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IS IT TRUE December 27, 2013

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Mole #3 Nostradamus of Local Politics
Mole #3 Nostradamus of Local Politics

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer is currently conducting a poll for the 2015 election for Mayor of Evansville with the assumption that the candidates will be Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Councilman John Friend, and a yet to be named Libertarian candidate?…this poll is not scientific, is open to anyone who reads the CCO on a one vote per IP address basis, does not prequalify voters through demographic profiling, and really is nothing more than a snapshot of our readers who are willing to vote since last night?…at the time of this writing Councilman Friend has 51 votes with the Mayor and the unnamed Libertarian tied at 20?…Republican Chairman Wayne Parke still asserts mightily in his comments that a real poll gives Mayor Winnecke over a 60% approval rating and we do not even question his assertion?…we have offered to publish the poll along with the results and polling criteria but Mr. Parke has not come forward to offer the poll to the CCO for publication?…there are many of our readers and among the volunteer staff of the CCO who think Mr. Parke is blowing some Christmas smoke up our rear end and that a poll does not exist?…we did have reports a few weeks ago about a phone poll regarding the level of public support for spending tax dollars on Roberts Park though so maybe after some warm up feel good questions there really is a poll?…we hope if and we must say if a poll exists that Mr. Parke or the Mayor himself will share it with the people of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE this writer took a quarterly walk through downtown Evansville yesterday and found that the same franchise that has dominated storefront windows in downtown for over 20 years is still the dominant window dressing?…that franchise is the one named “AVAILABLE” as is seems like even more places are “AVAILABLE” than there were during the Summer walk?…there have been no less than 30 storefronts “AVAILABLE” since the late 1990’s when this guy started counting?…since that time, the Ford Center was built for $127 Million, Old National Bank and Vectren invested a combined amount of nearly $100 Million on riverfront headquarters, Innovation Pointe was refurbished, Kunkel and others have fixed up nearly 100 lofts, the Centre and the Central Library have been built, CMOE was completed, and several facades have been repaired?…in spite of all of this investment the downtown while prettier still supports roughly the same number of businesses?…for those of you who think a convention hotel of $44 Million will change this situation when the over $300 Million in other investment didn’t we have some beach front property in Warrick County to sell you?

IS IT TRUE we expect to learn in 2014 what the response of the EPA is to the response from the City of Evansville to reduce an estimated $815 Million project over 20 years to a $545 Million project over a longer period that does not even attain compliance with raw sewage discharges into the river?…we are betting that the EPA is going to tell the City of Evansville to jump in the river and will demand a higher compliance project in the allotted time period?…there is no other reason for this decision to be taking so long?…other cities that have cried POOR while doing fun and games projects have not fared well with the EPA and Evansville will most likely not fare so well anyway?…this crying POOR right after building a $127 Million temple to entertainment and $43 Million for space age water meters rings about as in touch with reality as a teenager begging for money for a movie after squandering their lunch money on candy?

IS IT TRUE that the other thing that is long overdue that will have to be made public in 2014 is the 2012 audit by the State Board of Accountancy?…this routinely month long task has now extended to nearly 6 months which points to yet another “disclaimer” opinion?…we may also learn if the books are officially balanced or if the legacy of never learning to count hoisted onto the city by the Weinzapfel Administration’s ObamaCare style software project management has messed that up for yet another fiscal year?

IS IT TRUE the quarterly walk around also showed this writer that the McCurdy and the Riverhouse are decaying at a very rapid rate and may soon be faced with the reality of the wrecking ball for becoming dangerous to even walk around?…they both look like something out of Fort Apache the Bronx?

EPD Activity REPORT 12.26.2013

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EPD PATCH 2012

EPD Activity REPORT 12.26.2013_12.27.2013

“Candle Light Prayer Vigil”

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We are  having our “Fifth Candle Light Prayer Vigil New Years Eve on the Plaza in front of the Federal Building, 101 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Evansville In. starting at 5;30 p.m. Various local speakers and clergy are scheduled  This is for everyone to come and bring your neighbors your children and grandchildren What a better way to start out the New Year than to start out Praying for our City our State Our Country  for such a time is this for everyone to come together in prayer

Judge rejects Notre Dame bid for injunction on contraception coverage

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by Dave StaffordDecember 24, 2013; published by IndianaLawyers.com

A federal judge denied the University of Notre Dame’s request for an injunction blocking the “contraception mandate” in the Affordable Care Act that requires employers to provide insurance coverage for birth control.

“While the interests for and against injunction are very closely balanced, I find that the low likelihood of Notre Dame’s success on the merits tips the sliding scale towards denial of the preliminary injunction,” wrote Chief Judge Philip P. Simon of the District Court for the Northern District of Indiana in South Bend.

Simon ruled Friday in University of Notre Dame v. Kathleen Sebelius, et al., 3:13-CV-1276.

Notre Dame refiled its federal suit earlier this month seeking to block enforcement of the mandate that it claimed violated its religious liberties under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Simon wasn’t persuaded. Notre Dame, he wrote, already may opt out of the mandate.

“If Notre Dame takes that tack, someone else provides the coverage, and not on Notre Dame’s dime. Notre Dame nonetheless claims that by formally opting out, it would trigger, or authorize, a third party’s provision of contraception, and it objects to that.

“Notre Dame wants to eat its cake, and have it still, at the expense of Congress, administrative agencies, and the employees who will be affected. Notre Dame is free to opt out of providing the coverage itself, but it can’t stop anyone else from providing it. But that is essentially what Notre Dame is requesting,” Simon wrote.

“The government isn’t violating Notre Dame’s right to free exercise of religion by letting it opt out, or by arranging for third party contraception coverage. For these reasons … because I find that Notre Dame is not likely to succeed on the merits, a preliminary injunction is not warranted.”

Commentary: On philanthropy and Assembly Hall’s new name

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By Cam Savage
TheStatehouseFile.com

Cam Savage is a principal at Limestone Strategies and a veteran of numerous Republican campaigns.

Cam Savage is a principal at Limestone Strategies and a veteran of numerous Republican campaigns.

In the summer of 1997, I was an unpaid intern in the office of former Sen. Richard Lugar. It was a fairly uneventful job. Sorting mail, answering phones, standard summer intern stuff.

Commentary button in JPG - no shadowOccasionally we’d get phone calls from the residents of Lugar Towers, the public housing high-rise in downtown Indianapolis that had been named after Lugar, a former mayor of Indianapolis.

A few summers before, the residents started calling the office en masse upset that the television in the common area was on the fritz. They naturally assumed that the man whose name was on the building was the man who could fix their television or get them a new one. As it turns out, senators aren’t much help when your TV goes out, but the residents were apparently quite persistent. I’m not sure what resolution, if any, was ever reached, but that’s about the time I decided not to let anyone name anything after me while I was still alive.

It’s a good rule that has served me well so far, but not everyone subscribes to it.

A rendering of the renovations planned for the arena where Indiana University plays basketball, which will be known as Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Image provided by IU.

A rendering of the renovations planned for the arena where Indiana University plays basketball, which will be known as Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Image provided by IU.

Assembly Hall, the 42-year old landmark basketball arena at Indiana University where Bob Knight’s championship teams played their home games, is getting a makeover and a new name. The legendary building considered one of the most iconic home courts in college hoops will get a new scoreboard, remodeled bathrooms, upgraded HVAC systems and henceforth will be known as the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Indiana University decided to rename Assembly Hall the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall around the same time Cindy Simon Skjodt decided to donate $40 million for the aforementioned renovation. Funny how those things work.

Skodt is a philanthropist, an Indiana University alumna and the daughter of the late Simon Property Group co-founder Mel Simon.

Mel Simon was the co-founder of Simon Property Group. He came to Indianapolis from New York while serving in the Army and decided to stay. He built his real estate and shopping mall empire from scratch with his brother and co-founder.

How big an empire you ask? According to it’s website, the S&P 100 company “currently owns or has an interest in 326 retail real estate properties in North America and Asia comprising 241 million square feet” as well as a significant stake in a French real estate company with properties in 13 European companies. We are not just talking about the Fashion Mall here.

Along the way, the Simon brothers acquired the Indiana Pacers. People who know about these things say but for the Simon’s, the Pacers would have left town or gone under.

As IU President Michael McRobbie noted, “the Simon Family name has long been synonymous with transformative philanthropy.” The family has given $50 million to the Indiana University Cancer Center in Indianapolis, not to mention millions more to other charities.

It makes me a little uneasy to criticize such considerable generosity, but what the hell, I’ll give it a shot.

My brother-in-law says there’s something a little peculiar about using your inherited fortune to name things after yourself and I agree. I’ll admit it; I rolled my eyes when I heard about Assembly Hall’s new name.

Other people, particularly Indiana University basketball fans with access to the internet, also reacted to the renaming. Fan objections seem to have less to do with dismay at the lack of self-awareness of billionaire heiresses than a perceived assault on the dignity and purity of Assembly Hall. The fans seem opposed to any change in the name of their beloved basketball shrine – billionaire heiresses be damned.

“Waves of emotion come over me as I think about how proud my dad would be,” Skjodt said at the press conference announcing the renovation, the renaming and the donation, as reported by the Indianapolis Star.

Yes Cindy, I’m sure your dad, who started out selling encyclopedias door-to-door and ended up the Forbes list of richest Americans, would be proud. For an extra few million, Indiana University might have even been willing to name the building after him.

Of course, if the new video screen goes out at the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, you’ll know whom to call.

Cam Savage is a principal at Limestone Strategies and a veteran of numerous Republican campaigns and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He is a graduate of Franklin College. He can be reached at Cam@limestone-strategies.com.

PET OF THE WEEK

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Alazakam is one of our “magical” solid black kittens! There were originally nine of them, and after several months of waiting to be adopted, only three remain. Alakazam and his siblings (Poof and Hocus) are four months old. They were simply a litter of “neighborhood kittens” that someone was kind enough to surrender so that they can find their forever homes, and help break the cycle of unwanted kitties in the community. Missing a little magic in your life? For $50 each, the Magic kittens also come with their vaccinations, microchips, spay/neuter surgeries, and goody bags to take home.Alakazam

The Arts Council announces first 2014 BSF Gallery Exhibit, Art Noir

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artscouncil The Arts Council is excited to kick-off 2014 with Art Noir, a black and white juried exhibit. This year’s Art Noir exhibit has been opened to include all media, and will be showing January 16th through February 6th at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana’s Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Gallery, located at 318 Main Street in downtown Evansville. This year’s juror is local photographer and designer, Fred Reaves. Reaves owns and operates Image One Photo & Design and Image One Fai (Fine Art Images) in Henderson, KY. Reaves, an award winning commercial photographer and graphic designer has been working professionally for 37 years with a primary focus on architectural and industrial photography and graphic design. Client lists include such internationally based companies as Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Peabody Coal, SGS Inc., Whirlpool Corporation, Earnest Sewn Jeans, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Jofco, Kimball International, The Christian Church of Kentucky, Atlas Van Lines, Agrotain International, and Maker’s Mark Distillery.

Reaves, is a graduate of the Murray State University Department of Art and Design with a degree in photography and graphic design. As an accomplished fine arts photographer his work can be found in galleries and museum shops as well as in private and corporate collections both nationally and internationally. He has taught numerous photographic workshops for high school aged photographers as well as Advanced Studio Lighting Techniques and Intermediate Photography classes in the Visual Communications Dept. at Ivy Tech State College in Indiana. For more information about this year’s juror, visit www.fredreaves.com.  The exhibit calendar and award information is listed below. For more information about Art Noir, visit artswin.org.   

Exhibit Calendar:

Artist Registration Deadline – Jan. 6, by 4pm

Artist Works Received – Jan. 14, by 4pm

Artist Notification Email – Jan. 15, by 4pm

Artist Non-accepted Pick-up – Jan. 16, by 4pm

Public Art Noir Reception – Jan. 24, 5-7pm

Artist Displayed Work Pick-up – Feb. 6, by 4pm

 

Awards:

Best of Show – $300

1st Place – $200

2nd Place – $100

3rd Place – $50

Man arrested for stabbing cab driver and passenger in Vanderburgh County is now a suspect in an Evansville murder

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On December 24, 2013 police were called to 1164 Hatfield to check the welfare of the resident, 33 year old Nicholas Mathew. Family members had not been able to make contact with Mr. Mathew and had become concerned. The apartment was locked and maintenance personnel let officers into the residence with a pass key. Officers found Mr. Mathew deceased inside the apartment. Mr. Mathew had what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. An official cause of death has not been determined at this time. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday, December 27th.

When officers entered the apartment, it appeared to have been ransacked. According to family members, some of Mr. Mathew’s property was missing.

While investigating the death, Evansville Police Department investigators were monitoring a call where a cab driver and passenger were stabbed during an armed robbery in Vanderburgh County. Information was obtained shortly after the robbery that EPD investigators believed might connect the two cases. After a joint response from VSCO and EPD, 24 year old John Vernon Jackson Jr. was arrested near the robbery scene. After his arrest, items were found in the cab that connected Jackson to the scene on Hatfield. Those items included Mr. Mathew’s credit cards.

During an interview conducted by detectives from the EPD and the VCSO, Mr., Jackson admitted to robbing and stabbing the cab driver and a passenger. He also admitted to cutting the clerk during the robbery of a gas station at 715 N. Weinbach Ave. on December 20, 2013.

When questioned about the death on Hatfield, Mr. Jackson admitted to being at the residence on Hatfield and robbing the victim but denied any knowledge of his death.

Mr. Jackson is in custody for the robbery/stabbing of the cab driver and the murder investigation is continuing. A case file will be presented to the Prosecutor’s Office to pursue formal charges when all of the information has been gathered.

 

Zoeller urges Congress to extend tax relief for struggling homeowners

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Greg ZoellerIndiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined 41 other attorneys general recently to ask Congress to extend soon-to-be expired tax relief for distressed homeowners.
Under the federal Mortgage Debt Relief Act, in effect since 2007, mortgage debt that is forgiven after a foreclosure or short sale or through a loan modification may be excluded from a taxpayer’s calculation of taxable income. This exclusion only applies to mortgage debt forgiven on primary residences, not second homes, and is set to expire on Dec. 31.
“We believe if Congress does not extend this critical tax exclusion into next year, struggling homeowners and the slowing improving housing market will take a setback,” Zoeller said. “Failure to act means Hoosier homeowners who have received mortgage debt relief could be hit with a tax bill they simply can’t afford.”
An extension for 2014 is included in the Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act (S. 1187 and H.R. 2788), both of which are in committee; it is uncertain when these critical bills may be considered. The current Ryan-Murray budget proposal does not include the exemption provision.
Zoeller said the expiration comes at a time when the housing market, while still fragile, has shown signs of gradual improvement over the last year. Data shows that home prices have increased this year, and the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index reported gains of 12 percent or more. CoreLogic has also estimated that 2.5 million more families have had their homes returned to positive equity in the second quarter of 2013.
Last year, Zoeller joined 41 other attorneys general in successfully persuading Congress to extend these benefits into 2013.
Click here to view the letter sent by attorneys general to Congress.

The “Official” EVSC Announcement about the School’s Report Card

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EVSC School Grades See Improvements

Fifty-one percent (18) schools in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation again received an “A” or showed improvement in Indiana’s 2012-13 accountability grading system. School grades were made official during today’s State Board of Education meeting.

Beginning with the 2010-11 academic year, the State Board of Education changed the labels for school categories based on student performance from the terms Exemplary, Commendable, Academic Progress, Academic Watch and Academic Probation to letter grades (A, B, C, D and F).

Thirty-seven percent of EVSC schools showed improvement by one or more letter grades this year. Nine schools increased their ranking by two or more grades. Helfrich Park STEM Academy increased by three letter grades to a “B” and Tekoppel Elementary increased by three grades to an “A.”

Superintendent David Smith said that he credits the work of teachers in the EVSC and the corresponding work of their students for the gains made in just one year. In recent years, the EVSC has strengthened its dedication to providing rigorous and challenging curriculum for high achieving students, and begun a focused intervention program for those who struggle. “We know that high functioning teams with a focus on a rigorous common curriculum, engaging differentiated instruction, common assessments, and data driven interventions will ensure that each student will reach their maximum potential,” Smith said. “Great people working together can do extraordinary things.”

Velinda Stubbs, chief academic officer, said the EVSC Administration is very proud of teachers’ work. “The increases in grades are a direct reflection of their dedication to our students and new initiatives that have been undertaken,” Stubbs said. “The numbers of schools receiving an “A,” “B,” or “C” has increased by 8, for a total of 23 of the EVSC schools. And, furthermore – those schools who received a failing grade last year, have been reduced by nearly half in one year.”
School grades for EVSC schools are:

El/MiddleSchool 2013 2012
Caze Elem. F F
Cedar Hall D F
Cynthia Hts A A
Daniel Wertz C F
Delaware B C
Dexter Elem. F F
Evans Middle F F
Fairlawn C F
Glenwood F F
Harper B D
Hebron B C
Helfrich Park B F
Highland A A
Lincoln F F
Lodge F F
McGary F F
North JHS C F
Oak Hill A A
Perry Heights D C
Plaza Park C C
Scott Elem. A A
Stockwell C F
Stringtown D D
Tekoppel A D
Thompkins D D
Vogel Elem. C D
Washington F F
West Terrace C C

High Schools 2013 2012
Bosse High C C
Central High B C
Harrison C C
North High B B
Reitz High B B
New Tech B D
AIS- HS F F

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