Today the City County Observer got a copy of the audit of the Ford Center construction project which we respectfully make available to our readers on the following link.

Some key conclusions taken from the audit are as follows:

“Based on procedures performed, the initial deposits to capitalized interest trust accounts were correct but subsequent deposits to the 2010B capitalized interest trust account were incorrect.”

“Based on the disbursements reviewed, the following disbursements were noted that did not appear to be for the construction of the Ford Center.”

“Based on the procedure performed, the City of Evansville did not spend $32 million of local funds on the Construction of the Ford Center.”

“Based on the procedure performed our review of Resolution C-2009-29 indicates that the total cost of design and construction of the Downtown Multi-Purpose Arena was capped at $127,500,000 excluding finance costs, furniture, and prior feasibility studies. Based on the expenditures reviewed, the total amount spent on the design and construction of the Downtown Multi-Purpose Arena from the reviewed funds and trust accounts was $128,279,998 as of December 31, 2012. This amount exceeds the cap of $127,500,000 proposed by the City Council in Resolution C-2009-29.”

“Based on the procedures performed, payments made on several contracts were not within the approved contract amount. Of the contracts reviewed ten were paid more than the contract amount plus (minus) change orders. The total amount overpaid was $1,052,732.”

“Based on the invoices reviewed, all paid invoices were not properly documented.”

“Results of the procedure performed indicates that not all of the deposits to and disbursements from the 2009 BAN A and 2009 BAN B bank accounts and the 2010 A and 2010 B trust accounts were appropriate and/or approved by the Redevelopment Commission or Redevelopment Authority Board.”

You can read the details that lead to the above derogatories and the official City of Evansville response on the following link.

Ford Center Construction Audit

Enjoy outdoor cooking while keeping cancer risk to a minimum, expert urges

SUNDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) — For many Americans, summer just wouldn’t be the same without a backyard barbecue. However, the blackened meats and smoky flavor that come with grilling could put your health at risk, experts caution.

The good news, though, is that by planning ahead and making some smart choices, you can enjoy summer barbecues and reduce your exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

High-heat grilling can convert proteins found in red meat, pork, poultry and fish into heterocyclic amines (HCAs). These chemicals have been linked to breast, stomach, prostate and colon cancer.

“What happens is that the high temperature can change the shape of the protein structure in the meat so it becomes irritating in the body and is considered a carcinogenic chemical,” Stacy Kennedy, a nutritionist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said in an institute news release.

Another cancer-causing agent, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is found in the smoke from the barbeque. PAHs form when fat and juices from meat cooking on the grill drip down onto the heat source.

“That’s where the main cancer-causing compound occurs in grilling,” Kennedy said. “So you want to reduce the exposure to that smoke.”

For those who plan to fire up the grill this summer, Kennedy offered the following tips to reduce exposure to cancer-causing agents:
•Choose meats wisely. Avoid grilling high-fat meats, like ribs and sausages. Instead, choose lean meats, which create less dripping and less smoke. Always trim excess fat and remove skin. It’s also a good idea to choose smaller cuts of meat, such as kabobs, which require less cooking time.
•Try thin marinades. Thicker marinades tend to char, which could increase exposure to cancer-causing agents. Choose marinades made with vinegar or lemon, which will form a protective layer on the meat.
•Reduce grilling time. Always thaw meat before cooking. Meat and fish also should be partially cooked in the microwave before grilling. This will reduce cooking time and the risk for smoke flare-ups.
•Flip often. Flipping burgers once every minute will help prevent burning or charring.
•Consider food placement. Be sure to place food at least six inches away from a heat source.
•Create a barrier. Do not allow juices to spill and produce harmful smoke. Line the grill with aluminum foil or cook on cedar planks.
•Consider veggies. Try grilling your favorite vegetables since they do not contain the protein that forms harmful HCAs. “People are surprised, but you can safely eat charred vegetables,” Kennedy said. “They have different proteins that are not affected the same way as the meat protein.

Despite the risks, Kennedy said, barbecue enthusiasts should keep things in perspective. “If you’re grilling and following the proper safety tips, the risk of getting cancer from grilling food is very low,” she said. “Being overweight or obese, which are at epidemic levels in the U.S., are far greater risk factors for developing cancer than the consumption of grilled foods.”

President Abell: Under new business, Burdette Park passes for county employees. You’re not here to discuss that, are you? I spoke with Mr. Craig on the phone today about this. He has not ordered those. He’s leaving that decision on whether or not to provide them up to us. Of course, this is where we’re going to make that decision, because the three of us having discussed it. I don’t know how the other two feel, but, we just, I just do not think this something we can continue to afford. We’re operating at bare bones. We’re losing money at Burdette Park every year, and I don’t think we can continue to provide passes for anyone to use the facilities, but I will entertain comments from my fellow Commissioners.

Commissioner Melcher: Well, it’s not just not the county employees. Every time we do the county employees, the next two weeks we’ve got to come back and do the building here. So, they’re not on here again, so that means they’ll be back at the June 4th meeting wanting to know where their passes are. I agree, you know, right now, with the times the way they are and all of this, I was in a meeting with Shetler yesterday, you were on the phone, we’ve got to find out where all of this money is going to come from. You know, we hate to do that, but, you know, nothing says we can relook at this some other time. So, I don’t even think–

Commissioner Kiefer: Don’t do anything.

Commissioner Melcher: – don’t even do anything on it, no. So, we’ll just move on with old business.

President Abell: No action. There will be no action on this, and there will be no park passes issued this year.

As an active part of the Evansville community, UE is excited to offer every student countless opportunities to get involved through community service.

During the 2011-12 academic year, UE students reported more than 19,000 hours of service to the Evansville community, helping to ensure that they will leave the Evansville community better than they found it. Over the course of the year, our students took part in service activities that included:
â—¾Landscaping
â—¾Tutoring
â—¾Mentoring
â—¾Serving Meals
â—¾Cleaning
â—¾Building Homes
â—¾Assisting and Visiting the Elderly
â—¾And Much More!

To get involved, all you have to do is visit the Office of Community Service Initiatives in the student life suite of Ridgway University Center. There, you will find an extensive list of service sites in the Evansville area that can connect you with a meaningful community service opportunity.

For more information, please stop by, or call the Office of Community Service Initiatives at 812-488-2538.

USI students from engineering and business disciplines have come together once again for this year’s summer Technology Commercialization Academy (TCA). This is the second year for the program, which piloted in 2012.

Academy participants work full time to develop ideas and business strategies around commercialization of several Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) patents. This year’s TCA has been expanded to include more students and additional time for independent work.

In this year’s Academy, students explored NSWC Crane military patents for radio intelligence, the intuitive interface initiative, and the fire control laser model. From radio intelligence technology, students have developed four tentative final products: a wristband that will track children, wait times for rides, and cash and ticketing information in amusement parks; an inventory tracker for retail establishments and warehouses; a device to track customers inside stores; and a device for institutions that will track people and help identify potential emergency or disaster situations using location patterns.

Students in the Academy, which kicked off on May 13, meet for two hours each day with faculty and spend another six hours each day working on their projects. Students utilize USI resources to develop a manufacturing plan and produce prototypes of selected technologies. They also complete preliminary market research and feasibility analyses. The Academy includes four teams of four students, each with two business and two engineering students.

The first segment of the TCA will conclude with final product pitches. Teams with high-potential technologies will have the opportunity to continue in the Academy for an additional five weeks, wrapping up in mid-July. With the additional time, teams are encouraged to license and further develop their technologies, form startups, and reach out to potential customers and investors.

Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE) in collaboration with USI came up with the Academy idea in their Tech Transfer Committee. The academy was made possible through a Lilly Endowment Sustaining Grant secured by Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the Romain College of Business, and Dr. Scott Gordon, dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.

“This is an extremely important project for us to gain insights into and increase the pace of technology transfer between Crane, USI, and others in southwestern Indiana,” said Dr. Khayum.

Debbie Dewey, president of GAGE, delivered the closing remarks at last year’s final presentations. “This project has been transformational for USI, Crane, GAGE, and our region,” she said.

If you go

Each team in the 2013 TCA will pitch its final idea and unveil a prototype at 10 a.m., Friday, June 14, in the atrium of the USI Business and Engineering Center on campus. Interested businesses, local media, and others from the community are invited to attend.