“IS IT TRUE” OCT 18, 2020 Casinos–Holcomb

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  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 yesterday the City-County Observer seemly scooped the local news media by revealing that Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb was the beneficiary of two flights on a private jet owned by Spectacle Entertainment’s CEO Rod Ratcliff? …yesterday an investigative article written by and published by the Indy Star revealed that Governor Holcomb’s political campaign may have been bankrolled when a casino CEO allegedly donated $500,000 plus to the Republican Governor’s Association and in turn most of this money was allegedly handed over to the political war chest to the Holcomb 2016 campaign? …the Associated Press and the Indiana Lawyer also published this outstanding investigative article written by Kaitlin Lange and Tony Cook of the Indianapolis Star?

IS IT TRUE that the above political donation that was given to Governor Eric Holcomb by the Republican Governor’s Association may turn out to be legal but it shouldn’t be and many people predict that it may become a political scandal that haunts Governor Holcomb for the rest of his political career?

IS IT TRUE attached is the link to the INDY STAR article we feel that you may find interesting?   http://bit.ly/2FHbJ2G

 

IS IT TRUE according to the Indy Star the Chairman and CEO of Spectacle Entertainment, Rod Ratcliff have contributed more than $1 million to the Republican Governors Association since 2016?   …the RGA became a financial lifeline for Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb in 2016 after his campaign got a late start and was then restricted from accessing the campaign funds of his predecessor, now-Vice President Mike Pence?

 

 IS IT TRUE that “it’s a well-known fact that the Governor has final say over the plans to move two Gary casinos to more lucrative locations”?  …if the legislature eliminates the provision of Evansville receiving the $6 million dollars the Governor can veto the actions taken by the State Legislative body?Indiana Gaming Commission To Vote On Terre Haute Casino License Today

 

IS IT TRUE over the last several days we posted a “Readers Poll” that asked the question should THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER continue to publish their “IS IT TRUE” column? …we stated in last week’s ‘IS IT TRUE” column that unless there is a resounding public outcry for the “IS IT TRUE” column to be continued along with additional financial commitment (advertising) to support what it takes to do this column on a regular basis that this will be the last “IS IT TRUE”?  …a part of us wants to keep up the fight, but another part would like to live in peace without constant threats, disruption, and ostracism? …we urge you to go to today’s CCO “READERS POLL” and vote? …the fate of the City-County Observer “IS IT TRUE” is up to you?

IS IT TRUE our loyal readers and advertisers spoke in a resounding way and give us an unbelievable vote of confidence by a phenomenal 95% margin? …as of 10:30 last night, 841 people voted in this ‘Readers Poll”? …the “MOLE NATION” have spoken loud and clear?  …that 789 voted “YES”. 29 voted “NO” and 23 voted that they “Had No Idea”?

 

IS IT TRUE that a member of our staff went to the Civic Center to conduct some business?  …that Dottie Thomas, Chief Deputy Treasurer waited on him and she did a superb job in assisting him?  …Dottie Thomas was not only extremely professional but she knew her stuff?  …we need more people like her working at the Civic Center?

IS IT TRUE we are told by reliable sources that the renovations of the Westside Water and Treatment could use a little extra project management oversite help? …our sources tell us that they expect this project will go over budget and may not be finished in the time frame projected?
IS IT TRUE that for more than 15 years this column has served the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County as the place to go to learn things that are going on in local government that other media is reluctant to cover?…much good has come from things posted in “IS IT TRUE” and the comment section has, for the most part, made the City-County Observer the go-to place for open constructive dialog?
IS IT TRUE that over the years this column has served the financial health of the taxpayers of Evansville well and we are proud to have done so?…as a reminder, one of the earliest breaking stories that the CCO profiled was when a former Mayor and his associates conspired secretly to eliminate the Homestead Tax Credit?…the CCO was alerted to this by one of our most trusted “MOLES” and we exposed this “SENEGAL” (Sneaky but Legal) meeting and the amount of money that the taxpayers of Vanderburgh County were about to be fleeced out of?…that number was $5 million per year which by now has amounted to $50 million that the CCO’s exposure of this sneaky dirty trick saved the taxpayers of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that from drug addict needles in public playgrounds to potholes and from decrepit sewers to antiquated water pipes, exposing backroom political deals and government waste the CCO has been the watchdog for the people against ignorant and malignant local government actions?

IS IT TRUE that our finest hour, we exposed the Earthcare Energy project as a scam and saved an oblivious city council from handing $4 million to a project team that didn’t even have a patent they claimed to have?…through all of this we taught Evansville the meaning of the term VETTING?…we hope this is a lesson that is never forgotten?

 

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville city employees’ hospitalization fund has been insufficiently funded over several years? …the city’s hospitalization fund, from which city employee medical claims are paid, has had a negative balance of several millions of dollars over the last several years?  …we are now hearing that the city’s hospitalization fund will not be an issue in the proposed 2020 City budget? …all we can say is “very interesting?”

IS IT TRUE that the EPA has allowed the City of Evansville to pussyfoot around with the lead contamination issue in the Jacobsville area for over 20 years? …the real tragedy is that lead poisoning can be treated, but any damage caused by contaminated lead cannot be reversed? …we hope that before the City builds the new $28 million dollar Aqua Center at Garvin Park they will do extensive testing of possible lead contamination and toxic cleaning chemicals issues in the Garvin Park?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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