IS IT TRUE December 3, 2014

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IS IT TRUE in spite of the fluff press release from the Mayor last week about construction starting on the hotel yesterday, the CCO has received no calls or emails about any signs of life on the lot at the corner of Walnut and MLK?…we say in the spirit of that great Hoosier Jim Nabors, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE?

IS IT TRUE that people have been asking about the position of the City County Observer on the proposed ban on people who live outside the political boundaries of Evansville from serving on appointed boards and commissions?…the CCO first and foremost believes that all political appointments should have qualification requirements that are appropriate for the appointment and an exemplary vetting process in place to assure that there are no conflicts of interests, self serving opportunities, or political patronage style loyalties associated with any appointment?…we also believe that residents of the City of Evansville should get a priority when there are equally qualified candidates under consideration?…we believe that the second priority if a qualified city resident is not willing to serve should go to Vanderburgh County residents?…next would come bordering counties etc. etc. etc., until a willing qualified and non conflicted candidate can be seated?…there is no substitution for appropriate qualifications and proper vetting?…for much of Evansville’s history these kinds of appointments have been political patronage appointments for stool pigeons who are selected to vote as they are told and not as they think?…the list of such people is too long for this column?…this is a great time to put an end to the political patronage nonsense and install some extremely quality people into these positions?…it will be nice if they all are from the City of Evansville but if we have to go outside to get the right people that is what we should do?…Councilwoman Connie Robinson was on the right track with her recommendation but focussing on quality instead of only on geography will open the opportunity for people with Evansville’s best interest to serve only when a resident is not willing or qualified?…we just hope the City Council and the Mayor will develop the courage to make appointments based on merit and integrity and put the political patronage old boy nonsense in the past?

IS IT TRUE we hear from reliable sources that Anna Hargis shall announce this afternoon that she shall be a candidate for 3rd Ward City Council seat? …Ms. Harges shall run for this City Council seat as a Republican? …we shall be watching with interest to see if GOP Chairman Wayne Parke and the Mayor attends this event?

IS IT TRUE the financial performance for the building formerly known as The Centre that currently bears the name of a local bank that we do not believe has written a check for the naming rights that were supposedly sold for $14 Million was recently made available to the City County Observer?…for the year that ended on December 31, 2013, the former Centre’s audited financial statement reflects an operating loss of $676,698?…that annual loss brings the accumulated operating losses since the Centre opened to a grand total of $8,927,979?…given the fact that Vanderburgh County borrowed roughly $36 Million to build this cash consuming pink elephant, plus interest the losses placed upon the backs of the taxpayers have most likely crossed the $50 Million barrier with no hope of positive cash flow in sight?…this operating loss as reported does not include servicing the debt on the building?…the name of the building formerly known as The Centre on this report is OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA, AS MANAGED BY SMG?…we guess the first year’s naming rights must have been free?

IS IT TRUE the joy of the Thanksgiving weekend was dampened by the sounds of gunfire on two separate occasions?…a murder was committed in an alley behind the 900 block of South Elliot street that left one of our citizens dead?…later that weekend a young man shot and killed a young lady who was alleged to have been a former girlfriend in the Devonshire Apartments just east of the Washington Square Mall?…that young man then proceeded to take his own life?…we hope these events of Thanksgiving do not happen again as we move into the Christmas season?…each of these victims was the son or daughter of someone and held positive potential?…we hope that anyone contemplating murder and/or suicide will think twice and choose not to do such a thing?

IT IT TRUE the word “feeling” has been creeping back into the political vernacular as a last ditch attempt to appeal to voter’s sensitivities and sidestep their ability to think?…one reason governance according to feelings and emotions is so dubious is that we respond compassionately to the people suffering right in front of us, without considering the suffering of others?…it is too often, the confused, chaotic result is serial empathizing that never stops to consider whether helping this sufferer hurts another?…the second problem with compassionate governance is that when kindness covers all our political principles, we are so preoccupied with relieving the suffering we’re focused on at a given moment that we feel virtuous about trampling procedural impediments that get in our way?…the less “feeling” our elected leaders are and the more “analytical” they are, the better the decisions will be?…I “think” the next time I hear a candidate refer to how they “feel”, I will be voting for their opponent?

IS IT REALLY TRUE WHEN THE PEOPLE FEAR THE GOVERNMENT THERE IS TYRANNY? …WHEN THE GOVERNMENT FEARS THE PEOPLE THERE IS LIBERTY?

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44 COMMENTS

  1. Editor: The young lady’s murder occurred just east of Lawndale, not Washington Square Mall. Devonshire Gardens is north of Washington Square Mall; across Washington Ave.

    • The murder took place at Devonshire Apartments, directly east of Washington Square. I have a family member who lives on Monroe less than a block away from where the murder took place. Devonshire Gardens is indeed just east of Lawndale, but that is not Devonshire apartments is located. I think I misstated the location of the tragedy in my comment on this in the Weekend Open Forum.

  2. Come on Joe, are you even checking the stuff that’s showing up on the CCO anymore? The Evansville Courier & Pravda could probably give you the lead on some of their furloughed copy editors you could hire. You got Barry Russell’s place of residence wrong (he lives in Vanderburgh County, not Warrick County) and no correction or retraction. And now you’ve moved Washington Square Mall north of Washington Ave.
    Tim Etheridge is probably filling his Underoo’s about now…….

    Posey
    Thanks for the pointing out that Barry Russell doesn’t live in Newburgh. You are correct about his place of residence. It has been so noted and corrected.
    Thanks
    Editor

    • See where the editor left those BOLD “NON BIAS” LETTERING in place! Funny those BOLD LETTERING were not used on those other letters!

      • I’ve never seen CCO publish a letter without the legal disclaimer you seem so suspicious of, Arm. It is SOP for publications of this type. Could you please explain what you are getting at?

        • Sorry about the late response!

          Please look again at how the Editor presented the letter! The letter Barry written was about the eligibility change for these boards and commissions. Similar to several other letters that has been shown here of late. This has nothing to do with the “disclaimer” that you drugged in!

          The editor, in bold letters in the first three paragraphs (which was not part of the original letter) that was “not” done on the other letters includes the following!

          It was important to mention that “Barry” was on the water board!
          It was important to mention that he voted for the smart meters!
          It was important that his resident was in Newburgh, then was proved just outside city limits!
          It was important that it was mention that Hydro hire half of the workers from Local 136!

          IT is important that the other letters did not include a editor’s preamble!
          It is important that the other letters did not mention what boards they were on!
          It is important that the other letters did not mention on how they voted!
          It is important that the other letters did not mention contractor or employees on jobs they voted on!
          It is funny that the editor claims unbiased, but there are three “IN BOLD LETTERS” paragraphs that says otherwise that came before the letter was presented!
          It appears there was a smear attempt for Barry/union to Evansville Water/Johnson Control passing off their repair responsibilities!

      • I find it even more funny that C. Rob is a walking conflict of interest. People will never learn she has her own hidden agenda when she opens her mouth. Does she have another person in mind to fill opening positions? Are they qualified? None of her other fill ins are. Will they buy her products? Will they buy products and services from those close to her? Maybe they can join the board on another laundering, I mean funded, failed building project.

    • …..uh Posey, Joe Wallace didn’t write this. It’s easy to tell when he doesn’t. This is like First Grade teacher stuff: “we hope that anyone contemplating murder and/or suicide will think twice and choose not to do such a thing?”

      • Just so the general message isn’t missed, why don’t we suggest that people who are contemplating suicide, or homicide to reach out and get help? Just make it through one more day, get help, and just in general think twice?

        • Exactly right, Bootsie. On Sunday when I commented on this I pointed out that the Holidays always see an uptick in tragedies like this. I hope everyone spends a little extra time with people who appear to be going through a hard time, and encourage them to seek professional help. Counselors and clergy can do a lot, and know how hard this time of year is for some folks.

  3. Monday and Tuesday was wet and gloomy. Like IE says “it always wet on Tuesdays”! Today will be better, no reason not to be moving around on that project. Has anyone seen any “HUNT” trucks milling around in that area?

    It is amazing the “scrutiny” of “conflict of interest” on boards and commissions, but appears that does not apply to most of those elected position in both city and county government! Real estate people pushing to widen roads ect. to open up areas for development which creates mega bucks for their niche of work/income!!!!!!!

    • Arms, You shouldn’t quote me, it’s bad for your reputation, but it is “Tuesdays cause rain.” 🙂

  4. Red Ink? $9 Million not counting interest on the borrowed money? The Centre has been a money loser from Day 1–even with a sky walk to a Hotel across the street it lost money, and it’s still losing. The Question is how long will this be acceptable? another 10yrs and another $10 million down, another 20yrs and $20million added to the red Ink? Time for a better game plan is quite obvious one would think,— but Common Sense continues to be a commodity in short supply in the community’s Politicos.
    I’m amazed they have enough sense to even come in when rains,–maybe they don’t,–no matter,–it’s irrelevant they say,–because the Sun always shines in “Old Downtown”!

    • I wonder if they are making any money off the losing money pit that the tax payers support? If that is true then maybe that’s why they continue to keep the Building going. Plus they can also attend events there and live the life of luxury in a tax payers subsidized building that caters more to the elite than the down trotted. I mean how many back tie events are held at the “Centre” as compared to the Fraud Center. The Fraud Center is where you go to get drunk and throw things onto the ice. Octopi for example or Baseball Hats when someone scores a “hat trick” IE three goals in one game by the same player. Probably most Evansville Icemen Fans know this by now but just in case I threw the hat trick definition in for good measure. It not something that happens in every game or even in a season unless you have a super star player on the team. Most of these minor league teams send their better players up the line to the big leagues.

      • Moveon

        It is obvious you do not attend icemen games and your hockey experience is watching NHL on tv. I would suggest a visit to an icemen game so you may speak correctly about what happens. Also, your wondering was answered in the discussion about the audited financials which were discussed previously. With your wondering and the today’s IIT author’s feelings, you two should get together.

        • I’m sorry what did you just say? You obviously have no clue about me. That’s very obvious. If you know my background you would realize just how far off base you are with your statements. But since you must be a kid I’ll let it slide this time. Like they say Ignorance is bliss. I’ll let you pretend to keep your bliss.

          Enjoy the Icemen games and they need more fans and they can always use the money. 🙂

          If I got to a Professional Ice Hockey Game it will be in St Louis or Nashville. Somewhere where the big boys play the game. 🙂

          Evansville is fortunate to have the Icemen but they are not anywhere near the big leagues and I’m not really interested in attending games in the Fraud Center. But I will say that the fact that we have a Professional Ice Hockey Team representing the city of Evansville, IN is pretty cool. Too bad they are owned by some guy from KY who’s main interest is owning a Horse Racing track and gambling. The way this city is operated I’m not so sure that the Fraud Center will last as long as Roberts Stadium did. Nothing really against the Icemen as I’m glad that they are here in town. Gives the kids something new to do and a place to go. I may go there some day but I doubt it. I’ve seen a lot of hockey. I played the played the game as a player, I coached the game and even refereed some of the games in Evansville and other cities. I was trained in Cincinatti, Ohio at a Pro Hockey Referee School. One of the Engineers who worked at the Aluminum plant in KY grew up in Canada and he wanted his kids to have a hockey team so he started the Ice Hockey Program in Owensboro, KY back in the early 1970’s. He paid for my training and I coached and helped referee the games. I gave that up after referreing a Swonder Broom Ball game one time. The broom ball crowds were pretty rowdy. They would get drunk before the games. I guess they figured if they were drunk it would not hurt so much when they fell down on the ice or something. But it was fun to watch them from a safe distance. It was not safe to be out on the ice with them. LOL Sticks would get up in the air quite often as they lost control and fell down.

          I’ve probably got more stitches in my face from playing Ice Hockey that you have. You see I played in the days before they made everyone wear face shields and some guys didn’t even wear a helmet back then. Goalies didn’t wear protective face masks either. Do you remember those days Kiddo? 🙂 You were still probably just a dream in your father’s mind’s eye back then.

          Have fun watching the Ice men and drink a beer or two for me. eh?

    • Republicans must have deep pockets, running two of their own against Steve Davis (a Democrat)??? Poor Missy will have a hissie fit!

  6. How about an update on this missing earth care money? Anyone else think they personally can borrow that kind of money and the lender would just write it off? I wonder if Bob Jones, Winnecke’a crony, would write off $170k?

  7. The Centre:

    The 2013 Reviewed Financial Statements state that ‘effective 1/1/14, the name was changed to Old National Events Plaza’. That didn’t stop Harding & Shymanski from calling the 2013 Review (as of 12/31/13) ‘The Old National Events Plaza Review’. How does that work ?

    Also, you are 100% correct that ONB has not shelled out $ 14 Million. The 2013 Review Report was not issued until October 2014, and the CPA’s have to disclose any material ‘subsequent events’ up until the date of their report/completion of field work. Not any mention of a cash windfall coming in. If ONB ever does pony up, their dough will be used to subsidize the Hotel, not to prop up the failing Centre (thus, there will be at least $ 34 million of prop up money).

    • I am beginning to think this city is going to drown in a sea of red ink produced by the shiny new assets in Old Downtown, that were going to be such good investments for the future. If people don’t wake up, get informed, and VOTE, the future will be cancelled due to death from an overdose of shiny stuff.
      Selling the Centre to a mega-church seems to be a good idea, and we should donate the Victory to EVSC. I’m not sure there would be any private market for the Fraud Center, but we may be better off demolishing it and selling the materials for salvage. Maybe we should try to sell it to one of the Universities for a portion of what is owed on it, and “eat” the loss. At least, we could look forward to the bleeding stopping at sometime in the future. As of now, all we can see on that site is an endless cash hemorrhage, concentrated at Main and MLK Blvd., from both the Civic Center and the Ford Center.
      As for IUMS, as much as I’ve always wanted it here, we can’t afford it. I hope the Trustees will decide to site it on our version of a Medical Mile, with private backing.

      • The Fraud could bring lucrative implosion rights. It would probably require a high fence to maximize ticket and streaming profits. It looks to be built with that in mind.

        Deeding the Centre to a church would be a good idea. A righteous idea. Plenty of parking, plenty of preachers, servicable auditorium. Right down the yellow brick road from the river in case they get word a cross march is in order. Maybe Steve Schwambach has enough good flock left to take it on. Maybe the Robinson who supplanted him at Bethel would be interested if his gig there doesn’t work out. We need a well managed ‘break-out’ church to take it over. One with a plan to sell stuff right off campus so they can keep it up, or failing that a few well heeled parishioners.

        Maybe Winnecke has heard the people and has pulled the plug on the hotel. They can build it (or can they?) and look north south east and west, conventions aren’t coming. The local ‘promote Evansville’ industry will say to the contrary but we’ve missed what little of that action there was left. Companies aren’t blowing money on those hooker-laden extranvaganzas like they used to. Not to mention Evansville doesn’t have much to offer. Hunden, a half-familiar name around here, thinks different. Imagine that.
        http://hundenpartners.com/database/?tag=evansville
        http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/06/06/5880078/consultant-report-suggesting-the.html
        http://www.governing.com/columns/urban-notebook/col-great-convention-center-bailout.html

        Surely the Poop hasn’t allowed himself to be had again, just like he did by the Earthcare folks.

        • I don’t know about the Poop not getting taken again! I’ve always heard that the easiest person to swindle is a swindler. You know what Dubya said about “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice….um, well….”. I’m sure Hizzoner is of the same mindset.

          • I hope Haney doens’t hear da Poop say that. He’ll think ok, shame on you this time and fly in to do him up again.

  8. ~b~ No hotel construction, … no surprise.

    _____

    IS IT TRUE “the CCO first and foremost believes that all political appointments should have qualification requirements that are appropriate for the appointment and an exemplary vetting process in place to assure that there are no conflicts of interests, self serving opportunities, or political patronage style loyalties associated with any appointment?”

    ~b~ Strange as it may seem: there ARE people of character, talent and energy, who are able to perform Public Service in an unselfish and noble way. IMHO: restrictions that eliminate these from consideration are counter-productive.

    On the other hand: we are seldom fortunate enough to attract these to our dirty little nest of nastiness.
    Therefore? …

    _____

    “IS IT TRUE we hear from reliable sources that Anna Harges shall announce this afternoon that she shall be a candidate for 3rd Ward City Council seat?”

    ~b~ Don’t know Harges, Out of my ignorance and my good nature, she will enjoy the benefit of my doubt.
    (pending future developments)

    _____

    IS IT TRUE “given the fact that Vanderburgh County borrowed roughly $36 Million to build this cash consuming pink elephant, plus interest the losses placed upon the backs of the taxpayers have most likely crossed the $50 Million barrier with no hope of positive cash flow in sight?”

    ~b~ The venue formerly known as “The Centre” was never was/will never be worth its’ salt. A prudent action would be to sell it, or destroy it. Saving it, by investing millions more, (in a hotel or renovation) is a fool’s errand. (good money after bad)

    _____

    IS IT TRUE IS IT TRUE “the joy of the Thanksgiving weekend was dampened by the sounds of gunfire on two separate occasions?…a murder was committed in an alley behind the 900 block of South Elliot street that left one of our citizens dead?…later that weekend a young man shot and killed a young lady who was alleged to have been a former girlfriend in the Devonshire Apartments just east of the Washington Square Mall?”

    ~b~ IT IS TRUE that our Fair City has morphed into a dark, distant shadow of her former self. Many of her people are sick, tired and desperate. Sadly, most of her goodness, that was once so plentiful, has been abused and squandered.

    We will witness more and more of these disturbing events.

    _____

    “IS IT TRUE the word “feeling” has been creeping back into the political vernacular as a last ditch attempt to appeal to voter’s sensitivities and sidestep their ability to think?”

    ~b~ this paragraph, by the editor, is very insightful.
    I believe that much of the chaos we see reported on news media, has manifest by design. I Ignore-ance and cunning manipulation has resulted in the fundamental disturbance of National Peace and Tranquility.

    The most effective means of control, is by fear. Fear trumps logic. In the absence of constructive planning and effective leadership, we have entered a dark and dangerous period in National and Local history. …

    Happy Wednesday!

    • A brief bit of bio on Anna Hargis:

      She is currently employed asExecutive Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. A CPA, she was briefly (11 mos) employed by Bristol Myers. She is active in a charity for children in Myanmar (Burma), and a 2013 alum of Leadership Evansville. The best I can tell, she lives in an area that was recently redistricted into the Third Ward, from the First Ward.
      I don’t live in the third ward, so I won’t be voting for or against her, but will reserve judgment until we see who is supporting her.

      • On her website she’s posing for photos with the usual local scumbags like Mosby, Weaver, Bolin, etc. Not a good sign.

        • Aw, geez…. With her connection to BB&BS, I figure she’s counting on support from Jacobsville people whose kids go there. I wonder where she stands with Gary Jossa and the Dream Center people.

          • What does Big Brothers Big Sisters have to do with Jacobsville other than the fact that there may be some “Littles” from that neighborhood? BBBS is a mentoring program, not a facility.

          • @PD:
            Can you read? That is basically exactly what I said. I know full well what BB&BS is. My point is that her organization and the Dream Center both serve a lot of young people from Jacobsville.

        • Your mention of our illustrious Chief of Police made me think of something I’ve been wondering about. As an employee of an agency that receives funding from the city, state, and federal governments, is he covered by the Hatch Act? He seems to show up for every political function he can find. He is probably entertaining dreams of being the next Mayor-In-Name-Only, but whatever his motives, does anybody know if he is somehow exempt from the Hatch Act?

          • Good question. I wonder what ever became of the time Jeff Kolb filed a “Hatch Act” complaint against Steven Melcher few years back when Kolb lost to him in a election?

  10. Today’s conversations have me wondering about something. Does anybody think it is possible that the ruling cabal has known all along that the hotel wasn’t going to be built? Maybe the promise of Downtown development was invented in order to justify citing of the Med School in our Dead Zone. There are some significant amounts of money going to the “connected” people in anticipation of a fantasy coming true there. Maybe those who “handle” our Mayor-In-Name-Only knew all along that none of the dreams they’re selling would come true. I wonder if the Med School will fall by the wayside, is sited elsewhere or actually goes into our not-so-vibrant downtown.

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