The City County Observer has learned today that the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party is working with SMG to make installment payments due to SMG for an event that was held in October of 2010.

Darren Stearns, Assistant General Manager for SMG confirmed that he has been working with the Vanderburgh County Democrat Party as they work down their debt and stated that SMG has chosen not to refer this debt to a collection agency. Mr. Stearns also stated that until this debt is paid in full that SMG’s policy for the operation of the Centre and other facilities is that no new events may be held.

When the City County Observer asked Mr. Stearn if the Democrat Party was aware of this debt he immediately responded yes. The CCO published the October 21, 2011 “Receipts and Expenditures Report” for the Vanderburgh County Democrat Party today. This report explicitly had a ZERO in the column for debt indicating that the Party had no debt at the time of filing. Mr. Stearns volunteered that decisions to accept payment terms are made at the sole discretion of SMG.

Other sources have told us that the amount of the original debt was between $5,000 and $8,500 including both catering and facility use fees.

This is a developing story:

Winnecke Listening_to_You

By: Rick Davis

From the beginning I have said my campaign is about changing politics-as-usual in Evansville. Curt John’s endorsement of my opponent is about protecting the status quo. They both have a history of secret, backdoor meetings, including the one my opponent called in order to raise Vanderburgh County property taxes by $5.1 million. Winnecke and John served in silence after deciding to raise our property taxes without any public discussion or public input. It is further proof that the political insiders are circling the wagons to try to make sure one of their own succeeds the incumbent mayor and that the open government I have pledged never sees the light of day. But I believe voters recognize that the time has come for real change at City Hall.

After this story broke, instead of making changes in state law to ensure no other community in the state will ever go through this situation again, our local politicians responded by pointing fingers and passing blame. I am the only person who has proposed a solution to ensure this scenario NEVER happens to any Hoosier community again. I have sent a letter to my state representative, my state senator, and our governor, asking that the local homestead credit become an automatic credit unless it is voted down in public. As your mayor, I will drive to Indianapolis in 2012 to ensure the proposed change in law passes in order to protect our homeowners from this type of secret, backdoor government.

Developing Story:

Bauers Grove Bauerhaus Incorporated has filed a small claims suit against the Vanderburgh County Democrat Party. Sources advise us that this action is filed because the tab for the Awards banquet held at the Bauerhaus of just under $3,500 has not been paid. The first hearing on this matter has been set for January 12, 2012 in the Vanderburgh Superior Court.

Curt J. Angermier is counsel of record for Bauers Grove Bauergaus.

Bauerhaus sues Democrats for non-payment

Say hello to Maggie Mae, a sweet 4-year-old spayed Chihuahua/Terrier Mix. Maggie Mae is a sweetheart of a dog. She can be a bit nervous at times and will do best in a more quiet home with older children. The hustle and bustle of a really active family might be just a little much for her as Maggie prefers to be a lap dog. She does not seem to mind other animals but would like to meet any potential K9 roommates before going home. Maggie does like to play with toys but more than anything just wants to be loved. For more information on how to make Maggie Mae a part of your family, visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563.

October 31, 2011 – Evansville, IN – Steamboat a Comin’: The Legacy of the New Orleans, a traveling exhibition launched by the Indiana Historical Society and sponsored by the Rivers Institute at Hanover College, is on display in Central Library’s lobby now through November 30th.

In celebration of the bicentennial of the first steamboat to successfully voyage down the Ohio River, the exhibit highlights steamboat travel’s impact on western expansion and development. Steamboat a Comin’ introduces visitors to the adventurers who first dared to take a steamboat on the Ohio River, the technology they used, and the positive and negative consequences of their actions.

Visitors will leave with an understanding and appreciation of the adventurous spirit of early river travel, the technological achievements, the vast impact on landscape and economy, and the rich culture we have today as a result.

The 2011 University of Southern Indiana United Way campaign is underway and will continue through Friday, November 11. Volunteers from each college and department will be distributing pledge packets to employees this week.

Last year, the United Way of Southwestern Indiana raised $4.4 million to help support thousands of people in Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer counties. Of that $4.4 million, 285 USI employees donated $37,246.55.

United Way focuses on the building blocks of a good life for all – education, income, and health – and connects people to opportunities to give, advocate, and volunteer. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when people have enough income to support a family through retirement, and when people have good health. By supporting United Way, you choose to LIVE UNITED, making it possible to improve thousands of lives and build a better community for all.

United Way’s 2010 annual report highlights United Way’s work in education, income and health, and recognizes the partners, volunteers and businesses that help make it all possible.

Source: USI.edu