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IS IT TRUE? January 31, 2012

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? January 31, 2012

IS IT TRUE that the Indiana Open Door Law does not allow a majority of the members of the Evansville City Council or any other City Council in the Hoosier State to meet and discuss public business unless the gathering is an official public meeting which is advertised as required under Indiana law?…that a gathering of a majority of the members of the City Council typically meet at a local downtown watering hole that has a Main Street address as opposed to a Martin Luther King Blvd. address after Evansville City Council meetings?

IS IT TRUE that such social or chance gatherings of Evansville City Council members should not include any discussions about City Council business or future official action by the City Council?…that City-County Observer moles will be watching the members of the City Council after City Council meetings to make sure that such members do not ever violate the Indiana Open Door Law without being called out for doing so in a very public way?…that there were approximately 14 people in this Democrat watering hole on the night of Monday January 13, 2012 and that a full 6 (six) of them were Democrat members of the Evansville City Council?…that means there are 8 (eight) potential people to come forward and name all 6 of the members of the City Council members who gathered together after a City Council meeting in council chambers?

IS IT TRUE that anyone who thinks or asserts that this was a “chance” meeting as opposed to an arranged gathering needs to have their pulse checked?…that this is not an acceptable way of doing the business of the City of Evansville and that even the appearance of impropriety should be avoided?…that it is the solemn duty of the President of the Evansville City Council Connie Robinson to put a stop to this nonsense even if it has been going on under the nose of City Council President after City Council President who have been loyal servants of the former Mayor of Evansville?…that Mole #16 tells us that President Robinson was in attendance at the gathering and engaged in conversation with the other 5 Democrat Councilmen and Councilwomen at the table?…that she should have instructed them to disperse and should put a stop to this tradition as she put a stop to the cheers at the “official” meeting of the City Council earlier the same night?

IS IT TRUE that there are allegedly pictures that were taken that night that will place 6 Democrat City Council members at the same table in a drinking establishment on Main Street right after the City Council meeting and that the people who took the pictures overheard city business being discussed?…that this either is or should mean big trouble for any and all City Council members who participated?

IS IT TRUE that the bar tab does not confirm the number in attendance because it was conveniently paid for by ONE PERSON ON ONE CREDIT CARD?…that the security cameras conveniently do not have the range to film the table where our SIX City Council members gathered?…that if one believes this to be real truth that we have a plot of land to sell you in the Florida swamps?

IS IT TRUE that the Indiana Code is mostly clear about such “special” meetings and that it reads as follows:

Open Door LAW

UE’s February Think Outside the Lunch Box to Discuss Sports Injuries and Prevention

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If your child was three times more likely to be injured than a friend on her sports team, how could you learn about her high risk of injury? What could you do to help her stay healthy and active?

This month, the University of Evansville’s Think Outside the Lunch Box Faculty Speaker Series will feature physical therapy faculty members Dr. Kyle Kiesel and Dr. Phil Plisky, who will discuss their internationally acclaimed research on injury risk identification and prevention.

Kiesel and Plisky will speak at noon on Thursday, February 2, in the Blue & Gold Room on the first floor of Old National Bank’s headquarters in Downtown Evansville. The event is free and open to the public.

“We have conducted research on professional, collegiate, and high school athletes, as well as U.S. Army soldiers, to help them prevent injuries and improve their performance,” Plisky said. “We look forward to speaking at February’s Think Outside the Lunch Box event and discussing how this research can benefit local families with active children or grandchildren.”

“Participating in sports and other physical activities can teach a child valuable lessons such as discipline and teamwork, but of course, they also bring a risk of injury,” Kiesel added. “The good news is that many sports injuries are preventable. It’s crucial that parents and other family members of active children learn to recognize the warning signs.”

Dr. Kyle Kiesel, PT, PhD, ATC, CSCS, is an associate professor of physical therapy at the University of Evansville. He conducts research related to core function and the use of ultrasound imaging for patients with low back pain. He also is active in research related to functional movement testing and injury prediction in athletes. Kiesel serves as a strength and conditioning consultant for professional, college, and high school sports teams. He has extensive experience teaching lecture and lab seminars emphasizing core training and functional movement assessment and intervention, and has authored several articles and a book chapter on this topic. He has 15 peer-reviewed publications and presented numerous abstracts and invited speaking engagements nationally and internationally. Kiesel is engaged in patient care in orthopedics and sports at ProRehab, PC in Evansville.

Dr. Phil Plisky, PT, DSc, OCS, ATC, CSCS, is an assistant professor in UE’s Department of Physical Therapy. He also currently practices at ProRehab, PC in Evansville with emphasis in orthopedic and sports physical therapy. Plisky is the residency program director for the ProRehab & University of Evansville Sports Residency Program. He received his Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Evansville and his Doctor of Science degree in orthopedic physical therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is also a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Plisky has published and lectured internationally on injury prevention and field expedient movement testing. He has received research grants from multiple federal and private agencies for injury prevention studies and has published numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts in leading scientific journals. His current research is focused on comprehensive movement testing and interventions in athletes, military personnel, and school aged children. Plisky consults with collegiate and professional teams for injury risk identification and injury prevention. In addition, he serves as a manuscript reviewer for several scientific journals.

UE’s Think Outside the Lunch Box Faculty Speaker Series is in its second year and is typically held the first Thursday of every month.

“One of the great things about an institution of higher learning such as the University of Evansville is our intellectual capital — our faculty’s depth of knowledge on a wide variety of subjects,” said UE President Thomas A. Kazee. “This series is a tremendous opportunity to partner with the community and share expert perspectives on current issues.”

Kiesel and Plisky will speak for about 30 minutes, with 15 minutes allotted for questions and answers. Attendees are welcome to eat lunch during the presentation. There is a restaurant conveniently located in the Old National Bank lobby.

Source: evansville.edu

USI Offers Student Success Week

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University Division is hosting Student Success Week, to be held Monday, January 30, through Friday, February 3, in the University Center.

More than 50 workshops focused on development of the student’s mind, self, and awareness of the world will be presented by faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Tim Fitzgibbon, academic advisor in University Division Advising, said the goal of Student Success Week is similar to that of the discontinued Success Series Workshops, but the new event will bring a much more diverse set of presenters and topics from across the University.

“We’re casting a much bigger net,” he said. “This event goes beyond the topics of academic and study skills.”

For example, an alumnus and Career Services will lead a discussion about internships; Food and Nutrition will present on health eating; and Housing and Residence Life staff will talk about roommate issues and healthy relationships.

Student Success Week kicks off at 11 a.m. Monday with remarks by President Linda L.M. Bennett; Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, provost; and Dr. Brian Posler, associate provost, in UC 2217-2220

“We’re really pleased that we’re going to have President Bennett, Dr. Rochon, and Dr. Posler,” Fitzgibbon said. “They have great stories to tell about their experiences and what student success means to them. We are at a university of almost 11,000 students, and to hear them speak in a small gathering is a unique opportunity.”

With themes borrowed from the University Core Curriculum (The Mind, The Self, The World), Fitzgibbon said, “We are trying to provide a wide variety of opportunities. Students can come and hear about a different theme each day.”

Many presentations will be repeated during the day, with four offered each half hour between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The week will culminate with a party on Friday with food, entertainment, and prizes.

Source: USI.edu

Downtown Today: 1/30/2012

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Time 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject COMMERCIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs every Monday effective 1/2/2012 until 1/30/2012 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
KATHIE HOLLEY @ 5228
Categories ROOM 318

IS IT TRUE? January 30, 2012

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? January 30, 2012

IS IT TRUE that the committee to recommend what should be done with Roberts Stadium hosted a group of about 100 concerned citizens for a tour of the old girl on Saturday?…that the first order of business for the tour was a guided tour designed by David Rector that was basically a showcase of all things wrong that could easily have been interpreted as “leading the guests” to the desired conclusion of Rector’s old boss, the former Mayor of Evansville who made sure that regular maintenance was not budgeted for?…that at one point in the tour the concerned citizens were shown a puddle of water that was there as a result of a leaky roof?…that when one of the citizens asked what it would cost to fix this leak that the surprising answer was only about $1,000?…that as roof leaks go that is a very inexpensive repair?…that it has been reported that this $1,000 leak has been there since late last summer?…that to ignore fixing such an easy and cheap problem shows that there has been no good faith effort in place to even attempt to find a future use for Roberts?…that with roofs that a $1,000 repair can very quickly become a $250,000 problem or even higher so it would be a good decision on the part of the Winnecke Administration to do the $1,000 repair now so if an idea with an investor comes forward there will not be a worse problem to deal with?…that ignoring something like that on an expensive facility is like refusing to pay $20 to mow the yard on a house that one wishes to sell?

IS IT TRUE that the Murray State Racers are barreling along toward an undefeated season and are now ranked 9th in the nation with a 21 – 0 record?…that Murray may be heading toward a serious date with the NCAA and may just be the new Butler?…that many people from Evansville have ties to Murray State and that the CCO is pleased and proud of the Racers?…that someday we hope to see the UE Purple Aces assume the role of favorite small budget small college with a realistic opportunity of going to the final four?

IS IT TRUE that the State of Indiana will be on the world’s stage next week with the City of Indianapolis hosting the Super Bowl for the first time?…that giant banners, unique activities, and a very clean city awaits the Super Bowl fans from New England and New York?…that we wonder if the Giants quarterback Eli Manning who is the brother of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will be staying with the team or with Peyton?…that the Super Bowl really is a big weeklong event and that people are already arriving and enjoying Indianapolis?…that back in 1985 when this writer was a graduate student at Stanford University that the Super Bowl was held at Stanford Stadium?…that the day of the game that party crashing was done including crashing the Apple party where Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniack were doing some pregame celebrating?…that even back then scalpers were asking $300 per ticket since the hometown San Francisco 49ers were in the game and that lacking that this grad student walked back to the student housing quarters to watch the game on TV with the windows open to hear the game live?

IS IT TRUE that on February 1, 2012 the California equivalent of Redevelopment Commissions will cease to exist?…that this is a development that should be watched very closely by the State of Indiana?…that the theory of creating TIF districts to be used to capture incremental taxes to eliminate blight is a good economic development tool when used for the right projects that are managed to a reasonable budget?…that in California as in Indiana there are some good projects but many projects where politicians got involved in the process and spent money on things that were not beneficial at prices that were not even close to being competitive?…that maybe this will lead to a return to good public policy and economic reality?

What the Bible Teaches About Capitalism

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From today’s Wall Street Journal is a very good article on what the Bible teaches about work, entrepreneurship, and the biggest enemy of the United States today, the envy that drives class warfare.

Excerpts and Link to Article Follow:

“More than any other nation, the United States was founded on broad themes of morality rooted in a specific religious perspective. We call this the Judeo-Christian ethos, and within it resides a ringing endorsement of capitalism as a moral endeavor.”

“Regarding mankind, no theme is more salient in the Bible than the morality of personal responsibility, for it is through this that man cultivates the inner development leading to his own growth, good citizenship and happiness. The entitlement/welfare state is a paradigm that undermines that noble goal.”

“Unlike socialism, mired as it is in the static reproduction of things already invented, capitalism is dynamic and energetic. It cheerfully fosters and encourages creativity, unspoken possibilities, and dreams of the individual. Because the Hebrew Bible sees us not simply as “workers” and members of the masses but, rather, as individuals, it heralds that characteristic which endows us with individuality: our creativity.”

“Capitalism makes possible entrepreneurship, which is the realization of an idea birthed in human creativity. Whereas statism demands that citizens think small and bow to a top-down conformity, capitalism, as has been practiced in the U.S., maximizes human potential. It provides a home for aspiration, referred to in the Bible as “the spirit of life.” The Bible speaks positively of payment and profit: “For why else should a man so labor but to receive reward?” Thus do laborers get paid wages for their hours of work and investors receive profit for their investment and risk.”

“It also demands transparency and honesty regarding one’s intentions. The command, “Thou shalt not place a stumbling block in front of the blind man” also means that you should not act deceitfully or obscure the truth from those whose choice depends upon the information you give them.”

“Countries that were once economic powerhouses atrophied and declined, like England after World War II, once they began adopting socialism. Even King Solomon’s thriving kingdom crashed once his son decided to impose onerous taxes.”

“At the end of Genesis, we hear how after years of famine the people in Egypt gave all their property to the government in return for the promise of food. The architect of this plan was Joseph, son of Jacob, who had risen to become the pharaoh’s top official, thus: “Joseph exchanged all the land of Egypt for pharaoh and the land became pharaoh’s.” The result was that Egyptians became indentured to the ruler and state, and Joseph’s descendants ended up enslaved to the state.”

“The motive of capitalism’s detractors is a quest for their own power and an envy of those who have more money. But envy is a cardinal sin and something that ought not to be. God begins the Ten Commandments with “I am the Lord your God” and concludes with “Thou shalt not envy your neighbor, not for his wife, nor his house, nor for any of his holdings.” Envy is corrosive to the individual and to those societies that embrace it. Nations that throw over capitalism for socialism have made an immoral choice.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203806504577179303330474134.html

IS IT TRUE? January 28, 2012

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? January 28, 2012

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Council didn’t directly include funds in their 2012 Budget so they can join the City of Evansville to pay for a much needed Information Technology Assessment Audit? …we are pleased that the City of Evansville directly put funds for this Audit in their 2012 Budget? ….we join 5th Ward City Councilmen and Budget Chairmen, John Friend-CPA call for this City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County funded department begin to do a long overdue and detailed financial assessment of this little known but important publically funded department? …we now are awaiting to see if the past Budget Chairmen and newly elected President of the Vanderburgh County Council, James Raben shall put the money on the table so this extremely important Assessment Audit can begin?

IS IT TRUE that it’s time for the Indiana State Board of Accounts to send their annual Audit Survey Questioners to each Evansville City Council members so they can express their option concerning the financial decisions and activities of the prior city administration?…that we can’t wait to get a copy of their responses?

IS IT TRUE that longtime friend of the City County Observer and radio host extraordinaire Les Shivley who shared his Thursday show on WGBF with the CCO publisher Joe Wallace is under consideration for appointment to the Indiana Supreme Court?…that we at the CCO of course support Mr. Shivley for this appointment if this is something that he wants out of life?…that while it is always positive for Evansville to have a presence in state affairs it is doubly positive when that presence is held by a person of knowledge and virtue?…that we congratulate Les on being a finalists for this opportunity?

IS IT TRUE that speaking of the Indiana Supreme Court that the authority of the Speaker of the House Brian Bosma to levy fines upon the Democrat members who willfully refused to show up for work is now going to be determined by the Supreme Court?…that we are sure if our friend Les were there that he would be casting his vote in favor of levying these fines?…that of all the disappointments that the CCO has had with Democrats that we consider to be friends that he flight to Illinois last year and the refusal to show up this year are absolutely the worst transgressions?…that we are proud that like it or not the Democrats did eventually show up and do their job of voting on the Right to Work bill that most of them opposed?…that we are also sure that the sentiment of the State of Indiana was with Right to Work and going to work or the Democrat contingent would have flea-bagged it to Illinois again?…that they took the pulse of the state and did what they knew that they had to do to have so much as a prayer at being re-elected in 2012?

IS IT TRUE that the State of Indiana is also considering making consolidation efforts to have the requirement of offering “threshold rejection” as many have been demanding in the case of Evansville-Vanderburgh?…that threshold rejection whether one likes it or not is the right thing to do because the consent of the governed should always be required when a big voting block attempts to use the ballot box to take over a smaller voting block?…that goes triple when the large voting block is dysfunctional and in need of the revenue from the small voting block that is for the most part doing just fine?…that if this passes at the state level that it will not affect the upcoming vote on consolidation?…that if the state passes this that Evansville-Vanderburgh should either postpone the vote or allow threshold election?…that if this does not happen that this will be the last place in Indiana to hold a consolidation election without threshold rejection?…that will make us the poster child for why annexation at the ballot box was outlawed?

FUNNY FRIDAY: “Golden Loves Guitar”

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Computer Science Major’s Finger-Painting App Finds Global Success

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When computer giant Apple opened its digital App Store and announced that developers could submit applications (or “apps”) for sale and download, Jesse Squires’ first instinct was to create a finger-painting program that friends could use together.

“Touch-screen devices just beg to be scribbled on,” said Squires, a senior computer science major from Jeffersonville, Indiana. “People want to touch them and interact with them. It’s a childlike, mesmerizing thing.”

The App Store released Squires’ first app, iPaint uPaint, on January 11. It is available for 99 cents at the App Store; developers such as Squires receive 70 percent of revenue from sales of their apps. Just two weeks after launching, iPaint uPaint has been downloaded by iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch users in 13 countries.

Squires developed the app as his final project in an iOS programming class, a new course taught by associate professor of computer science Don Roberts during the Fall 2011 semester.

“Since the iPhone and Android have been released, there has been a huge surge of developers for mobile devices,” Squires said. “The iOS programming class at UE taught me the skills I needed to become a successful developer — while still in school.”

Creating iPaint uPaint took nearly two months. “There were some days and nights of pretty intense programming,” Squires recalled. “I remember one day when I started working at 10:00 a.m. and finished at 7:00 the next morning.”

The result of Squires’ efforts is an app that allows users to create virtual masterpieces on the screen of their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. What differentiates iPaint uPaint from other finger-painting apps, says Squires, is the ability to connect with friends’ devices via Bluetooth and paint together.

Users can change the color of the background and brush, as well as the transparency and thickness. iPaint uPaint also features a “shake and erase” function like an Etch-a-Sketch. Users can share their finished paintings via Twitter, e-mail them to a friend, or save them to a photo album.

Squires plans to continue developing apps and hopes to attend graduate school after graduating from UE in May. As for his final project in last semester’s programming course. “I got an A,” he said with a laugh.

USI hosting 24th annual Stock Market Game awards program

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The University of Southern Indiana Center for Economic Education will host the 24th annual Southwest Indiana Stock Market Game awards program at 11 a.m., January 31, in Carter Hall, in the University Center.

The awards program is open to students, parents, teachers, and administrators of participating schools in the southwest Indiana region. Student winners from the top four teams in each division will be recognized for their academic achievement, and receive a certificate of accomplishment and a tee shirt. Teachers also receive a plaque for display at their schools.

This year’s winners include:

Elementary Division: first, second, third, and fourth place, Glenwood Leadership Academy
Middle School Division: first and second place, Perry Central School; third and fourth place, Thompkins Middle School
High School Division: first and third place, Northeast Dubois High School; second and fourth place, Castle High School

The Stock Market Game, part of a national event, gives students an opportunity to learn how the economic system works, analyze news on the economy and markets, strengthen math and computer skills, and make decisions in teams. Teams of three to five students from grades 4-12 invest an imaginary $100,000 over a 10-week period. There are three divisions: elementary, middle school, and high school. The southwest region is well represented with an average of more than 300 teams and 1,200 students participating.

“Students having a working knowledge of markets is critical in today’s day and age,” says Dr. Gregory P. Valentine, director of the Center for Economic Education. “If they have a working knowledge of how things work, they have a shot at a larger nest egg down the road.”

Valentine adds that students over the years have become interested in financial markets and pursued finance as a college major, with the goal of working in the banking and securities industries.

The Center for Economic Education, one of 13 regional centers throughout Indiana, was first established under the direction of Valentine in spring 1988. It has been an affiliate with the National Council on Economic Education (NCEE) since its inception. The NCEE and the Indiana Council for Economic Education and its 13 regional centers have been formed in order to provide elementary and secondary teachers with programs and materials to get economics and personal finance education into the classroom and to help students apply in their lives what they learn in school.

Source: USI.edu

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