IS IT TRUE? December 22, 2011
IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission has called a “special meeting†for December 28th, 2011 at 10 AM in Room #307 of the Civic Center?…that no agenda has been released so we must engage in some speculation?…that maybe we will learn the identity of the “MAGICAL MYSTERY DEVELOPER†that supposedly already has a contract in place to assume the agreement between the ERC and City Centre Properties LLC to turn the Vintage McCurdy Hotel into an apartment building?…that the ERC would have to give their blessing to any such agreement and maybe 5th 3rd Bank who holds the first mortgage would too?
IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation is starting to get some information flowing in that indicates that the new downtown Convention Hotel may just find its way onto this agenda if the overtime fingers can type fast enough to put a binding agreement together between Kunkel and the ERC?…that the publication of this meeting without so much as any AGENDA at all has many of our readers pretty aggravated?…that we do not suspect that the current Chairman of the ERC Mr. Bob Goldman gives a rat’s backside because he insinuated to one of the CCO Moles in a hallway conversation that “TRANSPARENCY IS A PRIVILEDGE THAT IS GRANTED BY THE ERC AS IT SEES FITâ€?…that upon checking the laws of the State of Indiana regarding the posting of an AGENDA, that it seems as though there is no requirement to post any AGENDA at all for a special meeting of the ERC?…that this ERC is following their leader right to the end and has willfully chosen to PUBLISH NO AGENDA?…that this may be legal but it is not right?…choosing to behave in a secretive and wrong manner is an affront to the taxpayers of the City of Evansville?…that we do need to demand that our state leaders change this code to make the posting of an AGENDA at least by subject item mandatory?
IS IT TRUE that we are all being primed up for a “PAY CUT†of about $20 per week by the Obama Administration to try and pressure the Republicans in congress to extend the temporary reduction in the FICA taxes levied on earned income from employment?…that what is not being said by the Obama Administration is that this $20 is the $20 that we are all counting on to be set aside to cover Social Security and Medicare expenses for us when we reach the age of eligibility or become disabled?…that of all taxes that cutting this particular tax that is designed to fund direct benefits to retired workers puts the only federal wealth transfer program that most people agree is working at financial risk?…that President Obama is not only being hypocritical on this one he is being personally inconsistent?…that in the words of Warren Buffet the CCO respectfully asks the President and the Congress to “please take these taxes and do not pass this extensionâ€?…that we expect our benefits to be solvent when we reach the age of eligibility and the only way to do that is to fund it fully?…that playing politics with the solvency of the retirement benefits of the nation is not worthy of either the President or the Congress?
IS IT TRUE that the USI Eagles and the KWC Panthers find themselves ranked #2 and #4 in the most recent Division II basketball poll?…that the USI vs. KWC games have always served as an Evansville and Owensboro version of a proxy game between IU and UK?…that the officials at USI and KWC should consider moving their upcoming meeting to the Ford Center as a home game for USI?…that we bet that the rent would be covered many times over if the marketing is done correctly?
IS IT TRUE that another local favorite the Murray State Racers are one of only 6 undefeated teams in Division I basketball at 13 – 0?…that the Racers are going to be favored in every remaining regular season game and the OVC tournament?…that no other team among the undefeated ones is expected to finish the year undefeated?…that Murray State may just be poised for a #5 or higher seeding, a top 10 ranking and a drive to the Sweet 16 or even the Elite 8 this season?…that the UE Aces need to start taking lessons from teams like Valpo, Butler, Murray, VCU, George Mason, etc.?…that the old UE would be competing for a berth in the NCAA every year and a drive deep into the tournament every 5 or so years?…that we wonder exactly where that ambition went?
The ERC calling a special meeting at the end of the year is their latest candy bar in the swimming pool for the City taxpayers. Have some self-respect and just resign. This especially goes for their revered ERC leader Bob “TRANSPARENCY IS A PRIVILEDGE THAT IS GRANTED BY THE ERC AS IT SEES FIT†Goldman. More insights from the revered ERC leader:
“Do we have any reason to think he is going to make any more progress than he said he would a year ago or six months ago?” Goldman said.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/dec/23/mccurdy-progress-promised/
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Goldman said Scott assured the city “All his ducks are lined up.”
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/oct/04/mccurdy-developer-granted-project-extension/
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Along with the encouraging news of the financing for the project, Goldman said no other developers have come forward with ideas.
“We’ve got nothing else, so we’re choosing to ride this one out,” Goldman said.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/nov/01/no-headline—ev_mccurdy/
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“At this point, we’re going to look at what avenues we can take and see what our options are,†Goldman said. “And if need be, we’ll figure out how we get our money back.â€
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/dec/06/city-centre-backs-out-mccurdy-project/
Fabulous quotes Mr. Goldman, let us know when the ERC figures out how get the money back.
Evansville’s Pawn Star may not be able to get this money back. City Center can file for bankruptcy and for $800k its owners can to leaving this pack of dunces holding the bag. Not even a half witted developer would take this deal on under the terms that City Center accepted.
Methinks that Goldman and the ERC are screwed.
I wonder if a political organization can file bankruptcy and leave a caterer holding a bag of fried chicken? Crazier things have happened?
I am sure they can as they are morally bankrupt anyway. Have the Vandydems paid the Centre yet? They could stiff them too.
I think they should plead insanity. Who’s going to refute that?
Maybe Mr. Dunn will give the ERC $600,000 and take back his parking lot:
“We’re going to have 94 to 100 new apartments,” Scott said Monday. “And where are these people going to park? … That’s obviously an important part of the puzzle.”
Last week, the Evansville Redevelopment Commission approved a resolution to purchase the parking lot adjacent to the McCurdy for $603,000, an amount that Commission president Bob Goldman said left a bad taste in his mouth….
“In the overall scheme of things, when you’re looking at an $8.2 million investment, the fact that you’re adding (at least 80) housing units in Downtown Evansville — it was a price we were willing to pay to make sure this deal was going to happen,” Weinzapfel said.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/oct/09/mccurdy-deal-defended-mayor-developer-say-needed/
I cannot believe that Bob Goldman is the head of anything in this city. Does anybody know the history of the Goldman family? Do you mean to tell me that a city the size of Evansville can do no better than a pawnshop owner? This man and his family have made millions of dollars over the last years, and do you know how?? By basically paying pennies on the dollar to people who are down on their luck. For 60 years we only had ONE pawn shop in this town. Does anybody know why??? Do you think that over those years no one tried to bring another pawnshop into this town? OHH they tried but the money that this mans family made over the years insured them that, by knowing the right people in city government, they would have no competition and they didnt for all those many years. I guess what I am trying to say is this: I have watched people down to thier last family heirloom go into that pace of “business” and come out with pennies for thier family treasures. And the best we can do for this very important position in city government is him??? Bob Goldman, owner of the oldest Pawnshop in Evansville. I refuse to believe we can do no better than that. I tried to leave a similar comment on my feelings to the ECP but my comment was quickly removed. I guess ol Bob still has a few friends who can pull a few strings. I feel strongly about this man sitting on this board and I feel as a tax paying citizen I have a right to point out what he does for a living and how they have made their money over the years. As this fiasco has played out with this board it has been more than embarrassing. Bob Goldman has led this mess from start to finish. Ladys and gentleman, my family and friends of this city deserve far more than a pawnshop owner. He has had his chance to lead and has proved to be utterly incapable of the task. I think the facts bear no other conclusion. If I were him, I would at least resign my leadership position on the board if not leave the board altogether.
Just my opinion, but based on information from a trusted source, the way it works is a guy like Goldman is the ‘rubber stamp’ for the ERC, and in return all of the “professionals” (lawyers, project managers, CPA’s, etc.) from Indy who get contracts from the City are required to buy stuff from the Pawn Shop. Nice circle jerk.
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