IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer is currently conducting a poll for the 2015 election for Mayor of Evansville with the assumption that the candidates will be Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Councilman John Friend, and a yet to be named Libertarian candidate?…this poll is not scientific, is open to anyone who reads the CCO on a one vote per IP address basis, does not prequalify voters through demographic profiling, and really is nothing more than a snapshot of our readers who are willing to vote since last night?…at the time of this writing Councilman Friend has 51 votes with the Mayor and the unnamed Libertarian tied at 20?…Republican Chairman Wayne Parke still asserts mightily in his comments that a real poll gives Mayor Winnecke over a 60% approval rating and we do not even question his assertion?…we have offered to publish the poll along with the results and polling criteria but Mr. Parke has not come forward to offer the poll to the CCO for publication?…there are many of our readers and among the volunteer staff of the CCO who think Mr. Parke is blowing some Christmas smoke up our rear end and that a poll does not exist?…we did have reports a few weeks ago about a phone poll regarding the level of public support for spending tax dollars on Roberts Park though so maybe after some warm up feel good questions there really is a poll?…we hope if and we must say if a poll exists that Mr. Parke or the Mayor himself will share it with the people of Evansville?
IS IT TRUE this writer took a quarterly walk through downtown Evansville yesterday and found that the same franchise that has dominated storefront windows in downtown for over 20 years is still the dominant window dressing?…that franchise is the one named “AVAILABLE” as is seems like even more places are “AVAILABLE” than there were during the Summer walk?…there have been no less than 30 storefronts “AVAILABLE” since the late 1990’s when this guy started counting?…since that time, the Ford Center was built for $127 Million, Old National Bank and Vectren invested a combined amount of nearly $100 Million on riverfront headquarters, Innovation Pointe was refurbished, Kunkel and others have fixed up nearly 100 lofts, the Centre and the Central Library have been built, CMOE was completed, and several facades have been repaired?…in spite of all of this investment the downtown while prettier still supports roughly the same number of businesses?…for those of you who think a convention hotel of $44 Million will change this situation when the over $300 Million in other investment didn’t we have some beach front property in Warrick County to sell you?
IS IT TRUE we expect to learn in 2014 what the response of the EPA is to the response from the City of Evansville to reduce an estimated $815 Million project over 20 years to a $545 Million project over a longer period that does not even attain compliance with raw sewage discharges into the river?…we are betting that the EPA is going to tell the City of Evansville to jump in the river and will demand a higher compliance project in the allotted time period?…there is no other reason for this decision to be taking so long?…other cities that have cried POOR while doing fun and games projects have not fared well with the EPA and Evansville will most likely not fare so well anyway?…this crying POOR right after building a $127 Million temple to entertainment and $43 Million for space age water meters rings about as in touch with reality as a teenager begging for money for a movie after squandering their lunch money on candy?
IS IT TRUE that the other thing that is long overdue that will have to be made public in 2014 is the 2012 audit by the State Board of Accountancy?…this routinely month long task has now extended to nearly 6 months which points to yet another “disclaimer” opinion?…we may also learn if the books are officially balanced or if the legacy of never learning to count hoisted onto the city by the Weinzapfel Administration’s ObamaCare style software project management has messed that up for yet another fiscal year?
IS IT TRUE the quarterly walk around also showed this writer that the McCurdy and the Riverhouse are decaying at a very rapid rate and may soon be faced with the reality of the wrecking ball for becoming dangerous to even walk around?…they both look like something out of Fort Apache the Bronx?
Wayne it is time for you to put up or shut up.
Editor/Ellen: Again a 3rd Party professional Poll was done and it clearly showed Mayor Winnecke’s approval rating is over 60%.
Good money was paid to do the Poll. The Poll provides a lot useful feedback information on the job the Mayor is doing, where his support is, where improvements can be made etc. THERE IS NO WAY I WILL RELEASE THE POLL INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. To do so would only give information to the Mayor’ opponents and naysayers. No one in their right mind would release the poll data. The election is not until in 2015.
Again– the Mayor got a very good report card. The Poll clearly indicates that many of CCO commenters do not represent the believes/feelings of the voters of Evansville.
I ask we all work to make our City better.
Well if you don’t have the courage to publish the entire poll how about you let us publish the job approval part along with the poll demographics. Why would no one in their right mind release the results of a bunch of polling data that they claim supports their cause. That is sort of disingenuous Wayne. If everything is rosy and the numbers prove it you and the Mayor should be happier than pigs in a mud puddle. This attempt to tell the readership that you got a good report card but refusing to show it is insane. What parent would believe a child who did what you are doing?
Editor: says you don’t have the “courage” to publish poll. Courage has nothing to do with it. Logical horse sense does.
“That is sort of disingenuous…”. Editor–you have nothing to support your statement that I have ever been “disingenuous” to you or anybody else. I am a person who uses candor and is very frank and truthful.
I have the report card. Mayor Winnecke got very good grades.
If the editor here is Joe–I am disappointed in your questioning my integrity.
I’m happy to question your integrity. I think you’re lying.
Publish the poll and prove you’re not lying.
You want to have it both ways!
Well it ain’t gonna happen. You want to come on here and God know’s where else and boast about Hizzoner’s great numbers and get the pat on the back and the attaboys for good polling numbers but you don’t want to release the supporting data!
Well what I have to say to that is unprintable.
The editor has mustered more courtesy and tact than I can show regarding this.
You are a FRAUD!
Brains Benton: What is the basis of your statement? You obviously do not like the facts–but that does not change the facts.
What I stated is what the Poll said.
Wayne Parke is a politician (scumbag).
I do not challenge his words because lies are not worth proving wrong.
He has no idea what the average person in Evansville wants or needs.
Nor does he care.
Maybe when this mayor goes away he will too (along with P. Davis).
ab absurdo
saltus in demonstrando
Evansville is screwed.
Spoken like a true politician, scumbag?
Yes. Scum
Now I see. The “local” is another union local. Explains the deep thoughts.
dis·af·fect·ed
/ˌdisəˈfektid/
adjective
adjective: disaffected
1.
dissatisfied with the people in authority and no longer willing to support them
You are letting me down man!
No logic behind your comments!
Anotherloca: What exactly are you doing to make Evansville better? I care a lot about Evansville.
What basis do you have that I am not telling the truth?
Answer is: None
One thing I can say for sure based on the visual images inspired by your walk through the downtown is that things have changed. When General Sherman marched through Georgia and destroyed everything in his path Evansville had pride and potential while Georgia was humbled by its own arrogance and Sherman’s cannons.
It sounds to me like some modern day General Sherman has laid waste to Evansville spewing raw sewage into the streets, pigeons into once proud structures, and imbeciles into the halls of government.
Could the names of the destroyer be POLITICS, CORRUPTION, ARROGANCE, and CRONYISM? The four horsemen have breached your levee. Depart from the ways of sister city Detroit oh Evansville. Pandering to unions and emulating failed Midwestern relics shall not save you from the wrecking ball of unplanned obsolescence.
Someone yesterday mentioned Weaver as a mayor run, as stupid as he is, he’s not that stupid. He won’t dilute the Dem party, more likely the Rep. voters. Still wish SBR or Lindsey would run, but they are functional in civilan life and don’t need public teat to feed on. And before somebody jumps on Al’s back for being a firefighter, there’s a difference between that and a career politian/weatherman.
NO to Al! YES, YES, YES to SBR!!!! Al should have not showed his petty side about cutting his bosses’ pay.
onemeover: I like our firemen and policemen.
Does AL really live in the City?
No. Al does not really live in the city. But neither does Eric Williams and people seem to think he would be the next mayor if he wants it. Al has set the standard for residency. Own a house in the county, and rent an apartment in the city. Nothing Snegal about that, right?
uiring mind: It is sneaky and it is illegal. So I guess your are correct, it is not sneagal since it is illegal.
CCO is really hitting the nails on the head. Some thirty years ago, I was one of the biggest backers of downtown renewal. I showed up in the media more than Phyllip. My heart, soul, and skin were in the game, and it really hurt when I accepted that I was backing a lost cause. The only things that have changed are that the buildings are more decayed and the crimes are more violent.
What are you talking about? Downtown is way ahead of where it used to be. Maybe you don’t spend anytime down there.
Were you around thirty years ago? There were still a couple of up-scale clothing stores there then.
You can’t be serious, you just can’t be. It’s a disgrace and an embarrassment to all of this region. Not that it shouldn’t be the primary focus for redevelopment dollars but it certainly isn’t anything close to what it was or what it could be.
elkaybee: Do not give up–somethings take longer.
Who funded a poll for this lousy unRoberts municipal dog park & Great Lot of Nothing? I find it to be highly ironic that this whole town was broke and supposedly tired of wasting money only to hear a poll for a park that isn’t even a park has now been funded.
The bottom line with Parke is every time he gets called out on here he runs and hides and never backs up what he’s saying. The farthest he’s ever gotten was just putting some of these issues on the spin cycle. Sooner or later the whole town is going to get tired of this.
I would bet Al is on the verge of retirement from the fire department. I believe the laws have changed so that he can’t run for reelection if he doesn’t
Same question: Does Al really live in the City?
Thank God Mr. Friend is thinking about taking on the Mayor. One more term of Winnenke the city shall be broke.
I don’t like Lloyd, but really? The city’s woes are based on 2 years of him being in office and have nothing to do with the John’s 8 or the Democrat city council forever?
Seems the lowest common denominator is the lazy voter.
+1
Lloyd is a complete Boob, and Wayne demeans himself more than any one on this site, but the Real Disaster for Evansville, was/is Weinzapful, and the butt buddies of the Local Democrat party that have had control of the City for over 40yrs, abetted of course by the Low Down ERBC Elitists.
+1! We better wake up and vote. Lazy voters were part of the reason that Barry O. won a second term.
Nah, Romney just sucks. He ran as “I’m not obama” much like Kerry ran as “I’m not Bush.”
taxpayer: Who is Chairman of the City Finance Committee: Answer: John Friend. No money can be spent by the Mayor with out his committee’s approval.
Friend has been sitting in big comfy chair in the council chambers way longer than Winnecke has been sitting across the hall. If the city is in bad shape, Friend has had his role in it way longer than Winnecke.
People on here complain about the character and leadership in this city. Then they quickly jump on the bandwagon of a guy who was just arrested a few months back. Is that character and leadership? He failed to register his boat, failed to use the required lighting, and then was boating while drunk. If feeling like the rules apply to others but not you and then being drunk on top of it is good character and leadership, then we are in trouble.
I would much rather have my silly exercise video being posted on here than my mugshot.
You know, most people on this site would see the EPA abolished and sewers handled by the private sector. I wonder what the Ohio would be like under those conditions?
Bee slough.
I dirty stinking piss/shit pool filled with all sorts of heavy metals and toxins with no fish and dead animals littered everywhere from their desparate attempts to relieve their thirst by drinking what little water was actually flowing through it.
John Friend would be a disaster for Evansville. He’s only interested in serving himself and his friends.The exodus of young talent is sure to continue under his leadership.
Was John Friend one of the Demo who support the Repo in the last election?
How many of those downtown “lofts” are occupied and how many are paying taxes? One of the worst things about the lofts is the lack of protected parking. How many working people do you know that own only one vehicle? Couples each have a car/truck and often a motorcycle, too. Don’t fprget boats and trailers. Lofts work in large cities with viable public transportation and nearby shopping venues. Typical Evansville planning.
Wait until the apartments are built in conjunction with the new hotel. More vacancies to deal with.
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