By Jacie Shoaf

TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – In celebration of National Adoption Day, the Indiana Supreme Court will be allowing still photography, audio and video coverage of a select number of uncontested adoptions from Friday through Nov. 22.

Typically photography and audio and visual recordings aren’t permitted inside Indiana courtrooms. For this limited time – and for the purpose of raising awareness of the value of adoption – families and media may record the adoption events inside the courtrooms with the parties’ consent and at the judge’s discretion.  Recording and photography cannot interrupt court proceedings.

Jacie Shoaf is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

AGENDA

Vanderburgh County    

Board of Commissioners 

November 19, 2013

5:00 pm, Room 301  

1. Call to Order
2. Attendance
3. Pledge of Allegiance 
4. Permission to Open: Quotes for Old Courthouse Guardrail
5. Action Items
   • Road Race Requests:
     1. Run this Whey
     2. River Run
   • Veteran’s Council Presentation Regarding Old Courthouse War Monuments
   • First Reading of CO.11-13-012- 2014 Commissioners Meeting Dates Ordinance
   • Public Hearing/Final Reading of Vacation Ordinance CO.V-11-13-002: Vacation of 6’ PUE at 4910 Heckel Road
   • Contracts, Agreements and Leases
     1. Dental Clinic Lease Agreement Termination
     2. Juvenile Court: Independent Contractor Agreement with South Evansville Community Outreach
     3. Assessor:  Manatron, Inc. Letter of Authorization
     4. Commissioners: Purdue Cooperative Extension Services 2014 Agreement
     5. Sheriff:
        • Amendment to Aramark Agreement
        • ICJI STOP Domestic Violence Grant Agreement
6. Department Head Reports
7. New Business
8. Old Business
9. Public Comment
10. Consent Items
    • Approval of prior meeting minutes: November 5, 2013
    • Employment Changes
    • Commissioners:  Transfer Requests
    • Building Authority: Permission to repair the Centre elevator
    • Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Notice
    • Engineer: Pay Request #185 for $300.00 for T.I.F. Projects
    • Assessor:  Request to Surplus Various Computer Equipment
    • Coroner: Request to Surplus Various Equipment
    • County Highway Work Review: Nov. 1 – Nov. 7
    • County Engineer Department Head Report
    • County Clerk:  October 2013 Monthly Report
11. Adjournment 

AG’s office offers top 5 tips to protect your donation, avoid scams

INDIANAPOLIS – Many legitimate charitable groups are springing into action after the recent typhoon struck the Philippines, but Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said so are scammers.

“Hoosiers have always reached out to help those in need and this provides an opportunity for those who will once again try to turn consumers’ good will into a profit,” Zoeller said. “During times of tragedy, it is even more important to be smart and make sure your donations are supporting legitimate relief efforts.”

Zoeller encouraged the public to verify relief organizations are reputable before donating to avoid being ripped off. The Attorney General’s office offers five tips for consumers to consider before making a donation:

• Donate to established organizations with a track record of organizing and providing disaster relief;
• Initiate the donation yourself, rather than responding to online, direct mail or phone solicitations asking for money;
• Watch out for charities with similar sounding names. Some phony charitable organizations use names that are very similar to those of respected organizations.
• Pay by check. Don’t send cash or a wire transfer as these are common ways scammers use to rip-off victims and avoid detection by law enforcement; and
• Visit www.CharityNavigator.org to assist in identifying legitimate relief organizations and determine how much of their donations are used to help victims rather than on administrative overhead.

For more information on avoiding charitable scams or to file a consumer complaint visitwww.IndianaConsumer.com.

Appointed as conferee on the Water Resource Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)

(Washington, D.C.) – On Thursday, Congressman Larry Bucshon was appointed as a conferee on the Water Resource Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) by Speaker of the House John Boehner and Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Bill Shuster.

 “I am honored to be selected, for the second time in my Congressional tenure, as a conferee on legislation that is important to Indiana,” said Bucshon. “The 8^th district is home to the Mt. Vernon Port, which is one of the largest inland ports in the Nation and I look forward to bringing the perspective of all of our state’s ports and waterways to the table as we craft this critical legislation. I am ready to get to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and from both chambers of Congress and help improve our nation’s water infrastructure and economy.”

WRRDA passed the House on October 23, 2013 by a vote of 417 to 3 and provides reforms to our nation’s water transportation system that are critical for Indiana’s ports and waterways.

 “Dr. Bucshon has been a tremendous advocate for Indiana’s waterways and ports,” said Rich Cooper, CEO for the Ports of Indiana. “The water resource legislation includes a number of important policy initiatives crucial to Indiana’s Ohio River and Lake Michigan ports.  These include reconstruction of federal navigation locks, maintenance of deep draft harbors, and preservation of commerce through the Chicago Area Waterway System. As a member of the House-Senate conference committee, Dr. Bucshon will have a seat at the table for crafting this final version of the legislation and is well positioned to protect Indiana’s interests.”

As a House conferee, Bucshon will work to develop a final version of the WRRDA bill with his Senate colleagues.

“Dr. Bucshon has been a valuable member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” said Rep. Bill Shuster, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  “I am pleased that he will continue his contribution as a conferee on WRRDA. Dr. Bucshon will play an integral role in working with our Senate colleagues to ensure our country has an efficient and effective water transportation system.”

Last year, Bucshon was selected as a conferee on the Surface Highway Transportation Bill Reauthorization during the 112^th Congress.

Today, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) along with community leaders announced that nearly 21 miles of the existing I-164 in Vanderburgh and Warrick counties will be renamed I-69 during the fall of 2014.

A news release from INDOT states that “The conversion will require approximately 70 large, green interstate signs at or near exits and the smaller, blue signs posted at bridges and every two tenths of a mile. When the new 67 miles of I-69 opened between Interstate 64 and Crane a year ago, the existing I-164 mile markers and exit numbers were continue northward and will not be affected.”

The new I-69 connecting Evansville and Indianapolis is key to future economic growth of southwest Indiana, giving our community better access to jobs, education and health care along with a faster, safer commute for those who frequently travel to Indianapolis. Sixty-seven new miles opened for business in November 2012, under budget and ahead of schedule.

To learn more about the I-69 Evansville to Indianapolis project, visit www.i69indyevn.org.