IS IT TRUE that finally 10 years after GAGE realized under the leadership of Joe Wallace that Hydroplane racing was a thing of the past due to high cost and low value, the lesson seems to have sunk into the thick skulls of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau?…like cockfighting and other things that have limited appeal Hydroplane racing went the way of the albatross years ago and it took some of the dimmest minds of Evansville over ten years to wake up and smell the diesel?
IS IT TRUE last week local dignitaries and citizens alike stood on the grounds of the Old Courthouse to dedicate the green space as a Bicentennial park?  …the Old Courthouse building is over 125 years old and is seen as the symbol of Vanderburgh County and this region?  …last week the Old Courthouse Foundation in conjunction with the Vanderburgh County Commissioners officially launched Vanderburgh County, Bicentennial Park? …this new park was funded by the Old Courthouse Foundation coupled with private donations, pledges, and corporate donors? …that the Bicentennial Park is located on the green space in front of the Old Courthouse is now open to the public and provides walking paths, benches, and offers accessible tours of the Old Courthouse? …that private companies or groups can also lease this space for their use? …the Old Courthouse Foundation invites you to attend their newly launch summer “Lunch on The Lawn” events? …the downtown Bicentennial Park was not paid for out of the County Commissioners budget?  …we couldn’t be happier that the Old Courthouse Foundation made the decision to officially recognize the Bicentennial by creating this park for our community on the grounds of the Old Court House without any costs to the taxpayers?
IS IT TRUE when Saratoga Gaming Of New York bought Ellis Park from former owner Ron Geary several years ago, they purchased it as is?  …we witnessed Saratoga Gaming Of New York officials promising members of the Kentucky Racing Commission that they would do some major renovations at the track when they approve their purchase agreement with Mr. Geary?  …many patrons of Ellis Park were disappointed that the  Saratoga Gaming of New York didn’t follow through with their public commitment to do extensive renovations after they purchased Ellis Park from Mr. Geary?
IS IT TRUE we are extremely pleased to hear that the new owner’s of Ellis Park is Laguna Development Corporation from Albuquerque, New Mexico?  …Laguna Development Corporation has a solid management team in place and has a proven financial track record that should guarantee a stable and long term successful business strategy for Ellis Park?  …we are told that the new owners of Ellis Park are planning to spend the money to professionally pave and stripe the parking lot, install proper exterior security lighting, update the information and directional signage,  do painting and repair work on the Grandstand and Club House buildings, install a first-class exterior digital on-premise sign located next to the highway and replace some of the less than exciting slot machines? …we are also hearing that the new owners of Ellis Park will be doing some extensive evaluations and re-training of the staff at the track?
IS IT TRUE if the City Of Evansville can waste multi-millions of dollars on projects that haven’t produced any measurable economic results and the EVSC could afford to purchase a Golf Course in the North end of the county that lost money, why can’t they pool some of their surplus resources and build a pedestrian bridge for Bosse High school students?
IS IT TRUE we are at the crossroads for building a progressive future for Evansville, and if we do not choose fiscally responsible and forward-thinking City Council members on November 5, 2019, General election we will all pay the price for our folly.?
IS IT TRUE that one Hoosier is making big news these days and the name of the person is Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend?… South Bend much like Evansville is an old blue collar town that has been passed over by the modern economic expansions?… Mayor Pete as Buttigieg is called was first elected Mayor in 2011 by winning 11,991 votes in a town of about 110,000 people?… Mayor Pete was reelected in 2015 in an Evansville style no contest election with a whopping 8,515 votes?…he has cleverly parlayed those 8,515 votes into a marketing genius that has him sitting in 3rd place nationally for the Democrat nomination for President of the United States?…it is truly ironic that a small city mayor who got less than 10% of his constituents’ votes is making a serious run at the White House?…it is even more ironic since South Bend is a less scenic place outside of the beautiful Notre Dame campus?…when the national news comes to South Bend, it may tank Mayor Pete’s chances because most of the country does not want to be like South Bend?… Mayor Pete did make some good decisions as Mayor though since he chose blight elimination and sewer repairs over the Evansville way of fun and games followed by more fun and games?…who knows, if former Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel had concentrated on blight and infrastructure instead of a hockey rink, he may be in the discussion for President as the dearly departed Democrat Strongman Larry Aiken said he could?
IS IT TRUE that another CCO staff member went to “AMY’S ON FRANKLIN” last Friday night and was impressed by his incredible steak, service, and atmosphere? …he predicts that “AMY’S ON FRANKLIN” will quickly become one of the area’s favorite places for people to take their family and friends to wine and dine?
FOOTNOTES: Todays “Readers’ Poll†question is: Are you disappointed that the Hydroplane Racing at Evansville HydroFest was abruptly canceled?
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Only seeking facts for knowledge and understanding… how can there be walking paths on the postage stamp-sized property of the old courthouse?
Let’s compare Mayor Pete to Mayor Winnecke:
South Bend Evansville
General fund Bal 1/1/19 38.9 mil 2.4 mil
Parks & Recreation 1/1/19 8.3 mil .7 mil
Golf Course 1/1/19 Combine in Parks -1.2 mil
Rainy Day 1/1/19 10.5 mil 3.0 mil
Hospitalization 1/1/19 12.0 mil -2.7 mil
The average expenditure per citizen as of 1/1/18 in South Bend is $2,100 and average in Evansville is $2,200 while the population in SB = 100,00 and Evv = 119,000 . . .however, the expenditures in SB are reported on the accrual method of accounting while Evv is on the cash basis which does not account for bills not yet paid as of year’s end . . .According to the Indiana Property tax calculator, if you lived in South Bend your tax rate would be 1.02% of your home’s value while in Evansville your tax rate is .8%. As such, a $100,000 home in Evansville will cost you $800 per year while in South Bend expect $1,020 or $220 more. Reasonable considering the tax- exempt status of Notre Dame and Holy Cross Universities, but their Local Option Income rate is only 1.0% while our’s is 1.20% . . .so, our average income per household is $37,000, you are paying $444 per year while those in SB are paying $370 or $70 less . . .so living in SB compared to Evv will cost you $150 more per year than Evansville, if your home value is $100,000
Considering SB does not have a casino and thus pays for capital improvements mostly out of their General Fund, Mayor Pete has Mayor Winnecke beat hands down. Why? Well, Mayor Pete is a grad from Harvard School of Business, majoring in Finance in addition to being a Rhoade Scholar and of course, our Mayor ‘s endeavor was Communication and Drama. To his credit (Mayor Winnecke), he has been a good promoter of our community, but eventually, he will run out of other people money, unfortunately, it is our’s!
Perhaps what we are witnessing is a substantial increase in the property tax rate. According to the Indiana Constitution, we cannot be taxed greater 1% of our fair market value. Apparently, SB limit has been reached but we have more room. So, folks not only will our water and sewer rate which Dances omitted from the analysis going up but be prepared for a 20% increase in our real estate taxes. Wow, and SB has a Democrat and we have a Republican!
Hey Dances also left out the fact that we are in the top three highest Electrical Utility Ratepayers in the nation. Of Course, our average household incomes are approx 5-6k less than Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne and South Bend. So, I’ll take the 20% greater property taxes and of course, the 5-6k greater income knowing damned well the 20% factor is on the way out . . .
Simple to fix, just appraise the properties higher. Wait…don’t tell the assessors office I said that.
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