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Bond Bank Votes to Bid on Knight Township Tax Warrants

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(EVANSVILLE, IN) – September 24, 2010 – The City of Evansville, by and through the Board
of Directors of the Evansville Local Public Improvement Bond Bank (Bond Bank), today voted
to bid on tax anticipation warrants expected to be offered for sale by Knight Township next
Thursday, September 30.
“One of the best things about Evansville is how we come together to help out friends, neighbors
and even complete strangers in times of need,” said Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. “By
committing to bid on these tax warrants, the City of Evansville is lending a hand not merely to
another government entity, but to the hard working families of Knight Township who depend on
the support and services the Township provides.”

Before the bids come due next Thursday, the Bond Bank will complete its analysis of Knight
Township’s cash flow needs to determine what is needed for Knight Township to operate
through the end of the year, being sure to not expose the Bond Bank to any risk.

The Bond Bank will not loan more than 80% of the tax levy or the maximum cash flow deficit
needed, as required by law. The Bond Bank also intends to work with the Vanderburgh County
Auditor to ensure that the Bond Bank is paid once the tax warrants are issued.

The Bond Bank will work closely with Knight Township officials and provide assistance and/or
recommendations regarding its budget. In addition, the Bond Bank intends to require Knight
Township to submit monthly reports, including a cash flow summary, to the Bond Bank for
review. Jenny Collins, Evansville City Controller, serves as Executive Director of the Bond
Bank and will spearhead oversight efforts.

2010 Vanderburgh County Democrat Party Event Schedule September 21, 2010

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9/21 5-7PM Gail Riecken Evening of Fun on the River – Restaurant at Marina Pointe 850 LST Dr. Refreshments and beverages, Corn Hole 20 minute Riverfront Boat Rides Sponsorship Levels: $50 Boatsman, $100 Mate, $150 Captain, $500 Admiral RSVP to megan.e.cotton@gmail.com

9/21 6:30-8PM Evansville For Change – Monthly Meeting Central Library – Browning Room A

9/22 5:30-8PM FOP Local # 73 & Firefighter’s Local #357 PAC questions and answers night. Hors D’oeuvers and drinks at 5:30pm. Endorsements will be given for the following offices: Sheriff, County Commissioner, County Council, Prosecutor, & Assessor. Held at 801 Court St. (812) 436-7951

9/23 4-6:30PM Steve Smith Fundraiser @ Rockport Inn 130 South 3rd St. Rockport Indiana $25 Suggested Donation Bronze and Silver sponsorships available RSVP via facebook or stevenlsmith58@gmail.com or call Pete Rapp at 483-5823

9/23 6:30-8:30PM UNOE – Candidates Night – Red Cross Building at 29 S. Stockwell Road = Township Trustee, Township Board, Prosecutor

9/24 8AM-5PM Williams for Sheriff Annual Golf Outing Eagle Valley Morning Flight Registration 7:30 AM – Shotgun Start 1PM Afternoon Flight Registration 12:30PM Shotgun Start 1PM for more info call 867-7311 info@williams4sheriff.org http://www.facebook.com/sheriffwilliams Foursome $300 Sponsorships – Eagle $300 Birdie $200 – Par $100

9/24 7PM Human Relations Commission Annual Banquet, featuring Dr. Cornel West and presentation of Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards. Friday, September 24, at 7 p.m. at The Centre. Tickets are $35 per person. Call the HRC at 436-4927 to obtain tickets, purchase an ad in the program, or sponsor a table.

9/25 10AM-6PM Haynie’s Corner Art Festival 2nd St. @ Adams Ave $5 Adults/Kids Free

9/25 8-10PM Sheriff Eric Williams and Gina Moore invite you to a fundraiser for Stan Levco for Prosecutor Location: The Pub Any contribution is welcome. Suggested contribution $25 Entertainment will be provided by Gina Moore of The Browne Sisters.

9/27 7-9PM Sam Locke For State Auditor Fundraiser Details @ Raffi’s 1100 North Burkhardt Road Suggested Donation $40 Appetizers and Beverages

9/28 TBD Maura Robinson For County Auditor Fundraiser-

9/29 6PM Central Labor Council Candidates Night – Labor Temple 210 N Fulton Ave

9/30 9AM Troy Tornatta Golf Scramble – Cambridge Golf Course – 9AM Shotgun Start http://www.gogoodgov.com $1,200 Tornatta Cup – Foursome Banner Display-Car Display – 2 Hole Sponsors
$500 Masters – Foursome- One Hole Sponsorship $150 Hole Sponsorship $100 Lone Duffers

9/30 4-6PM Stephanie Terry for County Council Fundraiser Evansville African American Museum Hosted by Nancy Drake, Gail Riecken & Diane Clements Sponsorship information forthcoming…

9/30 7PM 8PM The League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana Debate: Broadcast live broadcast on WNIN-PBS9.
State House District 75 (Open seat: Democrat Mike Goebel and Republican Ron Bacon)
District 77 (Rep. Gail Riecken, D-Evansville, and Republican Cheryl Musgrave)
District 76 (Democrat Steve Smith and Rep. Suzanne Crouch, R-Evansville)
State Senate District 49 Open seat: Democrat Patty Avery and Republican Jim Tomes

10/2 12-5PM Rick Riney For Perry Township Trustee Fundraiser – West Side Sportsman’s Club 1000 N Peerless Rd.

10/2 3-11PM Jazz, Wine & Arts Fest Downtown

10/2 6:30PM Steve Smith Fundraiser Details TBA

10/4 AM 1st Day a voter may vote absentee ballot in Election office

10/4 Close of Day Voter Registration Ends at close of business day

10/4-9 10AM-8PM West Side Nut Club Fall Festival

10/5 5:30-6:30PM The John F. Kennedy Club of Vanderburgh County – Monthly Meeting – Evansville Labor Temple – 210 N Fulton

10/8 Close of Day End of Pre-Election Campaign Finance Reporting

10/10 7AM YMCA Half-Marathon http://www.evansvillehalfmarathon.org/ The Evansville Half Marathon course starts atop Reitz Hill and winds down through the city of Evansville, Indiana

10/12 5:30 – 8PM SIBA Candidates Night – Holiday Inn – 4101 Hwy 41 N http://www.sibaonline.org 479-6026 to RSVP

10/13 5-7PM Kathryn Martin Fundraiser – Details TBA

10/13 6:30-7:30PM Vanderburgh County Democrat Club – Monthly Meeting Evansville Labor Temple

10/14 TBD Maura Robinson For County Auditor Fundraiser

10/14 5:15PM Teamsters Candidate Night @ Teamsters Hall 5:15 Cold Cuts 6PM Candidates Night

10/14 7PM 8PM The League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana Debate: Broadcast live broadcast on WNIN-PBS9.
District 2: Councilman Tom Shetler Jr., a Republican, and Democrat Hayden Barth
District 3: Councilwoman Stephanie Terry, a Democrat, and Republican Bill Kramer
District 4 (Councilman Russ Lloyd Jr., a Republican, and Democrat Tim Taylor)
District 2 (Commissioner Troy Tornatta, a Democrat, and Republican Marsha Abell)

10/15 12pm Deadline by noon to file pre-election campaign finance reports for all candidates and parties

10/15 8AM Weaver FORE Assessor II – Golf Outing

10/19 6:30-8PM Evansville For Change – Monthly Meeting Central Library – Browning Room A

10/21 8AM First day a confined voter, a voter caring for a confined person at a private residence, or a voter with disabilities may vote an absentee ballot before an absentee voter board at the voter’s residence or place of confinement

10/22 6PM UNOE Spark Plug Banquet – Walnut Room of Aztar Executive Conference Center Call 428-4243 for Info

10/24 1-4PM Coroner Annie Groves Annual Bean Soup – The Mosby’s River Camp 4803 Old Henderson Road – Bean Soup, Hot Dogs, & Soft Drinks – No Charge however, donations will be accepted.

10/25 5-8PM Stephanie Terry for County Council Fundraiser Gospel Night Club Great gospel music, food and conversation with your councilwoman!!!! Location & Ticket Info: TBA

10/25 MIDNIGHT Deadline by midnight (except for confined voter or voters caring for a confined person requesting delivery of a ballot by an absentee voter board), for the Clerk to receive mailed, hand-delivered, or faxed absentee ballot applications requesting to vote absentee by mail

10/28 PM (TBD) Maura Robinson For Auditor Fundraiser hosted by Erika Taylor and Robert Scott Wylie

10/30 7-10PM 2010 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner The Centre

11/1 NOON Deadline, by noon, for the clerk to receive mailed, hand-delivered, or faxed absentee ballot applications from confined voters or voters caring for a confined person requesting delivery of a ballot by an absentee delivery board

11/1 NOON Deadline, by noon, for a voter to vote an absentee ballot in the office of the circuit court clerk

11/1 Deadline for a confined voter, a voter caring for a confined person, or a voter with disabilities to vote an absentee ballot before an absentee board at the voter’s place of confinement

11/2 6AM-6PM General Election Voting: Polls Open 6am-6pm

11/2 6PM-10PM Election Return Results – Veterans Memorial Coliseum

11/9 5:30-6:30PM The John F. Kennedy Club of Vanderburgh County – Monthly Meeting – Evansville Labor Temple – 210 N Fulton

11/10 6:30-7:30PM Vanderburgh County Democrat Club – Monthly Meeting Evansville Labor Temple

11/12 NOON Deadline, by noon, for a voter to produce proof of identification to the county election board to validate their provisional ballot from the general election

11/16 NOON Deadline, by noon, for a candidate to file a verified election recount or contest petition

11/16 6:30-8PM Evansville For Change – Monthly Meeting Central Library – Browning Room A

12/1 8AM Voter Registration Opens

12/7 5:30-6:30PM The John F. Kennedy Club of Vanderburgh County – Monthly Meeting – Evansville Labor Temple – 210 N Fulton

12/8 6:30-7:30PM Vanderburgh County Democrat Club – Monthly Meeting Evansville Labor Temple

12/21 6:30-8PM Evansville For Change – Monthly Meeting Central Library – Browning Room A

12/31 Midnight End of Annual reporting period for 2010 for campaign finance reports for candidates and parties

VITAL RECORDS office will be CLOSED

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EVANSVILLE, September 20th 2010; 3 p.m.
Due to training on records database system changes, the Vanderburgh County Health Department VITAL RECORDS office will be CLOSED and no certificates will be issued on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th, 2010.

Dr. Ray Nicholson, VCHD Medical Officer, stressed the importance of the training. “It is important we properly train and familiarize our Vital Records staff with a new electronic records system that we are mandated to begin using soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this one day closing causes. “

The Chamber Interviews Candidates for Local & State Office

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During each election cycle, The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana is actively engaged in the election process by conducting surveys with candidates running for local and state office.

This year, volunteer members of the Government Affairs Committee conducted one-on-one video-taped interviews with candidates in select contested local and state legislative races. Interviews were conducted with candidates seeking the office of Vanderburgh County Assessor, Vanderburgh County Commissioner, Vanderburgh County Council, Indiana House of Representatives – District 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78, as well as Indiana Senate – District 49.

Video interviews can be accessed by clicking http://www.ccswin.com/news/2010ElectionInterviews.asp

Please note that the video content is property of The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana and is only for its authorized use.

The primary purpose of the interviews is to inform our membership and the general public on positions of candidates running for office. A secondary purpose is to provide The Chamber’s political action committee, Jobs for Southwestern Indiana (JPAC), with additional information for potential endorsements. JPAC will publicly announce its endorsements in late September.

For questions regarding video interviews, please contact Steve Schaefer, VP of Public Policy at sschaefer@ccswin.com or 812.421.5888.

WARRICK COUNTY DEMOCRATS BLOCK SATELLITE VOTING FOR THE 2010 GENERAL ELECTION

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Warrick County Republicans

Boonville – The Warrick County Election Board met last night to address several issues pertaining to the upcoming general election, including a resolution to provide Satellite Voting locations in Newburgh and Lynnville. The resolution, which required unanimous approval of the board, was defeated when Don Lee, the representative for the Warrick County Democrat Party, voted against the resolution. Board President Bernie Montgomery, a Republican appointee to the board, and Clerk Sarah Topper vote in favor of the resolution. The resolution, if passed, would have made the Ohio Township Central Library and the Lynnville Community Center available for voters to cast their ballots at those locations on October 19,21, 26 & 28 from noon until 6:00pm. One person, Bob Gober, appeared before the election board to voice opposition to the resolution, and expressed concern over the cost to operate the satellite locations. Several individuals supportive of the resolution, including Warrick County Republican Chairman Rick Martin, appeared at the meeting and addressed the board. Martin countered Gober’s cost concerns by pointing out that, in the Spring, the Clerk had advised that the cost to operate the Lynnville Satellite Office would amount to less than $1,000 and the cost to operate the Newburgh Satellite Office would be similar. Martin said that “[w]e need to be smart with our spending and cut wasteful items such as the duplication of poll workers on election day, so that we can spend taxpayer dollars on things like satellite voting that truly benefit the taxpayer.” After the meeting, Chairman Martin expressed his disappointment in the decision of the election board. “It seems like the Warrick County Democrats don’t want the voter’s to come to the polls and vote this fall. It’s a shame that the Democrat Party chooses to stand in the way of progress and is denying the voters of Warrick County access to satellite voting that was wildly successful in 2008 and will be available to voters in Vanderburgh County this fall.” Chairman Martin also indicated that we may not have heard the last of this issue yet: “After this setback, we are looking at our options, including the option of appealing the decision to the Warrick Circuit Court. In any event, I hope that the voters of Warrick County will not be deterred by the efforts of the Democrats and will come out and vote on Election Day.”

The Robert’s Stadium Ball Field Questions

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Should Evansville Bet the Farm on Youth Baseball and Softball?

By: Joe J. Wallace, Hadannah Business Solutions

My friend Steve Lowell Smith, Candidate for State Representative from District 78 and I attended the public forum together regarding the proposal to construct 8 baseball fields on the Robert’s Stadium site. We stuck it out to the end of what turned out to be a 6 1/2 hour meeting that was at times torturous and at other times the best entertainment in Downtown Evansville on a Wednesday night. I can’t speak for Steve but I learned many things about the project and the people who showed up to share their opinions.

I was pleased at the level of transparency that David Dunn and his experts gave when questions were asked. Many times the answers were “I don’t know”, “no, we did not consider that”, or even “no, but thank you for the suggestion”. This was not back room politics in action as we have become accustomed to and even as this particular project is reported to have been for the past year. This was an interactive community forum and people were for the most part attentive and respectful.

Act One: David Dunn and the Scientists

The show was opened up by David Dunn’s PowerPoint presentation that has been posted on the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau (ECVB) website for some time now. After his well rehearsed presentation, Mr. Dunn called upon a battery of seasoned engineers from the Evansville engineering firm of Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates (BLA) to instruct the assembly of citizens on the environmental concerns that have been expressed with respect to the effects that the ball fields may have on Wesselman Park. I hold a Master’s in Engineering and completely understood the presentations that included tutorials on sound pressure measurement, decibels, logarithms, attenuation, light pollution, drainage, plants that survive in rain gardens and suppress fertilizer migration, and high tech synthetic turf. I gave me flashbacks of Dr. Hartsaw’s classes at UE and Dr. Pauling’s lectures at Stanford. It also reminded me of why I slept in a class or two and took much liberty when it came to class attendance.

Engineering is a dry subject even to engineers. Most of the attendees did not come to this meeting for the purpose of being lectured on how to measure sound pressure and add logarithms. Many of the attendees were annoyed by the nature and length of the presentations and became agitated and restless. There was even an outburst or two to spice things up. The people were fully justified in their restlessness. It is important to prepare for the audience that one will be addressing and there was no reason to expect that many of the attendees would have either an interest or an understanding of advanced engineering details. Some recordings and a few pictures could have made the point sufficiently to the residents and environmentalists who came for a much different purpose.

I am convinced at this point that the noise, light, traffic, etc. will not be made worse at Wesselman Park due to this project. The staff of BLS was both comprehensive and detailed in presenting their findings. With the last logarithmic graph, act one was concluded and it was time for the citizens of Evansville to have their say. Thirty five people including myself signed up to speak.

Act Two: The Citizens Speak

There were two distinct and separate types of speakers with opinions and esoteric information that they could not wait to share. On the left were the people mostly from the neighborhoods around Roberts who were there to oppose the proposed ball fields. On the right were representatives of groups that have endorsed the proposal, the most notable of which was Dr. Vince Bertrum, Superintendent of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation who along with a posse of EVSC administrators and some youth sports coaches expressed support for the proposed ball fields. Let the games begin.

If I thought that the engineering lectures were a challenge, I was certainly not prepared for what followed. The citizens of Evansville who spoke were for the most part well prepared with arguments of many types including one gentleman who delivered a lecture on the far reaching effects of the extinction of the Dodo Bird on the plant life of the Mauritius Islands. The lesson he taught was that messing with Mother Nature can sometimes have catastrophic unintended consequences. One elderly lady delivered a long lecture on the history of how Wesselman Park and Woods came to be. She started in the late 1700’s and ended on Wednesday night. Perhaps the most entertaining speaker from the opposition was a spirited lady who had a shirt that had “It’s a Dunn Deal” written on the back. She approached Mr. Dunn from the lectern and let him know that she had immortalized him with that shirt before delivering an unexpectedly entertaining lecture on how a mother hawk controlled pigeons in Downtown Evansville until the hawk’s habitat was destroyed. This lady was a master communicator and taught with humor and enthusiasm. She closed with an innovative solution on how to save money on tearing down Robert’s Stadium by putting pictures of hated people on the walls and letting people wail away with sledge hammers.

It would be easy for some to be dismissive of the 25 plus people who spoke in opposition to the proposal and some did speak in a dismissive tone. That was a mistake. These are people who love their homes, their neighborhood, Wesselman Park, and the City of Evansville. They took the time to prepare, endured the science lectures, and delivered their positions with passion and common sense. Flaunting the fruits of noble birth and rubbing the salt into the earth has no place in community forums. These people deserve respect most of them earned mine.

Act Three: The Finances

I see at this point how what has been widely characterized as “just 8 ball fields” can be enhanced enough to cost $18 Million. The story boards and renderings look first class. If built, this Park will be quite pleasant. I can see where it would cost $18 Million to construct what has been proposed.

If Evansville ever becomes a wealthy city and $18 million is simply pocket change, I will be on board to support this proposal. Evansville however is not affluent and nothing is on the economic horizon to change that status, so financially I am still among the bearish skeptics. If Evansville proceeds with this, all of our eggs and all of our future eggs from a tourism attraction perspective will be in the youth baseball and softball basket.

That financial reality came out during questioning when it was revealed that $18 million is essentially the maximum amount of money that the ECVB is capable of borrowing based on the $1.5 million per year that is projected to be available from the innkeeper’s tax. The proposal is to max the ECVB credit card out to do this project. No funds will be available for other projects for many years if the choice to proceed with this proposal is made. One may ask exactly what opportunities we may miss out on if we do this. The answer is all of them.

Further questioning with respect to security features, number of bleachers, etc. lead to the obvious conclusion that this Park is not yet designed to the point that a believable quote is in anyone’s hand. Knowing that, what happens if there are cost overruns? What happens if the $18 million is not enough money to complete the project and the project is not finished when credit limit is reached and the next charge gets declined. That is a real concern with a higher than acceptable probability of occurring.
There needs to be a substantive quote on the renderings with the not yet designed safety features, bleachers, etc. in place. We do not want to be sold on a first class park only to have the rug pulled out from under us after construction has begun and settle for a ho-hum park. We have been down that path already this year with the Executive Inn’s disappearing stars and the failure of the financing. It has been over two years since we were seduced by beautiful renderings of a 4-Star hotel costing $35 Million fully financed by private money. We learned last month that the renderings and announcements of 2008 were about as realizable as the promises of the Wizard of OZ. At this point, the City of Evansville is soliciting a cast of developers to metaphorically bring them the broomstick of the Witch of the West. The broomstick of course is a fully financed Convention Hotel.

My second concern is just how solid the $1.5 million per year innkeeper’s tax is? The historical data includes years when the Executive Inn was in operation and conventions were more abundant. That cash cow from a tax perspective is currently out to pasture and not giving any milk. The danger of course is that if the $1.5 million becomes $1 million because of the loss of room nights and the economy stays depressed, someone has to pay for the shortage. The ECVB will not have the capacity to pay so who will backstop the debt service? All fingers pointed to David Dunn as the head of the ECVB at Wednesday’s meeting. It is easier to point fingers now that it will be to make up the shortage if the revenue from the innkeepers tax is even slightly disrupted.

The Value Proposition: A Derivative by any other name is still a Derivative

Mr. Dunn was asked if he had to invest the $18 Million himself, would it be a worthwhile investment. He responded enthusiastically “yes because it will yield $10 Million per year”. I think he must have misunderstood the question. Mr. Dunn, in his presentation projected that 100,000 visitors will come to the ball fields per year and spend $10 Million in Evansville businesses. That does not go into the coffers of government or into the ECVB; it is projected to go into the cash registers of local businesses. Government will “derive” income from this economic activity, thus the value to government or the ECVB is determined by derived income. That makes this a derivative play as far as the direct ROI is concerned.

If $10M is spent then $700,000 is collected in sales taxes and shipped off to Indianapolis. If $3Million of that is spent on lodging then an additional $240,000 is collected in innkeeper’s taxes. If Evansville businesses make profits of $1M (10%) on those sales then $34,000 of income tax is sent off to Indianapolis and $10,000 is collected by Vanderburgh County in County Option Income Tax (COIT).

Now, if all of this comes true as the PowerPoint states and 100,000 people really materialize (Owensboro draws about 40,000 per year to their parks), Evansville business benefits and the bond payments will be covered. The value while indirect may justify the investment but the direct “value” to the ECVB will not. The sustainability and maintenance of these ball fields will need to be derived from external sources like the innkeeper’s tax and facilities use fees.

What Next?

The Park as it is called is a wonderful project for an affluent town with a well endowed CVB that does not have to max out its credit card to make it happen. The citizens in opposition expressed discontentment with the fact that they perceive that this project and other local projects are just crammed down their throats. I must say I see why they feel that way from the tone of the meeting. I also have to wonder if Evansville can attract $10 Million in outside spending in a way that costs less than $18 Million to realize. I am interested if a real quote done at another site like the Goebel Soccer Complex would be less expensive or if a phased approach would defer some of the cost to a later date when some success has been proven.

The next step really should be to get a handle on the real cost. Much money has already been spent on engineering studies (hearsay is about $400,000) that are specific to this site. More will need to be done. Getting a handle on any further actions should be imperative before proceeding. Evansville cannot afford another Executive Inn style ready, fire, aim situation. The ECVB and the majority of the citizens of Evansville who spoke on Wednesday night are at an impasse. I am not sure what the real majority of the citizens of Evansville are thinking about this ball field project. I am not even sure which way the 3rd Ward City Council member Wendy Bredhold , the other members of the City Council, the Vanderburgh County Commissioners and County Council, or even Mayor Weinzapfel are leaning with respect to this project. I do not recall any published opinions from any of them.

What I am sure of is that projects like this need and deserve the support of the citizens to be successful and that the only way to really get a handle on that is through further discussions. Dr. Vince Bertram made the right decision last year by calling for a referendum prior to commencing the construction of the new North High School. It is clear that the majority of citizens support the new North High School. The Arena on the other hand is something that even though it is nearing completion it still does not enjoy verified majority support of the citizenry of Evansville. That mystery will never be resolved and there will always be those who argue both sides. A referendum would have put this question to rest.

As the decision to go forward with the ball fields will consume all of the funding that is available for brick and mortar tourism projects for the foreseeable future, establishing majority support of the citizens would not only be advisable but it would aid the success of the project. Of course there are those who will never be convinced and they are vocal. There are those like Dr. Bertram who are fully supportive. It would be best for us all if there was a clear quantifiable majority in support of this project before proceeding. After all, Evansville will be “all in” if the decision is made to proceed.

There were some discussions regarding favorable bonding opportunities that expire this year creating a sense of hurry to issue the bonds. In all reality, rushing to borrow money to meet a deadline for a project that is not completely thought out is not much different that taking advantage of a 0% credit card deal to do something that you will regret later. There is really no urgency to rush this and there is another year to enjoy Robert’s Stadium’s.

Is it really worth maxing out Evansville CVB’s credit card to do this project? Can’t we do this without breaking the ECVB’s bonding capacity to do so? With a little innovation, I say we can, and we can do it with majority public support.

Public Testing of the voting equipment

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Notice is hereby given that the Public Test of the automatic tabulating equipment and the electronic voting systems to be used at the Vanderburgh, Indiana General Election on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, will be conducted in the Election Office, Room 214, Civic Center Complex, 1 NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., on Friday, September 24th at 2:00 PM. The Public Test is open to the General Public. Indiana Code (IC 3-11-13-22) and (IC 3-11-14.5)

Supporting the Rule of Law in Mexico

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Greg Zoeller


Lee H. Hamilton
By Greg Zoeller and Lee H. Hamilton

When blessed with the justice system we are privileged to enjoy in Indiana and the United States, it is easy to take for granted the freedoms, rights and protections embodied in our founding principles such as our Constitution. One only need look south to our neighbors in Mexico to see the serious problems that occur when a system of justice is in crisis, under attack by criminals and undermined from within.

In recent months, it has been disturbing to watch the horrific violence and bloodshed in Mexico as the war escalates between organized, well-funded drug cartels and the Mexican federal government. Law-abiding civilians who want only to lead quiet lives free of violence often become victims of this drug war. After a summer of grisly killings in Northern Mexico near the U.S. border, last month 72 migrant workers were found executed in Tamaulipas, victims of the drug-war slaughter. Mayors, political candidates and investigators have been assassinated, and the Mexican news media often self-censors, out of fear of retaliation if it reports the details of killings.

Amid this loss of basic order, Mexico’s police agencies, under great stress, have fallen short and its criminal court system is unable to fully cope with the violence, meaning the guilty too often escape justice and the innocent are wrongly accused.

In light of the economic ties of trade and the concerns about illegal immigration, drug trafficking and human smuggling into our country, it is clear that Mexico’s problems are Indiana’s problems as well. It seems to us that as attorneys and public servants, we have a duty to assist our beleaguered neighbors.

To that end, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office has agreed to participate in a program Congress funded that will provide training assistance to legal professionals in Mexico who want to fundamentally reform their justice system. This comes as Mexico transitions from a Spanish inquisitional style of justice to an American-style legal system of oral argument under a 2008 amendment to the Mexican Constitution.

Under an agreement signed by Indiana’s Attorney General, Greg Zoeller, and the Attorney General of the Mexican state of Baja California, Rommel Moreno Manjarrez, officials from Mexico will be brought to Indiana the week of September 26 to learn more about criminal justice in our state and federal systems. During this “Rule of Law” program, 40 prosecutors and 40 police investigators from Mexico will be trained by deputy attorneys general, prosecutors, judges, and lawyers from throughout Indiana about the workings of our courts and our legal procedures.

This training is funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development and not through state tax dollars, but the benefit to Hoosiers is that it will provide for our Mexican visitors a concrete example of a legal system that enjoys public legitimacy and stability. Our experience inside and outside of Congress has convinced us that such exchanges can encourage reform.

We must support the efforts of other countries who hope to model their efforts upon our own judicial system, which although not perfect, has stood the test of time and has been a beacon of hope to many. And we should have a greater appreciation for our own law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges who work hard every day to provide for Indiana’s system of justice.

Greg Zoeller is attorney general of Indiana. Lee H. Hamilton is a former U.S. representative from Indiana who recently retired as president and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and who is currently the director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University

Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana has several exciting events planned

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The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana has several exciting events planned in the near future. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us at one or all of these excellent networking opportunities!

Annual Meeting & Dinner – Tuesday, October 12
The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana hosts its Annual Meeting & Dinner in order to communicate the issues and initiatives that The Chamber has undertaken or supported over the past year.

The Chamber also presents its Annual Awards at this gathering in order to recognize Chamber members for their valuable service and leadership.

This is truly the networking event of the year with over 1,000 people expected to attend!

Tom Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will serve as the Keynote Speaker and Governor Mitch Daniels will serve as the Guest Speaker.

Annual Meeting & Dinner
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Centre, Downtown Evansville
5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception with Cash Bar
6:30 p.m. Annual Meeting & Dinner Program
The cost is $75 per Chamber member; $750 per table of 10; and $150 per non-member.

For more information and/or to reserve your seat for this important gathering, please contact Carly Griffin, events manager, at 812.425.8147 or via e-mail at cgriffin@ccswin.com.

Last minute registration available for Wind Supply Chain Workshop!

The Wind Supply Chain Workshop will be held this Thursday, September 16 from 7:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Centre in Downtown Evansville.

The workshop will explain:
Market opportunities, trends and resources;
Anatomy of a wind turbine;
Structure of the supply chain;
Challenges for manufacturers;
How to connect with the industry.
Click here for more information and a full agenda.

What Can The Chamber Do For You? (FREE LUNCH!) – Wednesday, October 6

Join your fellow Chamber members for a FREE monthly luncheon called What Can The Chamber Do For You?

This luncheon is held on the first Wednesday of each month and explains benefits of Chamber membership that you may not even know about! The next lunch will be held on Wednesday, October 6 at 11:30 a.m. at The Chamber office.

Members are encouraged to attend one session per year to learn about the many benefits of Chamber membership, including the following:

Member Discount Programs
Advertising Opportunities
Networking Opportunities
Chamber iPhone Application
Miscellaneous Benefits

Seating is limited to the first 45 registrants per month and LUNCH IS FREE! For more information or to register for this event, please contact Carly Griffin, events manager, at 812.425.8147 or via e-mail at cgriffin@ccswin.com.

Posey County Committee Golf Scramble – October 6

You are invited to the 2010 Posey County Committee Golf Scramble! Join your fellow Chamber members for a beautiful, Fall day on the golf course! The day includes 18 holes of golf, dinner, prizes and awards.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Western Hills Country Club
1725 Country Club Road, Mt. Vernon, Indiana

Foursome plus hole sponsorship………………………….$410
Foursome ………………………………………………………..$320
Individual ………………………………………………………..$80

Noon Shotgun Start
5:00 p.m. Social Hour
6:00 p.m. Dinner/Prizes/Awards

Space sells quickly, so make your reservation today!

Not a golfer? Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you are interested in donating a door prize, a giveaway bag item or sponsoring a hole, please contact the Posey County office at 812.838.3639.

To reserve your foursome or to be a hole sponsor, please contact Tiffani Weatherford, Posey County administrative director, at 812.838.3639 or via e-mail at tweatherford@ccswin.com, no later than Friday, October 1.

Business Exchange – Thursday, October 7

Join over 75 of your fellow Chamber members at next month’s Business Exchange.

Business Exchanges are the perfect way to meet new business contacts in a relaxed atmosphere. Join us at Fox & Hound on Thursday, October 7 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. for FREE food, a cash bar and networking.

SBDC Event Calendar

Business Writing Skills Workshop

Patti Ladato – How to Present Your Ideas Professionally…and Get Results!
Date: 09/22/2010
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Mead Johnson Nutrition, Bldg 35 Conference Center 2400 West Lloyd Expressway Evansville, IN 47721
Price: NACM MEMBER $39.00, 3 or MORE attendees, same company, $29.00 each NON-MEMBERS $49.00, 3 or MORE attendees, same company, $39.00 each

EHRA Seminar – Workplace Violence & the New Gun Laws

Workplace violence can strike anywhere and no workplace is immune. This seminar gives insight into legal factors including the new Indiana IC 34-28-7 law, signs of potential violence and preventive actions employers may take to assist in protecting their workplace.
Date: 9/23/2010
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana/Southwestern Indiana SBDC 318 Main Street, Suite 401 – Training Room (Innovation Pointe) Downtown Evansville
Price: $20.00

Internet Marketing 101

How to get the most bang for your buck using the Internet
As a local business, how can you use the internet to grow your business, attract new prospective buyers that are in the market for your products & services, build strong relationships with those in your customer base, spread your company message to build brand awareness and improve your company image. It’s a deep and complex digital age we live and work in.
Date: 9/28/2010
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana – Southwestern Indiana SBDC
Price: FREE

For more information and or to reserve a seat for any of these gatherings, please contact Debbie Albin, SBDC administrative assistant/training coordinator, at 812.425.7232 or via e-mail at dalbin@ccswin.com.

The Southwestern Indiana Small Business Development Center is hosted by The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana.

ATHENA Awards to be held on Friday, Oct. 22

The 21st Annual ATHENA Awards program will be held on Friday, October 22 at The Centre. The ATHENA Award will be presented in conjunction with the Evansville Women’s Conference.

The ATHENA Award Luncheon, presented by the ATHENA Award Committee, A Network of Evansville Women (ANEW), Evansville Courier & Press and The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana, honors both women and men who have achieved excellence in their profession or life’s work, devoted time and effort in their communities to improve the quality of life for others, and actively helped women realize their full leadership potential.

Past ATHENA nominees have included business people, government employees, police, health care professionals and members of the academic community.

Tickets are $35 per person or $350 per table of 10. To purchase tickets, please contact Carly Griffin, events manager, at The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana at 812.425.8147 or via e-mail cgriffin@ccswin.com.

Chamber Trip to Ireland – Spring 2011

FREE Pre-Tour Briefing on Thursday, October 14 at The Chamber!

The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana, in partnership with Collette Vacations and Ambassador Travel, will host a Chamber Trip to Ireland in 2011. This 10 day trip will depart on March 26 and return on April 4.

Highlights include:
Dublin · Irish Evening · Kilkenny · Waterford Crystal · Blarney Castle Jaunting Car Ride · Ring of Kerry · Killarney · Farm Visit · Limerick Cliffs of Moher · Galway Castle Stay
Cost:
Per Person Rates: Double $2,949; Single $3,399; Triple $2,919

What’s Included:
· Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $100 (subject to increase until paid in full)
· Round Trip Airfare from Evansville Regional Airport
· Hotel stays
· 13 Meals (8 Breakfasts & 5 Dinners)

Posey County Voter’s Forum

Hosted by The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana and the Mt. Vernon Democrat

When: Thursday, October 14, 2010
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Posey County Community Center, 111 Harmony Township Road, New Harmony, IN

Candidates from various parties and races will speak and answer questions before an audience of voters. Posey County Circuit Court Judge James Redwine will serve as the event’s moderator and questions will be asked by Mount Vernon Democrat Community Editor Sara Manifold. Candidates in opposed races will be given 90 seconds for an opening statement. Each candidate will then be given two minutes to answer each question. Unopposed candidates will be given two minutes to address the audience.

If you would like to submit a question for a candidate, please do so by Monday, October 2, 2010.

This event is FREE!

For more information or to submit questions, contact Tiffani Weatherford, Posey County administrative director, at 812.838.3639 or via e-mail at tweatherford@ccswin.com.
TSWTN Event – “Winning the Intellectual Property Game in Foreign Markets: How to Use International IP Rules to Your Advantage”
Has your company adopted an appropriate game plan to protect its trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights abroad?

The Tri-State World Trade Network (TSWTN) is pleased to announce its upcoming fourth quarter seminar, “Winning the Intellectual Property Game in Foreign Markets: How to Use International IP Rules to Your Advantage”, featuring Luz Aurora Lettiere. During this informative seminar, you will learn about various types of intellectual property rights and gain a working knowledge of the kinds of IP issues that you should consider and resolve prior to conducting business in foreign countries.

Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: The Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana (4th Floor, Innovation Pointe)
Cost: $35
Program includes a continental breakfast.

To register, contact Julie Ko, manager of business services, at 812.425.8147 or via e-mail at jko@ccswin.com.

Tri-State Manufacturers’ Alliance (TSMA) Fourth Quarter Event
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Ivy Tech Auditorium
7:30 am – 9:30 am
Cost: FREE to TSMA members; $40/person for non-TSMA members

TSMA is pleased to host national automotive experts from the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) to discuss the state of the industry. Mr. Kim Hill is CAR’s Director of the Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP), and he, along with several colleagues, will speak about the importance of communities embarking on a common course to bring new investment to the region. The Great Lakes-based ACP helps communities understand an automotive industry facing the many challenges of global competition, and its expert staff can help teach our region’s businesses how to adapt and respond to the challenges and opportunities that currently exist in the industry.

For more information or to reserve a seat, please contact Julie Ko, business services manager, at 812.425.8147 or via e-mail at jko@ccswin.com.

Sobriety Checkpoint September 17, 2010

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Sobriety Checkpoint