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IS IT TRUE February 17, 2015

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IS IT TRUE it looks like the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development is coming out of a 7 year coma under it’s new leader Kelley Coures, with respect to the McCurdy Hotel?…the City of Evansville is now saber rattling about enforcing fines and code violations unless the current owners (the Kunkel Group) follow through on their promises to start the refurbishment process?…we must all be reminded that the problem that is now in Kunkel’s lap got there through a contorted series of events started by a starry eyed Mayor of Evansville who recruited an out of town developer to take on this task with an oversized public incentive of $800,000 and another $603,000 gift of a parking lot?…let it also be etched in stone that this out of town developer never missed a chance to donate to the campaign fund of that former mayor while missing property tax payments on the McCurdy Hotel?…the historic building after the march of the octogenarians to their new quarters has fallen further and further into disrepair from neglect and vandalism that it may just be that this ship has sailed and it is time to swing the wrecking ball?

IS IT TRUE the same economic forces that have made the financing of the Phantom Convention Hotel impossible thus far are the same forces that have plagued every effort to refurbish the McCurdy Hotel?  .. .the sad reality is that both projects cost more to build than they are worth and private financiers will not touch these projects with a ten foot pole even with a substantial subsidy?  …in the case of the $24 Million Phantom Hotel that is now targeted to cost $36 Million the sad story has played itself out 4 times and is about to have a 5th go around with a dramatically lesser design?  …the McCurdy does not have the luxury of being dumbed down to save money on construction with it’s structural needs, infrastructure requirements, and mold mitigation?  …the reality is that the McCurdy will cost north of $12 Million to refurbish and when it is finished it will only have a value of a fraction of that?  …the only certainty with the McCurdy is that a delusional few years of city governance will be costing the taxpayers of Evansville at least $1,403,000 plus the cost to demolish it should it come to that?  …the McCurdy is a prime example of rubbish for public policy?

IS IT TRUE now that the dust has settled and the fires are out down at Marina Point there are many answers being sought about how the fire got started and who is responsible for all of the property losses that the alleged kicking over of a kerosene heater started?  …the one thing that the taxpayers of Evansville can be certain of that will happen is that lawsuits will be filed and insurance investigators will be on the scene?  …let the truth unfold should be the mantra surrounding this unfortunate occurrence?  …it has been reported that the fire that started the rest of the fires is now the subject of a criminal investigation?  …with investigators, police, and lawyers getting into the mix, we hope some truths come out soon?

IS IT TRUE we wonder if the EFD fireman assigned to operate the Fire Boat at Inland Marina fire had  a certified boat operator license?  …the Inland Marina Jon Boat and Fire Boat water nozzles not only can pump many of gallons of water per minutes but also has a 100 foot range?  …we wonder how many gallons water can the EFD Fire Boat pump per minute? …we wonder how many yards can the EFD Fire Boat pump? …if the EFD would had allowed Coast Guard Licensed Boat Captain Ron Riecken to use the Inland Marina Fire Boat and Jon Boat to help fight the boat fires the overall damages would had been substantially less?

IS IT TRUE there is much celebration among some circles about the reduction in the federal budget deficit this year?  …while it is a fact that the federal deficit has been reduced to half of its high of over $1 Trillion per year, the reality is that we as a country are still borrowing money to make ends meet?  …we dare our readers to try this for an extended period of time?  …we also would like to see the amazement on an audience’s faces if a financial planner advised them to borrow money to overspend by 30% and then congratulated them the next year for borrowing half as much to make ends meet?

IS IT TRUE charter high schools like Evansville’s Signature School and Bowling Green’s Gatton Academy routinely send their graduates to elite universities with two years of college credits already earned?  …lower ranked high schools that do not have the luxury of choosing their students routinely graduate students who need two years of remediation to be ready to take for credit freshman classes?  …it is disturbing that such a mental capacity differential can exist between graduates of public schools? …graduating seniors that can’t fill out a job application because of abysmal reading skills, show up for appointments on time, or balance a check book are prepared to do nothing but be a drain on society for the rest of their lives unless they right their own course?  …Morton Marcus was right in his weekly column that the best place to invest in training is at the high school level and that should extend to young adults who graduated from high school with no life skills whatsoever?

Please take time and vote in todays “Readers Poll”Copyright 2015           City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

EVSC Closed Tuesday

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The EVSC will once again be closed on Tuesday due to the road conditions. Again, when the EVSC is closed, all schools and offices also are closed.

St. Mary’s Medical Group physician is closed today

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Due to the winter weather several St. Mary’s Medical Group physician practices will be closed or closing early Monday, February 16th. Patients are advised to call ahead before coming.

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

http://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/recent-booking-records.aspx

Winter Storm to Impact Southern Indiana; Residents Urged to Prepare Now

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In partnership with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security the Indiana State Police is sharing this important weather related message.

A winter storm is expected to disrupt travel in southern Indiana this evening into Monday. Public safety agencies, including county emergency management agencies and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security are urging residents to prepare now for heavy snow and cold temperatures.

The National Weather Service predicts 4-8 inches of snow is possible for areas across southern Indiana. The heaviest snow is expected overnight into Monday, and will make commuting in the morning difficult.

Travel 

Heavy snowfall and windy conditions will make travel hazardous this evening through Monday. Hoosiers should carefully consider if travel is necessary during this time. Use a variety of sources to make an informed decision.

One of those sources is the Indiana County Travel Advisory Map. It’s updated with information from the county emergency management agencies and describes the conditions for a travel warning, watch, advisory and caution.

The map is available online at http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/, or on a mobile device by downloading the Indiana Travel Advisory app for iPhone (https://appsto.re/us/QHVw4.i) in the App Store, and Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.in.traveladvisory) in the Google Play Store.

Keep an eye on road conditions and closures across the state using the Indiana Department of Transportation’s TrafficWise service at trafficwise.in.gov.

In addition to these tools, stay aware of changing travel conditions by monitoring the local news, travel, weather and trusted social media sites and apps.

If travel is necessary, let someone know the planned route, expected time of arrival and contact information. Charge cell phones before leaving. Pack essential items such as high protein snacks, water, first aid kit, flashlight, warm blankets, extra prescription medications and important documents or information that might be needed during an emergency.

Have a Plan 

Strong winds may cause power outages. Residents should charge cell phones, laptops, and other devices now. Other items that should be gathered ahead of time include:

• Food and water for three days (includes three gallons of water per person, per day)

• Battery operated or hand crank all hazards radio

• Flashlight

• Extra batteries for radio and flashlight

• Extra clothing, warm blankets, sleeping bags for staying warm in your home if you lose power

• Special items (baby formula, insulin, medications)

 

Families should also take the time to check with neighbors and see if there’s anything they can do for each other before, during or after the storm.

 

Remaining in Stranded Vehicle Generally Safest Option; Continue to Wear Seat Belts

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

In partnership with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security the Indiana State Police is sharing this important weather related message.

With difficult travel expected in southern Indiana from Sunday night into Monday, motorists should consider if travel is necessary and prepare accordingly.

If travelers are involved in a crash or slide-off, encounter vehicle trouble, become stuck in the snow or otherwise have to stop during a car trip, it’s important to stay calm and remain in the vehicle. A vehicle is nearly always the best protection stranded motorists have from the wind and snow. Continue wearing seat belts, which can offer protection in the event of a collision after becoming stranded.

Drifting snow can make it difficult for other drivers to see anyone standing on or near roads. Leave traffic direction and other assistance to public safety professionals. “Certainly, if it’s a life-threatening situation, someone may need help,” said John Erickson with IDHS. “In general, however, it’s best to stay with your vehicle.”

Below freezing temperatures and the wind can create a dangerous situation where frostbite can occur in about 30 minutes or less. Stay in the vehicle and run the engine every hour for about 10 minutes to stay warm. Make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow or other blockage before running the engine to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Turn the headlights on when running the engine, so the vehicle can be seen.

Only leave a stranded vehicle if there is better shelter nearby that can be reached safely.

Drivers should slow down and move over for stranded motorists as well as emergency vehicles and snow plows.

Position Statement On Parks By 2nd Ward Candidate Steve Davis

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steve Davis
The quality of a community’s parks and recreation facilities is critical to a healthy and vibrant citizenry. Our current parks system is failing the citizens of Evansville and it shows. A 2013 Gallup poll put Evansville as one of the top 10 most miserable cities in the United States. Evansville came in at number eight. Additionally, Evansville was ranked the second worst city in the country in terms of healthy behavior. Evansville has one of the highest rates of smoking while simultaneously having one of the lowest percentages of residents to eat healthy or exercise regularly. Because of this, thirty percent of the city’s residents are considered obese.
A safe, quality park system with diverse sports and recreational opportunities for everyone will undoubtedly give residents the opportunity for a healthier and higher quality of life. Not only would this create an optimistic and happier community, it also is a key component to attracting businesses looking to locate in a mid-sized city. Evansville does have many positive attributes, but there are many negatives that are largely ignored. This leads to our community being overlooked for alternate cities like Louisville and Nashville.
The Evansville park system is one of the largest for any community of similar size in the United States. The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) operates and manages over 2300 acres. Included within the DPR is Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Garden which has undergone much needed and significant upgrades.
The DPR has been dealing with a decrease in both revenue and the public’s use of the park system. It also faces crime, broken and dilapidated equipment, and a workforce that is not big enough to keep up with maintenance. When quality goes down, usage goes down, which decreases revenue, and causes a further degradation of quality. It becomes a downward spiral. The budget for the DPR should focus on maintenance and repairs and reflect the value the community places on the park system. The current budget is just not sufficient to cover all the needs of the current parks system.
The crime issues in the parks system appear to be primarily crimes against property, although fighting and drug deals have occurred with more frequency in some of the parks in the city. These problems are not new and increased with the elimination of the Park Rangers. When the Park Rangers were eliminated, additional officers were not added to the Police or Sheriff’s Department. These departments are stretched to their working limits. There is currently not enough manpower to adequately patrol the park system and patrol residential areas that are experiencing higher than normal crime.
My plan is to sit down with civic, church, corporate and government leaders. We need to focus on quality instead of quantity. It’s time for the DPR to be reorganized and for us to reduce the amount of acreage we are trying to maintain. Long term leases with civic organizations are an option that I feel gives pride and ownership to its members and surrounding neighborhoods. I also think that we need to make tough decisions regarding whether acreage is truly needed or whether some areas of green space could generate some much needed revenue by returning to the tax rolls as housing or commercial development. One area that stands out immediately is the former home of Roberts Stadium. Could this area better serve the community as a residential area or as an expansion of McDonald’s Golf Course from 9 to 18 holes?
The reality of our situation is that we have more green space than we can maintain, and instead of creating tranquil places for families, we are harboring neglected playgrounds and giving vandals a place to do their unsavory deeds. The concern that I keep hearing from folks throughout our community is that they are not able to go to certain parks, because they are not safe, clean or well kept. We all need green space close to our homes, and we can accomplish this goal with a plan to reorganize the DPR. We have the bicycle and pedestrian master plan coming out and the ability to focus on connectivity and quality destinations. Together we must reorganize, downsize and upgrade our parks.
The quality of our park system is critical to our ability to attract high-paying, quality jobs. Evansville parks are already diverse but are too large of a park system to be adequately maintained. We need to work on quality. After an assessment is completed of the DPR, the community can partner with the city and develop a plan for everyone. We will definitely need a vibrant volunteer network and lots of public/private partnerships to take on various projects. The community needs to have input into how we reorganize and where we focus resources, but these choices are necessary to bring our parks up to the quality and safety standards we all deserve.

Haynie’s Corner Art District

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Haynie’s Corner Art District First Friday Series
Join us for this brand new programming opportunity!
Haynie’s Corner Art District is currently in the planning stages for a First Friday Series. The series will involve both locally owned businesses and the arts community. The goal behind this programming is to spur economic development for Haynie’s Corner Art District. Check out the calendar below, and scroll down to see how you or your business can become involved with this brand new series!

 
First Friday Calendar
All events will run from 6-9pm.
  • March 6
  • April 3
  • May 1
  • June 5
  • July 3
  • August 7
  • September 4
  • October 2

CALL TO ARTISTS/PERFORMERS
In partnership with Haynie’s Corner Art District Association, the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana will be accepting artist applications to participate in the upcoming First Friday Series. You can find the link to the application below.
It is free to participate for artists, performers, and businesses. Any questions about the application process may be directed to Reva Bourgasser at reva.bourgasser@artswin.org.

HCAD on Facebook
Get up to date on what’s going on in your art district by liking them on Facebook.
Want to become a sponsor?
Email us to find out how your business can support the First Friday Series.
Are you a HCAD business?
 Want to be involved in First Fridays? Join us! It’s free to participate!

AG Zoeller: “Tax season is also scam season”

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Next Do Not Call list sign-up deadline is Feb. 17

INDIANPOLIS – Scammers aiming to defraud consumers during tax season are out in full force, said Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller.

In one of the most common phone scams the Attorney General’s Office has seen in recent months, criminals call consumers claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and demand immediate payment of past-due taxes. Scammers might threaten arrest and jail time if the payment is not received immediately, and usually request that the money be paid back though the purchase of pre-paid cards.

The Attorney General’s Office has received nearly 200 complaints about this scam in January and February so far, and more than 1,100 complaints were received in 2014. One consumer who filed a complaint with the AG’s Office says the caller threatened to take her home, her driver’s license and have her arrested unless she paid $3,900. Another consumer was told tax evasion charges had been filed against him at the local courthouse.

Consumers who receive a call like this should hang up immediately. The IRS will never initiate contact over the phone. They will always reach out first through official correspondence by mail. Additionally, the IRS will never ask for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the phone.

“Tax season is also scam season,” Zoeller said. “Criminals prey off of complicated tax processes and use fear tactics to victimize well-intentioned taxpayers. While many people may dislike the IRS, they won’t call you and threaten to send you to jail.  Educating consumers about these scams and how to avoid them is critical because once money is paid to a scammer, it is almost impossible to recover.”

Zoeller urges consumers to register their cell or landline phone numbers on the state’s Do Not Call list by Feb. 17, the next quarterly deadline to sign up.

“Having your number on the Do Not Call list not only deters unwanted telemarketing calls, it acts as a red flag warning you that the call you are receiving may be a scam,” he said.

To sign up, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1.888.834.9969. Individuals do not need to re-register unless their address has changed.

If you think you’ve been targeted by the IRS scam, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040 to confirm the call you received was fraudulent. You should also report the scam to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office by filing a complaint online at www.IndianaConsumer.com or by calling 1.888.834.9969.

Zoeller said another serious threat during tax season is tax identity theft, in which a criminal uses a legitimate taxpayer’s personal information to file a tax return. This can happen if a criminal obtains access to information like your Social Security Number, which could also be done through IRS impersonation.

A common tactic is for criminals to send out scam emails that claim to be from the IRS and request personal or financial information. Do not respond to unsolicited emails like this. Instead, forward the message to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

Tax-related identity theft was the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014. Additionally, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office received 353 complaints about tax ID theft in 2014, and 11 complaints in recent months.

Zoeller said the best protection to avoid these tax-related scams is to file your taxes as early as possible to get ahead of criminals.

For more tips on preventing identity theft, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com/idtheft and for tips on avoiding telephone scams, visit www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2539.htm.

Consumers who are targeted in any of these tax-related or other scams can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1.800.382.5516.

UE’s Delta Sigma Pi Presents Business Leadership Awards

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The University of Evansville’s chapter of Delta Sigma Pi bestowed its annual business awards on Thursday, February 12 in a ceremony on UE’s campus.

Pat Wempe, co-owner of ProRehab, PC, was given the Business Leader of the Year award. Chris Traylor, co-president of Traylor Brothers, Inc., received the Business of the Year award on behalf of the company. Alissa Fricke was presented the Young Business Leader of the Year award.

Wempe earned his bachelor of science in physical therapy degree from UE, and completed certification as developed by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. He is a board certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy and a NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist.

ProRehab, founded in 1999, has corporate headquarters and locations in Evansville, Indiana, along with sites in Newburgh, Haubstadt, Vincennes and Rockport, Indiana, and Henderson, Madisonville and Bowling Green, Kentucky. It sends volunteer therapists to a clinic in Haiti, and is a clinical education site for university professional programs.

Traylor Brothers, Inc., was founded in 1946 by William F. Traylor. The company was later led by his son Thomas W. Traylor, and is now under the guidance of the third generation: co-presidents Christopher and Michael Traylor. One of the nation’s leading heavy civil contractors, the company handles bridge, underground, and marine projects.

The firm’s home office is in Evansville, Indiana. The company also has offices in Alexandria, Virginia, and Long Beach, California.

Fricke graduated from UE with a degree in communication. At UE she received the Mabel Dillingham Nenneker Outstanding Senior Service Award for most outstanding senior woman and was the student elected member of the Board of Trustees and Alumni Association Board of Directors. Fricke serves as mentor to UE students and in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She is president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association. In June 2014, she started Thrive Marketing Strategies.

Delta Sigma Pi is a professional fraternity organized to foster the study of business in universities; to encourage scholarship, social activity, and the association of students for their mutual advancement by research and practice; to promote a closer affiliation between the commercial world and students of commerce; and to further a higher standard of commercial ethics and culture and the civic and commercial welfare of the community.

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