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Congressman Brad Ellsworth Responds to Editor on New Health Care Reform Law
Thank you for contacting me with your views on the new health care reform law. I appreciate your comments, and I welcome this opportunity to share my thoughts.
I voted for the final health care reform package because I was confident Hoosiers want their leaders to start fixing what is broken in our health care system. This bill was far from perfect, but it will make real improvements over the status quo for Hoosiers. Health insurers will no longer be able to refuse access to insurance to the 109,000 uninsured Hoosiers with pre-existing conditions. Small businesses providing health insurance will receive tax credits to make that coverage more affordable. Seniors who get caught in the Medicare Part D donut hole will see that coverage gap shrink every year and close for good in 2020. Young adults trying to find a job with health benefits can stay on their parents insurance plans until their 26th birthday. The final reform bill also makes some of the big reforms that Hoosiers have called for. It guarantees Americans access to the exact same coverage I get as a Member of Congress. It begins reforming Medicare and Medicaid to start rewarding doctors and hospitals who deliver quality, efficient care that improves their patients’ health. It also makes insurance companies compete across state lines–opening up the power of competition to bring down premiums.
I understand you support repealing the new health care reform law, but I think these new consumer protections and tax breaks are too important for too many Hoosier families and businesses. Beyond my personal opinion, while the debate over health care reform got very heated at times, the American people have indicated in recent months that they oppose repeal of this new law. One example from a recent poll indicated 61% say “the nation should wait and see how the health-care legislation works or leave it alone”, with only 37% advocating for repeal. I support this approach: If one piece doesn’t work, then Congress should repeal that piece. If a piece works, keep it in place. I still believe the new law is not perfect, and I am always happy to discuss ways to improve it. But I believe it’s simply premature to repeal this new law before we have an opportunity to see how each part works for Hoosiers.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your views with me. If you would like to learn more about my positions on issues important to you or receive regular updates on developments in Congress, please visit my Online Office at www.ellsworth.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter.
Sincerely,
Brad Ellsworth
GOVERNOR DANIELS CAMPAIGNS IN MOUNT VERNON FOR STATE REP CANDIDATE WENDY MCNAMARA
Governor Mitch Daniels visited Mount Vernon Tuesday to show his support for Wendy McNamara, candidate for State Representative in District 76, at a meet and greet ice cream social with one hundred local residents. The Governor spoke to the crowd about his support for McNamara and the importance of this election to Indiana.
McNamara, an educator in the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, was glad to have Governor visit.
“It was truly an honor to have Mitch come to Mt. Vernon on my behalf,” said McNamara. “He represents the sort of responsive and forward-thinking leader that I represent, and I’m thrilled that he would endorse my campaign. He understands the issues that are important to our community, and I look forward to the possibility of taking all the input we received from the voters today and working with him to create real solutions that address those needs.â€
Indiana Chamber of Commerce PAC endorses Ron Bacon for District 75 State Representative
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce PAC, Indiana Business for Responsive Government (IBRG), has endorsed Ron Bacon Candidate for District 75 State Representative. IBG’s mission is to aid and support candidates that will improve the business climate in Indiana. Michael R. Davis, Vice President of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce states that Ron Bacon holds “Pro-Job Growth and Pro-Economic Development views and agenda deserving of our endorsementâ€.
Upon announcement of the endorsement Candidate Bacon commented “I am very appreciative to receive the Indiana Chamber of Commerce endorsementâ€.
Bacon stated “Whirlpool Corp. idling their facility in District 75, is another example of the need to have local law makers working with employers in our district and our community crafting incentives for job creation and job retentionâ€. Bacon continued “Affordable education opportunities for those displaced from such closing need to be available within our community college system at IVY Tech. An educated workforce in a business friendly environment is what it is going to take for Indiana to remain competitive in landing new job creation in the future.â€
Ron Bacon is a candidate for State Representative in District 75 which covers part of Vanderburgh, Warrick and Gibson Counties.
E. Wayne Parke Elected GOP Chairman
Republican precinct committeemen have selected E. Wayne Parke to serve as the Vanderburgh County Republican Party Chairman. He has previously served as the party’s treasurer. Wayne replaces former chairman Nicholas Hermann, who has resigned in order to run for Vanderburgh County Prosecutor.
Wayne is a retired executive with Peabody Energy and Black Beauty Coal Company where he served as Director of Administration and Senior Vice President. Prior to his work with Peabody and Black Beauty Coal Company, Wayne served as President and Owner of Kindill Mining, Inc., was President/CEO of Old Ben Coal Company, and has worked in various other capacities in the coal industry since 1967.
Wayne has long been active in the community as well. He is the Board Chairman of the Southwestern Indiana Red Cross Chapter, past School Board President of the East Gibson School Corporation, and is a member of the Green River Kiwanis Club. Wayne resides on Evansville’s East Side with his wife, Ms. Karen Parke. The couple have two grown children, Andrea and Timothy.
For more information about Wayne and the Republican Party visit the GOP’s revamped website at www.VanderburghGOP.com.
EVSC Superintendent Awarded Distinguished Hoosier Award by Governor Daniels
Vince Bertram, superintendent of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, today (7-20-10) received the Distinguished Hoosier Award from Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. The Distinguished Hoosier Award is one of the highest awards given by the state of Indiana to its citizens.
Daniels praised Bertram’s work as an educator in the State of Indiana and the progress made by the school corporation. Bertram is now entering his fourth year with the EVSC.
In presenting the award, Daniels noted Bertram’s educational service to the state, his work with the Indiana Education Roundtable and his leadership and vision.
Bertram said he is proud of the work of the teachers, administrators and staff of the EVSC and of the partnerships and work with and by community organizations to meet the needs of students.
Photo of Governor Daniels presenting award to Vince Bertram following a presentation he gave to the Rotary Club of Evansville.
$250.00 Wing Party Contest by Life Style Lil
I shall hold a TRIVIA contest about EVANSVILLE and VANDERBURGH COUNTY proper starting today. The first person who answers all 10 TRIVA questions correctly will receive a gift certificate from SHOW ME’S RESTAURANT & BAR – EAST OR WEST (valued at $250). This certificate will be for an all-you-can-eat “WING PARTY†for 20 people. I can guarantee that SHOW ME’S RESTURANT & BAR – EAST OR WEST has the best chicken wings in the region!
Current or former CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER staff members, consultants and advertisers and/or their next of kin are not eligible to participate in this contest!
Here goes the 10 TRIVIA questions for you to answer! Send your answers to citycountyobserver@live.com.
QUESTIONS ARE:
1) Which hotel was constructed in a “U†shape with 8 stories?
2) Who in 1985 was the Editor of the Evansville Courier?
3) What Real Estate business was Charles Ashby president of in 1982?
4) What was the last of the Vanderburgh County’s townships to be established in 1845?
5) What community health facility service was located in a Quonset hut on the UE campus?
6) To whom was the flag pole at the Evansville Museum dedicated to?
7) What Township was Mayor Bosse born in?
8) John Terry held what county office?
9) After who was Vanderburgh County named?
10) In 1978 who received Time Magazine’s auto dealer award?
PLEASE SEND YOUR FINAL ANSWERS TO citycountyobserver@live.com!
IS IT TRUE? Breaking News: Former tourism director sues ex-employer
IS IT TRUE we have heard through the grapevine that the former executive director of the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau has filed a lawsuit against the bureau regarding her “resignation” from her position this spring, along with alleging that her First Amendment rights were violated? ….you will definitely find out more about this situation in future posts on the City-County Observer?
IS IT TRUE that rumors has it that Republicans candidates for public office in Posey County alleged they not only had their political site hacked but also may have lost e-mail names?
IS IT TRUE our MOLES tell us the casual public caucus held yesterday evening at Republican Headquarters was fruitful? …..that about 15 elected party holders attended this worthwhile event that afforded the Republican Party faithful to hear presentation of two individuals vying to be next party Chairman of the Vanderburgh County GOP? ….we hear the race is too close to call? ….whomever is elected Chairman needs to direct staff members of the GOP to start sending future news releases to the CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER?
IS IT TRUE we are extremely pleased that WEHT Channel 25 is launching an exciting Sports Channel that shall highlight select area high school and USI Sporting events live on its own exclusive sports station? IS IT TRUE we congratulate Channel 25 for creating this outstanding Sports Channel? …the answer is a resounding “YES�
IS IT TRUE that this coming Wednesday (July 21) our own LIFESTYLE “LIL†will be asking the CCO readers to answer 10 Evansville “TRIVA†questions. …the first person to answer all 10 questions correctly will receive a $250 gift certificate for a “Wing Party†at Show Me’s Restaurant and Bar – East or West? ….that this gift certificate will be for 20 people and will allow them to eat all the wings and french fries they can eat? ….we can guarantee that Show Me’s Restaurant & Bar has the best chicken wings in the area?
IS IT TRUE we are still wondering what is the status of the McCurdy Apartment /Condo and the Executive Inn projects?
IS IT TRUE we wonder if GAGE is going to pay a salary supplement to Tom Barnett for this fiscal year?
IS IT TRUE certain Evansville City Council members are texting people while at the official meeting? ….the same Evansville City Council members roll their eyes at each other when a particular City Council member makes remarks about important city business listed on agenda?
IS IT TRUE the CCO received a nasty e-mail concerning our positive article on the newly elected Knight Township Trustee? …we are sticking by our guns and continue to say we feel that the new Knight Township Trustee is doing a fine job!
IS IT TRUE it is time for the Board Of Zoning Appeals to either approve or deny the request of local business people to build wind mills in front of their place of business located on John street in Evansville?
IS IT TRUE we are pleased to hear that a new group called POMA (Property Owners and Managers Association Of Evansville) has been launched? …..we are impressed with their mission statement because it’s positive and pro-active? .…if you would like more information on this group please go to their web site at www.pomaevv.com?
IS IT TRUE we congratulate U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth for requesting Congress to provide the City of Evansville a $100,000 feasibility study on the possibility of creating a “Slack Water Port†on the Ohio River in Evansville?
IS IT TRUE that we are pleased to hear that the City of Evansville is responding to complaints about smoking in front of city buses? …the dispatchers are making non-smoking announcements over the communication system hourly?
IS IT TRUE we want to thank Vanderburgh County Clerk Susan Kirk for putting voting election results on her web page? …. that this endeavor took her and her staff about 3 years to complete? ….the local political history buffs should really enjoy this site? ….you may see this masterful piece of work by going to skirk@vanderburghgov.org?
Our Transformation to 300% Growth and a Higher Quality Publication Began with a Single Phone Call
Ron H. Cosby, President and CEO
City-County Observer
When I first called Joe Wallace in the winter of 2010, I was simply seeking to verify a few facts about a story that the City-County Observer was working on about some of the activities undertaken by the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville, or GAGE, during his time as the founding President and CEO. What the City-County Observer has ended up with over the course of the last six months as a result of that call are a return to our core values, a transformational strategy, and a renewed spirit of execution.
On that first phone call Mr. Wallace spent about an hour not only answering my questions to the extent that he could, but engaging me in a conversation about the business of the City-County Observer, my start-up online newspaper that serves greater Evansville. It seemed as though he had been reading our content for some time and had been formulating some ideas and opinions about our business. After hanging up, I decided to offer Mr. Wallace the opportunity to serve as a consultant to the City-County Observer.
His consultancy started off with a simple examination of our core values of being an advocate for good public policy and ways to build a business around that concept. Joe always called this the period of becoming aware of what is needed to prosper. Together we engaged in deep discussions about format, content, revenue, distribution, and costs. He was always focused on the actions required to achieve the long term goals of the City-County Observer as opposed to the day to day emotions that a news based business tends to be distracted by.
After many meetings on building awareness, Joe became insistent that I as the business owner acknowledge the changes that were needed and internalize the new way of operating that we had jointly agreed would benefit my business. After guiding me through the ideas and actions that would raise the ability of the City-County Observer to prosper and serve our core mission, we set out on developing a practical action plan that was achievable with the talents and resources at our disposal.
Our action plan included, broader and more detailed content, expanded authorship, a migration plan to a daily format, a diversified revenue model, and cost control measures that lowered our operating costs by over 50%. Additionally, Joe advised that we invest in equipment to enhance our video capability. He is cultivating contributing authors from across the country to submit scholarly articles to this publication. The results have been dramatic. During our third month of working together alexa.com reported that our readership had increased by 300%. In a more recent analysis for a three month period our metrics are as follows:
Global Internet Reach: +50%
Visits from Search Engines: +50%
Page Views: +27%
Time on Site: +137%
Page Views: +20%
Global Ranking: up 1,735,000 places
I am personally pleased and astonished at the level of positive results that Mr. Wallace’s practical advice and guidance has brought to the City-County Observer. It is clear to me why he was selected to head an organization that had a mission to assist entrepreneurs and local businesses. The value that his practical and hands on consulting services have brought to the City-County Observer have paid for themselves many times over in a very short time. I am looking forward to a continuous and prosperous relationship with Joe and want to encourage the business community of greater Evansville to do the same. It is my strong recommendation that if your business is experiencing stagnation in the marketplace or if your desire for growth is stymied by lack of direction or vision, Joe Wallace is an affordable, results driven agent of change who will respectfully guide you to a path toward prosperity. I have included his contact information below.
Joe J. Wallace, Hadannah Business Solutions
13815 Castle Brook Road, Evansville, IN 47725
www.hadannahbusiness.com (812) 431-3877
TWO YEARS AND STILL TICKING…
We at the City-County Observer strive to be the best at what we do, which is why we focus on only what is laid out in our Mission Statement:
SINCE WE BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO, OUR GOAL HAS BEEN TO KEEP THE EVANSVILLE AREA INFORMED, EDUCATED AND ENTERTAINED WHILE SERVING AS THE COMMUNITY’S WATCHDOG, SOUNDING THE ALARM WHENEVER OUR CITIZENS RIGHTS ARE IN DANGER OF BEING VIOLATED BY OUR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS. OUR PUBLICATION IS BUILT ON THE CORNERSTONE OF SERVICE AND TRUST TO THE TAXPAYERS AND CITIZENS OF EVANSVILLE AND VANDERBURGH COUNTY.
With that in mind, we acknowledge the other fine media in our area and commend them for the great work they do. Local newspapers such as Evansville Courier and Press; the Mount Vernon Democrat; Posey County News; Warrick County News and the Gleaner of Henderson all do a commendable job of covering their communities. They are all good reading, and we encourage you to visit their web sites on our blog in the upper right corner of our paper. We also would like to recognize our three area television stations, and encourage you to check out their links on our website. We consider ourselves as casual media partners.
While they all do a great job, the City-County Observer is also a media source providing you with contemporary, in-depth coverage of the not-so-obvious happenings in the Evansville area. Starting today we will post daily items, such as breaking news and updates to current articles, seven days a week. After months of analyzing research data, utilizing other marketing practices and conferring with our consultant, we are close to completing Phase I of our original mission (good public policy as pertaining to governmental entities) while making it more reader-friendly and readily available.
As we move forward and successfully complete this first chapter of our reorganization, we will let you know what lies ahead in Phase II. We want to thank our advertisers for staying committed to our cause and continuing to support us with their advertising dollars during our transition. On a final note, our staff will soon expand with the addition of two former members of the established print media who will help us continue our crusade of ensuring that public officials are held accountable.
Sincerely,
The City-County Observer staff