Home Blog Page 6464

IS IT TRUE September 30, 2014

33
Mole #??
Mole #??

IS IT TRUE David Coker authored an excellent article in the CP on the industrial history of the City of Evansville?…his words about feeling pride when watching the “Price is Right” game show and hearing about Evansville being the place that boat trailers were made triggered similar memories in this author?…back in the day Evansville really did have a brand and that brand was “a place where things are made”?…from the LST, to Chrysler, to Bucyrus Erie, to Servel, to Faultless, to Whirlpool, Evansville always was a place for heavy industry to make products to sell to consumer markets?…that Evansville is gone much through the evolution of globalization but also by the stodgy failure to adapt to the world as it changed?…Evansville is of course not alone among the cities of industrial America to be bypassed by the winds of change but it has been bypassed none the less?…times were very different when one could trade a high school diploma for a union card and a good paying factory job?…as Bruce Springsteen sang “those jobs are gone and they ain’t coming back” so it is time for Evansville to get to the business of creating an atmosphere where job creation will occur naturally (to borrow a line from the 2011 Winnecke campaign)?

IS IT TRUE there is an order in which an entity with limited resources can make such an atmosphere possible?…prioritizing fun and games to the top is simply not in the accomplishment playbook?…for an atmosphere of achievement to take root first a place has to be desirable to creators of good jobs?…that includes a working sewer system without an EPA sword of Damocles hanging over the citizens wallets, walk friendly sidewalks, a good water system, safe neighborhoods, and excellent schools?…all of these are “must haves” to attract or even retain the kind of people who are vital to a vital and sustainable economy?…after the “must haves” are in place things like pristine public parks and bike friendly transportation corridors can be brought online?…only after these things are in place should fun and games projects on the public dole be considered?…Evansville of course has this backwards and thus it has a chronic identity problem?…when the “must haves” are in place an identity will start to emerge as it did back in the day?…until then the fun and games dole projects are not only bankrupting us, they are preventing a natural identity from happening?…we have to stop putting lipstick on a pig to start a real transformation process?

IS IT TRUE that other editorial writers that contribute to the literary world of Evansville, Indiana are awakening to the idea that income must exceed spending to manage a city responsibly?…they even seem to have figured out how to maintain a household on a known income stream?…the missing piece in scaling such a thing to a tax revenue dependent entity like the City of Evansville is that knowing what the revenue is going to be with the exactness of a weekly paycheck is impossible?…Mayor Winnecke has presented a best case revenue plan to develop a budget that spends every dime?…the bulk of the City Council is trying to force a worst case revenue budget and craft the spending to that?…the only logical choice is to go with the lowest revenue estimate to craft a budget and increase spending (or debt reduction) later If things work out for the best on the revenue side?…the old political trick of overestimating revenues and borrowing he difference is no way to run a government?

IS IT TRUE that CCO columnist and former GAGE president Joe Wallace has been named as one of three finalists for the Inland Empire Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award for 2014 for his role as Chief Innovation Officer of the Coachella Valley Innovation Hub?…the Inland Empire is a region of Southern CA that is roughly the equivalent of a Midwestern state in population and economic activity?…the CViHub in only three years has attracted 30 start-up companies that have a collective valuation of over $100 Million and has been projected to have a $12.5 Billion economic impact over the next 20 years by Dr. John Husing?…those who are interested can read about the awards at www.inlandspiritawards.com?
Sent from my iPad

Officers recover handgun and a stolen car following overnight car chase, suspect arrested

0

 

Evansville Police arrested 20 year old Darius Sears following a car chase Saturday night.
Officers attempted to stop a suspicious car near Covert and Joyce. The driver, Sears, led officers on a chase until he crashed at Riverside and Vann. Sears ran from the crash, but was apprehended by an EPD K-9 Unit a short time later.
The car Sears was driving had been reported stolen. Officers also found a handgun in the car.
Sears was arrested on charges including Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and Possession of a Handgun Without a Permit.
user30769-1411916017-media1_b1adaa_192_240_PrsMe_

West Terrace Elementary School Invites Visitors in Honor of Disaster Preparedness Month

0

EVSC
Monday, Sept. 29
8:20 – 3 p.m.
West Terrace Elementary School, 8000 West Terrace Dr.

It’s never too early for children to learn what to do in a disaster. On Monday, students at West Terrace Elementary School will have the opportunity to learn directly from the experts as the school invites the Perry Township Fire Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department and Deaconess’ Air Evac team in honor of Disaster Preparedness month.

Beginning at 8:20 Monday morning, students will have the opportunity to participate in the fire department’s smoke house and special obstacle course. Students also will hear a presentation by the Sheriff’s Department. At approximately 10 a.m., Deaconess’ Air Evac helicopter will make a special appearance and land on the school’s baseball field.

IS IT TRUE September 29, 2014

63
Mole #??
Mole #??

IS IT TRUE that the appearance of chaos and disorganization this weekend with the City County Observer is a result of an aggressive attack on this publication by an outside entity that would prefer that this publication did not exist?   …we are presently working on addressing this issue and hope to correct  this problem in a couple of days?  …we want to thank you for you patiences in this matter?

IS IT TRUE after we published this status of the Real Clear Politics polling average for the United States Senate on Friday another poll came out that shifted the projections of another seat into Republican hands?…the projected outcome now has 52 Senate seats in republican hands and 45 democrats with 3 independents?…two of the independents already caucus with the democrats but the leader in Kansas has pledged to caucus with the majority party and has a healthy dose of libertarian leanings?…the other big news in national politics is that Attorney General Eric Holder has announced that he is leaving the Obama Administration as soon as a replacement can be confirmed?…this is a certain signal that the democrats are resigned to losing the Senate because Holder’s departure prior to seating a new congress will make his successor’s confirmation more favorable for democrats?

IS IT TRUE the secret opening of the bidding to construct the downtown hotel project has still not been released to the public?…you can bet that if the bids were overwhelmingly favorable that there would have been a celebratory press release and yet another golden shovel moment scheduled?…the longer these secrets remain a secret, the more it looks like there is still trouble in the martini sipping paradise?…the rubber meets the road Wednesday when the latest version of a construction agreement will expire unless there is proof of loan approval by HCW for a hotel complex that meets the RFP that was issued 2 years ago?…we must remember that there was a minimum room number on that RFP and if HCW comes in below that all of the work done including the $20 Million handout are null and void?…you can bet that if silly giddy ceremony is not announced by tomorrow that there is indeed trouble in hotel paradise?

IS IT TRUE a snippet or two has been emerging from the shadows about just what the changes to the hotel were to drive some of the cost out of the bids?…it was widely discussed that 8 rooms would be eliminated but that 8 has now turned into 12 and the total will now be 245 instead of 257?…that is only 5 more rooms than CVB president Bob Warren says is the minimum required to attract conventions?…that word minimum is beginning to be the “identity” of the stripped down hotel?…the new 10 story height with a restaurant and bar look nearly identical to the former Executive Inn?…maybe a facelift would have accomplished the same thing that this 6 year cluster@?/$ is about to result in?

IS IT TRUE the 2013 audit of the City of Evansville happened on time and once again the opinion is “unqualified”?…of course the 17 pages of descriptions of “adverse” opinions with respect to GAAP (generally accebpted accounted practices) remains just like it has for over 10 years?…as long as a laundry list of violations does not result in any consequence other than a “dear Russ letter” nothing will ever change?…we wonder why the State of Indiana even bothers to have audits if a rotten report card for compliance still results in the highest grade possible?…it is sort of like giving the dumbest kid in the class an A after writing a letter of failure to the parents?…the audits are seeming to be pretty useless these days?

IS IT TRUE going back to the hotel there are some who are saying that the price has run off of the rails because the parking garage capacity has been doubled?…if and we do mean if this is the case, then the parking garage expansion should be paid for from the IU Medical School budget instead of the hotel budget?…300 additional spaces in high rise parking by traditional metrics would add about $6 Million to the cost?…deducting 12 rooms will only save about $1.6 Million but will devalue the hotel by $1.2 Million so as far as financing the project is concern the downsizing will have little impact?

Coalition announces legislative agenda aimed at public fraud

0

timthumb.php

By Lesley Weidenbener
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – A group of officials representing local, state and federal governments will push a series of legislative proposals meant to protect public funds and speed the recovery of taxpayers dollars lost to fraud.

The Public Integrity Coalition announced a 2015 agenda on Friday that includes additional whistleblower protections for public employees who report misappropriated funds and changes to insurance policies that cover losses due to employee theft.

“The vast majority of our public servants are honest and trustworthy,” said Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller in a statement. “But there are a few who violate the public trust and steal from taxpayers which gives everyone in government a bad reputation.”

Zoeller is among state members of the coalition, which also includes officials at the county, city, town, township and school level as well as the U.S. attorney for Northern Indiana and others.

The group organized in April and developed its agenda throughout the summer. Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, plans to carry the coalition’s legislation.

The coalition focused in part on recovering taxpayer funds. When the State Board of Accounts requires an official to repay funds after a misappropriation, the attorney general’s office serves as the state’s collection agent and seeks to recover the money. Since January 2009, state audits have sought repayment of nearly $8 million at all levels of local and state government. Any part of a loss not covered by a surety bond or crime insurance policy is a defendant’s personal responsibility to repay.

“The Public Integrity Coalition’s review found gaps in insurance or bond coverage that tightening up state laws would fix,” Zoeller said. “Deterring wrongdoing is important, and public employees who know that misappropriation is taking place can help. The coalition wants to remove barriers to employees reporting their suspicions so the theft or embezzlement can be halted before it snowballs into a huge loss.”

The proposals include:

Whistleblower protection. Whistleblowers who are terminated, demoted or discriminated against for their efforts would be entitled to receive reinstatement with the same seniority, twice the amount of back pay lost, interest and attorneys’ fees.
Bonds and insurance coverage. Any employee in a public office or school who handles money – including clerical staff – would be required to have a bond or a crime insurance policy. Currently, elected officials already must obtain $30,000 surety bonds, which serve as a type of insurance policy against employee theft. If an audit discovers misappropriation, bonds can be redeemed to reimburse government for the loss.
Searchable bonds. All officials’ bonds would be filed with the State Board of Accounts – in addition to local county recorders’ offices – to make them searchable and more transparent.
Better chance of full recovery, earlier. The law regulating official bonds would be clarified to ensure that enough coverage is in place to protect taxpayers. The bill would also would make the state a party in the insurance policies that local governments and schools purchase.
Town clerk-treasurers and vacancies. Towns would have the ability to sign interlocal agreements with other communities to handle the duties of clerk-treasurers if the office holder dies or resigns. The bill would allow a town to contract with a certified public accountant to fill the vacancy on an interim basis until a new clerk-treasurer is elected.
Charbonneau called the proposals “common-sense business safeguards” and said they will allow “all Hoosiers to have confidence their tax dollars are being used appropriately.”

Since January 2009, more than 250 certified audits identifying nearly $8 million in misappropriation have been referred to the attorney general’s office for collection. In total, the office has sought to collect more than $14 million, including amounts from certified audits that pre-date Zoeller’s administration.

Lesley Weidenbener is executive editor of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

EPD ACTIVITY REPORT SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

0

SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.EPD-PATCH-2012-150x150
DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671

.EPD Activity REPORTS 9.27.2014

EDG Offers “Made in Evansville” Community Pride T-shirts

0

artscouncilThe Evansville Design Group announces an exciting new venture, “Made in Evansville.” Many unique products, services, ideas and people have been “made” in Evansville. The Made in Evansville campaign celebrates Evansville’s local pride and history through designs, inspired by or directly printed from vintage logos, labels, and advertisements.

Periodically, EDG will offer new, limited-quantity designs inspired by Evansville products and traditions, in addition to the continuously offered “Made in Evansville” design. The current designs include the Evansville Brewing Association, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s “Monkey Ship”, and the P-47 Thunderbolt.

These designs are being offered on high-quality t-shirts in men’s and women’s sizes. Eventually, EDG hopes to offer these designs on other products as well. Made in Evansville will serve as a fundraiser for the EDG to promote design education and enrichment in our city.

Shirts can be viewed and ordered from www.madeinevansville.com and picked up after October 17 at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana (318 Main Street, Suite 101, Evansville, IN 47708), Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Open forum weekend

2

jester

Commentary: Yeah, thank you for your service

0

DanCarpenter2014-2-298x400
By Dan Carpenter
TheStatehouseFile.com

For all the stirring platitudes about never forgetting their sacrifices, the U.S. government historically has found it far easier to send men and women off to war than to care for them when they come marching and limping home.

Dan Carpenter is a columnist for TheStatehouseFile.com and the author of “Indiana Out Loud.”
Dan Carpenter is a columnist for TheStatehouseFile.com and the author of “Indiana Out Loud.”
Compounding the insult upon injury is the tendency of politicians to use troops and veterans as fodder in their own domestic wars for self-aggrandizement.

Aggravating that crime is the bald hypocrisy of accusing the other side of indifference toward veterans while refusing to put money where the mouthing, and the need, are.

Commentary button in JPG – no shadowMaking war is capitalism, Marx will tell you. Making whole those who have to fight them is socialism, where nobody profits but the ordinary Joes and Janes who did the fighting.

It’s been ever thus, even if Fox News would have you believe the current medical scandal at the Department of Veterans Affairs is another Barack Obama invention.

It started before they drove the Bonus Army out of Washington in 1932, violently ending a protest over deferred pay from World War I.

It started before Coxey’s Army marched on D.C. in 1894, demanding bonuses.

It started about when the nation did, in 1783, when Revolutionary War veterans descended on the then-capital of Philadelphia and demanded Congress reverse the denial of separation pay.

I don‘t go back quite that far, but I did a lot of news reporting on the widespread complaints of inadequate medical care and other benefits by Vietnam Era vets; and continuing disgruntlement by veterans and their organizations – both militant and “establishment” – on through to the present.

One day during the 1980s, I was being led with other journalists on a tour of the Roudebush West 10th Street VA Medical Center by a supervising psychiatric nurse. It was a congenial exercise in PR for the most part. Then someone asked why there was a waiting list for some important services.

“That’s what you get,” the man said before briskly moving us on, “when you elect Ronald Reagan president.”

Reagan, the champion of military spending, made veterans’ benefits part of his equally famous social services cuts. But it’s been the wars of the Bushes that have really swamped the VA. And the proudly patriotic conservatives don’t seem to mind as long as the party label’s right. They reelected President George W. Bush and then-Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., back at mid-decade without demanding that they rethink budget cuts for veterans’ services. Buyer, as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, acquiesced to VA underfunding that his predecessor, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., had consistently fought. Having former VA chief and U.S. senator Max Cleland, a triple amputee from the Vietnam War, campaign for Buyer’s opponent in 2006 didn’t help enough, if any. But then, Cleland had lost his Senate seat in 2002 to a rightwing assault that likened him to Osama bin Laden. What have you done for us lately, Max?

Underfunding of veterans’ needs continues. As does politics. Republicans who successfully filibustered last winter against socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders’ bill to relieve the VA of the pressures of scarce resources are now demanding the head of the VA director and using this current issue, grave as it admittedly is, as a club against Obama, public health care in general and Democrats in November. (Meanwhile, their comrades in the House, who cut embassy security funding, are re-investigating Benghazi.)

Veterans’ organizations, to their credit, are firing back, Indy’s own American Legion being an unfortunate exception thus far. A bitter war of words is under way. Without doubt, the next shooting war is on its way as well. More veterans to love.

Dan Carpenter is a freelance writer, contributor to The Indianapolis Business Journal and the author of “Indiana Out Loud.”

THE FOUNTAIN OF TRUTH

0

Gavel Gamut

By Jim Redwine

(Week of 02 June 20144)

THE FOUNTAIN OF TRUTH

 

Juan Ponce de Leon (1460 – 1521) “discovered” what he called Florida (place of flowers)in 1513. This discovery was a surprise to the Calusa Indians already living there. The Calusasdrove him out once but he was a slow learner and returned to Florida only to receive an arrow inhis thigh from which he died.Ponce de Leon was looking for gold and the fabled Fountain of Youth. Had he stumbledinto Florida today he would have been met by a tribe consisting of slow moving, white hairedpeople wearing an assortment of checkered shorts and speaking in several dialects of Italian andYiddish. However, the arrows would still be flying at him from the car windows and honkinghorns.The only youth to be found in Florida comes from Hispaniola and other less exoticclimes. This portion of the Sunshine State culture amuses itself by darting in and out and inbetween the vehicles of old people whose rear bumpers are an irresistible attraction. With the old people driving in erratic jerks and young people being jerks, a mere trip tothe store can often result in impassioned (well, not too passionate by the old people) displays ofarms and middle fingers. Ponce de Leon only went to Florida because his boss, the King of Spain, fired him asGovernor of Puerto Rico and replaced him with Columbus’s son. Ponce de Leon had originallycome to America along with Columbus on his second voyage. This sense of being “dissed” bythe King burned a hole in de Leon’s psyche such that he kept looking for redemptive revenge. Ofcourse, he sought his redemption as all Europeans did, at the expense of the Native Americans.In this instance, the Indians won.Ponce de Leon may have been the first tourist to Florida but, as millions of pasty facedmigrants from New York, New Jersey and even Indiana would prove he was only the first.Florida has no natives. The Indians, Calusa, Seminole, etc., have been evicted. People born inFlorida flee the state to avoid the invasion from the snow birds. And, because The Fountain ofYouth is now sought only in the tender care of plastic surgeons, all the explorers are dead.There are activities for old people in Florida, mainly shuffleboard, bocce and golf.However, golf in Florida has its own rules. Everyone must play as fast as their pacemakers allow and crowd right up against the tottering foursome in front of them while the shot sprayers behind occasionally do hit the ball more than seventy-five yards right into the forward group. Of course,these conditions result in about the same kind of pleasantries as occur on the streets.Ah, well, Peg and I will soon return to JPeg Ranch where all I need to worry aboutdodging are Peg’s orders.

1...6,4636,4646,465...7,357Page 6,464 of 7,357