Advanced marketing classes at Central High School have been working hard recently, not only to earn good grades, but also to collect as much money as possible for the Vanderburgh Humane Society (VHS). The students collected $2,020.27 for the VHS after completing a school project that had them emulating the television show, “The Apprentice.â€
The project, a partnership among Evansville Federal Credit Union, Public Education Foundation and Central High School Marketing Teachers Sherry Dockery and Mike Owen, began with students naming their teams and brainstorming ideas on how to best raise money. With the help of the Public Education Foundation (PEF), each of the 12 teams was given $60 to be used for any purpose related to the project. Fundraising ideas included collecting change and donations; selling t-shirts, sweatshirts, food items and spirit bracelets; and selling chances for a membership at Bob’s Gym and Island Rayz. Students also orchestrated a fundraising event at Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt.
“We saw this project as a way to not only teach teamwork and presentation skills, but also as a way to get the students involved in the community,†says Taunya King, marketing specialist for Evansville Federal Credit Union. “The students really took this opportunity to give back and made the most of it. We couldn’t be more proud of their hard work and commitment.â€
All funds raised will be donated to the VHS. As part of the project, students visited the humane society and spoke with officials about the organization and how it serves the community.
Central Students Donate $2,000 to Local Humane Society
Downtown Today: 12/15/2011
Time 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Subject SHERIFF SALE
Location 301
The meeting actually starts at 10:00.
Categories ROOM 301
Time 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Subject CODE ENFORCEMENT HRGS
Location 307
KIM JOSEY @ 7889
Categories ROOM 307
Time 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs every Thursday effective 12/1/2011 until 12/29/2011 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Sharon Evans @ 4982
Categories ROOM 301
Time 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Subject BOARD OF ZONING
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the third Thursday of every 1 month effective 12/15/2011 until 12/15/2011 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
KATHIE @ 5228
Categories ROOM 301
IS IT TRUE? December 15, 2011
IS IT TRUE? December 15, 2011
IS IT TRUE that Mayor Elect Lloyd Winnecke and his Transition Team rolled out one of the most anticipated announcements of Billy Bolin as the new Evansville Police Chief who then revealed his choice of Chris Pugh as Assistant Chief of Police?…that Chief Bolin is well known and respected not only for his police work but as one of the organizational and management forces behind the Guns & Hoses event?…that Guns & Hoses packed over 7,000 people in Roberts Stadium last year raising a reported $60,000+ for charity?…that as expected Bolin came out planning the coming assault Evansville’s meth problem?…that clearly acknowledged the severity of the meth problem and expressed his support to make pseudoephedrine a prescription based substance?…that this is a position that is supported by the City County Observer and by results driven data from other locales that have taken what may seem like a drastic step?
IS IT TRUE that that the first step to solving a problem is to acknowledge and define it?…that in a world and particularly in an administration that has tended to minimize problems with smiles, ad campaigns, and photo ops, that over the past 8 years things in general and particularly with criminal activity have really gotten worse in Evansville?…that part of the reason for that is “head in the sand†politics that is contagious to the population?…that in a place where meth labs are at some of the highest levels in the nation, criminal activity has magnified in the city parks, and has a growing gang problem for local leaders to sit around like parrots saying things like “it’s a great place to raise kids†or “we got a great quality of life†is just poppycock?…that it is refreshing to see an appointment to police chief that will point to a problem, make the seriousness clear to everyone, and immediately start formulating a solution?…that the CCO would like to congratulate our new leaders of law enforcement Billy Bolin and Chris Pugh and to thank Mayor Elect Winnecke and his Transition Team for making a great choice?…that decisions like this are the foundation for having an Evansville in 4 years that is better than Evansville is today?
IS IT TRUE that another announcement is coming this morning at 10:00 o’clock?…that we will know at that time who Mayor Elect Winnecke will be tapping to succeed Keith Jarboe as the next Fire Chief of the City of Evansville?…that the Mole Nation is buzzing with anticipation and probing for information on this appointment and is split as to who the winner may be?…that the names of Captain Mike Connelly and former Fire Chief Mike Humphrey keep rattling around in the Mole minds?…that both of these gentlemen have support within the rank and file and have career track records that scream competence and integrity so the moles are expected to be please with either appointment?…that the new assassin Mole #7 called Mole #3 in Florida for a powwow on which really has the inside tract and that the conclusion based on a technicality that Mole #3 remembers leads the Alpha Moles to predict that the people of Evansville will be introduced to Fire Chief Connelly at today’s news conference?
IS IT TRUE that we are anticipating some more announcements of appointments and that the next one may be Director of Transportation and Services?…that we publish that because Mole #24 has observed the current director Mr. Ed Ziemer packing some boxes in his office?…that the CCO has great admiration for Mr. Ziemer and would like to thank him for his years of service to the City of Evansville?…that we expect those boxes will not be moved very far as Mr. Ziemer has a few more good years of service left in him before a well deserved retirement at the time of his choosing?
IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation tells us that there are 4 candidates vying to replace Tom Barnett as the Director of Metropolitan Development?…that Mr. Barnett being a driven agent of action is not packing anything yet preferring to spend his efforts jamming through another 25 houses in the Front Door Pride area to set Mayor Elect Winnecke’s agenda for him?…that this is a decision that can and should wait until after the inauguration and that Mr. Barnett should concentrate either on keeping the job he has or searching for another one should there be a change made in his status by the Winnecke Administration?
IS IT TRUE that one position that is not the subject of the Mole Nation is the position currently held by Dan Schall as the Director of Parks and Recreation?…that as we have written in the past Mr. Schall may be the right guy for this job in he has the right orders and the right boss?…that one thing for sure is that the Director of Parks and Recreation needs some new marching orders as the parks of Evansville have gone dramatically downhill during the last 8 years?
The Hunden Study
We present this information to our readers without edit, opinion, or bias.
Winnecke to Announce Fire Chief Appointment Thursday at 10am
December 14, 2011
For Immediate Release:
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA:
Mayor Elect Winnecke will announce the leadership of the Evansville Fire Department tomorrow morning (December 15th, 2011) at 10:00 A.M. The Announcement will take place at Hose House No. 1, which is located at 750 SE 8th St. in downtown Evansville.
Please contact our transition office at (812) 455-0037 with questions.
Message Sent by Denise A. Johnson, Transition Evansville
denise@winneckeformayor.com
EPD Choices Announced: Chief Bolin & Assistant Chief Pugh
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2011
MAYOR-ELECT WINNECKE NAMES POLICE CHIEF & ASSISTANT CHIEF
　
EVANSVILLE, IN – Concluding a rigorous, exhaustive search and evaluation process, Evansville Mayor-elect Lloyd Winnecke announced his selection of Billy Bolin as Evansville’s next Police Chief and Chris Pugh as Assistant Chief.
Mr. Bolin and Mr. Pugh have a combined 35 years of service with the Evansville Police Department and both currently hold the rank of Sergeant.
“Billy’s track record is exemplary, across the entire range of key attributes that contribute to a dedicated, creative, and successful leader,” said Mayor-elect Lloyd Winnecke. “We had a number of excellent candidates for this position and we interviewed them all. Billy’s focus on creating partnerships, building morale, and community involvement, as well as his strong leadership skills, showed us that he’s the right choice for our community.”
Mr. Bolin was instrumental in assisting Mayor-elect Winnecke in mapping out his plan to fight meth abuse and reduce gang violence. Throughout his career in law enforcement, Mr. Bolin has consistently exhibited the highest professional standards, and has achieved an outstanding reputation. In 2009 the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police named him the Police Officer of the Year.
“This is a great opportunity to take the Evansville City Police Department to a new level, and I’m very excited about getting to work,” said Mr. Bolin. “In addition to tackling meth and gang crimes, an important goal we have is to improve the morale of police officers. I believe that in doing so, we will see officers treating citizens better, performing their jobs better and ultimately, we will reduce the fear and incidence of crime.”
Among the accomplishments of which he is most proud, Mr. Bolin points to his leadership as co-founder of 911 Gives Hope, a charitable foundation comprised of emergency services personnel that gives back to local groups who help the disadvantaged and children. The organization has raised over $280,000 in its first four years.
With an equally impressive record of service, Mr. Pugh has worked in the Patrol Division of the South Sector, served as Tactical Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit and as a detective in the Narcotics Unit. In 2001, Mr. Pugh was named Police Officer of the Year by the American Legion and Downtown Kiwanis for work dealing with the upsurge in methamphetamine labs.
Mayor-elect Winnecke will continue to assemble his new administrative team over the next few weeks. For information on job openings, visit www.transitionevansville.com.
IS IT TRUE? December 14, 2011
IS IT TRUE? December 14, 2011
IS IT TRUE that today we will find out the name of the person that Mayor Elect Winnecke and his Transition Team will be appointing to be the next Police Chief of Evansville?…that in this column the City County Observer has let our readers know that one very well placed Mole has told us that Billy Bolin has been a leading candidate with a good inside track for this appointment?…that other members of the Mole Nation just yesterday are advising us that there may be another strong candidate under consideration?…that this candidate is female?…that either way we think Chief Brad Hill’s torch will be landing in a worthy set of hands as both of these candidates are capable and deserving?
IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation is also rising up to tell the CCO that there are some members of the Evansville oligarchy who are working in the shadows to undermine former Mayor of Evansville Russ Lloyd Jr’s quest to become the next City Controller?…that knowing the former Mayor and the fact that he is a successful CPA makes him uniquely qualified to be City Controller and it will be quite difficult to find a better fit for that position?…that this is the very kind of backroom manipulation that has limited the City of Evansville’s capacity to perform its responsibilities and move forward at the same time?…that yesterday we discussed the four (4) balls and chains that the Weinzapfel Administration has shackled Mayor Elect Winnecke with and today it appears that the private enterprise arm of the machine is attempting to embed the puppet strings onto him?…that the people of Evansville elected Lloyd Winnecke and not some shadow figure to make these decisions and thus far he seems eminently capable of doing so?…that the CCO would like to encourage the dinosaur power brokers to get out of the Mayor Elect’s way and let him do what he people of Evansville elected him to do?
IS IT TRUE that there are members of the Evansville City Council who are beside themselves because the CCO published the powerpoint presentation that Hunden Strategic Partners made to the Evansville Redevelopment Commission regarding the vetting of the two hotel proposals?…that we had filed a Freedom of Information Act request to be supplied with this and other pertinent information and never concealed our intent to publish it at the first opportunity?…that this is information that was used to make a very expensive recommendation on the commitment of at least $8 Million taxpayer dollars?…that whomever conspired to keep this information secret so that the substance behind the rationale behind the recommendation may just be violating some sunshine laws?…that they probably aren’t but they are once again a poster child for SNEGAL (sneaky but legal) policy making?…that after having a look at the presentation that there are no smoking guns that rise to the level of secrecy for either of the bidders?…that by disclosing the powerpoint presentation that the people of Evansville now can form their own opinions about the ERC recommendation?…that all of the politicians who tout transparency and then do things like this are speaking with a forked tongue and do not need to serve in public office?…that we have even learned from City Councilman Curt John that everyone who got a copy of the materials was forced to sign a pact not to disclose or release the contents?…that we appreciate Councilman John’s honesty and candor?…that if that is transparency Evansville style, then Evansville has a thing or two to learn about transparency?
IS IT TRUE that the mutterings of Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear about expanding gambling in Kentucky have elected officials all over Indiana but especially on the borders in Evansville and New Albany hiding in the basement clutching their security blankets in fear?…that just the prospect that somewhere in Kentucky in a place that you bet on horses they may have a slot machine has our elected officials terrified of strengthening a smoking ordinance locally and statewide?…that OTB parlors in Indiana did not kill the live racing industry in Kentucky and that putting slots and video poker at racetracks will not kill casino boats?…that Governor Beshear’s posturing is just giving chicken feed to the chicken $#!+ elected officials in Indiana who probably do not have the courage of their own convictions or the will to do what they campaigned on anyway?
IS IT TRUE that Evansville City Councilman Curt John heard some news last night that made him smile so broadly that one might think he just won the lottery or got a “get out of jail” card?…that he is not prone to smile so big?…that soon it shall be revealed what made Councilman John so happy and why the assumptions that put that big smile on his face may not be as they seem?
Read Barbara Davis’ USI Commencement address
Dr. Barbara Davis, professor of nursing, delivered the 2011 Fall Commencement address. More than 550 students were eligible to receive degrees at the ceremony, held December 10, 2011.
The text of Davis’ speech follows.
Thank you. President Bennett, Board of Trustee members, fellow faculty, graduates, family, significant others, and friends. It is indeed a pleasure for me to be here to present your commencement address. I am very honored and humbled to have been awarded the USI Distinguished Professor Award for 2011. To my colleagues who nominated me for this award, thank you.
What a wonderful day for each of you. Today you graduate and become a graduate. You may be celebrating your first degree and for many of you, the first college degree in your family. Others of you may be celebrating a graduate degree, signifying your commitment to your profession beyond basic knowledge skills.
My friends and colleagues will tell you that I am a little like my mother in that I have to be organized. A friend of my mom’s once told her she was so organized that she knew what she was going to have for dinner that night in a year. I am not that bad, but as I was thinking about this address, I decided to organize my thoughts around a mnemonic – graduate. I would like to offer some phrases associated with the letters in the word “graduate” which provide some “sage” advice to assist you to live wisely, a phrase which has appeared in USI’s mission statement across the years.
G is for “grow” – Hadzima talks about the “right stuff” employee who demonstrates growth potential, and is willing to accept much higher levels of responsibility than is the norm for a given position, title, experience level or salary. Such individuals act as strong role models, training and coaching others. Hadzima observes that today’s “right stuff” employee is often next year’s supervisor and a department manager soon thereafter.
R is for “reflect” – Graduation is a time for reflection of your college years. It is a time to remember friends and relationships you have made, professors you have had, and knowledge you have gained. Don’t forget to reflect also on the other persons who have supported you while you have attained your education and the values you clarified during your education. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and play to your strengths.
A is for “advocate for yourself – When I attended my nephew’s graduation ceremony at the University of Akron in May, the president’s address suggested that today’s college graduates need to be entrepreneurs of their careers. He suggested that in this highly competitive, knowledge-driven, global economy, you may not have to be an entrepreneur to succeed – you just need to work like one. That is a subtle, but significant difference. With the right set of entrepreneurial skills and characteristics such as learning how to combine skills, not being afraid to fail, conquering your fears, and learning to persuade, you will succeed as a teacher, or a nurse, or an artist, or a scholar or in whatever career your dreams may lead you.
D is for “develop knowledge” – I am sure your professors may have talked with you about life-long learning. In our complex, fast-paced world, it is more important than ever to enrich your knowledge and keep current in the knowledge related to your profession and the world as it pertains to your profession whether it be global education, global economics, or global healthcare. Remember that an educated person does not necessarily know everything, but knows where to find it.
U is for “unleash your imagination” – Imagination produces improvements in our society. We recently lost one of the most imaginative persons of our time – Steve Jobs. Mr. Jobs’ imagination opened up our technological world. Think of how your imagination might be used to advance your profession.
The second A is for “aspire to be the best you can be” – As a college graduate, new opportunities will be opened to you. Act on those and don’t be afraid to grasp hold of those opportunities and choose a road less taken. Don’t be afraid to fail as you will never know until you try. It is only by taking advantage of opportunities that you will know if an avenue has been the correct one. In a personal example, I found myself in a middle management position within three years of receiving my bachelor’s degree. It took me five years and two positions to find out management was not the path I wanted to take in my professional career. It did, however, lead me to my major life’s work as an educator. I would probably not have found that path if I had not taken the first one. But in anything you do, do it to the best of your ability.
T is for “teach others” – Be willing to share knowledge and be a mentor for others. Many times we become mentors without even being conscious we are fulfilling that role for someone. I personally have never thought of myself as a mentor. I have simply gone through my life willing to share what knowledge I had and trying to be a team player. I guess I then became a mentor without knowing it. It makes me feel good when others tell me the impact I have had on their lives.
E is for “enjoy your life’s work” – You will be working a lot of years, so enjoy your professional life. Find your passion and stick with it. Most work environments are not ideal. I have been fortunate to have had my last position (USI) as my most positive in every aspect. If you find your work environment is not ideal, find something to make it better for yourself and/or work on the environment to make it better. In one not so ideal work environment, I was able to pursue and elevate my scholarship, making the environment better for me. Remember, you get your satisfaction from within, not from without.
Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true…if we have the courage to pursue them.” So graduates, grow, reflect, advocate, develop, unleash, aspire, teach, and enjoy. I believe these verbs can help you to live wisely and, thus, take you to your dreams and a very satisfying professional life.
On behalf of the Trustees, the faculty, the staff, and administration, your fellow students, and the University of Southern Indiana family everywhere – I salute you, the Fall 2011 graduates, together with your families and friends who have helped make this success possible.
Congratulations!
Downtown Today: 12/14/2011
Time 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject PERSONNELL & FINANCE
Location 301
Reminder 15 minutes
SANDIE @ 5791
Categories ROOM 301
Time 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject DEFERRED COMP
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes
DIANNA WEBB
WEBBD@NATIONWIDE.COM
Categories ROOM 318
Time 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Subject CONSTRUCTION & ROOFING BOARD
Location 307
Recurrence Occurs the second Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/14/2011 until 12/14/2011 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
LINDA PENDLETON @ 7880
Categories ROOM 307