IS IT TRUE September 6, 2012
IS IT TRUE yesterday was one of those days for those who are interested in politics in Evansville and in the United States that is hard to be replicated for backstabbing, flip flopping, and lying?…there may be a need for two IS IT TRUE’s today just to address the chaos that played itself out on every stage that the City County Observer watches?…let us start with Evansville?
IS IT TRUE that yesterday started out with a 7:35 email from the Parks Board that contained a revised agenda for the meeting they had scheduled for noon?…SNEGAL must have worked overtime on Tuesday because what was snuck into the agenda intentionally at the last minute was a vote to terminate the contract between SMG and the City of Evansville to manage the Victory theatre and Mesker Amphitheatre?…prior to calling for the vote to FIRE SMG City Parks Director Denise Johnson and Parks Board Chairman Jay Ritter praised their 20 year record of serving the City and actually even said “they were great citizens who went far beyond what they were asked to do,”?…that is the truth as the SMG staff has been doing their job well after being shafted by the Weinzapfel Administration and have even been frequent participants in Mayor Winnecke’s litter removal events?…at the end of the day the orchestrated vote of the Parks Board was unanimous to terminate the contract?
IS IT TRUE that the city of Evansville added a new meaning to the word “TRASHED” today? …that SMG employees have supported the Mayors passion of making Evansville clean from litter since the beginning the day he launched this worthy program? …that today showed his appreciation to SMG for being an outstanding corporate citizen by FIRING them?…that Mayor Winnecke gave his matching orders to his puppets serving on the Evansville Parks board to void the Victory Theatre contract they have with SMG? …we can say that the good people at SMG were truly “Trashed” today?…for the City of Evansville to express displeasure over the non-schedule at Mesker this year is hypocritical and borders on outright fraud?…that Mesker is closed because the Parks Department DID NOT EVEN DO THE SMALL STUFF WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTENANCE?
IS IT TRUE in the same meeting a $758,750 card was dealt right off the bottom of the deck?…through all of the public discussion of what to do with Roberts Stadium the City of Evansville strongly asserted that they had a deal to get Roberts demolished for a mere $200,000?…this was after the CVB led ball field team had stated that Roberts would be $2 Million to demolish and that it was learned that an old arena in Texas had cost closer to $1 Million to demolish?…that all who watch such things were sort of in disbelief that it could be done in Evansville for a paltry $200,000?…that bubble got busted yesterday when the bids were opened to demolish Roberts as the lowest bidder among the 5 was Klenck Construction at a price of $958,750?…that is the same Klenck that was hosed by the City of Evansville ala John Kish’s famous lines of “you need to talk to Woodruff to get that $335,000â€?
IS IT TRUE the City County Observer is in full support of Klenck Construction and hopes that they are treated fairly and earn a profit in all that they do?…that the CCO is utterly disgusted with the deception put onto the people of Evansville by the last two administrations regarding the costs to operate and/or demolish Roberts Stadium?…to miss an estimate by 400% is either gross incompetence or willful misrepresentation and many suspect both?…the losses associated with this increase in price equal the entire annual savings identified by the consolidation committee?…that in spite of the potential for good to be done through consolidation if the same stooges who have wrecked the City of Evansville are still the ruling class post consolidation (if it passes) not a darn thing will change?
IS IT TRUE that a careful study of the pro-consolidation and anti-consolidation list of names reveals some interesting inclusions and omissions?…most notable is the fact that more than a few current members of the city and county councils are nowhere to be found?… more notable is the absence of the very popular, former long-time mayor Frank McDonald II?…Speaking of the naming of names, is it true that some were shocked that nowhere on the “pro” team was the name of former one-term county commissioner Carol McClintock, aka Mrs. Lloyd Winnecke, who allegedly is helping spearhead the Yes’ effort?… an interesting note was struck when we couldn’t find former State Senator Bob Deig and former 8th District Congressman Brad Ellsworth on the lists?..both are snugly tucked away in cozy Vectren offices for life and will not be taking on controversial issues?…that neighborhood association leaders are being heavily lobbied to join the Yes campaign?
Can the editor please provide a link to the lists of pro and anti consolidation notables?
Are these lists updated and posted online at other websites that we readers might check out periodically?
I did a search and found this list at the C&P site:
CURRENT AND FORMER LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR CONSOLIDATION
Marsha Abell (R), County Commission President
Wendy Bredhold (D), former City Council member
Keith Jarboe (D), former City Council member
Bettye Lou Jerrell (R), former County Commission President and former County Council member
Curt John (D), former at-large City Council member
Joe Kiefer (R), County Commissioner, former County Council member and former at-large City Council member
Russ Lloyd, Jr. (R), former Mayor, former County Council member and current City Controller
Kathryn Martin (D), Knight Township Trustee
Dan McGinn (R), City Council member
Bill Nix (R), former County Commission President
Conor O’Daniel (D), at-large City Council member
Jonathan Weaver (D), at-large City Council member and former County Assessor
Mike Vandeveer (D), former Mayor
Jonathan Weinzapfel (D), former Mayor
Lloyd Winnecke (R), Mayor and former County Commissioner
Eric Williams (D), Vanderburgh County Sheriff
CURRENT AND FORMER LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AGAINST CONSOLIDATION
Rick Davis (D), County Treasurer
Steve Melcher (D), County Commissioner
Z Tuley (D), County Recorder and former County Treasurer
Susan Kirk (R), County Clerk
Rep. Gail Riecken, D-Evansville
Rick Riney (D), Perry Township Trustee
Fred Happe (D), German Township Trustee
Bob Harris (R), Scott Township Trustee
Randy Kron (R), Armstrong Township Trustee
Al Lindsey (D), City Council member
Mary Hart (D), Pigeon Township Trustee
Ed Bassemier (D), County Council member
Trent Van Haaften (D), former state representative
Debbie Stucki (R), former Center Township Assessor
If someone knows who is collecting these signatures and where the updated lists are posted, please inform us.
Clerk Susan Kirk is opposed to consolidation.
I personally know almost everyone on both lists. Even before this issue, I would tell you, for the most part, the people on the first list have a reputation for being the “smart” people, and the people on the second list are known as the “dumb” people. There are a couple of exceptions, but not many.
I sort of think that consolidation is going to put money in your pocket. Loss of trust in our local politicians is the real issue. People just don’t trust them and with good reason. The only person on the top list that I would trust is Bettye Lou Jerrell and I can’t understand why she would support consolidation.
I question the term “very popular” when referring to Mayor Frank. He did little to nothing while in office, why would you expect him to be doing anything now?
“Very popular” = check his vote totals.
Have you heard about Mayor Winnenke’s political fund raising bus trip to watch St. Louis play ball?
I also heard a rumor that one of the key sponsors of this event was none other them the past Mayor. Also heard that many active democrats also went on this trip.
Can anyone out there comfirm these rumors?
Oh, isn’t this type of political fundraiser that the past Mayor did annually?
The bus trip was for past donors and supporters, and it was paid for by the mayor. None of the participants paid for the trip itself.
I think they also stated the bid is only for the removal of robert’s stadium and it did not include the removal of the massive parking lot (which would need to be removed if they are going to place a nature style park there).
What about that cost?
It should come as no surprise the costs of demolishing Roberts Stadium are beginning to outstrip estimates by 400%… This is par for the course when it comes to government officials spending other people’s money.
The average person spending his own money would look at the estimate and say, “hmmm, maybe we should do something else. This really isn’t in our budget.”
How long til this trend turns the $10 million park into a $40-$50 million park? Anyone want to start a pool? I got $100 on $40 million with the pedestrian bridge.
Terminating a contractor with a switch-a-roo agenda is sneaky at best.
Channeling Sneagle is becoming a political sport.
Anyone who thought that you could demolish Robert’s Stadium for the prices that were thrown about must have voted for Winnecke in the last election. Winnecke was bragging just the other day as to how much money was made at the Robert’s auction, over $200,000.00, that is only $800,000.00 away from what is needed to level it. Keep paying your taxes Winnecke and friends will continue to spend them. 1 million to tear it down, another to remove the parking lot, landscape and seed, wow what a deal. Much better than using it in a productive way, a building already paid for. What a genius, how did this city make it before he was elected? Get ready, this is just the beginning. How about Centennial Park and Robert’s Park can’t wait to have a top notch place for my dog to poop. Keep voting these dummies in and then look in the mirror to see who the real dummy is, not the one spending other people’s money
The only way to consolidate city and county government is to hold a referendum to cancel the charter of the City of Evansville. If the measure passes the Mayor of Evansville will surrender the city charter to the Secretary of State. Then all of the whining and moaning about city-county consolidation will be over and done with.
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