IS IT TRUE February 18, 2014
IS IT TRUE that the full moon last week must have had a scary effect across the City of Evansville with one landlord threatening a late paying tenant with a gun over $150?…we are sure there is more to the story than just that as several people on the CCO staff have attempted the landlord route to riches unsuccessfully and know just how maddening a bad tenant can be, be mercifully none of us has ever pulled a gun to collect the rent?…the other “blame it on the moon†moment occurred out on Allens Lane where 65 (yes 65) underage boozers had their party disrupted by the long arm of the law?…that yesterday’s EPD Activity Report annoyed some of our readers because so many names were redacted?…that may just be what happens with underage citations?
IS IT TRUE the weather is finally sending some warmth our way and the dangers that come with being below freezing at night and above freezing during the day are disrupting life in SW Indiana?…this is the kind of weather that leads to black ice on the roads and sniffles in the nose?…we urge all of our readers to be very careful when driving but to get in the mood for spring as it is nearly upon us?…with the thawing of the ground the last weather related excuse to delay the golden shovel moment down at the convention hotel lot will soon be gone?…if a golden hardhat and golden shovel moment is not scheduled soon we can all start to believe there may just be trouble in financing paradise?
IS IT TRUE the eyes of the labor world were focused on Chattanooga, Tennessee last weekend where there was a vote of the workers at the Volkswagen plant on whether or not to “hire†the United Auto Workers (UAW) to represent the workers in negotiations with the company?…some of the campaigning got fairly ugly with a billboard in town referring to the UAW as “the beast that killed Detroit†and veiled threats to stop planning for a plant expansion?…despite these campaigns that were not initiated by the Volkswagen Corporation, the company was open and allowed the UAW free reign to speak with workers about what forming a union would do for them?…the driving force behind Volkswagen’s cooperation with the UAW was the desire of the company to establish Euro style work councils?…in spite of a friendly company in the end the workers voted down the opportunity to bring in the UAW by an 80 vote margin dealing the UAW a harsh blow in its efforts to move south to a right to work state along with most of the auto manufacturing jobs in the USA?…it has been widely reported that the workers at VW Chattanooga enjoy good pay scales that are comparable with the younger workers at UAW plants and were just not convinced that the UAW would have made their lives better?…in cases like this if the UAW is to survive they will have to show the value proposition of joining to be better than not joining?
IS IT TRUE the top five cities in America for creating middle class manufacturing jobs from 2007 – 2012 includes in order Austin, TX; Houston, TX; San Antonio, TX; Dallas, TX; and Oklahoma City, OK?…the growth of manufacturing in these cities ranged from 2.1% to 7.6%?…these cities all have a couple of things in common and we invite our readers to figure these things out an post comments?…Indianapolis was 10th on the list with a negative growth rate of 1.1% and was the only northern city named in the top ten?…when both 9th and 10th best is a negative number this country has a serious problem when it comes to expanding manufacturing?
IS IT TRUE the list of the five American states that people are fleeing for other locations includes in order: New Jersey, Illinois, New York, West Virginia, and Connecticut?…these five states also have some things in common with one another that contribute to their former residents taking refuge elsewhere?…we invite our readers to opine at will about why people are leaving these places in droves?…while West Virginia is an outlier along with Kentucky (#7 on the list) that have seen jobs in the coal industry disappear, the other four states have some very similar features that repel jobs and people?…we are quite curious to hear what our readers have to say about this great migration of people?
IS IT TRUE we have just been informed by an official at the Vanderburgh County Election Commission that former City Councilmen Keith Jarboe disband his election committee in 2010, John Paul Josey disband his committee in 2013 and Evansville City Clerk Laura Brown filed her report on time in January? Â …Vanderburgh County Election Commission officials admitted that they made an error when they included Mr. Jarboe, Mr. Josey and City Clerk Laura Brown names in the delinquent list files they sent CCO by mistake? Â …if we are informed of any other errors posted on this list sent to the Vanderburgh Election Commission we shall publicly announced them?
Are You Eating a Beige Diet? Put Some Color on Your Plate!
By
Roy M. Arnold, MD
“Eat your vegetables,†says Mom. Unfortunately, Mom’s chiding doesn’t have nearly enough effect, particularly when we grow up and leave Mom’s table. A recent walk-through at the dining facility of local university revealed that over 85% of the students were eating an inadequate diet. All or almost all of the food items were beige or brown – Ramen noodles, Mac and Cheese, rice, mashed potatoes, french fries and chicken fingers. This type of diet if eaten every day is deficient in antioxidants, vitamins and micro nutrients. The menu options contained a myriad of healthy choices leading the observer to believe the students intentionally omitted the healthy items.
These nutritional elements are vitally important to good health, and maintenance of a healthy weight. The absolute best way to obtain these is to put some color on your plate by eating vegetables that are colorful. Here are some examples: Tomatoes and red bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, carotenoids and lycopene; Spinach and kale are packed with almost every essential vitamin and nutrient. Don’t be seduced by their useless cousin lettuce, which contains almost no nutrition. Carrots, sweet potatoes and squash are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins A and C and anti-inflammatories. Broccoli and brussels sprouts are loaded with folic acid and immune system boosters. Finally, eggplant contains unique compounds that may reduce the risk of stroke and dementia. Fresh or frozen fruits, if eaten whole can provide similar levels of nutrients. Apples, pears, bananas and all types of berries are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients.
“Wait,†you might say, “I take a daily multivitamin. That replaces eating a healthy diet doesn’t it?†Not hardly. In December of last year the news reports were ablaze with the results of two large long-term health outcomes trials pitting multivitamins against placebo. Both studies showed no benefit in health risks among the vitamin group. Daily multivitamins did not reduce heart attacks, stroke, cancer, arthritis or Alzheimer’s. The only factors that made a difference were diet and exercise. People who eat a healthy diet and exercise 3 times per week were less likely to suffer health complications. The major beneficial effect of multivitamins and nutritional supplements was to transfer money from your pocket to that of the vitamin manufacturers.
“I’m busy. I don’t have enough time to eat right. I’ll just go to the drive-through.†Good luck with that. I timed preparation of my breakfast this morning. From refrigerator to table took 6 minutes which is about half the time required to go through the drive-through at the local fast-food restaurant. Here’s what I had – 2 fresh eggs fried in coconut oil, with chopped bell pepper and ham, served with half an avocado. A banana, spread with natural peanut butter and Sriracha hot sauce. Total cost – $1.16. An Egg McMuffin with hash browns at the drive-through would have cost over $2.50 in case your next objection was going to be that eating healthy is more expensive.
Studies published last year indicated that eating a healthy diet versus a typical American diet costs just $1.50 per day more, or $550 per year. That pales in comparison to the cost of poor health in lost earning power, disability and health care costs. The majority of the cost variance was in purchasing leaner and healthier protein, such as fish or chicken instead of ground beef.
Just because I’m pro-vegetable and fruits doesn’t mean I’m trying to turn the world to veganism. Humans need a significant amount of protein in their diets. The highest quality protein in my humble opinion comes from eggs, fish, poultry and lean red meats. Avoid processed meats like bologna, salami, pepperoni, potted meat and smoked sausage. Who knows what was ground up in them?
Pre-portioned frozen entrees can be treacherous, too. Even if the label says, low fat, organic or all natural, the ingredients include sugar and all its co-conspirators such as high fructose corn syrup, agave nectar, evaporated cane juice and dextrose. Better to cook something fresh than consume one of those.
In summary, colorful fruits and vegetables provide valuable nutrients to support good health. Coupled with lean protein, they can provide a healthy diet leading to better overall health and weight loss. As always consult your personal health provider before undertaking a weight loss or exercise program.
Judges: No credit time for repeatedly violating supervised release
by Jennifwr Nelson for www.theindianalawyer.com
In a case of first impression for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the court agreed with its fellow Circuit courts that prior time served for violations of supervised release is not credited toward nor limits the statutory maximum a court may impose for subsequent violations of supervised release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 3583(e)(3).
The issue arose in United States of America v. Steven J. Perry, 13-2182, in which the District Court in South Bend sentenced Steven Perry to a 5-year term of imprisonment as well as a 10-year term of supervised release in 2013. This was the second time Perry had violated the terms of his supervised release imposed in 2005 based on his 2003 offense. The probation officer mistakenly stated in his report that Perry was subject to the statutory minimum five-year term of imprisonment mandated by the current version of Section 3583(k).
But this was an error, the 7th Circuit held, because Perry was subject to the version of this statute in effect at the time of his initial offense. That version of Section 3583(k) authorized a maximum sentence of only two years; the amended version the probation officer relied on did not take effect until July 27, 2006, and is not retroactive.
Perry argued that this maximum two-year term of imprisonment should be reduced by three months that he served in prison in 2009 for a prior violation of his supervised release. The statute he relies on 18 U.S.C. Section 3583(e)(3) was amended in 2003 to include the phrase “on any such revocation.†Before the amendment was added, the Circuit courts interpreted this statute to allow credit time toward the maximum term of imprisonment authorized by statute. But since that amendment, every appellate court to address this issue has determined that language eliminates the credit time. The 7th Circuit agreed with its fellow Circuit courts.
The judges remanded for the District Court to sentence Perry to no more than two years imprisonment and to determine his conditions of supervision.
Changes to release of veterinary records passes the Senate
STATEHOUSE —State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) co-authored legislation regarding the release of animal veterinary records, which passed the Indiana Senate unanimously today.
House Bill (HB) 1013 provides that in certain circumstances an animal’s veterinary medical records must be released within five business days. These circumstances include but are not limited to part of a request from a regulatory or health authority, physician or veterinarian to verify a rabies vaccination of an animal or investigate a threat to human or animal health.
“This issue was brought to the General Assembly by a constituent whose dog died after contracting a disorder through a bite from another dog,†said Rep. Bacon. “If the constituent had been made aware of the other dog’s medical records, then her dog could have received proper treatment and would possibly still be alive today.â€
Under current law, there is not an established time frame in which veterinarian medical service providers must furnish this information.
“In addition to protecting Hoosier pets, this bill is also beneficial to human health as well,†said Rep. Bacon. “By increasing access to veterinary records, it will be easier to confirm and quarantine a pet that has potentially contracted rabies or other aggression triggering ailments, thus lessening the threat to humans.â€
HB 1013 will now be sent to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
State Trooper Chosen as Indiana Special Olympics Director
SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
 DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
| Indianapolis, IN- Special Olympics Indiana President/CEO Michael Furnish has announced the appointment of Master Trooper Tommy Walker as the Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) State Director. M/Trp. Walker is a 23 year veteran of the State Police and is currently assigned to the Commercial Motor Vehicle Division working out of the Versailles Post.Trooper Walker’s first involvement with Special Olympics began in 1994 when a fellow officer invited him to accompany him on the Law Enforcement Torch Run from Indianapolis to Terre Haute. This run kicked off the Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games and officers greeted over 4,000 Special Olympics Indiana athletes to Hulman Center for opening ceremonies.In 1999 he was selected to represent Indiana LETR as a runner for the final leg of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Raleigh, North Carolina and in 2003 the final leg that began in Athens, Greece and finished in Dublin, Ireland. In 2006 he served as a Support Team Member during the LETR final leg leading up to the Special Olympics National Games beginning in Chicago, Illinois and finishing in Ames, Iowa. Walker has also participated in other numerous Special Olympic events including, Tip-A-Cop, polar plunges, airplane pull, motorcycle rides and unified games.
Trooper Walker has personally organized a weight lifting fundraiser, known as the Showdown of the Shields, in Columbus, Indiana since 1994 and will be celebrating the events 20 anniversary this year. Stephanie Stewart, Manager of Community partnerships (LETR), said “Tommy is a pleasure to work with, a great leader and knows how to show officers what the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Indiana is all about. His dedication and care for Special Olympics over the years is inspiring and contagious, which only continues to help grow the program.†“The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) has been a long-time sponsor of all Special Olympics activities in Indiana. The impact of officers working together at both local and state levels brings both tremendous financial support and community awareness to our cause. Tommy Walker fills a vital role starting in 2014 as the new State LETR Director. His long-term commitment to this effort and the respect he’s earned from people throughout our movement makes his the perfect choice,†said Michael Furnish, President/ CEO at Special Olympics. When asked why he was so committed to Special Olympics, Trooper Walker offered this explanation. “It’s the athletes. They portray a life lesson of being the best you can be and being yourself. They are fun, bold courage’s and exciting!†Further information on Indiana Special Olympics can be found atwww.soindiana.org. |
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Chattanooga is the UAW’s Waterloo
By: John Gordon
The United Auto Workers Union suffered a devastating defeat on Friday, when its attempt to organize the workers at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga failed on a vote of 712-626 (53-47 percent). The company had agreed not to resist the organizing effort and gave the union access to the plant and its workers. If the union couldn’t win an election under those conditions, it is a powerful sign of how weak, indeed toxic, unions have become in recent years. If the UAW couldn’t win this election, it seems doubtful it can win any election.
To be sure, unions have always been weak in the South where all the states in the old Confederacy have right-to-work laws in place. That, of course, is precisely the reason why most plants built by foreign automobile manufacturers in this country in recent years have been built there. (Low taxes and mild winters are two other powerful reasons, of course.)
But they have become increasingly weak everywhere. In the early 1950s union membership in the private sector peaked at about 35 percent of the work force. Today it is about 6 percent. Manufacturing, the heart and soul of the union movement, has become much more efficient, and therefore less labor-intensive. And much of the unskilled and semi-skilled jobs, such as in garment manufacturing, have moved offshore. The UAW membership peaked at 1.5 million in the 1970s. Today it is 338,000.
Only in the public sector, which should never have been made subject to collective bargaining under the Wagner and Taft-Hartley Acts, is union membership increasing. And right-to-work laws are spreading. In 2012 both Indiana and even Michigan—the home of the UAW—became right-to-work states.
But as the American economy has undergone profound change in the last sixty years, labor law has not kept pace. The Wagner Act dates to 1935 and the Taft-Hartley Act to 1947. Like the unions themselves they are dinosaurs. So why do the unions continue to have such a large place in American politics while they have an ever-shrinking place in the American economy? The answer, of course, is the “mother’s milk of politics,†money. Unions are the single biggest source of funds for Democratic causes and candidates.
According to Opensecrets.org, of the top ten political donors in the last 25 years, six are unions. And they all overwhelmingly donated to Democratic causes and candidates. The UAW, for instance, has donated $41.7 million over the last 25 years. That’s well over twice what the infamous Koch brothers have donated, mostly to Republican causes. (The Koch brothers actually gave 8 percent of their money to Democratic causes and candidates.)
Of the UAW’s donations, 71 percent went to Democrats and zero percent went to Republicans. The other 29 percent went to organizations not formally affiliated with either party but it’s a safe bet they are left-leaning. Unions can also mobilize large numbers of “volunteers†for phone banks and get-out-the-vote efforts.
Thus, unions have such a disproportionate influence over the Democratic Party for the simplest of reasons: they buy it. How much longer that will continue is a good question. There is no reason to think that the long-term decline in the private sector will not continue. And in places where union dues are no longer collected by governments (such as in Wisconsin), public sector union members have been leaving in droves. Obviously, they don’t think they have been getting value for their money. That is also a trend that is likely to spread.
The days of the union movement, it seems, are numbered. But it’s not likely to go quietly.
EVSC Full-Day Kindergarten Enrollment to Begin February 18
Enrollment for full-day kindergarten in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will begin Tuesday, February 18, at all EVSC elementary schools.
In order to enroll, children must be five years old on or before August 1, 2014. Parents or legal guardians will need to be present and bring the child’s legal birth certificate (hospital certificates cannot be considered) at the time of enrollment.
Once the student is enrolled, each school will give parents an enrollment packet and other items of interest to new enrollees. In addition, each school will host orientation meetings on Thursday, April 3.
There are currently 21 schools in the EVSC serving kindergarten students. The school district a child will attend is based on where a student and parent reside. Individuals unsure in which school district their home resides are encouraged to call any EVSC elementary school or the EVSC Administration Building at 435-8453. Parents also can visitwww.evscschools.com and select Parent at the top to access information on kindergarten enrollment.
EVSC schools enrolling kindergarten students include:
Caze, 2013 S. Green River Road, 477-5567Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cedar Hall, 2100 N. Fulton Avenue, 435-8223
Cynthia Heights, 7225 Big Cynthiana Rd., 435-8740Â Â Daniel Wertz, 1701 S. Red Bank Rd., 435-8312
Delaware, 700 N. Garvin St., 435-8227Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dexter, 917 S. Dexter Ave., 476-1321
Evans, 2727 N. Evans Ave., 435-8330 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fairlawn, 2021S. Alvord Blvd., 476-4997
Glenwood, 901 Sweetser Ave., 435-8242Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Harper, 21 S. Alvord Blvd., 476-1308
Hebron, 4400 Bellemeade Ave., 477-8915Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Highland, 6701 Darmstadt Rd., 867-6401
Lincoln, 635 Lincoln Ave., 435-8235Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lodge, 2000 Lodge Ave.ÂÂ, 477-5319
Oak Hill, 7700 Oak Hill Rd., 867-6426Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Scott, 14940 Old State Rd., 867-2427
Stockwell, 2501 N. Stockwell Rd., 477-5345Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Stringtown, 4720 Stringtown Rd., 435-8320
Tekoppel, 111 N. Tekoppel Ave., 435-8333Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Vogel, 1500 Oak Hill Rd., 477-6109
West Terrace, 8000 West Terrace Dr., 435-8733
EPD Activity Report: February 16, 2014
SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
 DON’T GO TO COURT ALONE. CALL IVAN ARNAEZ @ 812-424-6671.
IS IT TRUE February 17, 2014
IS IT TRUE we are still wondering why the Indiana State Board of Accounts hasn’t released the 2012 City of Evansville audit?…the Indiana State Board of Accounts promised city officials that the 2012 audit of the city books would be released during November of 2013?…there are only a couple of reasons that an audit that before the last year of the Weinzapfel Administration had routinely been completed by late summer could be running into the following year?…one of those reasons could be that the SBOA has lost its ability to function just like the City of Evansville did back in 2011?…the other reason is that the SBOA is massaging its words describing yet another cloud of mystery audit so as not to make the City of Evansville look like stooges?…it is also possible that the derogatory remarks are so bad and so numerous that it really is taking this long to sort them out?…the one thing that does not seem possible is a clean audit with no conditional statements associated with it?
IS IT TRUE the IRS has ruled that same sex marriage couples now can file joint income tax returns?…this ruling alone renders the recent gyrations of the State of Indiana moot in the court known as the law of the land?…Indiana has too many real issues to divert the attention of the state legislature onto things that will be struck down at the federal level?…the same goes for the City of Evansville’s smoking ordinance which most people knew was heading for a loss at the Supreme Court for allowing an exemption for one place that pays lots of taxes?…recent history would indicate that Evansville and Indiana are bullheaded to the point of intentional ignorance?
IS IT TRUE that the CCO was informed that political candidates or groups who don’t file their campaign finance report with the County Election Office by January 15 could possibly be fined $50 per day late filing penalty?…the list of offenders that we recently published is a great opportunity for some pretty large fines to be levied against some local candidates who failed to file?…at $50 a day each of these candidates who are responsible for filing on time is on the hook for $1,600?…it will be interesting to see if those in authority will have the courage to enforce the penalty clause of this law against this rogues gallery?  Listed below in the Community-Education-Entertainment  section is the article concerning the lists of “Non Compliance of Political Campaigns” reports for your review.
IS IT TRUE the University of Evansville Aces attracted an official crowd of 8,802 fans to the Ford Center yesterday to see them play the #2 ranked and undefeated Wichita State Shockers?…the Aces maintained a lead until midway through the first half but kept it close until late in the game before falling by a score of 84 – 68?…it was a good game either from the stands or from the couch and was nationally televised?…if Butler can make the NCAA Championship twice and Wichita State can not only make the final four but sit within one possession of the number 1 ranking in the country, the Aces can achieve such success too?…it will be interesting to see if conservatism and fear will keep them from ever doing so?
IS IT TRUE as the assertion of “RIGHTS†has dominated much discussion recently it was worth once again examining the federal document known as “THE BILL OF RIGHTSâ€?…of all that is declared as a right by the constitution all either deal with basic freedoms like religion, speech, the press, and bearing arms none of them in any instance or implication give one person any right that infringes on another person’s right?…it is also clear that all of the RIGHTS granted to us as citizens of the United States of America are FREE OF DIRECT COST?…that is to say that no one’s RIGHT is granted to them at the financial expense of someone else?…that should be kept in mind when social programs that have been adopted by our congress are asserted as RIGHTS which they clearly are not and were never meant to be?…the thing that the authors of the BILL OF RIGHTS were very clear about and dedicated six articles to had to do with federal intrusion on day to day life, unreasonable search and seizure, and the process of trial?