IS IT TRUE that registered voters of Vanderburgh County have cast the following votes as May 1, 2014 for the upcoming primary election? …here are those totals-Mailed ballots = 206, Walk-in ballots = 274 and Travel board ballots is 274 adds up to 754 total votes cast in the May 6, 2014 primary election?
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IS IT TRUE the public endorsement of Marsha Abell for County Commissioner by the Mayor and GOP party Chairmen Wayne Parke has caused a major split in the Republican party?… we hear if John Montrastelle and Bruce Ungethiem win a group of party faithful will publicly ask Mr. Parke to resign his position with the local GOP?…if the Mayor has future plans to run for state office he better not expect big support from the rural voters of Vanderburgh County because of his public support of Marsha Abell?
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IS IT TRUE that Marsha Abell states in her political mail out that she is “The True Republican For County Commissioner”?… here is a list of a few political donations from not so friendly supporters of the Republication party?  …this is a breakdown of interesting financial supporters listed in Marsha Abell’s January, 2014 financial report filed with the Vanderburgh County Clerks office?…Iron Workers 103 gave $1,500, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 136 gave $300, PBGP Political Action group from Indy gave $2,000, and IBEW PAC 16 gave $200  to Marsha Abell’s campaign?…Marsha Abell April, 2014 is even more interesting?
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IS IT TRUE were wonder why a law firm from INDY would give Marsha Abell an impressive political donation?…that Barnes and Thomburg, LLP  from Indy gave her a whopping $10,000 political donation so far towards her re-election bid?
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IS IT TRUE that the local GOP Central Committee lead by Wayne Parke gave Marsha Abell a whooping $10,000 so far in her re-election campaign?  …the local GOP Central Committee gave Bruce Ungethiem the same amount of money we charge people to read the CCO?…the amount is zero?
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IS IT TRUE if Marsha Abells political mailer is correct that she is the only “True Republican” in the race for County Commissioner why did GOP  Party Chairman Wayne Parke sign an official document on January 4, 2014 that certified Bruce Ungethiem was in good standing to run in the May 6, 2014 Republican primary?
IS IT TRUE a CCO reader who happens to be a Burdette Park supporter has told us that the Vanderburgh County Commissioners have plans to turn management of the park over to SMG at the first chance to do so?…the opportunity to do so will happen when Steve Craig, who has done a good job, is retired?… we hope it doesn’t mean a great public facility will go the way of Mesker Ampitheatre.
IS IT TRUE Â the Wall Street Journal reports today that Americans gained jobs at the fastest pace in more than two years last month and the jobless rate plunged, a sign the economy has rebounded from a winter rut?…Nonfarm employment grew a seasonally adjusted 288,000 last month?…according to the Labor Departement this marked the best month of job creation since January 2012 and the second-best month since the economy emerged from recession in mid-2009?..the “official” jobless rate fell to 6.3% from 6.7%, hitting the lowest level since September 2008?…statistically speaking on would think happy days are just over the horizon?…the “official” jobless rate has been exposed many times for excluding the long term unemployed, those who have given up, and even those who have decided to drop out of the workforce?…this amounts to another 6% of the workforce making the reality based unemployment rate 12.3% which is no reason to cheer but is indeed much better than the depths of the recession when that number was approaching 20%?
IS IT TRUE the other reality is that there are millions of people who have left the workforce and have found ways to survive without a traditional job?…many of these people are living in an off the grid manner by doing work for cash or in-kind payments?…coaxing these people back into the “official” work force will not be easy as life off the government’s radar screen has its appeal to many people?…in past recessions when prosperity returns the shortage of skilled workers has driven wages up and in some professions and locations that is happening now?…engineering and computer science graduates are writing their own tickets in the technology based cities like San Jose, Austin, Boston, and Boulder?…new graduates (yes that would be 23 year olds) are routinely commanding starting salaries well above $100,000 with experienced technical performers garnering $250,000 as non-management engineering professionals?…the same thing will happen naturally for people who have high demand skills where shortages exist in the available workforce?
Kevin Kaczmarski’s performance on the field this season has the Purple Aces baseball team in first place while his efforts in the classroom earned him recognition today as he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
The MVC-leading Purple Aces have relied on Kaczmarski as the spark plug in their lineup. The junior helped Evansville continue its success with a sweep of Bradley over the weekend. In the series, Kaczmarski hit .500 as he went 5-for-10 from the plate with a triple, 4 RBIs, two walks and did not strike out.
He leads the Aces in doubles (16), triples (4), home runs (4), RBIs (43), slugging (.536) and total bases (89). One of the top offensive weapons in the Valley, Kaczmarski leads the league in RBIs and is tied for the lead in doubles while tying for second in triples.
To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.
University of Southern Indiana baseball was remained the top ranked team in the second NCAA Division II Midwest Regional poll of 2014. The Screaming Eagles, who are ranked eighth in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Top 25 and 21st in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Top 30.
The Eagles (36-8, 26-4 GLVC) have won 15-straight games and 22 of their last 23 contests. USI concludes the 2014 regular season on the road this weekend when it travels to the University of Indianapolis for a four-game series.
NCAA II MIDWEST REGION RANKINGS
1. Southern Indiana
2. Grand Valley State
3. Drury
4. Wayne State (Mich.)
5. Lake Erie
6. Ashland
7. Indianapolis
8. Kentucky Wesleyan
It seems that Marsha Abell is trying hard to offend me. Some may say I’m wearing my feelings on my sleeve but I don’t think so.       Â
When asked about Bruce Ungetheim at the February Lincoln Day Dinner, she replied, “He’s just trying to be somebody, no matter what it is.” With that, I think, she placed herself on a pedestal and now looks down at Bruce and all the rest of us tax-paying, law-abiding citizens as just “nobodies.”
Perhaps she’s forgotten that Bruce Ungetheim was very instrumental on the CORE Committee that (with thousands of city and county voters) soundly defeated the City-County Consolidation effort put together by her downtown political clique (buddies.)Â I feel that we “peons” ARE somebodies, contributing daily to the well-being of the Evansville community.
Then last week, speaking to the Republican Federated Women’s Group, Marsha attacked the retired people. She stated that we (the retirees) “don’t put into the system what we pull out of it.” How dare she say that? And, it is interesting that the Courier-Press made no mention of that speech or its contents. Perhaps the Editor doesn’t want to offend potential retired voters by informing them of her egotistical attitude. I am a retiree and I am offended. As Marsha Abell alluded in that speech, I didn’t move to a smaller home to avoid high taxes. We still pay taxes on the dwelling we’ve called home for 55 years. She has forgotten about all the good contributions retirees make in our community. We do pay taxes!
I think it’s time we voters “retired” Marsha Abell from her seat on the Vanderburgh County Commission. All won’t be lost for her; she has political buddies who will find her another lucrative job.
Let’s get someone on the County Commission who is less egotistical; someone who will listen to the citizens and work for them. Let’s get someone in that seat who doesn’t have 20 years of political favors to repay.Â
I’m voting for Bruce Ungethiem. He will bring economic experience and leadership to the Commission. He will serve the people of our community with fairness and common sense.
 Darlene Zwahlen
Vanderburgh County Resident.
EDITORS FOOTNOTE: THIS LETTER IS POSTED BY THE CCO, WITHOUT OPINION, BIAS AND EDITING. CITY COUNTY OBSERVER INVITES ANY CANDIDATE OR THEIR SUPPORTERS TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR AND WE WILL PUBLISH.
The Public Library Friends will hold a smaller version of their popular book sale this weekend, May 3rd and 4th, in the Browning Events Room of Central Library at 200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Fiction, sci-fi, young adult, children’s and large type books will be available, along with DVDs and audiobooks. Most items are priced less than $2. Customers can browse the selections on Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Admission is free, and cash and checks will be accepted.
Proceeds from this event help fund Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library programs and projects.
Reitz High School Intramurals will host a Corn Hole Toss tournament this weekend with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Reitz Bowl. Cost is $20 per team and all ages are welcome. Each team is guaranteed four games followed by division tournaments. Prizes will be awarded for tournament winners and prizes will be given away throughout.
Teams can pre-register by contacting John Schellenberg at 812-499-7158 or on the day of the event from 1:30 to 2 p.m.
When does enough become too much? In the arena of public service it must be when office holders begin to see their service as a career or possibly when they begin measuring their tenure in decades. This is the case with County Commissioner Marsha Abel, an office holder who has done many good works over her long career of service as Clerk of the Courts, County Councilman, and now County Commissioner. I, like many, appreciate her many years of service. However, I, like others, believe it’s time for let someone else serve for the benefit of the community. I think the example former Commission Bill Nix gave is one that more in office should show by serving a term or two and then giving someone else a chance to provide their service. With the upcoming primary election on May 6th, I think that a new voice and perspective should be given a chance. Bruce Ungetheim is a voice and perspective whose time has come and who is certainly worthy of being heard and entrusted with the public good. With numerous infrastructure projects on the horizon, having the perspective and insight of an engineer like Bruce will be invaluable. In addition, his view of a limited role of local government will be a welcome addition as we continue to watch the growth of public debt. Bruce understands the importance of transparency in government and will work to bring easier access to the county’s audited financial statements, something not currently available. On May 6th join me in supporting Bruce Ungetheim for Vanderburgh County Commission, District 2, a new voice needed in Vanderburgh County Government. Richard A. Clements Evansville, Indiana. Editors Footnote:  This letter is posted by the CCO, Without opinion, Bias and Editing.  The CCO invites any candidate or their supporters to submit a letter to the editor and we will publish.
Legislation authored by State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) regarding municipal utility services was signed into law by Governor Pence.
House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1187 arose from constituent concerns in Warrick County and specifies in Indiana Code that a municipal utility’s offering or providing of water or wastewater service in an area outside of their corporate boundaries is under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
“HEA 1187 is a preemptive measure that prevents communities from having to turn to the courts when conflicts arise as to who provides sewage services to overlapping areas,†said Rep. Bacon. “Historically, such conflicts like in Chandler and Newburgh have negatively impacted both ratepayers and taxpayers, so my goal in authoring this legislation is to provide a shorter, clearer path to resolving these problems.â€
HEA 1187 also establishes the specific criteria that the IURC must consider in resolving service disputes involving municipal utilities.
“This is not about alleviating just one confined disagreement,†said Rep. Bacon. “Rather, this is about enacting good policy that ensures the well-being of Indiana’s communities, customers and businesses alike.â€
For the past semester, students enrolled in Reitz High School’s Feel the History class have been working to develop a video walking tour with City Preservation Officer Dennis Au. The video, which will be part of the Historic Preservation Month activities, tells the stories of more than 30 homes in Evansville’s Historic Riverside District. The videos highlight local architectural features and give biographical information about the men who built them.
To give the public a chance to learn more about the project, Feel the History is planning a premiere at the Reitz Home Carriage House on Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. The premiere will include a discussion of the project, explanation on how the public can access the videos on personal devices and personal stories from students who worked on the project. The premiere is free and open to the public.
After the premiere, Feel the History will utilize QR codes in locations around Evansville’s Historic Riverside District, making the videos available for viewing on mobile devices while visitors are walking the district. Each video runs from about 1 ½ to 2 ½ minutes in length.
