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Our Transformation to 300% Growth and a Higher Quality Publication Began with a Single Phone Call

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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…

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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

WHO-WHAT-WHEN-WHERE by Life Style Lil

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WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE MUSICAL, A ROUSING SUCCESS

Last week I went to see Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS – THE MUSICAL and can tell you that this production was outstanding! The directors – Jack Schriber, Sue Schriber, Jaye Beetem, Amy Walker, Richard Bernhardt, Jan Stovall and Terry Becker – did a remarkable job! Also, the individuals who worked on Production Staff and Volunteers were Brittney Brown, Kerri Zeien, Rene Chadwick, Justin McCullough, Tiffany Ball, Ty Cheatem, Laurel Vaughn, Anne deVider and Susan Fetscher deserve a big round of applause! The Technical Staff members who keep this production going in the right direction were: Chuck Armstrong, Jason Southwell, Tanya Sweet, Jeremy Hoesli and Tim Ashby were flawless! The Public Education Foundation Of Evansville Board Of Directors, Board Members, Advisory Council and the Board Of School Trustees deserve a great deal of credit for their vision and public support for bringing this Broadway style production to Evansville! Finally, thanks to our intelligent and creative high school students for doing a bang-up job with this wonderful production!

AMERICA’S BEST HOSPITALS

Congratulations to the following local Hospitals for being selected on the list of America’s BEST HOSPITALS for 2010-2011. They are: Methodist Hospital, Henderson Ky., a 216 bed facility that performs General Medical and Surgery; Gibson General Hospital, Princeton, In. has 70 beds that provides Alliant Management Services; The Women’s Hospital, Newburgh, In. has 74 beds and offers Obstetrics and Gynecology services; St. Mary’s Warrick Hospital, Boonville, In. is a 35 bed facility with specialty in General Surgery; Select Specialty Hospital, Evansville, In. is a 60 bed, Acute Long Term Care facility; Evansville Psychiatric Children Center, Evansville, In. is a state-funded, 28 bed Children Psychiatric facility; and Evansville State Hospital is another state-funded Psychiatric hospital that has 60 beds and serves the long-term, mentally challenged individuals; and HealthSouth Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital is a 80 bed Rehabilitation hospital. Also did you know that U.S. News and World Report has published the BEST HOSPITALS rankings for the last 21 years? Of course, the above hospitals couldn’t have achieved the above national honors without the help of Administrators, Doctors, Support Staff and Volunteers!

HELP SWIRCA HELP ELDERLY FIGHT HEAT

Had lunch at SWIRCA last week and found out this outstanding organization that serves the physical, financial and other quality of life challenges and needs of our aging population needs your help. SWIRCA could use some windows air conditioners, fans, power wheelchairs, Rollater Walkers, help with home repair and painting and heating and cooling repairs. Please call Judi Freson at (812) 464-7800 or e-mail her at jfreson@swirca.org if you can be of assistance. Oh, forgot to mention that 7th Annual Southern Indiana Brewey, Winery and Spirits Festival is coming to SWIRCA on August 21, 2010. Contact Judi Freson to make reservations!

TWO WORTHY ORGANIZATIONS

If you want to help fight hunger and poverty, I just stumbled across a worthwhile organization that you should involve yourself with. Please contact Vanderburgh Community Foundation at (812) 422-1245 or contact Gina Gibson with the Evansville Christian Life Center at (812) 492-0711 – you’ll be glad you did!

THANKS, PATTON HEATING & AIR!

My next door neighbor had an emergency yesterday concerning her air conditioner. She called Patton Heating and Air and was surprised to personally be able to talk with the owner about her air conditioner problem and explain that it needs to be fixed right away because of her mother’s health problems. Deb Yeager (Owner of Patton’s) was “Johnny On The Spot” because within 45 minutes of the phone call, the repairman was there to fix the problem. If you want a Heating and Air Conditioner company to install or repair your unit, I would highly recommend that you call Patton Heating and Air at (812) 424-7583 and ask for Deb!

I was looking at a home located in the Historic District Saturday and stopped by Penny Lane’s for a cup of Java and was surprised to see that they also had an upscale Farmers Market that sold only locally grown produce.

Here’s what’s happening in your neck of the woods for rest of the week!

ACSWI Artists & Exhibit Locations for the month of JULY 2010
Bower-Suhrheinrich Gallery
318 Main Street, Suite 101 – Evansville, IN 47708
June 28 – July 29
Tri-State Icons: This display features 27 artists’ photographs, paintings, and drawings of many familiar buildings and landmarks from throughout southwestern Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois.
Opening Reception: June 30 from 4 – 6 p.m. (CST) – Public Welcome!
BSF Gallery Front Window (Alcove) Art
318 Main Street, Suite 101 – Evansville, IN 47708
July
Eric Goelzhauser

Evansville Commerce Bank
20 NW 4th Street – Evansville, IN 47708
July
Holly Pearson
Fifth Third Bank
20 N.W. Third Street – Evansville, IN 47708
July
William Pickle, Betsy Welborn Fenner, Tracie Young & Julia Sermersheim

United Bank – Downtown Evansville
18 N.W. Fourth Street, Evansville, IN 47708
July
Skip Kniese

AMERICAN SEWING GUILD EVENTS
Upcoming Meetings: 
We meet the 4th Tuesday of each month except December, 6:00 pm to 7:45 pm at McCullough Library.  Date and Location changes are announced in advance.
1. July 27, Sew-in, make troupe bags for National Project, bring sewing machines, cutting supplies, basic sewing supplies

CALL FOR ENTRIES & ARTISTS
DOWNTOWN HENDERSON PROJECT ISSUES A CALL TO ARTISTS
Wow! Friday Gallery Hop & Art Sale To Be Held November 5

CHILDREN’S CENTER FOR DANCE EDUCATION
New Programs for Local Dancers
Children’s Center for Dance Education is offering more than ever to local dancers this summer. From the new “Mondays at the Ballet” program for our youngest dancers, to contemporary workshops, partnering classes, week long camps inspired by various ballets, to the return of Max Ratevosian to Evansville, there is sure to be a class that meets your need! Visit www.childdance.org to download our summer registration form.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF EVANSVLLE (cMoe)
Tuesday through Saturday: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
CLOSED Mondays: – Holiday Exceptions Apply
Admission: Last Admission to the Museum is 3:30 p.m. **, 18 Months and Over – $6, Members – FREE
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT (18 or older)
· July 21st – Chill Out! Take a break from the heat as we explore the science of cold with some instant snow, icy experiments, and more from 2-3:30 in the Lobby.
· July 22nd – Story Stretchers at 10:30 a.m.
· July 24th – Story Stretchers at 10:30 a.m.
Up, Up and away! We’re celebrating all things that fly in honor of Amelia Earhart Day! Look for planes, rockets, parachutes and more, all throughout the building, all day.
· July 28th – Lava Lamp fun from 2-3:30. Step into the swinging 60’s as you create a psychedelic science project to decorate your room
· July 29th – Story Stretchers at 10:30 a.m.
· July 31st – Story Stretchers at 10:30 a.m.

CIVIC THEATRE EVENTS

ANN LANDERS IS “THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS” AT CIVIC THEATRE
· The Lady With All the Answers runs two weekends, July 23 through August 1. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8:00pm, and Sunday matinees are at 2:00.
· Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors 65 and older and $12 for students 21 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office at 717 North Fulton Avenue, by calling 425-2800, or for the first time this season, online through the Civic Theatre website at www.civic.evansville.net.

Ann Landers is The Lady with All the Answers and she’s coming to Civic Theatre on July 23! For decades, renowned advice columnist Ann Landers answered countless letters from lovelorn teens, confused couples and a multitude of others in need of advice. No topic was off-limits, including nude housekeeping, sex in a motorcycle helmet, the proper way to hang toilet paper, sibling rivalries, addiction, religion and wandering spouses. Late on a 1975 night in Landers’ Chicago apartment, an ironic twist of events confronts her with a looming deadline for a column dealing with a new kind of heartbreak: her own. As she shares her struggles to complete the column with us, we learn as much about ourselves as we do about the wise, funny, no-nonsense woman whose daily dialogue with America helped shape the social and sexual landscapes of the last half-century.
Leanne Nayden, last seen on the Civic Theatre stage as Sister Clarissa in Over the Tavern, portrays Ann Landers, in this unique one-woman show. Ms. Nayden teaches education at the University of Evansville, and brings a wealth of theatre experience to her role.
The Chicago Tribune called The Lady With All the Answers “. . . a warmhearted play…highly entertaining, frequently moving…” and the Los Angeles Times said it’s “folksy, funny, . . . engaging from beginning to end.”

CIVIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES THE 85th SEASON, FOR 2010-2011
The Mainstage Season:
1. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Music and lyrics by William Finn; book by Rachel Scheinkin
Six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.
Sept. 17-19, 24-26, Oct. 1-3 Sponsors: 5th 3rd Bank, Scripps Howard Foundation

2. A Christmas Story, By Jean Shepherd; adapted by Philip Grecian.
Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 Sponsors: Vectren, Toyota

3. Doubt, A Parable, by John Patrick Shanley.
Feb. 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 Sponsor: 14 WFIE

EVANSVILLE MUSEUM (Arts, History, Science)
Admission is free, but there is a suggested contribution of $2 per person.
Membership begins at $35, with a total of seven membership categories
KOCH PLANETARIUM TO OFFER FREE SHOWS
The Evansville Museum will be offering admission-free planetarium shows the first Friday of every month this Summer. Three free planetarium performances will be offered on August 6. Free performances in the Museum’s Koch Planetarium will occur at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
· At 11:00 a.m. the Planetarium will offer Larry, Cat In Space, a sky show for children ages 4-10 that follows the devotion of an orange cat that stows away on a rocket to the moon.
· At 1:00 p.m. Nine Planets and Counting examines the continuing debate on what constitutes a planet, the variety of objects that populate the solar system a if Pluto is still a planet.
· At 3:00 p.m., The Sky Tonight will detail what planets and constellations are visible in the summer sky.
· Although the shows are free, guests are asked to pick up a complimentary ticket the day of the show. Timed tickets will be available at the Museum’s Second Floor Security Desk.

Old Gallery
Working Together juried exhibition
July 11 – Sept. 12
Town Hall
Cornucopia: Artifacts from the History
February 7 – August 15

Koch Science Center
Hands – On 4
May 2 – September 12

Koch Planetarium
9 Planets and Counting
June 5 – August 15

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (EPO) EVENTS
EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
HOLD AUDITIONS FOR 2010-2011 SEASON
Auditions for 2010-2011 membership in the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestras (EPYO and EPYO II) will be held on August 6th in Wheeler Auditorium on the University of Evansville campus.

The Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestras are seeking bassoonists, brass players, percussionists and string musicians from the Tri-State area in grades 6-12 who desire challenging musical experiences and invigorating performance opportunities.  Audition requirements include selected scales, a short solo or etude, and sight-reading. Additional audition information, including a brochure, audition requirements and application forms, may be obtained from the Evansville Philharmonic website – www.evansvillephilharmonic.org – or by contacting the Director of Education at 812-425-5050.

In existence since 1993, the premier orchestra of the youth orchestra program is the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (EPYO).  Under the baton of its new conductor Dr. Thomas Dickey, membership in the EPYO is reserved for outstanding players in grades 9-12 who demonstrate the musicianship necessary to perform in a pre-professional orchestra setting.  This group performs a wide range of demanding orchestral repertoire, allowing its members the opportunity to strengthen and expand their musical skills through the study of symphonic literature. 

Under the direction of Sheryl Schuster, the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra II (EPYO II) is an intermediate level orchestra typically consisting of middle and high school students in grades 6-9 (age exceptions may be made at the discretion of the conductor).  EPYO II’s mission is to provide an educationally sound musical experience in a full orchestra setting through exposure to quality musical repertoire designed to refine technique and develop musical maturity. 

The Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestras offer orchestra programs tailored to a variety of ages and musical abilities, so that a student may progress musically over several years. Young musicians who successfully audition are placed in an orchestra appropriate to their ability, and may advance within the system based on their skill and individual growth.

Each year the youth orchestras perform a Winter Concert and a Spring Concert on the Victory Theatre stage.  EPYO and EPYO II members participate in weekly rehearsals led by professional conductors and participate in regular sectionals with members of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.

EVANSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS
Adult Programs
· July 19 – Otona No Otaku – Japanese culture and anime for adults, 6:30 p.m. in Browning Event Room B, Central Library, For more information: Call Charles Sutton at 428-8217.
· July 21 – Women’s Fiction Book Club – Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Rigler – 3:30 p.m. in Study Room, Oaklyn Branch, 3001 Oaklyn Dr. For more information: Call 428-8234.
· July 22 – Mystery Lovers Book Discussion – On the Wrong Track by Steve Hockensmith – 4:30 p.m. in Meeting Room, North Park Branch, 960 Koehler Dr. For more information: Call 428-8237.

Teen Programs
· July 16, & 23 – Tweens & Things – Grades 5-8, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in Browning Event Rooms A & B, Central Library.  Registration required for each separate event by calling Christa at 428-8225 or visiting evpl.org.
· July 24 – Cosplay 101 – Teen led hands on workshop – design, share, and exchange ideas, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in Browning Event Rooms A & B, Central Library, For more information: Call Charles Sutton at 428-8217.
· July 24 – Otaku Anonymous – Anime and Manga. 1:30-3:00 p.m. in Browning Event Rooms A & B, Central Library, For more information: Call Charles Sutton at 428-8217.
· July 24 – Gaming Power Hour (x2) – intense gaming on big screens, 3:30-5:30 p.m. in Browning Event Rooms A & B, Central Library, For more information: Call Charles Sutton at 428-8217.
· July 26 – Make a Splash Party and Drawing – teens will be eligible to win one the Five Grand Prizes. In Café Garden, Central Library. For more information: Call Charles Sutton at 428-8217.
· 4:00 p.m. – party starts, with grand prize drawing at 7:00 p.m. Participants MUST be present and bring their Teen Summer Reading Program Record to the drawing.
· July 29 – Reel Talk: Children’s Lit – premiering Where the Wild Things Are and The Fantastic Mr. Fox. A special guest will be present and refreshments will be provided. 3:00-9:00 p.m. in Browning Event Room B, Central Library, For more information: Call Charles Sutton at 428-8217.

Special Children’s Programs
· July 21 – Recorder Recital – Come support the music students from Central Library’s Beginning Recorder Class as they showcase what they have learned. 5:00-5:45 p.m. in READ Center, Central Library. For more information: Call Christa Shipley at 428-8225.
· July 21 – Teddy Bear Picnic – Bring your lunch and favorite stuffed animal. Lemonade and Teddy Bear treats will be provided. Ages 2-5. 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at McCollough Branch, 5115 Washington Ave. For more information: Call 428-8236.
· July 22 – High Seas Adventures – Come for a Pirates and Mermaids Party dressed in rags and sparkles ready for a treasure hunt. Grades K-6. 2:00-3:00 p.m. in Meeting Room, Oaklyn Branch, 3001 Oaklyn Dr. For more information: Call 428-8234.

FOURTH FRIDAY GALLERY STROLLS ON JULY 24 AND AUGUST 27, 2010
Patrons of the Alhambra Theater’s al fresco film series have another free Fourth Friday event on July 24 and August 27. Two Arts District galleries will be open before show time at sunset.

Billy Hedel’s Studio, 916 SE Sixth Street (303-3722), will open to the public from 6 to 8 pm. In addition to Hedel’s large paintings and line drawings, he will exhibit small works on paper by Carole Douglas, who recently was awarded an Individual Artists Program grant by the Indiana Arts Commission. Fifteen percent of sales will be donated to Patchwork.

Fountain View Gallery, 27 Adams at Second Street (423-0888), also open until 8 pm, features an exhibit of new paintings by Cynthia Watson and work in a range of media by other local artists.

Call the individual galleries for exhibit information and regular gallery hours.

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON STATE PARK & MUSEUM · HENDERSON, KY
Audubon Exhibits:
“Inspirations of Audubon”  2010 Audubon Celebration
Exhibit dates: Thru July
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily
MISCELLANEOUS
Sinfonia’s Men of Song Chorus Concert
· Date: Friday, July 23, 2010
· Location: St. Benedict Cathedral
· Address: 1328 Lincoln Ave., Evansville IN 47714
· Contact Person: Jeremy Evans; 812-867-2433
· Website: www.sinfonia.org/chorus
This concert is free and open to the public. The Men of Song Chorus is composed of college-aged men who are members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the world’s oldest and largest men’s music Fraternity.  Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and its members have established and advanced music in America for 112 years.  Members from throughout the nation will be in Evansville for the Fraternity’s 2010 Leadership Institute. The Fraternity’s national headquarters is also in Evansville.

The Spirit of Evansville Sweet Adeline Chorus
Our Chorus are members of the Sweet Adeline International and sing 4 part harmony in capella style music.  We meet every Monday at 601N Boeke Rd ( Good Samaritan Home) in Evansville.
Contacts: Linda Weber, Newburgh, In; Ph: 812-853-8709
Carole Rich, Evansville, In; Ph: 812-550-7093

RiverTown StoryTeller’s meeting
RiverTown StoryTellers will meet at the Ohio Twp. Central Library in Newburgh, IN the first Wednesday of Feb., April, June, August, Oct. and December, 2010.  The meetings are open to everyone interested in a good story.  Bring a favorite story to share or come listen to others tell their stories.  A short business meeting is held from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and then the stories begin. 

NEW HARMONY, IN ARTS EVENTS
The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art presents
“Liberties of Construction: Form, Content, and Color” an exhibition of artwork by Katherine Taylor (KT) and Billy Hertz.
· The exhibition runs from July 10-August 15. 
· A reception for the artists will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and is free and open to the public. During the reception the artists will be available for questions. 
· New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is located at 506 Main Street in New Harmony, IN and is open from 10 a.m. until 5p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays noon until 4 p.m. 
· For further information please call 812/682-3156 or visit www.nhgallery.com. 
Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation.

PATCHWORK CENTRAL EVENTS
100 Washington Ave., Evansville, 812-424-2735
Back-to-School Sale
· Saturday, July 31, 2010
· 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
· 100 Washington Ave. Evansville, IN 47713

Patchwork Central will be putting on a Back-to-School Sale on Saturday, July 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We will offer school supplies, new underwear and socks, and other items for sale at extremely reduced prices. Parents and students will be able to buy a bag of school supplies customized for a particular grade level ($3 per bag for Kindergarten through 3rd grade and $5 per bag for 4th and 5th grades). Socks and underwear will also be sorted by gender and size for easy shopping. The proceeds from the sale will go toward buying supplies for next year’s sale. Patchwork Central is located at 100 Washington Ave. (the corner of Washington Ave. and SE Sixth St.) in Evansville, Indiana. For more information, please call our offices at: (812) 424-2735.

Patchwork Central is a nonprofit organization that runs after-school and summer programming for children, a food pantry, a community garden, and other programs to benefit our neighborhood and our city.

SAINT MEINRAD ARCHABBEY EVENTS
Archabbey Library exhibit features paintings of Carolyn Roth
· The Saint Meinrad Archabbey Library Gallery, St. Meinrad, IN, is presenting an exhibit of paintings by artist Carolyn Roth of Evansville, IN. Exhibit dates are June 29-August 7.
Roth recently retired from the University of Southern Indiana, where she had been teaching since 1984. A New York native, she earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Herron School of Art and master’s in fine arts at Florida State University.
· She has been on the full-time faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Southern Illinois University and the University of Evansville. She has exhibited her artwork throughout the United States since 1968.
· Extensive world travel has been the inspiration for her artwork. “I am working for an expressive quality in my work,” Roth says. “By expressive, I don’t mean the expression on a person’s face, but rather the feeling behind the brush stroke.”
· Many of the paintings in this exhibition feature animals, mostly birds, as imagery. A series of 12 small canvases with birds were done in collaboration with her father, Charles Roth, as an aesthetic response to his concept of associating a color and an attribute with each of the 12 disciples.
· For library hours call, (812) 357-6401 or (800) 987-7311, or visit the Archabbey Library’s website: www.saintmeinrad.edu/library/library_hours.aspx.
· The exhibit is free and open to the public. Those wishing to view the exhibit may want to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time.

TRI-STATE ART GUILD EVENTS
The Really Big and Really Tiny Shows
The Really Big and Really Tiny Shows will be on display at Angel Mounds from June 8-August 6, 2010. Presented by the Tri-State Art Guild in cooperation with the Friends of Angel Mounds, the two shows juxtapose each other in size making for an dynamic event. The Really Big Show will feature over 30 large-scale entries with sizes that range from 24″ x 36″ to 48″ x 48″ and the more than 40 Really Tiny Show works range from 4″ x 4″ to 12″ x 14″. Both shows include works by area artists in a variety of mediums including framed art, photography and sculpture.
  Hours are: Tues-Sat 9-5 and Sun 1-5pm. For show information, call the Tri-State Art Guild at 270-826-6674 or Angel Mounds at 812-853-3956. For upcoming events visit the guild website at tri-stateartguild.org.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA EVENTS
NEW EXHIBITIONS in the McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries: Purchase Awards from Student Art Shows and Prints and Ceramic Works by Visiting Artists 1978-2010. The exhibits are open to the public during summer hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. A reception for the artists will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 12, at the art center, and is open to students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
1. Purchase Awards from Student Art Shows
2. Prints and Ceramic Works by Visiting Artists 1978-2010
3. A third exhibit, Art Glass from the Alan and Susan Shovers Collection, is on display in the McCutchan Exhibition Space in the Wright Administration Building.

Until then, don’t take any Wooden Nickels! See you next week!

Love,

LIL

Knight Township returning credibility to position

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by Don Counts Associate Editor

The City-County Observer contacted Kathryn Martin and asked her what she would like for the public to know about her. She said:

After the residents of Knight Township granted me the opportunity to serve as Trustee, my first priority was to renew the trust and improve community relations.

I am restoring consistency and stability to the Knight Township Trustee’s office with a qualified, effective and efficient staff who remember each day that they are working for the people of Knight Township. Together, we are genuinely committed to improving the reputation of this important office.

When families need emergency assistance, from fire protection to stabilizing their basic household needs, they turn to their Township Trustee. In this position, I will continue to work with our community’s many non-profit agencies to ensure residents are utilizing all available resources.

As a wife, mother of four and someone who has been touched by circumstances I could not control, I bring compassion, respect, and a deep dedication to assisting residents who are facing emergency needs. I look forward to the privilege of remaining your Trustee and will continue strengthening the bond between my office and the people of Knight Township.

Many members of the public do not know what their trustee’s responsibilities are. Briefly they are to dispense vouchers to low-income residents for emergency help with rent and medicine, contracts for fire protection and maintains a cemetery.

This is not a position that will make the trustee rich. The annual salary is $31,395 and is responsible for presiding over a separate taxing unit that administers a combined budget of $885,623.

Your Community Watchdog is Back with Daily Posts

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Your community watchdog is back

The City-County Observer is ready to once again inform Evansville area residents of the news they want and need to know. Our content comes from a wide span of sources and outlets and provides a little something for everyone. To wit:

We provide daily posts on upcoming events as well as coverage of ongoing and breaking stories as warranted. The Observer will include articles written by local professionals from many areas of interest. Our goal is to protect the well-being of our community and inform readers what they need to know in their everyday lives.

There are many features to boot, including cartoons from syndicated outlets as well as local artist Dan Kisner. Guest columns will be direct and have substance and relevance. An enhanced blog roll provides a wealth of information by keeping you linked with many civic and service agencies in the area. Weekly polls will offer dynamic, pointed questions and might at times stir controversy. A new installment known as “Who-What-When-&-Where” is delivered by our contemporary gal, Lifestyle Lil. Her commentary on local businesses and people is unpredictable, entertaining and always worth a read. Our most popular feature, “Is It True?” is also back with our network of moles raising the questions to which you need answers.

We have merged the talents and strengths of our online and former print divisions to offer better coverage for you, our loyal readers, as well as a continual growing list of new readers. We will soon be adding staff members with extensive experience in the local print media. You are witnessing the emergence of Phase I of the new and improved City-County Observer. As we continue to analyze readership data we have accumulated and researched over the past year, we will be able to offer you a better product.

Finally, we encourage you to add the City-County Observer to your list of favorites, and we also encourage you to go to our reader poll listed in this issue and vote for your choice of the person to be the next Mayor of Evansville.

Thank you for your patience and patronage.

Sincerely

Don Counts
Associate Editor

Lawmaker defends roles on call center

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Sought welfare site in Marion, in a building he has a stake in

Angela Mapes Turner | The Journal Gazette

FORT WAYNE – A state representative who fought hard for a controversial call center created in his district as a part of Indiana’s failed welfare privatization effort has a financial stake in the building that houses it.

Rep. P. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, says his investment in the building owned by his son is a non-issue. But critics say the link should have been disclosed during the many public debates about problems with the IBM-led welfare changes.

House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said he doesn’t believe anything illegal transpired, but the case, combined with others, fosters a culture of secrecy in Indiana government. Bauer believes the Marion call center should lead to full disclosure on state leases.

In 2007, Indiana inked a $1.16 billion deal with IBM Corp. to modernize the state’s welfare system by providing more services by computer and telephone.

Central to the plan was the creation of a call center to serve the entire state. Instead of caseworkers assigned to clients who need help getting food stamps, Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, contract employees would handle applications submitted through a website and the Marion call center.

Subcontractor Affiliated Computer Services, tasked with creating the call center, entered into a lease in 2007 to rent the former Jones Middle School when the building was still owned by Marion Community Schools, according to school board minutes.

Nearly from the start, the hub was fraught with controversy. The state heard complaints that the call center workers were ill-trained and clients were not getting their benefits, such as food stamps and Medicaid.

By May 2008, 59 of Indiana’s counties had been brought into IBM’s system. Concerns about clients not being served well by the call center had caused state officials to halt the transition of Indiana’s remaining 33 counties.

That’s when Turner toured the call center in his role as legislator and told the Marion Chronicle-Tribune he was impressed.

Turner told the newspaper there could be legislative committees to look into the issues, but the cost of reverting to the old system would be “astronomical” and call center workers were doing their jobs.

At the same time, his son Paul Ezekiel Turner’s company was in negotiations to buy the former Jones Middle School from Marion Community Schools.

On May 5, 2008, the school board voted to sell the building for $350,000 to Mainstreet Capital Partners LLC, a joint venture between “Zeke” Turner and his father.

According to secretary of state records, Zeke Turner created a limited-liability company, MS Jones LLC, co-owned by Mainstreet, to buy the call center.

That company isn’t listed on Rep. Turner’s statement of economic interests required of all state legislators, but Mainstreet and several other joint ventures with his son are, including Turner Partnership, which is MS Jones’ other co-owner.

Turner considers having listed those companies to be sufficient disclosure, he said, adding that all the transactions related to the sale were carried out in public school board meetings and were common knowledge in Grant County.

Turner said he is a supporter of government transparency and maintains that whether or not his colleagues at the Statehouse knew about his ownership interest in the call center, he had disclosed it.

“As far as I am concerned, it is public knowledge,” he said.

Turner said he does not recall specific conversations with his son about whether to invest in the property when Marion Community Schools put it up for sale.

“I’m sure we talked about it,” he said. “He often shares with me ideas he has on investments.”

But his son does his own analyses on investment opportunities, Turner said.

Turner has another tie to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration: His daughter, Jessaca Turner Stults, was named the agency’s general counsel in 2007 and is legislative director.

Turner said his daughter’s role has not meant FSSA had a lawmaker in its pocket, citing his vote against Daniels’ health insurance plan funded by the cigarette tax.

“FSSA advances issues before the General Assembly, and some I agreed with, and some I didn’t,” he said. “She has her job to do, and I have mine to do.”

Fighting for jobs

On more than a half-dozen occasions over the past three years, Turner defended the call center’s importance to his hometown newspaper, the Marion Chronicle-Tribune. He said his support was motivated by the 400 jobs the call center represents.

“I will continue to defend those jobs in Marion,” he said. “I can’t apologize for defending those jobs.”

While the school district considered Jones Middle School “surplus and/or worthless,” the property has been anything but worthless to the younger Turner’s company.

After taking out a $280,000 loan to buy the property in July 2008, it was mortgaged for an additional $200,000 in September of that year. This spring, his company took out a second mortgage on the property for $5 million, according to records from the Grant County recorder’s office.

Mainstreet Asset Management did not respond to a request for comment.

Zeke Turner’s portion was assessed for more than $7.1 million in 2009, according to the Grant County treasurer’s office.

Affiliated Computer Services is leasing about 53,000 square feet in the building, FSSA spokesman Marcus Barlow said. That company – not the state – created the lease and pays the rent of $14,400 a month, or $172,800 a year, he said.

The rent is similar to the cost of less expensive industrial warehouse space, not more expensive commercial real estate, Barlow said.

“They actually got a really good deal,” he said.

Speaker Bauer argues it’s hard to know whether something’s a good deal if it’s brokered privately, behind closed doors.

“We’re having trouble in general getting information out of these private contractors,” he said. “Let the people judge.”

Early this month, in an unrelated case, Bauer sent a request to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Bauer is asking for a review of real estate leases brokered by John M. Bales that put a private contractor involved in Indiana’s welfare-to-work program into two buildings owned by Bales.

In another matter, Bauer also filed a public information request with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., asking for information on job-creation numbers, after an Indianapolis TV station was able to obtain only aggregate data from the agency.

Bauer said he does not believe anything illegal occurred in Turner’s case, but the same let-the-people-judge theory applies and he personally finds the cozy relationship troublesome.

“What’s to say it doesn’t cloud your judgment,” he said. “It creates an impression of impropriety.”

Seeking review

The speaker said he was surprised when he learned about the ownership of the call center, as was state Rep. Gail Riecken, D-Evansville.

Riecken presented a bill during the 2009 special session that would have called for an audit of the privatized welfare system, including the physical facilities being used by contractors.

That bill was doomed by the summer session’s express purpose – passing a budget.

By the fall of 2009, the Daniels administration had acknowledged the IBM plan’s failure and canceled the contract.

The state retained many private contractors, including Affiliated Computer Services, and kept the Marion center open. FSSA continues to roll out a “hybrid” welfare system that combines elements of the IBM-led automated system with more caseworker contact.

Early this year, Riecken offered another bill that would create a 10-member committee to oversee the changes to the welfare system and would have the authority to cancel private contracts under certain circumstances.

FSSA and Republicans argued the bill would surely result in the loss of jobs at the Marion center. Riecken said no one was beating that drum louder than Turner, who told the Marion Chronicle-Tribune he was “very offended” by the bill.

“He was my main opponent,” Riecken said

Riecken said the facts of the bill were misconstrued by Turner and others, which contributed to its failure. While she heard rumors about the ownership of the call center, they were never verified, she said.

“If it had been verified, I think one of us would’ve called him out on it,” Riecken said.

That bill is so much water under the bridge now, but Riecken said this case is leading to other bills being planned that will speak to the broader issue of government transparency.

“The issue is bigger than that,” she said. “The issue is about government and how it works.”

aturner@jg.net

Reprented with permission from
The Journal Gazette
600 W. Main St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
260-461-8201

Business Needs and Deserves the Rule of Law

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By Joe Wallace
Business Consultant
hadannahbusiness@aol.com

The United States of America was founded as a Republic by the founding fathers because they had their fill of King George and because they understood that a pure democracy was just another term for mob rule. The proclivities of mob rule to appropriate resources on their own and to remove the heads of those who fell out of favor with the democratic mob was demonstrated clearly with the birth of the French nation through the utilization of Madame Guillotine to appropriate the heads and property of those whom the mob deemed to be of the ruling class.

One of the hallmarks of a Republic is the rule of law. The rule of law is the only thing that protects the rights of individuals from the capriciousness of a King or Queen and the emotional whims that the huddled masses can bend to under a pure democracy. In a well designed Republic, laws are created to protect the health and well being of people from callous exercise of free will by other people. Balancing the common good with the rights of individuals is what enables a Republic to survive the cyclical swings toward democracy or a charismatic leader.

As much as we as citizens need and depend on the rule of law, the business entities through which we derive most of our sustenance and wealth are in need of a similar system. Businesses need a form of the rule of law to insure that the rules are known prior to making investments and to stabilize industrial output. Businesses and people both seek routines and predictability to insure that prosperity earned is prosperity kept. The rules of business should not change in the middle of the game any more than criminal laws should be allowed to change in the middle of a trial. The whims of the mob or the will of the dictator damage many people when business gets jerked around unnecessarily and without merit.

When it comes to business, the rule of law takes the form of regulations. There are local, state, and federal regulations surrounding nearly every type of activity or transaction that businesses can contemplate at the time the regulations were written. As profit seeking enterprises, businesses have traditionally sought ways to minimize taxation and regulation to the highest extent possible. In financial markets, when stock sales are regulated, options are invented, when options become regulated, derivatives are invented, and so on and so forth. Derivatives will soon be regulated and traded on an open bourse or stock exchange. Guess what? Something else will be created to skirt that regulation.

Why are governments so slow in responding to the invention of financial instruments that are just outside the reach of regulation? It always seems that deregulation is blamed for failures in financial markets whether it is the savings and loan failures, banks, credit default swaps, or Alt-A mortgages. I would submit that either the regulation was in place or could have easily put in place to prevent all of these expensive melt downs. The only real needs are expediency of adapting the regulations or the will to enforce the regulations that are already in place.

Under the rule of law, the enforcement of the law is just as important as the fairness and soundness of the law itself. In a city with a murder problem there must be enforcement to blunt the growth of the murder rate. In business, if the regulations are not enforced it is as if there is not regulation at all. The businesses of the United States depend not only on good regulations but on fair and equal enforcement of those regulations. Passing new regulations, while allowing violations of the existing ones is of little value. That is a guard dog with no teeth.

Regulations are being called for by the chattering class and the mob in the areas of finance reform, medicine, oil exploration, food supply, and even salt in prepared meals. Maybe these are necessary and will make our lives better and maybe they are just the head of a monarch for the American Bastille. Either way, if these regulations and the ones that are already in existence are not enforced, they will be meaningless. It is incumbent upon the governing authority to find solutions to monitor and enforce all of our sane regulations. After all, our business community deserves the rule of law as much as our citizens do.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce PAC endorses Ron Bacon for District 75 State Representative

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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 endorsement”.

Upon announcement of the endorsement Candidate Bacon commented “I am very appreciative to receive the Indiana Chamber of Commerce endorsement”.

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 retention”. 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.”

Ron Bacon is a candidate for State Representative in District 75 which covers part of Vanderburgh, Warrick and Gibson Counties.

Job creation starts with ending politics of division

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By Wenda McNamara
Candidate for State Representative District 76
wendymac2010@att.net

When I first announced my candidacy for State Representative, I pledged that my top priority would be to help bring new jobs to Southwestern Indiana. As we’ve watched the national recession unfold, it’s clear that economic development is more competitive and more vital than ever before. But while Indiana as a state continues to lead the country in new private-sector job growth, I can’t help but feel that our corner of the state often lags behind.

So what are we to do to ensure that new jobs come to places like Posey County? I think we must put a stop to the divisive politics so often used by those who represent us today. We must focus on those shared common goals of new jobs, increased income and a robust economic climate that is inviting to businesses looking to start up or relocate.

Nowhere is this more evident to me than in how some local leaders have handled the construction of the Aventine plant in Mount Vernon. Elected state officials have continued to lambast, ridicule and openly protest this company as they seek to bring permanent jobs to our area, all for the sake of short term political gain.

Fighting for the use of local labor in the construction of the facility is certainly a worthy cause, and an idea I champion wherever possible. But putting members of the community at odds with one another on economic development issues isn’t a case where one side wins and one side loses. If the plant doesn’t open at all, we all lose out on those new jobs and that new economic development.

But this isn’t just about one plant. This is about the message it sends to other businesses that could potentially bring other jobs. When they look at how hostile our legislative leaders have been to one business, what incentive is there for any of them to attempt the same? In an economic climate where business is already tough, why add the burden of unfriendly elected officials?

Under the current economic strain, we need leaders who will do everything possible to bring together the labor force and business owners who would invest in our corner of the state. We must send the message that Posey County and Southwestern Indiana are open for business, and we welcome with open arms any who would like to add jobs here. We’re all in this together, and the politics of division do nothing to benefit any of us. We need representatives who will work to bridge those divides, not create them.

CITIZEN SPEAKS ON TRANSPARENCY AND SEWERS!

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City Council President BJ Watts & City Council members:

I appreciate the ordinance that got passed recently regarding transparency. However, I have a hard time agreeing that anything regarding City Budget is transparent at all as long as the budget hearings are not televised. Since we started televising public meetings, County Council has always televised all their budget hearings and City Council never has televised one of their budget hearings. It is past time that we find ways to schedule the correct room and televise the meetings. If the cost is the issue, don’t televise something else, but all the budget hearings need to be televised.

Regarding sewer rate increase that will be discussed Monday night:
In recent weeks, County Commissioners had a hearing on Bohanan Estates Barrett Law regarding obtaining city sewers. Basically the residents agreed a couple of years ago for public sewers. It finally has progressed to time to bid the project. The cost for this could run as high as $9,000 per lot plus tap-in fee plus 30-35% surcharge on sewer which will only continue to increase as we continue to address CSO issues. I am not sure where this project is now because it came out in public testimony that the initial cost for Barrett law was low-balled and the residents are now not so sure they want it or can swing it at this price. One sucker even has a double lot so I think they get to pay double.

If it actually does cost them 9,000-10,000 per lot, you could buy a car for that and that would pay for how much college….. at least some. Unreal amount for privilege of having city sewer plus they get the 30-35% surcharge each and every month thereafter.

I agree that county residents get a break on a lot of things in this community and I am more than willing to address that with reorganization. I don’t think we should have to wait for reorganization to address the sewer issue.

I would like to see real justification for the 30-35% surcharge. I would like the percentage to be reduced as we continue to address the never-ending CSO issues.

Cathy Edrington

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