“IS IT TRUE” December 6, 2019

We hope that today’s “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 earlier this week the consultants hired to design a new edition to the Vanderburgh County jail surprised those in attendance when they recommended that the County build an 89.1 million dollar,764-bed addition?  …we are told that several members of the Vanderburgh County Council are glad that there are four (4) other design options to choose from?  ..we are pleased that County Councilman Joe Kiefer insisted that public hearings be held at a later date to discuss this issue?  …we predict that this is definitely a developing story?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville has one of the most charismatic and hard-working Mayors in years?  …Mr. Winnecke is also very personable and likable? …we wish that he would put more focus on budgetary issues and stop going along with every capital project that comes along?  …that Mayor Winnecke has a lot of talented people surrounding him and he should start seeking their advice before he agrees to invest money on any future big-ticket capital project?

IS IT TRUE we have just been told that the old Evansville Courier and Press building has been sold and the new owners are moving in as we speak?

IS IT TRUE for over a month we have predicted that the Evansville Park Commission will vote to shut down Wesselman Park Par 3 Golf course?  …on Wednesday the Evansville Park Commission followed through with our prediction?  …we now told that the dilapidated baseball fields located next to the Wesselman Par 3 Golf course may be the next public sporting facilities to be closed by the Evansville Park Commission?  …by doing so this will make way for Mayor Winnecke’s multi-million dollar “Robert’s Park” development?

IS IT TRUE we are told that many people are serving on important City of Evansville  Boards and Commissions without pay?  …we wonder if anyone can tell us how much is the stipend that members of the Evansville Parks Board are receiving each year? …is the figure $1,500 or $3,000 or $5,000 yearly?

IS IT TRUE we been told that it looks like the current attorney for the Evansville City Council will retain his position by a 6-3 margin? …could this be a good indication that legal skills are more important than a political party affiliation?

IS IT TRUE that several people in the know are saying when the former two-term Evansville Mayor Jonathan Wienzaapfel couldn’t convince a Democratic-controlled City Council (7 to 2) to hire him as their legal adviser that it may cause him some problems when he runs for a Statewide office?

IS IT TRUE we don’t believe the rumor that State Representative Ryan Hatfield bullied a newly elected City Council member when he was lobbying for their support for the Evansville City Council attorney position? …there a big difference between being overzealous in making a point or bullying someone?

IS IT TRUE we are told that many people are wondering what would have happened if Democrat Chris Lockyear would have applied for the Evansville City Council attorney position?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville has one of the most charismatic and hard-working Mayors in years?  …Mr. Winnecke is also very personable and likable? …we wish that he would put more focus on budgetary issues and stop going along with every capital project that comes along?  …that Mayor Winnecke has a lot of talented people surrounding him and he should start seeking their advice before he agrees to invest money on any future big-ticket capital project?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing that there has been some quiet discussion concerning making some adjustments in the makeup of the CVC Board Of Directors? …some people feel that a couple of current board members have become a little nonresponsive towards the people that appoint them to this board?

IS IT TRUE one of the best-known secrets in Vanderburgh County is the non-commissioned analysis that current Evansville City Controller and former Mayor Russ Lloyd, Jr. recently did concerning the outcome of the 2019 City election? …we are now told that some people feel that his analysis was somewhat interesting, a tad boring, and somewhat presumptuous? …we are also told by numerous sources that his analysis of the City Council Ward 1 winner could be considered somewhat out of line?

IS IT TRUE that several supporters of the Fifth (5) Ward conservative City Councilman Justin Eplers are highly disappointed in him?  …the reason why they are upset with him is that he didn’t ask the hard questions when city funds were being transferred to one account to another during Monday’s night City Council meeting?  …we would like to point out to Mr. Elpers that transferring taxpayer money from one account to another isn’t the way to proper way to balance the city budget? …the proper way to balance a budget is to make needed cuts?

IS IT TRUE starting on January 1, 2020, the State Board Of Accounts (SBOA) will give Governmental entities six (6) months to find a remedy to correct the problems of overdrawn city accounts?

IS IT TRUE we are told that the practice of not posting unrecorded accounts payable in a timely manner will come to an end on January 1, 2020??  …starting on January 1, 2020, Finra and the SEC will require cities with populations greater than 100k to submit the year-end financial report to the State Board of Accounts by using the accrual method of accounting?

IS IT TRUE that the Honorable Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge for Vanderburgh County David D. Kiely is doing an outstanding job as the Circuit Court Judge for Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE the Evansville City Council voted 8 to 1 to approve a $395 million budget for 2019? …that the 2019 budget was a 7% increase over the 2018 budget?  …we find it very interesting that a couple of our city officials are claiming that they held the line on spending for this year?

IS IT TRUE when one is invited to a free lunch what does he order to drink?  …he orders two (2) pricey double cappuccinos on the house? … it’s now been alleged that this person has done this several times before? …we bet when he pays for his own lunch he orders water with lemon?

IS IT TRUE in 1998 the Teamsters Local 215 established a Taft-Hartley Scholarship Fund? …the Trustees of the fund are Chuck Whobrey and Rick Voyles as employee Trustees and two Employer Trustees? ..since 1998 the fund has awarded over $3 Million Dollars in Scholarships to sons and daughters of Teamsters members whose employers contribute to the fund? …we look forward to publishing what worthy students will be awarded this scholarship for this year? …the CCO gives five (5) cheers to the Teamsters  Local 215 for establishing the Taft-Hartley Scholarship Fund?

IS IT TRUE that our “Readers Poll” is non-scientific but trendy?

Today’s “Readers Poll” question is: Would you purchase a Sunday printed edition of the City-County Observer for one buck?

We are pleased to provide obituaries from area funeral homes at no cost.  We are also pleased to announce that we are now providing news from all the area High Schools.  Please scroll down the paper and you shall see a listing of them.

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