Judge Brett Niemeier recently detailed his newest collaboration with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. Niemeier, who has had multiple collaborations in the past with the EVSC, said this newest effort rises to a whole new level of cooperation. The EVSC has partnered with the Judge Niemeier by entering into a contract, so that the judge can be involved with children and families who attend the new alternative high school, The Academy of Innovative Studies, located within the old North High School. The students do not need to be on probation.
Niemeier said the contract, made possible by a new state law, gives him the authority to bring parents and children in front of him to do education reviews and recommend services that the parents or children should undergo. The Judge can remove teens from school, notify Child Services, request criminal charges to be filed, and require parental involvement. Niemeier stated he has already met with several teenagers and their parents and the meetings have gone well.
A.I.S. has given Judge Niemeier and his probation officers their own office to use for meetings. The use of probation officers in the schools was first started almost ten years ago by Judge Niemeier. Niemeier said this is the next logical extension of that service, plus allows the Court to be involved with teenagers who are not on probation. “The goal is for these teens to get an education and stay off probation,†stated Niemeier.
A.I.S. already has a different look than most schools. Almost all of the students who attend have been suspended or expelled from the previous school. Hallways have tape on the floors, so students should not cross over to the other side of a hallway. This cuts down on horseplay and opportunities to start problems with other students. Further, students are subjected to drug screens. Niemeier hopes his presence will deter teenagers from getting into trouble and being kicked out. Just like a police officer can deter certain kids from doing something they shouldn`t, Judge Niemeier is hoping his presence does likewise. Niemeier stated, “Time will tell, if this effective, but we are hopeful, since A.I.S. provides the discipline and structure that a lot of these kids need. If they are successful they will be given the chance to go back to their home school. Of course, some kids do not like the new rules, but they need to earn the privileges that a regular school gives them.â€
The City County Observer has learned that the embattled City of Evansville managed Human Rights Commission has dropped the discrimination complaint they had filed against the Evansville Rescue Mission.
The HRC was in the news recently when the Vanderburgh County Commissioners cut their budget by 20% citing a failure to communicate and arrogant behavior toward certain commissioners.
IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer commended the Democrat Party yesterday for taking a controversial step and taking references to God out of the party platform?…we took some heat for that but that comes with the territory and our position stands?…our position is as it is out of love and respect for the United States Constitution and out of the stark reality that every time a theocracy is formed and put in control of weapons that name of God is used to do evil?…our founding fathers put in place a system where powers of governance of men come from the consent of the governed and not from God as kings, clerics, and despots always seem to claim?…this is a good system, a just system, and that the other thing that our founding fathers got perfect was that certain inalienable rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, do indeed come from our creator whatever that name may be?…that the way to cover this in a party platform is for both parties to include the Constitution in their party platform?
IS IT TRUE that the Democrats surely could not stand to let the right thing stand and that today after the personal intervention of President Barack Obama a reference to God is right back into the partly platform just like it is with the Republicans?…it seems as though neither the party leaders nor President Obama could stand the heat so they did as politicians normally do which is to flip-flop and get out of the kitchen?…it took three voice votes that required a 2/3 super majority to get the Los Angeles Mayor’s courage up to read the lie on his teleprompter declaring the amendments to include God and Jerusalem in the party platform?…that none of these voice votes were a super majority and that they were not even close but the scripted conclusion was read anyway?…with puppets like this who needs supporters?…that with vote counting like this who needs an election?…the dismissing of the clear non-majority of their own delegates was a clear case of convention voter fraud?…the teleprompter cast the deciding vote in this kangaroo court?…between the dust up over God that was flip-flopped, moving the Thursday coronation inside to avoid a half empty stadium, and the inability to manage a balloon drop the Democrats were looking pretty inept until former President Bill Clinton took the stage?
IS IT TRUE that President Clinton is one of those guys who always puts some real numbers in his speeches and explains things so that regular people can understand them?…his presence alone is enough to make people reminisce about the 90’s which were a very good economic time for America?…President Obama knows this which is why he asked President Clinton whom he has a very tumultuous past with to come to Charlotte to save his re-election campaign?…that President Clinton gave the spin machine heartburn up to the last minute because he refused to be scripted by the “you are better off than you were four years ago but don’t have the sense to know it†crowd?…as much as it would be easy to listen to President Clinton’s admonishments it is impossible to correlate the world that Clinton presided over to this campaign?…that in 1996 things really were better than they were in 1992 so Clinton could answer that tough question with a YES?…in President Clinton’s second term things got so good that Alan Greenspan actually raised interest rates to constrain the runaway growth and wealth creation?…President Clinton came to power when businesses were poised for a good run and technology like the internet, graphical user interfaces, and IT were spurring prosperity never before seen from young companies like Microsoft, Apple, Cisco Systems, Intel, and Oracle?…it was a perfect time to streamline government, end welfare as we knew it, raise marginal tax rates to constrain growth, and sit back and watch the money roll in?…the conditions are very different now and the actions that President Clinton took will not have the same outcomes when enacted on a collapsed economy?
IS IT TRUE that President Clinton boiled it all down to failing arithmetic last night?…he aimed this critique at the Republicans and he was right in the case of President Bush but he exempted President Obama from the same critique?…it is safe to say at this point that neither Presidents Bush or Obama have governed as though they know anything at all about arithmetic?…the economic problems facing this country may come down to arithmetic but that to get to that bottom line a real knowledge of calculus, differential equations, and economics will be needed to fix the massive debt that President Clinton rightly called out as our future Waterloo?…the question is whether or not a person who does not understand arithmetic has the wherewithal to make this happen?…the other question we must ask is whether a person without the knowledge of simple arithmetic can reproduce Clinton or Reagan results?
IS IT TRUE that last night felt good to those of us (and there are many) who prospered under Reagan and Clinton?…that this morning our country is still not as well off as it was four years ago, a full 67% of the American people think the country is on the wrong track, and presidential job approval is negative?…that the morning sun came up today on a country where unemployment is higher, housing is still in distress, local and some state governments are contemplating bankruptcy, wages are lower, the social safety net is expanded, and family wealth has diminished?…that tomorrow the self love fests called conventions that seem to indoctrinate the already indoctrinated will be over and it will be time for the American people to awaken from their recession induced stupor and for once think about what is right for the country as opposed to themselves?
IS IT TRUE yesterday was one of those days for those who are interested in politics in Evansville and in the United States that is hard to be replicated for backstabbing, flip flopping, and lying?…there may be a need for two IS IT TRUE’s today just to address the chaos that played itself out on every stage that the City County Observer watches?…let us start with Evansville?
IS IT TRUE that yesterday started out with a 7:35 email from the Parks Board that contained a revised agenda for the meeting they had scheduled for noon?…SNEGAL must have worked overtime on Tuesday because what was snuck into the agenda intentionally at the last minute was a vote to terminate the contract between SMG and the City of Evansville to manage the Victory theatre and Mesker Amphitheatre?…prior to calling for the vote to FIRE SMG City Parks Director Denise Johnson and Parks Board Chairman Jay Ritter praised their 20 year record of serving the City and actually even said “they were great citizens who went far beyond what they were asked to do,”?…that is the truth as the SMG staff has been doing their job well after being shafted by the Weinzapfel Administration and have even been frequent participants in Mayor Winnecke’s litter removal events?…at the end of the day the orchestrated vote of the Parks Board was unanimous to terminate the contract?
IS IT TRUE that the city of Evansville added a new meaning to the word “TRASHED” today? …that SMG employees have supported the Mayors passion of making Evansville clean from litter since the beginning the day he launched this worthy program? …that today showed his appreciation to SMG for being an outstanding corporate citizen by FIRING them?…that Mayor Winnecke gave his matching orders to his puppets serving on the Evansville Parks board to void the Victory Theatre contract they have with SMG? …we can say that the good people at SMG were truly “Trashed” today?…for the City of Evansville to express displeasure over the non-schedule at Mesker this year is hypocritical and borders on outright fraud?…that Mesker is closed because the Parks Department DID NOT EVEN DO THE SMALL STUFF WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTENANCE?
IS IT TRUE in the same meeting a $758,750 card was dealt right off the bottom of the deck?…through all of the public discussion of what to do with Roberts Stadium the City of Evansville strongly asserted that they had a deal to get Roberts demolished for a mere $200,000?…this was after the CVB led ball field team had stated that Roberts would be $2 Million to demolish and that it was learned that an old arena in Texas had cost closer to $1 Million to demolish?…that all who watch such things were sort of in disbelief that it could be done in Evansville for a paltry $200,000?…that bubble got busted yesterday when the bids were opened to demolish Roberts as the lowest bidder among the 5 was Klenck Construction at a price of $958,750?…that is the same Klenck that was hosed by the City of Evansville ala John Kish’s famous lines of “you need to talk to Woodruff to get that $335,000â€?
IS IT TRUE the City County Observer is in full support of Klenck Construction and hopes that they are treated fairly and earn a profit in all that they do?…that the CCO is utterly disgusted with the deception put onto the people of Evansville by the last two administrations regarding the costs to operate and/or demolish Roberts Stadium?…to miss an estimate by 400% is either gross incompetence or willful misrepresentation and many suspect both?…the losses associated with this increase in price equal the entire annual savings identified by the consolidation committee?…that in spite of the potential for good to be done through consolidation if the same stooges who have wrecked the City of Evansville are still the ruling class post consolidation (if it passes) not a darn thing will change?
IS IT TRUE that a careful study of the pro-consolidation and anti-consolidation list of names reveals some interesting inclusions and omissions?…most notable is the fact that more than a few current members of the city and county councils are nowhere to be found?… more notable is the absence of the very popular, former long-time mayor Frank McDonald II?…Speaking of the naming of names, is it true that some were shocked that nowhere on the “pro” team was the name of former one-term county commissioner Carol McClintock, aka Mrs. Lloyd Winnecke, who allegedly is helping spearhead the Yes’ effort?… an interesting note was struck when we couldn’t find former State Senator Bob Deig and former 8th District Congressman Brad Ellsworth on the lists?..both are snugly tucked away in cozy Vectren offices for life and will not be taking on controversial issues?…that neighborhood association leaders are being heavily lobbied to join the Yes campaign?
Gary Gulledge, candidate for Vanderburgh County Coroner, would like to take this opportunity to remind the citizens of Vanderburgh County of the Lifesavers’ Walk scheduled for September 8 th, 2012.
This event is sponsored by Southwestern Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Registration for the Lifesavers’ Walk will be from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Evansville State Hospital grounds, with the 1 mile walk beginning at 9:15 a.m. Registration fee is $20.00.
The purpose of the Lifesavers’ Walk is to raise awareness of the problem of suicide.
All proceeds will be used to promote suicide awareness, education, and prevention activities in this area.
The Lifesavers’ Walk continues to be an important factor in the better understanding of how suicidal behavior can be prevented.
Come join me for the 1 mile walk to raise awareness for the problem of suicide. Walk in memory of a loved one lost to suicide or to support local suicide prevention projects.
United States Attorney Joseph H. Hogsett will hold a press conference TOMORROW (Thursday, September 6) at 10:30am CDT in the Evansville Mayor’s Office.
Hogsett will be announcing an award of nearly $400,000 that will assist Evansville-area efforts to combat domestic violence. Attending the press conference will be Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, representatives from local law enforcement, as well as social service organizations that will benefit from the grant money.
INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) announced today that she will conduct four town hall meetings on September 15 and 29 to give area residents a chance to discuss issues of concern and ask questions about state government.
The meetings will be:
SEPTEMBER 15
9 to 10:30 a.m.: Nativity Catholic Church, 3636 Pollack Avenue.
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 South Governor.
SEPTEMBER 29
10 to 11:30 a.m.: St. John’s United Methodist Church, 1900 N. Fulton Avenue.
Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, 701 Oak Street.
“These town halls are designed around the general themes of jobs, the Interstate 69 project, and the Ohio River, but they also give the people of this area the opportunity to make their feelings known about any subjects that concern them, and discuss problems that we can help address at the state level,†Riecken said.
“I always believe in giving local residents every chance to stay involved and play an active role in the decisions I make as their state representative,†she added. “I strongly encourage everyone interested in good government to stop by these town halls in the weeks ahead.â€
3. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Request Re: Permission to Seek Quotes for Installation of a Spray Park at Tepe Park. –
Boberg
b. Request Re: Permission to Seek Quotes to Replace a Sewer Pump at Kleymeyer Softball
Fields. – Boberg
c. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Maxitrol for Fire Panel Monitoring at
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. – Morris*
*Recommendation from Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Advisory Board.
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Request Re: Open Bids for Stadium Demolition. – Johnson
b. Request Re: Review and Approve Change Order #1 for the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage,
Phase 3C-4. – Boberg
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request Re: Approve Termination of Management Contract with SMG for the Victory and
Mesker Music Theatre. – Johnson
b. Request Re: Approve Professional Engineering Services with Americas Engineering for
ADA Improvements at Golfmoor and Lamasco Parks. – Boberg
c. Request Re: Review Partnership with Athletes Performance Institute of Indiana at Swonder
Fitness Center. – Nadeau
d. Request Re: Review and Approve Adult Hockey Fees for 2012/2013 Season. – Nadeau
e. Request Re: Approve Budget Transfers and CIP Reprioritizations. – Boberg
f. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments.
Joe Wallace, Coachella Valley iHub CViHub Clients to ‘Present’ at WBT 2012 Innovation Marketplace
Palm Springs, CA (September 5, 2012) – A national panel of seed investors, venture capitalists and corporate licensing executives selected three Coachella Valley Innovation Hub (CViHub) clients to be presenters for the WBT 2012 Innovation Marketplace in San Diego. Presenters for the nation’s showcase of the largest collection of vetted and mentored start-up companies and pure technologies hail from top universities, labs, research institutions, incubators and innovation centers.
About 100 start-ups are chosen from a broad international field to be a WBT Innovation Marketplace presenter at their annual conference on October 24 – 26 at the San Diego Convention Center. Judging criteria is rigorous, CViHub managing director Joe Wallace explained. Presenters have to demonstrate that their technology or product has strong potential for high-growth as a commercial enterprise or a solution to a market problem. “Having three clients deemed as market-ready innovators is a major step forward for them and for the Coachella Valley iHub,’’ Wallace said.
“We are extremely proud to see three Coachella Valley nurtured start-ups in the national spotlight,’’ said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet. “We are equally proud of the progress the Coachella Valley Innovation Hub has made to mentor these promising candidates to market-ready status.’’
The three WBT 2012 presenters from the CViHub are:
• TransMedImage, a start-up business that intends to become the definitive medical image network for physicians, radiologists, hospitals, patients, insurance carriers, imaging companies and others. It plans to integrate proprietary technology, radiological services, electronic medical records and other services to store, retrieve and distribute information in a way that expedites and improves patient care across multiple platforms and locations.
• Indy Power Systems, developer of the Energy Router(tm), a patented hardware and software package that can optimize the flow of energy between different sources or loads, regardless of voltage. It is the only company blending energy into different types of storage devices, making it possible to use renewable energy like solar and wind at night or when the air is still. IPS has already delivered its first micro-grid management system. A battery cycler system will be installed in the fourth quarter, along with a second micro-grid system for Pratt Whitney Rocketdyme. IPS also signed a letter of intent with a manufacturer that is worth $5 million annually.
• EV Enterprises, developer of a prototype device the size of a key-fob that enables the presence of radiation to be detected. EVE’s product came about in response to a concern expressed by an organic food supplier who wanted to be able to offer their customers the security of knowing whether or not the food they were buying was radiation-free. The need for a practical, inexpensive and portable radiation detector came to the forefront in the aftermath of the Japanese Tsunami that caused radiation to leak from the damaged Fukushima nuclear reactor complex. Although it is hard to say what levels of contamination in our food and environment are ultimately dangerous enough to cause harm, the device provides shoppers with the ability to test for the presence of radiation as they go about their day-to-day activities.
“The fact that three start-up companies from the CViHub were chosen as presenters at the World’s Best Technology conference less than a year after that iHub was officially opened speaks volumes about the rapid positive impact that California’s Innovation Hubs can have when engaged local stakeholders take the bull by the horns and commit to the iHub conceptâ€, said Louis Stewart, Deputy Director of California Go-Biz (California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development).
“The benefit of presenting at an internationally recognized forum represents an opportunity of a lifetime for start-ups,’’ Wallace said. At the deal-focused event, the CViHub clients will give a 6-minute presentation to over 100 seasoned venture investors and Fortune 500 licensing scouts from a variety of industries. Since the first WBT Marketplace in 2002, more than $786 million worth of early and seed-stage funding and licensing has been awarded to the more than 680 presenters from the U.S. and 26 other countries.
“We are impressed by the caliber of our clients,’’ said Cathedral City Mayor Kathleen DeRosa. “They typify the mission of the CViHub and the goals of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership to diversify the economy through renewal energy initiatives.†“The Coachella Valley will be watching these companies, and all others nurtured by the Innovation Hub, as they continue to evolve and ultimately contribute to the vitality of our region,’’ Desert Hot Springs Mayor Yvonne Parks said.
The CViHub is a regional project funded by the cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs and is an integral part of the blueprint strategy of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP).
To learn more about the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership and the Coachella Valley Innovation Hub, visit www.cvep.com or call (760) 340-1575.
About CVEP: Coachella Valley Economic Partnership is an action-oriented, non-profit corporation dedicated to expanding and diversifying the economy of the Coachella Valley desert region while maintaining the quality of life for a resort environment. CVEP has been devoted to strategies to attract, expand and retain business and workforce development. Now, it has broadened its focus to plan and nurture new job clusters, such as: Healthcare and Life Science, Clean Technology/Energy, Supply Chain Management/Logistics and Creative Arts, Media & Design.
About the Coachella Valley Innovation Hub:
The CViHub housed in the Rabobank Regional Business Center, along with CVEP, offers services, programs and incentives to attract and cultivate new, clean technology business across multiple fields. Those fields include solar energy, wind power, green building techniques, water filtration and conservation technologies, biofuel and geothermal production and smart grid technology.
INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) announced today that she will conduct four town hall meetings on September 15 and 29 to give area residents a chance to discuss issues of concern and ask questions about state government.
