[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6457251,"mediaKeyId","5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3","parentId",5889856,"title","Commission staff proposes community-first strategic framework; plan to start after Oct. 17 annual dinner","audioSeconds",434,"startMs",944460,"endMs",1378492,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3&start=944&end=1378","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3/thumbnail_944460.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6457251/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Commission-staff-proposes-community-first-strategic-framework-plan-to-start-after-Oct-17-annual-dinner","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457251-d2b3246eb83f2faecf30491a18853cbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140681&Signature=Ly~BlS7Sv-qnw7t07XQq2XgV93u3gCoLe5~wgiZRid4sIMhZYBkotqhCG8maNOlXG~AMNIB0F0TkYSoF3UxBFS9ClqOrfjnLzHlpQUvDFAI329xirhPF89iL7nupwo1P2FtnqpbLW48BdCOk-bgqGbrdXkikkibdAhbp81YG4Ie45nHZ9qU~COUPVIBBSynK1EW~CYvlAP8hoKsgT-lIxKXkXU00S9WdyfMLYs4zU9V0s4ORajgqP7yh~aJKcUHEUKrYconNjJydf0IB~~2aTNjowP4PQJlRjJKzO-yhkn4bvonlPlt-JngTBnMTfh13hVBTnncoVOrrP27KHAgF5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Evansville","date","2025-08-28T00:00:00Z","article","At the Aug. 28 meeting, Director Clements told the Evansville City Commission that staff recommends a community-first strategic framework learned during a Harvard–Bloomberg cohort to guide the commission’s next steps.

Clements said the nine-month cohort produced a toolkit for community engagement that begins with data gathering, soliciting community input and, later, prototyping potential interventions. She recommended the commission start with a needs assessment to identify priorities for the population the commission serves, specifically the social status of African American males, and then identify partner agencies that have capacity to implement programs.

Why it matters: Commissioners are volunteer members with limited implementation capacity; Clements said partnering with organizations such as CEMA and the YMCA can allow the commission to identify policy priorities and refer program implementation to agencies with existing infrastructure. Clements said the approach helps avoid “reinventing the wheel” and allows the commission to provide convening and advisory support rather than running programs directly.

Details and timeline: Clements said the commission should gather data and community feedback first, then move to prototyping. She proposed beginning the work after the commission’s Oct. 17 annual dinner. Commissioners asked whether the commission had ever completed a full needs assessment; Clements said she was not aware of a prior full assessment for the commission. Chairman Jeremy Taylor (mentioned during discussion) and staff will finalize a proposed schedule and materials for commissioners to review.

No formal vote was taken on the framework. Commissioners expressed general support for pursuing a structured community-engagement process and asked staff to prepare materials and a timeline for review after Oct. 17.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Evansville Commission on Social Status of African American Males","oneSentenceSummary","Director Clements outlined a community-first strategic framework learned through a Harvard–Bloomberg cohort and proposed a needs-assessment approach for the commission’s work on the social status of African American males. Commissioners agreed to begin work after the commission’s Oct. 17 annual dinner.","taxTitle","Evansville City, Vanderburgh County, Indiana","taxId",12506,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457255,"Evansville commissioners remember longtime community leader Leonard Collins, agree to social-media tribute",703,171680,875018,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3&start=171&end=875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3/thumbnail_171680.jpg","/articles/6457255/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Evansville-commissioners-remember-longtime-community-leader-Leonard-Collins-agree-to-social-media-tribute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457255-7a32bb62087c3455aed222a0d7028fa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140681&Signature=QZg~ZdcyPHQs0K9iAaclPCxM-VxK1nL-BRkuJK-PmPl~PkhZmtXbr0lq~ZjDV64sqrRxIFjRT21bHq~dZBCxKWVvSZ-IezfkgYg4U1618sho-ONCVuVHdQpPn8jxTwW-k-xVX2HIDv1wAfngV96VL9WVOF5gHUrvSk2fPkbZbIUIBKd9aJdj5iu4WXhbX3mFTiwRYN1XcrwRjRuCOH7BeyyEcJ7q7FW4cZxHAweRwndBEXZsjsoWONivffIe3co8fwXG4g2eTld9nu~0dmBj-2koTlj5yL5jo~nzuOtJwq0Ipp--8xnalIbj07tRgxgeBxDx8sio-MgMjsssdmarJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Evansville City Commission members opened their Aug. 28 meeting by announcing the death of Commissioner Leonard Collins and sharing personal remembrances of his long service to the city and the Goose Town neighborhood.

Commissioners said Collins was an early and longtime member of the commission and an active community organizer, often attending neighborhood cleanups and outreach events. Speakers described him as persistent in outreach work, a regular presence at the Black Barbershop initiative and the Million Father March, and “the mayor of Goose Town,” a phrase used to describe his local advocacy.

Why it matters: Commissioners said Collins’ local organizing and volunteer work helped sustain neighborhood efforts and that preserving memories and community artifacts can help guide future outreach. Several members called for the commission to compile photos and videos from residents and partners to share publicly.

In discussion, Commissioner Randall proposed bringing a formal motion to authorize a tribute on the commission’s social channels. Other commissioners responded that a vote was not necessary and gave informal assent; the commission agreed to post a memorial collection of photos and video provided by commissioners and community members. Commissioners asked staff to collect materials and publish the tribute on the commission’s existing social accounts.

Several commissioners recounted specific memories of Collins’ engagement, including late-night calls to remind colleagues about events and a strong focus on outreach in Goose Town. Commissioner Donovan Phipps said Collins frequently informed and involved community members in events and described him as “a pillar of the community.” Commissioner Diana Clayton noted Collins’ role in outreach initiatives and that he regularly wore shirts and T-shirts for community events.

The commission did not set a date for a public ceremony during the meeting. Members asked staff to coordinate the online tribute and to circulate any proposed posts to commissioners prior to publication.

Closing note: Commissioners closed the remembrance portion by inviting community submissions and indicated they would proceed with the social-media tribute without a formal roll-call vote.","The Evansville City Commission opened its Aug. 28 meeting with remembrances of Commissioner Leonard Collins, who died earlier in the week. Commissioners agreed to post a tribute on the commission's social media channels and invited community submissions of photos and video.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457242,"Commission plans youth mentoring trip to Camp Carson; committee work on youth conference and early-learning curriculum discussed",248,1862825,2111506,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3&start=1862&end=2111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3/thumbnail_1862825.jpg","/articles/6457242/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Commission-plans-youth-mentoring-trip-to-Camp-Carson-committee-work-on-youth-conference-and-early-learning-curriculum-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457242-268146bf8b31e7567582b1807e09c7fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140682&Signature=gOp~n69FLKz8haMlBGufnl3NuHOx5Tt0BBBzur0QhyN2DCvAFs-O24aGxBswm8fP2jwZBMxFR7y~263NzgK~rokm4WFz90OGhA-AzFQMKlJfkmz0jBWiSCKIORdXlnVcKAGimKVjlSx1ZmZVV8Q5XrxMSqWbm-KFI8f1-o6R-BwOx2gpeuFrohwRlM4OD6EHNAHCJz8wVrT86wqgYqVdF5WdqJAj6~4BR7CjqMPC8Q3biMvCWM2QVD4Cz1Po32iZbOlLRD2EOtmMOTt41-ghYoGpe~Jijx3yzh-46m6BwA~nzodap-0GxiTHfahzs0-7xxoFwYVjqb6u2MJCXTHsLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Ted McCreery reported that the commission will take 30 mentors on an overnight trip to Camp Carson next week as part of its youth outreach efforts. McCreery said the trip will include mentors who work with middle- and high-school boys the commission serves.

McCreery also said he and partners have discussed organizing a free youth conference for middle- and high-school boys next year and asked the commission to appoint a member to a planning committee. He said he had met with Sean Kockendahl and Joanne Hunter and expected the event to be free to participants.

Why it matters: Commissioners said youth outreach is central to the commission’s mission and that building relationships with parents is important to sustain participation. McCreery and other commissioners emphasized that youth are “today” not just “the future” and said strong parental engagement increases program impact.

Additional education work: A training at Lincoln was mentioned that will introduce a new early-learning curriculum for second and third grades; commissioners encouraged mentors and parents to attend training sessions because the curriculum includes homework components that will require parental involvement.

No formal vote was recorded on the conference planning or curriculum training. Chairman Jeremy Taylor was asked to appoint a commissioner to the youth-conference committee and staff were asked to follow up with meeting times.","Commissioners approved a mentor trip to Camp Carson for 30 mentors and discussed planning a free youth conference and training related to a new early-learning curriculum. Commissioners asked Chairman Taylor to appoint a commission member to the youth-conference planning committee.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457246,"Evansville police report: 52 ‘shots fired’ runs in month; commissioners ask for expanded data",441,1396165,1837218,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3&start=1396&end=1837","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3/thumbnail_1396165.jpg","/articles/6457246/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Evansville-police-report-52-shots-fired-runs-in-month-commissioners-ask-for-expanded-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457246-02e25beda32f8b1234743738f3b912f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140681&Signature=TYXFbPmaDSyLN12ez7Mcu2soDqLjy8yjjbFEIrx7qA5nm3Pxa8aihmIvP6NPkft0j89yzNiJ-WNC-THD2EflLB2E6Wq-1FBENDmexcgd8Xz6nwD~5Tjwd4rwqgQXi4hPdiaTPrim5xuliO~WInUv-39kvPf13~WSVm5qlxzFhI3JCszykm-RUkZ9IDR6d6VG4Fc-p49nm0Qi50kqDnYY0HyOIQzVGfmCaFxMtuxDS2Q5nYA2MWi~jnuTuvO1IHD-fOA-GfDE1yf7-O1RrEPRSux9TKdl2MQ7-0D6NhxNO8vjjJb9JISV1GJ4CnxiI6bzrnXNd7dDYCuJGvOB9BtCTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Rodney Culver reported data on gun-violence calls at the Aug. 28 meeting, saying the Evansville Police Department recorded 52 total “shots fired” dispatch runs for the month and 14 that generated case numbers.

Culver said the South Sector—an area commissioners said is predominantly African American—accounted for 23 of the month’s shot-fired runs and that nine of those generated case numbers. He cautioned that because many incidents occur at night or from vehicles, witness descriptions are often limited to a vehicle description and that license-plate information or suspect identification is frequently unavailable.

Why it matters: Commissioners said even modest declines still represent meaningful harm. Culver noted recent months had higher totals and called any shooting one too many. He offered to expand the monthly stat sheet with additional categories, including domestic violence, suicides and other incident types that can inform prevention work.

Follow-ups requested: Commissioners asked for more detail about the GBI program’s interventions and suggested staff include information on which community programs are active in prevention. Culver said he would work on adding more statistics and will accept commissioner requests by email between meetings.

Limitations: Culver emphasized that not all “shots fired” runs result in victim reports and that many calls yield only shell casings or vehicle descriptions; he said that makes suspect identification and accurate demographic breakdowns difficult while investigations are ongoing.

Next steps: Commission members asked Culver to provide a stat sheet with additional breakdowns and to coordinate data on community intervention programs for future meetings.","Commissioner Rodney Culver presented monthly gun-violence figures: 52 total 'shots fired' runs in the month with 14 that generated case numbers overall. Culver highlighted concentration in the South Sector and discussed limits on suspect descriptions; commissioners requested additional breakdowns and data on related calls.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457236,"Votes at a glance: Adoption of minutes and adjournment recorded at Aug. 28 Evansville commission meeting",2075,99905,2175730,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3&start=99&end=2175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5889856-71d0655c5115c1b4e5a75544c1eec1a3/thumbnail_99905.jpg","/articles/6457236/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Adoption-of-minutes-and-adjournment-recorded-at-Aug-28-Evansville-commission-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457236-d14d55d5e54d13ffd162a10ff9c3ff0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140681&Signature=RCE23fjVHMLUNzei6GBpUnzhqjwlY9pRDV7m-L-ZLTZ8V-SkW9R4YZC49CQRkwgpIWIRbOaKNrT66kAJxcyGRS5JTfBExfNKjC~ahZpF9bHlXKvPk130IOnV-lwuxLaHTywKrJ4ttk5Cqn9Y-areGcw3yBldf0B1NI3vks2~Ez3jW88Otic-LMKYdHUMVAC7mx1K6jOuKFleAbvQ6p8UWTX1zkEBgHF-zo6dZCsJc0oDe7-9Ec3KDDnLRPWfRahvNKXj5oyeJmUxAt-dXFmx0p3AzbUMkU9zMVILAfVpLaA-7rZ6nEBx4plncN4bTXNo1E63~2waVm8nn-qNFdU3fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evansville City Commission recorded the following formal actions during the Aug. 28 meeting:

Adoption of minutes — Motion: Adopt minutes with the correction that the faith town hall is scheduled in September (exact date to be provided). Motion made by Commissioner Ted McCreery; second by Commissioner Donovan Phipps. Outcome: Approved (recorded as unanimous in the meeting transcript). Note: the minutes were amended to reflect the September timing; no specific date was provided during the meeting.

Adjournment — Motion: Adjourn the meeting. Motion made by Commissioner Diana Clayton; second by Commissioner Ted McCreery. Outcome: Approved (voice vote recorded).

Informal direction — Social-media tribute for Commissioner Leonard Collins. Commissioner Randall moved to bring an item to the floor to create a tribute on the commission’s social channels; commissioners expressed informal assent and staff were directed to collect photos and video for publication. No roll-call vote was recorded for the tribute; staff will circulate proposed posts to commissioners prior to posting.

All recorded motions and outcomes above are reflected in the meeting transcript.","The commission adopted minutes with a correction and later approved adjournment. Commissioners agreed informally to publish a social-media tribute to the late Commissioner Leonard Collins.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission staff proposes community-first strategic framework; plan to start after Oct. 17 annual dinner

Evansville commissioners remember longtime community leader Leonard Collins, agree to social-media tribute

Commission plans youth mentoring trip to Camp Carson; committee work on youth conference and early-learning curriculum discussed

Evansville police report: 52 ‘shots fired’ runs in month; commissioners ask for expanded data

Votes at a glance: Adoption of minutes and adjournment recorded at Aug. 28 Evansville commission meeting