I must say that I was disturbed when I read in the Evansville Courier and Press that Mayor Lloyd Winnecke had already made his decision on which of the three bidders on the RFP for the downtown convention hotel was “his” choice. I was not aware that as a member of the Evansville City Council that we had no say or input in the process of awarding such a contract.

The last several years have been marred with false start after false start for a downtown convention hotel to serve the Centre and the new Ford Center. Our former Mayor at one time announced that a 4-Star hotel would be completed with private money if only we would build a new arena. We did our part and still we have floundered for 4 years since Mayor Weinzapfel’s announcement with no hotel that we allegedly have to have for the Centre and the Ford Center to do well. Mayor Winnecke has continued the secretive and authoritative ways of Mayor Weinzapfel. It is not his job to choose which of the three bidders should win the deal.

The other thing that bothers me is that the Mayor has announced his intention to go to each member of the City Council on an individual basis to talk them into what he wants to do. It is not his place to sell each member of the City Council in a series of private meetings. It is his place to make a public presentation before the City Council and to make his best case on why he made this decision in a vacuum and why it is best for Evansville. This presentation should include an overview of just why the chosen proposal is better than the other two complete with the public funding requirements of each.

The financial commitment has been reported to be over $20 Million from the taxpayers of Evansville. This is a decision that needs to have the people of this city on board to move forward. The time for closed door meetings, serial arm twisting, and authoritative directives is over. The time for the transparency that Mayor Winnecke campaigned on is now, and I call upon the Mayor to come before the City Council to make whatever case he has to make. Then we the Evansville City Council will exercise our duties to either fund this effort or not.

Al Lindsey
Evansville City Councilman, 6th Ward

Outstanding_Sheriff_Warrants

This list represents the active warrants held for service by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office on the date listed. It is no longer current the moment it is produced. Therefore, the current validity of a warrant cannot be obtained from this information alone, but must be verified by the sheriff’s office. In general, the sheriff’s office will not confirm the validity of a warrant to non-law enforcement personnel over the telephone. This must be done in person.

If you have a tip or information about any of these warrants or the persons listed as wanted, please send an email to sheriffwarrants@vanderburghsheriff.com or call 421-6276.

As always, the sheriff’s office greatly appreciates any information or assistance you can provide in the apprehension of those persons who are wanted by the Vanderburgh County Courts.

Respectfully,
Eric Williams
Vanderburgh County Sheriff

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
LLOYD WINNECKE
January 9, 2013 Contact: Ella Johnson-Watson
For Immediate Release
Evansville Mayor Winnecke Tapped for Regional, State Leadership Roles

(EVANSVILLE, IN) – Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke has been selected to serve in leadership positions at the regional and state level. Mayor Winnecke was elected President of the Southern Indiana Mayors Roundtable for 2013, and he has been named chair of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) Public Safety Committee.

As president of the Southern Indiana Mayors Roundtable, Mayor Winnecke will lead the discussion during meetings and help set the legislative agenda on issues presented to the Indiana General Assembly. The Roundtable meets monthly and is comprised of approximately 34 mayors.
“I think it is vitally important to have someone of Mayor Winnecke’s stature, who serves the largest city in Southern Indiana, to act as our president,” said former Tell City Mayor Bill Goffinet. “He will work with other mayors in our region and carry their message to lawmakers in Indianapolis.”

The Southern Indiana Mayors Roundtable will hold its first meeting of 2013 at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center on Jan. 24.

Carmel, Ind., Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray, the incoming President of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns Board of Directors, said IACT is pleased Mayor Winnecke agreed to accept a broader leadership role with the association.

“The Public Safety Committee is one of IACT’s most important public policy committees,” Cordray said. “I welcome Mayor Winnecke and look forward to his commitment to public safety.” She said the Mayor will work closely with the 17-member committee to monitor issues involving public safety throughout the state and in the new legislative session.

You should have received this from USI today. In the event that you did not – here is the information that was disseminated. Hope to see you there!

On Wednesday, January 9, the University of Southern Indiana’s College of Nursing and Health Professions is opening its second USI Community Health Center, this one at Cedar Hall Community School.

“With the success of the USI Community Health Center at Glenwood, I am pleased that we are able to expand our school-based health clinic initiative and now provide additional primary care services at the USI Community Health Center at Cedar Hall,” said Dr. Ann White, dean of the college.

The USI Community Health Centers are the result of a five-year $1.2 million grant to USI from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant was a collaborative effort between USI, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), St. Mary’s Health System, and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.

The centers provide primary health care services to neighborhood residents, including students, families, and staff. USI undergraduate and graduate students in nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, food and nutrition, social work, dental and health administration participate in delivering services to USI Community Health Center patients and neighborhood residents.

“Benefits from this partnership help our students and families in many ways,” said Cathlin Gray, EVSC associate superintendent for family, school, and community partnerships. “Families having access to a familiar place to see medical professionals for immunizations, and help when children are ill, is essential. Children who do not feel well often do not perform well in school. Our goal is to help create a community of individuals who are healthy and ready to learn. We thank all of the partners for coming together to make a difference for this community and look forward to future endeavors.”

Since the USI Community Health Center at Glenwood Leadership Academy opened in January 2012, 400 patients have been served during 792 appointments. More than half of the patients were from the Glenwood neighborhood. Fifty-eight USI students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions have benefited from the experiential learning opportunity of working with patients at the center.

The USI Community Health Center at Cedar Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. The next USI Community Health Center will open at the Juan Diego Center at Nativity Church.

For more information, contact Dr. Mayola Rowser, assistant dean of the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions, at 812/461-5257.

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Building Corporation (the “Corporation”) shall convene on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at 2 p.m., at the offices of Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel, and Shoulders at 20 N.W. First Street, 9th Floor, Evansville, Indiana, for the purpose of (a) considering the release and transfer to Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (“EVSC”) of all interest reimbursement payments received and now held by the Corporation under Build America Bonds; and (b) considering any other business which may properly come before the meeting.

This morning the Evansville Fire Department responded to an apartment fire at 4985 E. Sycamore Street on Evansville’s eastside. The apartment is 1 of 4 units contained within the building. The fire damage was contained to one apartment while the apartment below had very minor water damage. The other 2 apartments in the structure had very little, if any, damage. The first fire units on scene arrived quickly and contained the fire to the utility closet. Fire Investigator Jennifer Hunt determined the fire cause to be accidental due to combustible materials being too close to the burner area of the furnace.

District Chief Greg Main called for a 2nd Alarm because it was an apartment complex. As soon as the fire was reported extinguished, the extra personnel and equipment were returned to their stations.

The couple who lived in the apartment was home at the time of the fire and got out without injury. Fairmont Apartments has offered the couple another apartment until the damage can be repaired.

(Washington, DC) –Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08) has been selected to serve as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Research during the 113th Congress.

Congressman Bucshon (IN-08) stated:

“I am honored to be selected as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Research during my second term in Congress. Because of my background in science and medicine, I understand very well the importance of research in improving the life of all Americans and the role it plays in economic development. I look forward to working with the committee to foster innovation in the research industry so that we can create jobs and grow the economy in Indiana and nationwide.”

Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) stated:

“In the new Congress, the Science Committee will promote policies that support our nation’s space program, encourage energy independence, expand scientific education, fund basic research, and enhance the development of new technologies. Representative Larry Bucshon was selected to serve as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Research because of his extensive background in research as a physician. I look forward to joining Rep. Bucshon to advance policies that spur innovation, job creation and economic growth.”

BACKGROUND:

The Subcommittee on Research is one of five subcommittees under the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

The Subcommittee on Research and Science Education has legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to science policy and science education. More information on the committee can be found here.