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Republicans to Caucus to Replace Winnecke on County Commission

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Thursday December 22, 2011 Caucus:

As Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party, I am calling a Vanderburgh County Republican Caucus to be held Thursday December 22, 2011. The purpose of the Caucus is to fill the County Commissioner vacancy created by Lloyd Winnecke being elected Evansville Mayor. Our Republican Caucus will be held at 815 John St. in Suite 160 at 6:30 PM. Suite 160 is part of the same building that houses the GOP HQ office– just a few doors west. The Rock Church meets in this suite. Notification letters to PC’s will be sent on or before December 12.

If anyone desires to be a candidate for this Commissioner position must reside in Commissioner District #1, must complete a CEB-5 form (see attachment) no later than 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011 and submit it to Wayne Parke, Republican Party Chairman. Any CEB-5 Form received after this time/date for this position will not be accepted.

Tuesday January 3, 2012 Caucus:

There will be another Vanderburgh County Republican Party Caucus held on Tuesday January 3, 2012. At this Caucus, we will elect/fill any County Council seats that might become vacant and the Center Township PC’s will fill a vacant Trustee Board Position. PC’s will be sent an addition notice on this Caucus by not later than December 23.

Wayne Parke
Chairman VCRP

AFL-CIO Commissions and Releases Right to Work Poll

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And the results are on the following link. Drumroll Please.

AFL CIO RTW Poll

Nutcracker Ballet – Tickets On Sale Now

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Evansville Ballet and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra present, the Nutcracker, December 17th, 2:00 and 7:30 pm, at Evansville’s Victory Theatre. Joining locally trained dancers of the School of Evansville Ballet are guest performers, former American Ballet Theatre principal, Ashley Tuttle as the Sugarplum Fairy, and soloist Carlos Lopez as Cavalier. Making his ballet debut as Mother Ginger is baseball great, Don Mattingly. Other onstage celebrities include arts patron, Rita Eykamp, and Mayor-elect of Evansville, Lloyd Winnecke. The production is presented by Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union.

Tickets are $44.50, $34.50, $29.50, $24.50 and Students $14.50; prices include all
fees. Order tickets by phone: 812-425-5050; online at evansvillephilharmonic.org; or at the Philharmonic box office, 401 SE 6th St., Suite 105.
Tickets may be purchased:
By calling the Philharmonic Box Office at 812.425.5050.
in person at the Philharmonic Main Offices
Our offices are located at 401 S.E. Sixth Street, Suite 105 of the Walker Building
(on the corner of Sixth and Cherry St.)
Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday — Friday.
If tickets are still available on the day of the performance, they may be purchased:
until 3:30 p.m. CT for Saturday evening performances, or until 11:00 a.m. CT for Sunday
afternoon performances or by calling 812.425.5050 until 3:00 p.m.
or in person at the Victory Theatre Box Office, two (2) hours prior to the concert.
The Victory Theatre Box Office is located at the Sixth Street theatre entrance.
Finding Us
If you need additional information or any other help, please contact us by phone at 812.425.5050, or by email at evphil@evansvillephilharmonic.org .

Downtown Today: 12/7/2011

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Time 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject COUNTY COUNCIL
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
SANDIE @ 5791
Categories ROOM 301

Time 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Subject DMD
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes
ASHTON @ 7825
Categories ROOM 318

Time 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Subject PARKS BOARD
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
GLENN BOBERG @ 6141
Categories ROOM 301

Time 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Subject SAFETY BOARD
Location 301
Reminder 15 minutes
TINA OWEN @ 7897
Categories ROOM 301

Time 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject Code Enf. – Ron Beane
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes

Time 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Subject HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Categories ROOM 318

$5 million in settlements being paid to State Fair victims

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AG: Protocol developed in consultation with Feinberg determines criteria for amounts

INDIANAPOLIS – Today Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced the payment plan for distributing the maximum $5 million in tort claim funds to victims of the Indiana State Fair tragedy.
With the amount the State has available for victims of the August 13 incident capped at $5 million, the payment protocol guarantees that at least $300,000 will be offered to the estates of each of the seven deceased victims in the stage rigging collapse.
Sufficient funds remain to compensate 61 other surviving victims who were among the most seriously injured. The computation works out to payments that are approximately 65 percent of the value of medical bills victims documented when they submitted their claims to the State. Every seriously-injured victim who submitted medical records will receive an offer of settlement.
Shortly after the August 13 disaster, Zoeller announced he would distribute the full $5 million in tort claim funds to victims on an expedited basis, without delays and costs from litigation regarding state liability. Zoeller brought in nationally-recognized victim-compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg, who administered victim compensation funds after 9/11, the Virginia Tech shootings and the BP Gulf oil spill, to assist the Attorney General’s Office in devising a protocol for distributing settlement payments to victims of the State Fair tragedy.
“No amount of money ever can replace lives lost or alleviate anguish endured by the victims of the Indiana State Fair tragedy. Because state law limits the amount the state can pay to $5 million per incident or $700,000 per individual and we are legally obligated to defend those limits, we had to make extremely difficult decisions about which injured victims would receive payment out of the limited pool of funds available. With the benefit of Mr. Feinberg’s expertise, my office has done everything possible to allocate these settlement offers fairly, equitably and humanely,” Zoeller said.
“I applaud Attorney General Zoeller, his staff and all others involved in designing the compensation protocol. No amount of compensation can make victims whole, or resolve their grief. But the protocol will bring some amount of financial relief to those most in need and will provide a fair and efficient process for resolving their claims against the State of Indiana. It is sound public policy,” Feinberg said.
Claimants and their attorneys have been notified of the State’s settlement offers. They have until December 12 to respond and accept or reject the offers. If any offers are rejected, then funds allotted for those individuals will be added to those for other claimants who accepted offers and their amounts will be recalculated. Once offers are accepted and claimants sign a release of liability, the State through the State Auditor’s Office will mail checks or issue electronic funds transfers later in December.
The Attorney General’s Office administers the State Tort Claim Fund, which is made up of tax dollars. A tort claim is a legal notice that a person who intends to sue the State for a loss is required to file. If the State grants the claim and pays a settlement, then the claimant releases the State from liability and does not file suit. After the State Fair tragedy, a total of 114 individuals or their estates filed 101 original tort claims (some of them filing jointly) against the State using a customized State Fair tort claim developed by the Attorney General’s Office with Feinberg’s help.
A claims-management firm retained by the State, JWF Specialty Company, made an extensive outreach to victims, received and processed the incoming claims, and followed up with claimants and their attorneys to obtain hospital bills and other medical records in order to calculate the medical costs involved. Through that data, the Attorney General’s Office developed a payment formula based on a modified protocol used after a previous incident for determining settlement amounts for claimants.
Also, during the process of calculating offers, the Attorney General’s Office participated in mediation with a group of 30 attorneys and law firms representing many claimants and reached tentative accord on the protocol. Settlement offers are with the consent of the Governor’s Office, and all claimants have the legal right to decline a settlement offer and take their chances with filing a lawsuit in court.
“Nearly all the claimants indicated they want expedited early settlements with the certainty of payment now to assist with their immediate medical bills and lost incomes, rather than the uncertainty of lawsuits that could take years to litigate with no guarantee of payment if the funds are exhausted,” Zoeller said.
Priority was given to providing compensation to families of the deceased and the most seriously injured as documented through medical records, meaning there was less available for the less-seriously injured and none for those who claimed non-physical injuries or whose claims could not be documented. Once the $5 million is exhausted, no payments can be made to remaining individuals who submitted claim forms but were not eligible for distribution under the protocol.
Meanwhile, a recent federal court ruling denied a request by one personal-injury lawyer to block the State from distributing the $5 million in tort claim funds; instead the court found that the distribution of funds to the claimants can proceed. The court’s certification of the lawsuit as meeting one legal criterion for a class action seeking a declaratory judgment does not impact the settlement offers the State made to the claimants, many of whom participated through counsel directly in settlement negotiations with the Attorney General’s Office.
The tort claim process of filing a notice with the State applies only to potential legal actions against state government. The State of Indiana is not a defendant in the separate lawsuit seeking damages that a group of claimants recently filed against a number of private businesses concerning the August 13 stage rigging collapse.
In advising the Attorney General’s Office on the tort claim fund, Feinberg donated his expertise at no charge to the State or taxpayers. Feinberg also consulted with another client, the Indiana State Fair Commission, concerning its separate State Fair Relief Fund, made up of private donations that were distributed as charitable payments to victims.
“I greatly appreciate the efforts of Mr. Feinberg, JWF Specialty and those in my office who have worked diligently to craft a dignified response to this tragic circumstance and do justice for the victims,” Zoeller said.

IS IT TRUE? December 7, 2011

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IS IT TRUE? December 7, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission had decided to accept the recommendation that allegedly was in a report from Hunden Strategic Partners to endorse the proposal of the Kunkel Group over the proposal of Prime Lodging to take the next step on the four year journey to attempt to construct and operate a Convention Hotel in downtown Evansville?…that this decision was made over the protest of Marco DeLucio, attorney for Prime Lodging who also submitted a proposal?…that Mr. DeLucio was simply stating that neither he nor Prime Lodging had seen or had discussions regarding any study by Hunden Strategic Partners and that to make such a decision without making the thought process and reasoning behind the decision is unfair?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #44 tells the City County Observer that in reality there is no Hunden Study that has been published at all?…that Mole #44 tells us that there was a powerpoint presentation made recently to the ERC that discussed the plusses and minuses of the two proposals but that there is no formal study that has been published or provided?…that Mole #44 furthermore stated that the main reason Kunkel was favored was because the financing that has not been disclosed will either happen or not happen faster than the EB5 financing that was proposed by Prime Lodging?…that we shall all know the status or existence of any study done or not done by Hunden Strategic Partners for the ERC is 18 more business days because the CCO has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to get that information and has every intention to publish it in its entirety?…that when the people pay for a study that the people have a right to read its contents?…that for Mr. Bob Goldman to refuse to release the so called study today is not only the height of arrogance but constitutes willful refusal to release publically owned information to the public?…that this shall not be allowed to stand?…that Mr. Goldman and the other four members of the ERC stand in contempt of the people that they serve with this cowardly and deceptive action?

IS IT TRUE that in reality even though no basis for any actions was released is the Kunkel becomes the 3rd group to get the endorsement of the ERC to build and operate a hotel?…that an endorsement in no way constitutes a funding source or an incentive package?…that all this means is that Kunkel’s proposal will now go to the next board of political appointees for another recommendation prior to going before the Evansville City Council that must vote to approve all city money to incent this project?…that even then it does not mean that Kunkel will secure a loan for the rest of the project, it only means that they can count on the city to do their part if they get funded privately for the rest?…that my friends is exactly where City Centre Properties LLC has been for the last 4 years with respect to the McCurdy Hotel project?…that is until yesterday when they formally notified the ERC that they can get the financing for the project in the time frame granted?

IS IT TRUE

The Mole #??
that the five member of the ERC and their attorney were shocked and amazed that CCP wrote such a letter?…that competent members of the ERC, their attorney, and a financially competent mayor should never have been surprised by this?…that to anyone that understands valuation that this has been as plane as the nose on a face since the day the scheme was hatched?…that as long as the people of Evansville elect leaders with no analytical skills who appoint stewards of public money that refuse to use whatever skills that they may have this sort of thing will continue unabated?…that all eyes will be on City Councilman John Friend, CPA when the Kunkel deal comes before council for guidance and a competent line of questioning?…that Councilman Friend knows how to VET and how to ask the right questions of the right people to learn about the financial strength of any company that is posturing to start a $30 Million project that involves taxpayer money?…that Councilman Friend knows that local firm Klenck Construction has not been paid for demolition work on this very project?…that if Councilman Friend does not do proper diligence on this action and rubber stamps an agreement without a documented audit trail then he very much deserves to be Mr. Friend once again?

ERC Recommends Kunkel for downtown Convention Hotel

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In a move that has been speculated for months the Evansville Redevelopment Commission has made the recommendation that Kunkel’s proposal should advance to build and operate the long time coming downtown Convention Hotel. It was stated by ERC Chairman Bob Goldman that the Hunden Strategic Partners had advised the recommendation of Kunkel. No study or written statement by Hunden was made available to anyone.

Marco DeLucio, attorney asked for the study to be released and for the ERC to table the decision until the Hunden study had been released but his action was to no avail as the ERC moved the proposal forward.

Kunkel representatives stated that they are considering both the Hyatt and Sheraton brands for the hotel. There was no mention of when either the construction will start or when the hotel will open for business

After the meeting Evansville City Councilman John Friend, CPA, Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, and Arena project manager John Kish were seen in the hallway engaged in a very intense discussion about the recommendation but parted with handshakes and smiles.

Kunkel has two more administrative hoops to jump through for this project to be a reality. The most important of these steps is a vote of the full Evansville City Council on whether or not to fund the ERC recommendation.

This is a developing story:

McCurdy Meltdown: City Centre throwns in the Towel

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McCurdy
Is a For Sale Sign in the Future of the McCurdy

Centre City Properties LLC today provided the Evansville Redevelopment Commission with a letter stating that they were not able to arrange for funding to go ahead with the project to turn the McCurdy Hotel into an apartment complex. CCP saved the ERC from having to make a tough decision in giving up on the over three year effort to try to fund the ill fated project.

The ERC had previously paid $603,000 for the McCurdy parking lot and extended a grant of $800,000 to CCP. The fate of the deal is not understood at this time. As there is a recorded loan by a bank against the building if CCP gives up on the project there is a possibility that the City of Evansville as a result of this series of extensions could see the building in the hands of a third party and get nothing at all for the taxpayer dollars that they have invested.

This is a developing story as CCP has not announced any intention of what they intend to do with the building that they hold title to and owe over $10,000 of taxes on.

Downtown Today: 12/6/2011

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Time 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject COUNTY COUNCIL
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
SANDIE @ 5791
Categories ROOM 301

Time 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Subject DMD
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes
ASHTON @ 7825
Categories ROOM 318

Time 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Subject PARKS BOARD
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
GLENN BOBERG @ 6141
Categories ROOM 301

Time 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Subject SAFETY BOARD
Location 301
Reminder 15 minutes
TINA OWEN @ 7897
Categories ROOM 301

Time 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject Code Enf. – Ron Beane
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes

Time 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Subject HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Categories ROOM 318

USI Fall Commencement ceremonies to be held Saturday

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USI
The University of Southern Indiana will hold two Fall Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, December 10, in the Physical Activities Center (PAC).

More than 550 students are eligible to participate in the ceremonies. Of those, three will graduate summa cum laude, 33 magna cum laude, and 38 cum laude.

A 10 a.m. ceremony will be held for degree candidates from the College of Business and Pott College of Science and Engineering. Students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, College of Liberal Arts, and Division of Outreach and Engagement will receive degrees at 1 p.m.

Graduating summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 grade point average are Anthony King, Ellen Jackson, and Terry Priest. They can be recognized in the ceremony by their gold stoles and tassels.

Five graduates are University Honors Scholars and can be recognized by the white honor cords worn with their regalia. They are Chelsey Mullins, Meredith Woodard, Samantha Callis, Sarah Groeger, and Rebecca Reynolds.

Live video of the ceremonies will stream online at http://www.usi.edu/commencement/

As the recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Professor Award, Dr. Barbara A. Davis, professor of nursing, will deliver the Commencement address at both ceremonies.

USI began holding Fall Commencement in 2006 and added a second ceremony in 2008 to accommodate the growing number of graduates, family, and friends in attendance.

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