IS IT TRUE DECEMBER 5, 2017

We hope that todays “IS IT TRUE” will provoke “honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way”?

IS IT TRUE that the official “Swim Meet Time Clock” located at the Northside Lloyd Pool has been broken for over a year? …this situation needs to be corrected right away?

IS IT TRUE earlier this year ECHO Housing officials announced plans to turn a vacant warehouse at 101 N. Garvin St. into 27 one-bedroom units of housing for the chronically homeless?  …once completed this project is estimated to cost $6.1 million? …earlier this year the ECHO Housing Executive Director said “that her organization will commission a “Mural” to be painted on the side of this apartment building? …it’s our opinion that putting a painted “Mural” on the side of apartment building for the homeless is a total waste of our hard earned tax dollars?

IS IT TRUE a couple years ago officials at ECHO Housing and Evansville DMD commissioned a “Mural” to be painted on the side of a building located directly behind McDonalds restaurant on the corner of North Main and the Lloyd Expressway?  … the officials responsible for this project declared that this “Mural” will enhance the opportunity of bringing economic development to the North Main Jacobsville area? …we were told that an out of town artist was hired to help paint this abstract “Mural” costing many of thousands of dollars? …we urge you to drive to the North Main McDonalds and look at the vacant building directly behind it and tell us if this painted “Mural” would motivate you to locate a business on North Main Street?

IS IT TRUE that unbeknownst to the powers that be, who were so busy celebrating a $18 Million bike lane and a much too narrow roadway the only grocery store in Jacobsville has announced that it is closing?…this sort of creates a food desert right in the middle of a politician proclaimed up and coming neighborhood?…among other reasons given by the Buehler’s IGA for closing the doors was the high levels of theft that were occurring at the store?…this is the same kind of criminality that supposedly killed the Wesselmans, the Sunshine Market, and another market at the same location over by the old Lincoln School?…a grocery store is a vital part of any redevelopment effort and this loss is a serious loss for many reasons?…it also sets the stage for more degradation and for less possible gentrification?…whether one likes it or not, gentrification is the source of money to sustain a retail business including a grocery store and more importantly a population that does not feel so entitled to the inventory on the shelf that they will steal it on a daily basis?…once again for those who didn’t learn last time, if you want to clean up places like Jimtown and Jacobsville, the first step is to get rid of the Jims and Jacobs who rob and pillage everything that is put there? …good paying jobs, reliable public transportation,  affordable and livable housing, good schools, affordable daycare services, a quality grocery store and accessible and affordable healthcare would go a long way in helping people in that area?

IS IT TRUE that we noticed that the McCurdy is still $750,000 in arears for 6 months of water bills to the City of Evansville for having installed an open loop geothermal system?…that amounts to roughly $1,500 per month per apartment just for the water bill?…like it or not this level of charge is the death knell of the business model that led to the refurbishment of the historic building?…in 2008 the City of Evansville killed a business model for an old folks home to placate the insatiable desire of the past Mayor for feel good pictures and grandiose claims?…in 2017 after the project was completed by another developer the City of Evansville has killed another business model?…we understand that the open loop system is what created the bill, but that is clean water and there needs to be some solution?…if there is no solution then the date with the wrecking ball is once again just a matter of time?

IS IT TRUE that last Friday Brian Ross of ABC News reported incorrectly that a guilty plea for lying to the FBI about a meeting that was held after the election was going to result in a sworn finger being pointed at President Trump for colluding with Russians to steal the election?…now the story has been recanted, clarified, and disavowed, the reporter has been suspended for lying and the stock market dropped 350 points over a lie told in a “we interrupt this broadcast for important news” manner?…Brian Ross is just a new reader who doesn’t have the authority to interrupt anything?…like it or not, this was fake news and it plays right into President Trump’s claim that the media is lying through their teeth to undermine his administration?…last Friday that is exactly what happened?…we wonder what kind of a price ABC will pay for this terrible miscarriage of journalism?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing that well known Democrats Ed Bassemier, Amy Word-Smith, Kristen Burckhartt are considering a run for the Evansville City Council At-Large seats in the next city election? …we are told that Alex Burton will not be a candidate for the 4th Ward City Council seat?  …if current City Council member Jonathan Weaver doesn’t run for Mayor, we predict that he will run for re-election for At-Large City Council seat?

IS IT TRUE we also wonder when construction will begin on the old downtown YMCA annex building?  … this building has been vacant of at least 30  plus years?  …a couple of years ago we read in the local newspaper that developers were going to turn this former 5th Street YMCA annex building into housing for the homeless? …we hope that this proposed housing project doesn’t turnout to be another downtown “Pie In The Sky” venture that can’t get bank financing?

IS IT TRUE that Mayor Winnecke re-election political war chest has a whooping $400,000 in it?

IS IT TRUE hear that several individuals living in this area want to become the next CEO of the Greater Area Chamber of Commerce ?  …all we heard from the Chamber folks doing the last several years is buy local?  …if the Chamber want people to buy local they should hire local?  …we consider local folks to be extremely qualified and talented and should be considered as serious contenders for the vacant Greater Area Chamber of Commerce CEO position?

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that our tax dollars should be spent on putting painted abstract Murals on side of buildings?

Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

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EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers