( March 1, 2013 – Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Advisory Board on Disability Services will be celebrating the start of “Indiana Disability Awareness Month” at the Board’s regular meeting on March 1, 2013 in the Kevin Winternheimer Chambers, Civic Center room 301. The event will begin at 11:00 A.M. with Mayor Winnecke reading a proclamation declaring March as “Disability Awareness Month” in Evansville. This will be the 23rd year since March was selected by The Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities (GCPD). This is month to give special awareness in Indiana about discriminations and inequalities faced by nearly 20% of all Hoosiers.

Evansville Police Chief, Billy Bolin; Sherriff Eric Williams and Evansville Fire Department Representative, Ken Huber: will be making remarks about the 911 Registry. This form is to be filled out by people with disabilities and recorded by the Evansville/Vanderburgh County Dispatch to notify emergency personnel about people with disabilities at addresses where an emergency has occurred. Sherriff Williams and Michelle Kirk, Director of Sycamore Services and Recording Secretary of the Advisory Board, will talk about the “Deaf Driver: cards. The Advisory Board will, also, summarize the Icemen event and have copies of their “Resource Guide” available. The guide has information for people with disabilities and their friends and families to find help for specialized and general needs.

The Advisory Board on Disability Services was created to improve services and relations with City-County government and the disability community. The Advisory Board meets the first Friday of the month at 11:00 a.m. in the Kevin Winternheimer Chambers, Room 301 in the Civic Center Complex. For more information regarding the Advisory Board on Disability Services, contact Don Counts.

The following was taken from the “Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities” web site and refers to “Indiana Disability Awareness Month”:

“Each March, Disability Awareness Month is celebrated throughout Indiana.

And given that adults and children with disabilities represent slightly more than 19 percent of Indiana’s population, disability awareness is important for all of us. Led by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, the goal of Disability Awareness Month is to increase awareness and promote independence, integration and inclusion of all people with disabilities. The Council develops a unique theme for this annual event and produces campaign materials that are available free of charge to Hoosiers who want to help make a difference.

The 2013 campaign theme is “Community Connections.” The poster artwork features a fully connected, livable community with appropriate housing, supportive and accessible community services, and physical and environmental features that allow everyone to live independently. The text, “Access, engagement and relationships.” reminds us of the vital links that make a connected, livable community. If our communities are to grow and prosper, we must develop “Community Connections” through access, civic engagement and by encouraging neighbors to support one another. This year’s Disability Awareness Month campaign materials are sponsored by Duke Energy.

This is the 23rd year for Disability Awareness Month. Won’t you join thousands of advocates and people with disabilities across the state by conducting community-based activities? Activities include events such as mayoral proclamations; art contests; and awareness campaigns in schools, businesses and government agencies. Please visit our Materials Library to view and/or download materials that can help you plan and conduct an event in your area.

Recruit Academy Starts Nov. 10, 2013

The Indiana State Police is now accepting applications for the 73rd Recruit Academy. Individuals who are interested in a rewarding career as a Trooper with the Indiana State Police may apply online at http://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm. This website provides detailed information about the application process and other important information about the Indiana State Police.

Applications must be received by e-mail by the conclusion of March 31, 2013. Applications received after this date will not be accepted for the 73rd Recruit Academy.

Basic Eligibility Requirements and consideration factors for an Indiana State Trooper:

1. Be a United States citizen.
2. Be at least 21 and less than 40 years old when appointed as a police employee.
3. Have vision correctable to 20/50.
4. Must possess a valid driver’s license to operate an automobile.
5. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED.

Indiana State Police Trooper salaries are competitive with area police agencies. Recruits earn $1,417.40 bi-weekly while in the academy training process. Probationary Troopers earn $38,444.00 annually after graduation from the recruit academy.

The Indiana State Police also offers an excellent health care plan, which includes medical, dental, vision and pharmacy coverage for both current and retired employees along with their dependents. The Indiana State Police pension program provides a lifetime pension after 25 years of service. Additionally, the Indiana State Police provides comprehensive disability coverage and a life insurance program. Salary and benefit information can be located at http://www.in.gov/isp/2876.htm.

The Indiana State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment, training, and promotion opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to sex, race, religion, disability, or national origin.

Interested applicants can obtain additional information about a career as an Indiana State Trooper by contacting a recruiter at any Indiana State Police Post, or by visiting http://www.in.gov/isp/2365.htm# to find the recruiter assigned to your area. Contact Information:
Capt. David Bursten
Public Information
317-232-0064
DBursten@isp.in.gov
For full details, view this message on the web.

Congressman Bucshon released the following statement:

“I am honored that the American Conservative Union recognized my strong conservative record today,” said Congressman Larry Bucshon. “During my time in Congress, I have consistently fought to cut spending, keep taxes low, bring good paying jobs to Hoosiers, and reform healthcare. I was elected to bring Hoosier common sense to Washington, DC and I will continue to do so.”

Al Cardenas, Chairman of the American Conservative Union, also stated:

“Congressman Larry Bucshon’s ACU rating of ‘88’ in 2012 and ‘86’ over two years of service shows a consistent commitment to conservative principles on a wide range of issues and we are delighted to present him with the ACU Conservative award for the second consecutive year.”

About ACU ratings – Throughout the history of the conservative ratings program, ACU has become the go-to source for determining whether an elected official’s philosophical rhetoric matches his or her record. The guides provide a comprehensive analysis of the legislative landscape over the preceding year. This differentiates ACU from other useful guides which may emphasize single areas, like taxes, defense, or social policy. The ACU tracks a wide range of issues before Congress to determine which issues and votes serve as a clear litmus test separating those representatives who defend liberty and liberal members who have turned their backs on our founding principles – constitutionally limited government, individual liberty, free markets, a strong national defense and traditional American values.

The “ACU Conservative” award is given to those members who scored 80 percent or higher.

Posted without opinion, edit, or bias by the City County Observer.

Provided by a Republican who is friendly to the City County Observer

GOP Friend — I hope that you will be able to attend the Vanderburgh GOP caucus on Saturday to elect our party leaders. I can not say enough about what great leadership Wayne Parke has given the party since his election as Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican party. We have control of both City and County Executive branches and the majority of City Council. We also have many County offices. Thanks Wayne for all your hard work to make this happen.

I wanted to take a minute to share with you my support for Michelle Mercer for Vanderburgh County Vice Chair. As you know, Michelle ran for City Countil at large and worked very hard during the City election. She is familiar with what it takes to be a good candidate and will work with Wayne to recruit candidates and help coach them to be successful in their efforts. Michelle Mercer has remianed as an active volunteer working very hard for Richard Mourdock and Alan Leibenguth in last year’s election.

I believe that Michelle has what it takes to help Wayne continue with the success of the local Republican party and I hope you will decide to support her in this Saturday’s caucus.

Take care and I hope to see you soon.

—

Carol McClintock

Two Evansville Police Officers were assaulted while trying to remove a man from his burning trailer this afternoon. The man’s identity is not being released at this time because he has not been charged with a crime at the time of this release.
Officers were dispatched to 1913 Rhode Island to do a standby while a female removed some belongings. After the officers exited the trailer, the man locked the door.
When the officers were outside, the female told them the man had put lighter fluid on the couch and she was worried he might try to hurt himself. The officers then tried to talk to him again to make sure he was not going to harm himself. When the officers got to the front door, they saw smoke in the trailer. He would not come to the door so the officers were forced to kick the door in to get in. When the officers entered the trailer, they saw several fires in the front room. The man had gone to a back room and was found lying on the floor.
When the officers tried to remove him from the burning trailer, he began assaulting them. The officers were able to get him under control despite his resistance and the growing fire around them.
The officers were able to get him out of the trailer safely. The man was treated at the scene for injuries he received during the struggle. One of the officers was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
Any charges will be determined pending a mental health evaluation.

Involved Officers:
Zach Dickason
Josh Doane