We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUEâ€Â 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 yesterdays City-Council Observer sponsored “Working Outside The Box†speaker series held in the private banquet room at Biaggi restaurant was a smashing success?  …that Kevin R. Koch, President & CEO, Koch Enterprises, Inc.was the guest speaker at this worthy community event?  …that Kevin R. Koch impressed those in attendance when he talked about the Koch family humble beginnings?  …the CCO would like to thank the Torian Insurance Group for underwriting this event?  …thanks to the event Chairman Steve Hammer for doing an excellent job in coordinating this event?
IS IT TRUE that local businessmen John Dunn will be the  City-County Observer “Working Outside The Box†guest speaker to held in the private banquet room at Biaggi restaurant on the 25th of September?  …that corporate citizen D-Patrick will underwrite the luncheon expenses at this event?
IS IT TRUE we are told that several people are wondering why the Evansville DMD isn’t doing some street and sidewalks renovations in the Center City and West Franklin Street areas?  …they would also like to know why the Evansville DMD doesn’t award facade grants to existing businesses or give low-interest loans to develop loft apartments in the Center City and West Franklin Street areas?
IS IT TRUEÂ it’s about time that members of the Evansville City Council have an open and honest dialogue with City Controller Russ Lloyd, Jr., CPA concerning the current financial status of the Evansville Thunderbolts? Â … that current members of Evansville City Council are stewards of the public trust and should start acting like it?.
IS IT TRUEÂ by 2021 many miles of water and sewer pipes will be replaced and it’s estimated that the City of Evansville water rates may be increased by 118%? …it’s also estimated that the new pipes alone could cause major increases in the rates for the next 3 years? …we should also be prepared for this to happen many more times as the sewer and water pipe replacement program comes to its conclusion?…while the CCO is supportive of and an advocate for these updates, we hope that some of the people who live in Evansville won’t be run out of town by the replacement costs associated with this much need public works project?
IS IT TRUE Â we would like to thank Ella-Watson Johnson Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Department public relations officer for sending us important news releases in a timely manner?
IS IT TRUE that starting next month Tropicana-Evansville will be allowing “Sports Book” betting?  …we are told that you will be able to bet on nearly every sport in existence except horse racing?  … professional gamblers tell us if you are not allowed to bet on horse racing you’re not a true “Sports Book” facility?
IS IT TRUEÂ we have been told the Vanderburgh County Council has given Airport employees token raises 4 of the last 5 years? Â …it’s been reported that the Airport Manager salary over the last 5 years went from $100K to $121K? Â …if this statement is correct the Airport Manager now makes more than the Mayor of Evansville?
IS IT TRUE that the Safety Officers at Evansville Regional Airport has eight (8) different functions? …the functions are: 1) Fire Response. 2) Medical Responders: all officers are medically certified and AMR. 3) Security Responders: they patrol the airport terminal and rest of the 1400 acres of ground on foot and by a patrol car. Â 4) Dispatchers: The dispatch office must be manned 24/7. 5) Weather Spotters and Monitors- they call in snow removal and weather crews during bad weather. 6) Wildlife: they remove flocks of birds and mammals such as coyotes that could crash a plane. 7) Maintenance- there is no maintenance personnel after hours so they do all kinds of functions to keep the airport operating. 8) Customer Service: they assist customer 24/7 with any needs they might have.
IS IT TRUEÂ last year the Vanderburgh County Commission made an outstanding appointment to the Vanderburgh County Levee Board? …they appointed the popular licensed Ohio River Boat Capitan, Katie Riecken Parker to this Board? Â …we congratulate all three County Commissions for making this outstanding appointment to this important County Board because she has proven to be an asset on this board?
IS IT TRUE that last year a compliance audit was conducted by the Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General concerning the Evansville Housing Authority?  …that the Federal auditors stated that the EHA did not comply with federal guidelines during the renovations of hundreds of low-income housing units?  …we wonder if the Evansville Housing Authority has addressed the question costs cited in this report?
IS IT TRUE the silliest false claim ever made by local leaders was that moving Roberts Stadium from Boeke Road to the new downtown Ford Center would immediately constitute the creation of many new jobs?….to think that moving a job from point A to point B created a new job takes a special kind of stupid?
Todays “Readers Poll’ question is: What two sources do you get your local daily news from?
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“IS IT TRUE that starting next month Tropicana-Evansville will be allowing “Sports Book†betting?  …we are told that you will be able to bet on nearly every sport in existence except horse racing?”
The ban on betting on horse racing at Indiana casino sports books was part of the deal to allow sports book betting in Indiana casinos. This was done to protect live betting at the two “racino” horse racing tracks in Central Indiana. Also included in this deal were:
*Sports book gaming allowed in Indiana casinos.
*The two (2) existing “racino” horse racing tracks in Central Indiana will be allowed to have table game gambling and real slot machines beginning in 2020 instead of 2022.
*Casino owner/operators will now be allowed to own/operate six (6) casinos in Indiana instead of just two (2) as previous legislation allowed.
*Two (2) “riverboat” casinos currently operated on Lake Michigan will be allowed to become land-based with one being relocated to I-94 in Northwest Indiana and one being relocated to the Terre Haute area. The license for the Terre Haute casino will be “re-bid” and awarded to the “best responsive” proposal as determined by an appointed selection committee.
“Casino owner/operators will now be allowed to own/operate six (6) casinos in Indiana instead of just two (2) as previous legislation allowed.”
This piece of legislation allowed the operator of the local Tropicana casino (Eldorado) to acquire the Caesar’s/Harrah’s properties in Indiana, thus giving Eldorado control of five (5) of the current Indiana casinos.
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