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IS IT TRUE Part 2 September 7, 2012

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IS IT TRUE Part 2 September 7, 2012

IS IT TRUE that the CCO was given two post cards that were recently mailed out to thousands of Vanderburgh County voters?…that these post cards were funded by the ‘YES-UNIFICATION” committee for Vanderburgh County? …that these post cards were mailed from Indianapolis supporting both the printing industry and the US Post Office from Indianapolis and not EVANSVILLE or VANDERBURGH COUNTY as they should have been?…one post card had past and present elected Democratic officials and the other post card had past and present elected Republican officials pictures printed on it?…that the real political bombshell is that neither post card had the “Union Bug” logo printed on it?…that this is the first image of former Mayor Weinzapfel. Sheriff Eric Williams, and former City Councilman Curt John outside of high school yearbooks that some people have ever seen that did not have the “Union Bug” on it?…we wonder if these Democrats all of whom supported Republican Lloyd Winnecke for Mayor may be changing their party affiliation to Republican and abandoning local labor unions?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing strong rumors within the Mole Nation that if “UNIFICATION” passes then all contracts signed by the city and county with area unions could be declared null and void? …we hope someone with the knowledge and authority would come forward and clear up this rumor once and for all?…the unions the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County need to get their legal eagles on this situation?…that as of late, the City of Evansville has been fumbling its legal contracts and in particular the one with Earthcare Energy that is much more loosey goosey than is comfortable>

IS IT TRUE that speaking of Earthcare Energy the City County Observer has verified that just like clockwork a check for the interest on the $200,000 loan made to Earthcare without so much as notifying the Evansville City Council in the amount of $380.37 arrived right on time just like the other interest payments have since the City of Evansville aborted the deal?…that makes 6 months of making payments on time by Earthcare Energy to the City of Evansville?…this whole Earthcare Energy situation may be off of everyone’s radar right now but this time bomb will be back?…that the last press release posted to the Earthcare Energy website was on April 16, 2012?

IS IT TRUE almost 400,000 people dropped out of the labor force, just gave up” looking for work in August?… for each one-tenth of one percent improvement in the unemployment rate, 184,000 Americans had to become quitters?…quitting could mean going on disability, going into the grey market (read: getting paid cash for odd jobs), doing something illicit, or begging?…whatever they’re doing instead of working or looking for legitimate jobs, 368,000 Americans gave up on participating in the economy in August alone?…we wonder what would it take to make someone just give up entirely?…that’s what hundreds of thousands of your fellow Americans went through last month?…if you think about it if anyone tries to tell you a drop in the headline rate is anything but more evidence of an ongoing national disgrace?

City Councilman O’Daniel Speaks Out for Human Relations Commission

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By: Conor O’Daniel
September 6, 2012

Over the past month, some in our community have expressed their displeasure with our funding of the Human Relations Commission. At first, I thought this was a fringe group of citizens who wanted to be heard, but that over time those voices would fade. Those voices brought out several to our meetings to support the HRC and its Executive Director Diane Clements. On August 7th, at the joint council budget hearings, Mrs. Clements explained to the public, and both the city and county council, what the HRC does and what its continued financial needs are. The majority of the city council listened and offered continued support for their mission. The two county council members who remained did the same. Now, one month later new grumblings have surfaced from the County Commissioners, namely Marsha Abell. She has proposed a 20% cut in the county’s portion of the budget.

I can no longer sit back and watch this continue.

The Human Relations Commission is needed today like never before. They provide education to the ignorant. They provide a voice to the voiceless. They provide hope to the aggrieved and empower those who have suffered at the hands of discrimination. Many of those who have come before us have fought for our freedoms and I mean all of our freedoms. They have unlocked the doors of success and have walked through. Along the way, and in the words of First Lady Obama, those trailblazers have offered a helping hand so others could walk through those same doors of opportunity. Now, we see some want to shut the door to prevent success and opportunity and deprive many of us who look different, believe different and love different from the same freedoms they possess. If the county does not believe in protecting all of citizens from the evils of discrimination and fully funding their portion of the HRC budget, then I call on the Mayor to increase the amount of funding in the budget from the City of Evansville to ensure the HRC will be whole in 2013 and in future years.

Currently, there exist interlocal agreements on funding a number of departments that serve city and county interests. Those agreements provide an arbitrary percent of contribution from the city and the county. As to the HRC, the city contributes 87% and the county only 13%. The proposed budget by Commissioner Abell would reduce the contribution to approximately 10% of the HRC budget which is in violation of the interlocal agreement. Since it appears the county executive branch does not believe they are bound to agreement, I believe it is time to readdress these agreements and change the allocation of responsibility in a number of departments. After considering state statutes and comments of trusted colleagues, I propose immediate action in three departments: HRC, EMA and Weights and Measures.

I call on the Mayor and Council to fully fund the HRC at 100% of the approved budget. This will prevent rogue commissioners from defunding or putting a squeeze on this necessary department. As to Emergency Management and Weights and Measures, I must commend the work that the current directors and staff perform each and every day. They are a vital asset to our community as a whole which is why the Indiana legislature mandates in counties of our size that the county maintain these departments. See I.C. 24-6-3-3, I.C. 10-14-3-17(b). Since, the State of Indiana charges the county with this obligation; I cannot fathom why the city is also contributing to their budget. City folks pay county taxes too. As such, the current interlocal agreement provides an equal split in the budget to fund the EMA and a 45%/55% split on Weights and Measures. I propose opting out of the interlocal agreement with respect to these two departments because they are county responsibility. The city would not pay half of the $404,444 EMA budget or 45% of the $368,847 Weights and Measures budget. After adding back in the amount to fully fund HRC, the taxpayers of Evansville would save over $318,000 which could be used to upgrade public safety equipment, upgrade our parks department and even help sustain a rainy day fund. If you don’t believe this can be done, I encourage you to look to the City of Kokomo, whose Mayor just did exactly this with respect to EMA and Weights and Measures in his 2013 budget much to the dismay of the county officials.

Let us be bold. Let us take a stand. Let us change the way. Let us lead.

Conor O’Daniel
City Council At-Large

IS IT TRUE September 7, 2012

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IS IT TRUE September 7, 2012

IS IT TRUE the bids to demolish Roberts Stadium are all in now and that in addition to learning that the lowest base bid is $958,750 when both the Weinzapfel Administration and the Winnecke Administration had budgeted $200,000 for this with a straight face?…the range of the other four bids were from $1.1 Million to $2.7 Million?…one of the lame excuses to explain away this increase in price is that the City held an auction of the stuff in the stadium that sold for a whopping $236,000 less the auctioneers fees?…whoever made that decision should have to cough up the balance of nearly $500,000 for gross incompetence?…that now the Mayor’s office and the minions are all saying that they are not surprised that the estimates are 400% higher than they had budgeted for?…this is as ridiculous as pulling into a drive up window at McDonalds and expressing no surprise if a hamburger is $25?

IS IT TRUE it is becoming painfully obvious that this administration has absolutely no comprehension of how to deal with money or manage contractors?…these clowns do not even have a clue where the additional money will be coming from but they do shrug their shoulders and acknowledge that “its gotta come from some place”?…that this gross oversight is just one more reason to sell Roberts Stadium at public auction to the highest bidder and forget about the $8 Million dog and skateboard park that the City government wants to build on the Roberts Stadium site?…the next thing we will be hearing is that the dog and skateboard park will be $40 Million because these people know less about arithmetic than Bill Clinton chided those who ran the public debt up of not knowing?

IS IT TRUE that we are very interested to see the soon to be forthcoming report on the finances of the City of Evansville from Indiana State Board of Accounts?…we are also waiting on baited breath to see just what happens with respect to the IT Audit funding that City Councilman John Friend has been howling to get going on for over a year now?…we have every reason to expect some negative surprises that will make Mayor Weinzapfel’s deal to pay Tom Barnett with a backdoor deal through GAGE look like the work of boy scouts?…the chickens are on the verge of coming home to roost and there is a big flock of chickens?

IS IT TRUE the U.S. economy added 96,000 jobs in August, fewer than the 125,000 gain forecast by economists?…the unemployment rate, obtained by a separate survey of U.S. households, fell to 8.1% from 8.3% as the number of people looking for jobs shrank?…private companies accounted for all of the growth in payrolls, adding 103,000 jobs?…payroll numbers for the prior two months were revised lower: July payrolls rose 141,000 compared with the initially reported 163,000, while June’s gain was 45,000 instead of 64,000?…by the end of the day today we will all endure the spinsters on both sides telling us these numbers say whatever serves them best?…that these numbers are better than a punch in the nose but not as good as a slice of bread?…there is nothing here in these numbers to celebrate over or to panic over?…that unemployment officially dropping because a bunch of people either gave up looking for work out of frustration or found a way to get on disability is not really a drop at all, it is a statistic and little else?

IS IT TRUE the service sector was the best performer, adding 28,000 in August and by 298,000 over the past 12 months?… the high wage high value added manufacturing sector showed a loss of 15,000 jobs last month?…we are in the final migration to a tri-modal society as predicted by Robert Reich in his 1991 book “The Work of Nations” with the only jobs in America are 1) government employees, 2) service industry low skill workers, and 3) symbolic analysts who manipulate symbols and numbers?…that while it makes sense to assume that you can’t offshore your pool guy, it also begs the question of how many pool guys, landscapers, and yogurt cup fillers are needed and more importantly how can a nation of low skill low paid service workers support a government that is currently consuming 25% of the national GDP?

IS IT TRUE that on a bright note, local candidate for office Terry White was spotted on national TV and the Democrat National Convention this week

U.S. Attorney Presents City of Evansville with Nearly $400,000 to Prevent Domestic Violence

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EVANSVILLE – The federal Safe Havens Program provides an opportunity for

communities to support the supervised visitation and safe exchange of children in situations
involving domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. Studies
have shown that the risk of violence is often greater for victims of domestic violence and their
children after separation from an abusive situation, especially when the victim does not have a
safe place to comply with court-ordered visitation or shared custody of children.

To combat this problem, and on behalf of the Safe Havens Program, Joseph H. Hogsett,
the United States Attorney, today presented Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the City of Evansville
with a check for $397,221 to assist local victims of domestic violence. These funds will bolster
critical community efforts to provide supervised visitation and safe exchange services in the
Evansville area.

“Instances of domestic violence aren’t just terrible personal tragedies – they adversely
affect this entire community,” Hogsett said. “That’s why I am so encouraged to see a true team
effort here in Evansville to address this scourge, from city leadership, to law enforcement, to
social services and the courts.”

Even after separation, batterers often use visitation and exchange of children as an
opportunity to inflict additional emotional, physical, and psychological abuse on victims and
their children. Visitation and exchange services reduce these opportunities for violence, and
allow for a structured, secure exchange of children as part of shared custody or visitation orders.
Services provided through the program reflect the dynamics of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault and stalking; the impact of domestic violence on children; and the
importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions.

The City of Evansville will partner with the Vanderburgh County Superior Court and a
number of local social service agencies to launch this three-year program, which will develop and
implement supervised visitation and safe exchanges of children by and between parents in
situations involving domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and/or
stalking.

Participating shelters named within the award notice include the Albion Fellows Bacon
Center, the YWCA, Holly’s House, and the Parenting Time Center. In addition to providing
supervised visitation and safe exchange services, specific activities during this stage will include
developing a referral system, increasing communication with the local court, and creating a
training program for center staff and community service providers.

For more on the Safe Havens Program: http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/safehaven_desc.htm

Hermann, Zoeller Join Forces to Put Retailers on Notice About Sale of Illegal Synthetic Drugs

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Indiana retailers can expect a formal notice and warning from state and local officials that continued synthetic drug sales could cost them their business.

Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann joined Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today to help launch a statewide initiative aimed at getting synthetic drugs like “bath salts” and “spice” off retailers’ shelves. According to a new state law, retail merchants – like smoke shops and convenience stores – caught selling the drugs will face penalties including the loss of their retail merchant certificate of business for one year.

“This synthetic drug enforcement initiative is intended to send a strong message to businesses who continue to sell synthetic drugs despite the law and the risks to the public,” Zoeller said. “Law enforcement and health officials agree that the danger of having these drugs in the open marketplace and available to the public is significant. It is our responsibility to use the resources available to prevent these unregulated and illegal drugs from being available on the shelves at the corner store.”

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office, Indiana State Police, Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Department of Revenue, Indiana Board of Pharmacy and Indiana Sheriffs Association partnered on the to issue a legal notice to all Indiana retailers.

Zoeller said this statewide notice details the penalties and consequences for legal violations in relation to synthetic drug production and distribution. The document also emphasizes that retailers’ reliance on packaging representations, supplier representations and lab reports are done at their own risk.

“These products have no legitimate use.” Prosecutor Hermann said, “They are being sold over the counter for human consumption without any regulation or oversight. Their effects are unpredictable and dangerous. By partnering with Attorney General Zoeller and his office, we are sending the message that our community will not tolerate the distribution of these drugs. Through our combined efforts, we will be pursuing all available remedies to halt the sale of these products.”

Synthetic drugs are made to mirror the highs associated with marijuana or cocaine, but sold openly under the guise of “plant food,” “bath salts,” “potpourri,” “incense” or “spice.” While the packaging is labeled not for human consumption the products are often taken orally, inhaled or injected. These drugs can cause dangerously high body temperatures, racing heart rates, high blood pressure, and permanent organ damage, and the psychotic effect of these substances can last for several days.

The Attorney General’s Office is also asking retailers to sign a “Synthetic Drug Community Protection Agreement” to stop selling the illegal products and relinquish related inventory to the Drug Enforcement Administration. If the agreement is violated, the document will be used to establish the owner’s knowledge of and intent to violate applicable Indiana and federal law.

State legislators added bath salts and more than 60 other substances this year to the list of banned synthetic drugs. Zoeller said criminals alter the chemical make-up of the drugs to include substances not on the list to skirt the law. To help combat this problem the Indiana Board of Pharmacy now has rulemaking authority to add any substances that have been listed by other states or the federal government.

In June, Zoeller hosted an inter-state summit in Evansville to tackle the growing threat of synthetic drugs and small-batch methamphetamine production. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, law enforcement authorities, public health experts and other prosecutors’ offices from both states participated in the meeting. Zoeller said this statewide initiative was developed during that meeting and he plans to continue building partnerships with other prosecutors’ offices and law enforcement groups across the state.

Greenway Advisory Board Tours Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage

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(EVANSVILLE, IN) –September 6, 2012– The Greenway Advisory Board will take a bus tour of
the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage on Monday, September 10, 2012, from 1:30pm – 4:30pm. The Board will leave from the C. K. Newsome Community Center and go to the Heidelbach Canoe Launch Trailhead; Garvin Park Trailhead, the Mead Johnson Trailhead/Shirley James Gateway Plaza and the Riverfront Corridor. The Board will also view the current construction of the Phase 3C-4, from Dresden Street to Louisiana Street. The tour will conclude with visits to the proposed new routes to the Arts District, Glenwood Learning Academy and the route to the Angel Mounds State Historic Site.

The Greenway Advisory Board members are appointed by the Mayor, County Commissioners and the City and County Councils. The Board provides recommendation to the elected officials and Board of Park Commissioners related to the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage.

Commissioner Marsha Abell’s Statement on Defunding of the Human Rights Commission

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ISSUES REGARDING THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION AND VANDERBURGH COUNTY

There is a written agreement between the City and the County setting up the Human Relations Commission. The county’s financial participation is minimal.

The HRC presented to the county commissioners an ordinance that they wanted passed by the county. They, by their own admission, had been working on this ordinance for over two years. Yet, in all that time, they could not find enough time to talk to the commissioners about the ordinance so that the commissioners would be well informed about this ordinance priorto being asked to vote on it.

The timing of the HRC is an issue with the county commissioners.

The HRC, by their own admission, have presented an ordinance that cannot be enforced because the local government does not have the authority to pass an ordinance such as this as that power lies with the State. That makes this ordinance illegal because an ordinance is, by definition, an enforceable law of government. This illegal act is an issue with the county commissioners.

The HRC could, if this ordinance is passed, investigate, publicize and harass a business for a perceived violation of this ordinance although they have no legal basis for this. The attorney for the HRC could not guarantee the county commissioners that they would not be on the receiving end of a lawsuit if a company had to defend itself against an action based on this illegal ordinance. This exposure of companies to baseless lawsuits is an issue with the county commissioners.

The HRC director has said to each commissioner individually and separately that she serves at the pleasure of the mayor and not the county commissioners. Thus, it is obvious that she does not feel she must respond to our questions and suggestions. The county commissioners serve at the pleasure of the taxpayers and we must have a voice in any agency that wholly or partially funded. This treatment of the county commissioners by the executive director of the HRC is an issue with the county commissioners.

The HRC has made many comments to employers and conducted investigations that have led to complaints from citizens to the county commissioners. They commissioners have attempted to discuss
this with the executive director but she has refused to discuss it citing confidentiality. However, the commissioners questioned procedure; not individual cases. The hiding behind confidentiality as a reason to dismiss the commissioners is an issue with the county commissioners.

The HRC has made more than one financial contribution to agencies that are not advertised as a recipients of money from the tax funded entity. This type of fiscal mismanagement is an issue with the
county commissioners.

For these reasons, the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners presented a budget request for 2013 to the Vanderburgh County Council which reduced the county’s contribution to the HRC by 20%.
The Vanderburgh County Council has funding authority and they may elected to fund this agency at any level they wish.

Candidate Profile: Judge Brett Niemeier

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Several months ago we profiled Judge Niemeier`s opponent, Barry Blackard, today we profile Judge Brett Niemeier.

Judge Niemeier is said to have a passion for his job. When discussing his job and all of the things that he has accomplished it becomes quite apparent those reports are true. Judge Niemeier, an Evansville native, was elected in 2000. He defeated a former judge and two magistrates to gain his seat on the Superior Court bench. Niemeier, a former prosecutor of 15 years, had always worked with children before winning election. When asked what led to his involvement with kids he stated, “My father passed away while I was in high school, so after I turned 18 I decided to become a Big Brother. It was an incredible experience. While my family never had much money I was blessed compared to my Little Brother. The reward you receive from helping other people is the best reward a person can receive.”

Niemeier has been given numerous awards for his work as a judge. The most impressive is the Kinsey award, which is the highest honor a Juvenile Court Judge can receive in the State of Indiana. Niemeier has also won six other state and local awards due to his Court`s programming for youth and their families. Niemeier stated the one thing most people do not understand about Juvenile Court is all of the different types of cases that are heard. “Most people think I just handle juvenile offenders, but delinquencies are just a small part of what I do” stated Niemeier. Niemeier stated, for instance, that he created an emergency guardianship program for the elderly and disabled. He also created a foundation for families who might have emergency needs. “The other aspect of Juvenile Court that a lot of people do not realize is that I have a large staff. While most judges have 3-4 staff members I have 27. Fortunately, I had a lot of experience as a supervisor and manager before taking office.”

Niemeier was also asked about his opponent`s claim that the Court should have a community minded and family oriented judge. Niemeier chuckled and named off several community Boards and family projects that he has been a volunteer. The boards included the YMCA, St. Mary`s Women`s & Children’s Hospital, and the United Caring homeless shelter.
On a personal note, Niemeier said he and his wife`s family consists of two daughters and two step-sons. His wife works in the Civic Center for the Building Authority. His two daughters are still in college, one in law school the other a senior at USI. One of Niemeier`s stepsons works as a correctional officer for the VCSD and the other recently enlisted in the Navy. Niemeier has two grandchildren.

In closing the interview, Niemeier stated how much he loves his job. Obviously, his passion and devotion are still there. If you want to learn more about Judge Niemeier his website is www.niemeierforjudge.com. The site has several testimonials from community leaders and from the some of the individuals that he has helped. His supporters include EVSC Superintendent David Smith and several not-for-profit agency directors that work with children. Niemeier also touts his unanimous support from the officers in the juvenile divisions of the EPD and the VCSD.

Judge Brett Niemeier’s Collaboration with the EVSC at the Academy of Innovative Studies (old North) Blazes New Trails

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Judge Brett Niemeier recently detailed his newest collaboration with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. Niemeier, who has had multiple collaborations in the past with the EVSC, said this newest effort rises to a whole new level of cooperation. The EVSC has partnered with the Judge Niemeier by entering into a contract, so that the judge can be involved with children and families who attend the new alternative high school, The Academy of Innovative Studies, located within the old North High School. The students do not need to be on probation.
Niemeier said the contract, made possible by a new state law, gives him the authority to bring parents and children in front of him to do education reviews and recommend services that the parents or children should undergo. The Judge can remove teens from school, notify Child Services, request criminal charges to be filed, and require parental involvement. Niemeier stated he has already met with several teenagers and their parents and the meetings have gone well.

A.I.S. has given Judge Niemeier and his probation officers their own office to use for meetings. The use of probation officers in the schools was first started almost ten years ago by Judge Niemeier. Niemeier said this is the next logical extension of that service, plus allows the Court to be involved with teenagers who are not on probation. “The goal is for these teens to get an education and stay off probation,” stated Niemeier.

A.I.S. already has a different look than most schools. Almost all of the students who attend have been suspended or expelled from the previous school. Hallways have tape on the floors, so students should not cross over to the other side of a hallway. This cuts down on horseplay and opportunities to start problems with other students. Further, students are subjected to drug screens. Niemeier hopes his presence will deter teenagers from getting into trouble and being kicked out. Just like a police officer can deter certain kids from doing something they shouldn`t, Judge Niemeier is hoping his presence does likewise. Niemeier stated, “Time will tell, if this effective, but we are hopeful, since A.I.S. provides the discipline and structure that a lot of these kids need. If they are successful they will be given the chance to go back to their home school. Of course, some kids do not like the new rules, but they need to earn the privileges that a regular school gives them.”

Mole Alert! Human Rights Commission Drops Complaint Against Evansville Rescue Mission

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The City County Observer has learned that the embattled City of Evansville managed Human Rights Commission has dropped the discrimination complaint they had filed against the Evansville Rescue Mission.

The HRC was in the news recently when the Vanderburgh County Commissioners cut their budget by 20% citing a failure to communicate and arrogant behavior toward certain commissioners.

This is a developing story.

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