Practical and Easy to Understand Advice to Inspire Growth
10 Principles for Improved Business Climates
1. Keep total tax burden low.
2. Keep taxes on businesses low
3. Avoid corporate welfare
4. Remove privileges enjoyed by labor unions
5. Lower or eliminate minimum wages
6. Reduce workers compensation costs
7. Keep housing affordable
8. Reduce the burden of regulations
9. Discourage lawsuit abuse
10. Attract members of the creative class
Link to Full Study:
The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation approved a three-year contract for new superintendent David Smith during its meeting this evening. The contract, which is nearly identical to the first year contract of previous superintendent Vince Bertram, is for $160,000, and includes provisions for one-year contract extensions after a successful first and second year completion.
Also during the meeting, several administrative positions were approved. They included:
Daniel J. Ulrich, chief academic officer, filling the position which will be left vacant by the departure of David Dimmett. Dimmett will leave the EVSC on July 15 to join Project Lead the Way.
Ulrich has served the EVSC since 1978 in a variety of leadership and teaching roles, but has been the director of career/technical and adult education since 2005 at the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center. He holds BS and MS degrees from Indiana State University and a Master’s plus additional hours from the University of Southern Indiana.
Susan K. McDowell Riley, deputy superintendent for academic affairs and accountability.
This position will oversee the work of the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Performance, Assessment and Research. This work is closely intertwined and the position will place McDowell Riley in good position to direct the impact of data on instruction. She has been with the EVSC since her start as a special education teacher in 1974 and has also been a school psychologist, led the work of the Office of Psychological Services and Testing and has been assistant superintendent for Performance, Assessment and Research since 2008. McDowell Riley holds a BS degree from Indiana University, an MS from the University of Evansville; and her PhD from Ball State University.
Pat Tuley, chief financial officer and chief human resources officer, replacing the position left open by the advancement of David Smith to superintendent.
Tuley has served the EVSC since 1996 when he started as manager of the Book Fund and Supportive Services. He moved on to the positions of manager of purchasing, director of support services, director of school facilities and finally to his current position as chief operating officer. He has a BS degree from the University of Southern Indiana and is currently studying for his Master of Business Operational Excellence from The Ohio State University.
Stacy Mauser, chief technology officer, replacing Mike Russ, who retired June 30.
Mauser holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University and is currently studying for the Master of Business Operational Excellence from The Ohio State University. Most recently she has been the manager of information technology since 2005. Prior to that she was the supervisor of network/PC support and the PC networking specialist.
Erin Ramsey, director of Early Childhood Education, replacing Valerie Bostick who is now principal of a private school in Florida.
Ramsey is currently the director of public relations for the Indiana Association for Childcare Resource and Referral. She previously held the position of Executive Director of 4-C of Southern Indiana. Ramsey will work as the Director of Early Childhood Education at the Center for Family, School, and Community Partnerships. Ramsey has a BA degree from California State, and a Master of Public Service Administration from the University of Evansville.
Jay Hille, principal for Washington Middle School, replacing Rance Ossenberg, who retired.
Hille has served as the Assistant Principal at Washington Middle School for the last four years. He was previously principal at Christa McAuliffe. Hille holds a bachelor’s degree from Murray State and a master’s degree from Oakland City University.
Wall Street Journal and Cincinnati.com Cite Faulty Financial Projections and a Failed Maintenance Plan as the Reasons
Cincinnati.com reports that the Bengals are have requested a $43 Million infusion for repairs and improvements to Paul Brown Stadium that was only opened 10 years ago. This figure is reported to be four times the amount budgeted by Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati when the two stadium complex for the Reds and Bengals was built 10 years ago. The amount does not include an $8 Million scoreboard that the Bengals also say is necessary to remain competitive in offering a good NFL experience.
The total upkeep on the two stadiums over the ten year period has only amounted to $12.4 Million or $1.24 Million per year. Mark Rosentraub, a professor of sports management at the University of Michigan, said stadium maintenance is no different than making home repairs – just on a larger scale. Rosentraub estimates that the annual maintenance for the Cincinnati stadiums could be as high as $4 Million per year and that ignoring a maintenance program will just lead to deterioration and big ticket items in the future.
At the same time the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the sales tax revenues in Hamilton County, where one in seven people lives beneath the poverty line and budget cuts have left gaps in the schools and sheriffs department, has residents bracing for more belt-tightening. The county is being forced to consider a rollback of a property-tax break promised as part of a 1996 plan to entice voters to pay for two new stadiums.
The tax hit is just the latest in a string of unforeseen consequences from what has turned into one of the worst professional sports deals ever struck by a local government—soaking up unprecedented tax dollars and county resources while returning little economic benefit the Journal went on to report.
Excerpts from the WSJ Article.
“A preliminary PricewaterhouseCoopers audit of construction costs, reviewed by the Journal, found that there were insufficient financial controls on the part of various project managers and contractors hired by the county.”
“The auditors, citing “blurred accountability,” said they hadn’t been given enough information for a full accounting. “Each party suggested that we speak to other parties about specific details of the changes,” they said in the report.”
“It’s the monster that ate the public sector,” says Mark Reed, Hamilton County’s juvenile court administrator.”
“County Auditor Dusty Rhodes initially supported the stadium deal—partly as a matter of civic pride. But now he feels differently about the costly legacy that has grown in the arenas’ shadow—and believes there’s plenty of blame to go around. The county, he underscores, has used some of the tax dollars earmarked for the stadium on things like a road project and a new waterfront development. “They just went nuts spending this money for stuff that was not envisioned,” he says.”
“Some local officials had cautioned that the stadium expense was too great. They warned that the projected $300 million in economic benefits, outlined in a report commissioned by the county, were exaggerated. Tom Luken, a former Cincinnati mayor and councilman, actively campaigned against the deal. “Anybody with half a brain can figure that this is a bad deal,” he says. “As it turned out, it was even worse than they painted it.””
” Late last year, officials announced they would have to break their promise about reducing property taxes for 2011.”
“Recently, as local officials mulled new ways to stretch the budget, one commissioner suggested making up for the tax hike by cutting another property-tax levy: one that funds health services for the poor.”
“Harold Flaherty, a former schoolteacher, says he is livid about the sports pact. “It staggers my imagination that we should pay for this,” he says. “I think it’s the dumbest thing we ever did.” Mr. Flaherty, 77, will pay about $240 more in property taxes this year due to the rollback.”
In the spirit of exposing surprises before they grow into unmanageable quandaries like the downtown hotel, the McCurdy, and the Evansville Parks have from failed maintenance programs and absence of planning, we encourage our readership to familiarize themselves with the shortcomings of other cities that have chosen to bet their economic futures on investing public dollars into temples of sport. Now it is possible that the due diligence, proper vetting, and exemplary management has gone on in Evansville that was not in Cincinnati. We certainly hope so but as Mrs. Doubtfire once said “Effie, brace yourself.”
Cincinnati.com article
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20110130/NEWS0108/101300319/Bengals-seek-43M-stadium-fixes
Wall Street Journal Article
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704461304576216330349497852.html
Time 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Subject DESIGN REVIEW
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the second Tuesday of every 1 month effective 7/12/2011 until 7/12/2011 from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
SARAH @ 7825
Categories ROOM 318
Time 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Subject PTABOA
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the second Tuesday of every 1 month effective 7/12/2011 until 7/12/2011 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
TIFFANY COLLINS @ 5269
Categories ROOM 301
Time 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject SUBDIVISION REVIEW
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the second Tuesday of every 1 month effective 7/12/2011 until 7/12/2011 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
KATHIE @ 5228
Categories ROOM 318
Time 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Subject ENFORCEMENT/TREATMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the second Tuesday of every 1 month effective 7/12/2011 until 7/12/2011 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
CYNTHIA OWEN
Categories ROOM 318
Time 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject VANDERBURGH ALCOHOL BOARD
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the second Tuesday of every 1 month effective 7/12/2011 until 7/12/2011 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Scott Bedwell 812-882-1292
Categories ROOM 301
Time 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Subject ELECTRICAL BOARD
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the second Tuesday of every 1 month effective 7/12/2011 until 7/12/2011 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
LINDA PENDELETON @ 7880
Categories ROOM 318
Time 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Subject COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs every Tuesday effective 7/5/2011 until 7/26/2011 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
KRISTIN @ 5241
Categories ROOM 301
Greetings from Hunny, a 1 ½-year-old spayed Beagle. Hunny is a super sweet girl that loves to run and play. She loves children and after an afternoon of running around in the backyard, Hunny will be right there beside them to take a nap. Hunny is looking for a family that will be consistent with her training and that will give her lots of love. She enjoys the company of other dogs but would very much like to meet any potential K9 roommates before going home. For more information on how to make Hunny a part of your family, call (812) 426-2563 or visit www.vhslifesaver.org.
IS IT TRUE? July 12, 2011
IS IT TRUE that for the 10th day in a row the trailing calculation for time online using the 3rd party measurements of Alexa.com and trafficestimate.com has the City County Observer slightly ahead of the Courier & Press?…that the lead has actually expanded from 1% when we passed the CP last week to 9% as of this morning’s traffic reports?…that the newest underdog that we are identifying with is the US Women’s Soccer Team that really pulled that win over Brazil out of their guts a couple of days ago?…that we congratulate Team USA’s women but still have to smile and pinch ourselves regarding out trafficking the Courier & Press in online minutes?
IS IT TRUE that the new superintendant of the EVSC now has a contract?…that this contract looks very much like the contract signed by his predecessor Dr. Vince Bertrum’s last contract?…that the deal for the new superintendant that the extensive countywide search unearthed pays him a base salary of $160,000 with bonus and auto allowances that will bring him up just shy of the $200,000 mark?…that Scrounger Dogs of Evansville are howling loudly about how excessive this pay package is and that “this guy don’t need dat much moneyâ€?…that if Evansville would have been paying competitive wages for school officials and teachers when they were pups that the Scrounger Dogs of Evansville may not use words and phrases like “don’t need datâ€, “ain’t got noâ€, “I seen itâ€, “baby its code outsideâ€, and “I toad you dat I sowd dem taters to dat preacher man from Kentuckyâ€?…
IS IT TRUE that Mole #3 still tells us that there are a couple of sitting members of the Evansville City Council who are being stonewalled or even flat out refused to see the insurance report regarding the insurance advice that the City of Evansville spent $100,000 for?…that for sitting members of the governing body of the City of Evansville that approves the budget to be refused any financial information is simply not acceptable?…that the City County Observer has offered to do their bidding for them by writing a FOIA request for them but that they have not taken us up on our offer?…that we are beginning to think that it is more fun to complain about that which they are refused than it would be to actually use legal means to beat it out of those who refuse to supply the information?…that any member of the City Council that is reluctant to use applicable state and federal laws to get documents that they have requested and been denied needs to think about why they asked in the first place?…that writing a FOIA letter is a five minute job that anyone who is capable of serving as a competent member of any City Council should be able to master for the first time in 15 minutes?…that we will do it for them in 5 minutes for FREE?
Time 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject COMMERCIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs every Monday effective 7/4/2011 until 7/25/2011 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
KATHIE HOLLEY @ 5228
Categories ROOM 318
Time 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Subject CITY COUNCIL
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs every Monday effective 7/4/2011 until 7/25/2011 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
LYNN BUHR @ 4993
Categories ROOM 301
Jean Beckman, professor of chemistry, has been named interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Evansville.
Beckman will temporarily fill the position held by Susan Calovini, who had served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2007. Calovini recently became vice president for academic and student affairs and dean of Salem College in North Carolina.
UE Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs John Mosbo will immediately begin a search for the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, which comprises nearly 110 full-time faculty members and 15 departments in the fine arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
“We’re thrilled to have someone of Professor Beckman’s skill, experience, and judgment as interim dean,†said UE President Thomas A. Kazee.
Beckman received her undergraduate education from Colby College in Maine, then earned a PhD in organic chemistry from Indiana University in 1977. She joined UE’s Department of Chemistry the following year and was promoted to full professor in 1996. She received the Dean’s Teaching Award in 1997.
Beckman served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2003-07 and interim dean for two years prior. She also has participated in two presidential search committees, as well as University committees including academic strategic planning, a campus capital campaign, general education assessment, and the honors program.
Off campus, Beckman is an active member of First Presbyterian Church and has served on the board of directors for Patchwork Central and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.
The University of Southern Indiana Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter was selected as the Collegiate Challenge Student Group “Most Valuable Player” for 2011. The USI chapter was nominated by Habitat for Humanity of Martin County, Florida.
“This group is an absolute joy to work with from initial contact in organizing to the day of their arrival,” the nominators said. “They always show great respect and leadership and definitely give me hope in our country for the future.”
The Collegiate Challenge is a national spring break alternative work program offered through Habitat for Humanity. The USI chapter has volunteered in several communities including El Paso, Texas Alexandria, Louisiana Bunnell, Florida Hershey, Pennsylvania and Martin County, Florida in addition to volunteering after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. This was the third year the team returned to Martin County where they worked on roofing and hanging dry wall for three Habitat homes.
The Collegiate Challenge committee was impressed that the USI chapter has returned to the same affiliate three years running and that the students have gone above and beyond in service to the Martin County community by volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club.
“We would begin each morning on the work site at 8 a.m. and work until 1 p.m. On three of the afternoons we volunteered at the local Boys and Girls Club with students in their after school program,” said Chris Hoehn, USI Habitat for Humanity advisor. “The USI students engage with folks in the community and are genuinely interested in learning about the need for affordable housing and the opportunities that are available in volunteer work and service. People in Martin County speak very highly of our students’ drive, enthusiasm, and willingness to do what it takes to get the job done. The work ethic of our students and our leaders helps to provide a good experience for volunteers.”
In addition to participating in the Collegiate Challenge, the USI Habitat chapter volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of Evansville, building Saturdays throughout the semester and fundraises during the school year with rummage sales, car washes, and the Home Run 5K held at USI.
To learn more about USI’s Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter, contact Katie Smitley, USI Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter president, at klsmitley@mail.usi.edu.
Saturday, August 27th at 8:00pm
Victory Theatre ~ Evansville, IN
On Sale Monday, July 11 at 10AM
Evansville, IN ~ After more than a decade in the NBA as a player and coaching, Walter McCarty is known for drilling 3-pointers from the corner; but Walter has emerged as a talented R&B artist in his own right. Music has always been his first love, and since releasing his debut album seven years ago, Walter is eager to return with his new self-produced album “Emotionallyâ€. “I’m so fortunate to have this platform to express all the things that I’ve experienced and put them into song. All I’ve ever wanted to do is perform and be heard musically”.
Though new to some in the music world, Walter has worked with numerous industry insiders, including the hit-making production team The Underdogs; R&B singer/songwriter Tank; co-writing on such songs as “Come Back To Me Shawty” performed by Tyrese. After honing his writing abilities on the Los Angeles music scene, Walter returned to his own projects with renewed focus.
Now in support of his second studio album, Walter performs the melodic vocals from the album live on stage. “I truly believe this music is pleasing to everyone who listens, no matter what genre music you might like. “Emotionally†is a feel good record that’s appealing, all-together mature and sexy”.
Tickets are On Sale Monday July 11th at 10AM and are priced from $22.00 to $42.00 (additional charges may apply). Tickets are available at The Centre Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.
