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Letter To Editor From Jeff Hayden, In Support Of Historical Preservation Lighting Project

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I am a downtown resident after living anywhere but downtown my entire life. Until I moved downtown, 2 years ago, I really didn’t know or appreciate the treasure it is. I am not on the lighting committee.

Like all projects of this nature, people tend muddy to up a simple, good things. Who picked the light? Why is it starting there and not here? When will it be in front of my house? I want . . . I insist . . . . I, I, I . . . selfishness and shortsightedness are about to cripple or stop something simple and good.

The historic neighborhood lighting project is the quintessential example of a community lead, government supported initiative that cities everywhere could benefit from. Because it is community lead, the motives and vision are appropriate and focused. The city government is not leading and is only supporting the project as it should – infrastructure study and aiding and abetting their desire to see a beautiful, safe Evansville. It’s primarily funded by community volunteers, so tax dollars are appropriated modestly and properly by the city. Thank you mayor.

Some quibbling by a few will send the wrong signals to city officials who live in a quagmire of bureaucratic paralysis as it is. They don’t need an excuse not to proceed. You see, chaos, disorder and decay are our enemies – in our homes, in our country and certainly in our cities. It’s called blight! It’s a mighty force. Projects like the historic lighting one are positive forces pushing back on the enemy. Some seem to loose sight of simple, good things when they don’t happen specifically to them on their terms and time lines. You stop or slow this progress, you are simply giving the enemy an advantage. Just look around if you don’t believe this.

The primary reason momentum has built on this project is the work, and yes I mean work, that has been done by a small number of people – flyers, communiques, meetings, fund raisers, home shows, dinners, etc. Those folks invested the time and energy it takes to move something forward in this world. Let them pick the lights and the starting point and the other particulars. It’s fine with me. Get involved constructively if you don’t like something about it, not destructively with sniveling. Offer help.

Come on people – unify! Let there be light!!

Sincerely,

Jeff Hayden

Front Door Pride Hides Our Back Door Embarrassments IN Political Ward # 3 By Jordan Baer

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jordan baer

What appears to be an urban development program with good intentions has now left the city of Evansville shaking their heads. It’s no secret that those living in the Evansville area aren’t too happy with the government program “Front Door Pride.” There are many reasons why we should be excited that our city is giving a genuine effort to rebuild our urban core, but at the same time, there are also many reasons why we should demand Front Door Pride be reformed. Why is Front Door Pride in need of reform?

For starters, the program fails miserably at taking into account its market. Obviously, anytime you are paying around $200,000 to build a home and then selling it on the market for a little over $100,000, you have to wonder if A. Your program understands capitalism B. Your program is sustainable. Yes, I do believe that the Front Door Pride neighborhood deserves to have nice houses. I think it’s a great thing to drive through some of these neighborhoods and see change taking place in an area that once had no hope. But I also fail to see how a neighborhood who has been hit hard by the economy can afford houses that are priced over $100,000 even after the city takes a major financial hit.

One organization that Front Door Pride should look to for guidance and advice is Habitat For Humanity. Located just a few blocks down from the Front Door Pride homes, you will see Habitat For Humanity houses that are priced in the $50,000 range. And if you drive through their neighborhood, you will see that just about all of these houses have been spoken for by needy, and much deserving, families who simply cannot afford the lavish Front Door Pride homes.

Another failed policy that Front Door Pride needs to reform is their practice of buying houses here, there, everywhere. When you drive through the Front Door Pride neighborhoods, you will see nice and new $100,000 plus homes that the city just completed standing right next to homes that are just barely standing. One look at this alignment will tell you that this nice, new Front Door Pride home is probably going to lose some of its value because the city failed to build their houses together. On the flip side, the Habitat For Humanity homes were built together in blocks. As a result, the entire neighborhood has been completely transformed, the property values are all about the same minus a few perks on each lot, and the spirit of the neighborhood has been effectively changed. This is what we need out of our Front Door Pride program.

As someone who believes that the key to turning around Evansville is through successful implementation of Smart Growth practices, I also believe that the city and Habitat for Humanity should consider building high-rises in these districts in order to improve Evansville’s urban density while using less land at the same time. High-rises would also do a better job of improving neighborhood relations than the basic one room/one level houses that are split from their neighbors.
Lastly but most importantly, I can’t stress enough that the Front Door Pride program needs to be moved around the city regions from time to time. Although I’m glad our city started with the 4th Ward since it has been hit hard by the economy over the years and has seen very little, if any, government investment in it, I do believe that it is time for the Front Door Pride program to begin laying down roots in other Wards once it has been reformed.

When you have some free time, take a stroll through the 3rd Ward neighborhoods that are bounded by Main Street, Franklin Street, Virginia Street, and the old Hercules Motor Company buildings next to US 41. I have taken several pictures of these neighborhoods and have enclosed them for you to see. Please click here to view Pictures

The condition of this region is something you have to see in person in order to grasp the gravity of the situation. Once the manufacturing companies around the neighborhood moved out, these neighborhoods have been left to fight for themselves.

If done correctly, these neighborhoods can be a source of pride for our city. They can help us attract small manufacturing and technology companies to the old Hercules Plant buildings as well as Berry Plastics, they can extend our Downtown investments, and they can show that our city is committed to bringing prosperity and hope to all Wards in the city.

At one of the mayor’s traveling town hall meetings, I sat down with Mr. Philip Hooper of the Department of Metropolitan Development. He told me that many of the young professionals who recently moved here to work for the company SS&C were looking for urban housing where they could walk or take mass transit to their office. He also said the city was interested in rebuilding the Jacobsville neighborhoods with young professional housing so that Main Street was connected from the Ford Center to Bosse Field.

There is no reason that our Front Door Pride cannot be revamped and partially relocated. The neighborhoods in the 3rd Ward are simply unacceptable, especially when they come with so much potential. Instead of Front Door Pride spending double on a home and then leaving it all by itself, shouldn’t our city be building affordable housing in bulk in all wards like the 3rd Ward? Shouldn’t those representing the 3rd Ward be fighting to bring both public and private urban renewal projects to this area?

It’s time for urban renewal in the 3rd Ward, it’s time our Front Door Pride stopped hiding our back door embarrassments!

FOOTNOTE: Posted by CCO without opinion, editing or bias.

Letter to Editor By Bill Hazelip

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It seems we all need a college education, even if it is not an education that we can use? A letter response to the Evansville Courier from a state university professor was critical of Governor Pence for wanting four year colleges to graduate students in four-years. The professor is from a school which has a four-year graduation rate 8.3 percent, which is among the lowest in the country.

It seems also that many in the education fields believe that if you construct enough buildings, rooms, and purchase enough chairs that someone will come,– even if it’s just to sit in one of the chairs, ala, California style. This professor states that his school offers the students an opportunity to rise even if they are unprepared for the college level. The professor states that, “yes” his college could improve their graduation rate by denying academically unqualified students admission. However, this professor believes that everyone is eligible and eventually will get a diploma. As a taxpayer and former employer of many of these students, I believe this is a discredit to all of the qualified students at this college, those who were qualified and passed the rigid requirements for their diplomas. The necessity of social justice should not be in the relaxing of college requirements.

As a taxpayer, I thought education was what our state colleges were all about!

Tax relief for farmers passes both houses

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STATEHOUSE — Senate Bill (SB) 319, sponsored by State Representative Don Lehe (R-Brookston) and cosponsored by State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler), passed the Indiana House of Representatives on Monday with a 97-0 vote. SB 319 is the first piece of legislation to pass both houses in the 2013 legislative session.

SB 319 addresses the assessment of farmland for property tax purposes. The Department of Local Government Finance had produced a list of changes last year that equals an immediate 20 percent increase in property taxes on farmland. Taxes on farmland the last few years have increased dramatically as the newly enacted controls have held other classes of property static or reduced. By fast tracking the bill, local assessors can implement the new statute before spring documents are mailed out to property owners.

“This bill has been fast tracked because of its important to many Hoosiers,” said Rep. Bacon. “A recent study showed that agricultural land has experienced the largest property tax increase of any type of land since 2007. SB 319 prevents farmers from having to pay a significant increase in taxes, providing some much needed relief following the recent drought last summer.”

In SB 319, the current soil productivity factors, used for the March 2011 assessment of agricultural land value, would remain in place for property taxes payable in 2014. The new soil productivity factors could not be used until 2015. The bill also establishes an interim study committee to study agriculture property tax issues.

“We are really appreciative of those individuals who got this bill to the Senate in a hurry and to the House for now fast tracking it,” said Indiana Farm Bureau tax and local government specialist Katrina Hall. “This is an issue our members have been facing, and we appreciate the efforts to delay this for one more year to access it more generally.”

SB 319 now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

AGENDA Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Meeting

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AGENDA
Vanderburgh County
Board of Commissioners
February 26, 2013
5:00 pm, Room 301

1. Call to Order
2. Attendance
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Permission to Open Bids: Old Courthouse Corridor Restoration Project
5. Action Items
• Southern Indiana Classic Marathon and Half Marathon
• Substance Abuse Council 2013 Grant Funding
• First Reading of CO.02-13-003: Ordinance Setting Forth Responsibility of Cleanup of Hazardous Materials or Spills on County Roadways
• Permission to Award: VC13-02-01: Broadway Ave. Bridge No. 270 Deck Replacement and maintenance to Blankenberger Brothers, Inc. for $99,245
• Contracts, Agreements and Leases
i. Health Department
• Bioterrorism Preparedness Grant Agreement
• Champ Software HIPAA Business Associate Contract
• Teletask Annual Maintenance Agreement
ii. Auditor:
• Kronos Annual Software Maintenance Service Contract
• Tax Management Associates contract for Homestead Standard Deduction Audit Services
iii. Burdette Park:
• Yellow Pages Advertisement Renewal
• Annual Agreement with University of Southern Indiana for use of pool for Lifeguard Training
6. Department Head Reports
7. Board Appointments
8. New Business
9. Old Business
10. Public Comment
11. Consent Items
• Approval of prior meeting minutes: February 5, 2013
• Employment Changes
• Approval of Township Trustee Standards:
i. Armstrong
ii. Center
iii. German
iv. Knight
v. Perry
vi. Pigeon
vii. Scott
viii. Union
• Commissioners:
i. Sale of 819 Jackson
ii. Appropriation Request
iii. Transfer Request
• IBAP Gatekeeper: January 31, 2013 report
• Sheriff:
i. Permission to surplus 1999 Dodge Van and 2001 Ford Taurus for disposal
ii. Agreement Termination Letter to Correctional Risk Services, Inc.
• American Medical Response
i. Third Quarter 2012 Report and Expenses
ii. Fourth Quarter 2012 Report and Expenses
• County Ozone Officer: January 2013 Report
• County Clerk January 2013 Monthly Report
• Treasurer:
i. December 2012 and January 2013 Year-to-date reports
ii. January 2013 Monthly Report
• Weights and Measures January 16- February 15 Monthly Report
• County Highway Department: Permission to surplus various equipment for scrap metal
• County Engineer:
i. Pay Request No. 4314 for TIF Projects in the amount of $55,165.41
12. Adjournment

House Democrats and Republicans Discuss Biennial State Budget.

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Gail INDIANAPOLIS – House Democrats and Republicans had the chance this week to provide their priorities for the next biennial state budget.

Let’s take a moment to see how they compare.

The Democratic budget offers middle class Hoosiers a choice: either a cut in their income taxes or taking a credit that will reduce the textbook taxes middle class families pay each year.

The Republican budget offers no tax cuts of any kind. We tried to give House members a chance to vote on the governor’s proposed 10 percent income tax cut, but the Republicans refused to let us debate and vote on their own governor’s plan.

The Democratic budget gives every public school in Indiana an increase in state support each of the next two years.

The Republican budget cuts state support for 30 percent of public schools in the first year and 40 percent of public schools in the second year.

The Democratic budget creates private sector jobs through funding for infrastructure projects that will improve our roads, bridges and sewers, and construction of new buildings at our state universities. It also calls for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, a program that has been estimated by the Indiana Hospital Association to create as many as 30,000 new jobs.

The Republican budget rejects the job creation that could come from the Affordable Care Act, and offers only a few opportunities to create private sector jobs.

The Democratic budget was rejected by the Republican majority.

As a result, in the next few days, we will be voting on a Republican budget that does not cut middle class taxes, does not increase funding for all public schools, and does not create very many new jobs.

Let me ask you this:

Would you vote for the Republican budget?

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As always, please contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns related to our state government. Here is how you can stay in touch: call my office toll-free at 1-800-382-9842; write to me in care of the Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204; or email me at h77@iga.in.gov.

State Representative Gail Riecken
Indiana House District 77

As always, please contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns related to our state government. Here is how you can stay in touch: call my office toll-free at 1-800-382-9842; write to me in care of the Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204; or email me at h77@iga.in.gov.

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State Representative Gail Riecken
Indiana House District 77

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3rd Annual St. Jude Radiothon – Official “Thumbs Up” Video + Big Concert Announcement‏

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99.5Great Incentives Available To Become A St. Jude Partner In Hope

By Eric Cornish

The WKDQ St. Jude Radiothon is this Thursday and Friday, February 21st and 22nd. While your donation goes to give hope and save children from all over over the world from cancer and other catastrophic diseases, you also have a chance to get some cool stuff when you make your donation.

By becoming a Partner In Hope for St. Jude, which means $20 or more per month on a credit card, you will automatically get a WKDQ/St. Jude T-shirt.

Also, every person who becomes a Partner In Hope over the two-day Radiothon will be entered into a drawing for a guitar, autographed by stars Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson, Gary Allan, Kellie Pickler, and Randy Houser!

In addition to that prize, we’ll also draw from all our Partners In Hope for a pair of Front Row seats for the April 18th, Little Big Town concert at the Victory Theater!

We also have two autographed Evansville Icemen jerseys to give away, one Partner from Thursday and one from Friday will be drawn for those!

Plus, you can listen for other opportunities to win fun prizes and autographed memorabilia signed by folks like Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Casey James, and more!

The biggest incentive is helping a sick child, but if we can throw in some goodies, we’re happy to entice! Join us for the St. Jude Radiothon sponsored by Kenny Kent Chevy and 99.5 WKDQ!

Filed Under: evansville icemen, gary allan, jason aldean, kellie pickler, Kelly Clarkson, little big town, Randy

Hoosiers receive $134M in relief as part of landmark settlement

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Greg Zoeller

New state, national figures released on anniversary of National Mortgage Settlement

INDIANAPOLIS – One year after the National Mortgage Settlement, the nation’s five largest banks reported extending more than $134 million in total relief to Indiana consumers.

The settlement resulted from state and federal investigations which found that Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo routinely signed foreclosure related documents outside the presence of a notary public and without really knowing whether the facts they contained were correct. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said the state’s total is made up of more than $125 million in relief to help consumers avoid foreclosure and more than $9 million in loan modifications that are currently in progress.

“This announcement means more than 3,200 Indiana consumers have received much-needed relief through refinancing or home-loan modifications,” Zoeller said. “While there has been substantial success, it is clear that the servicers have more to do to meet the requirements set by the National Mortgage Settlement.”

The Office of Mortgage Settlement Oversight released their report Thursday which outlined the state and national consumer relief activities of the banks from March 2012 through December 2012. Nationally, the report revealed $45.83 billion in gross relief was extended to 550,000 borrowers.

The full report and the monitor’s state-by-state data map are available at www.mortgageoversight.com.

Zoeller will participate in a National Mortgage Settlement conference in Chicago today at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. The conference will focus on the housing market collapse, the intricate path to the National Mortgage Settlement and the independent monitor that has been established to oversee the terms of the agreement. Zoeller will speak during a panel titled, “An Innovative Approach to Law Enforcement: A Bipartisan State-Federal Partnership.”

The monitor’s office has certified that as of Feb. 1, 2013, Ally/GMAC completed its consumer relief requirements and that the bank is in substantial compliance with its requirement to reach out to consumers and provide them with loss mitigation assistance.

Indiana homeowners who were foreclosed upon and experienced a servicer error between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2011 will receive a total of $31.4 million in cash payments. Claim forms were mailed to eligible borrowers last fall and the deadline to submit a claim has now passed. If you have submitted a claim form, the settlement administrator will contact you if any additional information is needed to complete your claim. Checks to borrowers who submitted claim forms are expected to be mailed mid-year in 2013. The exact amount of the payment to be made to each eligible claimant is not yet known, but it will exceed the minimum payment of $840 that was indicated on the claim form.

As part of the overall settlement, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office received $43.8 million, with $28.8 million dedicated to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the rest committed to the Consumer Protection Division and Homeowner Protection Unit consistent with the terms of the agreement. Zoeller said the LIHEAP funding helps low-income individuals, including homeowners who are most at-risk to be foreclosed upon, pay their heating bills.

Zoeller said the banks, as part of the settlement, were also required to implement comprehensive servicing reforms by Oct. 2, 2012. The monitor is currently evaluating compliance with those reforms and plans to file its first report on servicers’ compliance with the court later this year.