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IS IT TRUE: October 2010, Week Three

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Friday October 22, 2010

SPECIAL POSTING 9:20 AM

IS IT TRUE that on November 17, 2009 that there was a regularly scheduled meeting of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners? ….that all three County Commissioners were recorded as in attendance at that meeting that was presided over by President Troy Tornatta? ….that Vanderburgh County Treasurer Rick Davis made an extensive power point presentation at that meeting that covered the subject of the homestead tax exemption? …. that the following paragraph is unedited and taken directly from the transcript of the meeting of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners?

“Basically the state wants to weed out people who may own several homes in one county, or several homes throughout the state and they’re getting a homestead exemption on all of these homes. Those forms will be filled out by the taxpayer and mailed back, and the Auditor will verify that they only have one homestead mortgage.”

IS IT TRUE that President Troy Tornatta of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners knew that his wife Ann Tornatta still owned the home that she had before their marriage? ….that President Tornatta knew that she was treating that home as a rental as opposed to a residence? ….that President Tornatta was aware that the homestead tax exemption could only be applied once per married couple?…..that President Tornatta presided over a meeting of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners where the Treasurer of Vanderburgh County clearly articulated the intention of the State of Indiana to “weed out” people who were taking the homestead tax exemption on multiple properties?

IS IT TRUE that Ann Tornatta (Mrs. Troy Tornatta) truly seemed to have been surprised by the allegation of receiving improper benefits from two homestead tax credits? ….that the system of advising the taxing authorities of a marriage that eliminates ones homestead tax credit is not as clear as it could be?….that there are probably many more newlyweds who had separate homes that have inadvertently found themselves in a similar situation?…..that Mrs. Tornatta showed remarkable courage by showing up at today’s press conference to confront this allegation face to face?

IS IT TRUE that all tax bills that went out in Vanderburgh County in 2010 had a pink page explaining the inappropriateness of receiving a homestead tax credit on multiple properties?….that Troy Tornatta as a member of the County Commissioners had every opportunity to have been aware of the situation regarding multiple homestead tax credit?…..that as a sitting County Commissioner Mr. Tornatta should have known about this?…..that the City County Observer wonders why he did not know????

IS IT TRUE that the Front Door Pride program to date has constructed 8 homes in the Goosetown area?…. that after more than a year only three (3) of those homes have identified a buyer and that only two of those have closed the deal? ….that the average cost to produce each house is just under $200,000 before realty fees? …that the average home is 1,670 square feet and costs the City of Evansville $115.79 per square foot to build?….that the most recently reported sale price of a Front Door Pride home is $130,000 (77.84 per square foot)? ….that there are seven (7) more houses that are on the schedule to be built?….that at the rate the first eight (8) houses are selling that it will take 5 years to sell all of these houses?…..that by the time all of these houses are sold the City of Evansville will have lost a total of over $1,000,000 for this social experiment?

IS IT TRUE that the median list price of a home in Evansville, Indiana right now is $112,900? ….that in the neighborhoods where Front Door Pride homes are being built, there are 36 homes listed with an average list price of $65,797?….that the average listing price is propped up by the Front Door Pride homes that are currently listed? ….that any private business that planned to build $200,000 houses in an area where the average value is $65,797 would be considered impractical and headed for bankruptcy?…..that the presence of $200,000 homes in a neighborhood like Goosetown are out of place?…..that vacant lots and abandoned homes are the next door neighbors of the Front Door Pride homes?….that the most effective programs like this fix the neighborhoods first and then build houses that can be sold for what they cost to build?…..that Habitat for Humanity does a great job of building appropriate homes that promote urban home ownership?

Thursday October 21, 2010

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer has readers in 6 countries, 33 states, and 22 Indiana cities?….that the CCO has significant numbers of readers in New York City and Houston, Texas?…..that Houston and New York rank right after Evansville in our Google Analytics visitors profile?…..that next in line is Grantham, UK where the University of Evansville has a campus?…..that the City County Observer is now attracting independent thinkers and voters of every age demographic?

IS IT TRUE that there will be a press conference called by Wayne Parke on the Evansville Civic Center steps at 10:30 this morning? ….that the subject of this press conference will be alleged improper property tax activities involving incumbent County Commissioner Troy Tornatta?

IS IT TRUE that Mildred Motley, Executive Director of the Evansville Housing Authority did not have her contract renewed by the board of directors of the EHA?….that Ms. Motley since being attracted to Evansville in 2004 by the Evansville Housing Authority has done an exemplary job of re-engineering and re-organizing an agency that had a history of sloppy performance?…..that Ms. Motley put an end to many ingrained business practices that were questionable?….that the City County Observer is very curious to hear Mildred Motley tell the story of her surprise departure from her own perspective?

IS IT TRUE that the part of the City of Evansville to the east of Haynie’s Corner has traditionally been called Goosetown? ….that significant public money has been spent in efforts to revitalize Goosetown including a new park, a couple of million dollars on Front Door Pride houses, a $195,000 purchase of a home that was in turn sold for $30,000, and a $142,000 green brick alley? …. that the Goosetown Homeowner’s Association has been under the leadership of Fred Cook for many years?….that Mr. Cook recently moved a couple of blocks from the official boundaries of Goosetown and was stripped of his leadership role?…..that the Goosetown Homeowners Association is not recognized as a member of the United Neighborhoods of Evansville (UNOE) by Evansville DMD?…..that this failure to recognize this membership status has jeopardized a free mammogram program for low income women?

IS IT TRUE that the Goosetown Homeowners Association receives support from the Susan G. Komen Foundation to spread the word about a program offering free mammograms to low income women? ….that approximately 25 women received free mammograms since April as a result of this outreach program?….that a staff member of the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) informed the Komen Foundation that the Goosetown Homeowners Association is not a member of UNOE, causing the funding for this outreach program to be terminated? …that UNOE recognizes the Goosetown Homeowners Association as a member with dues paid and paperwork in order through 2011?

IS IT TRUE that some low income women from Goosetown may not learn about this program that provides free mammograms that are instrumental in early detection of breast cancer due to this loss of funding due to incorrect information?….that Mr. Fred Cook called Mayor Weinzapfel in an effort to clear this situation up so the outreach program can be eligible for funding again?…that Mr. Cook and the women of Goosetown are still waiting for a return phone call?

IS IT TRUE ironically that Fred Cook is the announced candidate against incumbent Councilwoman Connie Robinson to represent the 4th Ward on Evansville’s City Council election in 2011?….that this sounds like a similar political backlash against Mr. Cook and the women of Goosetown to what Rick Davis had to deal with when he announced his intention to run for Mayor?

Wednesday October 20, 2010

IS IT TRUE that starting on October 20th, 2010 that our signature column IS IT TRUE will be updated daily? …. that IS IT TRUE is becoming recognized as a column that with the help of Mole #3 stays at the forefront of forecasting that which is in need of review and oversight in local government?….that this Mole Hill is turning into the Mountain that is dedicated to driving Evansville politics from the domain of backroom deals to a place of clarity and sanity? ….that the need for Mole #3 to have some help is always increasing? ….that the City County Observer always appreciates the efforts of all of our Moles and aspiring Moles who send us information that drives better public policy?….that we never tell who our Moles are?

IS IT TRUE that Dan Shaw of the Courier and Press took the initiative to investigate the moving expense situation with respect to the pending move of the Vanderburgh Democratic Headquarters from the soon to be demolished Executive Inn parking tower?…that Mr. Shaw’s article drew a rapid rebuke and a letter from Mark Owens, Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party?…..that it was first published in the City County Observer in the Spring of 2010 that Browning Investments would not be going forward with the Convention Hotel project? ….that the same City County Observer accurately predicted the pending demolition of the Executive Inn and its parking tower? ….that Mark Owen asserted that the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party has a 5 year lease with Browning beginning July 31, 2010 and expects that Browning Investments will be paying the Democrats for early termination of that lease? ….that July 31, 2010 fell after the “Target Date” of the agreement between Browning and the City of Evansville? ….that Browning could not have delivered on any such contract and that it was widely known at that time?

IS IT TRUE that Browning disputes Mr. Owen’s claim? …that Jamie Browning, vice president of real estate development with Browning, said Browning Investments does not plan to compensate the Democrats for moving expenses? ….that Mark Owen asserted to Mr. Shaw that the agreement makes Browning responsible for paying “compensation for a tenant’s relocation.”?….that John Kish, the director of the Arena project is already negotiating to move two cellular towers?…that Mr. Kish would not be doing this unless the City of Evansville was assuming responsibility for honoring leases associated with the Executive Inn parking tower?…..that Chairman Owen also stated that “The Vanderburgh County Democratic Party would not seek, nor would we accept compensation from the city, or taxpayers, for its relocation,”?…. that Mr. Kish and the taxpayers of the City of Evansville will be pleased to allow Mr. Owen and the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party to honor his pledge to not take the money from the taxpayers to move the Democratic Party Headquarters.

IS IT TRUE that several strong young Democrats have expressed a willingness to help move the Party Headquarters for free?….that contributing elbow grease, pickup trucks, and pizza are the types of things that builds camaraderie and respect in both the Democratic Party and the community? ….that efforts that are done for a cause as opposed to efforts to line the coffers are what this city, this county, the state, and this country need right now?….that there may even be a few republicans, libertarians, and independents that would turn out for the cause?

IS IT TRUE that a strong and courageous free press is the foundation of truth in government?….that the City County Observer is proud of Dan Shaw’s initiative in this and many local issues?….that the CCO admires the drive, energy, and journalistic integrity that Dan Shaw of the Courier and Press puts into every article he writes?….that we stand by his zeal to make this a better place to live with the power of the pen? …that the City County Observer recommends that each and every one of our readers reviews Mr. Shaw’s work on this situation and make your own judgments about the truth?

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/oct/19/democrat-chairman-says-he-wont-ask-city-moving-cos/

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/oct/18/cutting-the-lease-short/

The City County Observer #196,665 Passes Evansville Living, News4U, and the CVB in USA Web Traffic Ranking

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UPDATE: In the last 24 hours the City County Observer has received a USA Traffic Ranking of #196,665th most visited website in America passing Evansville Living’s website www.evansvilleliving.com at #395,613th, News4U (www.news4uonline.com) at #544,357th, and the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau that is now holding firm in the #561,341st place in America

Alexa.com is a website that ranks respective websites around the world according to the number of visitors that each site attracts. Alexa also presents these rankings with one month and three month trailing averages. During the last month the website www.city-countyobserver.com has risen in world wide rank by nearly 2.9 Million places. We became curious as to how we rank with respect to other local websites. Here are some that we selected and the worldwide ranking.

www.city-countyobserver.com #1,164,871 (City County Observer)

www.thegleaner.com #3,147,906 (Henderson Gleaner)

www.southwestindiana.org #7,695,037 (Economic Development Coalition)

www.evansvillegage.com #9,479,458 (GAGE, the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville)

www.evansvillechamber.com #13,994,332 (Chamber of Commerce of SW Indiana: Site 1)

www.ccswin.com insufficient hits to rank (Chamber of Commerce of SW Indiana: Site 2)

The City County Observer is both pleased and surprised to rank ahead of all of these established organizations with recognized names. Two local organizations that we expect to be passing in the near future are the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Evansville.

Coat-A-Kid Kicks Off November 9 At Lincoln Elementary School

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NEWS RELEASE

October 20, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The annual Don’s Claytons Coat-A-Kid Campaign will kick off at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 9 at Lincoln Elementary School in Evansville. Don’s Claytons Fine Drycleaning will accept new and gently used coats for infants, children and teens through December and the coats will be distributed through January.

Since the Coat-A-Kid program began in 1986, Don’s Claytons has cleaned more than 130,000 coats, all given by the community and distributed to children and teens in need by the Salvation Army and Evansville Christian Life Center.

“We always enjoy getting together with the kids at Lincoln Elementary and other young people who receive coats through this program,” company owner Steve Schmitt says. “We’ve seen a growing need for coats over the past few years.”

Don’s Claytons will accept new and gently used coats for infants, children and teens through Dec. 31 at any of its 12 locations in Evansville and Newburgh.

For more information about the Coat-A-Kid program contact Don’s Claytons Fine Drycleaning at 424-9979 or talk with a staff member at any Don’s Claytons location. A listing of locations may be found at www.donsclaytons.com.

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IS IT TRUE: Monday October 25, 2010

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UPDATE: 5:11 PM Is the whole of Vanderburgh County a Recovery Zone?????

IS IT TRUE that Mole #3 predicts that the resolution that was to be considered will be removed from the agenda? ….. that the opposition of Commissioner Lloyd Winnecke to designating the entire land mass of Vanderburgh as a Katrina style Recovery Zone is what blocked this action?… that Commissioner Winnecke should be commended for recognizing this?

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Commissioners are considering other locations for the 8 ball fields?….to take advantage of the RECOVERY ZONE BONDS, that they are also considering declaring ALL OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY TO BE A RECOVERY ZONE? ….that there are vast areas of Vanderburgh County that never have and probably never will qualify for RECOVERY ZONE status?….that the idea to consider some other location for a sports complex is a pretty good idea that may save money and gain community support? ….Commissioner Tornatta is correct that the Goebel Soccer Complex is a better location and that he should be commended for realizing that?….that declaring every square mile of Vanderburgh County as a RECOVERY ZONE is insulting and demeaning to the people of this county?….that such a declaration would constitute intentional misrepresentation of the economic status of Vanderburgh County?…..that Commissioner Lloyd Winnecke to his credit does not agree that the whole of the County is a Recovery Zone?

IS IT TRUE that the incumbent Candidate Troy Tornatta of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners is currently running a commercial that proudly states that the Great Recession has not impacted Vanderburgh County nearly as much as it has elsewhere?…..that one really can not have it both ways when it comes to widespread blight?….that taking a bit of time to reflect on this project is the right decision?….that wise governance would not commit the innkeepers tax to ballfields or any other project until a binding contract is in place for a Downtown Convention Hotel?….that sanity may and we must say may be entering the governance mode of this project?

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Commissioners will consider a proposal by the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau to place part of Wesselman Park and the Roberts Stadium site into a RECOVERY ZONE when they meet on Tuesday October 26th? …..if they are not successful in declaring this area a RECOVERY ZONE that they will not be able to use a financing mechanism known as RECOVERY ZONE BONDS?…..that RECOVERY ZONE BONDS (RZB) allow federal refunding of about 45% of the interest payments over the 25 year life of the proposed loan?…that RZB’s are a part of the STIMULUS PACKAGE that were designed to encourage local governments to BORROW MONEY to be spent in DISTRESSED AREAS?

IS IT TRUE that a RECOVERY ZONE is defined as an area that has a significant amount of POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT, FORECLOSURES, AND GENERAL ECONOMIC DISTRESS? ….that no people live in Wesselman Park or the Robert’s Stadium site so none of those conditions are even possible? ….that the residential area in and around Wesselman Park and Roberts Stadium is not blighted by any stretch of the imagination?…..that many of the long time residents in that area are retired people who worked hard all of their lives in good blue collar jobs?…..that these residents have been good stewards of their homes and neighborhoods for their entire lives?….that having this neighborhood declared as blighted may just reduce home values and the desirability for young couples who may be considering moving to that neighborhood…..that it is an insult to the people of this neighborhood to attempt to declare their homes as blighted just to take advantage of a FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STIMULUS PLAN in the last two months of the program just to save some interest money?

IS IT TRUE that someone identifying themselves as ITCHY PEEPERS attempted to change the password of the City County Observer website?…..that this is not the first time that the City County Observer has been attacked electronically?…..that threatening emails have been sent, proprietary information has been the subject of attempted theft, and that the information has been turned over to law enforcement?….that intentional disruption of a website that generates income has been prosecuted for theft in some jurisdictions?…..that crime does not pay?…..that if you play with a firewall you just might get burned?

IS IT TRUE: Tuesday October 26, 2010

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Tuesday October 26, 2010

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Commissioners have taken the discussion about the $18 Million ball fields off of today’s agenda?…..that the City County Observer poll with the question “Do you approve of spending $18 Million on 8 ball fields at Robert’s Stadium Property”? has attracted 133 NO VOTES and only 21 YES VOTES as of 8:00AM this morning?…..that is roughly a 6 to 1 ratio rejecting the proposal to spend $18 Million on 8 ball fields?……that we have searched the country for $2 Million little league ball fields in a sports complex and have not found any?…..that the deferral of this discussion by the Vanderburgh County Commissioners will also defer the consideration of Vanderburgh County as a Recovery Zone?….that the 9th Ward of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is a real Recovery Zone?….that Vanderburgh County contains Johnson Place, Brentwood, Tall Timbers, Old Plantation, Carrolton Court, the Oaks, and Windsor Woods look more like Beverly Hills than they look like a RECOVERY ZONE? …..that voters would be shocked and amazed to discover who suggested declaring the entire county a RECOVERY ZONE?….that tomorrow’s scheduled meetings of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission and the Evansville Redevelopment Authority regarding the $18 Million ball fields HAVE BEEN CANCELLED?

IS IT TRUE that the readers of the City County Observer have rejected media endorsements as relevant to their decision on who to vote for?…..that if a person does not have the interest to research the candidates and the good sense to choose one in each race, then that person should just stay home and not vote?….that the results of the polls that our readers have responded to will be posted to the City County Observer website on Wednesday October 27th along with the consensus of the prediction of NINE (9) MOLES (3 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and 3 Independents)?……that our MOLES each are trying to topple MOLE #3 as Nostradamus of Local Politics by demonstrating a 100% accurate prediction?…..that our MOLES have some disagreements with our readers?….that the MOLES were stating their expectation of who will win and not their personal preferences?

Young Professionals Network Membership Meeting

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Join us this Thursday, October 21 for the first !

(If you do not consider yourself a young professional or are not interested in joining this group, please forward this e-mail to someone in your office who might benefit from it. Thank you!)
What Can The Chamber Do For YPs?
Thursday, October 21
5:30 p.m. Networking
6:00 p.m. Meeting
The Chamber Office, 318 Main Street, 4th Floor
Free-of-Charge

Join YPN for its monthly membership meeting to hear Chamber President & CEO, Matt Meadors, speak about what The Chamber can do for young professionals. Please click here for more information about YPN or this event.
ABOUT YPN
YPN is committed to attracting and retaining young professionals in Southwest Indiana. Critical success factors are providing young professionals with connections in the workforce and in the community and providing opportunities that help them grow and develop both personally and professionally and enhance their quality of life, which, in turn, will enhance the quality of life in Southwest Indiana.

History
Formerly known as Young Evansville Professionals, the organization was established by the Metropolitan Evansville Area Chamber of Commerce as an initiative resulting from recommendations from the Hudson Study regarding workforce. Thus began the charter and non-profit organization YEP on April 19, 2001.

After operating for nine years as a separate entity, in October 2010, the organization formally restructured as the Young Professionals Network under the umbrella of the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana.

Mission
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is dedicated to serving young professionals in Southwest Indiana by providing opportunities for professional development, civic and community involvement and networking. YPN is committed to broadening young professionals’ scope of influence, developing their personal and professional skills and engaging them in communities in Southwest Indiana through monthly membership meetings, social and community involvement events.

YPN meets every 3rd Thursday of the month with networking starting at 5:30 p.m. and the business meeting starting at 6:00 p.m. at The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana office, 318 Main Street, Suite 401.

For more information about YPN
Please visit www.ccswin.com/YPN or contact Carly Griffin, events manager, at 812.425.8147 or via e-mail at cgriffin@ccswin.com.

Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage Industrial Corridor Phase 5 is Complete

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(EVANSVILLE, IN) – October 18, 2010 – Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel held a ribbon cutting ceremony this afternoon to officially open Phase 5 of the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage Industrial Corridor. The ribbon cutting ceremony, which took place near the intersection of Uhlhorn and Grove streets, was attended by representatives of the Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation, Evansville Board of Park Commissioners, Greenway Advisory Board, Cedar Hall Association for Improvement of the Neighborhood (CHAIN), and other area neighbors. Industrial Corridor Phase 5 extends 0.81 miles from Dresden Street to Kratzville Road, creating a three-mile continuous stretch of Greenway Passage from Dresden Street to the Heidelbach Canoe Launch. Combined with the Riverfront Corridor, this brings the total mileage of completed Greenway to 5.5 miles.

“The City of Evansville is committed to cultivating an environment in which businesses and
people thrive, and continuing our aggressive efforts to extend the Pigeon Creek Greenway
Passage does just that,” said Mayor Weinzapfel. “Facilities like this don’t ‘just’ provide a safe
route for residents to walk or cycle. They are also proven to help communities attract and grow
businesses that provide good paying jobs, lessen negative impacts of vehicle traffic on the
environment, promote a healthy lifestyle, and enhance the community’s overall quality of life.”

Contracts on Industrial Corridor Phase 5 were awarded to Bernardin Lochmueller & Associates
(design and engineering), United Consulting (construction oversight), and Blankenberger
Brothers, Inc. (construction). The total cost of Industrial Corridor Phase 5 was estimated to be $1,554,606, with $1,356,631 covered by Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds and Transportation Community Service Program (TCSP) Grant funds; and $187,975 covered by local riverboat funds. Though
not all final costs are in, the project is expected to come in under budget. The project has also been completed ahead of schedule. When bids were opened on September10, 2009, construction was forecast to be completed in December 2010. This is the fourth section of the Greenway Passage to be completed since Mayor Weinzapfel took office: the Riverfront Corridor was completed in 2004, Industrial Corridor Phase 1 was
completed in 2007, and Industrial Corridor Phase 6 was completed in 2009. Construction on Industrial Corridor Phase 2, from Franklin Street to Maryland Street, is anticipated to be complete in June 2011. After Phase 2 is complete, only 0.75 miles will remain to “close the gap” between Phase 2 and Phase 5 and create a continuous 6.75-mile trail from Sunrise Park to the Heidelbach Canoe Launch.
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Take the Politics Out of Redistricting

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An Open Letter from Cheryl Musgrave

Dear friends,

As we get closer to Election Day, it’s time to consider some of the overlooked issues that your vote will decide. Among those is the fate of Indiana’s laws on redistricting. I believe that it’s time to reform our laws to make the process fairer and more transparent for voters.

The General Assembly redraws congressional and state legislative districts after each Census. That means that the legislators you elect this year for the State House of Representatives and the State Senate will decide whether Evansville remains in the Eighth Congressional District or gets shifted to the Ninth, and the boundaries of all state representative districts.

I think it’s time that we took politics out of redistricting and made the process simpler and more rational. The temptation for career politicians to guarantee their pension plans by engaging in an incumbent protection racket is too great. And the only losers in these political games are voters.

That’s why I endorsed Secretary of State Todd Rokita’s “Rethinking Redistricting” plan earlier this year. (You can learn more about the plan at www.RethinkingRedistricting.com.)

Secretary Rokita’s proposal ensures that communities are kept together and districts are drawn compactly. It also bars the use of political data, like voter registration totals, in creating new boundaries and “nest” two state House districts within one state Senate district.

These changes would make politicians run harder for their offices. By keeping communities together within the same district, our voices would be heard more clearly in Indianapolis. It would also make the process much simpler to administer (for election officials) and easier to understand (for the rest of us). In fact, I would go even further than Rokita in one regard: I support turning the process over to a non-partisan board, like the one in Iowa.

This stand isn’t popular with many politicians on both sides. They’re afraid to run in the more competitive districts that would result from this plan. But I believe that sometimes politics is too important to be left to the politicians. It ought to be in the hands of the voters. We will all benefit from a legislature that’s closer to the people’s wishes, instead of being subject to the whims of long-term legislators like Speaker Pat Bauer.

At the same time, the next General Assembly should reform our broken early voting system. It’s a shame that a single, unelected, Democratic member of the Warrick County elections board could veto the entire county’s right to have convenient early voting. I note that my opponent has never objected to this outcome.

I say that voters in Warrick and Vanderburgh Counties should have the same ability to vote when they want to. For me, it isn’t about partisan advantage: it’s about doing the right thing. That’s why, if elected, I will introduce a bill requiring county elections boards to work with school corporations, universities, and public libraries to create fair and efficient voting plans for every precinct in the state.

These are important issues. They affect the exercise of our fundamental right as Americans: the right to peaceably replace our government. You know where I stand on these issues, and I hope you’ll stand with me on Election Day.

Steven Lowell Smith, CPA, MBA

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Steven Lowell Smith, CPA, MBA

Poised, Practical, Financially Astute, and Ready to Serve Southwest Indiana

Growing up in Carmi, Illinois, Steve Smith enjoyed those times when he would travel with his family to the big city of Evansville Indiana for shopping, entertainment, and even medical care. Families like the Smiths, who hail from idyllic American small towns near Evansville’s are the kind of people that truly grow up appreciating the “big town” parts of Evansville that the smaller communities can’t offer.

At the age of 12, Steve’s mother passed away leaving him with more responsibility than is typical for a happy-go-lucky kid just entering his teenage years. Steve like most teenagers with responsibility sought employment at the local McDonald’s. Life’s lessons come in strange packages and many of Steve’s early lessons came wrapped in “golden arches”.

His boss, being a stickler for cleanliness and appearances made young Steve, pick up litter within two blocks of the restaurant. The lesson of course was that Gateway’s Matter, a lesson Mr. Smith still recognizes. The McDonalds experience also exposed Steve to the importance of process, attention to detail, financial management, and friendly customer service.

Steve embarked upon a quest for education that led him to be graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a BS in Accounting and on to Chicago’s prestigious DePaul University where he earned his MBA. Armed with ambition and good credentials, Mr. Smith established a distinguished career in the field of financial management serving with some of the best firms like American Express.

The excitement of the big city wore off and Steve felt the call of his home region. After living the life that investment banking offers and seeing some of the ways things are done in the world of big banking, Mr. Smith decided to come home to Southwest Indiana. Since coming home, he has become an entrepreneur in the field of financial management helping clients secure and protect their financial futures.

Steve having a servant’s demeanor has also developed an interest in good public policy with a particular interest in economic development. The accountant inside recognizes the tremendous potential that Southwest Indiana has with its strategic location and the upcoming completion of I-69. Of course Mr. Smith realizes that a quality available workforce, a favorable business climate, and affordable amenities are of importance as well. One of his mantras is “lifestyle is the tie-breaker”.

Steve Smith as a CPA and an MBA is uniquely qualified to understand the intricacies of increasingly complex economic development opportunities. “The companies who could bring us high tech manufacturing jobs, the people who are doing amazing things with cleaner coal technology, and alternative energy are 21st Century thinkers. They are going to want to live in a 21st Century, forward looking community. Certainly they will be looking for communities and states with low taxes and excellent infrastructure but also communities with great schools, good mass transit, organic food stores, biking and hiking trails and other amenities. I hope we can use our limited resources to bring these kinds of things to SW Indiana and win the tie breakers,” Steve said in a discussion on economic development.

He is in Southwest Indiana because he wants to be, he came here for the opportunity to serve, and is poised to make a profound positive difference as your Indiana State Representative.

Paid for and authorized by Steven Smith for State Representative Steven Smith Treasurer

Annual Report of the Chamber of Commerce of SW Indiana

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The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana’s Annual Report highlights The Chamber’s program of work over the past year in a beautiful, 25-page electronic publication. The Annual Report closely follows the Chamber’s strategic objectives, demonstrating the positive alignment between objectives, actions and outcomes.

http://issuu.com/chamberpublications/docs/2010ccswinannualreport?

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