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Mayor Weinzapfel Responds to Davis’s Allegation of Removing Posts from the City’s Website

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Today Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel responded to the claim made by Rick Davis that he had removed a critical press release regarding the secret meeting to allow Homestead Tax Credit to lapse. The Mayor claims that that press release along with six others of a positive nature that were issued in the month of June in 2009 were never posted for reasons that he is uncertain of.

The City County Observer after learning of the press release that was released on June 18th of 2009 last Friday did some research on it. Our first search of the City of Evansville website revealed that there was a gap of about two months that included the entire month of June of 2009 where no press releases were available. We have previously reported that this did not constitute any reason to allege that any website sanitizing had been done by the Mayor and left open the possibility that the press releases were for some reason never posted in the first place.

On Monday the CCO filed a Freedom of Information Act request with Mayor Weinzapfel’s office to request all of his press releases from June 2009. The Mayor’s staff responded quickly that they would comply by October 3, 2011. We assume they will do so.

The only public record of the now infamous press release is on a June 18, 2009 article published by the Courier and Press that is available on their website.

Link to Mayor Weinzapfel’s Statement

Statement-Mayor_Weinzapfel-News_Releases-09-27-11

Health care lawsuit petition filed in U.S. Supreme Court

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Indiana one of 26 states to challenge “unprecedented” individual mandate

INDIANAPOLIS – Today 26 states including Indiana asked the United States Supreme Court to consider their legal challenge to the federal health care law.

By filing a cert petition, the states formally ask the nation’s highest court to decide whether it is constitutional for Congress to mandate private individuals to buy health insurance or face a financial penalty – and if not, whether the entire health care law must be invalidated.

“From the outset it has been our goal to bring this case to the United States Supreme Court, and today we ask the court to hear the question of whether Congress can mandate an individual to make a private purchase or suffer a fine. It was both appropriate and necessary for the states to challenge whether Congress and the President have this unprecedented claim of authority within their enumerated powers under the Constitution,” Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said.

The plaintiffs now include Indiana, Florida, 24 other states, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and two private individuals. Originally filed in March 2010, the suit alleges the new federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. A federal district court in Pensacola, Florida, agreed and on January 31 struck down the entire law as unconstitutional. The federal government appealed the lower court decision, but on August 12 the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled partially in favor of the states, holding that the individual mandate portion of the federal law is unconstitutional, though allowing other parts of the law to stand.

Because the 11th Circuit did not rule for the states on all counts, the states today have formally requested United States Supreme Court intervention, formally called filing a petition for writ of certiorari. The 26 states are represented by former United States Solicitor General Paul Clement, who filed the 38-page brief asking the Supreme Court to hear the case during its new term that starts next week. It will be up to the Supreme Court justices to decide whether to hear the states’ lawsuit or decline and allow the lower court ruling to stand. If the high court agrees to hear the case, there could be additional briefing and oral argument, likely culminating in a decision sometime next year.

“There is no question that we need reform of the health care system in this country. But this reform must pass constitutional muster; and the sweeping individual mandate must be put to the test before we open the door to Congress requiring people to buy other commercial products against their will. One of my duties as Attorney General is to defend the state from injurious federal encroachment and defend against infringing upon the rights of individuals. Joining this respectful legal challenge with the other states at no additional cost to Indiana taxpayers was the proper way to assert the state’s authority,” Zoeller added.

Zoeller has not spent additional tax dollars on the multistate challenge beyond his office’s regular budget the Legislature previously approved. Indiana has not paid legal fees to join the lawsuit or appeal and has not paid anything for outside legal counsel. Other states have borne the costs.

In February 2010, at U.S. Senator Richard Lugar’s request, Zoeller and Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fisher prepared a 55-page report and analysis of the federal health care legislation still before Congress at the time. The issues the Attorney General’s report cited concerning the individual mandate and the federal requirement on state governments to dramatically expand their Medicaid programs helped the plaintiff states prepare some of the legal arguments that the group later filed in their legal challenge in the Florida federal court.

In addition to Indiana and Florida, the plaintiff states bringing the multi-state challenge include South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Mississippi, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Alaska, North Dakota, Ohio, Kansas, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Maine and Iowa. The U.S. Department of Justice represents the federal government defendants.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

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Click Here to download the Jingle Bell Run/Walk Flyer
Text:
HealthSouth Deaconess
Rehabilitation Hospital
October 21, 2011
11:30 am—1:00 pm

You are cordially invited to join the 2011 Jingle Bell
Committee at our Jingle in July Kickoff Celebration.
Enjoy lunch, meet our honorees and the premiere of the
2011 JBR video. You will receive information about this
year’s event, fundraising tips, and opportunities for your
company to get involved.

Bring others from your company and get ready to
kick off your company’s JBR campaign.
Maria Morris JBR Chair

RSVP to
Maria Morris at 812-437-6131 or
maria.morris@healthsouth.com by
Friday, October 14th

Red Cross asks for the Help Stuffing Totes for Local Veterans

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(Evansville) – The American Red Cross is proud to once again launch the Totes of Hope, a program designed to engage the community to help give back to low-income and homeless veterans in time for Veterans Day in the Evansville Metro area.

Created and launched in 2008, Totes of Hope program distributed over 800 care packages including basic toiletry items as a way to say more than just thank you for their service to our country for Veteran’s Day. “Services to our Armed Forces and Veterans is a vital component of Red Cross Services and when we heard many of our local veterans were lower income or homeless and need of vital supplies to survive, we knew this was a community problem we wanted to help combat,” said Matt Bertram, Regional CEO, American Red Cross.

Totes of Hope aims to engage the community to help collect supplies over the next three weeks. All donated supplies will then be stuffed in a Red Cross totes and delivered to local veterans on Friday, November 18th at both the Evansville VA Clinic and Vet Center. The public is encouraged to help stuff a tote and offer hope to a local veteran by donating any of the following supplies:

 Baby Wipes
 Hand Sanitizer
 Shampoo/Conditioner
 Bar of Soap
 Soap Caddy
 Deodorant
 Razors & Shaving Cream
 Toothbrush
 Toothbrush Caddy
 Toothpaste & Dental Floss
 Pocket Pack Facial Tissues
 Plastic Combs & Brushes
 Socks  Shower Shoes or Flip Flops
 Stocking Caps/Ear Muffs
 Gloves
 Small Umbrellas
 Phone cards
 Crossword Puzzles
 Sudoku Books
 Books or Magazines
 Deck of Cards
 Pocket Calendars
 Prescription Caddy
 Bus Tokens
 Canned Goods/Openers

“We hope people will think about items they need to survive including toiletries, personal items, cold weather items and more and help us ensure our local veterans have these items as the winter months approach” Bertram added. “If every person in our community would donate one item, we could meet our goal of stuffing 800 totes and help say more than just thank you to our local heroes in time for Veteran’s Day.”

Donations of the above listed supplies can be dropped off at several area locations through Friday, November 4h:

• American Red Cross 29 S. Stockwell Road Evansville, IN
• Old Navy Store – Eastland Mall 800 N. Green River Road Evansville, IN
• Expressway Auto Dealerships Evansville & Mt. Vernon, IN

For more information about the Totes of Hope Program or to make a monetary contribution to support American Red Cross Services to Our Armed Forces programs including the Totes of Hope Program, visit our website www.evansvilleredcross.org or www.tristateredcross.org. Links to supply lists are also being posted through social media websites including Facebook & twitter.

Downtown Today: 9/29/2011

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Time 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Subject SHERIFF SALE
Location 301
The meeting actually starts at 10:00.
Categories ROOM 301

Time 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs every Thursday effective 9/1/2011 until 9/29/2011 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Sharon Evans @ 4982
Categories ROOM 301

Time 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Subject BROWNFIELD CORPORATION
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes
Categories ROOM 318

IS IT TRUE? September 29, 2011

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? September 29, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer was called a fledgling blog by VenuWorks a few weeks ago yet according to them we “flooded their phone lines”?…that the CCO has been called much worse than that by at least one giant company yet the people of Evansville have lit up their phone lines and filled their email inboxes in response to some articles that have been published here?…that the Courier and Press has been respectful but has been annoyed by link postings to articles on the CCO some of which were placed by the CCO and some were not?…that the local TV stations have always been respectful and according to one prominent elected official keep the CCO website up all of the time to get in on Mole info?…that yesterday we returned the favor in posting links to the CP and to News25 for their stories about the disputes surrounding the Homestead Tax Credit?…that during the time that our article and the links have been posted that the websites that we linked to have gotten over 500 pageviews from our referrals?

IS IT TRUE that we suspended voting in our poll regarding truthfulness because in a couple polls in the past that have been offered by the CCO and the CP there have been overnight sensations where 200+ vote leads have completely evaporated or been lost overnight?…that in these instances nearly 100 percent of the overnight votes are for one particular position which is indicative of orchestrated mischief or robo-voting?…that robo-voting is easy to recognize and put a stop to during the day?…that if we see any robo-voting which thus far we have not we will shut this poll down immediately and freeze the results as final?

IS IT TRUE that the hard working employees of Vanderburgh County government know for certain now that they will not be getting a raise this year?…that if there has ever been a series of years that creates a need to hold the line on raises in both the public and private sectors that the years from 2009 until now are it?…that the City of Evansville employees are being granted a 2% across the board wage increase this year despite the howling over cut backs to other areas of the budget?…that the unfortunate political reality is that the employees of the City of Evansville are getting their 2% raise because the City is having an election year and the incumbents want every advantage that they can vote in?…that the employees of the County can expect to be seriously considered for raises next year when the County has elections?…that this is one silly artifact of having two governments that would disappear with consolidation?…that it will not save us a dime but it will shift a dime or two forward or backward in time and keep the ability of two sets of politicians from pandering to employees with raises?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer will be checking everyday from now until Halloween to see if the real estate taxes have been paid on the McCurdy Hotel? …that on the morning of September 29th, parcel #82-06-30-020-005.002-029 also known as the McCurdy Hotel and located at 100 SE Riverside in Evansville, IN indicates that there is still a delinquent tax amount of $12,274.76?…that if we can report that the taxes are paid on this property that the CCO will become more enthused about the proposition of this project moving forward?…that it has now been 9 full days since Mr. Steve Scott was advised that the taxes on the McCurdy Hotel have not been paid?

IS IT TRUE that this looks like it is going to be one of those beautiful fall days when the weather is perfect for a nice long walk along the Evansville Riverfront, the Newburgh trail, or even around your own neighborhood?…that many of our readers and ourselves will see you there?…that it is also a perfect opportunity to pick up some litter and beautify our home?

EPD Activity Report: September 28, 2011

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EPD Activity Report September 28, 2011

IS IT TRUE? September 28, 2011 Special Evening Edition

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IS IT TRUE? September 28, 2011 Special Evening Edition

IS IT TRUE that we are a bit distressed by the two shootings in Evansville’s Southside in the last 24 hours?…that it is crime and schools that get F’s in the neighborhood that are keeping the Front Door Pride homes from selling?…that at the City Council meeting the other night there was a substantive discussion about a project to build 40 more homes in the FDP area that are slated to cost just over $200,000 each to build?…that these 40 homes are planned to be rental units for 15 years and then to convert to ownership?…that a similar program in Ohio was said to have only resulted in 3 actual purchases?…that building mansions in places that are filled with crime and failing schools never ever works any where?…that Evansville is spending tax money on the wrong things at this time?

IDEA IN FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH: PLEASE COMMENT

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer has a proposal for the developer who is running the rental house project in the Front Door Pride area?…that we would like to suggest that the first $2 Million be spent to purchase the 9 existing Front Door Pride homes that are sitting empty with dust covered for sale signs in front of them?…that these could then be the first 9 rental houses and that only 31 more would need to be built?…that this would liberate $2 Million that the City of Evansville could use to a) pay down some debt, b) put back into the business loan fund that it was taken from, or c) seed an Angel Investment Fund to be administered by people with no political position?

IS IT TRUE that sometime during the night that some inconsiderate slop hog(s) littered the neighborhood that this writer lives in?…that about 3 or 4 times per week this seems to happen?…that it always seems to consist of a big empty bag from a fast food outlet and a several of those 44 ounce plastic soft drink containers that come through the same drive up window?…that dutifully I and other neighbors pick these nuisances up and discard them within 8 hours of the time that the slop hog(s) toss them out?…that we are fortunate to have a neighborhood where one bag and several cups stick out like a sore thumb and where the overwhelming majority of the residents have the pride of neighborhood to keep things clean?…that some neighborhoods have so much of a problem with litter that just a few people can keep it clean?…that the war on litter really can be won a block at a time?

IS IT TRUE that every month or so there is a wave of litter that is a result of a yard service provider leaving a little plastic column with a card to let the homeowners know they have put chemicals on the yard?…that these friendly little reminders are litter of the worst kind?…that the little black columns are made from the cheapest plastic there is and are not even accepted at many recycling centers?…that maybe these services should abandon this outdated practice and use email or twitter to advise their customers of services completed?…that it would save them the cost of the little reminders and add to their bottom line?

IS IT TRUE that the “absolute unique visitors” that have been recorded by Google Analytics during the last 6 weeks exceeds the number of votes recorded by Mayor Weinzapfel in the 2007 election for Mayor of Evansville?…that we are attracting enough local eyeballs to win every election on this year’s ballot?…that this is an increase on a monthly basis of 400% since last November when the CCO first started keeping detailed statistics on traffic?

IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation tells us that the newly formed “Mainstream Democrats” have distributed the money they raised at the upper level of the Maingate last month?…that it is our understanding that every Democrat running for office except Rick Davis, Al Lindsey, and Dr. H. Dan Adams was given a contribution?…that counter to popular belief that no money was handed to any Republicans even though this group includes some people who openly support some Republican candidates?

Ball State Expands Technology Transfer Agreement with Crane NAVSEA

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September 28, 2011

News Release

MUNCIE, Ind. – Military innovations will move more quickly from business plan to marketplace under new agreements between Ball State University’s nationally ranked Entrepreneurship Center, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) and the Muncie-based Innovation Connector.

Building on the successful first year of Ball State’s Military 2 Market (M2M) initiative -allowing students to develop commercial applications and new firms centered on military patents – the university and NSWC Crane have entered into a partnership intermediary agreement (PIA), which supplements an existing educational partnership.

The PIA streamlines the process of M2M students and other entrepreneurs creating new businesses based upon commercializing military technologies. Four start-up firms have been created during 2011 by Ball State students. Several student groups will be attempting to commercialize additional military patents and develop start-ups during the upcoming academic year.

“This new partnership opens new doors, creating more access to the opportunities created by researchers at NSWC Crane,” said Michael Goldsby , executive director of the Entrepreneurship Center and the Stoops distinguished professor of entrepreneurship. “At the same time, it provides better name recognition among the federal labs and Department of Defense operations around the world.”

Under the agreement, the Entrepreneurship Center is refining a technology transfer program to assist in the commercialization of NSWC Crane patents, creating and sustaining businesses based on those technologies. The center will match small businesses and educational entities with NSWC Crane to transfer military technologies into commercial products.

Start-ups have home

As a result of the expanded partnership between Ball State and NSWC Crane, the Innovation Connector, a small-business incubator, will host start-ups based on military innovations.

The Innovation Connector already works closely with Ball State. It provides aspiring entrepreneurs with start-up assistance and resources to grow their tech-based ideas. At the same time, businesses have opportunities to network, learn from mentors and gain access to resources and education.

“By partnering with NSWC Crane, the Innovation Connector can be a bridge to the Muncie community to further develop our technology transfer programs and to assist in the commercialization of military technology to create and sustain businesses,” said Ted Baker, Innovation Connector executive director.

“This partnership agreement with NSWC Crane, as well as our ongoing partnership with Ball State, solidifies our position to assist with new business technology development and provide these businesses with a location to work in. This truly is a win-win-win for all three parties.”

Crane a thought leader

John Dement, NSWC Crane technology transfer program manager, said his operation is now considered a thought leader among officials within the Department of Defense and federal laboratory community as a result of Ball State’s groundbreaking M2M program.

“There is no doubt that Ball State’s Military 2 Market program has been immensely successful,” he said. “Not only did we have several impressive commercial applications and businesses created, but it provided students with an incredible learning opportunity. It also highlighted how universities and the military can work together to create business opportunities in a variety of high-tech fields.”

Ball State and NSWC began working together in 2010, allowing students to evaluate and develop additional commercialization applications for the Navy’s patented inventions while working side by side with Navy researchers, engineers and other personnel.

“Ball State’s Entrepreneurship Center will provide a direct outlet to the community and help license Crane patents,” added Dement. “At the same time, the center’s emerging network of venture capital partners represents opportunities to move early stage technology into the market.”

Both Ball State and NSWC officials pointed out that both national and state media paid attention to the first year of the partnership, highlighting the technology transfer and innovative learning opportunities for students. U.S. News & World Report ranked M2M as first among “10 College Classes That Impact the Outside World” in an April 2011 edition. The program was also featured in the August issue of the National Defense Industry Association’s business and technology periodical, National Defense Magazine.

Source: Ball State University

IS IT TRUE? September 28, 2011 Part 2 EVV – DC Flights get a Thumbs Up

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Sponsor the Jetway Please

IS IT TRUE? September 28, 2011 Part 2 EVV – DC Flights get a Thumbs Up

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Regional Airport got a shot in the arm yesterday with a grant of $500,000?…that this grant is reportedly going to be used to subsidize direct flights to the Washington DC area?…that this is a decision with potential to impress Southwest Airlines that is scheduled to acquire the little known carrier that will be experimenting with the Evansville to DC route?…that if we the people of Evansville keep these flights filled to reasonable capacity that Southwest will take note of this and we may actually have just found a back door way to get a discount carrier to try out EVV?…that this writer has been to Washington DC on many occasions but my wife has never seen our nation’s capital?…that during this period of subsidy we will be scheduling a trip to DC and we will be using the EVV – DC connection?…that this is our way of supporting our local airport and that we encourage our readers, friends, school field trip planners etc. to do the same?

IS IT TRUE that in the game of growing or attracting corporate headquarters that the business friendliness of flight schedules is at or near the top of the list for decision makers?…that in today’s Wall Street Journal that the decline in flights and the high cost of flights to and from the Cincinnati airport (that is in KY) is cited as responsible for the corporate headquarters of Chiquita Brands to consider moving to a city with a more accommodating flight schedule?…that the Cincinnati airports excessive pricing is cited as the reason that Toyota’s team members opt to drive the 520 mile round trip to their engineering offices in Ann Arbor, MI?…that the Cincinnati airport at its high point had 600 flights per day and is now down to 190?

IS IT TRUE that making EVV a headquarters friendly airport will not be easy but if the efforts are strategic, the fares are cost effective, and the schedules work for business it is a worthy effort?…that the $500,000 in free money is a drop in the bucket but it does buy us a lottery ticket that may just earn us some success on the direct flight to DC map?…that the technology transfer program at GAGE that was established 3 years ago in 2008 was patterned after the highly successful program at TEDCO that is between Baltimore and Washington?…that the area in and around DC is ripe with Federal Labs with current and available patents that are open season for GAGE?…that if Republican Mayoral candidate Lloyd Winnecke who is a vocal supporter of the GAGE technology transfer program as a platform to transform the local economy just hit the lottery with subsidized direct flights to DC?…that anyone and everyone who is in the business of furthering technology transfer as a solution in Evansville should realize the window of opportunity that this flight will offer?…that if we do not take advantage of this opportunity that the window shall surely close within a year or so?

IS IT TRUE that if we can just get moving on those 4 Jetways that we can make these flying experiences even more business friendly?…that it will be more tourist friendly too?
SPONSORSHIPS ANYONE?

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