IS IT TRUE? February 17, 2011

IS IT TRUE that back in 2003 the Weinzapfel Committee for Mayor received a whopping $48,000 from the campaign committee of the Dean of the Evansville City Council, Curt John ….that it is obvious that in 2011 Mayor Weinzapfel not only has forgotten this generous gift from the Honorable City Councilman Curt John’s campaign committee but that he also doesn’t seek his wisdom and advise on important big ticket issues facing the City of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that “MOLE #3” is hearing that the overall cost of the new downtown Arena is beginning to go over budget? ….we look forward to John Kish publishing an up to date itemization of the funds that have been spent, committed, or budgeted to put this rumor to rest soon as possible?…that there are other costs that need to be included in the Arena cost break down such as the demolition cost of the Executive Inn and the City of Evansville’s portion of the Convention Hotel Project?

IS IT TRUE that newly announced Mayoral candidate Douglas de Groot ran against Russ Lloyd, Jr. in the Republican primary in May of 2003?….that it is legend that Mr. de Groot muster over 40% of the vote against Mr. Lloyd in the Republican primary?….that the 2011 Republican primary could prove to be similar to the 2003 results?

IS IT TRUE that Missy Mosby and Patrick McBride now have a Republican waiting for them to settle their primary campaign?…that Mr. Bill Kramer will be filing today at 1:30 as a Republican to seek the City Council seat in Evansville’s 2nd Ward?…that Mr. Kramer is not new to the game of politics and has the contacts and potential to give Miss Mosby or Mr. McBride a formidable challenge?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer hosted a public policy forum yesterday at Biaggi’s that attracted a full house of 25 business and political leaders?…that the insurance firm of Torian, Hofmann, Dillow, and Flittner sponsored the event and the Joe Wallace served as the presenter/facilitator?…that both of the State of Indiana’s flagship universities were also represented?…that the theme of the meeting was “Symptoms of Public Policy”?…that the “Symptom” that garnered the most discussion was the state of the parks in the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County?…that there was unanimous agreement that the condition of City Parks is as Symptomatic of the condition of a city as a hacking cough is of the condition of a person?…that it was also expressed that given the entire budget of the Parks Department up against the number of acres of park land that the budget is only about 20% of what is needed to hire high school students to mow the acreage?…that the condition of the parks, especially in the City of Evansville are a “symptom” of poor public policy and a deterrent to Evansville’s ability to attract outside investment?…that this is a relatively cheap problem to correct as it the litter problem which also was supported as a “symptom” of poor public policy?

IS IT TRUE that other “symptoms” that were discussed included population decline in the City of Evansville, a shrinking wage base, educational attainment, safety of certain intersections, business unfriendliness of local government, flooding and sewer overflows, non-existent private investment opportunities, the general inferiority complex, exorbitant electricity rates, and the United Nations metrics of efficiency, transparency, and participation?…that Dr. H. Dan Adams has published a paper on transparency and made it available on his website www.hdanadams.com?

IS IT TRUE that Brent Grafton, president of Green Tree Plastics and Republican candidate for Evansville City Council in the 5th Ward that Evansville has a history of industriousness and skills that could be leveraged for economic growth and even a profitable use of Roberts Stadium?…that Mr. Grafton has taken his business from the start-up stage to a platform of high potential that employs just over 25 people within the City of Evansville?…that his company has never asked for or received and incentive from local government?…that when GTP wishes to hire the first people they ask are their current employees and it never crosses their mind to ask for a check from local government?…that 300 Green Tree Plastics would immediately solve the unemployment problem in Evansville and Vanderburgh County without costing a dime of incentives?…that many of the attendees at the forum left with a new appreciation for growing local business as opposed to running all over the world engaging in the economic development practice of “whale hunting”?…that when Evansville people create Evansville jobs, they tend to stay and treat employees better?…that is because these employees are their neighbors too?