IS IT TRUE MAY 11, 2016

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 IS IT TRUE  yesterday the Vanderburgh County Commissioners reversed their decision to change retirement plan providers?  …yesterday the County Commissioners voted 2-0 (with County Commissioner Joe Kiefer abstaining) to accept a new offer from Nationwide?  …it was wise that the Commissioners decided to abandon plans to switch County Employees Retirement to Voya-Wells Fargo?  …that many County employees were upset because Kiefer’s son,  Joe Kiefer II, works as a financial adviser for Wells Fargo?  …we congratulate Commissioner Kiefer for staying out of this process from day one because of a possible conflict of interest  because his son’ is employed with Voya-Wells Fargo?  …we commend retired Deputy Prosecutor Jim Ethridge and Linda Freeman, the Chief Deputy Surveyor for leading the battle to  force the County Commissioners to reverse this decision?

IS IT TRUE one of the most competitive political race to follow in the upcoming general election is the  District 77 State Representative contest between Democrat Ryan Hatfield and Republican Johnny Kincaid?  …Mr. Kincaid was wise in selecting the aggressive and politically savvy Phillip Davis as his campaign manager? …Mr. Hatfield now enjoys the open political support of out going State Representative Gail Riecken?  …all we can say is get ready to observe an exciting grass roots and in your face political campaign for District 77 State representative in years? …as of May 11, 2016 this race is too close to call?

IS IT TRUE that the collaboration on the Evansville City Council may be splitting? …Anna Hargis, Dan Adams, and Connie Robinson have actually questioned the plans laid out by Council President Missy Mosby and three of them cast “no” votes at Monday’s meeting?

IS IT TRUE we hear that Evansville/Vanderburgh County Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up to hire several hundred young people for summer jobs?  …we hope this year that the Parks and Recreation Department will do a better job in attracting more young people from the disadvantage areas of our community to work for them this summer?

IS IT TRUE the top elected official in Ramapo, New York, Town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, wanted a minor-league baseball team and a new stadium to house it?…according to a team of paid consultants estimated the park would cost about $20 million and taxpayers would not have to pay for the construction?…now that the whole sordid situation is over and a stadium is in place, taxpayers are responsible for as much as $60 million in stadium expenses, according to state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli?…Ramapo’s finances are the subject of a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe that became public after agents descended on the town hall about 38 miles northwest of Manhattan in May?…the biggest concern expressed by people close to the team was “If taxpayers are mad about the way it went down, they’re not going to be customers, and it hurts.”?…In city after city since 1990 there have been over $1.5 Billion taxpayer financed temples to sport erected with very few success stories?…there should be plenty of politicians and consultants shaking in their boots about an FBI probe uncovering intentional misrepresentation of financial projections when it comes to fun and games facilities and Evansville, Indiana is no exception?

IS IT TRUE The Evansville Housing Authority has established a Youth training program within our community to meet an overall goal of bettering the area in which we live?  …the goal of this program is to provide opportunities to those who might not otherwise get such a chance to make a difference in their community while simultaneously bettering themselves as individuals?

IS IT TRUE YouthBuild is a community based  training program overseen by the Evansville Housing Authority Evansville?  …YouthBuild is a resident Vocational Training program to help train the disadvantage between the ages of 16 and 21?   …this program just received an $81,000 grant from DMD  to assist this program to help enrollees to achieve a brighter future?  …we hope that YouthBuild will take this $81,000 grant and hook up with the local Trade Unions to assist in this training program?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing from one of our Indiana “Trump For President” moles that Paul Ryan and Donald Trump will probably agree that Ryan should not chair the GOP convention?

IS IT TRUE that Trump has now appointed two different people to head his transition team? …one of them is the son-in-law of Jared Kushner and the other is Chris Christie?  …the irony in that is that Christie prosecuted Jared’s father, Charles Kushner for numerous crimes including tax evasion and sent him to prison for 18 months?

FOOTNOTE: todays “Readers Poll” question is: Who would you vote for If the election was held today for District 77 State Representative seat?

Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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60 COMMENTS

  1. “we hope this year that the Parks and Recreation Department will hire any qualified young people from the disadvantage areas of our community?”

    Have they not done so in the past? Is there some scandal involving only hiring ‘advantaged’ young people that I’m not aware of?

    • DeltaBravo

      Qualified was a bad word. No scandal at all. Thanks for your input. The sentence has been corrected.

      Editor

    • DeltaB, I hope the lifeguard hiring is based on merit, like who are the best swimmers.

      • This is a most reactionary comment, Mr. Vice-President.

        What matters is how people self-identify. Just because the child of a well-connected liberal Democrat cannot swim very well, that does not mean that we reject their transswimmer identity and exclude them. We are supposed to be about inclusion, especially when it comes to directing public money into Democratic pockets.

        J. Coddington “Comrade Hugo” Fetlock IV
        Maximum co-coordinator
        Organizing for Idiocy
        Evansville Cell

  2. Most of the Park’s Life Guards have to pass the Red Cross Life Guard Class to become a life guard. So they are definitely qualified to work at the swimming pools in that capacity. The Red Cross allows all people to participate in their classes. If anyone wants to become a life guard and work for the Parks Department at the City’s pools all they have to do is sign up and pass the Red Cross Life Guard Class and Test for the job. I can assure you that in the pass those who were testing were fully qualified or I and my co workers would not have pass them. All City Life Guards had to go to Lloyd Pool and pass a test run by Water Safety Instructors that had years of experience teaching life saving and swimming classes and lessons and working as life guards for many years.

    I’m not sure what type of experience one needs to work for the Golf Courses or the other Park Department’s various parks. I’m sure that any kid that has a good work ethic would be able to do those jobs.

    • Coyotehunter

      Thanks for your input. I agree with your response. We just corrected statement so it makes our point a little more clearer.

      Thanks for reading the CCO and your input.

      Editor

  3. Editor, I demand a correction too.
    “we are hearing from our Indiana “Trump For President” mole that Paul Ryan and Donald Trump will probably agree that Ryan should not chair the GOP convention?” That’s a typo, right?
    Donald Trump for President? In the GOP? What? He’s a Democrat!! “I will not touch entitlements. I love debt! My penis is big, quite big actually. My daughter is attractive, I mean, if I weren’t, you know, well, she really is that attractive. National healthcare, for everyone. I love women. My wives have all been immigrants. I love immigrants. I change my mind a lot.” I mean, correct this typo! What is he like, a reality TV star? Didn’t he hire and then fire Gary Busey? Is he gonna hire Busey for Vice President? Hasn’t he piled so much debt on his businesses he is sure to do the same thing as President? “Debt is a tool. I know how to use it. I love debt.”
    Wait a minute. It is true?
    Oh. Never mind.

      • I’m no hillary fan, but do you really want to get into a battle of copying and pasting old quotes when your guys is Donald Trump? Trump is an embarrassing quotation vending machine.

        • Hillary is worse by far, the biggest difference is that the media whores cover for Hillary, and actively search for anything on Trump. It appears though that after 30+ years of the media covering for Hillary, EVERYONE in the world knows the REAL Hillary Clinton. Trump will shred her to pieces, its in his nature.

          • LKB

            Your man in the White House found out just how sacred the debt we owe to foreign countries is when the Wall Street terrorists almost brought down the World Economy in 2007. A lot of those countries governments were holding that worthless paper in their treasuries. That is why we had to bail the Wall Street terrorists out, so they could make arrangements to make good on their worthless paper, otherwise those countries would have failed, and no one in the world would ever loan our government a dime again. I am sure Trump understands debt. Democrats, on the other hand, spend like there is no tomorrow and think tax revenue is inexhaustible. Obama’s ACA is a prime example. He had to walk back his lie about “if you like your plan you can keep it” in just a matter of a couple of months after he uttered the words. He either lied to the people, or he did not even understand the legislation as it was written, take your pick.

            Sorry if the truth about Hillary upsets you and others on here, but I will post whatever I want, whenever I want, she is every bit as much of a target as Donald Trump is, in fact, she is even more of a target. So you and the others on here can bring your best game, I have not even scratched the surface on Hillary and the media that tries to protect her.

          • Pressanykey…you are selling your soul with your support of Trump.
            It is amazing. Unbelievable actually.
            The wild thing of it is, there is no question…..”whether you are selling your soul to support Trump”……or not, PAK. The answer to that is clearly a “YES.”
            Your point is “Yes, I am. And I am justified in doing it.”

          • “We have two unacceptable presumptive candidates for President of the United States…”

            Never have truer words been spoken, LKB.

          • @ Pak: I didn’t imply that you shouldn’t post whatever you want. I am a lover of the First Amendment that crybaby Drumpf wants to put the kybosh on. I am hoping for indictments, non-fatal health crises, changes of heart, or anything else that will wipe the slate clean and get us two decent candidates for the presidency. I think as little of one as I do the other. But if you want to lower the discussion to old and petty things hanging around on the internet, I think this is pretty telling about your idol’s character:
            http://fusion.net/story/176716/heres-the-creepy-video-of-donald-trump-saying-hed-date-his-own-daughter/

          • Oh geez LKB, Trump didn’t say he would date his daughter he said if she “wasn’t” his daughter he would date her. But then in our new sexuality why would that be a bad thing if they are in love? Brace yourself, the day is comming when a father and daughter will sue to marry.

          • I-E:
            Ha! Agree/Disagree, no matter. What a well-crafted reply. Pointed, logical, forward-looking and connecting the dots…and all done w/ wit. Sorry. I’m a geek. I love good writing.

        • Thank you for coming to the defense of Comrade Hillary’s anti-semitism. Mr. Brock promised to put another quarter into your paycheck next week. Two bits here and there, and pretty soon you ….

          Oh, wait. This is what they call preaching to the choir, I think.

          J. Coddington “Comrade Hugo” Fetlock IV
          Maximum co-coordinator
          Organizing for Idiocy
          Evansville Cell

    • Mary Lee Fray said that Hillary not only used an anti-Semitic slur but she shouted it so loudly “it rattled the walls.” “It was very clear,” she said. “Bill Clinton’s face became white as a ghost.” [FOXNews.com, AP and New York Post, 18 July 2000]

      Former Clinton campaign aide Neill McDonald, who has always been a Clinton supporter [Jewish World Review, 19 July 2000], confirmed the story, according to the New York Daily News. [Reuters, 17 July 2000] He heard the obscenity as he stood outside the room. [FOXNews.com, AP, New York Post, 18 July 2000]

    • The Ethics in Government Act requires public figures to report their outside income above $200. Yes, that is a very low threshold. Mrs. Clinton’s speaking fees were vastly more, reportedly a $225,000 minimum per speech. In that light, her failures to disclose seem hard to comprehend. However, Mrs. Clinton directed some of her fees to the Clinton Foundation, which is arguably different.

      Even so, there are legitimate tax questions whether this is allowed. Beyond that, were the assignments to the Foundation timely and correctly documented? Getting straight answers even to more basic questions can be tough, even for CNN. For example:

      Anderson Cooper: ”But did you have to be paid $675,000 [for three speeches to Goldman Sachs]?”

      Hillary Clinton: ”Well, I don’t know. That’s what they offered.”

    • The only thing Hillary Clinton has ever been successful at is selling political favors for money to ethically challenged individuals.

      • FYI: Donald Trump BRAGS about his skill doing that. I can’t figure your double standard PAK.
        Oh…wait a minute. Never mind….once you have a license issued after selling your soul…..you get to have a double standard.

    • I didn’t write this but it sure rings true. It says a lot about why I don’t think much of either Hildog or “The Donald”.

      I have taken a stance, which I know is unpopular with some of you, and which I feel I owe it to you to fully explain.

      Throughout history, charismatic figures have appeared at critical moments in time. Some of these figures have advanced their nations. Some have set them back. Only with the benefit of hindsight is mankind able to make the final judgment.

      I have long been a fan of the saying – History doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme. In other words, history leaves clues; lessons that we can all benefit from.

      We are stewards of our Republic and as such, our greatest responsibility is not to ourselves, or any political party, but to the next generation of Americans. We must work tirelessly to see to it that they inherit a freer, stronger, safer, more prosperous nation than was handed to us.

      To truly fulfill that obligation we must be selfless, and above all, we must be informed. We must understand the mechanics of politics, economics, and the framework that has allowed the United States to be the greatest nation in the history of the world.

      As an American, my greatest allegiance is to liberty. As long as there is liberty, no task is insurmountable, no challenge too overwhelming. As long as there is liberty, anything is possible.

      The true north of my compass has been, and always will be, liberty. I owe it to those who have come before me and those who will come after. I will act to safeguard liberty no matter what personal price I may be forced to bear.

      Liberty is my litmus test. I weigh all actions of my government and those who seek office, against it. The ledger of freedom is incorruptible; its pages open for anyone to examine, and most importantly – to learn from.

      At great personal and professional expense, I have grown more vocal over the years about the need to reduce the size of government and place in office fellow citizens guided strictly by the Founding documents.

      I have spoken on television, radio, and in front of civic organizations. I have campaigned for candidates, marched in Tea Party rallies, and was the man who drove Andrew Breitbart to Madison, Wisconsin to speak alongside him on the capitol steps in defense of Governor Scott walker.

      From taking back the United States House in 2010, to taking back the Senate in 2014, we have won battle after battle for liberty. In so doing, we have placed principled, limited government Americans in office. We knew the war wouldn’t be won overnight, but rather that it would be won over time. We have been steadfast, resolute, and successful.

      But in the opinion of some of our fellow Americans, we have not been quick enough. Rather than continue to fight, a plurality of voters in the Republican primary has decided to drop an atom bomb on Washington, D.C. That atom bomb is Donald Trump.

      And so I come to my explanation. When I apply my litmus test of liberty to Donald Trump, he fails – completely.

      In fact, he has not only failed to ever stand for liberty, he has repeatedly worked to undermine it. From supporting an assault weapons ban, the seizure of private property via eminent domain, the restructuring of libel laws, and socialized medicine (just to name a few) – throughout his entire adult life, Donald Trump has repeatedly championed the power of the state.

      Regardless of what he says now, Donald Trump has a history. That history is the clearest indication of how he would govern as president. No matter how badly Americans want to “blow up” Washington, they absolutely must consider who, and what, arises from the embers of that destruction.

      After voters drop that atom bomb, what happens next?

      Herein lies my greatest concern. What will become of liberty under a Trump administration? Will it grow? Will it recede? Will it vanish altogether?

      Our Founders realized that the normal course of history is despotism – the control of the many by the few. That is why the Founding documents sought to constrain government. They also counted on Americans to choose wisely those whom we sought to install in office. Too often we have failed in selecting the best among us.

      Donald Trump is not the best among us, nor is Hillary Clinton. They are both incredibly flawed human beings whom we should be equally ashamed of.

      Neither would advance the cause of freedom. Both would take us – not to that shining city on a hill of which President Reagan spoke – but into the murky valley below. Never have I seen America faced with having two such poor choices for president.

      With the lessons of history as my guide, I see in Donald Trump the character flaws that are the hallmarks of despotism. In Hillary Clinton, I also see multiple character flaws, but I see them as belonging not to a potential despot, but rather to a conniving, self-serving, progressive politician who believes in lining her own pockets and enlarging/increasing the state and its power.

      The two are reprehensible – but completely different. One threatens to further enlarge the state, the other, potentially (a la Napoleon), to become it.

      Growing up, a wonderful nun repeatedly told me that kindness could only be expected from the strong. When Donald Trump mocked the disability of New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski – he showed himself to be not only weak, but also lacking in compassion.

      Trump’s position that he is a Christian, but has never asked for forgiveness – coupled with his incessant bragging – not only further shows that he is weak, but that he also lacks humility.

      Strength, compassion, and humility are necessary in any leader – but especially so in the person who would occupy the highest and most powerful office in the world. Just look at what the absence of those qualities has done over the last seven years.

      My greatest concern about Donald Trump, though, isn’t a trait he lacks, but a dangerous one he possesses – in spades. Authoritarianism.

      Confident people do not bully and demean others. That is the realm of the weak and insecure. Confident people also do not threaten others, especially not their fellow citizens.

      Donald Trump has told us to just wait and see what he does to Jeff Bezos once he gets into the White House. He has told us the American military will do whatever he tells them to do no matter what their reservations. He has promised to prevent American companies from moving outside the United States, regardless of what they believe is best for their businesses.

      In other words, Donald Trump has clearly told all of us that he will use the power of the presidency to force people to bend to his will. This is not liberty.

      In fact, Donald Trump has never even spoken about liberty. Neither has he spoken about the Constitution and the Founding documents. This is an absolute first in the history of the United States.

      Instead, Donald Trump talks about hiring the “best people” and making the “best deals.” This, though, isn’t what made America great, and it certainly isn’t what will return America to its prominence.

      The blueprint for America’s success is the ideas of the Framers – limited, Constitutional governance – an area in which Donald Trump is criminally ignorant.

      Let me be clear that I don’t want to vote for Hillary Clinton. I also don’t want to vote for Donald Trump. My preference is to write-in or vote third party. I think they are both terrible for our future.

      But between a big government progressive and a potential despot – every American must ask themselves where liberty has the greatest chance to survive over the next four years.

      As a Constitutional conservative, I take solace in, and guidance from the words of Alexander Hamilton, who in the election of 1800 said, “If we must have an enemy at the head of government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible.”

      I value all of you as friends, readers, and fellow patriots. There is much at stake for our Republic. Be informed, be selfless, and vote your conscience. I will not hold your decisions against you.

      None of us knows the future. But I ask that all of us look to the past. Only by doing so can we safeguard liberty and chart the most well-reasoned course forward.

      • PCD, we share many same concerns. My greatest fear is who will appoint Barack Obama to the United States Supreme Court for a lifetime term so he can finish his socialist radical transformation of America. I’m not a Trump fan by any measurement, but if you want guaranteed continuation of Obama, vote for Hillary or don’t vote. Obama on the Supreme Court may bring more damage than he’s managed to inflict on Americans in the last 8 years.

  4. Ms. Hargis is now sleeping with one eye open and watching for flashes of yellow polyester. Kudos to her. Those early predictions that she is smart might just prove to be true. If she transforms into an independent thinker who puts the public good before Winnecke, the public will have her back. Adams is still hit or miss. Robinson will not be controlled by “the man.” She is respected in the Fourth Ward, which remains “no man’s land” for Winnecke despite the little favors he sprinkles around and Coures bellowing about changing the face of Haynie’s Corner. BTW, Elpers and Brinkmeyer need a shot of whatever McGinn is drinking. Dead man’s EKG on that end of their council table. Weaver bobble heads in his little Easter suit. Mostly Messy argues with herself over why the FOP contract wasn’t on the agenda earlier. Let’s see, who controls the agenda? Well, she does.

    • Kudos may be in order but in the final analysis Hargis caved and through care into the wind. Kudos to Dr. Adams, the lone wolf. Let’s face it, Mosby greatest challenge in life was high school, Weaver, yes graduated from college. What was his major. Oh, the weather? He and Watts are cut out of the same mold, just jockes. Of course McGinn does not where in the hell he is. Elpers’ tongue must have been removed and then we have Drunkmeyer. Pitiful, just Pitiful!!!

      • Benedict Arnold, you are the perfect person to ask how Joshua “Jeb” Claybourn was forced to be a Republican delegate to their Nation Convention. How did this happen? Who forced him to be a delegate?

        • Dear Joe . .

          How predictable the situation …old Jeb was the hand pick for the City Council Attorney and the puppet head of Wayne Park/Winnecke combo and if he wishes to advance in the world of Ziemer he knows that his mama did not raise any stupid children. Just follow the $$$$

  5. Only in Vanderburgh County, do you have a race where the Republican is a working-class guy and the Democrat is a silver spoon child of the wealthy elite. Kincaid has worked his whole life and lives in a modest house and Hatfield, fresh out of college, has a $300,000 house among the socialites in downtown Evansville. Surely he didn’t think the baby grand piano and nice fireplace in his video would help the voters of Vanderburgh County relate to him. Just another prince of the oligarchy waiting to be crowned.

    • Hatfield’s baby grand and nice house aren’t reasons enough for me not to vote for him and Kincaid’s modest lifestyle will have minimal influence on the election and certainly isn’t cause to give him my vote.

      However, Johnny Kincaid’s pretty much relentless community involvement is probably enough to get my vote.

      • This is truly a weird political year. First, the Trump phenomenon and now Bandana and I are in agreement on something.

        • I think it’s yours to lose Phyllip, Hatfield barely made it to the next round. Let him wallow in his luxe, hammer the things Kincaid has done and tried to do for the city.

          • Jesus H. Christ, hell has surely frozen over. Bandana, LKB and Phyllip Davis in agreement. The only one missing is IndianaEnoch. It’s not bad being on the same side of a position as you two, we might try this more often.

        • Haha, Mr. Davis. They are being so mean to you. Comrades Elkaybee and Bandana will of course punch the straight Democratic ticket, as they always do. It is not that they relish blind obedience, as Epsilon Becker does, but the fear of losing their supplemental activist stipends frightens them.

          J. Coddington “Comrade Hugo” Fetlock IV
          Maximum co-coordinator
          Organizing for Idiocy
          Evansville Cell

    • It seems that Hatfield demonstrated what we can expect if we elect him during a meeting at Zion Church last night. He attended at the behest of Gail Riecken, the retiring State Rep. Hatfield launched an attack on Blight-Fighter George Lumley. Mr. Lumley stood his ground against Mr. Silverspoon, who is apparently not used to such behavior, as he went scurrying from the room. I haven’t heard if he followed in Gail’s footsteps and holed-up in a hotel in Peoria or not. Has anybody heard?

      • Hatfield and Schmitt are both hand-picked losers. Gail picked Hatfield and Whiney picked Schmitt. They even look a lot alike and they are too thin skinned for Evansville politics.

    • Hatfield is already used to losing. He was Alex Burton’s campaign manager. One of Gail’s daugthers is on his committee and he was a major player in Gail’s humiliating loss, so it must not bother him to run second in a two-horse race.

  7. How Many Trump Supporters Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?
    “Look, we can change the light bulb. That I will tell you. We’re changing it, okay? And it will be tremendous! And I understand what you’re saying, I hear it all the time. People call me and say ‘Is the light bulb really dead?’. That’s what they are asking me; it’s unbelievable. The light bulb is in big trouble, that I can tell you. But we are going to change it. You know, I don’t get as much credit for this as I should – And I mean this – Years ago – YEARS ago! I said ‘We need to change this light bulb!’ And now it’s out! I couldn’t have been more right, folks. And we will replace this bulb with the best bulb. The most bright, whitest light bulb you have seen. A tremendous bright white! Oh, and we’ll get the best – I know the best people, who are gonna screw this thing in. And then it’s gonna be so bright, let me tell you, and people are gonna come from all around and go, ‘Oooh!’ And they’re going to say that it’s the best light bulb they’ve ever seen – and I’m telling you right now, Mexico is going to be paying the electricity bill – I’m gonna make ‘em. Look at Rubio… that lightweight… all he uses are fluorescents. Well, not with President Trump…we’re going to use energy burning incandescent light bulbs…it will be 1000 watts of pure light. It’ll be amazing….how do you think I have such great skin tone? My penis is bigger than Rubio’s. That much is for sure.”

    • …….how hypocritical are you Pressanykey?

      You KNOW, Trump is for universal national healthcare….SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE for the United States – Donald Trump.
      You are hilarious!

  9. How many idiots would it take to vote Hillary into office? Answer: If she can get Obama to grant amnesty to the 11 million illegal immigrants, and sign them up to vote in time, she might have a shot, that is, if she does not get charge with security code violations for her unsecured email servers first.

  11. Congratulate Commissioner Kiefer for staying out of the process from day one?? —

    how stupid are you?? Kiefer was totally in charge from day one as a totally crooked politician.

    County employee money directly to his son — no regard –ZERO— for the employees themselves.

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