The Vanderburgh County Republican Party is pleased to announce that Governor Pence and State Auditor Tim Berry will be our guest at a reception in their honor on Monday July 8, 2013 at Biaggi’s Restaurant from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Tim Berry has been nominated by Governor Pence to become the next State Party Chairman. Let us give them a big welcome.

Event: Pence/Berry GOP Reception
Date/Time: July 8, 2013 from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM ( Evansville Time)
Location: Biaggi’s Restaurant
6401 East Lloyd Expressway
Evansville IN
Food: Light food & refreshments will be served
Cost: No Charge

More details will follow later.

For planning purposes it would be helpful for you to RSVP to Mary Jo Kaiser atbeamerjo59@gmail.com if you can or cannot attend
Hope to see you there.

Wayne Parke
Chairman Vanderburgh County Republican Party
Cell: (812) 455-1685
wparke@wowway.com

The coal industry has played an integral role in our nation’s history. For years, people living in coal country have built their entire livelihoods around this industry, often working in the mines generation after generation. Due to its accessibility and quantity, coal is often considered our most reliable form of electricity.

Living so close to this industry, I have put a great deal of research into the topic. In looking at the Institute of Energy Research’s website, I discovered that from a global standpoint, the United States has the largest coal reserves in the world, enough to last us another 250 years. These reserves are over one-and-one-half times greater than our nearest competitor, Russia, and over twice that of China. Of all the electricity generated in the United States each year, coal accounts for about 40 percent.

For the past couple decades, the coal industry has spent billions in ratepayer dollars to improve their technology, meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory standards and perform more efficiently. Unfortunately however, it seems that this is still not enough.

Reading a recent CNN article, I was reminded that during President Obama’s first term in office, he had created regulations for all newly built coal plants in an attempt to limit their carbon emissions. Many of these regulations came as part of the stimulus package and created construction jobs in order to ensure new plants were in compliance.

Last month, the president took those regulations a step further, directing the EPA to develop a detailed draft proposal which will establish carbon pollution standards for plants that are already active.

With coal plants being the largest source of carbon emissions in the United States, the president has argued that the benefits of reducing these emissions will far outweigh the costs of implementing new rules. However, few regions stand to feel the impact of these regulations as much as southwest Indiana.

As a lifelong resident of this region, I am particularly upset by the new climate change strategy and what I feel are the continued attacks on this industry. The president’s website states his goal to reduce carbon pollution by 3 billion metric tons by 2030. This is the equivalent of more than one year’s carbon pollution from our entire electricity system. This strategy will have an immeasurable economic impact on Indiana.

In particular, these regulations will drive up the cost of electricity, and in turn, the cost of living in our state. Beyond the burden that plants are already facing, they will now have to spend more money to install equipment and provide proper annual maintenance. These costs will then be incurred by the consumer at a time when many are stretched to the brink already. However, these are just the short-term implications.

Long-term, these new, unrealistic emissions standards could produce a massive blow to our industries, killing countless Hoosier jobs. In fact, many plants are already experiencing early shutdowns. After the first round of regulations, Indiana Michigan Power announced that the Tanners Creek plant in Lawrenceburg would shut down three of its four generators by 2015 in order to help the company meet incoming EPA emissions limits.

I hope that the president will take our concerns under serious consideration. These types of decisions should be made with the input of our Representatives in the United States Congress, not unilaterally by our president. It is my sincere hope that these new regulations can be reined in before any serious, long-term damage is done.

In today’s turbulent economic environment, college students across the nation find themselves asking the same question, “How in the world am I going to get a job?”

From the time you arrive on campus, UE’s Center for Career Development works one-on-one with you to help you discover and achieve your career goals. Whether you are looking for an internship, applying to graduate schools, or preparing to step into the workplace after graduation, the Center for Career Development will work alongside you to make your goal a reality.

How successful is our office in helping UE students reach their goals?

A survey of the Class of 2012 found that 92 percent were employed or in graduate school (87 percent response rate).
The median salary of 2012 graduates employed full-time was $42,500.
Thirty-two percent of 2012 graduates not currently in graduate school plan to pursue graduate school within the next three years.
2012 graduates are employed across the country and around the world, including:

ABC Television Group
Old National Bank
Berry Plastics
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
They also attend the nation’s top graduate schools, including:

Boston University
Columbia University
University of Chicago
Vanderbilt University

A committee formed earlier this year that has been raising funds to name the North High School Performing Arts Center after long-time music educator Jerry Hoover, is wrapping up its campaign on July 4th. “To date, more than $80,000 has been raised in support of Mr. Hoover and the wonderful work he has done with students throughout his music education career,” said Caren Whitehouse, chair of the campaign and a 1975 North High School graduate. Donations are still being accepted, as funding will be used not only for the naming, but also to assist deserving high school music students to be able to perform as well as to enhance their performance experience in the Center.

Hoover taught at North High School and directed the choir from 1956 to 1980 and then at Harrison High School as a counselor from 1980 to 2001. Although now retired, he is known throughout the community for leading students in developing their musical abilities and also for lending his personal talents to assist others. “We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to do this for a very special man, teacher, and mentor,” Whitehouse said recently. “Mr. Hoover defined excellence and championed the efforts of his students while serving as choral director at North, and the entire community benefitted from the musical program and productions that took place while he was at the school. We can’t think of a better way to honor Mr. Hoover than to name the new Performing Arts Center after him.” Mr. Jerry Hoover stated that he is “humbled by the efforts to name the Jerry Hoover Performing Arts Center” and “delighted to hear from so many friends, former students and colleagues from across America.”

A group of alumni from North began spreading the word earlier this year about the opportunity to name the Performing Arts Center after their mentor. Those individuals include: Whitehouse, Rev. Rick VanHoose, class of 1962; Steve Fritz, class of 1964, Don Bernhardt, class of 1974, and Ned and Marilyn Conder, friends of Hoover.

A dedication ceremony is being planned for September 14th at 4:00 p.m.at North High School with a reception scheduled afterwards. An alumni choir will sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. All are invited to attend.

EVANSVILLE, IN – The Evansville Vanderburgh Animal Care & Control Shelter invites the public to “show your spirit” and help abused animals by attending the first annual “Spirit Festival.” The festival raises money to provide medical care for abused and abandoned animals. It will be held July 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Animal Care & Control Shelter, located at 815 Uhlhorn St.

“The purpose of this event is to increase public awareness about abused and neglected animals not just in Evansville but in all of Vanderburgh County,” said Animal Care & Control Superintendent Alisa Webster. “It’s also a chance to raise money to save as many animals as possible in the hopes of uniting them with a loving family.”

Proceeds from the festival will go to the Spirit Medical Fund, an Animal Care & Control sponsored relief effort to rehabilitate and reintroduce wounded stray dogs into loving homes. The fund was established and named after the heart-wrenching story of Spirit, a dachshund-mix who survived an atrocious act of animal cruelty.

In 2000, Spirit was found covered in gasoline, severely burned, and left to die at Oak Hill cemetery on a Halloween night. Spirit’s undeniable will to live coupled with overwhelming public support enabled her to make a full recovery, giving her a second chance and a new life with a caring family.

The 2013 “Spirit Festival” will include food, pony rides, a dunking tank, and the opportunity to meet and learn the incredible stories of other abused dogs at the shelter. Donations are also welcome and may be sent to the Spirit Medical Fund in care of the Animal Care & Control, 815 Uhlhorn Street, Evansville, IN 47710.

A bat found in Evansville has tested positive for rabies at the Indiana State Department of Health. This is a reminder to residents that rabies continues to exist in the wild life population in Vanderburgh County.

As rabies is a fatal illness in humans, residents are advised not to handle wild animals.

Any dead or injured wild animals should be reported immediately to the City of

Evansville’s Animal Care and Control Department at 435-6015.

Dog, cat and ferret owners should check with their veterinarian at this time to

determine if the animal has a valid rabies vaccine. If these animals do not have a current

vaccination, they should be vaccinated without delay.

Downtown Evansville

On Thursday, July 4, 2013, thousands will flock to Downtown Evansville to celebrate Independence Day on Evansville’s spacious riverfront.

The festivities will begin at 9:00 a.m. when the 2013 Shriners Fest hosts food vendors, rides and games. For a full list of Shriners Fest activities on July 4th please visit hadishrinersfest.com.

And for the finale, presented by Tropicana Evansville, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, and The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville –the Thunder and Lightning Fireworks Show will begin shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th.

The fireworks show is absolutely FREE thanks to our wonderful community sponsors: Tropicana Evansville, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Mulzer Crushed Stone, Dunn Hospitality, South Central Radio Group, and the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville.

In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks show may be canceled or delayed. Please check www.evansvillegage.com for details and updates.