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(01/10/13 4:29am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>INDIANAPOLIS – At the state’s first State of Higher Education address, Higher Education Commissioner Teresa Lubbers said she wanted Indiana collegiate students to leave with at least one message in tow: 15 to finish.The catchphrase, meant to remind students that taking at least 15 credit hours a semester is vital to graduating on time, wasn’t the only pointer Lubbers had for current and future students, but she said it was the most important.“If Indiana college students listening remember only one thing I’ve said this evening, it should be the following phrase: 15 to finish,” Lubbers said halfway through her 30-minute address.Lubbers’ State of Higher Education address was the first of its kind in Indiana and was at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Indiana Government Center in downtown Indianapolis. The Commissioner said such an address was only necessary next to the annual State of the State address from the Governor and State of Education address from the Superintendent of Public Instruction.“The timing of my remarks this evening is altogether fitting as higher education has become the common link between the aspirations of our young people and the economic prosperity of our state,” she said.She continued, emphasizing the important role students, educators, administrators and legislatures have in shaping higher education in Indiana.Two main statistics fueled Lubbers’ address — Indiana ranks 40th among the 50 states in the number of adults with education beyond high school and 41st in per capita personal income. Indiana’s Big Goal, according to a press release, is to increase the number of Hoosiers with higher education to 60 percent of the state’s population by 2025.The Commissioner outlined specific ways she and her commission plan to accomplish it.“It is not an overstatement to say that Indiana’s future — the kind of state we will be — has more to do with education than anything else,” Lubbers’ said in the beginning of her address.Speaking directly to her 300-person audience, Lubbers gave instructions and suggestions to her three main demographic groups: students, legislatures and the academic institutions themselves.Beyond the 15 to finish catchphrase, Lubbers encouraged students to limit their loans to no more than their expected annual starting salary after graduation. She challenged the Indiana General Assembly in the upcoming legislative session to support performance-based funding for colleges, stop cutting higher education funding and create financial aid incentive that rewards students for performing academically and graduating on time.To the collegiate institutions, the commission recommends a limitation of increases in tuition and fees at or below the rate of inflation, while also promoting college advising and financial aid policies to minimize outgoing student debt.At the address, the Commission on Higher Education released their new “Return on Investments” report. According to the report, three in 10 Hoosier students complete a four-year degree on time and less than one in 10 earns a two-year degree on time, which the report said could cost an Indiana student $50,000 or more in extra tuition, lost wages and related expenses.Following Lubbers’ address, a panel of four took the stage to discuss education through a broader lens, explaining its importance to business, the community and Indiana’s youth. Amos Brown, host and managing editor of Afternoons with Amos on WTLC-AM, moderated the discussion.The panelists were Indiana Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Brinegar, Indiana Youth Institute President Bill Stanczykiewicz, University of Indianapolis President Emeritus Beverley Pitts and House Education Committee Chairman Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis.In an effort to engage students in the Commissioner’s first State of Higher Education address, culinary students from Vincennes University were invited to prepare reception food and a quartet of students from IU’s Jacobs School of Music provided background music. Additionally, three Ball State University communication students live-tweeted the address. Katie Mettler
(01/10/13 2:14am)
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(01/09/13 4:33am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Indiana has fought to uphold California’s Proposition 8 since 2010, defending California’s ability to define marriage as between a man and a woman. When the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to rule on the statute’s constitutionality on Dec. 7, Indiana and more than a dozen other states’ efforts proved fruitful in bringing states’ rights to the national stage.This spring, the Supreme Court will review Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage, alongside the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which denies legally married gay and lesbian couples the right to receive certain federal benefits. On Monday, the Supreme Court scheduled Prop. 8’s hearing for March 26 and DOMA’s for March 27 with hopes of an official ruling by June 2013.Although decisions in both cases will indefinitely affect Hoosiers, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has taken a particular interest in the future of Prop. 8, as it relates to states’ rights.“With all due respect to those who have called for a truce from conflict on social issues, this is a legal question of central importance in our nation that only the United States Supreme Court can evaluate and determine with finality,” Zoeller said in a December press release. “We contend the people of each state — either through their elected legislators or directly by referendum — should have the authority to define marriage within their state, and Indiana stands firm in its vigorous defense of each state’s legal authority to recognize the traditional definition of marriage as a significant state interest.”The statement came the same day the high court granted certiorari to the Prop. 8 case, Hollingsworth v. Perry.In 2010, Indiana co-authored an amicus brief, or a friend-of-the-court brief, supporting the push to appeal California’s 9th Circuit Court decision that struck down Prop. 8. In August 2012, Indiana co-authored another brief with Michigan and Virginia asking the Supreme Court to hear the case and defending its constitutionality. Twelve other states joined the brief. Now that the high court has decided to hear the case, Zoeller’s office announced the Attorney General and his Solicitor General, Thomas Fisher, are drafting two more friend-of-the-court briefs based on Indiana’s opinion of the merits of the Prop. 8 and DOMA cases, according to a press release.“There are two opportunities to file amicus briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court. One is on the ‘cert petition’ stage, that is, when a request has been made that the Court consider hearing an appeal,” Zoeller spokesman Bryan Corbin said in an email. “The second opportunity to file a brief is in the “merits” stage – after the Court has agreed to accept a particular appeal, but before it has heard the oral argument on that case.”Zoeller’s office has not yet released what its merit-based arguments will contain, but Corbin said he anticipates the briefs will reach the Supreme Court by the end of January.In taking on these two cases, the Supreme Court has agreed to explore at least two major constitutional principles: states’ rights as guaranteed by the 10th Amendment and the Full-Faith and Credit Clause in the 14th Amendment. The high court’s rulings could alter Indiana’s current push to amend the state’s constitution, defining marriage as between one man and one woman and rejecting a legal status “identical or substantially similar” to that of marriage. That effort, House Joint Resolution 6, was authored by Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, and has already passed through Indiana’s House and Senate. If HJR 6 passes both chambers again in 2013’s legislative session, it will be put to a popular vote by referendum in 2014.If the Supreme Court upholds Prop. 8, which also involved amending the constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, then Indiana could preserve its ability to define marriage for itself, IU-Purdue University Indianapolis constitutional law professor David Orentlicher said. However, even if DOMA is overturned based on its presumed “discriminatory language,” which denies federal rights to some legally bound couples, it could still be hard to preserve states’ rights on the issue, Orentlicher said.He also said the chances of the high court upholding Prop. 8 and striking down DOMA are unlikely. “The states’ rights argument is indeterminate,” Orentlicher said.Even if the high court rules in favor of states’ rights, the possible elimination of DOMA could still undermine an individual state’s rights under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the 14th amendment.This hypothetical, though, is one the Attorney General’s office isn’t willing to comment on quite yet.“It would not be appropriate for us to react hypothetically in advance to a decision the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet issued,” Corbin said in an email. “The legal positions of Indiana and the other states will be set forth in the two amicus briefs that will be filed, and we will let those briefs speak for themselves.”Orentlicher said he believes the American people are more supportive of same-sex marriage than ever before, and it will be hard for the sitting Supreme Court justices to buck popular opinion.In terms of legalizing same-sex marriage, Orentlicher said he believes it’s a matter of when, not whether or not.“The argument against same-sex marriage is a difficult one to make. The more you view marriage as an institution between two people who want to make a long term commitment to each other, it’s harder to distinguish between same-sex and opposite-sex couples,” Orentlicher said. “I don’t think there’s any question that, at some point, the court will rule in favor of same-sex marriage.”
(10/30/12 5:17am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Until a television producer told them on the phone, Nancy and Steven Comiskey had no idea their daughter’s killer had been a free man for nearly a year and a half.Had the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office followed the correct procedure, the Comiskeys would have known of his release in July 2011. On Nov. 9, 2004, Bryan Gooldy, high on drugs, drove across the center line on North Walnut Street and struck IU alumna Kate Comiskey’s vehicle. She was killed in the head-on collision.It was 7:05 a.m., and Kate, a teacher at Indian Creek High School in Trafalgar, Ind., was on her way to work. A month after the accident, Steven submitted a victim notification form to the prosecutor’s office. He and Nancy were to be notified if Gooldy was released, but the county prosecutor’s office never filed the form with the state.“You become used to dealing with the grief and pushing it down inside, and then things like this just bring it right back up, right back up to the surface,” said Nancy, an IU journalism lecturer and former interim director of IU Student Media.Gooldy was sentenced to 20 years in prison, which was then doubled to 40 years under the state’s habitual offender statute. Before the accident, Gooldy had been convicted in other cases and had already served six years for a robbery charge.In March 2011, that sentence was reduced to 20 years. During the initial hearing, prosecutors cited the wrong statute. They should’ve cited the habitual drug offender statute, which adds eight years to a sentence rather than doubling it. To add back to Gooldy’s sentence, the Comiskeys would’ve had to take him to trial again.Because Indiana law allows inmates two days of credit for every one day served with good behavior, Gooldy would serve 10 years.Rather than risk an acquittal in the nearly seven-year-old case, the Comiskeys decided to accept the sentence reduction with the understanding that Gooldy’s sentence would not be reduced any further. They had been assured that he would be released in November 2014 at the earliest.In a letter written to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office on Feb. 21, 2011, Nancy said the “lack of communication in the past six months is disturbing” and insisted their consistent hearing attendance and her 20 plus phone calls to the case’s lead prosecutor, Jeff Kehr, were sufficient evidence they wanted to remain informed on the case’s progress.“Our decision, of course, rests entirely on your securing a guilty plea on the B felony and the sentence of 10 real years in prison,” Nancy wrote. “We understand Gooldy would remain in prison until November 2014, and there is no chance of early release. If this is not correct, please notify us immediately.”Nobody ever did.Just four months after the sentencing adjustment and Nancy’s letter, Gooldy was released on July 29, 2011, to Parole District 5, which encompasses southeastern Indiana.Gooldy completed a variety of state programs to receive additional time off his sentence.He received 365 days for completing an associate’s degree in Bible studies, 183 days for completing the state’s PLUS “faith and character-based” program and 657 days for completing a bachelor’s degree in organizational management.This brought his release date to the earlier July 29, 2011, date.“The big problem here is that these education programs are basically get out of jail free cards,” Nancy said. “It’s just unbelievable to me that a man with 10 convictions who has killed somebody serves six and a half years of a 20-year sentence, let alone six and a half years of a 40-year sentence.” Nancy things the education programs are good, but they shouldn’t allow offenders to dock time off their already shortened sentences. The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office did not respond to repeated requests for comment, but Indiana Department of Corrections spokesperson Doug Garrison said the department was never informed of the Comiskeys’ request to be notified of Gooldy’s release.“When an offender is released by opportunity of law, there is no parole hearing,” Garrison said.However, he said the Comiskeys would have had the freedom to write to the prosecutor’s office on behalf of their daughter, but he wasn’t sure whether the law would have allowed their input to influence Gooldy’s release date. “If everything had been done as it should have been, we would have been notified 45 days before his release, and we could have at least written a letter to the commissioner, we could have written a letter to the parole board, we could have spoken up for our daughter, and that was just so hard for me to deal with in the first couple of days of this, just knowing that no one spoke up for her,” Nancy said. Nancy said she is unsure whether there are any legal repercussions for the actions of the prosecutor’s office but said she plans to file an official complaint with the state.“What happened was wrong,” Nancy said. “But nothing is going to bring our daughter back.”Prior to their discovery of Gooldy’s early release, Steven and Nancy had talked about the irony November 2014 would bring.“We had always thought, well isn’t this interesting that we will be marking the 10th anniversary of our daughter’s death at the same time this guy will be celebrating getting out of prison,” Nancy said. The Comiskeys have spent the last eight years keeping Kate’s memory alive.“There is not an hour of the day I don’t think of her,” she said. “She had just exceeded all our expectations. She was an amazing teacher, the funniest woman I have ever known. We adored her, and she adored us, and basically a big part of our lives ended that day. Our lives will never be the same. We’ll never ever be the same.”Kate loved animals, so each year for Christmas and their daughter’s birthday, the Comiskeys play with animals at the Humane Society and make a donation. They still have Kate’s dog, Lola.For Nancy and Steven, there really is no next step. “What’s next is we get up tomorrow morning and get through another day, that’s what’s next,” Nancy said. “That’s what’s next. That’s just the way it is, and we’ve had eight years to practice that, and we’ll have some more.”
(10/17/12 5:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The performances of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama garnered criticism from both sides in the first presidential debate two weeks ago.In Tuesday’s round two, both delivered. At Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., the debate took the form of a town hall meeting.Crowd members, undecided voters selected by the Gallup Organization, asked the candidates questions about foreign and domestic issues.A handful of audience members had a chance to ask questions directly, which included such domestic topics as gun control, affordable education, unemployment among college students, tax credits, workplace inequality and gas prices. Participants touched on foreign issues including immigration, Libya, national security and job outsourcing.Audience members did not ask questions about several hot topics in this year’s election rhetoric, including the war in Afghanistan, health care, veterans, Medicare and Social Security.EducationObama: Although he began by referencing the importance of creating decent paying jobs for college graduates, Obama transitioned, saying he wanted everyone to have access to a quality education. He directly addressed the student who asked the question, saying, “I want to make student loans available for folks like you,” while also emphasizing the importance of investing in community colleges that are training people who are already in the workforce and want to go back to school. Romney: Addressing the college student who asked the question, Romney said he wanted to keep Federal Pell Grants growing and make college affordable with a loan program. He told the student, “I want you to be able to get a job,” saying he would change the current problem students face of acquiring more debt with less job availability because the middle class “has been crushed” in the last four years.Workplace InequalityObama: After an anecdote about his mother hitting the glass ceiling, Obama touted the first bill he signed in office, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. He called women’s struggle for equality “a family issue and a middle class issue.” The president said equal opportunity begins with easier access to decent education and pointed to the increase in Federal Pell Grants during his administration.Romney: The former governor told the audience his administration in Massachusetts had more women in senior leadership positions than in any other state. Romney said he learned through this that having females in higher positions requires employers to be more flexible to accommodate a woman’s lifestyle. He argued the best way to help women in the workplace is to create a stronger economy, and he said he plans to do just that.ImmigrationObama: Obama said America isn’t just a nation of immigrants, but also a “nation of laws,” saying the current immigration laws were part of a broken system that needed to be fixed. He said he wanted to make the path to citizenship easier and cheaper. Obama emphasized his constant commitment to the DREAM Act, a bill that would allow the children of illegal immigrants to gain U.S. citizenship through higher education or military service.Romney: Claiming America is “a nation of immigrants,” Romney said it’s important for the legal system already in place to work more efficiently, but he said he wouldn’t grant amnesty to immigrants who chose to come into the U.S. illegally. Romney did, however, announce his support for an employment verification system and a pathway for children who were brought to the U.S. illegally to become permanent residents, citing military service as one way to gain citizenship.Job outsourcingObama: Obama said he will close loopholes allowing companies to benefit from moving jobs offshore. He said the way to create jobs in America is to double exports and change the tax code so businesses investing overseas do not receive breaks. Obama said he will continue to be tough on China and in trade deals with all countries so American workers benefit the most.Romney: Romney said he would make it more attractive for American businesses of all sizes to keep jobs in America. To do this, he plans to lower tax rates for companies. The governor called out China for artificially keeping down the value of its currency and promised that on his first day in office, he will label China as a currency manipulator and will enact tariffs to make sure they play by the rules.
(10/15/12 4:35am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A knee-high wall of mustache-branded and Indiana-stamped campaign yard signs ran parallel to queuing Hoosier Democrats Friday morning.Lined along the red brick walls of Indianapolis’ North Central High School, more than 3,000 people converged for the Indiana Democratic Party’s Hoosier Common Sense rally, headlined by former President Bill Clinton.Supporters shivered in line for hours before the rally’s 10:30 a.m. start, gripping blue and white signs reading “Hoosiers Love Bill” with a red heart replacing the word “love.”Among the masses was a group of half a dozen IU students, several of them North Central alumni. They road tripped to a friend’s house Thursday night for what they called their “fall weekend,” spending the night in Indianapolis to ensure they could get in line early Friday morning to hear Clinton speak.It was cold but worth it, they said.“It’s great to see any politician speak, but especially in your high school gym,” North Central alumna and IU senior Emma Cudahy said. “Personally, I think this is what this state needs to get its blood going.”The students said Clinton’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in September excited them, and they thought the momentum from Vice President Joe Biden’s performance at Thursday night’s debate carried into the rally.They agreed Biden made up for what President Barack Obama lacked in the first presidential debate Oct. 3.“It’s just relevant that (the debate) happened last night and this is today,” IU junior Bari Finkel said.As the students settled in on the lower level of bleachers, John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change” played.They were ready for Bill.Before Clinton came onstage, several Indianapolis politicians and a couple candidates spoke, including Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial candidate State Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington, and Rep. André Carson, D-7th District.Both emphasized the importance of using what they called Hoosier common sense in this year’s election and shutting down extremism. “We need to go out to common sense moderate Republicans and explain to them why elections matter and this one matters the most of all,” Simpson said to the rowdy crowd.After Simpson, Carson spoke about the importance of a final burst of energy in the last month before the election. In a surprise appearance, former Indiana governor and U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., led Donnelly, Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg and Clinton onstage.“Fortunately for us, nobody embodies this concept of Hoosier common sense more than our special guest today,” Bayh said of Clinton.As anticipation built, supporters stomped their feet and cheers echoed through the crowded gym.Bayh endorsed Gregg and spoke of the position’s importance.When Gregg took to the podium, he was all smiles behind his signature mustache.“We’re gonna win!” he shouted in his raspy voice. “It’s a great day to be a Hoosier.”Gregg spoke of bipartisanship and education. As he introduced Donnelly, the last speaker before Clinton, he said he wanted to make history with the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate.“Now, the Lord didn’t bless him with a good looking mustache,” Gregg said. “But you know, even though it’s been 1908 since we elected a governor with a mustache, its been a long time since we elected a Democratic governor and United States senator at the same time.”The crowd grew restless as Donnelly took the microphone.Donnelly explained to the crowd why their much-anticipated guest was in Indiana.The U.S. Senate candidate received a call on his cell phone from an unknown number, and the operator on the other line told him President Clinton wanted to speak with him.Donnelly thought it was a joke.“And the next thing I hear is the voice of God,” Donnelly delivered to a roaring crowd. “He said to me, ‘Joe, you are gonna win this race for the people of the state of Indiana. Would you mind if I came out and wanted to help a little bit.’”Donnelly had no problem accepting his offer.As Clinton approached it the crowd erupted.“I almost feel entitled to sing ‘Back Home Again in Indiana,’” Clinton joked.In 2008, Clinton frequently campaigned for his wife in Indiana, then-presidential hopeful and current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.This time, he spoke to the crowd with a different purpose.His 37-minute speech focused on the importance of bipartisanship in government.“When you know you have more yesterdays than tomorrows, it sort of simplifies and clarifies life, and I think about all that matters is whether people are better off when you quit than when you started, whether children have a brighter future and whether things are coming together or being torn apart,” Clinton said. “The rest of it’s all background music.”Clinton criticized what he called the “my way or the highway” attitude of the Republican candidates, specifically calling out Gregg and Donnelly’s opponents, gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mike Pence, R-6th District, and U.S. Senate candidate Republican State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, respectively.Clinton discussed health care, education and the economy.He placed special emphasis on the U.S. Senate race, referencing Mourdock’s calls for less compromise in Washington, D.C.“I loved everything about Indiana’s role in the Senate when you had Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar,” Clinton said.Later, he mentioned Lugar again.“I thought he at least might have acknowledged that Dick Lugar made this country a safer and stronger place,” Clinton said, referencing Mourdock.Clinton said when interests of the country were on the line, officials worked together.“That’s my deal,” Clinton said. “Constructive cooperative works better than constant conflict. If you apply Hoosier common sense to this election, you will elect John Gregg governor, and you will elect Joe Donnelly to the United States Senate.”
(10/01/12 4:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Former Bloomington City Council President Charlotte Zietlow nabbed a faux mustache from the campaign paraphernalia table and tucked it behind the band on her army green fedora. Nestled beside an Obama for America pin, it flopped along as she walked from table to table at Nick’s English Hut Friday night. She was there to support Democratic gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates John Gregg and Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington. “People are here to see their friends ... and see who’s not here,” she said with a chuckle as she moved to socialize at the bar. More than 100 people ventured to the Hoosier Room for a meet and greet and fundraising evening with Gregg and Simpson. Students and community members mingled with candidates, sharing drinks, stories and strategies to defeat Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., on Election Day. Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan introduced the duo. “I know it’s Friday, and I know it’s Bloomington,” Gregg said to supporters. “I’m sure you’ve all got parties to get to.”“This is the party,” one audience member shouted. Gregg graduated from IU in 1976 with degrees in political science and history. The first time Gregg came to Nick’s was in the early ’70s.“It is a great place,” he said. Before joining his supporters in the Hoosier Room, Gregg said he stopped by campaign headquarters in Bloomington, where a group of about 20 students spoke with him about job markets and the affordability of college. More students standing on Kirkwood Avenue echoed the same concerns. Gregg and Simpson addressed both issues Friday night. Simpson emphasized the importance of electing a governor who supports higher education. She said higher education funding is being cut by $150 million a year, adding that Pence voted against Pell Grants six times. “Education should be about K-16, not just K-12,” Simpson said. The governor also appoints boards of trustees at public universities like IU, and Simpson said those appointments matter. “Students need to make sure those appointees are supporters of public education, which isn’t the trend now,” she said. Gregg echoed Simpson’s stance and said he is the only gubernatorial candidate that has a background in education. He served as interim president of Vincennes University from 2003 to 2004. Gregg spoke of the economy and jobs. “Jobs are first, second and third,” he said, “We can do this if we quit fussing about the Girl Scouts and the license plates.” IU senior Joel Ahearn attended the meet and greet with his roommate. Both donated money to the campaign. Over glass jars of Upland Wheat, the two talked about the upcoming election.Ahearn said for him, the election will come down to college affordability, and that’s why he supports Gregg and Simpson. “I work 40 hours a week,” he said. “I need my financial aid.” Ahearn said he comes from a low-income household, so his loans and grants have helped him keep college affordable. “I know it’s an issue,” he said. “Congress is trying to increase interest.”The roommates said issues of gay rights and health care will influence their vote, too. Simpson supports equal marriage for same-sex couples. Gregg does not. The lieutenant governor candidate made light of their conflicting ideologies. “We don’t always agree on everything, but we’re getting better at it,” Simpson said as she playfully put her arm around Gregg. “I’m bringing him over to my side.” Applause erupted throughout the room. “Welcome to Bloomington,” Kruzan said.
(09/26/12 3:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Convicted murderer Robert E. Lee will no longer reside in Monroe County, an Indiana Department of Correction official said. Instead, Lee is currently in Jennings County.Lee was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the 1986 murder of Ellen Marks, but was released early for good behavior and for receiving multiple college degrees.Lee was released from the Branchville Correctional Facility on Saturday and taken to the Monroe County parole office where his GPS monitoring device was activated. He was then transported to an undisclosed location in Bloomington where he intended to reside.But DOC Media Liaison Amy Lanum said this fell through, and he is no longer staying at that location.“Due to the large public attention, they decided they no longer wanted him to stay there,” she said.Because of the violent nature of Lee’s crime, officials had a difficult time finding a place for the man to stay in Monroe County. Early this week, Lee was taken to the Jennings County parole office, where Lanum said he now plans to reside.Jennings County is two counties east of Monroe County. According to Google Maps, it is an hour and 15 minutes from Monroe County.The DOC would not release Lee’s specific location, but Lanum said the man has 72 hours after his release to disclose his place of residence and register with the Sheriff’s Department.Once he registers, Lee’s location will be available on the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry.Indiana law did not require individuals to register on the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry at the time of Lee’s conviction, said Indiana Parole Board Vice Chairman Randall Gentry. Although Indiana law does not require Lee’s registration, Gentry said his registration is a stipulation of his parole.
(08/16/12 2:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A proposal to provide health benefits for the domestic partners of city employees was approved Monday by the Indianapolis City-County Council.In a 20-8 bipartisan vote, both Democrats and Republicans declared “it is in the best interests of the city and county to provide equitable benefits to all married and unmarried employees of the city and county who are in a domestic partnership, irrespective of whether they are same-sex couples or different-sex couples,” according to the ordinance.If approved by Republican Mayor Greg Ballard, the proposal will go into effect Jan. 1, 2013. The mayor does have the power to veto the ordinance. Council Member Angela Mansfield, a Democrat and chief sponsor of the proposal, said Ballard has 10 days once he receives the proposal to either approve or veto it. Proposals from meetings generally reach Ballard by the following Thursday, Mansfield said.If the mayor does veto the proposal, the council could override Ballard with 20 votes in favor of the ordinance. However, Mansfield said an override would be unlikely.For employees’ domestic partners to receive full health benefits from the city, the couple must meet several requirements, including sharing a primary residence for the preceding 365 days or showing joint responsibility for basic living expenses. Since 1997, Bloomington has had a similar health care policy in place for their employees’ domestic partners. Carmel also has a similar policy on the books. These two cities, not Indianapolis, have been the leaders in this movement, Mansfield said. “They’ve kind of set more of an example for us,” she said. “It’s not as though we’re a leader at this point.”Indianapolis city officials performed a fiscal impact study to see how the added beneficiaries would affect the city financially, Mansfield said. The study revealed that about 28 employees would take advantage of the proposal costing the city a few hundred thousand dollars. “I think this sends a signal that we are a family-friendly city and we want to attract the top talent to matter what their marital status,” Mansfield said.Daniel Grundmann, director of human resources for the City of Bloomington and a supporter of the policy, said he hopes that as a higher profile city, Indianapolis’ passing of the ordinance will influence other organizations to follow suit. “I think the policy positions the City of Bloomington as an employee-friendly workplace,” Grundmann said. “With our experience at the City of Bloomington, I’ve found most of the fears I’ve heard from organizations who oppose the proposal because of cost or potential fraudulent behavior are unfounded.”
(08/13/12 3:13pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Erika Burghardt, the reigning Indiana State Fair queen and an IU junior, was one of five people injured Sunday afternoon during a stagecoach accident at the State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, according to a press release. The stagecoach was entertaining the crowd before the eight-horse hitch competition in the Pepsi Coliseum when it overturned during a figure-eight maneuver. All five passengers, including Burghardt, were transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital with minor injuries. Burghardt and two others were released Sunday night, and another passenger was expected to leave the hospital later in the evening. One passenger was held overnight for observation. The stagecoach driver, who has not been identified, was examined at the scene of the accident but suffered no injuries. The reason for the overturn is unknown, but officials said the driver has 20 years of stagecoach driving experience. The crowd at the hitch competition was asked to leave after the accident and return at 6:30 p.m. for the start of the event.— Katie Mettler
(04/30/12 2:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It was raining men Saturday night in Assembly Hall. Dancing in to the tune of “It’s Raining Men,” 100 Bloomington community members lined the perimeter of Assembly Hall for Old National Bank’s second annual 100 Men Who Cook fundraiser. This year, all proceeds benefited the Bloomington Hospital Foundation’s New Beginnings Campaign. During the course of two years, the campaign organizers hope to raise $700,000 for the IU Health Bloomington Hospital Special Care Nursery. The campaign will fund upgrades to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the hospital’s postpartum rooms to better serve its patients here in Bloomington. Kim Smith, the foundation’s special events manager, said this event kicked off the two-year fund-raising endeavor. Old National Bank President Mark Bradford is an IU Health board member and former foundation member. He was instrumental in coordinating the event and even served as a chef for the evening. “It is such a unique event, as opposed to so many fundraisers,” he said. “There are people here from all walks of life. It’s just real people that really want to make a difference.” Tickets were $80 per person or $600 per table. The event had a cash bar, live auction and dancing throughout the night. All participants were given a complimentary cookbook containing the 100 recipes from the evening. Donned in matching aprons and chef hats, the 100 “chefs” volunteered their time and donated their delicacies to support the event. From appetizers to entrees to desserts, the cooks kept things exciting for the crowd of almost 700 attendees. Jeff Matthews, the general manager at Kroger on South College Avenue, was a “chef” for the evening and decorated his table like a tiki bar. He said his wife works for Old National Bank and convinced him to help this year. He solicited the help of one of his employees, Emily Martin, whom he designated as his sous chef. Martin will graduate from Ivy Tech Community College’s culinary arts program this spring. The duo served tropical dreamsicle cheesecake and draped Hawaiian leis around the necks of anyone who passed by. “It’s so everyone knows you’ve been here,” Matthews said with a grin. “We are having an outstanding time. It’s been a lot of fun.”The chefs had tip jars at their tables, and the ones with the most tips by the end of the evening were recognized with a certificate. All the tips benefited the New Beginnings campaign. Last year, the 100 Men Who Cook fundraiser collected $67,000 for the Bloomington Hospital Foundation’s Hospice House. With 100 more people in attendance this year, Smith said she knew they would surpass last year’s collection. “There are a lot of community-minded and generous people that come out, not just for the good food and social part of it, but to help the community, too,” Smith said.
(04/25/12 5:30am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The five Democratic congressional candidates for Indiana’s 9th District gathered Tuesday night to debate the economy, education, healthcare and gas prices. Indiana’s 9th District includes Monroe County and extends to the southern Indiana border. Sponsored by the Monroe County Democratic Party and the IU College Democrats, the debate drew a representative crowd of students and community members, filling half the Bloomington High School South auditorium. Mary Catherine Carmichael, director of Leadership Bloomington Monroe County, moderated the event, which evolved into more of a forum. The five candidates steered clear of inner party conflict and spent their 90-second time slots speaking on their own platforms rather than debating each other’s. “It’s a misnomer that tonight is going to be a debate because so many of us agree on these issues,” said John Tilford, retired military intelligence officer and congressional candidate. One student representative from Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South and IU College Democrats asked the debate questions, which were all drafted by students from each organization. With different backgrounds and levels of government experience, each candidate brought a varied perspective. But their civility revealed an atmosphere of party unity reinforced by their unwavering insistence in defeating incumbent Rep. Todd Young, R-9th District. “Americans have always been very good at finding solutions,” candidate Jonathan George said. “That’s not our problem. We have lots of answers. What we need is leadership.” George, a retired United States Air Force brigadier general who served in the military for three decades, slightly deviated from his opponents’ standard answer that “healthcare is a right, not a privilege” when he answered the first question of the night. When asked about the Affordable Care Act and the anticipated Supreme Court decision on its constitutionality, George offered his own personal experience with health care security.“I have never had to worry about health care for myself or my family,” George said. “It’s almost a little embarrassing that I’m covered by an extremely good health network and system and not all Americans are.”But he added that AFC is not a perfect piece of legislation, and “we’ve got to continue to work together as a people to develop it more.”Candidate John Tilford expanded, noting that incremental progress is sometimes the best you can get, but that he thinks it is unacceptable that the U.S. system falls so short within the global health care market. When the candidates were asked about the federal deficit, all agreed that infrastructure and job creation will be their central goals. Candidate Robert Winningham, a former Lee Hamilton congressional staffer and economic growth specialist, said he would push to rebuild the state’s roads, bridges and waterways as a way to create jobs. “I think a lot of Americans need to realize that we were almost in a depression,” he said. “My answer to reduce deficits is naturally to create jobs.”John Griffin Miller blamed the banks for the U.S. debt problem, using Occupy Wall Street rhetoric as a theme for his answer. “We didn’t have a famine or some sort of natural disaster, we had a banking crisis,” he said. “It was the ‘too big to fail’ banks, or what I like to call ‘too big to exist’ banks.”The topic of public education struck a chord with several of the candidates, who expressed it as one of the central reasons they were running for congress in the 9th district. George said it was one of the reasons he got in the race, and Tilford criticized former President George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” policies. Winningham added that he opposed many of Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett’s education policies. Shelli Yoder, former Miss Indiana and associate director for professional development at the IU Kelley School of Business, said she opposes the idea of strict standardized tests that are driving teachers, like her sister, out of the classroom. “It is time that we become a country that is pro-teacher,” she said. “There is a sentiment that teachers are trying to pull one over on us, and I would be certain to invite them to the table to discuss these policies that affect them.”Each of the candidates expressed their disapproval of Congress’ alleged “war on women,” stating that abortion and contraception are not issues they should take on. Looking to the future, George said the success of the country will continue to come back to the economy. “I joined the military because I saw that threats to our survival were primarily overseas, but in the last few years we have had a breakdown in domestic policies that need to be addressed,” he said. “If we don’t get the economy back in check, we will struggle in whatever we do.”After an hour and a half of discussion, the candidates wrapped up the debate with closing statements. The Democratic primaries are on May 8, less than two weeks away.Early and satellite voting began April 9. Hours and locations are listed on the Monroe County Democratic Party’s website.
(04/23/12 1:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s the same Macri’s with bigger TVs. That’s what the restaurant’s co-owner Troy Donovan jokingly tells employees and friends regarding the resurrection of the former beloved Bloomington hot spot. Five years after the original Macri’s Deli closed its doors, the restaurant and sports bar is once again open for business. Although under a new roof with different ownership, Donovan said the new Macri’s at 301 N. Morton St. still harbors the same atmosphere Bloomington residents loved. With its new home in the old downtown train station, the owners decided to update the restaurant’s name to Macri’s at the Depot.“I know everybody says this, but we want it to be like Cheers, where everybody knows your name,” Donovan said. “You get a piece of everybody’s life ... that’s the fun part, interacting with our customers.” In 2007, the restaurant’s former owner decided to close the franchise when the eastside Kroger announced plans for expansion. “When it closed, it was a big deal,” Donovan said. “People were still trying to go and eat there.”A Bloomington native and Macri’s junkie himself, Donovan said he remembers wishing the restaurant would make a comeback. Now that it’s back, he said it seems surreal to think he is the owner. After officially purchasing the rights to the name in February 2011 with his business partner Jerry Hinnefeld, Donovan said it was full steam ahead. After four-and-a-half months of construction on the former train depot, which was filled with offices, the new Macri’s team began restoring the restaurants originality while injecting its own personality as well. “It’s all in the booths,” he said. The high-backed booths were a staple of the original Macri’s. Donovan got his hands on one of the authentic wooden booths and solicited the help of his friend Bret Morris to replicate them for the restaurant. Donovan worked with Morris and his other employees to re-wire the building, install HDMI cables, build parts of the bar and mat photos and IU memorabilia scattered throughout the two-story restaurant.“We did so much ourselves,” Donovan said. “It was neat because we weren’t sitting back and letting other people do everything. Plus you care about it more because it’s yours.”Although all the original IU memorabilia from the former Macri’s was auctioned off after it closed, Donovan said he is beginning to compile his own collection. “We want to gain stuff that’s relevant to Hoosiers over time,” he said. Donovan said IU basketball star Jordan Hulls frequents the restaurant and that he hopes the team will find a home at Macri’s. His goal is to get Christian Watford to sign a photo from the big Kentucky game and Tom Crean to autograph a newspaper article he is anxious to hang on the wall. “Our Facebook page said, ‘IU’s back and so is Macri’s. Coincidence? I think not,’” Donovan said. The Hoosier hysteria isn’t the only authentic aspect of Macri’s. The menu is exactly the same with the exception of two items: The Donovan, a sandwich named after Donovan’s late father, and a special homemade ice cream that Hinnefeld makes himself. Two months after their soft-opening in February of this year, Donovan said the staff has worked out the kinks but welcomes feedback from customers.“At the beginning we had longer ticket times than we wanted, but that’s part of the process,” he said. “We want to be complimented and criticized. We want to hear both sides from our customers.” They are planning to have a grand opening in mid-May with dinner and drink specials.
(04/23/12 1:42am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With its blue-colored architecture, artsy atmosphere and eco-friendly incentives, the B-Line Trail is getting a lot of action.The 3.1-mile path was created to stimulate the economy on Bloomington’s west end and promote sustainable travel throughout the community. With the warm spring weather enticing people out of their homes, the city’s game plan is being put to the test. “When it first started, Mayor (Mark) Kruzan said the B-Line Trail was one of the most significant economic development projects the city was undertaking,” said Adam Wason, assistant director for Small Business and Sustainable Development for the City of Bloomington. “In the last year since the trail has been officially opened, there has been a lot of interest in folks wanting to get involved and invest in areas surrounding the B-Line Trail.”Wason said the city has plans for the future of several plots of land near the trail. Construction for housing additions and commercial endeavors is planned for two locations where Allen and Grimes streets run into Morton Street.But pre-existing businesses along the B-Line Trail are already capitalizing on the perks the trail provides. On Saturday mornings during the Farmer’s Market hours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Le Petit Cafe chef and part-owner Marina Ballor-Fiore opens her kitchen window facing the B-Line Trail to sell crepes, quiche, desserts and hot chocolate to passersby.“It’s a nice little change from running the restaurant,” she said.Mark Conlin, owner of Janko’s Little Zagreb, said he has contemplated opening the business during lunch hours to sell its famous rib-eye sandwich the restaurant showcases at Taste of Bloomington every year. The B-Line Trail could help bring more business, and he hopes to see more customers stop off the trail on summer evenings for dinner at Janko’s, he said. Through the B-Line Business Enhancement Grant Program, a collaborative effort between the department of economic and sustainable development and the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association, for-profit and nonprofit businesses adjacent to the trail can apply for funding to upgrade the aesthetics or accessibility to their property.With a maximum amount of $4,000 per grant, the city has granted funds to a handful of organizations already. Sole Sensations received grant money to build a path from the trail to its business, and WonderLab Museum used its funds to enhance its garden. Hoosier Cross Fit created a mural on the back of their building with their grant. “The whole point was for business enhancement, whether it was visually enhanced or provides walkways to enhance business, and we have found it to be very successful,” Wason said. “The hope and expectation is that businesses and residents will continue to want to move and relocate toward the B-Line Trail to take advantage of all it has to offer, and we have seen that already.”
(04/19/12 4:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Soil contamination, hydrology and road extensions topped the list of items the Switchyard Park consulting team presented to its steering committee Wednesday afternoon. The group of about 20 committee members and half a dozen consultants met at City Hall in the Showers Building to wrap up the analysis phase, the second phase in a four-step plan to revitalize a 58-acre stretch of land on Bloomington’s west end known as Switchyard Park. Since the 1850s, the switchyard property belonged to the railroad industry, harboring tracks and a maintenance area that supplied the industrial west end with supplies and parts. But when those factories relocated in the 1970s and 1980s, the railroad was abandoned, leaving behind an empty plot of land. Director of Parks and Recreation Mick Renneisen said the city had been trying to purchase the switchyard area since the 1990s. In 2005, it finally secured the switchyard corridor, the 3.1-mile stretch of railroad track that was recently converted into the B-Line Trail. In 2009, the city purchased the surrounding land, which is referred to as the switchyard. Parks and Recreation Operations and Development Director Dave Williams serves as the project manager. He said the city sees this undertaking as a way to revitalize the area and bring community members another public park. “We want to see if we create a new park, will it recreate opportunities for valuable reinvestment in these areas?” Williams said.During the first phase of planning, the inventory phase, the consulting team and the steering committee analyzed the site as a whole to get a feel for what they had to work with. The analysis phase included looking at the possibilities and constraints of the area. Kevin Osburn, principal-in-charge at the Rundell Ernstberger Associates Indianapolis office, leads the multidisciplinary team of consultants, which includes experts in hydrology, economic development, civil engineering, landscape architecture and environmental remediation. Members of the consulting team emphasized the importance of factoring in floodways and flood plains once the third, park design phase begins. They discussed the possibility of extending Hillside Drive through the park to reduce traffic at the intersection of Walnut and Grimes streets during peak hours. They said it would also serve as way to systematically draw people to the park. Several members of the steering committee, which is comprised of stakeholders from surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and organizations, expressed concern that the consultants were focusing too much on vehicle traffic and too little on foot and bike traffic. The issue that received the most attention was the remediation of the area. For more than 150 years, the railroad cars had dispersed coal ash and cinder across the switchyard property, contaminating its soil. The city faced the same problem while constructing the B-Line Trail, but Osburn said it shouldn’t be difficult to fix. “The contaminants are only dangerous if there is a lot of contact with the materials over a prolonged period of time,” he said. The city will have to seal off the contaminated areas with asphalt or soil. The depth of the seal layer is federally regulated depending upon the intended use of the land. “The B-Line in so many ways was a case study in how to remediate in the public venue,” Osburn said. “We will design the remediation to reflect the reuse of the property. The point is to prevent direct contact to the public.” Osburn said the public can do this by planting obtrusive brush and plants to keep people off certain areas of land. The design phase will begin in May, and the consultants will have the master plan finalized by fall 2012. The consulting team and steering committee still welcome ideas and input from the public, which can be shared online by emailing Williams at williamd@bloomington.in.gov or by visiting the project’s Facebook page.Williams said the parks department’s top priority for the park is to build an outdoor music venue or amphitheater. “That’s something we have a need for,” he said. “Whether this is the right location or not for that, we’ll find out.” On April 26, the consultants will hold open public meetings from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the atrium. Community members will have an opportunity to stop by and talk with the consulting team in an informal setting about the project’s progress and Switchyard Park’s future.
(04/17/12 3:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For student cycling enthusiasts, the Little 500 bike race is like the holidays.But for three bicycle shops in Bloomington, Little 500 season doesn’t necessarily inspire a clear business boom like the holidays do for shopping malls. “It’s somewhat of a misconception that the bike shops are completely buried the week leading up to Little 500,” Bikesmiths Manager Adam Rodkey said. “The crescendo is not as hectic as everyone seems to think.”Revolution Bike and Bean Manager Chris Wood agreed. Both men said their peak business months fall outside of Little 500 season, but they are still associated with the race to an extent. “This week is not the biggest time of the year by any means, but it is for Little 500 repairs,” Wood said. “Every year, there are a lot of people in the fall getting their first road bikes, and in the summer people will come in to get new bikes, too.” Both managers said that at their respective stores they see a lot of student traffic in the beginning of the school year when Little 500 teams are first forming and training is beginning. Each store also supports several loyal greek Little 500 riding teams. Rodkey said business at Bikesmiths is almost unaffected during race week, with the exception of an increase in emergency bike repairs and a higher demand for certain parts, such as bottom brackets and wheels. But Wood said business at Revolution is a little different. “It does pick up, partially because of Little 500 and partially because of the weather,” he said. “It slowly builds to this week ... all our repairs that we are doing are little 500 bikes, and it’s a little bit of everything.”Revolution adjusts its business hours during this week each year. Wood said most people don’t come through the shop on the day of the races anyway, so the staff migrates to the track to help with race-day repairs and enjoys the Little 500 tradition. “It’s an exciting week for cycling enthusiasts,” he said. A third Bloomington bike shop, Bike Garage, Inc., faces a different business model during race week because of its location and clientele. Bike Garage Manager Fred Rose said this week they will be swamped for a variety of reasons. He said the race plays a major role in their increased business, but storewide sales and mild weather have helped to keep the shop busy this spring. Rose said the company’s location on Kirkwood Avenue is helpful as well.“What Little 500 does, it helps us jump-start our season about six weeks earlier probably than it would without the race,” he said. “I have been doing this for about two decades, and over the years, our location has always been an asset.” Although a percentage of their customers are students, Wood and Rodkey identified their businesses as catering mostly to “townies” in the Bloomington community. When it comes to Bikesmiths, however, Rodkey said they welcome any extra business they can during any time of the year. “We appreciate and welcome all business,” he said. “We definitely benefit from Little 500 business, just not to the extent that people commonly assume.”
(04/13/12 3:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Alison Zook is a scavenger. The A.Z. Vintage owner said she has always loved the smell of musty basements, and her earliest memories involve digging around in attics and playing dress-up. It’s only natural that her new shop on North Morton Street would evoke the same old-timey feel she is so fond of.A.Z. Vintage’s grand opening is 6 to 10 p.m. today. Zook will officially open her doors for customers to peruse her shop for retro, vintage and mid-century modern furniture, housewares, clothing and accessories.“I am scared to death,” Zook said. “But it’s a healthy fear. If I wasn’t scared, then I shouldn’t be doing this.”Zook graduated in 1998 from Owen Valley High School in her hometown of Spencer, Ind. Just a few weeks after graduation, she moved to Bloomington, where she has remained since. Zook never went to college, but she said she is dismissing that stigma as she prepares to open her first business at the age of 32 as a “self-made woman.” “It’s the best thing I never did,” she said. “I have never been school-minded. I’m not going to make a lot of money doing this. I just want to pay the bills and be happy and do what I love.” And what she loves to do is give old stuff new life. The self-described crafty Zook said she has always loved working with her hands. In 2006, she began working at Bella Bella, an art studio owned by artist Lara Moore. “It was like arts and crafts day every day,” Zook said. While working there, Zook began feeding her antique obsession by buying and selling pieces online. For the past two years, she has had her own booth in the Bloomington Antique Mall. But she said juggling all the things became too hectic to handle. “It was just exhausting,” she said. “It kind of came to that point where I had to put all my eggs in one basket and see what happened.” She had always aspired to own her own store, so she said that when the bank approved her proposal in January, she couldn’t wait to get started. Zook moved into her store March 28. She said that for the past two weeks, she has been working 12-hour days to prepare for the grand opening today. “I’ve called in so many favors from the whole army,” Zook said of her friends. The store’s spunky colors and retrospective vibe reflect Zook’s quirky personality. “I should have been born in 1940, in the swinging heyday of the mid-century dinner parties,” she said. “I don’t think there is a line anymore between my store and me.”Zook said she was fortunate enough to be approached by investors during the early process of formulating her business model, and they have made all the difference. “These are just regular people who’d rather put stock in me than big banks and the stock market,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this in any other city than Bloomington.”
(04/10/12 2:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Google has its eye on the City of Bloomington. Last month, the city was selected to take part in Google’s Summer of Code program, an initiative the company created to promote the development of open-source software. The program provides funding, as well as paid interns — who had to propose project ideas and applied through Google — to the participating organizations.“Most of the projects that are on that list are existing open-source projects that are corporate sponsored,” said Rick Dietz, director of information and technology services for the city. Open-source software is developed in a public, collaborative manner and is created to be built upon and improved by other software designers. When the city applied, it proposed three open-source projects designed to enhance communication between the city and its constituents through its pre-existing GeoReporter program. GeoReporter is an online service for Bloomington residents to notify the city of issues or safety hazards around the community using Open311, a different open-source software program. The three proposed Bloomington projects revolve around expanding the GeoReporter into an Android app and enhancing the existing iPhone app. “A big goal of mine when we’re doing software projects is that we’re always thinking about the overall benefit of what we’re working on,” Dietz said. Google will approve one or all of Bloomington’s projects and assign the city a group of paid interns to work on the open source software. Dietz and his team are sifting through 57 applications from across the globe. Google provides a $5,500 subsidy to each participating intern and grants funding in the amount of $500 for the open-source projects. Dietz said this new technology could improve communication between the city and the community members. “The whole point of open source is that you develop something and share it widely so other communities can use it as well,” he said.
(04/06/12 2:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Last week the Bloomington District of the Indiana State Police added two new troopers to its force.After graduating from the ISP Recruit Academy on March 16, Probationary Troopers Ryan Belcher and Dustin Mathews were assigned to the Bloomington District. “I’m excited,” Mathews said. “I’m really excited to work with Monroe County and get to know as many people as I can and be a positive role model in my position.”In October, the two men started the 24-week training regiment at the academy, where they received instruction in criminal law, emergency vehicle operations, traffic law, criminal investigation, crash investigation, self-defense and first response.Mathews, who studied criminal justice at Northern Kentucky University, is from Versailles, Ind. Belcher, who studied conservation law enforcement at Vincennes University, is from Greencastle, Ind.Mathews and Belcher have begun a 15-week field training program that consists of close observation from a supervisor while patrolling and learning the ropes. Once they complete this training, they will receive their police cars and start patrolling on their own. “Everybody at the post has been welcoming to us. Everybody there has been friendly and accepted us with open arms,” Belcher said. “Everybody’s been wiling to teach us and give us a little bit of their knowledge and what their experience has been.” IDS What did you do leading up to this?RYAN MATHEWS I worked for the U.S. Secret Service for about three years during college and then started applying to all kinds of police departments. And that’s pretty much where I am now. DUSTIN BELCHER I joined the Army in 2006 after high school. Then I went to college and studied conservation law enforcement at VU. After that I got a job with the Morgan County Police Department until I got hired on with the state police force. And now I’m here.IDS Why did you decide to take this route?MATHEWS I have honestly been wanting to do it for a long time. A big reason was the fact that I could stay in Indiana. I applied to 20 to 25 different departments — Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and even on the federal level — but I liked the idea of staying in Indiana.BELCHER Well the Army, I always wanted to do it, I like doing it and I have a passion for it, but it’s not what I want to do for my career or for my whole life. I’ve always wanted to be a police officer, so I guess I wanted to go for the best department around. They pride themselves, and they have traditions similar to the military. It was a smooth transition, and it keeps what I like and what I’m used to.IDS What is one law enforcement issue you are passionate about? MATHEWS I am pretty passionate about drunk driving. My family knows some people who have been killed in drunk driving accidents. I think one of my goals would be to reduce the number of fatalities from drunk driving because there’s a lot of lives that could be saved there.BELCHER Drug enforcement. I worked in a jail for three years, and I saw a lot of people strung out on all kinds of drugs. It really messes people up. The more drugs you can get off the streets, the more it’s going to help people out. It’s going to get people off the streets. IDS What’s the most challenging thing about the training you are going through right now?MATHEWS The training now is more hands on. I think the hardest part was going through the academy. There were a lot of stressful moments we had. Being sprayed with the pepper spray was really tough for me, and that led up to everything we are doing now. We are putting together everything we learned in the academy and putting it to use in the real world now.BELCHER The most difficult I would say is the anticipation. It’s pretty slow paced right now. You get out of the academy and you want to jump into it, and you have to take a step back and make sure you are doing things the right way and leaning the right way.IDS How can you apply what you learned in the Army to your job now?BELCHER A lot of the discipline in the Army, in the military, really helped me through the academy. The state police, they are a paramilitary organization, so my experience in the Army really helped me transition to the state police.IDS What will your role be on the force?MATHEWS I will be a trooper. Once we get done with the field training process, we get our cars in July. And basically we’ll have our supervisors still, but we’ll be on our own — anything from enforcing traffic laws to responding to criminal calls. IDS What are your career goals?MATHEWS I eventually would like to be a part of the canine unit . . . I like dogs, and I think that dogs are an excellent source for traffic related stops or if you are searching for a missing person. I think they are one of our best tools that we could have.BELCHER Further down in my career, I’d like to get into drug enforcement. I would like to eventually get a canine if that option is available. Basically I’d like to get my feet wet and try anything and everything I can.
(04/06/12 1:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Bloomington is being touted as a place for healthy business — not just in terms of sales and production, but workplace wellness, too.Since February 2010, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce has granted 13 businesses its Healthy Business Bloomington designation.The initiative is a worksite wellness recognition program for area businesses striving to create a healthy work environment for their employees.Chamber President and CEO Christy Gillenwater said the initiative focuses on the importance of promoting mental and physical health in the face of rising health care costs.“I think it says we’re committed to our employees,” she said. “We think it’s important for businesses to conduct workplace wellness initiates in their businesses. It shows they’re committed to their employees and their employees’ well-being, mentally and physical. This program helps facilitate and encourage businesses not only to start up a program but to enhance existing programs.”A business interested in having its wellness programs reviewed fills out an extensive application that can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website. It asks specific questions about a wide variety of topics relating to workplace wellness, including questions about healthy food and beverage vending machine options, employee lounge space, stress management efforts, water accessibility, lunch breaks and office-initiated walking programs.The health care committee, a group of 15-20 Chamber members, evaluates these applications and decides whether the business’s wellness programs are worthy of the Healthy Business Bloomington designation. Gillenwater said the committee has only denied one business during the program’s two years of existence but emphasized that the business didn’t come away empty-handed. The committee provided it feedback and suggestions for how it could get its programs up to par. Kim Baxter is a senior client service specialist at Hylant Group in Bloomington, and she serves on the health care committee through the Chamber. She said through her staff’s efforts in the office, Hylant proudly obtained the HBB designation. “I think it’s good to really know who in our community is striving to meet their wellness goals,” she said. “Wellness has become a buzz word, and what we wanted to do with Healthy Business Bloomington is take away the buzz but make people realize that this is really important and can help their bottom line.” Hylant has implemented a step challenge program to encourage employees to exercise. Baxter said an office favorite is the Colorful Choices program, which challenges employees to eat five pieces of fresh fruits or vegetables, each a different color, every day for 20 days. Their efforts are incentivized with prizes. Next week, they will start the Biggest Winner, an office weight-loss challenge. “We are going to give as much support to any of our employees that are participating by providing fresh food in the office, but we want to extend healthy choices to their home life, as well,” Baxter said. “We don’t want it to just be about what they are doing in the office here but bringing that back to their homes and families, as well.”Gillenwater said the committee will review another application next week at its meeting. She said she hopes word of the program will expand. “We think it will continue to grow with time, as a community, we focus on becoming a healthier,” she said. The Chamber recently implemented a new aspect to the initiative — a pledge form that businesses that are formulating wellness programs can fill out, signifying their dedication to facilitating workplace wellness worthy of the Chamber’s designation. Businesses that receive the designation can attach the logo to their business materials, showing prospective employees their dedication to health and wellness. In addition, the designees are recognized on the Chamber’s website, monthly newsletter and annual report.