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IS IT TRUE May 16, 2012

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE May 16, 2012

IS IT TRUE the Vanderburgh County Commissioners started the budgeting process for the next fiscal year yesterday and spent much of their meeting grilling the various non-profit agencies that receive financial support from the County on what their value proposition is?…the Commissioners have been asked to cut 10% from the County budget and want to be wise in choosing how to do this?…the easiest but least effective action would be to just cut 10% across the board and let the leaders of the organizations all deal with it in their own way?…that would also be the lazy way to make cuts and would not provide for any VETTING of current spending patterns?…every budget from the home to the federal government needs to undergo a rigorous review and tough times are when that usually happens?…that if the Commissioners take a deep look at how they are spending OUR MONEY they will find some things that should have been eliminated all together and others that may be doing so well that they merit additional investments?…it is in tough times that the best performers should get the largest increases but also when poor performers are downsized?…that we hope our Commissioners take this seriously and do this the way they would in their own homes and businesses?

IS IT TRUE perhaps the most controversial and embattled of the non-profit heads to stand before the Commissioners yesterday was Debbie Dewey, president of GAGE?…Dewey came before a group of Commissioners who were basically not feeling much respect from or for the goings on at GAGE with respect to the Vanderburgh County?…Commissioner Melcher brought up the facts that the Commissioners were not invited to the Crane bus trip, have seen no tangible results from GAGE in the unincorporated county, and doubts whether GAGE should even be doing tax abatement grading?…Ms. Dewey was asked what she would do if the Commissioners cut her $150,000 per year contribution by 10% to $135,000 and her response was that she would have to lay somebody off?…that with a budget of over $800,000 it is doubtful that a layoff would be necessary for a $15,000 budget cut?…Commissioner Melcher expresses reluctance to support any support for GAGE at all unless things change with respect to how GAGE interacts with County officials?

IS IT TRUE a common theme across the entire country right now when it comes to budgeting is one of uncertainty and restraint?…budget cuts are being cussed and discussed all across the country as a result of entering the 3rd year of legislative uncertainty?…Dr. Jerry Nickelsburg of the UCLA Anderson School of Business gave a presentation yesterday on the economic forecast for the nation?…the forecast called for perpetual slow growth, stagnant job growth, a continued period of languishing real estate values, and an overall fiscal assessment characterized by the term “a slow moving train wreck”?…that while one speaker picked President Obama to be re-elected another with graphs and charts to support his conclusion is picking Romney on the basis of Ohio and Pennsylvania sealing the deal?…that the reason given for these two states sealing the deal for Romney winning in these states is their dependence on COAL as an economic force?…that the states that are really up for grabs are only a maximum of 10 with only half of those being big in the scheme of the electoral college?…one map was shown that had President Obama winning the electoral vote by 68 votes that also projected him losing the general election by 6 points?…that all speakers agreed that the dire economic forecasts would merit upward revision in the event that Romney wins?…even the speaker with an Obama sticker on his car expressed that sentiment?…the non-profits of Evansville should listen up because when there is no money in the coffers of government, there can be no investments in non-profits?…that all government money comes from private business successes or the printing press and we know what negative effects the printing press has?

IS IT TRUE all of this happened on a day when President Obama was touting government for creating the internet and the internet with making Microsoft possible?…that Microsoft was a commercial success 20 years before the internet had any commercial viability at all?…that the President must have been channeling Al Gore yesterday in Seattle?

IS IT TRUE May 17, 2012: Update

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The Mole #??

UPDATE

IS IT TRUE that people on the Chamber of Commerce trip to Savannah, GA have called the CCO and told us that County Commissioners Marsha Abell and Joe Kiefer are also in Savannah on taxpayer dollars?

IS IT TRUE May 17, 2012

IS IT TRUE

that the Evansville Icemen are having a press conference this morning to officially announce that they are moving up in the pecking order of professional hockey leagues below the NHL?…that as the CCO has said all along, any winning sport will sell tickets in Evansville if those tickets are affordable?…the ownership of the Icemen is doing a good job of putting a good product on the ice and competing for championships?…as long as that combination of winning and good entertainment continues the Icemen will prosper?

IS IT TRUE the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana chartered a plane to take local movers and shakers to Savannah, GA to learn what Evansville can do to become more Savannah like?…that the fee to make this trip is slightly north of $900?…that Evansville City Council members Missy Mosby, Jonathan Weaver, and John Friend are on this trip?…that the City of Evansville is picking up the tab for their travel?…that is nearly $3,000 of taxpayer dollars that are being spent to send these elected officials to Savannah, GA to learn how Evansville can emulate the economic successes of Savannah?…that we are sitting on pins and needles to hear how Evansville is going to put in a deep water ocean port, become a tourist Mecca for southern culture, and establish a world renowned college of design?…that we also hear that the First Lady of Evansville Carol McLintock made the trip but do not think that the City of Evansville is paying her tab?…that the cast of characters on this trip will certainly become friendly toward one another which will compromise the budget process when it comes time for other people on the trip to come before the City Council hat in hand?

IS IT TRUE yesterday was the day when Ted Ziemer, the attorney for the Office of the Mayor was supposedly going to meet with the legal team representing Earthcare Energy to search for an elegant way out of this most un-elegant rock and a hard place?…that just a minimal VETTING effort would have prevented a need for this meeting to have ever taken place?…that we hope that some of the travelers to Savannah will bring up the process of VETTING and will take a few notes on that subject between bites of well seasoned southern food and sips of Southern Comfort?…there is nothing like a taxpayer funded trip to a resort location to stimulate the senses to learn new things?…that Savannah, GA and Evansville have about as much in common as the north pole and Miami?

IS IT TRUE tomorrow morning Facebook will make its debut on the public stock markets with a valuation of over $100 Billion?…that it was reported yesterday that over 1,000 employees of Facebook just in the San Francisco Bay Area will become instant millionaires?…that upon the sale of any of the shares that make these people millionaires the federal government and the State of California stand to rake in huge sums of money in the form of income taxes?…that the co-founder of Facebook has renounced his American citizenship and become a citizen Singapore that has ZERO capital gains taxes?…that the taxes saved by this individual are estimated to be over $1 Billion?…that he says it is not about taxes and to that we say BULL?…that at the end of World War II, Singapore was about the size of Evansville on a similar land mass as Vanderburgh County?…that strong leadership, a good plan, and favorable taxation rates have made Singapore into a world class economic engine with one of the cleanest and safest places in the world and a population of over 3 million?…that all of America can learn from the economic success of Singapore?

Local Girl Gets Special Ride to “School”

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Most kids dream of visiting a Fire Station, wearing a real fire helmet and
getting to sit in the truck. For 2 year old Maggie Rhymer, she got that and
much more.

When SWIRCA Executive Director Rhonda Zuber called Fire Chief Mike
Connelly looking for an item for their annual fundraiser, Chief Connelly
responded with “What about a ride to school on a fire truck”. Zuber gladly
accepted and thought that would be a great “item” for their annual auction.

During the auction local resident Jeff Rhymer decided this would be a
great experience for his daughter Maggie and placed the winning bid.
This morning Maggie and her parents were greeted at the Station by Chief
Connelly. Then she got a tour of the Station, tried on some firefighting gear
and got a ride to her daycare. She was accompanied on her trip by her father
Jeff and 4 Firefighters of Station #16 where upon her arrival she was greeted
by the other children at the daycare.

Maggie even brought a gift of a dozen doughnuts for the Firefighters to
say “Thank You”.

WANTED: Rightful owners of $12.2 million dollars

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Attorney General Zoeller reminds Hoosiers millions are waiting to be claimed

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Residents in the Southern Indiana Evansville area have millions of dollars that’s been forgotten – $12,154,329.43 to be exact, of which more than $7.3 million belongs to residents or former residents of Vanderburgh County. Attorney General Greg Zoeller stopped by Ivy Tech Community College in Evansville today to talk about the state’s unclaimed property program and show people how easy it is to search for and claim what is rightfully theirs.

“In every county around the state Hoosiers have money they have forgotten about or never knew existed. It is my duty to inform Hoosiers how to find and claim it. This money belongs to someone and I’m encouraging people to search for themselves, and their family, friends and neighbors,” Zoeller said. “With more than $350 million waiting to be claimed it is my goal to make sure this money finds its way back to the rightful owners.”

Zoeller encouraged all Hoosiers to visit www.IndianaUnclaimed.com as well as download the new, free mobile application to search for unclaimed property belonging to themselves, friends, relatives or neighbors. Businesses and charities can also have unclaimed property.

Financial institutions and other holders are required annually to turn over the assets of accounts in which there has been no activity for several years, depending on the type of account. Unclaimed property includes investment earnings, insurance proceeds and benefits, wages, and money from savings and checking accounts. Less than one percent of unclaimed assets are tangible, physical items, such as those found in safe-deposit boxes. It is important to note that unclaimed property does NOT include abandoned vehicles, real estate or other such items.

In 2011, 31,530 new properties valued at more than $3.3 million dollars were reported and originate from the eight county area. This money belongs to residents or former residents of the area or their heirs. The state holds these assets for 25 years after they are reported.

In total, the state’s unclaimed property database holds more than $350 million in assets. In 2011, the Attorney General’s office returned more than 77,000 properties totaling more than $44.3 million in unclaimed property. Last year, nearly $1.7 million was returned to individuals with last known addresses in the eight county area surrounding Evansville.

Every year, the attorney general is required to advertise the list of unclaimed property turned over to the state during the previous year. The announcements run twice in a two week period in the newspaper closest to the last known address of the property owner.

A public awareness campaign highlighting where Hoosiers can look for unclaimed property includes newspaper, radio, online and television ads. Also added to the campaign this year is a new, free mobile application that allows Hoosiers to search and begin a claim for unclaimed property free from their iPhone or Android.

The Unclaimed Property database can be searched 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at www.IndianaUnclaimed.com.

The Unclaimed Property Division’s toll-free number is 1.866.IN.CLAIM (1.866.462.5246). This is a free service of the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.

EVSC Students to Receive Free Identification Cards

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May 17, 18
Culver Family Learning Center and Glenwood Leadership Academy

A missing child is one of the most terrifying things a parent can go through. To help reduce that risk, the EVSC is partnering with New York Life Insurance Company to provide free identification cards for preschool students at Culver Family Learning Center and kindergarten and first grade students at Glenwood Leadership Academy.

Officials with New York Life Insurance Company will be at Culver Family Learning Center Thursday, May 17, from 7:30 a.m. to noon taking pictures of students and providing free identification cards. On Friday, May 18, volunteers from New York Life will be at Glenwood Leadership Academy from 8 a.m. to noon getting pictures of kindergarten and first grade students in order to provide them with free identification cards.

According to EVSC’s Coordinator of Safety and Security Gerald Summers, more than 800,000 children are reported missing every year. A child ID is a vital part to protecting and locating missing children.

UE’s OPTIONS Summer Camps to Highlight Engineering, Computer Science Careers

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This summer, the University of Evansville’s College of Engineering and Computer Science will offer three camps to introduce the exciting career possibilities in engineering and computer science.

OPTIONS for High School Girls, a residential camp in its 20th year, runs June 10-15. Students will stay on UE’s campus in a residence hall, complete hands-on projects, take classes taught by UE professors, and meet local professional women in the engineering and computer science fields. The cost is $500, which includes all accommodations, food, transportation, and other fees.

$100 scholarships for the high school camp are available through TWICE (Tri-State Women in Computing and Engineering). For more information on TWICE scholarships, please e-mail Tina Newman (tn2@evansville.edu) in UE’s College of Engineering and Computer Science with “TWICE” in the subject line.

Additionally, any student who participates in the OPTIONS for High School Girls program will be eligible to receive a scholarship to attend the University of Evansville for any major selected. The scholarship’s total value is $5,000, which will be awarded in increments of $1,250 each year if conditions (such as attendance and a minimum GPA) are met.

OPTIONS for Middle School Girls is also a residential camp, running June 17-21. The cost is $250 all-inclusive, and two $200 scholarships are available from the Warrick County Women’s Fund for girls who live and attend school in Warrick County.

“We started OPTIONS for High School Girls in 1992 — and OPTIONS for Middle School Girls in 2004 — as residential summer programs to help young women learn about the careers available in engineering and computer science where women are underrepresented,” said Phil Gerhart, dean of UE’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Today, we’re extremely grateful to the Women’s Fund of Warrick County for their generosity, which will help allow deserving and interested young women from Warrick County to experience OPTIONS.”

This year, the OPTIONS for Middle School Boys camp will be a day program, running 8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 25-29. The cost is $200 all-inclusive.

For more information on this year’s camps and to find printable applications, please visit options.evansville.edu or contact the College of Engineering and Computer Science at 812-488-2651. Registration will be accepted until all camps are full.

Plant Conservation Day

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Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden has teamed up with local conservation partners to present Plant Conservation Day on Saturday, May 19. This event is being held in recognition of National Plant Conservation Day and will showcase many positive and crucial roles plants play in the environment. A kudzu pull by several volunteer groups at 8:30 a.m. in the Mesker Mall will kick off the event. One of the day’s highlights is a “Sky Art” photo opportunity in the kudzu patch in the Mesker Mall. The public is welcome to take part in this unique photo opportunity. Interested parties can sign up to be in the photo between 9-11 a.m. the day of the event in the Mesker Mall shelter house and the photo will be taken at 11:00 a.m. All photo participants are asked to wear a red shirt, or they may purchase a red “Plant Geek” shirt during the event. Other event highlights include demonstrations and plant interpretation by the Zoo’s Botanical Docents in the Family Garden, Rain Garden, and AMAZONIA exhibit in the Zoo. A tree planting will also take place in the Zoo at 1:30 p.m. Special thanks to the Evansville Department of Sustainability, Energy & Environmental Quality, the Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Evansville Department of Urban Forestry & Evansville Stormwater Coordinator.

WNIN 3rd Annual Hidden Treasures Rummage Sale and Appraising Fair

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Well, join WNIN for the 3rd Annual Hidden Treasures Rummage Sale and Appraising Fair. Come down to the WNIN Studios on June 9th from 8am-Noon to find deals from your neighbors, local businesses and items from the Action Auction. Just finished up your Spring cleaning or just starting, bring your items down and share!! Stop by our Appraising Area and have your treasures appraised. To get an item appraised will cost $5. See what treasures you have at the WNIN Hidden Treasures Rummage Sale and Appraising Fair.

Hidden Treasures Booth Form

Six Enemies of Greatness

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Excerpts:

1) Availability

We often settle for what’s available, and what’s available isn’t always great. “Because it was there,” is an okay reason to climb a mountain, but not a very good reason to take a job or a free sample at the supermarket.

2) Ignorance

If we don’t know how to make something great, we simply won’t. If we don’t know that greatness is possible, we won’t bother attempting it. All too often, we literally do not know any better than good enough.

3) Committees

Nothing destroys a good idea faster than a mandatory consensus. The lowest common denominator is never a high standard.

4) Comfort

Why pursue greatness when you’ve already got 324 channels and a recliner? Pass the dip and forget about your grand designs.

5) Momentum

If you’ve been doing what you’re doing for years and it’s not-so-great, you are in a rut. Many people refer to these ruts as careers.

6) Passivity

There’s a difference between being agreeable and agreeing to everything. Trust the little internal voice that tells you, “this is a bad idea.”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicahagy/2012/02/28/the-six-enemies-of-greatness-and-happiness/

Historic Newburgh Wine, Art, and Jazz Festival

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Update: Friday (5/18/2012) evening at the Grapes on the Grass

7:00-9:00 Second Street Band from Owensboro returns to the same lead-off slot as last year. This big band lays-down the hits of Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, and more contemporary bands. The Eville Swing Cats will perform in front of the stage and teach a few swing dance tricks to brave members of the audience.
Saturday all day
12:00-3:00 pm Jon Patton Quartet is a Newburgh based band. You will recognize its members by sight and sound. Jon Patton’s playlist ranges from light jazz, to hits from the 50’s and 60’s, to contemporary music. They are a hometown favorite.
3:00-5:00 Barbara Santora & Jazzin is a real crowd pleaser with appearances in top venues including Las Vegas. Barbara is known to “work the crowd” and even make members of the audience “instant stars.”
5:00-7:00 After Hours Jazz with Cary and Michael Gray is a mainstay on the local jazz scene. They’ve played all the top clubs. Cary is also known for her renditions of standards and show tunes. After Hours Jazz is back by popular demand.
7:00-9:00 Hoosier Daddy is new to our stage this year, but hugely popular at local and regional venues. Hoosier Daddy crosses generations with their musical mix. They’ve expanded with the arrival of Megan Dukes, who can sound like Katy Perry and other contemporary artists.

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