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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

 

FOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Vincennes University Jasper CTIM Challenge

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WHAT: High school students will put their skills to the test in the CTIM Challenge, competing in hands-on activities showcasing manufacturing skills and learning about the manufacturing industry. Students will compete in eight challenges sponsored by local companies. Monetary prizes will be awarded.

WHO: High school students from 12 schools; representatives of Farbest Foods, MasterBrand Cabinets, Jasper Engines and Transmissions, Kimball Electronics, Kimball International, Waupaca Foundry, OFS, and Wabash Valley Foods; VU Jasper faculty and staff.

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. (ET), Wednesday, November 8, 2023

WHERE: Vincennes University Jasper, Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing, 961 College Ave., Jasper, IN 47546

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jacob Berg

Director of CTIM

Vincennes University Jasper

Office: 812-482-3177

Email: jberg@vinu.edu

“IS IT TRUE” NOVEMBER 6, 2023

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City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall be removed from our site.

We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, or insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.

Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers

IS IT TRUE that several weeks ago a member of the CCO staff was harassed?  …that a couple of our computer-savvy “Moles” are working on identifying who harassed our staff member so we can turn over the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency for review and a possible indictment?

IS IT TRUE that when politicians are smarter than members of the media the political news is controlled by the politicians?
IS IT TRUE that we have been told not to be surprised to see blue-collar working-class people of Evansville who are fed up with the poor conditions of our parks, and streets, high Water and Sewer bills, high property taxes, out-of-control crime rate, the serious problems with our Public Transportation system voting in records numbers in the upcoming November 7, 2023 city election?
IS IT TRUE if you were The Chairman Of The Board Of Directors of a 480 million dollar corporation looking for a new CEO/President do you think that he would hire anyone who is currently working in local city government to run his corporation?  …that we wonder if you are aware that the City Of Evansville is a 480 million dollar not-for-profit corporation?
IS IT TRUE that we have been told by several reliable sources that Evansville is over one (1) billion dollars in debt?  …that we have been told it isn’t going to get any better because the new Sewer Treatment Plant is projected to cost somewhere around 300 hundred million dollars to build?
IS IT TRUE that we are told by a couple of local political movers shakers that they expect political Wards One (1) and Three (3) are too close to call but they give a slight edge to the challengers?  …that the race in Ward Two (2) the edge goes to the incumbent Missy Mosby (D)?  …that in the At-Large  City Council race, the political movers and shakers predict that Jonathan Weaver (R) will be re-elected by a comfortable margin?  …that Ron Beane (R) and political newcomers Paul Green (D) and Mary Allen (D) are expected to fight it out for the second and third Ai
t-Large seats?
IS IT TRUE that are told that many taxpayers of Evansville aren’t happy with the millions of dollars spent on non-essential and irrelevant capital projects during the last several years?
IS IT TRUE that local Government officials are doing for people that they can do for themselves?
IS IT TRUE that we were told by several political insiders that we could be seeing four (4) new faces on the 2024 Evansville City Council?
IS IT TRUE that several credible sources have told us that the members of the Evansville City Council recently adopted the 2024 city budget that has the following monies and stipend earmarked for all 9 (nine) members of the Evansville City Council?  …their salaries and benefits for 2024 are $192,158 in salaries, $212,090 in health insurance, $10,000 in travel and 0 in the past, and $32,541 in PERFs?
IS IT TRUE that “Lease/Rental Revenue Bonds” have quietly been used on other capital projects throughout Evansville during the last several years?  …that a couple of current Evansville City Council members publicly stated that “Lease/Rental Revenue Bonds” are creative financing?   …that the real truth is that “Lease/RentalRevenue Bonds” financing is a loan of last resort?
IS IT TRUE that we are hearing that the voters all over America are in the mindset to get rid of all of the tax and spend politicians?

IS IT TRUE that we are told that several members of the local Chamber Of Commerce are wondering how much membership money their Board of Directors spent on the “National Job Search” to replace the outgoing CEO/President of the Chamber?

IS IT TRUE that many City and County taxpayers are shocked to learn that Evansville and Vanderburgh County Commission donated 300,000 dollars each to help fund EREP marketing activities?  …that we are also told that Warrick and Posey counties donated only $60,000 each to EREP marketing activities?
IS IT TRUE that former Evansville Mayors Jonathon Weinzapfel and Frank McDonald Jr. not only lived within their budget restraints but when they left office they had comfortable cash balances in the “Rainey Day” fund to pass on to their successors?
…that Evansville taxpayers are hoping and praying that the current and outgoing Mayor will do similar?
IS IT TRUE that we are extremely disappointed to hear that two city officials recently called Mayoral candidate Micheal Daugherty a lair at a political gathering? …that all we can say to both individuals is that figures don’t lie especially when Mr. Daugherty got his figures from the City Controller’s office?
IS IT TRUE that United States Senator Mike Braun recently caused himself a serious political problem by endorsing Donald Trump for President of The United States?  …that many of his supporters wonder why a law and order arch-conservative would support someone who has been charged with trying to overthrow the Government of the United States Of America and also being charged with other crimes too numerous to mention?
IS IT TRUE that we would like to congratulate Stephen Schweikarth for being appointed as the new Nissan General Sales Manager for D-Patrick-Evansville?
IS IT TRUE that the recent CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER’s monthly “Speaker Forum” luncheon was extremely successful?  …that our extremely popular Vanderburgh Sheriff Noah Robinson did a masterful job as our guest speaker?  …that we give five (5) cheers to Co-Chairpersons Steve Hammer and Ben Shoulders for doing an excellent job in planning this most worthwhile community event.
IS IT TRUE that  CHIEF DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY WINSTON LIN is doing a remarkable job in his position?
IS IT TRUE that our “Readers Poll” is non-scientific but trendy?  …our current “Readers Poll” question is: If the Mayoral election was held today who would you vote for?
If you would like to advertise in the CCO on-line and printed editions please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com

 

 

JUST IN: Aces improve to 6-0 with a 93-74 win over SEMO

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Aces improve to 6-0 with a 93-74 win over SEMO

Humrichous scores 27 in the win

NOVEMBER 25, 2023

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Leading from start to finish on Saturday, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team improved to 6-0 with a 93-74 victory over Southeast Missouri State in the second game of the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Classic inside McKenzie Arena.

With the win, the Purple Aces improved to 6-0 for the first time since the 1964-65 undefeated national championship season.  It also marked the first such instance since UE joined the Division I ranks in 1977.

“Our group was mature enough to handle them (SEMO) chopping away at the lead.  SEMO had a good game plan, but I credit our group with having a big start,” Aces head coach David Ragland said.  “We received contributions from each guy who stepped on the floor.  Yesterday was an extremely emotional game and for us to come back today and play the way we did was special.”

Once again, it was Ben Humrichous leading the way.  Converting 11 of his 13 field goal tries, Humrichous scored 27 points while adding six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.  He was 3-of-5 from long range.  Joshua Hughes recorded 21 points in an efficient 8-for-12 shooting day.  Hughes accumulated six boards, three assists and a pair of blocks.  Kenny Strawbridge Jr. finished with 17.  SEMO was led by Adam Larson’s 22 points.  He knocked down six 3-pointers.

Hitting their opening four attempts, the Purple Aces jumped out to an 8-0 lead just over a minute into the contest.  Kenny Strawbridge Jr. recorded five of the first eight points.  SEMO closed to within four points at 12-8 before the Aces retook control.  Joshua Hughes posted three points in a quick 5-0 spurt before adding another field goal to give Evansville its first double-digit lead at 21-10 with 12:22 remaining in the period.

As the game reached the midway point of the half, Chuck Bailey III connected on a triple in a run that stretched the lead to 28-12.  Five minutes later, it was another Humrichous basket that pushed the advantage to 20 points for the first time – 37-17.  Evansville’s lead reached 27 points inside the final two minutes when an alley-oop from Tanner Cuff to Hughes made it a 51-24 contest.

Southeast Missouri State never gave up as they scored the final five points of the stanza to trail by a 51-29 score at halftime.  Evansville scorched the nets, shooting 61.1% in the half with three players reaching double figures, led by Humrichous’ 15 points.  Strawbridge and Hughes scored 11 apiece.

After shifting the momentum to complete the first half, SEMO continued to rally in the early moments of the second.  A pair of triples saw them make it a 51-35 score before Strawbridge knocked down two free throws to temporarily end the stretch.  The Redhawks came right back with four in a row to get within 14.

Hughes’ sixth field goal of the day pushed the UE lead back to 15 tallies at 59-44, but the SEMO run continued as a 3-point play was part of another 5-0 spurt that made it a 59-49 game with 15 minutes left.  With 13:40 remaining, the Redhawks got within eight before the Aces regained control.  Antonio Thomas knocked down a pair of free throws to open a huge 9-0 run, which added some much-needed breathing room.  Bailey hit a layup during the rally while Humrichous completed it with a 3-point play.

Despite the run by UE, Southeast Missouri State continued to put up a fight, cutting the deficit to 12 at the 8-minute mark, but the Evansville attack proved to be too much.  The Aces never let SEMO any closer and would go back up by 21 in the final minute before earning the 93-74 win.  UE finished the game shooting 56.5% while SEMO shot 44.8%.  On the glass, the Aces finished with a 35-31 advantage.

Two Missouri Valley Conference games are on tap over the next week.  UE opens league play at Missouri State on Wednesday before returning home to face UNI on Saturday.

MICHEAL DAUGHERTY EXPLAINS WHY HE RAN FOR MAYOR OF EVANSVILLE

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Dear Citizens Of Evansville
My opponents have realized my candidacy is as valid as their attacks have started. I’m here to put my campaign for Mayor of Evansville into perspective.
After much prayerful thought, and talking to family, friends, and supporters, I have decided to make the following public commitments to you, the citizens.
First of all, I joined the race for Mayor Of Evansville because I know Evansville is at the crossroads of economic and financial peril. I know that with the help of the citizens of Evansville and because of my educational background, life experiences, and business background and the strong desire to help make Evansville great again.
One of the reasons why I ran for Mayor of Evansville is to help stop the financial and economic decline of Evansville during the last twelve (12) years.
If elected, I hereby commit to the citizens of Evansville that I will be a (1) term mayor who will take a political non-partisan approach to revitalizing Evansville’s economy. I want to stress that I will not be a typical politician but practice “Good Public Policy” and therefore a “Good Steward Of The Public Trust”.
I hope that you understand that I understand that I work for you and that I will be an employee of you, the citizens of Evansville.
As your next mayor, you can expect to see me either in the neighborhoods looking at issues that need addressing, or behind my desk making sound business decisions within our budget restraints and not in front of the camera promoting myself or a self-serving political agenda.
My campaign slogan is “People Over Politics, which simply means, I will govern with the US in mind, not me! You can expect me to govern without bias or political affiliation. It is important to point out that if I’m elected, Mayor of Evansville  I am not going to be a good mayor. I WILL BE A GREAT MAYOR!
Your vote is not a vote for me, but a vote for yourself! The days of political patronage, nepotism, and “Party Over People” will end with my administration.
Finally, I would like to point out that there are many talented people currently working for the city and I will ensure you that they are retained and rewarded for their devotion to the citizens of Evansville. I will also commit to appointing the most qualified people for numerous boards and commissions, without regard to political affiliations.
However, I shall be appointing a new Police Chief and Fire Chief and expect to find their replacement within the current ranks.
When I am elected Mayor of Evansville, get ready to roll up your sleeves with me as we have a lot of work to do correcting our safety issues, and finances, revitalizing our parks, and repairing our streets and sidewalks that have been ignored during the last 12 years.

My administration will truly be an administration for ALL people of Evansville.

FOOTNOTE:  This article was posted by the City-County Observer without bias, opinion, or editing.

We also invited the other Mayoral candidate to send us an article about her final thoughts concerning her campaign.  When we receive her article we shall post it without bias, opinion, or editing.

REMARKS ABOUT A STEPHANIE TERRY ADMINISTRATION

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REMARKS ABOUT A STEPHANIE TERRY ADMINISTRATION
Article Written By A Member Of Stephanie Terry Campaign Staff
November 6, 2023
As the campaign for Evansville Mayor comes to a close, political insiders, experts and many in the community agree that momentum is breaking in Stephanie Terry’s favor and she is on her way to becoming Evansville’s next Mayor.

Terry, a Democrat, is running against Republican Natalie Rascher and Libertarian Michael Daugherty.

A few weeks ago, Indianapolis-based political analyst Brian Howey changed his rating for the race from “tossup” to “leans Democrat.” And just last week, Politico reporter Adam Wren wrote that dust-ups between Rasher and Daugherty are clearing a path for Terry.

Those in the know say it’s not only Terry’s positive message and detailed plans that are resonating with voters, it’s the fact that they feel she has the experience that’s necessary to serve as Mayor.

Terry serves on the Vanderburgh County Council and leads the Children’s Museum of Evansville.

So what could people expect in a Terry Administration?

“I have said it all along…this campaign is not about me…it’s about the “We.” I intend to use my experience as a leader to bring people together to take on the tough issues our city is facing,” said Terry.

Terry outlined some of those issues in her Forward Together Plan for the city’s future. They include taking a broader approach to public safety by addressing housing, neighborhood revitalization, mental health, and education.

“It’s not just about policing, it’s about preventing crime by providing opportunities for people that help them envision and achieve bright futures here in our city,” said Terry.

Terry says she’ll also work on improving the quality of life in our city by freshening up public spaces and parks, creating cultural districts, and improving city services.

As she was building the Forward Together plan this summer, Terry hosted a Together with Terry Listening Tour to bring residents together to talk through thoughts and priorities.

“It was important, and is important to me that the people in Evansville have a say in the future of their city,” said Terry. “And so, I intend to continue those Listening Tours as Mayor. Let’s face it, to help position our city for the next quarter century, we will need everyone’s ideas, creativity, and energy.”

If it sounds like a lofty agenda, Terry says it is. But she says she knows it’s possible to do lots of things all at once.

“If we are going to lift up our entire city, we can’t just focus on one area at a time. We have to be able to balance work in all of these areas,” said Terry. “In my career and life, I’ve shown I can do that.”

Terry won’t be doing it alone. She says she’s committed to building a team of talent that understands its role is not only to lead but to serve the people of Evansville.

That gets back to her reason for running in the first place.

“I decided to run for Mayor because I felt called to serve. Now, ten months later, I still feel that, but I’m even more inspired,” said Terry. “I met so many incredible people on the campaign trail…it’s made me realize just what a special place we have here. I am even more committed to making a difference.”

Terry says she hopes that as Evansville’s next Mayor, but even if it’s not, she’ll forever be a community champion and servant leader.

FOOTNOTE:  This article was posted by the City-County Observer without bias, opinion, or editing.

We also invited the other two (2) Mayoral candidates to send us an article about their final thoughts concerning their campaigns.  When we receive their articles we shall post them without bias, opinion, or editing.

DEFIANT RESPONSE: AG Rokita accepts misconduct reprimand

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DEFIANT RESPONSE: AG Rokita accepts misconduct reprimand, says decision ‘will save a lot of taxpayer money’

By Marilyn Odendahl

The Indiana Citizen

November 2, 2023

Even as he was slapped with a public reprimand from the Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is still defiant, maintaining his statements were “truthful” in his public remarks about an investigation into an Indianapolis OB/GYN and saying he agreed to the punishment to save the taxpayers money.

In a six-page opinion issued Thursday, a majority of the Supreme Court accepted a conditional agreement reached by Rokita and the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission – citing Rokita’s “acceptance of responsibility” – which settles a disciplinary case that had been opened against the attorney general. Under the agreement, Rokita is being publicly reprimanded and ordered to pay $250 in fees.

The majority found Rokita’s public statements about Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an OB/GYN at IU Health, in which he called her “an abortion activist” and accused her of failing to properly file medical reports, had no purpose “other than to embarrass or burden the physician.”

In his response to his reprimand, Rokita blamed the disciplinary action on “liberal activists” and said he decided the best thing to do was to accept the punishment.

“Having evidence and explanation for everything I said, I could have fought over those 16 words, but ending their campaign now will save a lot of taxpayer money and distraction, which is also very important to me,” Rokita stated. “In order to resolve this, I was required to sign an affidavit without any modifications.”

Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Justice Christopher Goff dissented, believing the discipline was too lenient for Rokita, because he is the state’s top lawyer and based on the “scope and breadth” of his misconduct. Neither wrote a separate opinion to explain their stance.

The Supreme Court majority of Justices Derek Molter, Mark Massa and Geoffrey Slaughter pointed to previous disciplinary cases, including one against the late Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, and concluded a public reprimand was appropriate.

“(Rokita’s) acceptance of responsibility is a mitigating factor, as are his cooperation with the disciplinary process and his lack of prior discipline over a lengthy career,” the majority wrote. “But that same length of experience also ‘counsels that he should have known better’ than to conduct himself in the manner he did.”

However, in his response, Rokita said that his comments about Bernard were “truthful” and “factual.”

“I deny and was not found to have violated anyone’s confidentiality or any laws,” Rokita stated in the press release. “I was not fined. And I will continue as Indiana’s duly-elected attorney general.”

Bernard’s attorney, Kathleen DeLaney of DeLaney and DeLaney, said Rokita should be contrite, instead of combative.

“As part of the settlement agreement, Mr. Rokita admitted to violating two attorney ethics rules by attacking Dr. Bernard on national television,” DeLaney said in an emailed statement. “His public statements should reflect that fact and we expect a prompt and sincere apology to Dr. Bernard.”

A single comment

The disciplinary action focused on an interview Rokita gave on Fox News in July 2022.

A media firestorm was ignited after Bernard confirmed to an Indianapolis Star reporter that she had performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim who had to travel to Indiana from her home state of Ohio because of that state’s restrictive abortion laws. In May, the Medical License Board of Indiana found Bernard had violated patient confidentiality, and reprimanded her as well as imposed a $3,000 fine.

Immediately after the story broke, Rokita  appeared on television, publicly released a letter he sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb related to Bernard, and gave a press conference on Facebook, making statements about Bernard and saying his office was investigating her and looking at taking her medical license.

However, the Supreme Court’s opinion focused on a single statement he made in July 2022, while appearing on Fox News. Rokita said, “We have this abortion activist acting as a doctor – with a history of failing to report.”

As part of the conditional agreement, the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and Rokita agreed he had violated two rules of professional conduct by making that statement. He violated Rules 3.6(a) and 4.4(a) by talking about his office’s investigation into Bernard before it was completed and by making comments meant only to “embarrass, delay, or burden” Bernard.

The Supreme Court majority found during the Fox News interview, Rokita’s comment could have unfairly influenced any proceeding against Bernard. Specifically, the majority wrote that Rokita’s “statement was of a type rebuttably presumed to have substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing an adjudicative proceeding.”

A violation of a third rule was dismissed by the Supreme Court, presumably pursuant to the settlement.

After the disciplinary complaint was filed in September, Rokita filed a response with the Supreme Court. He acknowledged his statement “could reasonably be considered to have violated” the two Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct.

More remarks about Bernard

With the case now decided, the attorney general is not backing down from his original comment on Fox. He stated in his press release that his words “are factual” and that Bernard “is by her own actions an outspoken abortion activist” and “her full-time patient practice focuses exclusively on performing abortions.”

“Bernard also claims a tattoo – an image of a coat hanger – that she displays and openly discusses with the national media,” Rokita stated. “Whether you think this behavior is good or bad, I challenge any objective Hoosier to conclude that she isn’t an ‘abortion activist,’ as I stated.”

In addition, Rokita pointed to unidentified “media accounts and complainant press releases” as making the allegations – well before his television appearance – that Bernard had failed to properly file the required reports with the Indiana State Department of Health.

Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai’i, Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, and Kentucky, said it was pleased with the reprimand given to Rokita for his “repeated attempts” to harass “Dr. Caitlin Bernard just for doing her job.”

“Rokita’s attacks have no basis in medicine or health care; they are deliberate attempts to scare, silence, and shutter abortion providers in the state,” Planned Parenthood stated. “Two of the Justices in the decision believe the reprimand wasn’t far enough, and we agree. The stigmatizing, shaming, and harassing has to stop and Rokita has made it clear he won’t.”

Taxpayers’ money

Rokita was represented before the disciplinary commission by Schaerr Jaffe, a law firm based in Washington, D.C. Those attorneys also represented the attorney general in Marion County Superior Court in a lawsuit filed by Bernard against Rokita and helped represent the state at Bernard’s hearing before the medical licensing board.

To date, Rokita has not revealed how much public money has been spent defending his law license before the disciplinary commission. A review of invoicesfrom July 2022 through April 2023 shows Rokita’s office has paid Schaerr Jaffe $180,504.94 for all of its work. The Indiana Comptroller has not provided the invoices filed by Schaerr Jaffe since April.

In a previous statement to The Indiana Citizen, Rokita defended the use of taxpayer money in his disciplinary proceeding.

”Of course, public money is involved in any matter which defends the work of a state attorney whose efforts are performed on behalf of the state,” Rokita stated in an email.

FOOTNOTE:

The case is In the Matter of Theodore E. Rokita, 23S-DI-258.

This story has been updated to clarify The Indiana Citizen’s characterization of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s response to being publicly reprimanded. Rokita sent out a press release defending his remarks about Dr. Caitlin Bernard during his investigation of her as being “truthful” and “factual,” and he also said he “was not found to have violated anyone’s confidentiality or any laws.”

Dwight Adams, a freelance editor and writer based in Indianapolis, edited this article. He is a former content editor, copy editor and digital producer at The Indianapolis Star and IndyStar.com, and worked as a planner for other newspapers, including the Louisville Courier-Journal.