EPD Activity Report: March 21, 2014
Commentary: Thanking our leaders for small favors
By Dan Carpenter TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – You can call it a mountain laboring to give birth to a mouse: weeks of posturing and parrying over a “signature†tax proposal that only slightly turns the screws of a failed status quo.
Dan Carpenter is a columnist for TheStatehouseFile.com and the author of “Indiana Out Loud.â€
You can call it an affirmation of Einstein’s definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting – or promising – a different result.
Either way, the Great Business Tax Cut Showdown appears to have resolved itself pretty much in keeping with the rest of the results of the 2014 Indiana General Assembly session – with lots of room for relief and self-congratulation on both sides and little of substance accomplished for a state in dire need of some economic democracy.
The compromise that Gov. Mike Pence has indicated readiness to accept phases in the reduction of an already ludicrously low corporate tax rate, with options for local government entities to decide on personal property tax cuts — and supposedly, insulation against an estimated $1 billion hit to budgets that already can’t fix streets and pay police and teachers.
Whether the $1 billion figure is accurate, the loss would be real money, as distinct from the billions in new investment and job creation for which Indiana’s serial gifts to the top echelons have consistently left us waiting.
Cut corporate taxes, eliminate the inheritance tax, cripple collective bargaining, shovel contracts and subsidies into every scheme that comes from the well-connected, and voila! The Pence-Daniels-Bosma miracle, envy of Illinois, a businessman’s paradise with high unemployment, high poverty, low buying power, poor health, a sickly environment and municipalities on life support.
Einstein’s definition of insanity. It shouldn’t take a genius.
When one is governed by men whose imagination begins and ends with privilege and partisanship, one learns to be thankful for anticlimax.
No chance for marriage equality in Indiana, unless and until the federal courts intervene; but at least the law is unlikely now to be reinforced by a constitutional amendment. A pathetically timid preschool pilot, but at least the Trojan horse of voucher expansion got removed from it.
Mass transit for Central Indiana that may have to have bake sales and car washes to pay the fare, but at least it’s out of the station.
Egregious, probably unconstitutional, religion-based restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion; but with loopholes through which a woman may pursue her rights.
Guns in schools, if locked in the trunk. They’re already there, of course; but the National Rifle Association needs a token of love every year.
For the most part, it’s a good thing that big ideas are not the forte of this big GOP majority. The entire education and criminal justice systems might be run by the Walton family by now.
On the other hand, we’d have health care for roughly 400,000 low-income Hoosiers – at Washington’s expense – if fear of administrative adventure and Barack Obama weren’t keeping our governor from pulling the trigger as our “backward†cousins in Kentucky happily have done. And if we wanted to inject fuel into the economy where the tanks are empty, the legislature could raise the minimum wage. That’s an area where, not so long ago, we actually were ahead of Washington, with both parties on board.
Oh well. We got God and guns as usual, but not too much of either. Pretty light on the guts as well, which, by the standards we progressives set for this Statehouse, makes us three for three.
Dan Carpenter is a freelance writer, a contributor to Indianapolis Business Journal and the author of “Indiana Out Loud.â€
Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records
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VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, March 17, 2014 – Thursday, March 20, 2014.
Andru Beasley                  Domestic Battery-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Intimidation-Class D Felony
(Habitual Offender Enhancement)
Robert Fisher                    Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Theft-Class D Felony
Damion Floyd                    Operating a Motor Vehicle after Forfeiture of License of Life-
Class C Felony
Jose Garcia                         Domestic Battery-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Ricky Kiper Jr                     Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony
Failure to Stop After Accident Resulting in Damage to Unattended
Vehicle-Class B Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle with an ACE of .08 or More-Class C Misdemeanor
Charity Lively                    Intimidation-Class D Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct-Class B Misdemeanor
Joshua Roach                     Receiving Stolen Property-Class D Felony
3/18
Roderick Evens Jr              Theft-Class D Felonies (Two Counts)
Tarkea Hanes                    Theft-Class D Felonies (Two Counts)
David Darnell Jr                Burglary-Class B Felony
Theft-Class D Felony
Christopher Emery          Operating a Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture of License for Life-
Class C Felony
Joseph James                    Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Pregnant Woman-Class C Felony
Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
Alfred Lafayette               Theft-Class D Felony
James Ruby                        Residential Entry-Class D Felony
Invasion of Privacy-Class A Misdemeanor
3/19
Bart Anderson                   Operating a Vehicle as an Habitual Traffic Violator-Class D Felony
Daniel Duke                       Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class D Felonies (Two Counts)
Resisting Law Enforcement-Class D Felony
Kevin Frazier                     Auto Theft-Class D Felony
Theft-Class D Felony
Criminal Mischief-Class D Felony
Christopher Gross           Operating a Vehicle as an Habitual Traffic Violator-Class D Felony
Operating a Vehicle with an ACE of .08 or More-Class C Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Joseph James                    Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Pregnant Woman-Class C Felony
Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
Blake Ramsey                    Theft-Class D Felony
(Habitual Offender Enhancement)
Jason Stuard                      Burglary-Class B Felony
Theft-Class D Felony
(Habitual Offender Enhancement)
Joseph Webb                    Theft-Class D Felony
Patrick West                      Auto Theft-Class D Felony
Theft-Class D Felony
Criminal Mischief-Class D Felony
Michael Brown                 Dealing in Cocaine-Class A Felony
False Informing-Class A Misdemeanor
Namita Brown                   Theft-Class D Felony
Shane Dillingham            Dealing in a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug Lookalike-Class D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor
James Gough                     Possession of Methamphetamine-Class D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor
Nicholas Grayson            Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
William Harris                  Possession of Marijuana-Class a Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Stephen Hayhurst           Theft-Class D Felony
Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
Charles Kasmer                Dealing in Methamphetamine-Class A Felony
Operating a Motor Vehicle after Forfeiture of License for Life-
Class C Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement-Class D Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanor
(Habitual Offender Enhancement)
Anthony Parker                Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Dale Pounds                      Theft-Class D Felony
Jessica Spieth                    Theft-Class D Felony
Chance Woods                 Dealing in a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug Lookalike-Class D Felony
Skyler Wright                    Theft-Class D Felony
Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor
3/20
Billy Patrick Jr                    Dealing in Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug Lookalike Substance-Class D
Felony
Shean Strader                   Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance- Class D Felony
Lara Stidham                      Operating a Vehicle with an ACE of .15 or More-Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)
Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance- Class D Felony
Bobby Givens                    Trafficking with an Inmate-Class C Felony
Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug-Class D Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine-Class D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor
(Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement)
Steven Russ                       Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at KPhernetton@vanderburghgov.org
Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of
RIECKEN URGES RESIDENTS TO TAKE ACTIVE PART IN APRIL 14 VECTREN RATE HIKE HEARING
Â
INDIANAPOLIS – Now that state regulators have decided to conduct an April 14 public hearing in Evansville on Vectren Energy’s proposed rate increase for natural gas customers, State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) said today it is important for area residents to register their concerns about the proposal.
Officials with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) announced the agency will conduct a public field hearing on the Vectren request on April 14 at the Old National Events Plaza, 715 Locust Street. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. local time.
“This is our chance to say something about the proposal, since both oral and written testimony will be accepted at the hearing,†said Riecken, who requested the field hearing back in February. “All of this testimony will be a part of the record of evidence the IURC is compiling before it makes its decision on the rate hike.â€
Vectren is requesting the increase to pay for improvements to pipelines and other infrastructure. If approved, customers served by the utility in Southwest Indiana would pay gradually higher gas rates over a period of seven years, starting in 2015. The increase initially would be around $1 to $1.50 a month, then increase to around $13 to $14 more per month by 2022. Right now, the average customer pays about $570 a year for gas service.
“I am very concerned about the impact this increase will have on all of us, but my concern is particularly acute for older residents and those people on fixed incomes,†Riecken said. “I am pleased that the IURC has decided to come to Evansville to see how this move will affect customers, and I believe it is important for them to see what homeowners and families think about it. While IURC commissioners will not be allowed to answer questions during the hearing, we will have the chance to let them know how we feel.
“The most important thing is for people to take part,†she continued. “It would be best to come to the April 14 hearing, but there are other options available for public comment.â€
Consumers who wish to submit written comments can do so through the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor’s website atwww.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm or by mail, e-mail or fax:
Mail: Consumer Services Staff
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, INÂ 46204
E-mail:Â uccinfo@oucc.in.gov
Fax: 317-232-5923
Written comments received by the close of business on April 21 will be filed with the Commission and included in the formal record. Comments should include your name, address, and a reference to IURC Cause No. 44429.
Should Your Child be Screened for Lead Poisoning?

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke will use the March Traveling City Hall meeting to help call attention to the need to screen children for lead poisoning. The meeting will be held at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 2227 W. Michigan St., on Wednesday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m.
Vanderburgh County public health officials say the number of children screened for lead poisoning has dropped dramatically. According to Vanderburgh County Health Department records, there are 14,128 children under age six in Vanderburgh County, but only 2,203 have had the needed blood test. That is a concern because long-term exposure to lead can lead to IQ loss, behavioral problems and nerve damage.
Mayor Winnecke will open the March Traveling City Hall meeting and introduce city and county department heads and elected officials. Dwayne Caldwell, Environmental Health Supervisor for the Vanderburgh County Health Department, will offer a presentation on the causes and dangers of lead poisoning and the importance of screening children for lead poisoning.
Caldwell will use the opportunity to invite the public to a Lead Poisoning Awareness & Screening Health Fair at Lutheran Family Center, 16 E. Michigan Street from 2-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 during National Public Health Week. The health fair will offer free on-site blood tests for children under age 6. Toys, pottery and imported dishes brought to the event will also be screened for lead.
Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records
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IS IT TRUE March 21, 2014

IS IT TRUE Republican Party Chairman Wayne Parke has been sending emails to elected Republican precinct committee persons who have been spotted at fundraisers for Bruce Ungenthiem who is running to be the Republican nominee for Vanderburgh County Commissioner against long time office holder Marsha Abell?…Chairman Parke in these emails has been asserting that his opinion is the official party opinion and that for a precinct committee person to support any candidate other than Commissioner Abell is party treason?…here is a copy of an email sent by Chairman Parke to a precinct committee -person?…we invite you to judge for yourself as to whether or not such inter-party favoritism is appropriate?
“It is perfectly OK for you to defend your position of being affiliated with the Tea Party in the CCO or anywhere else..
It is disappointing to me to see that you support Bruce Ungetheim over Marsha Abell. Why do you believe Bruce is a better candidate for County Commissioner than Marsha Abell?
As you know, I am the Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party and you are a Republican Precinct Committeeman (PC). As Republican Party Chairman, I have publicly endorsed /support Marsha Abell to be re-elected as County Commissioner over Bruce.
The Republican Party rules state the Republican County Chairman is the Party Leader and the Party Spokesman. As a PC, If you disagree with my position on a matter, I believe you need to discuss the situation with me.
Please call me to set up a meeting to discuss this situation.
Wayne Parke
Chairman VCRP”
IS IT TRUE the CCO has had a few readers asking us to report on the FBI crime stats for the City of Evansville in view of the recent triple murder/arson, the wrongheaded bomb maker, and the drive around shootings on Riverside?…while 2014 has literally started out with a BANG in Evansville these crimes and any others will not be reported statistically by the FBI until late summer of 2015?…last summer we learned the official crime statistics for 2012 and this coming August or September we will learn the numbers for 2013?…we guess that is just the nature of the wheels of government to turn at a snails pace?…by the time we learn the numbers it is too late to make any adjustments?…similarly with the Indiana State Board of Accounts that typically releases audit reports 9 months after the end of the accounting period?…in Evansville’s case it looks like the 2012 audit will be coming out a full 15 months after the end of the accounting period?
IS IT TRUE Crimea is now officially under Russian control and it looks like much of Ukraine will be next?…despite saber rattling and economic sanctions Russian troops have already secured an energy distribution substation in mainland Ukraine and are well poised to crank down the flow of gas and oil to Europe should they choose to?…there is even a report of pro-Russian mob taking over three battleships?…that begs the question as to how a mob of ragtags in the street can take over a battleship?…Russia has even imposed some sanctions on the United States?…these sanctions are that House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senator John McCain, and a few other insignificant bureaucrats can’t travel to Russia?…that has sent fear throughout the country?…that fear is that this cast of showboaters will keep working here when many were hoping to send them to Russia and let them paralyze the Russian government like they do ours every day?
IS IT TRUE back in 2012 the Obama Administration kicked of a pilot project of the Innovation Hub concept in Youngstown, Ohio?…the financial commitment made to Youngstown that won a competition was a whopping $30 Million?…now the Youngstown iHub has a multi-million dollar 3D printer, pristine facilities, and a dismal track record of launching new businesses?…some even say that many days the building is nearly empty?…the trouble with big chunks of federal money without local skin in the game is that the strings attached to it tend to paralyze the ability to accomplish anything?…this is exacerbated of course because governments tend to hire bureaucrats to run things like iHubs instead of people who have actually started and run a business and met a payroll?…the resources that Youngstown and many other midwestern cities slated for federally funded Innovation Hubs (Chicago & Detroit) are missing are entrepreneurial people and venture capital?… pretty building and a multi million dollar 3D printer wedged into a rotten place to be and managed by bureaucrats will not solve those shortcomings even if hundreds of millions of dollars are burned trying to do so?
EPD Activity Report: March 20, 2014
AnimalPalooza Presents “Paws 4 Vets” April 5, 2014
 “PAWS 4 VETSâ€
Benefiting
Soldier Dogs for Independence
Come join us for a day of family fun, food, and music all while helping support shelter dogs and veterans. Music featuring The Boscoe France Band, Project CBS, and No Curfew. Activities will include games and inflatables for kids, silent auction, half-pot, food grilled by veterans, and a variety of beverages. SERVICE DOGS ONLY PLEASE.
When: Saturday, April 5th
Time: 2:00-9:00 pm
Where: VFW Post 2953 – Charles Denby Post
              1800 Pollack Ave. Evansville, IN 47714
Cost: $5 donation at the door
  Veterans and children under 12 FREE
“Spread the Word. Spread the Love. Save a Life.â€