The Awards Selection Committee of the City-County Observer announced today that John Friend will be receiving a 2013 “Mole Award.” Friend, finance chair on the city council, has tenaciously advocated for the vetting of the proposed downtown convention hotel. Through his actions and the actions of others on the city council, the council was able to ask the right questions that took the vetting procedure to a point where a decision can be made on the refusal of HCW to allow the City Council and the Mayor’s Office to see the requested documentation.

Up until the point of the documents were refused to be released, the Mayor’s office and the Evansville Redevelopment commission had been rather dodgy when it came to specifics of the business plan over time.

Friend is the seventh and the last “Mole Award” winner for 2013 and this year’s award makes him a three time winner of the coveted award. Friend joins the Honorable Judges Brett Niemeier and Wayne Trockman as well as Indiana Senator Vaneta Becker. Matthew Burkhart of Newburgh and Ben Trockman of Evansville have also been selected as recipients for 2013, as well as Pidgeon Township Trustee Mary Hart.

Mary Hart was selected for her dedication to the Pigeon Township Trustee position for an outstanding 33 years. Indiana Senator Vaneta Becker was selected for her good public policy, seemingly endless committee work, and her many activities within the community. Judge Niemeier was selected for his work with Evansville’s youth and for his affiliation with the Alternative School that now resides in what used to be Evansville’s North High School. Judge Trockman has been selected for his public policy as well as his work with Vanderburgh County’s first Drug Treatment Court and Matthew Burkhart and Ben Trockman have both been selected as a result of their work in reforming laws and standards of operation. Matthew Burkhart successfully lobbied for reform of Indiana’s child labor laws in respect to children under the age of 14 being able to umpire and referee sporting events, while Ben Trockman’s work has encouraged airline companies to re-examine their policies and standards of operation for the physically challenged wishing to travel.

This year’s “Mole Awards” Ceremony will be held on October 14 at 12 p.m. in the Walnut Room at the Tropicana Hotel. This year’s event marks the sixth annual ceremony to honor those promoting good public policy and commitment to the community. Invitation to the ceremony is by reservation only and is year’s event is shaping up to be a sold out affair. Tables are selling quickly, to place a reservation or with any other inquiries please contact Mollie Darke-Schreiver at (812) 760-4233 or reach her by email at mdarke07@yahoo.com.

STATEHOUSE- State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) testified today before the Commission on Education on a program which would bring awareness to sudden cardiac arrest in student athletes.

“I want to increase awareness on all fronts,” said Rep. Bacon. “I think we need to educate the coaches, the students and the parents on the nature and risk of sudden cardiac arrest. If everyone knows what signs to look for, any student athlete who is even suspected of experiencing a symptom of sudden cardiac arrest can be immediately removed from play. If this saves even one young life, it will be worth it.”

Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Each day, this medical emergency affects about 16 people under the age of 18. Symptoms include fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pains, dizziness or an abnormal racing heart.

“If you look at the statistics, the American Heart Association (AHA) reports that nearly 54 percent of cardiovascular deaths occur in high school students. This is a staggering number” said Rep. Bacon. “During the 2014 legislative session, I will be presenting a bill to the General Assembly to address this issue and to ensure that students, parents and schools are being proactive about athlete safety.”

Rep. Bacon served as chairman of the St. Mary’s Warrick Hospital Foundation for six years and has worked in the healthcare industry for over 45 years.

Evansville, September 14, 2013: The Facebook group opposing the taxpayer funded hotel is calling upon Mayor Lloyd Winnecke to formally withdraw his support from a deal that would have given $37.5 million in taxpayer subsidies to hotel developer HCW out of Branson, MO.

In a recent email to City Council members and the Mayor’s office, proposed vetting firm Crowe Horwath have formally turned down the contract to review the personal and professional tax information of HCW partners citing a lack of cooperation and unworkable restrictions applied to the process by HCW.

A. Ridgeway Miller, a CPA of Crowe Horwath said in an email to both City Council members and the Mayor’s office, “HCW’s requirements and prohibitions inappropriately place Crowe in possession of information that the Council should have, and HCW’s restrictions provide no way for Crowe to give the Council the information the Council needs to make an informed decision. Crowe cannot proceed on that basis.”

Brad Linzy of the Citizens of Evansville against a Taxpayer Funded Hotel Facebook page believes this should be the death knell of the deal. “This is totally unacceptable. If the Mayor does not withdraw his support now, he runs the risk of further alienating constituents and appearing to be in total disregard for transparency of government.”

Linzy further has called upon the City Council to reconvene at their earliest convenience and vote down this hotel deal with HCW. “The vetting process has failed,” Linzy continued. “HCW has refused to cooperate. This is not a company with whom we feel the taxpayers of Evansville need to be doing business. Even if you supported the subsidy up until now, this should give you serious pause for thought.”

The Facebook group still plans to hold a protest when a final vote is scheduled, which could come sooner than expected considering these developments.

https://www.facebook.com/EvansvilleSaysNo