Investments and Innovation Save Bloomington Manufacturing Jobs
According to Inside Indiana Business, General Electric’s Appliance manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Indiana has made investments and improved efficiencies to not only save the 550 jobs that were slated for elimination in 2008 but to add 200 more jobs during the next two years. Dirk Bowman, who was the plant manager when GE made the initial decision to shutter the place is now general manager for all of the plants for GE. Bowman expressed particular delight in seeing the Bloomington facility turn things around with innovation and upgrading the skills of the workforce to once again face the future with optimism for prosperity.
The full text of the article along with some video interviews is available on the following link:
IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer has received lots of emails regarding further follow-up on the expenses of the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee?…that we previously disclosed that a couple of candidates who were listed as recipients seem to have some disagreement with what they actually received?…that our reader and frequent commenter Outside_Observer posted the following?
“Actually–this is incredibly easy to verify. Just check those other Democrats’ own campaign filings to see if the Weinzapfel “contributions†show up. If they appear, then this story probably isn’t going anywhere. If there is a discrepancy, then Weinzapfel and his backers might have a serious problem. Hmmmmm……wonder why the Courier hasn’t picked up on this story?â€
IS IT TRUE that we agree completely with the post from Outside_Observer and intend to go to the appropriate government office to verify whether or not the following candidates that the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee listed on their expense disclosure reported a contribution of the same amount on their own disclosure documents?…that 18 local candidates received a total of $12,700 from the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee according to the disclosure documents?… that the total is a paltry amount when compared to the total contributions made by that committee?
IS IT TRUE that the following list of contributions were listed in the expense section of the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee’s disclosure document?…that we will make haste in either verifying these contributions or reporting on any discrepancies that we find?
Mike Goebel: $3,000 Indiana House of Representatives
Trent Van Haafton: $1,000 United States House of Representatives
Russ Stillwell: 1,000 Indiana House of Representatives
Gail Riecken: $1,000 Indiana House of Representatives
Bob Deig: $1,000 Indiana House of Representatives
Patty Avery $1,000 Indiana Senate
Stan Levco: $1,000 Vanderburgh County Prosecutor
Jonathan Weaver: $850 Vanderburgh County Assessor
Troy Tornatta: $500 Vanderburgh County Commissioner
Stephanie Terry: $500 Vanderburgh County Council
Mara Robinson: $250 Vanderburgh County Auditor
Steve Smith: $500 Indiana House of Representatives
Hayden Barth: $100 Vanderburgh County Council
Rick Riney: $100 Township Trustee
Bob Mangold: $100 Township Trustee
Tim Taylor: $100 Vanderburgh County Council
Kathryn Martin: $100 Township Trustee
Mary Hart: $100 Township Trustee
IS IT TRUE that the University of Evansville Purple Aces delivered another pleasant Sunday surprise win?…that yesterday’s win over the Bradley Braves keeps the Aces above the 500 mark with a 10 – 9 record?…that a winning 2010 – 2011 season is a definite possibility?
IS IT TRUE that balloons, bands, and billboards were the feature distractions at Vanderburgh County Commissioner Lloyd Winnecke’s announcement party for his candidacy for Mayor of Evansville under the Republican banner last Saturday morning at Central High School?…that during his speech that Commissioner Winnecke mentioned a need for “laser focus†in the area of job creation?…that from a 10,000 foot perspective that is pretty well known?…that specific policies with details in a job creation plan is step one in knowing where to focus that laser?…that the City County Observer welcomes position papers on job creation from Commissioner Winnecke, from Vanderburgh County Treasurer Rick Davis, and from anyone else who decides to toss their hat into the Mayor of Evansville ring this year?…that the CCO will publish any such plan from any candidate on the front page the day it is received?
The article was front page titled, “US Factories Buck Decline.” The Factory in the article, is Whirlpool! The City is Cleveland, Tennessee. The paper is the Wall Street Journal! Here is a link to the story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704029704576088412618821224.html
Why, would one of the World’s largest newspapers contribute a two page article with a photo and bar-graphs for this story?
Well, lets see what they have to say:
“Although, the labor costs would be lower in Mexico, Whirlpool found lots of reasons to stay in Cleveland, Tenn.. It already had a trained work force there and wouldn’t need to pay severance costs. Freight costs would be lower since most of the plants products are already sold in the USA. Also, our country looked safer than Mexico, with all of their drug-related violence. But most of all the local community leaders and political leaders got involved to keep the industry in Cleveland, Tennessee.”
Whereas, our City political climate is always, “what can business do for us, ” the model of Cleveland was, ” what can we do for Whirlpool!” The plant in Cleveland which hired over 1600 laborers was old and in need of repairs. The leadership of Cleveland approached Whirlpool with $30,000,000 in incentives, and tax breaks! The leadership of Cleveland knows it is easier to keep an industry, than to replace an industry. Whirlpool responded with a bid to build a new 120 million dollar plant for its cooking products.
Locally, Evansville’s Whirlpool manufacturing operation was unique in every way. It possessed the top engineering, design and labor force in the industry. Plus, two Universities and trade schools. Our location is near the center of the country’s population. The large production plant was located next to an Airport, on a major rail line, a north to south major highway and next to two interstates, a manufacturer’s dream location And the present facility was keep in good shape by the local management. So, why did Whirlpool have such a change of heart for Cleveland, but not Evansville?
We can’t blame the local unions this time, they already made concession after concessions. Plus, they were willing to make even more if they could keep the company here. No, it was simply no leadership from our city government! It was not present, not now or in the past six years. Never, can I remember when local government was so distance from the needs of businesses and manufacturers in Evansville. When Whirlpool needed the most attention, our City officials were busy putting together a 117 page study for an arena which the citizens of Evansville did not want, and expanding more recreational facilities for a city that has lost a third of its population in my life time. The Mayor was much too busy for Whirlpool and the other dozen industries that have closed their doors during his term. Most City officials would be crying in their beer, but we lost that business too, so lets just order more wine and wonder why?
There is an old cliche’ throw the bums out! Our city Council members should not be asked to resign, they should do it voluntarily so the new Mayor can some make some progress without all of this never-ending political baggage!
I spent 40 years at Whirlpool, 17 in the plant and 23 in Corporate Management.
The Vanderburgh County Veterans Council had a busy year in 2010
By: Stephen Melcher
The year started off with a letter from Mark Acker. Mark is the Veterans Services Officer for Vanderburgh County. In his letter, he indicated his retirement and requested the Veterans Council to recommend and endorse the current Assistant Director Jay Ball to the Director position. After his promotion, he will be the Services Officer and Tami Fehn-Cassidy, currently the Secretary should be appointed Assistant Director.
The Veterans Council is interested in continuing the quality of service provided by Mark and his staff, therefore the Council recommend and endorse the appointment of Jay Ball to Veterans Services Officer and Tami Fehn-Cassidy to Assistant Veterans Services Officer. Jay has 12 years experience in his position and Tami has 5 years experience. Jay and Tami know the veterans, the community, and the system. This would ensure the continuation of services to the veterans, their spouses, and their children. Mark’s passion for our Veterans over the past 26 years will be missed!
After several months the County Council finally promoted Jay Ball to Services Officer. Tami, (not a veteran) was not promoted to Assistant Services Officer, as stated by the Council; due to the hiring freeze. The county hiring freeze put a hold on the Veterans Services office. The Veterans Council tried to convince the County Council to move Tami to the assistant director’s position so the Secretary position would open up to a Veteran. In order to have a smooth transition, Tami & Jay would have been available to train the incoming Secretary if they had been promoted sooner.
In December, 2010 Jay Ball turned in his retirement letter to the County Council & County Commissioners effective 21 January, 2011. The County Council after receiving his letter promoted Tami to Assistant Director in January 2011 and gave the o.k. to hire Paul Dupont, a veteran as Secretary starting on 31 January 2011. Paul will remain Secretary until he can take the position as Director in a few months. This then will leave the position of Secretary open for a Veteran to fill as soon as possible!.
Larry Bucshon, Candidate for 8th District Congress, was at the 1 April, 2010 Council meeting for a presentation on issues important to veterans. A question and answer session followed. Trent Van Hafften, Candidate for 8th District Congress, was at the 2 September, 2010 Council meeting for a presentation on issues important to veterans. A question and answer session followed.
In July, 2010 Chris Cook Superintendent of Cemeteries for the City of Evansville reported that both Civil War Cannons in Oak Hill Cemetery had been repaired and in place for Memorial Day services.
Marine Corps League 1090 Color Guard participated in the parade and presented the Colors for the ceremony at Old National Bank patio, for The 4th of July Freedom Celebration. Commander Melcher was the MC and gave the main address.
Veterans Day: The Veterans Council ceremony was held on 11 November, 2010 at Oak Hill Cemetery. Commander Melcher the MC and the main address given by Barb Kortz member of the Marine Corps League 1090, Devil Dogs and Woman Marines Association. A special tribute from JR Shembre a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Mayor Weinzapfel gave the Mayor’s Veteran of the Year Award to Paul Dupont.
The Veterans Council gave a special “Thank You†to the Rotary Club for the renovation of the Women’s Bathroom in the Coliseum. (Mark Acker did the contracting for the project $ 28,000.00) They are looking into raising funds to redo the men’s bathroom.
Stephen R Melcher
Commander Vanderburgh County Veterans Council
US Army Veteran
Sgt First Class E-7
Indiana Kelley School of Business graduate and CEO of Cisco Systems John Chambers joined GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt and Xerox CEO Ursula Burns for a panel discussion on the state of the American economy and the vital aspects of innovation and freedom to solve our current economic crisis. The two minute introduction brings together what has made our nation great and exposes what our political leaders are missing when it comes to leading a sustainable recovery. Here are some excerpts.
“The American Dream, the Dream of Progress on Your Own Terms and Merits is in Trouble”
“It is time to Re-embrace Change and Celebrate another great American Tradition, the Comeback”
It is not too late to change course”
“The American Culture of Freedom and Innovation is Under Threat like Never Before”
“Innovation has Created New Job Opportunities”
“In Washington, some Lawmakers have forgotten what has made America Great”
Please watch the 2 minute introduction to the panel discussion.
IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer article about the poor planning that led the City of Louisville to have to embark upon a $2 Million upgrade to assure that the new arena is capable of supporting the demand for cellular phone service during events has struck a sore nerve among our readers?….that several readers have let us know that during the world famous Westside Nut Club Fall Festival that it is near impossible to place calls or send text messages in a timely manner?…that on any given night the number of people attending the Fall Festival is roughly equivalent to the number of seats in the new Evansville Arena?…that during normal times that the cellular service along Franklin Street is better than the cellular service along Main Street?…that one reader also pointed out that Roberts Stadium did some retrofitting several years ago to correct a problem with limited cell phone service in the stadium?….that at least Roberts has the excuse that there were no cell phones when it was built and that cell phones were limited in use during the major remodeling?
IS IT TRUE that unless special provisions are already in the works to accommodate the simultaneous access to the internet and/or the cellular network for 10,000 fans, that Evansville is headed for a cost overrun and a cell phone limited venue?…that one of our readers called this yet another example of READY, FIRE, AIM?….that the City County Observer truly hopes that our reader that made that comment is wrong and that the design of the new Evansville Arena already has accounted for the 200 or so antennas and the bandwidth that will be required to enhance that arena experience with timely text messaging and handheld access?…that there will be no acceptable excuse if our reader is right about this one as nearly everyone has handheld devices now?
IS IT TRUE that the recent financial disclosure statement filed by the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee has local Democrats scratching their heads in confusion?…that of the $367,930 that the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee spent a whopping $194,214 (53% of all expenses) was turned over via contribution to the Indiana State Democratic Central Committee that is located in Indianapolis?….that another $23,250 was destined for the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus that is also in Indianapolis?…that an eye popping $217,464 of the $367,930 spent under the guise of running for Mayor of Evansville ended up in the coffers of Indianapolis based Democratic political entities?
IS IT TRUE that the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee did make some contributions to local candidates for office in 2010?….that the financial disclosure reports that 17 candidates received a total of $12,200 (3.32% of the total spent) from the Committee?…that the Vanderburgh Country Democratic Party was graced with a total contribution of $6,200 (1.69% of total spent) from the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee?…that candidates for office that are in other parts of Indiana received contributions totaling $6,250 from the same committee?
IS IT TRUE that local Democratic candidates were challenged to raise contributions in 2010?…that it is difficult for a local candidate with a limited budget to compete for funds when one big solicitor is taking nearly all of the political contribution chips off of the table with a perpetual fundraising machine?…that the hard working loyal volunteers for the Democratic Party in Vanderburgh County are now without a place to volunteer?…that the party headquarters is now as deserted as the shell of the Executive Inn still standing across the street awaiting the wrecking ball?…that the foundation of the party is expressing confusion over the fund allocations of the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee?… that some are expressing disbelief?…that some are beginning to express anger and ire?….that this sounds like a classic recovery process that will ultimately end with acceptance and moving on?…that the local Democratic Party is slowly but deliberately moving on into the arms of the campaign of Vanderburgh County Treasurer Rick Davis as he seeks his party’s nomination for Mayor of Evansville?…that the lopsided contribution pattern of the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee has really let local Democrats know where his allegiance is?…that would be where the money went?…that is Indianapolis?
Evansville and Vanderburgh have made Progress but are still not a Smokefree Workplace City and County
This year Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency (ITPC) celebrates its tenth anniversary of fighting back against the number one preventable cause of disease and death—tobacco use. Over the last ten years Indiana has moved a long way toward becoming a tobacco-free state. The success of the program is due to the first-rate tobacco control program and trained tobacco control professionals that work at the community-level, including Evansville-based Smokefree Communities and the Empty Pack Coalition.
Indiana’s tobacco control program has seen tremendous progress in reducing the toll of tobacco use on Hoosiers. In light of the tenth anniversary here is an overview of some of the successes:
• Smoking rates for high school youth have dropped by 42 percent, resulting in 49,000 fewer youth smokers.
• Adult smoking rates have decreased from 27 percent to 23 percent. This historic low rate means there are 208,000 fewer smokers in Indiana.
• Per capita cigarette consumption in Indiana has declined by 40 percent, meaning those who smoke are smoking less.
These declines in youth and adult smoking will continue to save Hoosiers money. These reductions in smoking will save $3 billion in future health care costs, including $512 million in savings to Medicaid.
In Vanderburgh County, significant progress has been made; together our faith, health and community organizations have made major strides to address our high smoking rate. During these past ten years we have seen a major shift in smoke-free policies.
When ITPC, Smokefree Communities and Empty Pack began, there were no tobacco-free campuses for our schools and hospitals. Today, our parents know their children are protected from deadly exposure to secondhand smoke when attending a public school in Evansville. Today, all patients and families are protected with tobacco free policies when on the grounds of all of our major hospitals while they receive the best care that can be provided by our city’s health care teams. That’s good common sense.
Today, smokers that desire to quit can get free help from the Indiana Tobacco Quitline. This essential service has helped more than 60,000 Hoosiers quit tobacco since it began just four years ago. In Vanderburgh County more than 1,500 smokers called the quitline since 2006. Our local doctors, nurses, dentists and employers are using this service to encourage their patients and employees to make a decision to become tobacco free.
But the battle to save Hoosiers from the destruction that tobacco levies on Evansville families is far from over. The programs provided by Smokefree Communities, Empty Pack and the nearly 2,000 other organizations statewide working to reduce tobacco use are still necessary and needed more than ever. As the social acceptability of tobacco use has changed and quitting resources are more available, ITPC and its leadership are vital to our continued success.
The last decade has proven what some thought was not possible–to change Hoosier culture and social norms about smoking. While many successes have occurred, much work remains to protect Hoosiers from the deadly harms of tobacco. This is why our health community and our faith leaders have joined in support with the Hoosier Faith and Health Coalition, to celebrate the successes and to continue the fight for improving and sustaining our tobacco-free progress.
Co-authored by:
Timothy Flesch, President and CEO, St. Mary’s Medical Center, 485-4827
Linda E. White, President and CEO, Deaconess Health System, 450-2250
Dr. Ray Nicholson, Vanderburgh County Health Officer, 435-5684
John Herring, Jr., Carver Community Organization’s Empty Pack Coalition, 812-402-3170 Ext 2107
Rev. Adrian Brooks, Memorial Baptist Church, 812-422-7676
Rev. Rabon Lindell Turner, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 425-3498
Rev. Dr. George Huffsmith, First Baptist Church, 812-425-8296
@$&# Another Dropped Call Has Evansville Planned and Designed for a Cellular Friendly Arena Experience?
Downtown Louisville is not particularly known as a dead zone for cellular service but as it turns out the new state of the art Yum Center must have some new and exotic materials that suppress the cellular service that is available in the new downtown arena. It could be a bandwidth bottleneck that 22,000 screaming fans create when texting each other, checking out other scores, or watching replays on handheld devices that is creating annoyance among the attendees wanting to use wireless devices during events. Then again, it could be that the structure itself attenuates the signals causing dropped calls and slow refresh rates.
Whatever the source of the problem, just two months after opening the Yum Center is already in a situation where they are in need of a $2M upgrade to boost the cellular service inside the new arena. This upgrade will involve installing approximately 400 antennas to boost the service capacity from three cellular carriers. The funding source to cover the cost of the $2M project has not been disclosed.
Downtown Evansville has long been an area with weak cellular coverage. Long connection times and dropped calls are the norm both on the sidewalks and inside offices. Many offices only have cellular service if one faces west, tilts their head to the side just right, and stares at a north facing wall. Reliable cellular service is already a problem in Downtown Evansville so one would anticipate the it will be an even bigger problem when 10,000 people want to text each other and watch replays on hand held devices in the new Evansville Arena. Is a solution already designed?
The City County Observer based on the recent debacle with lack of planning for a Downtown Convention Hotel is especially interested in the current state of a project to assure that the signal strength and bandwidth will be sufficient for attendees to access their phones during events at the Evansville Arena.
Given the fact that Louisville had a big oversight with cellular service and the Evansville has already suffered through the humiliation of just “assuming” that a hotel would materialize we would like to pose a question to John Kish. That question is, “what is the plan to enable the Evansville Arena to assure sufficient signal and bandwidth so that hand held devices will work reliably inside?”.
We will publish the response to this question without bias or edit of any kind. A link to the article about the cellular boost project may be accessed through the following link.
Update: IS IT TRUE that the City of Louisville is having to spend $2 Million on boosting the cellular system in their new arena just two months after its opening?…that the CCO wonders if there has been any testing and planning for adequate bandwidth and signal in the Evansville Arena?…that cellular service in downtown Evansville has never been anything to brag about?…that we have an article up addressing that very issue?…that we would appreciate your readership and your willingness to ask questions of the “powers that be” as they are appropriate?
IS IT TRUE that the time spent on the City County Observer site has increased to 4 minutes and 30 seconds for all readers?…that when only Evansville readers are tabulated that the time on site per visit now exceeds 5 minutes?…that this is more than 100% more than our “peer” group of websites as defined by Google?
IS IT TRUE that panic seems to be setting in with certain members of the Evansville City Council who voted no on strengthening the smokefree workplace ordinance that was introduced by Dr. Dan Adams in 2010?…that with local surveys showing that 73% of the people of Evansville supporting such an ordinance that the members of the City Council who ignored that last year are having to face the reality of their choices?…that some are still clinging to the belief that this is a state decision and hoping to avoid having to vote on it this year?…that the best solution that may just recover some of the support that was squandered last year would be to ask Dr. Adams to re-introduce a smokefree workplace resolution as soon as possible so that the City of Evansville and its City Council can join the Vanderburgh County Commissioners in passing this before the “Big Brother†state legislature takes Evansville to the woodshed and forces laws on us?…that the City Council of Evansville will be adopting a smokefree workplace resolution and that the only variable is who the members of the City Council will be and when it will pass?…2011 or 2012? That is the question!
IS IT TRUE that yesterday the City County Observer provided a link to a public disclosure document that provided the details of the 2010 contributions received by and the expenses reported by the Weinzapfel for Mayor committeeâ€â€¦that the CCO internet traffic for the day was near record levels and well over 2,000 page views for the day?…that this was one of the quickest postings ever on the CCO for drawing comments, emails, and even phone calls?…that most of these phone calls were from Democrats?…that several of the past candidates for office on the Democratic ticket that were listed as recipients of contributions under the expense disclosures of the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee have informed the CCO that they did not receive any financial support as was reported in the disclosure documents?….that these candidates had to file disclosure documents as well?…that those disclosure documents are public record and will be cross referenced as soon as possible to see if they reported the contributions that the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee reports that they were given?…that as soon as that is complete (hopefully tomorrow) the CCO will post those disclosures and let our readers do the investigation work themselves?
IS IT TRUE that there were a number of expenditures in the disclosure document of the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee for 2010 that simply were attributed to “card servicesâ€?…that this typically means that a credit card was paid from the proceeds?…that we are very curious about the details of what that credit card expenditure break down actually is?…that many disclosures of this type go into deep detail with respect to the details of credit card use?…that disclosing the details of what that credit card was used for would go far to explain the uses as they pertain to doing things that would have helped Mayor Weinzapfel seek a third term as Mayor of Evansville?
IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,350 days since the announcement was made on May 14, 2007 that the McCurdy Hotel was to be refurbished into luxury apartments?…that it has now been 1,204 days since the Evansville Redevelopment Commission at the request of Mayor Weinzapfel approved the spending of $603,000 to purchase the parking lot?…that City Centre Properties and Scott Kosene the developers of the McCurdy project are both listed as contributors to the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee for 2010?
IS IT TRUE that there are now 660 days remaining in the two years that the EPA had given the City of Evansville to present an acceptable solution to the Combined Sewer Overflow problem?…..that this plan is an expensive and complex endeavor that needs immediate attention to avoid the embarrassment and expense of another round of fines?
“Weinzapfel with 1 MILLION behind him backed down to Rick Davis! Either Davis’s reputation is worth more than 1mil, or Weinzapfel has done 1mil worth of damage to his own rep during his time as mayor.â€
Analytic
“Rick Davis is going to get smashed. All the times the JFK club went after different office holders, the celebration at Bar Louies on election night when Tornatta lost. Pay backs are hell. I’m sure the Mayor will put the money to good use.â€
Mfcdkw
“You’re right. Pay backs are hell. Weinzapfel, Owen, and all their old-school methods (not to mention their blind followers) will be ousted on election day when they learn that their bullying and bribing only go so far.
Out with the old – in with the NEW – and Evansville’s best days are ahead.â€
Vandy Democrat
“The Darkside Democrats are being overthrown, and yes, celebration is in order. Their response is: Paybacks are Hell,–Out with these Thugs and Good Government is the Future.â€
Crash Larue
In response to “Anderson IN plans 12 ballfields for $6Mâ€
“So in reality, it was a “Robbery†that was planned for Evansville.
Baseball fields were just the “Coverâ€â€
Crash Larue
“Did you notice the “growing athletes†part? Somehow Anderson has the ability to focus on and the ethic to allow their residents to personally benefit, as a priority.â€
Eville Taxpayer
“I bet they didn’t spend $765,000 doing a study and getting that pretty picture drawn either. The tragedy is that if the local group would have had a proposal based in reality at a price that made sense it would have been approved.â€
The Architect
“Wow, quite embarrassing for the supporters of our formerly proposed money-pit. This really rubs it in their facesâ€
Analytic.
In Response to “Report of Receipts and Expenditures for the Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee”
“ I wondered why I didn’t recognize many of the donor names. Then I went back at looked at the addresses. Many (most?) are not residents of Evansville, or even Vanderburgh County. Who and why are these people buying the mayorship of Evansville ???????”
Uncle Jim
“Lots of money in, lots of money out. Lots of money from out of the city limits, lots of money sent to DC and the Indy Central Committee. Lots of money to “Cardmember Servicesâ€, which seems to be just paying a credit card balance – government “transparency†at its finest!”
