the City was going to present the December 31, 2014 financial on the accrual basis so the amount owed by the City would have to be recognized.

After that discussion, we moved to the cash short situation. The field examiner indicated that your books recorded receipts however those receipts did not agree to the bank records and the term used was CASH SHORT…now, in my world this is a simple concept, the cash register says we had sales of $1,000 and only $800 is recorded as deposited on the bank statement and you have only $100 on hand, well you are $100 SHORT…maybe supplies were paid out of the cash draw and that is why we have the shortage situation or maybe the clerk took the money…
Before Councilman O’Daniel and I let the meeting, we were required to sign a confidentially agreement that the meeting subject matter would be held in strict confidence until the report was released. Unfortunately, due to my very busy tax season, I have been preoccupied and suddenly realized that the report should have been released to the public. After visiting the State Board of Accounts website, I obtained a copy of the report and noticed that the CASH SHORT finding remained in the document.

So, in my audit world when our firm discovers client cash shortages exist, our clients generally start an investigation into the cause and circumstances and institute procedures to remedy future occurrences. Why would your Utility be an different? Most people would think that if told that a CASH SHORT situation existed, an investigation into the causes and final outcome would be in order? Of course the auditors are NOT investigators, they are examiners. Our firm, after auditing an organization, has been interviewed by investigators…my question was very simple, “What is the status of the investigation” meaning I was doing my job as an elected official to oversight, remember those nasty checks and balances and assumed you would be doing your job safeguarding the treasury. I fully expected to hear the findings, causes, and procedures implemented to prevent future occurrences. I’m puzzled why you are focusing so much on my question and more amazed that $400,000 is unaccounted for and you did not institute your own internal investigation!! Apparently,not because Mr. Mount’s only response was “that was over a year ago” but oddly enough the report findings posting to the public is only 60 days ago…and he said “I has been taken care of” How has it been resolved? What procedures implemented? Any irregularities? I guess we will just have to accept the fact that $400,000 is immaterial in your world. I must emphasize that I said investigation, not CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION!!

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ OUR READERS POLL QUESTION AND CAST YOUR VOTE ACCORDINGLY. 

Governor’s Communications Director Announces Departure

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Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today accepted the resignation of his Communications Director, Christy Denault. Denault, who has an eight-year-old and triplets who are six, is departing the Pence Administration to spend more time with her family. Prior to her role in the Pence Administration, she served on the Governor’s campaign and worked for Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, in addition to communications roles in the private sector and higher education.

 

“Since day one, Christy Denault has served this administration with selfless dedication and professionalism,” said Governor Pence. “Christy set a standard for communicating Indiana’s success with integrity and she will be sorely missed. I will always be grateful for her service and wish her every blessing as she takes time to focus on her family following this season of service to the people of Indiana.”

 

In her letter of resignation, which can be found attached, Denault thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve Indiana as part of the Pence Administration. Denault will remain on staff until May 22 to allow time for a replacement to be hired.

 

Lt. Governor Ellspermann Opposes Proposed National Guard Funding Cuts

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Co-signs letter to President with 24 other Lt. Governors

INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann joined 24 other Lt. Governors in a letter to President Obama opposing the administration’s proposed budget cuts for the National Guard.  The 2016 Army budget eliminates 8,000 Army National Guard positions. The letter states,

“As a unique state-based military force, the National Guard is the only military force that is shared by the states and the federal government. It is a ready, reliable, and essential force that responds to national disasters and emergencies, and is critical to peace and security at home and abroad.”

The Lt. Governor noted that Indiana has the 4th largest National Guard in the United States with a force of 15,800 civilian and military personnel.  She added, “The Indiana National Guard has served the citizens of Indiana and has provided well-trained forces to support the cause of freedom throughout the world. The Guard has also been critical in enhancing Indiana’s military assets including the development of the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center.”

“Much our Indiana National Guard’s success has been under the outstanding leadership of General Martin Umbarger who next month is concluding his eleven years of service as Indiana’s Adjutant General and 45 years in the National Guard.  Throughout his career he has earned the respect of his troops, his colleagues in state government and the citizens of Indiana.  I am honored to support National Guard funding on behalf of citizen-soldiers like General Umbarger and the men and women under his command.”

Democrat Chairman Accuses Winnecke of Pandering to Bosma

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Vanderburgh County Democratic Chairman Rob Faulkner today took issue with Mayor
Lloyd Winnecke’s silence on the City Council’s passage of a resolution opposing the controversial
Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).
He suggested the upcoming visit to Evansville by a key RFRA proponent might be motivating the Mayor.
The Council Monday approved the resolution 9-0, taking a strong stand against the controversial
measure that was pushed through the Indiana General Assembly by Winnecke’s fellow Republicans.
“A day after the council spoke with a unanimous voice, the Mayor hasn’t been heard from,” Faulkner
said.
He pointed out that Section 4 of the resolution reads, “The Mayor is invited to join in this resolution by
affixing his signature hereto.”
Winnecke has given no public indication of whether he intends to join in the resolution, which the city
clerk is directed to send to the Governor, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate,
Assembly members representing Southern Indiana, and other legislative leaders as deemed appropriate.
Faulkner tied Winnecke’s hands-off posture on the resolution to the planned visit to Evansville by
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma on April 22.
“It might be that Winnecke wants to avoid a lot of discomfort when Bosma comes to town to share the
stage with him at the Lincoln Day Dinner,” Faulkner said. “It appears he is siding with Bosma rather than
taking a stand to protect all the citizens of Evansville from discrimination.”

ST. MARY’S WELLNESS CENTER TO OFFER COUPLE’S SOCIAL DANCING

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St. Mary’s Wellness Center at Epworth Crossing will present three different opportunities for a great date night. The next session of Couple’s Social Dancing will offer East Coast Swing Level I, Night

Club Two-Step Level II and West Coast Swing Level I, beginning at the end of April. The classes are taught by David and Donna Koring, who have been instructors since 2003. Each class lasts for five weeks and is $65 per couple. Preregistration

is required by April 23. Dates and more information can be found below:

  • East Coast Swing Level I no prior experience necessary

Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.

April 27, May 4, 11, 18 & June 1. No class May 25.

  • Night Club Two-Step Level II

Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.

April 28, May 5, 12, 19, & June 2. No class May 26.

  • West Coast Swing Level I no prior experience necessary

Friday evenings from 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

May 1, 8, 15, 22 & June 5. No class May 29.

 

To register, please call 812-485-5725. For more information please visit StMarysEpworth.com/classes.

 

Governor Pence Invites Hoosiers to Submit Photos for Indiana Bicentennial Book

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 Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence is inviting amateur and professional photographers across Indiana to submit their favorite images of the state for possible inclusion in a coffee table book commemorating Indiana’s 200 years of statehood. The deadline to submit photos is May 15, 2015.

 

“As Hoosiers, we all know Indiana is a special place,” Governor Pence said. “We see the unique qualities of her cities and towns, her farms and forests. Most of all, we see the distinctive virtues of her people. This effort presents a unique opportunity for Hoosiers to take part in our state’s storied history and share their favorite photos around our state.”

 

Photos must be taken in Indiana and should reflect one or more of these categories: natural environment and landscape; buildings and architecture; cities and towns; farms and fields; the Hoosier people; schools and libraries; transportation; business and commerce; medicine and health; religion and philanthropy; government; media and communication; arts, culture and entertainment; and sports.

 

Images must be uploaded in .jpg/.jpeg format with quality resolution (300 dpi).

 

Use of photos will not be compensated, but photographers will receive a photo credit in the book. Photos will be reviewed and selected based on content, quality and space availability.

 

For more guidelines and information – and to upload photos – go to:http://mtpublishing.com/index.php/default/indiana200photos

 

“Indiana at 200: A Celebration of the Hoosier State” will contain approximately 240 pages and will be published by M.T. Publishing Company, Inc., which is under contract with the Indiana Bicentennial Commission. In addition to photos, each of the book’s 14 chapters contains essays and vignettes from Hoosiers around the state. Books are expected to be available for purchase around Statehood Day, December 11, of this year, and may be pre-ordered at www.mtpublishing.com .

 

“This commemorative book is a signature project for the Bicentennial Commission and a legacy for the State of Indiana,” said Perry Hammock, the commission’s executive director. “Four of our commission members—James Madison, Judge Sarah Evans Barker, Tony George and Mickey Maurer—have worked diligently to bring this project into being. We are proud to work with Indiana authors and an Indiana publisher.”

UE Spring Opera Production Set for April 24 and April 25

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“Mostly Menotti,” the University of Evansville Opera spring production, is Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., in Wheeler Concert Hall, Krannert Hall of Fine Arts. General admission is $10.

This production features three one-act American operas from the middle of the 20th century. Two were composed by Carlo Menotti, and one by Samuel Barber. Menotti provided the libretto for all three.

 

The evening opens with Menotti’s comic opera, The Telephone, or L’amour à trois. In this opera, Ben arrives at the apartment of Lucy with the intent of proposing. He is thwarted by her conversations on the phone, and then realizes the only way to get Lucy’s attention is to propose over the phone. The opera ends with a romantic duet.

 

Much darker in nature is Barber’s A Hand of Bridge (with a libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti).  In this opera, two married couples play a game of bridge. Told through a series of arias, each character reveals to the audience his/her own thoughts and desires.

 

The final opera is Menotti’s self-described “grotesque opera in 14 scenes,” The Old Maid and the Thief, which centers on spinster Miss Todd and her maid Laetitia. The arrival of a beggar upends the life of Miss Todd as she tries to keep him happy.

 

IS IT TRUE APRIL 16, 2015

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IS IT TRUE  recently the CCO predicted that you better get ready for a big property tax increase in a couple of weeks?  …   ready yourself for another big  increase in your water and sewer rates in the near future? …we received our property tax increase letter yesterday and it looks like we were correct about the increase?  … you better get ready for a big water rate increase?

IT TRUE previous estimates that the City engaged in approximately $6 million in deficit spending for 2014 were too low?….the $6 million number previously reported here was before we saw the 2014 Annual Report?….the 2014 Annual Report showed that $5 million in 2014 bills were held until 2015, with approximately $3 million being payment in health insurance benefits for City employees?….the 2014 Annual Report also demonstrated the City received a prepayment of 2015 revenue from the Utility to shore up 2014 in the amount of $2.4 million in December of 2014?….this $2.4 million was revenue calculated into the 2015 budget but was used in 2014?….with the funds from the Utility and bills held, the City was able to end the 2014 year positive $300,000?…..if the bills had not been held and 2015 revenue used, the City would have ended negative to the tune of approximately $7 million?  …this $7 million coupled with the overspending logged in the 2014 Annual Report of nearly $6 million demonstrates the Winnecke Administration accrued debts and made expenditures of about $13 million more than it took in for revenue in 2014?  …with the prepayment from the Utility, the revenue calculated for 2015 will be short $2.4 million? …2015 is shaping up to another deficit spending year and can be added to 2012, 2013 and 2014, which were also deficit spending years?

IS IT TRUE the glaring problem with the City of Evansville’s spending habits, and why it was truly negative right after getting an installment of property taxes in December, is the City is nearly 6 months behind in its tax and spend policy?  ….City Controller Russ Lloyd, Jr  was taking advances on the December property tax installment as soon as the numbers were secure enough for the Vanderburgh County Treasurer to release the funds?  …because the City was writing IOUs in the spring of 2014 leading up to the June property tax installment, the City’s operating account was almost immediately negative in July? …this started the IOU process all over again leading up to December, so that December revenue was spent on the past instead of the future? …the City normally spends about $5-6 million a month to operate, but the City spent an extra $5 million in January and February paying the bills carried over from 2014?…right now, the City’s operating fund is negative more than $22 million?

IS IT TRUE that Jonathan Weaver has taken to the airwaves last night regarding the Evansville Fire Department Ordinance requiring new hires with military experience to have an honorable discharge?  …the new ordinance has been found to be too broad in requiring an honorable discharge under federal law?  …the ordinance must be narrowed as there as several ways to separate from the military that are neither honorable nor dishonorable? …Weaver has blamed Al Lindsey for the ordinance and called him vindictive? …we wonder when it became the individual responsibility of City Council members to do legal research?…if anyone made an error in the EFD ordinance, it is the City Council attorney Scott Danks?….we are waiting for Weaver to call out Scott Danks as incompetent?….we suspect we’ll be waiting some time, as Weaver seems to have a pretty healthy fear of Mr. Danks?  …we also wonder why Weaver hasn’t called the Evansville Police Department vindictive, as they have the identical ordinance regarding their hiring practices in Evansville Municipal Code 2.175.100(A)(5) ? …it seems that Scott Danks was modeling the EFD ordinance after the EPD ordinance and assumed legality under the circumstances of the EPD ordinance being in place for years?  …we have yet to see Weaver call the EPD ordinance discriminatory or call for it to be amended?

IS IT TRUE it appears that Weaver has made a habit of attacking people on a personal level anyone who doesn’t agree with him? …it’s difficult however to determine exactly what Weaver’s position is on any given matter, as we have to wait for someone, usually Councilwoman Mosby or Mayor Winnecke, to tell him what it is? …of all of the members of City Council, Weaver is by far the least intelligent member and lacks any credibility when it comes to demonstrating an understanding of what is happening around him? …in more than three years, we’ve never seen him utter more than one sentence at a time, write an ordinance with substance , or come up with one single idea on his own  …we are hearing many people say “it would be shame if Weaver made it through the May 5th Primary, as he has absolutely nothing to offer the citizens of Evansville”?

IS IT TRUE three days after City Council passed a resolution demanding the repeal of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, they are still waiting to determine if Mayor Winnecke will join them?…..Winnecke’s failure to act has brought Vanderburgh County Democratic Chairman Rob Faulkner out of hibernation?….Faulkner issued a press release yesterday accusing Winnecke of pandering to Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma who is headed to Evansville to be the keynote speaker at the Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner?

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ OUR READERS POLL QUESTION AND CAST YOUR VOTE ACCORDINGLY.  ALSO PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ TODAYS FEATURE ARTICLE POSTED ON THE UPPER LEFT  HAND PAGE.

Plaza Park International Prep Academy to Host 60th Birthday Celebration

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Plaza Park is turning 60 and will host a special birthday celebration. From 6:30-8 p.m. , April 16, educators, students, families and alumni will gather at the school, located at 7301 Lincoln Ave., for a reception and party in honor of the milestone. Plaza Park officials are trying to reach Pacer alumni from each of its six decades to share stories, photos and memorabilia for the reunion.

In addition to the birthday party, the class of 1990 also will be celebrating by opening a time capsule at 9:30 a.m. on April 16. All class of 1990 students, faculty and staff are invited to that event as well.

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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