Join us for our Annual Awards Banquet

From WIA President, DeAnna Outlaw

September 2008

There is a subtle change in the air. I’m not talking about politics. The change is the smell and the feel of the wind as it blows. Soon there will be brilliant fall colors, crisp weather, and the aroma of apple cider and pumpkin pie.

What this also means is that its almost time for the Westside Nut Club Fall Festival. The Fall Festival, which is October 6-11, is reported to be the second largest street festival after Mardi Gras. It features over 125 food booths along Franklin Street stretching from Wabash Avenue to St. Joe Avenue. All of these food booths are  not-for-profit groups* . For many of these organizations, including WIA, the Fall Festival is their main fund raising project of the year. 

*With one exception, grandfathered in long ago.

The Lighthouse Parade features children’s colorful lighthouses parading down Franklin Monday night. The Pet Parade is adorable on Saturday morning with children and their pets dressed in costume. The main parade on Saturday night features beautiful floats and many other entries including the Hadi Shrine Funsters. It has always given me chills when the high school bands pass by. There is just something about a marching band. Plus, the rides, games, and food on the Westside Library grounds make it truly a festival for all to enjoy.

There’s nothing quite like strolling down Franklin Street, eating (usually forbidden) yummy food, and visiting with family and friends. Speaking of yummy food, WIA offers some of the best on the street.

Our menu:

• Shyler’s Barbecue Stuffed Baked Potato – hot baked potato loaded with barbecue (chicken or Pork), butter, sour cream, grated cheese,
  & real bacon bits

• Italian Sausage Sandwich – Italian Sausage, marinara sauce, grilled bell peppers & onions, Italian herbs

• Barbecue Sandwiches with pickle and onion

• Egg Rolls - these are a great impulse buy

• Lemon Shake-Ups - made fresh to order with real lemons

• Fried Cheese Balls – new this year – 10 per order with ranch dressing

• Soft Drinks & Water

As always, we will be located right next to the Pet Food Center at the corner of St. Joe and Franklin. Stop by, say hello and help support WIA. There are still a few openings on the volunteer schedule. If you would like to work in the booth, email me at dpoutlaw@aol.com or call 589-1657.

See you at the Fall Festival!

Words of Wisdom
The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity.
Ayn Rand
 

August 2008

Summer is winding down and the days are getting shorter. Soon we will notice the air feeling crisp and the leaves will turn. Also, right around the corner is the Westside Nut Club Fall Festival!

As many of you know, the Fall Festival is our only fund raising event of the year. WIA is a non-profit association. We do not receive assistance from any government entity. The profit from Fall Festival allows us to pay for our newsletter, two $1,000 scholarships each year, and donations to various groups. This year we gave five scholarships to the Burdette Park Day Camp for children who would otherwise not be able to attend. While we have received generous donations from individuals for our Adopt-A-Spot, the majority of funding comes directly from WIA.

If you haven’t worked in our booth at the Fall Festival, you don’t know what you’ve missed. The work is fast and furious. The volunteers are fun to work with and the food is awesome. I have been told, by good authority, that our Lemon Shake-Ups are the best on the street!

The short time that I have been involved with WIA I have come to realize that many times people don’t think about us until they need help. Our Board Members attend various meetings each month and speak at many of these. Whether they are members of WIA or not, when we are asked for help, we strive to do what is best for the West side and its residents.

This year, I’m asking for an all out effort. Help WIA to make this the best year yet.  Call me at 589-1657 or email dpoutlaw@aol.com for more information or to schedule your shift.


Words of Wisdom
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. ~ Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)
 

July 2008

What is Independence Day? We celebrated this year much as we always do. Our home was shared with family and friends. We grilled and ate good food, wowed at the fireworks, and enjoyed each other’s company. I must say that it never came up in conversation what July 4th really represents and how it affected the future of our country.

As Americans we have the freedom to live anywhere we wish, choose our own career path, make the choice of a life partner, and decide how many; if any, children we want. We can complain about the government and not have to worry about being dragged from our homes in the middle of the night. We may not agree with our neighbor’s choice of religion; however, not only is your neighbor’s choice of religion protected, so is yours.

Many people have lived, fought, and died for the freedoms we enjoy today. Here are a few highlights since our independence from British rule on July 4, 1776. In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. After many years of struggle for Women’s Suffrage; the 19th Amendment was passed on August 18, 1920 allowing women the right to vote. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed racial segregation in public places. The Supreme Court decision of Loving vs. Virginia on June 12, 1967 allowed the freedom of a legal marriage regardless of race.

With the freedom we enjoy also comes responsibility. As citizens of a free and proud nation, it is our right and responsibility to vote. People from all over the world fight and die for this very right. This is your chance to voice your opinion of who you want to govern your city, county, and country.

We’ve come a long way. Those of us that have enjoyed all of the hard fought freedoms find it difficult to imagine life any differently. We mustn’t forget the struggle and sacrifices of the past while casting an optimistic eye to the future. It is our proud heritage and responsibility to stand up for what is right and just.

The very fact that we as family and friends with diverse ethnicities, religions, cultures, and strong opinions gathered together to celebrate our Nation’s birthday does indeed answer the question.

Happy Birthday, America!

Words of Wisdom
We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it. ~Edward R. Murrow

June 2008

What an exciting time to be living in and around Evansville! As a teenager in the 70’s, I never thought I would utter those words. The thought then was this – there is nowhere to go, nothing to do, and Evansville is the most boring place on this planet. Even though most of us had nothing to compare it with, we just knew as teenagers do. As we were growing up and unbeknownst to our young eyes so was Evansville.

As a growing city, we should be leery of “sprawl” in new development. My hope is that there are people that are wise and bold enough to ensure that only development with an eye to the smart growth of the future of Evansville will thrive. With that said, there is so much to applaud today.

Just last week, an article in the “Courier and Press” announced a $15 million expansion of the Evansville Museum. It will include a 360 degree immersive theater planetarium and a “Walk Through Time” WWII Evansville Home Front Interpretive Center. The drawing of the plan was stunning.

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Gardens will soon host the grand opening of “Amazonia.” I grew up going to the zoo and then took my children, but never did I imagine a zoo such as this.

The Pigeon Creek Greenway has recently received a $900,000 grant from the state for further expansion of the Greenway. If not for the forward thinking and perseverance of Shirley James, we would not be enjoying this beautiful passageway today and for generations to come.

There will be a needed change for Roberts Stadium – whether it is updating the old or building a new facility. Whatever choice is made, I ask that it serve the needs of Evansville properly into the future and not be a band-aid that will ultimately need to be updated too soon at a much higher expense. I’m optimistic the right choice will be made.

There isn’t space here to go into detail about all the wonderful aspects of our city, so I would like to list them in no particular order – the Children’s Museum, the African American Museum, Swonder Ice Arena, Bosse Field and the Otters, the historic Reitz Bowl, Thunder On The Ohio, Freedom Festival, Frog Follies, Westside Nut Club Fall Festival, Burdette Park & World Class BMX Racing.

We have a first class Philharmonic orchestra, a modern airport terminal, the Civic Theater, Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, Howell Wetlands, Angel Mounds Historic Site, Pigeon Creek, and the new Central Library. There is the Farmer’s Market, Sunrise Park, The Centre, the Victory Theater, LST325, Dress Plaza, the Pagoda, the Entertainment District, and the new Arts District. We enjoy our many neighborhood parks, swimming pools, children’s and adult sports leagues, Roller Derby, and new and renovated public library branches. We have USI, U of E, Ivy Tech, ITT, Indiana Business College, and the new Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center.

Surely, I have left out something. Yes, one thing that I left out is the friendliness and helpful nature of people in Evansville. That is what makes a city great – its people.

Maybe it took living with my husband and children, for several years, in two other cities vastly different from Evansville. The first had a population of over 1 million on the Atlantic coast and the second was so rural that we lived two miles off of the hard road. Or maybe it was traveling to other cities and abroad that changed my attitude. When we made the choice to return in the late 90’s, our children were teenagers. As we settled in, I began to realize that it was true what my parents have said all along. Evansville is a great place to live and raise a family.

Words of Wisdom

Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.  ~ Vince Lombardi
 

April 2008

If you have been thinking that you would like to get out and help spiff up your neighborhood, this is the best time of year to do it. The air smells fresh, everything is in bloom and your neighborhood is beckoning for you to come out and play.

We are blessed to have 43 organized neighborhood associations in Evansville. While WIA isn’t a neighborhood association, per se, there are seven on the west side alone. From revitalizing parks to litter cleanup, neighborhood watches that discourage crime, and graffiti paint-outs, neighborhood associations are changing the face of our community.

Empowering neighborhood associations to assemble volunteers and sustain community improvement is at the heart of a livable city. With the right tools, and a vision for how you want your neighborhood to be, you can bring about change. Neighborhood associations increase citizen responsibility, ownership, and pride. They provide the framework for ongoing cleanup and beautification, helps address litter, illegal dumping, and other quality of life concerns. A well-organized neighborhood can wield powerful influence when addressing the needs and problems of local residents.

If you aren’t sure what neighborhood association you live in, contact the United Neighborhoods of Evansville (UNOE) at (812) 428-4243 and they can help put you in contact with your neighborhood representative.

Words of Wisdom
‘There has been in recent years excessive emphasis on a citizen’s rights and inadequate stress put upon his duties and responsibilities.’ ~Paxton Blair
 

March 2008

What a glorious day! The ice and snow are gone and the sun is shining. The crocuses are peeking out with their beautiful purple blossoms. Soon we’ll see daffodils and the rest of the early blooming flowers. I look outside toward the bird feeders and see red-winged black birds, robins, blue birds, cardinals, and sparrows. It’s a virtual potpourri of feathered friends. Our field next to the house is still flooded but the wildlife sure enjoys it. We never tire of watching the Canada Geese coming in for a landing squawking the whole time or the mallard ducks hunting in the water with their young. The sound of the frogs in the summer can be deafening at times but wonderful all the same. The hawks flying overhead are spectacular. Many times they will sit on the fence posts then I can get a really good look. I’m watching for the pair of Great Blue Heron that come every year. Did I mention the squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and opossum that travel through every day?

In this age of computers and video games, many youth haven’t had the chance to witness the wonders of nature, truly missing out on so much of life. This leads me to announce an exciting new adventure that WIA is embarking upon – the Junior Westside Improvement Association. Our goal is to bring westside youth into our Association for the purpose of leading by example, so that they may experience the joy and personal satisfaction that comes from volunteering in their community – as well as learn respect for their environment and others, pride of ownership, and a sense of belonging in their community.

Our first effort is to get them involved with our garden “spot” on the corner of St. Joe and Maryland Street. We will start small but hope to eventually include all the west side schools, including the high schools, in various projects. We would like to see older kids mentoring younger ones, since kids seem enjoy learning from other kids. Get them while they're young and they just might live their lives with a genuine love of the environment! Master Gardener Kath Shockley has generously agreed to give of her time and expertise to help with this effort.

By the way, just as soon as the earth is warm enough, everyone is welcome to come help plant. If you thought it was beautiful last year; just wait until it is in full bloom this year. Anyone wanting to participate should contact Dot Berning at 424-8307.

Earth Day is April 19. Howell Wetlands is hosting an Earth Day Celebration. There will be various booths with plants, education, and fun activities to do. We will be there. This year we are sponsoring a bike ride for all ages and skill levels. We could use some more volunteers. See Dave Rockwood’s column for more information.

Everyone will want to mark May 15, 7 p.m. on their calendars. The quality of our drinking water has been in the news lately. Dr. Paul Doss, Associate Professor of Geology at the University of Southern Indiana, will be the speaker for our General Meeting. His presentation is titled ‘The Groundwater Resource of Western Vanderburgh County: Outer Space and Personal Waste’. The April newsletter will contain more information as well as the location.


Words of Wisdom

One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, how big my house was, or what kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.

Forest Witcraft

February 2008

What were they thinking? That was my first thought when I heard the choice of location the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau made concerning the proposed softball and baseball complex at Wesselman Park.

It takes more than a village to ensure that our city continues to embrace the quality of life we have come to expect and deserve. As citizens of Evansville it is our responsibility to safeguard our precious resources. When we come together as a group of concerned citizens, regardless of from what side of town we hail; we come from strength in numbers.

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a nearly 200-acre National Natural Landmark. It contains a wide variety of plant and animal life. Some of the trees are estimated to be almost 300 years old. Many species of animals enjoy this pristine habitat, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, raccoon, squirrel, and white tailed deer. Occasionally, fox and coyote are spotted. The rare Marbled Salamander is protected by the forest. There are over six miles of hiking trails. The beauty and serenity of the forest is breathtaking. As you walk the trails marveling at the plants and wildlife, it is so quiet that you may forget you are in the middle of town.

No other city in the United States with a population exceeding 100,000 has within its corporate limits a timber stand of such acreage and sylvan qualities. (wesselmannaturesociety.org)

What does this have to do with ball fields? Wildlife don’t understand that fences or signs pertain to them. I always thought that at the ‘Deer Crossing’ signs, it would be wonderful if the deer would line up and cross the road in an orderly fashion. They don’t read. What they do understand is a safe haven where they feel protected. Not only does wildlife need a forest, they need a safe and quiet area surrounding that forest when they enter. When that no longer exists, the wildlife will not thrive and eventually will die off. With wildlife habitat disappearing at an all time high, they need all the help we can give them. Plus, the joy they bring to us is priceless.

The proposed ball fields will bring a tremendous amount of noise, more people, and activity. This will impose upon the safe area around the woods. Understandably, many neighbors near Wesselman Park also oppose the ball fields. Surely there are other areas that would be more accommodating to a new softball and baseball complex.

What are they thinking? Does the possibility of future revenue really justify the noise pollution and the loss of wildlife that will surely come?


Words of Wisdom
        
    One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade. ~ Chinese Proverb
 

January 2008

Recently, I had the privilege of reading through some of WIA's archives. We have newsletters, minutes of meetings, and media clippings from the past 30+ years. What an education this has been. The tireless dedication that WIA members have shown for the west side has been humbling. Our members from the beginning were concerned citizens, businesses, and politicians. This mix of membership has remained unchanged to this day.

The strength of WIA rests, in part, on the fact that it was organized and focused on its goals from the very beginning. In March 1979 the Board of Directors and General Membership approved the by-laws and goals of WIA. The forward thinking of the board and members have allowed these to remain as relevant today as they were in 1979. I would like to share these Goals as they were written in their entirety. After reading this, I'm sure you will agree that we are still on the right course.

Goals 1979

General Goal
WIA's general goal will be to exert influence upon public and private sectors to accomplish those objectives which will enhance the natural environment of the west side of Vanderburgh County and serve the common good of the residents.

Specific Goals

1. Participate with citizens, Westside organizations, and governmental agencies to develop and implement a workable and forward-thinking comprehensive land-use plan for the Westside. Such a plan should promote the improvement of sewer, drainage, housing, roads, transportation, business climate, and other services that are substandard on the Westside. The plan should also allow for maintaining the positive features of the Westside such as open green space, clean air, uncrowded living conditions, and good schools and recreational facilities.
    

2. WIA shall help prevent deterioration of Westside living conditions by:     
   
   a.  educating Westside residents in regard to laws, ordinances, and plans which concern and affect the area;
   b.  serving as community “watchdog” for enforcement of drainage, litter, noise, air/water pollution, and zoning violations;
   c.  monitoring Westside zoning changes;
   d.  working towards solutions of transportation problems; and
   e.  supporting new laws to cover situations not previously covered by statutes or updating outmoded statutes.
    

3. WIA shall develop an organization that is definitely representative of the Westside by endeavoring to serve as a central focus for Westside citizens and organizations to unite in order to achieve common goals. WIA will become identified as a coalition of many groups concerned with the improvement of the Westside. These groups would set the policy and steer WIA.

Our sympathies to Bill Harty and his family on the passing of his wife, Susan, on January 5. Bill is a past president of WIA and a current board member. Bill, our thoughts are with you.

Words of Wisdom

        "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."   Henry Ford
 

November-December 2007

As one year ends and a new one is on the horizon, I often reflect on the closing year. We all share a common thread of experiencing the full spectrum of life’s challenges. As is life, some better and some worse. This new year; make it your resolution to be open minded, kind and giving to your neighbors. It only takes one person to make a difference in someone’s life.

I am so proud to be a part of WIA. This year we supported, participated as a group, or had member representation in the following areas:

•  Earth Day

•  National Night Out

•  Fall Festival

•  Adopt-a-Spot

•  February general meeting - Tom Hayden, Supervisor, Animal Care & Control

•  May general meeting - Reitz High School students presented "Feel the History"

•  WIA membership picnic - Lauren Preske, Manager, Howell Wetlands

•  WIA banquet - Mizell Stewart III, Editor, Evansville Courier & Press

•  Board meetings (7)

•  Two $1,000 scholarships - the Paul Harper Scholarship to a Mater Dei senior and the Farmer Family Scholarship to a Reitz senior

•  Two scholarships to the Burdette Park Day Camp

•  Opening of the Burdette/USI Pedestrian, Bike, & Nature Trail

•  United Neighborhoods of Evansville (UNOE)

•  Solid Waste Management District Board

•  Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District

•  Smart Growth

•  Combined Sewer Overflow Citizens Advisory Committee

•  Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee

•  Revised and strengthened EPA ordinance

•  Closing Dorothy Drive (as specified in the rezoning agreement for the area) to improve safety

•  Storm Water Quality Management Plan

•  Numerous land use issues

I would like to thank the officers, Board of Directors, and members for your hard work, encouragement and support. Without all of you, WIA wouldn’t be the strong association that it is today.

Going into the new year, our officers and Board of Directors are focused and enthusiastic. We have elected six new board members: Aphrodite Hudson, Bill Jeffers, Phillip Outlaw, Chris Reddington, Kim Reddington, and Dave Rockwood. There are many exciting ideas on the table. This next year should be one of the best yet.

Have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season. See you next year!

Words of Wisdom

        "I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do something I can do." Helen Keller
 

October 2007

What has happened to volunteering just for the sake of helping someone or an organization without the expectation of something in return? I’ve spoken with leaders across the board and hear the same thing time and again. The volunteer effort in our community is accomplished mainly by the same groups of people over and over again. Just think what could be done if more people would become involved just a little bit. Everyone is busy. We all have kids, grandkids, jobs, parents to help; the list goes on and on. Why do some people make time and others just make excuses? If you aren’t active in your community, then are you truly a part of that community or are you just existing?

The Fall Festival Food Booth is our main fund raising effort of the year. Many people obviously feel WIA is important enough to be a member. Why isn’t it important enough to be an active participant? Otherwise, what’s the point? The Fall Festival runs for six days and nights; most anyone could find a time to accommodate their schedule. For those that are not physically able to work in the booth, there are other ways you can help. I have heard more excuses from our membership than a teacher collecting homework.

Of the 18 four-hour shifts that make up the week, 14 were short the minimum five people needed. This was from not being able to fill the shift, cancellations at the last minute, and people just not showing up. When this happens, we either have to try and find someone to fill the shift, work it ourselves, or leave it short. Most of the time we worked it ourselves. Many of our volunteers worked two or even three shifts.

This year we had 51 volunteers; this was 11 less than last year. Of the 51; 26 were not members of WIA. The non-members are family, friends, and co-workers that stepped up for us when asked.

Due to the outstanding effort of a few, this was a very successful year.


Words of Wisdom

                    ‘Make yourself like a sundial, count only the hours the sun shines.’
                            Translated from German
                            Found on the north wall, lower level of the Germania Maennerchoir
 

September 2007

There’s something in the air. The evenings are starting to feel different. They even smell different than before. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter. This season is without a doubt my favorite time of year. The leaves will be changing into a kaleidoscope of color soon and dropping to the ground like a lush blanket of reds, golds, and purples.

Did you ever wonder why leaves change their color? As summer ends and autumn comes, the days get shorter and shorter. This is how the trees "know" to begin getting ready for winter.

During winter, there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis. The trees will rest, and live off the food they stored during the summer. They begin to shut down their food-making factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the bright green fades away, we begin to see yellow and orange colors. Small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all along. We just can't see them in the summer, because they are covered up by the green chlorophyll.

The bright reds and purples we see in leaves are made mostly in the fall. In some trees, like maples, glucose is trapped in the leaves after photosynthesis stops. Sunlight and the cool nights of autumn cause the leaves to turn this glucose into a red color. The brown color of trees like oaks is made from wastes left in the leaves.

The bright red and purple colors come from anthocyanin pigments. These are potent antioxidants common in many plants; for example, beets, red apples, purple grapes (and red wine), and flowers like violets and hyacinths

The brightest colors are seen when late summer is dry, and autumn has bright sunny days and cool (low 40's Fahrenheit) nights. Then trees make a lot of anthocyanin pigments. A fall with cloudy days and warm nights brings drab colors. And an early frost quickly ends the colorful display.

It is the combination of all these things that make the beautiful colors we enjoy in the fall.


Words of Wisdom: Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. ~Stanley Horowitz
 

August 2007

It’s that time of year again and the Fall Festival is right around the corner. This year I asked my mother, Bonnie Kolb, to share a little of the history of the WIA Food Booth.  Here's her story.

When WIA was just getting started, ideas were popping, but as always, where and how to get the money to operate was a problem. The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival was already in full swing. Shirley James and Paul Harper decided they would check out the possibility of getting into that. They had both put up their own money to get the association started.

Monty Mise and his mother from Vincennes had their own booth and traveled all over selling sandwiches and homemade lemonade. Shirley and Paul approached him and he said he needed help in his booth. He offered to pay the first $2,500 collected to them if they could supply enough people to work in his booth for the week. WIA members did the job which consisted of peeling and slicing onions and squeezing lemons plus waiting on customers. We worked all day instead of shifts and went home at night crying from the onions and dead tired.

After the second year, Mr. Mise was told the by Nut Club that only local residents could operate booths. Since he made his living with his booth, he couldn’t sell it to us. I was traveling on First Avenue and saw a Morris trailer for sale which some church had used. It had two little windows on one side and a door at the end. We bought it for $500. Our members Bill Harty, Shirley Marx, George Kolb, and Fred Dennison, who was a supervisor at Whirlpool, offered to fix it up for us to use. We were in business. Mr. Dennison obtained a new refrigerator free from Whirlpool, which we are still using. Lloyd Hahn gave us a motor to use so we could have running water and Ron Gatewood ran a hose all the way down to Citizens Bank each morning.

I was in charge of the Booth and luckily Cathy Drake, who was a good friend of Shirley James, agreed to help work with me, which she did until just recently. With help from the WIA members, we opened that first Monday in 1985 and thought everything was under control. We turned on the fryer and it wouldn’t work. Shirley Marx had obtained it from the VFW warehouse. They found another for us, but it too didn’t operate properly and my husband, George, had to leave his business every day to get the thing started.

In the beginning, we sold corn dogs. Cathy and I took turns making the mix to dip them in. It was mixed with water and had to be the exact consistency for it to stick on the wieners. Don’t ever try it; you might lose your religion. That is when we started with the egg rolls instead of corn dogs.

Several years later we wanted to come up with something new and Ron Gatewood suggested we try stuffed baked potatoes and had already discussed how we could do it with Shyler’s Barbecue. They have been most successful.

In the meantime, our old booth was about to fall in on us. Bill Basden assisted us with a new booth. So when it was made and ready, he brought it to Evansville and it has been really great. We also had enough money by then to pay for it.

All the money needed and used for our organization has been made by the operation of the Booth and membership dues. We still need volunteers each year to work in the booth and those who have been there say they have enjoyed the fellowship. I certainly hope we can continue for many years.
 

July 2007

I hope everyone had a glorious 4th of July. As always our city made it possible to enjoy the summer holiday with many activities downtown on our beautiful riverfront. The hydroplane races, air shows, the bierstube, musical entertainment, and of course the fireworks make this time of year special indeed.

With dismay, I read in the newspaper of the trash that is left behind on the ground daily from the public that attends these events. I’ve never understood why some people feel its okay to drop their trash wherever they happen to be. It speaks of their character and way of life. As with many forms of unacceptable behavior, it does indeed go back to the parents. When children see their parents dropping their debris on the ground or out of the car window, they learn that behavior as well. The citizens who trash our city must not have any respect for themselves or appreciation of their surroundings.

My children, who are now grown, remember well the time when one of them threw a candy wrapper out of our car window. The car was stopped immediately and the wrapper was retrieved. They learned an important lesson that day. While my husband and I certainly are not perfect parents, we have tried to set an example of acceptable behavior.

While it is common sense to most of us that we don’t trash our communities; why do some still think its okay? What did they learn as children? It seems that no part of the city or county is spared. The people who trash our community should be ashamed of themselves. Since they obviously have no shame then they should be arrested, fined, and sentenced to community service picking up the trash they helped to create. Littering is socially and legally unacceptable behavior period. Haven’t we had enough?

Words of Wisdom: Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides. ~Margaret Thatcher
 

June 2007

While I was outside one evening, this very strong odor swept past. It smelled of ammonia and rotten eggs and something I couldn’t identify. The fumes were so strong that my nose and eyes burned and for the remainder of the evening I felt awful.

I knew without a doubt that what I had inhaled was Methamphetamine fumes. It dissipated so quickly that it was most likely a mobile lab in a vehicle. Illegal drug activity knows no boundaries. It is no longer confined to the so called ‘bad neighborhoods’.

Methamphetamine is a drug that acts as a central nervous system stimulant, is highly addictive and can be lethal. A pound of meth is equal to approximately six pounds of hazardous waste and requires full Haz-Mat suits to remove it from the place of business. Because of the chemical composition, meth labs have been known to explode. These labs have been discovered in hotel rooms, restaurants, barns, private homes and apartments, storage facilities, fields, vacant buildings, and vehicles.

The ingredients for making meth are common household products.

•  Anhydrous ammonia

•  Acetone

•  Battery acid (sulfuric acid)

•  Brake cleaner (toluene)

•  Pseudoephedrine (cold tablets)

•  Drain cleaner

•  Freon

•  Iodine crystals

•  Paint thinner

•  Reactive metals (sodium or lithium batteries)

•  Red phosphorus

•  Starting fluid (ether)

•  Coffee filters

•  Propane tanks

Here are some warning signs that you may have a meth lab in your neighborhood.

•  Unusual strong odors (ether, ammonia, cat urine or other chemicals)

•  Residences with windows blacked out, or curtains and blankets over windows

•  Renters who pay their landlords in large amounts of cash

•  Large amounts of traffic - people coming and going at unusual hours

•  Activity that just doesn’t fit

•  Excessive trash, including large quantities of: antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner containers, and duct tape.

•  Unusual quantities of glass jars with white or red solids on bottom or iodine, shiny purple crystals, or a fine dark red or purple powder.

•  Coffee filters containing a white pasty substance, a dark red sludge, or small amounts of shiny white crystals.

•  Bottles or jars with rubber tubing attached.

•  Residents may set out their trash in another neighbor’s collection area.

•  Dead animals and birds, resulting from drinking contaminated water from waste chemicals.

•  Excessive security measures

We help clean up our neighborhoods of trash and debris, let's clean up our neighborhoods of another kind of trash. Keep your eyes open, become more observant of what is going on in your area. Each and everyone of you is your neighborhood watch system.

If you suspect that someone is running a meth lab in your neighborhood, call 911. Do not put yourself in a dangerous position. Drug dealers are often ruthless people who will do anything - even kill - to protect their business.

Words of Wisdom
Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest. ~ Mark Twain
 

May 2007

Recently, I learned of a wonderful educational project that the Southwestern Indiana Master Gardeners (SWIMGA) has set up to help schools, day care centers, summer camps, and youth groups start their own Children’s Outdoor Classroom Gardens (COCG). This program helps children connect with their surroundings by using the outdoors to teach Math, Science, Reading, Art, and Nutrition.

They work with groups that are interested in teaching children and youth that life is more than virtual reality. Learning becomes fun through hands on exploring by digging in the dirt and watching their very own garden grow.

They learn that carrots come from the ground; french fries first come from potatoes, and ketchup from a tomato. They come to understand that math is a skill that is used in day to day life and not just in a classroom. Environmental issues are emphasized and they learn to respect their surroundings and ultimately themselves.

If your group doesn’t have much space, that’s okay you don’t need much. You can have a great garden in pots, on window sills, around signs, entrances, or any grassy area. Presently, the SWIMGA is working with Home For Your Heart Preschool & Kindergarten. To find out what they are doing, check out their web site
www.HomeForYourHeart.org.

Anyone interested in learning more about starting an Outdoor Classroom Garden, volunteering time, ideas or resources (plants, seeds, potting soil, etc.), please contact Master Gardener Kath Shockley (812) 423-6649.

Words of Wisdom
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

April 2007

Are we a compassionate and just society?

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~Mohandas Gandhi


Recently, in the news, there have been reports of horrific animal cruelty. Did you know that in many cases the perpetrators of these crimes will only face a misdemeanor? A slap on the wrist and a small fine.

They’re just stupid animals. How many times have you heard that? Do they not show love, feel pain and sadness, and know hunger and thirst? While their method of communication is different, it is no less intelligent than their human counterparts.

What does this say about us as a society? Why aren’t we protecting the creatures that cannot speak for themselves? When do they receive the justice they deserve?

How many times should we hear of such animal cruelty and neglect before we demand that changes be made? Research tell us that people who are cruel to animals will also show violence toward humans. This is a fact.

Why is animal cruelty only a misdemeanor? It’s because our so-called compassionate and just society has not demanded more. At minimum, it should be a first time felony with mandatory counseling and some serious jail time.

Let’s step up now and show that we are indeed compassionate and just. Call, write, or email your elected officials. Ask them to take a proactive stand on animal cruelty. Please don’t delay on this vitally important issue any longer. The animals are depending on you.

The list below is a good start.

City Council
Room 314 Civic Center Complex
1 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 436-4996

Keith Jarboe - President - (812) 402-0827
Stephen Melcher - Vice President - (812) 428-4281 - email - Melcher@sigecom.net

County Commissioners
Room 305 Civic Center Complex
1 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 435-5241

Cheryl Musgrave - President - email - Musgrave@vanderburghgov.org
Bill Nix - Vice President - email - bnix@vanderburghgov.org

County Prosecuting Attorney Stan Levco
Civic Center Complex
Administration Building - Room 108
Evansville, IN. 47708
431-5150

State Senate
Indiana State Senate
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2785
(800) 382-9467

Vaneta Becker - (812) 479-3776 - email - s50@in.gov
Bob Deig - (812) 985-5777 - email - s49@in.gov


Words of Wisdom

“Ever occur to you why some of us can be this much concerned with animals suffering? Because government is not. Why not? Animals don’t vote.”
~Paul Harvey
 

March 2007

Congratulations to the Mater Dei Wildcats winning another State Team Wrestling Championship and to Coach Mike Goebel on your 12th State Championship! Another west side tradition to celebrate. We look forward to watching your continued success.

Today, my husband brought me a handful of daffodils that he collected from our yard. Spring is here, although not officially until the 21st. I can hardly wait until I’m digging in the rich earth and inhaling that heady fragrance that only comes from this part of the country. As usual I’m making plans ahead of Mother Nature. She always has some surprises up her sleeve.

Our Adopt-A-Spot is coming along nicely. A special kick-off of the program will be Saturday, May 12, 2007 at the west side Lowe‘s Home Improvement Warehouse. We will be choosing some of the shrubs and plants that we will use in our spot. If you are interested in joining us in this exciting project, please call Dot Berning at 424-8307 or George Thompson at 426-1242. Remember, our spot is on the coveted corner of Maryland Street and Saint Joseph Avenue at the stone gates, near the fire station. There will be awards given from the Keep Evansville Beautiful Adopt-A-Spot Committee for the top three spots. The judging will take place sometime in June. Feeling competitive? Then come join us to help make our spot fabulous.

Nothing says spring like rummage sales. The Hilltop Neighborhood Association is hosting its Second Annual Rummage Sale on Saturday, May 5 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., located at Pine Haven Health & Rehabilitation Center, 3400 Stocker Drive. The rental stations are $10.00 and there will be a food concession. Come on out, join your neighbors and enjoy a wonderful family day in a beautiful west side neighborhood. For information call Jan at 480-1602 or Brenda at 401-4992.

If you missed our February General Meeting with speaker Tom Hayden, Superintendent of the Animal Care & Control Shelter, you will have another chance to learn how the new Animal Ordinance affects you. He will be speaking at the United Neighborhoods of Evansville (UNOE) General Meeting on Thursday, March 22, beginning at 6:30. The meeting will be at the Red Cross Building on 29 S. Stockwell Road.

Remember, if you desire change then you must become involved. If you have ever wondered just what we do and why we do it, come to the next Board Meeting. It is open to the public and will be held on March 28, 4:00 p.m. at Red Bank Branch Library.
 

February 2007

Brrrrr!  It’s cold outside.  As I write this, I look over at my spoiled critters; three cats and one dog, and remind them how very lucky they are to live inside.  The dog looks grateful.  The cats look bored, yawn, and go back to sleep.  For everyone that has outside animals, don’t forget to provide shelter, extra bedding, and plenty of food and thawed water.  Animals that live outside need more food when it’s cold to help them stay warm.  Don’t forget your feathered friends.  If you don’t have bird feeders, just break up stale bread.  They will love it. 

I am excited and proud to announce that WIA has become involved with Keep Evansville Beautiful to Adopt-A-Spot.  This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to come together to beautify a spot on the West side of Evansville.  For details and some interesting history, don’t miss the article by Mel Runge. 

‘Musings of An Innocent Bystander’ by Steve McCallister is back.  The subject is thought provoking and may lead you to investigate further. 

Lots of action going on downtown.  Read about the continuing and new developments happening at the Area Plan Commission for the West side by Fred Padget.  

Many times we hear from members that they would love to volunteer, but they have such time constraints that it’s impossible.  Another way you can help WIA achieve it’s goals is through a monetary donation.  As a non-profit organization, our only funding comes from membership dues, the Fall Festival Food Booth, and donations.  Beginning this month you will have the opportunity to support WIA and have a choice where your donation will be applied.  You may choose from:  General, Adopt-A-Spot, Fall Festival Booth, or the Scholarship Fund. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has stepped up to donate time, money, and resources to help WIA continue it’s vision to enhance the West side of Evansville.

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.   
                                                                   ~James Baldwin

January 2007

As your new president, I would like to introduce myself.  I grew up on the west side and have lived most of my life in Evansville.  My husband, Phillip, and I have been married for 25 years and have three grown children and three grandchildren among us.  We feel that it is true what people say, ‘the west side is the best side’.   No question about it.   

More than 30 years have passed since the inception of the WIA.   We still do our utmost to improve the quality of life for those who live, work, or attend school on Evansville’s west side. We believe in being active, vocal, and persistent about those things we support and those things we find objectionable. While it’s not always convenient, we strive to achieve our goals in the most diplomatic and respectful way possible.  

In the middle 70‘s, Evansville and Vanderburgh County were faced with questions of strengthening the current infrastructure, residential and commercial development, and intelligent growth - much as it is today.   

Make no mistake, we are a strong and influential organization.  However, we are only as strong as our membership involvement.  We simply don’t have the option of basking in past achievements and there are many.  To keep with the direction of our Mission Statement, we must be ever vigilant.  This is an invitation for community involvement.  If not you, then who?

 Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.                                                                                                                     ~Albert Einstein                                                               

We will be involved in many fun and thought-provoking activities this year.  You will be updated as more details become available.  It will be wonderful to see everyone and to welcome all the new faces.   

In the February newsletter, there will be a new section.  Ask WIA will be a question and answer format.   Any question or inquiry that you may have concerning the west side of Evansville will be answered in this column.  You may submit your question/inquiry to: email - dpoutlaw@aol.com,  phone - (812) 589-1657, or mail - WIA, PO Box 6172 West Wabash Station, Evansville, IN   47719.   

Occasionally throughout the year,  the newsletter will contain articles of historic significance.  Many of you know interesting stories and history about the west side of Evansville.  You can write it or we’ll be happy to write it for you.  The contact information is the same as for  Ask WIA in the above paragraph.   

Our first General Meeting on Thursday, February 15 will be interesting and relevant for everyone.  Most all of you either have pets or live near other people’s critters.  Tom Hayden,  Superintendent of the Evansville Animal Care and Control Shelter, will speak concerning the new Animal Ordinance, spay/neuter, microchipping your pets, and other animal issues.  The meeting will be held at Dove Chapel Baptist Church, 4420 Nurrenbern Road.   Those of you that aren’t familiar with the location, it is on the curve where Red Bank Road turns into Nurrenbern Road going toward Burdette Park.   

The second General Meeting on Thursday, May 17, we will host a showing of the first episode of “Feel the History” at the University of Southern Indiana.  For those of you that haven’t had the chance to see this extraordinary work, don’t miss this.  Terry Hughes, a technology curriculum specialist in the EVSC, developed the course at Reitz, which is being taught by Jon Carl. The students narrated, produced, and researched the material for this documentary about the west side of Evansville.  Representatives from “Feel the History” will be on hand to provide additional information. 

On Saturday, September 15,  our General Meeting and Picnic will be held at Burdette Park, Shelter #13, the same shelter as last year.  Due to the positive feedback, this seems to be turning into an annual event, one that is enjoyed by all who attend. 

Be sure to check the newsletter calendar each month and don’t forget to mark your own calendars.   We look forward to seeing you there!

From WIA president, Linda Cleek

December 2006

Where did the year go? Last December, I had lots of plans and hopes for what could be accomplished during my year as president. Now, though, I just wonder what became of the time.

The organization had some accomplishments. Our philanthropic contributions for the year included:
• The $1,000 Paul Harper Scholarship to a Mater Dei Senior
• The $1,000 Farmer Family Scholarship to a Reitz Senior
• A contribution to Valley Watch to support their efforts to maintain clean air and water for all of us.
• A contribution to the Parks Foundation in support of Howell Park.
• A contribution to the Wesselman Woods Foundation in support of education facilities at Howell Wetlands.
• A contribution to support National Night Out.

We participated in the following boards, commissions, and activities:

• National Night Out
• Soil and Water Conservation District
• Solid Waste Board
• Smart Growth
• United Neighborhoods of Evansville (UNOE)
• Evansville Police Department West Sector Citizens Advisory Committee
• Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage
• Howell Wetlands
• Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Committee & Citizens Committee
• WAVE
• Mayor’s Pool Study Committee

We sponsored held general meetings in February, May, a membership picnic in September, our annual banquet/meeting in November. Special thanks to Burdette Park and The Korner Event Center for providing free venues for many of these events. Also, thanks to Red Bank Branch Library for allowing us the use of their meeting room for our Board of Directors meetings. We held a candidates’ night in September in cooperation with Hilltop, Mt. Auburn, Poplar Grove, and Western Terrace Neighborhoods and the Farm Bureau. Thanks to Paul Farmer for acting as moderator.

We continue to work with neighbors who are confronted by land use and zoning issues. Mike Lockard and Fred Padget are to be commended for their tireless work in support of intelligent growth and development.

We act as advocates for citizens who are unsure of how to proceed to get nuisances or eyesores corrected. Two examples from this year are getting banners and other signs removed from Eagle Village and getting sewers cleaned out to stop flooding along Tekoppel below the Expressway.

We provide information services via our newsletter and Web site. These include a links page to city and county services and a community calendar page on the Web site. Thanks to Pam Locker for her hard work as newsletter editor.

I’m glad to be returning to what I believe I do best: serving as Web master and secretary of the organization. I’m pleased to welcome DeAnna Outlaw to the presidency and know she will have support, as did I, from past presidents including Fred Padget, Paul Farmer, and Shirley James.

I want to leave you with a challenge: get more involved with WIA in 2007. Identify an issue you care passionately about, or a talent you’d like to share, then put that passion and talent to work for the Westside Improvement Association. With the exception of the Fall Festival, when nearly 70 individuals (not all of them members!) stepped forward to help in various ways, the work of the WIA has been done by 15-20 people this past year. Think how much more we could do if we had 50 or 100 people really involved!

Best wishes for a happy holiday season.

October 2006

October is my favorite month, and not just because of the Fall Festival. I want to thank everyone who helped make the Fall Festival a success for WIA—those who prepped, set up and took down the booth; those who fetched and carried products and supplies; those who sliced, shook, stuffed, cooked, and otherwise worked in the booth; and those who purchased (and enjoyed, we hope) our products. Next month we’ll report on how many of those wonderful stuffed baked potatoes, lemon shake-ups, and other items we sold.

October usually has our best weather of the year—clear, bright, neither hot nor cold, and wonderful color in the trees. Take advantage of the fall season and get out and about. It’s the perfect weather for a visit to Burdette Park, Mesker Park Zoo, Howell Wetlands, Wesselman Woods Nature Center, Harmonie State Park, and points farther from home.

Finally, on a somber note, I’d like to offer the sympathies of the Westside Improvement Association to all affected by the unfortunate death of bicyclist Sam Wolf during the recent Great Pumpkin Metric. This tragedy points out yet again the need for safe bike routes in Vanderburgh and surrounding counties. Bicyclists have the same right to the roads, and the same responsibilities, as motorists. Having said that, it is important to recognize that bike riders are at much higher risk than people enclosed in thousands of pounds of metal. Biking is a healthy activity with benefits for the individuals who ride and the potential to save natural resources and improve the environment for all of us. Shouldn’t we all be doing all we can to encourage the development of streets and roads that are safer for us all?

September 2006

What is the meaning of this?????

Why are we seeing so much vandalism in Vanderburgh County, both to private cars, houses, and other property, and to public facilities? In the latter category, we have had damage to the Pigeon Creek Greenway, the felling of the Freedom Tree (a 9-11memorial) in Garvin Park, and the spray-painting of bike route signs in the county near Burdette Park. While vandalism is sometimes motivated by gain (such as smashing a vending machine for the money and contents), most of the destruction of public property is simply that—wanton destruction.

What motivates vandals? Stanley Cohen, a sociologist who has studied and written extensively on vandalism, identifies these motives:
• Acquisitive—for monetary gain.
• Tactical—a means to an end, which might be as simple as attracting attention or getting a bed in jail for the night.
• Ideological—delivering a message. Perhaps the bike route signs were vandalized by someone who doesn’t like to share the road with bicyclists.
• Vindictive—seeking revenge. An example would be keying the car of a teacher who gave you a bad grade.
• Play—games that get out of control, such as roller skating on surfaces that are damaged by skate wheels, or a competition to see who can break the most windows by throwing rocks.
• Malicious—an expression of rage or frustration, often directed at symbolic targets. Spray painting a school building could be an example of this type of vandalism. Malicious vandalism is the hardest for most people to understand, since there is no gain to the perpetrator.

Whatever the motive, vandalism to public property hurts us all. It wastes our tax dollars, uses police resources, and deprives us of the enjoyment of the vandalized property. It starts us on a slippery slope to decay. Studies have shown over and over that leaving vandalism unrepaired encourages further acts of vandalism.

So what should we do to prevent vandalism? Here are some recommendations from law enforcement professionals.

1. Know your neighbors and your neighborhood. Form neighborhood watch groups, or just keep an eye out for each other. Tell others if you see anything suspicious.
2. Keep your property free of trash, and keep weeds and other vegetation properly trimmed. Don’t provide vandals (or other criminals) with hiding places.
3. Keep your property in good repair. Remember, a broken window almost invites more rocks to be thrown.
4. Keep a watchful eye on public property. If you see suspicious behavior in a park, on a trail, or in a schoolyard, do not attempt to intervene. Instead:
a. Call 911 as soon as you are able.
b. Write down a complete description of what you saw: how people looked, what clothes they wore, any vehicles involved, the direction from which the vandals came and where they went, and exactly what was done.
c. Tell others in your neighborhood association and other civic groups about the incident. The more people who are on watch the more likely the vandals can be stopped.

Let’s all respect ourselves, others and their property, and public facilities, and let’s teach our children to do the same. Nothing is as effective as a good example.

June-July 2006

Great things are happening!

As we head into summer, I’ve been noticing that great things are happening in Evansville and Vanderburgh County. These include:
• Downtown development, as highlighted by the recent Loft Tour
• And the addition to Casino Aztar
• And the upcoming opening of the children’s Discovery Center
• The new spray park at Burdette’s aquatic complex
• Plans to complete a hiking-biking trail from USI to Burdette Park
• Additional plans to designate bike routes in Union Township (attention flatlanders—if you don’t like cranking up hills, this is the ideal place to ride your bike)
• Funding for another section of the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage
• Another successful “Pickin’ on the Pigeon” event, highlighting National Trails Day and Canoe Evansville
• The planned rainforest exhibit at Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Gardens
• The upcoming opening of the new David L. Rice Library on the USI campus
• Evansville was named the #1 metro area of its size for those relocating in a national survey.
• A new, coordinated approach to regional development for Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick Counties
• And speaking of other counties, the Wabash Heritage Paddlefest, an opportunity to canoe the Wabash from Grayville to New Harmony, the first Saturday in August
• LST 235 attracting re-enactors, as well as other visitors, to Evansville
• Nationally-known experts on full-service schools praised Evansville’s community involvement in school improvement.

And I’m sure there are many, many more great things happening. There’s plenty for us to work on, as well, but isn’t it nice to think about the positives for a change!
 

April 2006

Clean it up!

It is an absolutely gorgeous April day –hard to stay inside at the computer instead of going out to enjoy it. We are so lucky to live in an area with the natural beauty of rolling hills, changing seasons, lakes and rivers, piles of litter . . .

Piles of litter have been in the news a great deal lately. All you have to do is pay attention as you drive or walk around Evansville and Vanderburgh County and you will be stunned at the quantity of litter that is everywhere along our roads and sidewalks. A very large percentage of the litter is fast food related: hamburger wrappers, drink cups, plastic bottles, etc. Then there are the beer bottles, the assorted junk that flew out of the backs of pick-up trucks, and, perhaps worst of all, the deliberately dumped old appliances, car parts, and bags of trash—no “oops” factor there!

Litter is pollution, just as much as sewage spills in the river or chemical emissions in the air. Unlike those situations, however, litter is in the control of every one of us. We can all be responsible for proper disposal of EVERY LITTLE BIT of our own trash. And then we can go another step and make a point of picking up an extra bit of trash. And then we can go still another step and find ways to reduce the amount of trash we produce by reusing, recycling, and reducing the number of disposable items we use.

We know that litter begets litter. People are much more likely to throw trash on the ground when they see there’s already trash there. So let’s each make it a personal crusade to keep our beautiful surroundings looking their best.

Here’s the reminder I promised you—the April Board of Directors meeting will be at Burdette Park, Shelter 18, on Wednesday, April 26, at 4 p.m.
 

March 2006

Congratulations!

February has been a good month for WIA, thanks to several people who’ve stepped forward to make things happen.

Senior Vice President Brenda Jeffers did a great job of organizing our general meeting. Use of The Korner (on Broadway, next to the old Leo’s Barbecue) was donated by owner Richard Jobe. We are grateful for the use of this fine facility. County Commission President Cheryl Musgrave and City Councilman Keith Jarboe presented the program on what to expect in the city and county in the coming year. Their insights on issues such as TIFs, redevelopment, infrastructure improvements, and much more were very enlightening to the group. It is a pleasure to have public officials who are available to connect with their constituents in such a useful way. It was also gratifying to have a good turn out of the membership on a night that was a little too lively, weatherwise.

Junior Vice President George Thompson has headed our scholarship committee for several years now. His work for 2005 came to fruition at the February meeting with presentation of our annual scholarships. The $1,000 Paul Harper Scholarship went to Mark Modesitt, a senior at Mater Dei. Matt will be attending Columbia University and hopes to work in international law and commerce. The winner of the $1,000 Farmer Family Scholarship is Justin M. McCullough of Reitz High School. Justin will study English and theatre at the University of Evansville. His goal is to teach these subjects right here in Vanderburgh County. Congratulations to both these fine young men and thanks to George for his efforts.

We are still in need of members who want to work on pollution and conservation issues. If cleaning up eyesores, preserving the environment, breathing clean air, and having clean water to drink are concerns of yours, why not volunteer for the Pollution and Environment Committee?

Here’s a reminder that the April Board of Directors meeting will be held at Burdette Park, Shelter # 18. The Red Bank Branch Library will be undergoing renovations during April and May. Thanks to Joyce Moers for securing the Burdette location. Our May general meeting will also be at Burdette—more information to come.

Finally, you may have noticed the new west side feature section on Fridays in the Evansville Courier and Press. This is a great way to let your neighbors know about coming events and to post photos and stories on recent ones. Tom Lovett is the Courier contact for this section. You can reach him at 464-7430 or by e-mail: lovettt@courierpress.com.

February 2006

Educate me!

As I begin my second month as president of WIA I am becoming painfully aware of how little I know.  This awareness comes about in part because people are calling with questions and stopping me in Schnuck's to tell me about problems in their neighborhoods. In case you don't know, in my "real" job I am director of continuing education at the University of Southern Indiana.  For more than 30 years, my life has been dedicated to promoting lifelong learning.  Well, now the educator needs to do some learning!  I need to become more familiar with the various neighborhoods (hint to associations: I'd love an invitation to one of your meetings), as well as problem areas.  Also, I'm always interested in learning about businesses and people of the west side.  As one who is permanently attached to her computer, e-mail is probably the most efficient way to contact me.  The address is lcleek@westsideimprovement.org.

Many of the concerns people bring to my attention have to do with drainage, dumping, and other pollution/conservation issues.  We are currently in need of people to work on our Pollution and Conservation Committee.  If cleaning up eyesores, preserving the environment, breathing clean air, and having clean water to drink are concerns of yours, why not volunteer for that committee?

I hope you will make plans to attend the February 16 general meeting.  Brenda Jeffers, WIA senior vice president, has arranged for County Commission President Cheryl Musgrave and a representative of the city administration, to be named later, to present a program on what to look for in local government affairs in the coming year.  We'll also be presenting our 2005 scholarship winners from Reitz and Mater Dei. Brenda has reserved The Korner, 3911 Broadway, for the meeting which starts at 7 p.m.  The Korner is a party/meeting facility that was formerly a convenience store.  It is next to the old Leo's Barbecue.  Please bring your friends and neighbors along to this interesting and informative meeting.

I'll remind you about this again, but please make note that the April Board of Directors meeting will be held at Burdette Park, Shelter # 18.  The Red Bank Branch Library will be undergoing renovations during April and May.  Thanks to Joyce Moers for securing the Burdette location.

Finally, a hearty thank-you to the members of the board of directors, many of whom have already stepped up to take on new roles in the coming year.  Welcome to new board members Officer Joe Dickinson and Ava Nix.  And a huge thank-you to Fred Padget who is patiently teaching me about this job and still doing yeoman's work on behalf of the organization.

January 2006

Help!

It is January 5, less than one week into my term as WIA president, and I have to tell you, I need your help! We are members of an important organization, one that has done much good for the residents of Vanderburgh County’s west side. We have the potential to do a great deal more, but we need all hands on deck to make it happen.

I’ll admit my age—I’m 54. At any given WIA event over the past five years, I’ve been one of the younger people present. We absolutely must recruit new members of every age, but particularly those in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. We owe a great deal to our stalwarts—Shirley James, Bonnie Kolb, Paul Farmer, Fred Padget, Bill Harty, Bernice Sensmeier, and others—but as much as I would like them to carry the burden another 20 or 30 years, some of them may demand a well-deserved break!

So how do we go about increasing membership? Our Membership Committee will be working on that during the coming year, but there is something you can do right now. Talk to your friends, neighbors, work colleagues, and family members who live or work in western Vanderburgh County.  Make some points . . .

Point out the work WIA has done on behalf of all county residents, not just its own members.
Point out that dues are cheap, meetings not overly frequent (just four general meetings per year), and the newsletter informative.
Point out the wealth of information on our Web site.
Point out that civic involvement is a great resume builder.
Point out that those who sit by and allow bad development to go forward have no standing to complain later.
Point out that those who encourage good development will have an enduring sense of pride in it.
Point out that people get the government they deserve and that ensuring good government requires informed and involved citizens.

Use any argument you think will work, but convince someone you know to join us. There’s plenty of good work to be done and we need plenty of good folks to do it.
 

From WIA President, Fred Padget

A PERSONAL NOTE
 from outgoing president Fred Padget - December 2005

It has been a great privilege for me to serve the Westside Improvement Association for the past four years. The things we’ve accomplished were truly a team effort and so many of you deserve my thanks and gratitude for helping these accomplishments to take place. It was not me, it was we.  At the same time, we were not successful at everything in which we were involved, that is a fact of life and a learning experience.

But rather than list our accomplishments and shortcomings, which for the most part have been documented in our newsletter and on our Web site,  I think it is more valuable to look to the future and plan how we can be even more successful. We have just elected a new President, Linda Cleek, who comes to this position with a long history of WIA involvement as well as a high degree of support for the WIA mission, goals and objectives. The membership has made an excellent choice. She’ll also have a dedicated group of officers, board members and committee members to help carry the WIA mission to a higher level.

One of the biggest challenges for our group is continued perpetuation of the effort toward our mission. To do this, we must recruit new and active members, a very difficult goal to accomplish based on what I hear from many other volunteer organizations. It is difficult to get younger people involved because of the many commitments they already have. But it is vital to our organization that we expand our membership.

A second challenge is to create an environment that will cause our current members to become more active and involved. That is meant as no disrespect to the many members who already help in so many ways. It is simple logic. The more that are involved, the more we can accomplish. And there are many areas within our community were we could have a more significant impact with more involvement. We must make involvement a rewarding and pleasant experience. For me, the reward of accomplishment is almost euphoric. Once experienced, I’m sure others would feel similarly. The support for your involvement is within the organization though many sources.

Thirdly, we need to assess our resources and focus our attention on vital goals where we can be successful and make real change for the better. Our Mission Statement, goals and objectives are the guidance for this course of action. We must limit our focus to reality and what can be done with our limited resources.

And finally, so much of WIA’s accomplishment rests with our committees. This is truly where things get done. Each active committee can focus on specific goals as part of our Mission Statement, determine what is needed to accomplish the goal and help to find resources to cause the goal to be accomplished. Active committees are vital to any success we have.

I have pledged my support to help Linda continue the mission of the WIA; I hope you do the same.

Again, It has been a privilege for me. Thank you for the opportunity.

November/December 2005

First, I’d like to welcome and congratulate the new President of the Westside Improvement Association for 2006, Linda Cleek, and express my congratulations to all the Officers and Board of Director Members elected at our recent annual meeting. Good luck and best wishes to all in performing the functions of their elected positions. Read more about our annual meeting.

Although the new west side Kohl’s has been open since early October, on behalf of the WIA, I would like to welcome them to the west side and wish them great success at their new location. Without question, the new store brings something special to this area in design, landscaping and shopping experience. I’ve already had many good comments about the operation and we are glad to have Kohl’s in the area. Best wishes for a long and successful operation.

We also want to congratulate Suzanne Crouch for recently being elected to the unexpired term as State Representative for District 78. Although we will miss Suzanne as County Commissioner, we welcome and congratulate Tom Shetler, Jr. who was elected to fill the remaining term that she vacates. Good luck and best wishes to both Suzanne and Tom in the performance of their new positions.

During the October Board of Directors Meeting, action was taken to make a contribution to the Howell Park Glow Golf event and purchase a gift card for a program to be administered through UNOE and the Red Cross to aid recent hurricane victims.

We also wish to pass our condolences to those who suffered loss or injury during the recent tornados in the area. As we all know, the area experienced several tornados with the east side of Vanderburgh County and neighboring Warrick County suffering much loss and devastation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who were affected.

At the same time, our first responders, recovery crews and the many agencies involved in the rescue and recovery efforts deserve great credit. They all reacted marvelously; it is just unfortunate they had to react at all.

Since this is a combined November/December message I do want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a happy and successful New Year and a wonderful holiday season.

Again, congratulations and best wishes to Linda and all those elected to leadership rolls for the WIA. It has been a privilege and honor for me to serve you as President for the past four years. Thanks to all of you for all your help and support.
 

October 2005

The 84th West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is now over and recovery can begin. It will probably take me three or four weeks to recover and I should be ready again next year. But it is a great event for Evansville and all of Vanderburgh County as well as the surrounding counties. To keep an event going and improving for 84 years is a tribute to the Nut Club and the effort they put into it.

Of course the WIA had our food booth there and I want to sincerely thank each and every individual who helped to make it a success for the WIA (See the article by DeAnna Outlaw.)  Without your help, it couldn’t happen. I appreciate you efforts very much. I especially thank Bonnie Kolb, the WIA Food Booth Chair, for her effort this year and for the many years she has successfully led the effort. She won’t tell us how many years she’s been involved and I‘m smart enough to not ask. DeAnna Outlaw also deserves special thanks for recruiting volunteers for the food booth and helping Bonnie in so many ways. In the end, it is those who volunteer to work in the food booth that truly makes the effort successful. Thank you all, once again.

At our most recent board meeting, the board voted unanimously to write a letter to the County Commissioners and EUTS (Evansville Urban Transportation Study) requesting that plans be developed for rebuilding and upgrading of Hogue Road. Hogue Road is all ready quite congested and in need of expansion. With current on-going development and projected future development an upgrade to the road is sorely needed. The request is currently being drafted.

Also, early in the New Year, we’ll have an opportunity to request road resurfacing. If you know of roads in need of resurfacing or patching, let me know and we’ll put it in our request. Be specific about the location and whether it is in the county or city. Pictures would also be helpful but not needed if you are specific about the location. We may not get everything done we’d like but we’ll get more done than if we don’t ask.

We’ve recently received some complaints concerning activities on the southeast corner of Diamond Avenue (Route 66) and St Joseph Avenue. Concerns include the storage of trailers and other items on that area as well as a generally unsightly appearance. Since this area is one of the major entryways into Evansville, it certainly reflects a first impression of Evansville. We are researching the zoning and other ordinances that may pertain and will report more next month.

We’ve also had complaints concerning Carpentier Creek, specifically blockage at the culvert under the CSX Railroad so bad that little water is flowing though and also a culvert under Old Henderson Road in the same area. We’ve been told of a significant fish kill because of the quality of the water and damage to crops from the water backing up. Additionally, there are many old discarded tires in a nearby area that may create a mosquito health problem and should not be there. We will be following up on these concerns with the owners and appropriate agencies in an effort to get these problems corrected. We’ll let you know more next month.

An upcoming event you might want to be aware of is the United Neighborhoods Of Evansville (UNOE) Sparkplug Awards Banquet on Thursday, October 27, at the Executive Inn at 6 PM. For reservations call 428-4243 or contact me at 428-2529 or fcpadget@aol.com before October 20 for reservations.

Make plans now for the WIA Annual Meeting, Banquet and Election of 2006 Officers and Board of Directors on Thursday, November 17, at the Old Mill Restaurant at 6 p.m. More information will be forthcoming. If you would like to be a member of the Board of Directors, let Shelby Mugrave know at 437-4463 or give me a call.

On Tuesday, November 29, Commissioner Musgrave will hold a District 3 County Commissioner’s Meeting at 3:30 p.m. at the O’Day Discovery Lodge at Burdette Park. All residents of Vanderburgh County are welcome and this is a great chance to ask questions of the Commissioner, express concerns you may have and get her input on most any subject pertaining to Vanderburgh County.  I’d encourage everyone to attend.
 

September 2005

Last month I complained about no rain. This month I’ll complain about too much rain, too fast, along with all the mud I’ve been cleaning up. And, in viewing several construction sites, many could have done a much better job of anticipation with appropriate erosion control measures being in-place before the storms. Of course this is required but in some instances I saw, it appeared no erosion control measures where in-place at all. I do commend the County Engineer’s staff for being very active and responsive in dealing with the many calls received during the storms and the aftermath.

Also last month, I mentioned a Drainage Seminar sponsored by the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., that I was invited to attend. The seminar was very well presented covering many aspects of drainage. I don’t know the exact headcount but it appeared to be well over 150 attendees from all around the state and representing a wide variety of organizations, many of which were governmental agencies. Much of the day was spent discussing various statutory and legal aspects of drainage, common and private law issues, the role of the County Drainage Board and other legal matters concerning drainage. The afternoon was concerned with rules and limitations concerning wetlands, construction in a floodway (the 368 process) and Storm Water Phase II Rules. A panel discussion on drainage issues concluded the day. It was an interesting and informative day but I don’t think it made me an expert on drainage. It is a complicated but important subject. I thank the Indiana Farm Bureau for the invitation. Tony Wolfe and Lisa Kaster, both of the Farm Bureau, made excellent traveling companions and I thank them for their hospitality.

At our recent General Membership Meeting, we were honored to hear the University of Southern Indiana’s Mark Rozewski, Vice President for Business Affairs, and Sherrianne Standley, Vice President for Advancement, speak about “USI Today and Tomorrow”. USI has many interesting plans currently in progress and for the future. I can’t cover everything presented here but it is interesting to note that USI employs nearly 1,300 full-time and part-time faculty and staff and another 799 student employees. They offer 19 degree programs with more on the horizon. They are accredited with at least 16 agencies and, during 2004, students came from all 92 Indiana counties, 35 other states and 34 other nations. And, impressively, nearly 75% of USI graduates remain in Indiana. It is a great school and a major community asset with an unlimited future. We appreciate Ms. Standley and Mr. Rozewski spending some of their valuable time with us. Thank you both.

I recently came upon a booklet titled “Evansville In Motion” created by the Vanderburgh County Department of Health. It lists some more of Vanderburgh County’s less well-known assets, the walking and running paths in Vanderburgh County. It provides maps for 27 different walking or running paths in the Evansville and surrounding area with some specific information about each such as length and location. You may want to ask the Health Department for a copy.

Some upcoming events include the annual Sparkplug Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 27 at 6 p.m. at the Executive Inn, sponsored by UNOE and the City of Evansville. You are invited to attend and reservations can be made by calling me at 428-2529 or E-mail fcpadget@aol.com before October 20. Your share of the cost is $8. In conjunction with the dinner, a PowerPoint presentation will be made of neighborhood pictures. If you would like to submit some pictures contact me. They are required by UNOE prior to October 7. And if you would like to recognize someone from our association for a Sparkplug Award, contact me prior to October 10. It is a good evening. If you can attend, just let me know. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

Of course the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival begins Monday, October 3, and we hope you visit our food booth for a great Shyler’s baked potato, Italian sausage, egg roll and a tasty lemon shake-up. Better yet, contact me at 428-2529, DeAnna Outlaw at 589-1657 or Bonnie Kolb at 423-7089 and see if you can help in our food booth. At the time of this writing, we still need help in the booth. It’s a good cause and you’ll enjoy it.

A couple of other events of interest are Tire Amnesty Day on Saturday, October 1, 8 a.m. ‘til noon in the Civic Center parking lot and the Electronics Recycle Day on Saturday, October 22, 8 a.m. ‘til noon also at the Civic Center parking lot.

And finally, I started griping about mud so it may be appropriate to finish griping about weeds. Most of our corporate citizens and residents do a great job keeping grass and weeds cut and the landscape looking good. And for those that don’t, City and County Weed Control can be quite motivating and successful in getting the job done. Except for CSX. I drive by the CSX property at Broadway and Barker several times a week and am quite impressed by the weed growth they maintain on their property. It must be maintained because of the healthy nature and growth of the weeds. I’ve reported to weed control but nothing. In talking with others, they tell me good luck. But it shouldn’t take weed control or good luck. A good corporate neighbor does not need reminded to maintain their property. CSX, PLEASE CUT YOUR WEEDS.

Until next month, be involved or get involved.
 

August 2005

Heat and no rain, grass is burnt out, flowers are struggling, my dogs are hogging the air conditioning, summer in Evansville and I love it. Although some rain would be very welcome as I write this in early August. Can’t do much about that but we can all help to improve the community we love and live in. As you read this newsletter, once again you’ll see much WIA activity aimed at being involved and working toward a better community.

I’d like to thank the Vanderburgh Farm Bureau, Inc., for inviting me to attend Drainage 101, a seminar presented by the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. The purpose of this seminar is to promote an understanding of the laws and regulations that control drainage of land in Indiana. This seminar will take place August 31and I’ll report about it in our next newsletter.

On behalf of the WIA, I’d like to welcome Ann Ennis as the new Executive Director of Keep Evansville Beautiful. KEB’s purpose is to motivate and educate the community about litter prevention, recycling and beautification programs for the environmental and economic benefit of the Evansville area. We wish Ann great success in her new and important responsibility.

Some upcoming events to be aware of include Mayor Weinzapfel’s 18th Traveling City Hall Program planned for Wednesday, August 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 118 A & B of the C.K. Newsome Center, 100 E. Walnut Street. The Mayor and many of his staff will be there to meet with you. It is a great opportunity to let the appropriate people know of your concerns within the city and often get them resolved.

County residents will have a chance to attend a public meeting hosted by Commissioner Bill Nix of District 1 on Monday, August 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the NE Park Baptist Church (1215 N Boeke Road). All residents of Vanderburgh County are welcome to attend and this is another good chance to speak with your elected representative about subjects of interest to you.

Another good opportunity to speak with one of your representatives is on Tuesday, August 30, at 5:30 p.m. at the 4-H Center. Commissioner Suzanne Crouch, District 2, will be hosting this meeting and, again, all residents of Vanderburgh County are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave will also hold a public meeting during November and we’ll remind you of that in a future newsletter.
And finally, the Evansville Police Department once again will host a Citizens Academy for anyone living or working in Evansville or Vanderburgh County who is interested in learning more about the Evansville Police Department. This is a six-week program taking place on Tuesday evenings beginning September 13. It includes most of the EPD’s activities including K-9 Demonstrations, Ride Alongs, Firearms Program as well as the S.W.A.T. Team, Criminal Investigations, Polygraph and Bomb Technicians and much more. The program is usually at capacity so if you are interested, contact Debbie Baird at 436-4948 or 436-4947 or by email at dbaird@evansvillepolice.com or contact me as soon as possible. More information about the program is at www.evansvillepolice.com.

Until next month, stay cool, be involved.
 

July 2005

I’m writing this on the 4^th of July and, no, I’m not feeling sorry for myself because I didn’t anticipate the holiday and do it sooner. In fact, expressing our opinions and being involved with the many governmental agencies we try to be involved with is a very great freedom denied to many. This day is what it’s all about. All of you know of many areas of the world still being oppressed are those who have not been enlightened to the many freedoms we, as United States of America citizens, have every minute of every hour of every day. In that regard, and maybe a little late, I thank those currently serving in the military to protect our freedom and I thank those who have served or gone before in gaining and keeping our freedom. Freedom is very precious and very expensive in terms of personal sacrifice.

Nearly every month, the WIA has someone who wants to help. I want to thank Betty Baumgartner and Joyce Moers for volunteering to help Shelby Musgrave on this year's Nominating Committee. Joyce may not even be aware she volunteered since Steve Craig volunteered her. Thanks, Steve. And thanks Joyce, Betty and Shelby.

I was very honored and privileged to be asked to speak at a recent meeting of the Hilltop Neighborhood Association. I don’t know that I added much to the meeting but I will tell you that Hilltop is active and involved. I was very impressed with the proceedings of the meeting and President Carolyn Stagg, as well as all the attendees. The group was planning for National Night Out (August 2 at 6 pm at Garvin Park). Based on what I heard, they are going to give the rest of the groups there some serious competition. If possible, you should attend NNO. It is a great night out nationally and locally. The Evansville Police Department and many others sponsor the event locally.

Another recent event presented by UNOE (United Neighborhoods Of Evansville) included a panel discussion concerning land use. This is always a timely subject, especially for this area where much is going on with land development and land use. The effort was educational and presented various aspects and viewpoints concerning zoning, planning, control, environmental effects and development of the areas land. The panel was made up of Cheryl Musgrave, County Commissioner and Culver Neighborhood Association Representative; Steve Melcher, City Councilman Ward 3 and Diamond Stringtown Neighborhood Association Member; Pete McCullough, local developer and builder; Blaine Oliver, Assistant Director Area Planning Commission; Pat Seib and Mike Wathen from the County Engineer’s Office; Mike Lockard, WIA Land Use Chair and APC member; as well as myself. Paul Farmer, UNOE Chair, did a fine job as moderator but with a panel like that, of course we ran overtime. The discussion was forthright, interesting and informative. It’s amazing when you get a diverse group like that together, how common our interests are. It was a good evening.

I also want to thank our County Commissioners for devoting a major part of a recent meeting to exploring the circumstances that led to student housing on Schutte Road. Although this came about because of major misrepresentation about the project, some good may come of it. A detailed review of how information moves from the approval stage to the over-sight stage is in progress. What someone says in the approval process, hopefully, will be followed up in the project administration and review process.

Additionally, much effort by Mike Lockard, Chair of our Land Use Committee, has been put forth in meeting with APC Representatives, City Council Members and representatives, as well as the County Commissioners and representatives reviewing a proposed Covenant for potential use in adding accountability to the testimony presented to these bodies for land use decisions. We sincerely thank the City Council, County Commissioners and APC staff for their time and seriously considering our proposal. I might add that the County Commissioners recently used a Covenant running in favor of the County for commitments made by Pedcor Investments concerning a development on Green River Road. This represents great foresight and initiative for both the County Commissioners and Pedcor and both parties deserve much credit for their willingness to document what they said and intend to do. The basic principle; say what you are going to do and do what you say. Not too complicated.

Until next month, enjoy the summer.

June 2005

Just got back from the 2nd annual “Picken’ on the Pigeon” and they were having a great day. The weather was perfect, lots of canoes and kayaks on Garvin Lake, many good booths and displays including WAVE (Water Awareness for the Vanderburgh Environment of which the WIA was an original member), the VCSWCD (Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District) and the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage Group along with many other dedicated and valuable community organizations. Everyone seemed to be having a good time listening to the music and enjoying snacks. I don’t know who was having the better time, the children or Bill Jeffers, our County Surveyor. It was a good day put on by the Wesselman Nature Center and Canoe Evansville. We hope there will be many more.

I want to take a minute and thank Paul Farmer for volunteering to be the WIA representative to the Vanderburgh County Solid Waste District Citizens Advisory Committee. Although he’ll represent the WIA, he will bring a wider vision to the group because of his leadership of UNOE and, in turn, be able to further involve UNOE into the important function of solid waste management for the area.
George Thompson was also willing to volunteer to represent the WIA and I very much appreciate it.

Our last General Membership Meeting was very informative because of a presentation by Jim Daniels concerning the ability to sustain good growth with limited resources. Jim is President of Sustainable Evansville and the amount of information and relevant statistics in his presentation is awesome. He’s presentation really makes you think about the big picture and how this earth can possibly sustain the accelerated population growth. Thanks, Jim, for being with us and making us think about the future. We appreciate your efforts. You can visit Sustainable Evansville at www.sustainableevansville.org.

As you may know and would expect, Mayor Weinzapfel has a press distribution list to help communicate any press release coming from the Mayor’s Office. If you or anyone from your neighborhood would like to be the first to know and receive those announcements, you can. Just contact Stacy Wybiral, Communications Director for Mayor Weinzapfel, at 436-4962 or swybiral@evansvillegis.com.

Although this may be a little late, we all wish Shirley James a complete and speedy recovery from recent surgery. Knowing Shirley, I’m sure she’ll “push the envelope” with her recovery.

Lastly, you’ll notice this issue has several articles about Eagle Village Student Housing. I hope it helps to bring you up to date. We can’t change what is there but we can change the future. In that regard, be sure to read Mike Lockard’s article about the WIA proposal for future promises which might be made regarding rezoning.

Have a good month and we’ll have more in July.
 

May 2005

If I remember correctly, and I often don’t--in fact, sometimes I don’t remember at all--about this time last year, I expressed how difficult it was to sit here writing an article when the weather had just turned so nice after a lengthy siege of unseasonably cold. As Yogi Berra was credited with putting it so eloquently, it seems like déjà vu all over again. The weather has been magnificent lately, do get out if possible and enjoy it.

Most every month someone, or a group, makes that very important extra effort for the WIA. This month the WIA Membership Committee Chair, DeAnna Outlaw, and our Membership Secretary, Dot Berning, along with board members Bonnie Kolb and Carolyn Stagg, began an aggressive membership campaign. The first effort is at the Mesker Park Zoo on the weekend of May 7-8. Membership is the “lifeblood” of any organization like ours. Recognizing there is power in numbers, membership becomes critical for the WIA. We give a big “thank you” to those involved with this effort and wish them great success. We also thank Mesker Park Zoo for so generously allowing us to use their facility for this project. Other membership campaigns are planned and we’ll keep you updated.

We’ve previously reported the on-going involvement of United Neighborhoods Of Evansville (UNOE) in various programs such as the “Front Door Pride” program, the sidewalk replacement effort, an ordinance to “shut down drug houses”, an ordinance to control “teenage clubs” and much effort toward organizing neighborhoods. In doing this, several ordinances have been discussed at the UNOE General Membership meetings helping us to become more familiar with the local city ordinances. At their next meeting, ordinances regarding Animal Control within the city will be discussed. The meeting is Thursday, May 26th at 6:30 PM at the Red Cross Building on Stockwell Road. You are welcome to attend and I would encourage you to so if possible. Additionally, I hope UNOE makes it a regular part of their agenda to explore and discuss the local ordinances as appropriate. It is valuable information and a unique service to the community. And, the UNOE Website is being updated. Take a look when you get a chance, www.unoevansville.org.

I need to correct some information contained in last months calendar. The date for the September Tox-Away Day was incorrect. Tox-Away Day will be September 17 at the Roberts Stadium parking lots from 9 a.m.until 3 p.m., not September 10 as shown. I thank Joe Ballard, Executive Director of the Department of Solid Waste Management for bringing this correction to my attention.

A couple of upcoming events on our calendar that, in my opinion, are great community events include “Pickin‘ on the Pigeon” and an “Evening on the River”. They are quite different in content but both showcase some of the areas valuable assets. “Pickin’ on the Pigeon” is a family music festival held in Garvin Park on Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Many live music performers will be there, a two-mile canoe race on Pigeon Creek begins at 8 a.m. Canoe Evansville will provide various demonstrations with plenty of festival food and much more. The event is free but some nominal costs may be required for some activities and food. If you donate $15 or more to Canoe Evansville during the event, the Evansville Otters will give you a family pass to that night’s ball game. You can get more info at abrown@wesselmannnaturesociety.org or 479-0771 Ext 5#.

The second event is an “Evening on the River” with Vectren being the major sponsor and proceeds benefiting the Greenway Passage’s Maintenance Fund and the Evansville Parks Foundation. The event showcases the riverfront potion of the Greenway Passage and takes place the evening of June 10. Food, drinks, entertainment, a silent auction and other activities are planned. A donation of $50 per person is required. Last year the weather was perfect, the river and walkway looked great, Evansville was in its glory and the event was thoroughly enjoyable. This year’s event is expected to be even better. More info is available at 435-6130.

Keep the good weather coming.
 

April 2005

Once again, one of our members has stepped forward to serve the Westside Improvement Association. Bill Harty will be our representative to the Technical Committee of the Evansville Urban Transportation Study (EUTS). Of course this is not the first time Bill has helped with the mission of the WIA. He has been involved in many, many aspects of the organization and was President of the WIA a few years ago. In fact, Bill was one of our founding members and last year received the Pioneer award. Jim Gillenwater, Transportation Committee Chair, and I appreciate Bill’s help and thank him for volunteering.

Also, the Mt. Auburn Neighborhood Association deserves credit and a big “thank you” from the community for a clean-up day recently held in their neighborhood. I’ve not heard the results but from what I’ve seen along most of our roads, I’m sure they found plenty of other people’s trash. I’m not going to get on a tangent here but it is a real shame the way so many have such little regard for our community and trash it up the way they do. Keep Evansville Beautiful is putting forth much effort to improve the situation and they also deserve much credit. The shame is that they have to make the effort.

As you may know, the county recently completed an efficiency study on county government. Commissioner Crouch, President of the County Commissioners, has requested input concerning portions of that study including Burdette Park, the Weights & Measures Department, County Highway Department, Engineering Department, Health Insurance, the SMG Contract and the Purchasing Department. You can find the study and make comments at www.vanderburghgov.org/home/index.asp?page=1053 or go to the county site at www.vanderburghgov.org and use the government drop down than the county drop down, click on commissioners and than, on the left, click on commissioners forum. I’m sure all comments will be welcome. If you don’t have computer availability but wish to see the study contact me and I’ll make a copy available to you.

Also, the Evansville/Vanderburgh County 2004-2025 Comprehensive Plan is now available and can be obtained from the APC Office. A fee may be charged for the report but you can also view it at the APC web site www.evansvilleapc.com.

The United Neighborhoods Of Evansville (UNOE) is in the process of establishing a long-range plan with a provision for outcome measurement. The plan will involve many facets and most likely include an effort to help organize new neighborhoods both in the city and the county, developing a training program for neighborhood association leaders and members, providing a “tool kit” for organizing neighborhoods and continuing to work closely with the city to name a few. UNOE is rapidly becoming a major force in helping to strengthen neighborhood organizations and, in turn, neighborhoods.

Some upcoming events of interest certainly include our General Membership Meeting planned for Thursday May 19th at 7 p.m. in Mitchell Auditorium in the USI Health Professions Center. The program will be concerned with “Sustainable Evansville” and you can read more about the group. Tire Amnesty Day will take place on April 16th and you can find more information in Community Calendar. And, the County Commissioners are going to have public meetings in each of their respective districts throughout the year. District 1 will most likely be in early June, District 2 is planned for August 30th and District 3 is planned for November 29th. Most of us, but not all, live in District 3. Much of the focus for these meetings will be City/County Unification but the meetings will probably not be limited to only that subject. Since these meetings are in the early planning stage, I’ll keep you informed as information becomes available.
 

March 2005

As you are well aware, the WIA is always looking for volunteers in many areas. I’d like to mention two who have stepped forward to help in a couple of important events. Brenda Jeffers, newly elected Secretary for the WIA, has volunteered to Chair our annual National Night Out participation. This nationwide event is organized and sponsored locally by the Evansville Police Department with many neighborhood associations and other groups also participating. And, Shelby Musgrave has stepped forward to help with our 2006 Nominating Committee. Thank you Brenda and Shelby, your help is much appreciated.

And, I’d like to thank Dot Berning for making arrangements for our recent General Membership meeting at the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Gardens Discovery Center. Eric Beck provided a very interesting update on the Amazonian Center and other improvements to this treasure of the west side and the entire southwestern portion of Indiana. If you weren’t there, you missed a very informative evening. Thanks Dot and Eric for a great evening.

The 64th Annual Meeting of the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District (VCSWCD) was held on Tuesday, February 22, 2005. Lauren Preske, SWCD Supervisor, and Darrell Rice, District Conservationist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, competently shared the Master of Ceremony duties. Many awards were presented and the event was well attended. Wayne Fehd was reelected as a Supervisor. Judge William Brune gave the Oath of Office to Wayne and Les Nunn, who was previously appointed as a supervisor. Bonnie Bittner, as always, did an excellent job of arranging the event. As a sidelight, the VCSWCD was organized in 1940 and was the first in the State of Indiana. The VCSWCD mission “is to provide quality conservation services resulting in a harmonious balance between natural resources, social change, and profitability within Vanderburgh County by fostering innovative partnerships“. The WIA is a partner with the SWCD in this mission.

You’ve probably read of some programs going on in Evansville that could have significant benefit to some neighborhoods. One is the new Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Program. A citywide public meeting was held on February 19 to explain the program to interested residents. The program is basically a cost-share program where the city pays 75 percent and the residents 25 percent for requests submitted prior to January 1, 2006. After that it is a 50/50 split between the city and residents. The residents can spread their payments over 10 years with no interest. For anyone, or a group of adjoining residents, who desire to have their sidewalks repaired, a petition must be presented to the Board of Public Works prior to January 1, 2006 for the 75/25 split. If you are interested in pursuing this program, contact someone with the Board of Public Works, your City Councilman or me. I’ll be happy to help you contact the right person. This program does not apply to new sidewalks.

A Drug House Ordinance was recently proposed to the City Council. This ordinance would require landlords to evict renters whenever the police department has sufficient evidence that illegal use or sale of illegal drugs or controlled substances, illegal gambling, or prostitution is taking place at that residence. Some of the inner city neighborhoods have extreme problems with these activities and neighborhood revitalization is difficult or impossible under these circumstances. Needless to say, this proposed ordinance has caused a great deal of controversy between landlords and others. Often, the police have sufficient evidence but it takes time to work a case though the courts and the offender, most likely, will return to his residence anyway. Often, if they are evicted, they just move down the street. UNOE, this past month, held a panel discussion where neighborhood representatives, landlords, law enforcement, an attorney and a representative from DMD discussed the pros and cons of the ordinance. The effort is to assure the ordinance does not put undue responsibility on the landlord while still giving the community an effective tool for neighborhood improvement. Some revisions have been made to the original ordinance and discussion is on going concerning an indemnity clause for the landlord. Both of these programs fit into the Front Door Pride process of revitalizing downtown neighborhoods.

In last month's newsletter you probably noticed a new feature, Musings of an Innocent Bystander. This column is intended to present a wide range of comments and thoughts from area citizens about the goings on of our community. If you wish to express yourself, send me your thoughts in a format suitable for the newsletter and we’ll get them published. We do ask that you include your name for publication with the article and we’ll include a disclaimer that the thoughts in the article do not necessarily reflect the position of the WIA. Hopefully, this will provide insight into a broader range of opinions and thought.

Finally, we would like to thank Mayor Weinzapfel for bringing the Traveling City Hall to the west side recently and we also thank the Commissioners for holding a public meeting on the west side concerning road repairs. Both these events are aimed at making elected officials more available to the public and the WIA appreciates the effort.
 

February 2005

I’m saddened to tell you of the recent passing of George Kolb at the age of 87. George and Bonnie Kolb were married for 58 years with one daughter, DeAnna, married to Phillip Outlaw, and two grandchildren, Aleisha and Jeremy. Bonnie is one of the WIA Pioneer Members and was recently recognized for her many years of contribution to the WIA. She has also been the Chair of the WIA Fall Festival for many years. DeAnna is a new member of the WIA Board of Directors and Chair of our Membership Committee. I only knew George for a few years but he was a great friend of the WIA, a hard working family man and had a refreshingly great sense of humor. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Bonnie, DeAnna and their family. His family, the WIA and many, many others will miss George.

I would like to thank Shelby Mugrave for invi