Voting San Bernardino’s elected officials out of office will achieve little if only the faces change. Real reform involves far more comprehensive shifts: The city needs candidates for office who put the public good ahead of petty politics, and an engaged electorate that demands a serious approach. And San Bernardino needs to alter a city charter that hinders a fiscally stable and effective city government.

Residents are legitimately frustrated with city officials. The city sought bankruptcy protection in August, after finding that budget reserves were gone and San Bernardino was nearly $46 million short of the money needed to cover $166 million in expenses planned for that fiscal year. And after pledging cooperation on solutions, the City Council quickly reverted to the bitter stalemate that has hampered the city for years.

The city’s voters will not change that pattern, however, through unfocused expressions of disgust. In May a group of civic and business leaders announced a sweeping recall targeting the mayor, the seven-member City Council and the city attorney — even though the mayor and three council members are up for re-election in November anyway. The group this month narrowed its approach to target only those elected offices not on the November ballot: four council members and the city attorney. Trying to recall people who will face the voters soon anyway is not a way to build consensus for pragmatic solutions.

Besides, changing the players will matter little if the city continues the same old political games that have blocked progress in San Bernardino for years. Even the city’s insolvency was not enough to shock the council into cooperation. Instead, the public got time-wasting obstruction and special-interest pandering while the city’s finances imploded.

San Bernardino needs candidates who will put the city’s interests first, instead of engaging in the personal vitriol, self-serving politics and grandstanding that often have typified San Bernardino government. A recall effort is pointless if proponents cannot offer voters a better alternative.

Voters also need to hold elected officials accountable for their performance. The city’s government will not change as long as residents elect and re-elect candidates who contribute to the city’s dysfunction. Voters need to be informed about issues, and ready to support candidates committed to making necessary fixes at City Hall. And voters should reject candidates bankrolled by employee unions and other special interests that put narrow agendas ahead of public needs.

San Bernardino also should scuttle charter provisions that block responsible government, such as the automatic salary formulas that forced the bankrupt city to hand out nearly $1 million in pay raises in March. The charter should scrap the elected city attorney position, to remove the incumbent’s power to divide and paralyze city government.

Superficial changes will not suffice. The city needs to transform a noxious political atmosphere and a dysfunctional government structure. And a recall can help only if it is part of a more comprehensive overhaul.

Source: California Political Review

St. Mary’s Pulmonary Support Group will hold a picnic fundraiser Saturday, August 17th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at American Baptist East Fellowship Hall, located at 6300 Washington Avenue in Evansville.

The event will include bingo games, a K9 demonstration from the Evansville Police Department, jewelry making, a Tai Chi class, a cornhole competition, live music by The Fraley’s, and lots of great door prizes, including a big door prize drawing at 2pm. Those attending the picnic are encouraged to bring an item from their home to include in a White Elephant auction and a homemade dessert to enter into a competition.

The cost is $10 per person, $18 per couple, or $30 for a family of four and includes a two-piece chicken meal complete with mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, green beans, a dinner roll, dessert, and a beverage. All proceeds benefit the St. Mary’s Pulmonary Rehab Support Group, which offers educational and social opportunities for adults diagnosed with lung diseases.

To reserve your tickets, please call 812-485-5230. Payment is required with reservation.

Deaconess received Magnet designation under the name Deaconess Hospital, Inc., which includes three hospitals – Deaconess Hospital, Deaconess Gateway Hospital and Deaconess Cross Pointe.

Deaconess earned Magnet designation after a thorough and lengthy application process. The process included documenting and reporting clinical results and patient outcomes as well as a four-day, on-site visit by a team of appraisers. Designation lasts four years after which time the organization must apply for re-designation.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) ® is the most prestigious distinction a health care organization can receive for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes. Organizations that achieve Magnet recognition are part of an esteemed group that demonstrates superior nursing practices and outcomes.

Congratulations to everyone at Deaconess for this amazing achievement!

A high-energy, quirky comedy show featuring Las Vegas comedians Bill Hildebrandt and Kevin Kramis is making a tour stop at Central Library on Sunday, July 28th at 2:00 pm. The family-friendly Dewey Decibel Stand-up Comedy Tour offers 60 minutes of side-splitting humor.

With his energetic, innovative, and hilarious perspective on everyday life, Bill Hildebrandt has headlined clubs, casinos, and college and corporate shows for more than 25 years. He has shared the stage with many of today’s top acts, including Judy Tenuta, Rita Rudner, and Rosie O’Donnell. Hildebrandt has opened for several classic rock & roll bands, such as Huey Lewis and the News and the Doobie Brothers. For 12 years, he has worked in Las Vegas on a regular basis at the renowned comedy club at the Riviera Hotel and Casino.

Hildebrandt will be joined on the Dewey Decibel Stand-up Comedy Tour by Kevin Kramis. Kramis performs more than 45 weeks per year, is a regular in Las Vegas, and writes material for a number of comedians. A veteran comic noted for his universal appeal with stage presence and off-beat improvisations that captivate and involve audiences, Kevin has performed everywhere from major arenas to a maximum-security prison. He has opened for Tim Allen, Jeff Foxworthy, Three Dog Night, and others.

Three event ticket types are available: Laughs for One is $10; Date Night Laughs for Two is $15 and includes an appetizer coupon; Family Laughs is $25 and includes tickets for up to five people, an appetizer coupon, and coupons for kids’ treats. Tickets can be purchased online at www.evansvilledeweydecibel.eventbrite.com.

Proceeds from this event benefit the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Foundation, which provides funding for special Library projects.

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Indiana Governor Mike Pence has appointed Brenden Davidson of Worthington to the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees. Effective July 1, he will serve as student trustee for two years.

Davidson is a Presidential Scholar with a cumulative GPA of 4.0. He is entering his third year at USI as a political science major with a minor in business management.

He serves as a University Court justice and previously was representative-at-large within the Student Government Association. He has held a variety of positions within Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, including president, scholastic chairman, member of the executive committee, and International General Assembly Delegate. He also serves as a senior delegate on the USI Interfraternity Council.

He was valedictorian of the White River Valley Junior/Senior High School Class of 2011.

“The students named today to our state universities’ boards of trustees represent some of Indiana’s best and brightest,” Pence said. “Their insights, experience and guidance, coupled with those of their fellow trustees, will further enrich higher education in Indiana and will benefit each state university accordingly throughout the duration of their terms.”

The student trustee, a voting member of the nine-member USI Board of Trustees, brings a student’s perspective to the governing board. The student trustee must be a full-time student, a U.S. citizen and resident of Indiana, have a 2.5 GPA or above, and have completed 24 semester credit hours at USI.

The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet in executive session at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2013, in the John H. Schroeder Conference Centre at the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut, IN 47713, Evansville, IN. The session will be conducted according to Senate Enrolled Act 313, Section 1, I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, as amended. The purpose of the meeting is for discussion of collective bargaining, (2)(A); initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing, (2)(B); purchase or lease of property, (2)(D); and job performance evaluation of individual employees, (9).

The regular meeting of the School Board will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the EVSC Board Room, same address.