Archive for June, 2010

County Property Auction leads to questions

By
Staff
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: News

In last week’s issue, residents voiced concerns over Evansville Brownfields Corp. and an auction held by the Vanderburgh County Commissioners. This week, concerns were heard after some of those who purchased property at the auction were told by Evansville Code Enforcement Officers that the property they purchased was on the list to be razed.

The Vanderburgh County Commissioners initialed the proposal on February 2, 2010. The absolute auction took place on June 8, 2010.

Properties in the auction were sold via “Absolute Auction” at Sohn & Associates. Local auctioneers explained that an absolute auction means that something is sold as is and that all liens against the property had been dropped.

According to the contract between the Vanderburgh County Commissioners  and Sohn & Associates, the maximum commission and expense for the Vanderburgh County Commissioners was $19,000. Advertising was factored into the expenses. While they noted that marketing was a key component of their sales efforts, they also state that direct mail is important, “Direct mail flyers will be produced in full-color and mailed to targeted audiences including, developers, investors, brokers, neighbors and end users. An electronic version of the flyer would also be sent to our proprietary list.”

In speaking with some neighbors of properties on the list, they said they did not receive any notice of the sale in the mail. This was the first concern voiced just after the auction was held.

A phone call to the county commissioners office requesting a copy of the properties that were on the list because of Code Enforcement violations was fulfilled. The list states which properties since 2000 that had been cited for violations. Some were pending; some were active; and some were closed. The list did not state which properties were set to demolished.

The second item is a bit more concerning. Residents and property investors are looking at where to go next with the properties they bought at the auction. Typically, when a property is sold, particularly a residential property, a “Sales Disclosure” is required. However, Karen Woolston, with Sohn & Associates,  said that no sales disclosure forms were sent to Sohn from the county, but that they did have a book people could look through to see why the properties were in the sale. She also said that properties sold at tax sale, court ordered sale or government auctions are not required to have sales disclosures.

In searching the Indiana Code to find the state ruling on such matters, Woolston was correct. According to IC 32-21-5-1, which discusses “Residential Real Estate Sales Disclosure,” the chapter does not apply to “transfers to or from any government entity;” or “transfers made because of the record owner’s failure to pay any federal, state or local taxes.”

The question then went was then raised about how the state law interacts with the federal Fair Housing Laws. According to local realtors, the information about the status of the properties, and if they were to be razed should have been noted prior to the sell.

The third item of concern was that a number of properties were removed from the auction. Originally, there were approximately 280 parcels of real estate set for the June 8, 2010, absolute auction. Residents were concerned as to why some 30 properties had been removed from the list.

People have started to question the city’s growing involvement in local real estate speculation. They are finding it harder to buy properties adjacent to them or investment properties because of the increase in government involvement.

They are asking questions like: “Why is the city buying properties? Where is the money coming from to buy all these properties? How can local people buy properties if they are competing against the city?”

A call to the Vanderburgh County Commissioner’s Office revealed that several parcels had been wanted by the city via the Department of Metropolitan Development. Kristen Comer, administrative assistant to the commissioners, emailed a list of properties that was transferred to DMD along with Resolution CO.R-04-10-003 (Resolution Regarding Transfer or Exchange of Property With Governmental Entity), which was dated April 20, 2010, and approved by all three commissioners.

According to the resolution, “the County shall, contingent upon the adoption of the resolution by the Cty to accept the delivery of a Quitclaim Deed to the Real Estate, execute and deliver a Quitclaim Deed to the Real Estate to the City for and in consideration of Twenty Three Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Four Dollars and Thirty One Cents ($223,744.31) and other good valuable consideration.”

On May 10, 2010, Evansville City Council members Wendy Bredhold and Connie Robinson sponsored Resolution C-2010-8 that went before the board. The resolution titled “A Resolution of the City Council of Evansville, Indiana Regarding Transfer of Exchange of Property with Vanderburgh County,” cited Indiana Code 36-1-11-8 in order to purchase the properties by and through the Dept. of Metropolitan Development. The City Council approved the resolution on that date, and Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel signed the resolution on May 12, 2010.

A list of the properties shows that many of them are located either in the Front Door Pride area, in the proposed new TIF District, or in the Haynie’s Corner area. The city paid either $465 or $1,249.77 for the properties, as stated in city and county documents.

Earlier this week, questions were sent to the Dept. of Metropolitan Development. Here are the questions and the city’s responses:

1. Why did DMD select these particular properties that were set to be auctioned by the county? (I know some are in the Front Door Pride Area; some are near the Haynie’s corner area; and some are in the proposed TIF district.)

DMD reviewed all of the properties available in the County’s “no sales” list.

 DMD identified those which were within the Industrial Park (6 parcels) and Focus Area (31 parcels).  The other 9 parcels were judged first on whether they were NSP eligible, which means that they are in HUD eligible census tracts.  In addition, they were evaluated according to the City’s NSP plan and established area of greatest need.    The parcels were then reviewed to see if they were of the size to be a buildable lot and if they had appropriate zoning for residential development.

 2. How was the purchase price for each property arrived at? (It is somewhat peculiar that almost all of them are worth the same price of $465.)

The County Commissioners established the asking price based on their expenses to gain title.     A few were priced by the County at more than $465 but that was because court costs were involved.

 3. What does DMD plan to do with these properties?

Some will have new homes constructed on them and some will be land banked.

The staff of the  Independence Times will update readers as more information is made available.

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24 Hours on the Street

By
Jamie Grabert
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: Features, News

Joe Beale approached my car as I waited for the light to turn. He introduced himself to me and asked for food or money for a sandwich. After telling him to meet me at the McDonald’s around the corner, I bought him breakfast. He eats it slowly, as if he’s savoring every bite.  He takes the last bite and leans back in his chair. Before he heads back out on the street, he tells me a little about himself.

Joe lives on the streets of Evansville. Actually, he lives on the park benches, under bridges, and anywhere he can find shelter from the elements. Shelters are no longer an option. Vietnam hardened him; life eludes him. Once a warrior, a shell of a man is all that remains. This isn’t his choice.

As we ate, we had discussed things about the Crescent City. He told me what the city was like before “The Storm,” and I told him what the city has become since Hurricane Katrina’s destruction sent him and thousands of others packing, having visited there in 2007. He talked about life in the military and working at the Domino Sugar plant on the Mississippi.

He cleared his tray and asks me to wait until he returns. He took his backpack and disappeared behind a booth. I decided to get a bit of work done while he was a gone, assuming I may never see him again. About 10 minutes later, Joe reappeared. He was clean shaven and had changed clothes. He sat down his backpack and unzipped one of the pockets. He pulled out a trinket that reminded him of home – New Orleans. He tried to give it to me as a thank you for buying his lunch. I declined, but I told him I needed a favor.

He jumped at the chance to do something for me, but when I told him I wanted to spend 24 hours with him living as he did, he declined, telling me it was much too dangerous. I gave him my business card and told him to call me if he ever needed anything. A few hours later, I received a phone call from Joe. He agreed to allow me to do the story, but I had to follow his rules. We agreed to meet the next Saturday at McDonalds.

Joe showed up just as he said he would. He made me clean out my pockets. I didn’t tell him where I had stashed a little cash for an emergency. All he allowed me to take was my jacket, my notebook and a plain Bic pen. He let me keep one sterling silver ring on, but made me remove all other jewelry.

“You could lose a finger if you have something of value and you won’t give it up,” Joe explained.

I complied, planning to keep my body in one piece. We started walking towards the river. Joe told me he likes to stick close to the water because it reminds him of home. It was 10 a.m., and his friends would be waking up. He thought I would want to talk to them as well. It was a cool April day. Joe said spring and fall are the best time for homeless people.

“The summers here are really, hot and humid. It makes it hard to sleep during the day, but that’s the safest time. Winters are pretty rough to for an old man from New Orleans. My family was all dock workers. I got drafted. That’s how I ended up in the Army. You’d think they’d make sure the people that protect this country had a place to live, but they don’t care. They just use us ‘til they’re done with us then throw us off to the side,” he said shaking his head.

He talked the whole time we walked around the city. (I had called a few friends that own restaurants and told them what I would be doing.) I asked Joe what he did about food.

“Well, I go through trash cans and dumpsters. Sometimes, we take food from people’s picnic baskets in the park when they take their kids to swing or play on that wood thing. Some people even take pity on us and buy us food,” Joe smiled at me and winked.

I asked him about trying a few nicer restaurants because they always have picky people like me sending their food back. He gave me a strange look, and said he’s try anything to keep from feeling so empty inside all of the time. We went to a few of the restaurants I had talked to. They had set plates back for Joe. (Plates they had prepared for him.) He took a bag of food down the stairs at Dress Plaza. His friends were under in an area under one of the viewing areas protected by the concrete pillars. When the people saw Joe, their faces lit up. He was like the king of their little village.

Alice explained that Joe took care of them. “You don’t know Joe, but we love him. He takes care of us. He makes sure we stay together so no one is alone on the streets. He said he thinks of all of us like his family. Joe goes through dumpsters and brings all of us back food. There are days when we each get a piece of bread or something about that size. Sometimes, Joe doesn’t eat anything because he gave one of us his food. That’s Joe. But today, we get a feast.”

I talked to a few more of Joe’s friends, while Joe slept. “We sleep in shifts. Joe stays awake all night, and we sleep. Then, we go out and try to get food or money during the day, while he sleeps. Joe goes to look for food when we get up. Then he comes back to wherever we are and sleeps. One of us stays here and keeps watch while Joe sleeps,” said Alex.

They don’t sleep in the same place two nights in a row. About 3:30 p.m., Joe woke up, and we headed back out. I talked to Joe about what Alice, Alex and the others had told me.

“I’ve been homeless since Katrina, but I learned how to take care of myself and my friends in the Army. They’re all much younger than I am, so I feel like it’s my job to take care of them. My goal is for us all to return home,” he noted.

I was shocked, even speechless for a few minutes. Then, my mind flooded with more questions. How did you all get here? Why did you come here? How do you plan to get back? The questions kept coming to me, and I asked Joe.

“We came here because there were other people headed this way to find work. I was one of the people on the bridge. My wife was killed when the levee broke. I ain’t been in a hurry to get back there because I really ain’t got nothing to get back to. I have some family, but I ain’t talked to them since the storm hit. I used to know the number, but I don’t know if it still works. I don’t have a plan, but I sure would like to let my family know I’m still alive,” he said as a tear fell down his cheek.

We walked around the city until dark. Joe pointed all kinds of things out that we take for granted, for like all the green grass and tall trees. Then, we talked more about New Orleans. Turns out, I had heard of Joe’s cousin who was a jazz trumpeter at one of the clubs in the city.

“All in all, I think Evansville’s a pretty nice place. It has an awful lot of white people though, no offense,” he smiled.

I told him I was aware of that, but not to hold that against us. He laughed and told me I was an honorary member of the family now. Then, Joe started asking me questions similar to those I had asked him.

We returned to the riverfront to get Joe’s friends. The next stop was an abandoned house. Rats and bugs were everywhere. The walls were covered with spray paint and wallpaper falling off the walls. Floor boards were missing in some rooms. Joe told me to sit next to him and keep my eyes open. Tonight, we were watching for drug dealers that used the house and the police lights. At the first sign of trouble, we were supposed to head out the back door and meet at the nearby park. Thankfully, there was no trouble. So, we talked some more.

“You know. We ain’t like most homeless people. We don’t steal nothing other than the occasional sandwich from a picnic basket. I won’t allow that. We take care of each other. We’re all from the South. Peoples here don’t even pay attention to us anymore. Used to, all these people talked about was how much they did to help the Hurricane Katrina victims. I guess they think everything’s alright now, but it ain’t. Now, we gotta get home. How you gonna help us with that?” he asked, as our time together came to an end.

As we walked back to my truck, I thanked Joe for allowing me to hang out with him and his friends. I asked him where he was headed next. He told me back to the river.  I went to the drugstore down the street and bought five calling cards, and took them back to the riverfront. I handed one to each of them and told them to call home.

Two weeks ago, I received a phone call from Joe. He called to tell me thanks for helping him and the others get home. Their families had been looking for them, and two of them had been thought to have been drowned and washed out to gulf. Their families and churches raised the money to get them bus tickets to get them home.

“If you ever come back to New Orleans, look me up. We’ll show you what our city is all about. It’s the least we can do after all you did for us,” Joe said as he hung up the phone.

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The Story Behind the James Bethel Gresham Memorial Home

By
Berniece Tirmenstein
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: Historic Places

 gresham

As we look at historical homes in our city we need to include the James Bethel Gresham Memorial Home located at 2 Wedeking Avenue. It is on the northern edge of Garvin Park, overlooking the park.

In James’ memory and in gratitude for his patriotic service, the grateful citizens of Evansville started a collection for the Gresham Hero Home Fund for his mother, Alice Hinton Gresham Dodd. In only two weeks, the amount collected was $1,500. Construction soon began.

Gresham’s mother, stepfather William Dodd, and some of the family moved into the 4-room, 3 bedroom cottage in August of 1918. James was killed November 2, 1917.

For two days, dignitaries such as a well-known Belgian banker, Paul Grosjean, stopped to pay their respects. James’ mother, stepfather, and some of the family lived there until Alice’s death in 1927. She died of pneumonia. The house was occupied by the Service Star Legion (formerly the War Mothers) who maintained it as a memorial to Gresham and as a war museum until 1948.

The house has been owned by the city Parks and Recreation Department since that time. The house underwent extensive remodeling in 1994. Alice Rademacher, who has great interest in preservation of the home, states that the interior of the home is nice with furnishing and wallpaper dating back to the 1920’s era.

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5 Things You Need to Know This Week

By
Staff
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: News

1. Residents have been asking questions about the new driveways at the John F. Kennedy and George W. Buckner Towers in Evansville’s Downtown. These new drives are projects by the Evansville Housing Authority. At both of these towers, the new driveways and covered entrances have been constructed. The questions being raised are in regards to why this exterior construction was done at the Buckner Tower when residents there are still using window units instead of installing central air conditioning. According to residents there, the building has not been renovated since it was built. Kennedy Towers have been renovated and has central air.

2. Historic Newburgh, Inc. will host the 2010 Newburgh Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, July 3rd at the Old Lock and Dam Park in Downtown Newburgh.  Fireworks will begin at 9pm. They still have a little over $2,100 to raise and in order to do so, they will be selling 2010 Newburgh Fireworks Celebration buttons for $5.  Your $5 donation will help to cover the remaining $2,100.  Buttons can be purchased at any Warrick County Heritage Federal Credit Union branch, the Newburgh Schnuck’s location on Saturday, June 26th, 9am-1pm, or at the Historic Newburgh, Inc. office.

3. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold a public hearing regarding an application for Vectren for “approval of a reliability cost and revenue adjustment for electric service in accordance with the order of commission.” The public Evidentiary Hearing in the Judicial Courtroom 224 of the PNC Center, 101 W Washington St., Indianapolis, IN, at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

4. The local TEA Party patriots are hosting a picnic at Garvin Park on July 4, 2010. The picnic will begin at 2 p.m. Guest speakers are sure to offer powerful speeches regarding the upcoming election and issues important to local residents. Tours will also be offered of the James Bethel Grisham, the first soldier killed in World War I.

5. A Knight Township resident tried on two separate occasions to get ahold of someone at the township trustee’s office, but received no response. On the first attempt, the person went to the office. On the second attempt, she made phone calls to the office and received no answer. A staff member of the Independence Times stopped by the Knight Township in the late afternoon, and no one was at the office.

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What are we coming to?

By
Jamie Grabert
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: Columns

We have become so engrossed with politics that we are now steering away from what we have known as reality for years. We’ve watched for months the devastation in the Gulf of Mexico brought on by a horrific accident at the BP oil rig.

We all watch the news to see what decisions the president, Congress, our governors, state legislators and local officials are making. We are ready with the phones and emails to pounce when they don’t vote or make the choices we want them to make. Those are storms many of us saw coming as the campaigns unfolded last year. Now, we are forced to deal with surge and backwater left behind after one of the most confusing elections in the history of this country.

As a nation, we have been so fixated on health care, abortion, taxes, tax incentives and credits, public policy, right vs. left, etc., that we have lost sight of what’s really important – the people. It is the people who make this nation great. It is the people’s desire to reach out to one another and lend a helping hand that makes this country so powerful.

But rather than be that nation, we have become obsessed with protecting our individual rights and freedoms to the extent that we are not paying attention to other matters. We need to remember that at the end of the day, we are “ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.” We have failed, in recent months, to really show our support for the military. We have failed to exhibit the compassion that we had grown so accustomed to.  We have failed to truly show what this country is all about. We must, as a collective people, as a nation of Americans devoid of our ethnicities and backgrounds, stand up and work together to reclaim the United States. We must, once again, rise up, and as voters, make our voices be heard.

As President John F. Kennedy stated in his Inaugural Address, “The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe – the beliefs that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.”

Now, today, this is the time to make a choice. We need to look to the past but strive for a better future. We need to continue the push to make our voices heard in our state capitals and national offices. “We the people of the United States of America…” Those are the most important words in the history of this nation. We have the power to spark a revolution of change. For decades, those we have elected to power have failed us by failing to realize that it was only a matter of time before the people tore down the walls of government. Brick by brick, block by block, those walls are coming down. It’s the people who are surrounding the walls.

“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it — and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.”

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Dozens of new laws take effect July 1

By
admin
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: State Politics

(STATEHOUSE) - Dozens of new laws are set to go into effect on July 1, ranging from cracking down on overdue child support to relieving overcrowded prisons, strengthening drunken driving penalties to protecting property rights.

Here is the list:

Child Support: In an effort to collect more than $2 billion in overdue child support payments, lawmakers passed a bill to withhold casino winnings from those who ignore their court-ordered obligations. The Indiana Department of Child Services estimates more than 165,000 “deadbeat parents” each owe more than $2,000 in support payments. Colorado passed a similar law in July 2008, resulting in more than $320 million in delinquent payments.

Drunken Driving: Legislation designed to stiffen penalties against drunken drivers also memorializes an innocent victim, an Indiana family’s unborn son. In 2007, Danielle Brookshire lost her unborn son in a car crash believed to be caused by a drunken driver. Lawmakers worked with Brookshire and local prosecutors on the bill’s language.

Costly, Crowded Prisons: Senate Enrolled Act 415 eases the burden on Indiana’s over-crowded correctional facilities and saves tax dollars. Every year of incarceration costs taxpayers at least $20,000 per inmate, and SEA 415 allows parole boards to consider early discharges for long-term, non-violent offenders who have been incarcerated for 21 consecutive years and have completed a four-year college degree or other approved community transition program.

Utility Co-Ops: Lawmakers passed a measure allowing rural telephone and electric cooperatives to merge into single co-ops. Supporters of Senate Enrolled Act 126 say merging co-ops could increase the utilities’ management efficiencies and streamline efforts to more cost-effectively bring service to Hoosiers in rural communities.

Independent Research: In an effort to make the legislative branch less dependent on lobbyists for research on public policy topics, Senate Enrolled Act 84 allows lawmakers and the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency to access state-funded research resources at Indiana colleges and universities. Feasibility of establishing a research and policy development division will also be explored.

Voting Accessibility: House Enrolled Act 1109 makes voting easier for those with disabilities and military personnel serving our country overseas. The new law ensures disabled voters have the same access to private, independent voting methods when casting ballots early or absentee as they do when voting on Election Day. It also provides more options for military personnel to cast a vote when serving overseas.

Property Rights: Aimed at protecting Hoosier homeowners’ rights to display political signs on their property, lawmakers approved a bill allowing homeowners associations to regulate but no longer ban the display of political signs during election seasons. Senate Enrolled Act 64 prohibits associations from adopting restrictive rules that outright prohibit the display of political signs 30 days before an election. Associations may still adopt and enforce rules restricting the size, number and location of signs.

Suicide, Violence Education: Senate Enrolled Act 226 establishes a study of teen suicide and prevention measures, including teacher training to recognize early signs of suicidal tendencies in youth. Senate Enrolled Act 316 requires the Department of Education to develop dating violence education materials, which can later be used to assist schools with preventive programming.

Gun Rights: House Enrolled Act 1068 aims to keep the names, addresses and other identifying information of more than 300,000 Hoosiers with handgun licenses – also referred to as concealed carry permits – confidential, like tax records. House Enrolled Act 1065 prohibits most businesses from enacting policies that prevent licensed gun owners from keeping legal firearms in their locked vehicles out of sight.

Rx Abuse: Lawmakers supported a bill aimed at combating prescription drug abuse in Indiana. Senate Enrolled Act 356 expands the data collected by Indiana’s prescription monitoring program (INSPECT) and allows INSPECT to release information on prescribers and patients to the state toxicologist, Medicaid fraud investigators and substance abuse assistance programs. This change should help better identify problem prescribers and ‘doctor shopper’ patients in an effort to reduce prescription drug abuse.

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Dr. Joseph Uduehi named Art Educator of the Year

By
admin
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: Education

uduehi

Dr. Joseph Uduehi, USI associate professor of art education, received the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana’s 2010 Arts Educator of the Year Award during a ceremony June 22 at the Arts Council’s Bower-Surheinrich Foundation Gallery.

In accepting the award, Uduehi said, “Being the Arts Educator of the year is an honor and reflects the many opportunities given to me by many individuals, including President Linda Bennett and the Board of Trustees, whose leaderships continue to provide the environment for me to teach art education at USI and the community at large who have embraced the art programs. To me, art education provides the environment to communicate the inner thoughts of every individual which starts from birth. This is what I hope this award also represents.”

Since joining USI in 1999, Uduehi has brought art and art lessons to hundreds of children in the community through the Saturday Art Workshop he founded in 2000 as well as classes at the USI Children’s Center and in the community.

He has led classes at the Koch Family Children’s Museum, Patchwork Central, and elementary and middle schools. In 2004, he worked with children in the Saturday Art Workshop and USI art education students to create a 4 by 16 foot mural at Tekoppel Elementary School. He also has lectured area art teachers about multicultural art history.

Uduehi also has contributed his time to the community by serving on the Evansville Museum of Art, History, and Science’s education committee, on the advisory committee to the museum’s curator of education, and the museum’s board of trustees. In 2000, he presented a public program of contemporary art from the women of Cape Town, South Africa, which included 75 original hand-beaded works.

In 2006, Uduehi was awarded the Sydney L. and Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award, recognizing a USI faculty member for distinguished community service to groups, agencies, and institutions.

Uduehi holds a Doctor of Education in art education and a Master of Art degree in art education and cinematography from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Bachelor of Art degree in painting and drawing and certificate of education from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria.

Stephen S. Pace received the Artist of the Year award at the ceremony. Pace was a prominent member of the New York Abstract Expressionists. His work has been exhibited in the nation’s most important galleries and museums. More than 200 of his paintings are now part of the University’s permanent collection. The recipient of many honors and recognitions, Pace was awarded an honorary degree from USI in 2002. A portion of a $1.5 million gift from the Paces established the Pace Galleries in the Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center.

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Attorney General: Supreme Court ruling clarifies individual rights

By
admin
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: National Politics, State Politics

INDIANAPOLIS – Today the United States Supreme Court issued its opinion in the case of McDonald v. Chicago, finding that the Second Amendment protection of the individual’s right to keep and bear arms also extends to state and local governments, not just the federal government.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller was one of 37 state attorneys general who signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief authored by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott that urged the Supreme Court to find that state and local governments must obey the Second Amendment and to invalidate local ordinances prohibiting possession of handguns in the home.

The Supreme Court, in its 5-4 majority opinion today, agreed with plaintiff Otis McDonald that the U.S. Constitution extends the Second Amendment protection to the state and local level. At issue was a Chicago city ordinance that had banned most handguns in the home, even for self-protection.

“I signed the states’ amicus brief last year because I believe that private citizens have the individual constitutional right within the sanctity of their own homes to protect themselves with handguns. Today’s landmark ruling is noteworthy in that the Supreme Court majority largely agreed with the constitutional arguments for a strong individual right articulated by 38 states through their state attorneys general,” Zoeller said.

“My office will work with our partners in Indiana law enforcement in interpreting today’s important ruling so that the self-protection rights of individual citizens and public-safety issues are correctly balanced at all levels of government,” Zoeller said.

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Fireworks Safety

By
admin
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: Community

In just a few days the United States of America will be celebrating her 234th birthday.  As has been a custom for many years, many Americans will be celebrating this occasion with the use of fireworks.  Your Indiana State Police would like everyone to observe the following Indiana fireworks laws to make their holiday celebration not only legal, but safe.

  • Only individuals 18 years of age or older can purchase fireworks.
  • A person 18 years of age or older has to be present when anyone younger than 18 is using or possessing fireworks.
  • Fireworks can only be used on the user’s property, the property of someone who granted permission for fireworks to be discharged, or a place designated by the Indiana State Fire Marshal for the discharge of consumer fireworks.
  • Fireworks can only be discharged between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. any day except on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and New Year’s Eve where the times are 9:00 a.m. to midnight.

Anyone who violates the above law can be charged with a Class C Infraction.  Further, if a person recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally uses fireworks and the violation causes property damage they can be charged with a class A misdemeanor.  If the misuse results in bodily injury the penalty enhanced to a class D felony and if a death results the penalty is enhanced to a class C felony.

Anyone who plans to use fireworks at anytime during the year should check local government entities for any local ordinances which may further restrict or have additional requirements for the use of fireworks.

Children using fireworks should be monitored closely by an adult.  Each year many children suffer severe burns to the hands and arms as well as other injuries due to improper handling of sparklers, bottle rockets, and firecrackers.  Do your part in making this year’s celebration a safe one.

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CountryMark Adds Two Senior Managers

By
admin
 – June 30, 2010Posted in: Business

CountryMark, Indiana’s farmer-owned oil company, is pleased to announce the addition of two members to its senior management team.  Rick Sumner and Mike Gibbons recently joined Countrymark Energy Resources, LLC, the newly-created petroleum exploration and production subsidiary of Indianapolis-based Countrymark Cooperative, LLP. Sumner will serve as Vice President of Exploration, while Gibbons will be Vice President of Production.

“We’re extremely pleased to be able to welcome individuals of the caliber of Rick and Mike to CountryMark,” said company President and CEO Charlie Smith. “Both bring experiences and histories of successful managerial accomplishments in the energy business. These men are excellent additions to our company.”

Rick Sumner

Sumner comes to CountryMark from Evansville-based Core Minerals Operating Company, Inc., whose assets were recently purchased by CountryMark. In that position, Sumner served as Vice President of Exploration. In his new role at CountryMark, Sumner will head up CountryMark’s oil exploration efforts and will work out of the cooperative’s Indianapolis offices.

Sumner’s previous experience includes beginning his career as an Exploration Geologist for Shell Oil Company where he worked in Alaska and offshore California, before moving on to become Division Development Geologist for UNOCAL for the Illinois, Michigan, and Appalachian Basins. He received his BS degree in Geology from Ball State University and his MS in geology from Southern Illinois University. He is a Certified Petroleum Geologist with the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and a Licensed Professional Geologist in the state of Indiana.

Mike Gibbons

Gibbons comes to CountryMark from Houston, Texas-based Noble Energy where he served as Engineering Manager for local operations out of Crossville, Ill. Gibbons coordinated technical and field personnel for all work pertaining to drilling, completion and waterflood management, while working in conjunction with operations staff to maintain base production.

Prior to his years at Noble Energy, Gibbons was the Production Engineer for Moore Engineering and Production Company out of Evansville, Ind., a Production Engineer with M.R. Resources, Inc, located in Mt. Carmel, Ill.; and a Drilling\Completion Engineer for Gary-Williams Oil Producers, Inc. out of Englewood, Col. Gibbons holds a BS in Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, and a BS in Biology from Illinois State University. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Indiana.

In his new role at CountryMark, Gibbons will be responsible for all aspects of developing discovered oil reserves and will work out of the company’s Evansville office. Gibbons and his wife, Susan, reside in Princeton, Indiana, and have two adult children.

The hiring of Sumner and Gibbons expands CountryMark’s senior management team to ten members, and puts key people in position for CountryMark to fully capitalize on the recent acquisition of oil production assets in the Illinois Basin. With that purchase, CountryMark added oil exploration and production to its American-owned oil refining and marketing company portfolio.

“In order to fully realize the benefits to be derived from further integrating our refining and marketing business model to now include oil production, we need the right people in the right positions to oversee those new functions,” said CEO Smith. “I’m extremely confident that in Rick Sumner and Mike Gibbons we have those individuals.”

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