Today I would like to address the issue of school bus safety by requiring seat belts in school buses for all of our students in Indiana. The single biggest school bus safety concern for parents is the lack of seat belts according to an American School Bus Council Poll. In that poll, 80% of all parents surveyed believe that all school buses should be equipped with lap/shoulder belts. 60% do not believe that riding on a school bus is as safe as riding in a car.
Research by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concludes that compartmentalization is incomplete in a bus and does not protect school bus passengers during lateral impact with vehicles of large mass and in rollovers. Second in the minds of parents is a concern about discipline problems, an issue that has proven to be strongly impacted by the addition of seat belts. Keeping students in their seats also helps stop the bullying problems that many times occur on the bus.
For most children, their first ride on the school bus is the first time they ever ride unrestrained in a motor vehicle. In other words, the only place a child is taught to not wear a seat belt is in school transportation. To allow school bus passengers to remain unrestrained gives a contradictory message to our children that seat belts can be unnecessary inside a moving vehicle. When our children get on the bus and don’t buckle up, the habit of seat belt use is not reinforced and we miss a prime training opportunity. School buses can be important extensions of the classroom for training children to build this critical life-long habit.
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) report, every day there are over 144 school bus accidents, 26,000 per year in America and more than 9,500 children are injured in school bus accidents each year. An average of 21 school-age children die in school transportation related crashes each year. An even more alarming set of statistics come from the American Academy of Pediatrics. In that survey, there were an estimated 61,000 school bus related injuries treated in the U.S. emergency department from 2001-2003, which averages to approximately 17,000 children injured in school bus accidents each year.
At least six states require large school buses to come equipped with seat belts (California, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Texas). There are a number of other states in the nation looking to require seatbelts in buses as well.
Now as to Indiana, let’s discuss what has happened to us much closer to home.
Last march, Donesty Smith, age 5, died from a crash when her school bus, which was without seatbelts, carrying 50 children to Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School collided with a concrete bridge pillar. Ten more students were injured. One of the children broke his leg when he was hurled out of his seat and slid beneath several rows of seats. If he had just remained in his seat, he wouldn’t have been hurt.Those poor kids became human missiles. Many other kids had leg and ankle injuries and post-traumatic stress because there were no seat belts on the bus. This is a tragedy that would have and could have been avoided if Indiana had just required seat belts on our school buses.
There is a total 16,353 buses in Indiana at the current time. Approximately 13,000 are owned by the school systems or government, and 2,000+ are owned by private contractors. Because the average lifespan of a bus is 14-15 years old, there are approximately 1,000 new buses a year put into the market. It costs approximately $8,000 per new bus to put these shoulder and seatbelts in, which equates to $121.00 per child.
Seatbelts for buses in Indiana have been around for over 10 years. Many counties utilize seatbelts in their buses to some degree. Bartholomew County is a flagship school district that is implementing seatbelts in all of their school buses. Because I believe it is cost prohibitive to change out all 16,000 buses in one fell swoop, my proposal is to require seat belts in each of the new buses as they come off the assembly line, thus providing a line item expenditure of approximately $6.4 million public dollars per year until all of the buses are in compliance.
Proposing legislation for school bus safety is one more way I will fight to protect the rights of working families in Southwest Indiana as your next State Senator.

EVANSVILLE, IN – Mayor Lloyd Winnecke announces his response to today’s Indiana Utility Regulatory
Commission (IURC) decision on the Smart City initiative by unveiling his new program, Positive Progress
for a Smart City. The Positive Progress for a Smart City initiative, which is expected to create more than
170 jobs and support local business development in Evansville, is an evolution of the previous
administration’s initiative.

Positive Progress refocuses the project to maximize economic development opportunities, while
investing in our city’s energy, water, network infrastructure, and operational improvements for the
Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities (EWSU).

“I think it is imperative that the city move forward with this initiative to replace aging infrastructure and
automate EWSU water meters to ensure equity in billing by more accurately measuring the amount of
water used by utility customers,” Mayor Winnecke said. “The initiative will not only improve the
accuracy of water meters, but more than 90 percent of the dollars spent on this project will stay in the
community in terms of materials and labor needed to complete the work.”

Local contractors and engineering firms, including minority- and women-owned businesses, will be used
to perform the installation and upgrades featured in the initiative. The program was developed in
collaboration with Johnson Controls, a global leader in energy efficiency and employer of more than
1,200 Indiana residents.

Investing in Infrastructure:

A state-of-the-art Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system replacing water meters citywide
that are more than 5-years-old will enable EWSU to streamline operations as well as bill and
collect for actual usage, eliminating the need for outdated, inaccurate, manually-read meters.

“For residents, the new automated meters will provide our customers with a way to better
understand and measure your home’s water use, eliminate estimated readings, and provide
more accurate billing,” said Allen Mounts, director, EWSU.

Creating Economic Development Opportunities:

The creation of a fiber optic network will support the EWSU’s AMR system and future needs for
other voice and data applications. The enhanced fiber optic ring will also be a new economic
development tool in the City’s efforts to attract new or expanding businesses that may desire
connectivity.

“Connectivity is critical in today’s economy and as our region is in the bottom tier for broadband
coverage and speed, this initiative will propel us straight to the top,” stated Greg Wathen,
President and CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana. “Only a
handful of cities are currently participating in a program comparable to this; and, as far as future
businesses become interested in our region, it’s a definite game changer.”

Cleaning-up our Waste Water Treatment System:
A new FOG (fats, oils and grease) program will collect fats, oils and grease materials, currently
put into the landfill, and use them to create 500 kilowatts (KW) of green methane that will be
used to power EWSU facilities.

The Positive Progress for a Smart City initiative differs from former Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel’s Smart
City program in that the wireless municipal network portion of the original program has been removed,
while the city explores the community’s connectivity needs. The decision coincides with similar feedback
the IURC released at its biweekly conference earlier today. The IURC chose not to approve financing of
the original contract signed in December of 2011.

“Now is the perfect time to support a new approach that focuses on job creation and economic
development as we address the City’s and EWSU’s infrastructure needs. That’s something we can all
agree on,” said Mayor Winnecke. “I anticipated the IURC’s concern regarding wireless services as part of
the original contract, and our changes are a result of positive negotiations with Johnson Controls. This
administration is committed to assessing the community’s need and developing the right solution to
address it.”

Pending a review and final approval from the IURC on this new initiative, the contract will be financed
and guaranteed through the performance contracting model. With performance contracting, savings
and increased revenue will pay for the project over the term of the contract. If the savings are not

realized, Johnson Controls pays the difference between the value of the measured and verified
consumption and the guaranteed consumption under the contract.

The administration intends to make a full presentation to the Evansville City Council in the near future to
continue the dialogue on this important opportunity for the City of Evansville.

EVANSVILLE, IN – Mayor Lloyd Winnecke today submitted a proposed balanced budget for 2013 that
includes pay increases for city employees and spending on capital projects to improve public safety and
the quality for local residents. The proposed budget will be reviewed by members of the Evansville City
Council during a series of public meetings this week at the Civic Center.

“It’s a responsible budget that helps meet the needs of our city while attempting to address future
challenges,” Mayor Winnecke said. “While there is never enough money to fund all requests, my
administration has worked diligently to create a budget that is fair to taxpayers and keeps the city
moving forward.”

The budget projects $266.6 million in revenues and expenditures topping $252.9 million. In addition to a
3 percent pay increase for city employees, the budget proposes full-funding for the local Homestead Tax
Credit at 8 percent. That would save the average homeowner about $135 dollars on a $100,000
assessed value home.

Mayor Winnecke has shifted priorities to focus on capital improvements that were unfunded in prior
years. The 2013 budget includes more than $35 million in capital investments, including $235,000 on
lease payments for 30 police cars delivered in 2012; $318,000 to purchase 14 new police cars; and
$252,000 to equip the vehicles with computers, emergency lights and sirens and police radios.

The Fire Department capital budget proposes $1.2 million for vehicles, including $878,000 for a new
combination pumper, engine, ladder apparatus and lease payments on two new fire trucks; plus $92,000
to replace radios that have been in use for more than 20 years and can no longer be upgraded.

The Mayor allocated money for quality of life improvements, such as $625,000 to clean-up urban blight
and demolish dilapidated, abandoned homes; an additional $2 million for street maintenance; $900,000

for Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, including $500,000 for planning of the new Africa area and lion
exhibit; $300,000 for renovations at Mesker Ampitheatre; $5.6 million for the Cass Avenue sewer
project; and $5.4 million for water utility improvements city-wide.

Budget hearings are set for today, Thursday at Friday starting at 4 p.m. in Room 301 at the Civic Center.

EVANSVILLE, IN Mayor Lloyd Winnecke announces his response to today¡¦s Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) decision on the Smart City initiative by unveiling his new program, Positive Progress for a Smart City. The Positive Progress for a Smart City initiative, which is expected to create more than 170 jobs and support local business development in Evansville, is an evolution of the previous administration¡¦s initiative.

Positive Progress refocuses the project to maximize economic development opportunities, while investing in our city¡¦s energy, water, network infrastructure, and operational improvements for the Evansville Water and Sewer Utilities (EWSU).

I think it is imperative that the city move forward with this initiative to replace aging infrastructure and automate EWSU water meters to ensure equity in billing by more accurately measuring the amount of water used by utility customers,¡¨ Mayor Winnecke said. ¡§The initiative will not only improve the accuracy of water meters, but more than 90 percent of the dollars spent on this project will stay in the community in terms of materials and labor needed to complete the work.

Local contractors and engineering firms, including minority- and women-owned businesses, will be used to perform the installation and upgrades featured in the initiative. The program was developed in collaboration with Johnson Controls, a global leader in energy efficiency and employer of more than 1,200 Indiana residents.

Investing in Infrastructure:

A state-of-the-art Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system replacing water meters citywide that are more than 5-years-old will enable EWSU to streamline operations as well as bill and collect for actual usage, eliminating the need for outdated, inaccurate, manually-read meters.
¡§For residents, the new automated meters will provide our customers with a way to better understand and measure your home¡¦s water use, eliminate estimated readings, and provide more accurate billing,¡¨ said Allen Mounts, director, EWSU.

Creating Economic Development Opportunities:
The creation of a fiber optic network will support the EWSU’s AMR system and future needs for other voice and data applications. The enhanced fiber optic ring will also be a new economic development tool in the City¡¦s efforts to attract new or expanding businesses that may desire connectivity.

Connectivity is critical in today¡¦s economy and as our region is in the bottom tier for broadband coverage and speed, this initiative will propel us straight to the top,¡¨ stated Greg Wathen, President and CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana. ¡§Only a handful of cities are currently participating in a program comparable to this; and, as far as future businesses become interested in our region, it¡¦s a definite game changer.

Cleaning-up our Waste Water Treatment System:

A new FOG (fats, oils and grease) program will collect fats, oils and grease materials, currently put into the landfill, and use them to create 500 kilowatts (KW) of green methane that will be used to power EWSU facilities.

The Positive Progress for a Smart City initiative differs from former Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel¡¦s Smart City program in that the wireless municipal network portion of the original program has been removed, while the city explores the community¡¦s connectivity needs. The decision coincides with similar feedback the IURC released at its biweekly conference earlier today. The IURC chose not to approve financing of the original contract signed in December of 2011.

Now is the perfect time to support a new approach that focuses on job creation and economic development as we address the City¡¦s and EWSU¡¦s infrastructure needs. That¡¦s something we can all agree on,¡¨ said Mayor Winnecke. ¡§I anticipated the IURC¡¦s concern regarding wireless services as part of the original contract, and our changes are a result of positive negotiations with Johnson Controls. This administration is committed to assessing the community¡¦s need and developing the right solution to address it.¡¨
Pending a review and final approval from the IURC on this new initiative, the contract will be financed and guaranteed through the performance contracting model. With performance contracting, savings and increased revenue will pay for the project over the term of the contract. If the savings are not
realized, Johnson Controls pays the difference between the value of the measured and verified consumption and the guaranteed consumption under the contract.

The administration intends to make a full presentation to the Evansville City Council in the near future to continue the dialogue on this important opportunity for the City of Evansville

The City County Observer has just learned that the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission has denied the request of the City of Evansville to issue debt to finance the Johnson Controls Project that was submitted as a Guaranteed Performance Contract.

The basis for denial included the testimony of a Mr. Kaufmann that raised several issues with Joint Petitioner’s calculations that could shift the result of the contract from a net savings to a net loss. For example, changing the interest rate by as little as 5 basis points or the inflation rate from 2.8% to 2.7% results in a net loss. Mr. Kaufman also pointed out that the sample of meters tested during the contract analysis contained one meter that was clearly anomalous compared to the others in the sample. Excluding this single meter from the sample reduced the estimated savings under the Contract by more than $500,000, alone sufficient to produce a net loss.

The City County Observer along with Evansville City Councilman John Friend and some private citizens had raised these issues vocally in the last couple of months for the purpose of educating the general public about the marginal payback or even losses associated with going forward with this contract.

State Ruling:

EVV JCI 44123order_081512

This feature is sponsored by Chris Walsh For Vanderburgh County Clerk. Chris Walsh is a veteran county administrator that strongly supports our local law enforcement professionals . Chris is a candidate that possess a non-partisan attitude with a consumer friendly demeanor. Chris also stands against unification of city and county governments.

This ad paid for by the committiee to elect Walsh Clerk,

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

Evansville, IN – Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.

Charles Adams Strangulation – Class D Felony
Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury –Class A Misdemeanor

Theodore Boarman, Jr. Possession of Chemical reagents or Precursors with Intent to
Manufacture a Controlled Substance –Class D Felony

Anthony Brodie, Jr. Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Resisting Law Enforcement –Class A Misdemeanor
Criminal Trespass – Class A Misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct – Class B Misdemeanor
Public Intoxication –Class B Misdemeanor

Kalah Daniels Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class D Felony
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person with a
Passenger Less Than 18 Years of Age – Class D Felony
Neglect of a Dependent – Class D Felony (Two Counts)
Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor

Abram Hall Dealing in Methamphetamine – Class A Felony
Operating a Motor Vehicle After Forfeiture of License for Life – Class C
Felony

Natalie Huffman Intimidation – Class D Felony
Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury –Class D Felony (Two Counts)

Dennis Hungate Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Disorderly Conduct – Class B Misdemeanor
Public Intoxication – Class B Misdemeanor

David Johnson Habitual Traffic Violator – Class D Felony

Gregory Kermode Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury – Class C Felony
Public Intoxication – Class B Misdemeanor

Shawn Lewis Theft – Class D Felony
Possession of a Synthetic Drug – Class D Felony

Jerry Lipson Criminal Confinement – Class D Felony
Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury –Class A Misdemeanor
Intimidation – Class A Misdemeanor

Willie Maffett Theft – Class D Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor
(Habitual Offender Enhancement on Counts 1 & 2)

Juan Martin Operating a Vehicle with a BAC of .15 or More – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)
Operating a Vehicle with a BAC of .15 or More – Class A Misdemeanor

Stanley Morgan, Jr. Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)

David Myers Dealing in Methamphetamine – Class B Felony
Possession of Chemical reagents or Precursors with Intent to
Manufacture a Controlled Substance –Class D Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Class D Felony
(Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement)

Frederic Rhodes Child Molesting – Class A Felony

Jeremy Robb Theft – Class D Felony
(Habitual Offender Enhancement)

Robert Smith Habitual Traffic Violator – Class D Felony

Bobby Vincent Criminal Confinement – Class C Felony
Domestic Battery – Class A Misdemeanor
(Enhanced to a Class D Felony due to Prior Convictions)

Derrick Willis Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury – Class D Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement –Class A Misdemeanor

For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Carly Settles at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at csettles@vanderburghgov.org.

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
SENTENCE CHART

Class Range
Murder 45-65 Years
Class A Felony 20-50 Years
Class B Felony 6-20 Years
Class C Felony 2-8 Years
Class D Felony ½ – 3 Years
Class A Misdemeanor 0-1 Year
Class B Misdemeanor 0-180 Days
Class C Misdemeanor 0-60 Days