IS IT TRUE? February 14, 2011

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? February 14, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Housing Authority has hired the Ralph Anderson & Associates of Rocklin, Calif. to locate and interview candidates to be considered to become the next Executive Director of the Evansville Housing Authority? …..that it is refreshing to see that this City of Evansville sponsored board of directors at least didn’t hire a firm from Indianapolis to conduct this search??…that there are 14 searches that are currently published on the company website?…that 13 of those opportunities are in California and on is in Evansville, Indiana?…that it really seems like a reach to hire a search firm that has 100% of its current business in California to do a search for the Evansville, INDIANA Housing Authority?…that they haven’t even developed a profile yet?…that if you wish to apply for this position you may do so at the following website?

http://www.ralphandersen.com/career_opportunities.html

IS IT TRUE we think it is time for other local “main stream media” to ask for copies of the Evansville Housing Authority “Audited Financial Statements” for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009, for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, and for the year ended Dec. 2007? ….this official request should include the Independent Auditors report and related schedules required by the office of Management and Budgets circular A-133 of nonprofit organizations? ….the local “main stream media” could save time by filing a direct request with the City of Evansville Controller office for copy of these audits?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville City Council members Curt John, Dan Adams, Don Walker, Wendy Bredhold, and Dan McGinn have all contacted the City County Observer and answered our challenge to proclaim that they have never accepted free entry to entertainment venues from SMG?…that Councilman John went the extra mile and produced over $2,000 in receipts for entertainment that he paid for with his own money?…that we have yet to hear from any other elected or appointed official including Mayor Weinzapfel, or any elected officials from Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department has the use of a SKYBOX at Roberts Stadium?…that the annual fee for a SKYBOX at Roberts Stadium costs in excess of $10,000 per year?…that we wonder just how much the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department pays for that SKYBOX?…that the board of directors of the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department are paid $3,000 each annually?…that if the SKYBOX were not set aside for the Parks and Rec. Department that it would be available for sale to someone from the private business community at market rates?…that even if the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department pays for the SKYBOX that it is coming out of the right pocket of the City of Evansville and going into the left pocket of the City of Evansville?…that the over $10,000 that could be raised from the sale of that SKYBOX could be allocated to cleaning needles, condoms, and other artifacts of a poor lifestyle from the parks that elementary school children SHOULD BE SAFE PLAYING IN?

IS IT TRUE that the Democrats of Evansville seem to be on the verge of an Egyptian style change of control?…that the Democratic Central Committee led by Mark Owen looks like they will be enlisting in the Army of Trojans and backing Troy Tornatta?…that Rick Davis and his large group of loyal supporters already has a three month lead on Team Troy earned by knocking on door after door in one of the nastiest winters on record?…that it will be a real uphill battle to make up for the lead established by Mr. Davis with his masterful break from the Democratic Machine to gain a three month head start?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #3 has been informed that David Rector did not travel alone to check on the maintenance at some VenuWorks managed facilities?…that Arena project manager John Kish made the trip too?…that we still are wondering who paid for the trip and who authorized the trip since the trip took place after the appointed Advisory Committee had already made their recommendation?

IS IT TRUE that the people over at Vectren are releasing the good news that natural gas prices are lower this winter and actually getting TV time from it?…that the news release said nothing whatsoever about the fact that the electricity to move that nice warm air into your house by powering the air handling system is still 188% higher than it is in Henderson?…that natural gas is a commodity and is priced as a commodity and that Vectren only profits from delivering it?…that electricity is also a commodity but has government approved pricing that is 188% above Henderson’s?…that deregulation and competition across state borders will be the only way that this little corner of SW Indiana will ever be able to compete with its surrounding counties?

IS IT TRUE that the men and women of Evansville would be well advised to do something special for their spouses, lovers, and significant others on this Valentine’s Day?…that the City County Observer encourages all of our readers to spend their Valentine money right here at our fine local businesses?

IS IT TRUE that Sunday’s edition can be seen at http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/02/13/is-it-true-february-13-2011/ and Saturdays can be seen at http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/02/12/is-it-true-february-12-2011/?…that we put the effort into some weekend posts and hope that some of our readers do not miss out on them?

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4 COMMENTS

  1. I don’t understand the questions about Dave Rector. He’s not a city or county employee. He doesn’t report to the Redevelopment Commission or the “Advisory Committee” appointed by the mayor. I think the Building Commission is contracted by the county to maintain county buildings, and just recently contracted with the city to assist maintenance of the stadium. I suppose the Building Commission has its own travel budget, but that could be verified by a reporter without asking the readers first. I don’t see where there’s any need to raise doubt about Rector in this regard. What’s up with that?

  2. I could not help but notice that the head-hunter firm of Anderson & Associates of Rocklin, California is also searching for a City Manager for Davis, California.

    We all know what has happened to California because of their liberal spendthrift ways. Below is what faces anyone interested in taking the job.

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    Most current CAFR for the City of Davis, California

    MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

    Government Accounting Standards Board Statement 34 (GASB 34) requires the City of Davis to provide this overview of its financial activities for the fiscal year. Please read it in conjunction with the accompanying Transmittal Letter and Basic Financial Statements.

    Fiscal Year 2009/10 Financial Highlights

    Like all cities in California, over the past decade Davis lost significant control over its revenues to the State. The diversion of local funds has allowed the State to meet its program funding obligations at the expense of important local services. These financial challenges have forced the City of Davis to search for creative ways to deal with permanent fiscal diversions.

    Over the years the City has implemented various budget balancing measures which have included layoffs, hiring freezes, new taxes and fee increases.

    Financial highlights for the 2009/10 fiscal year include the following:

    Citywide
    • The City’s total net assets decreased $16.1 million to $586 million in fiscal year 2010. At June 30, 2009 the City’s net assets totaled $602 million.
    • Total City revenues, including program and general revenues were $118.1 million, which was an decrease of $2.3 million from the prior year’s $120.4 million.
    • Total Citywide expenses were $134.3million, an increase of $7.million from the prior year’s $127.1 million.
    • Net assets in Governmental funds decreased $17.5 million, while net assets in Businesstype Activities increased $1.4 million.
    • Governmental Program Revenues decreased $5.7 million from fiscal year 2009’s $33.5
    million.
    • Governmental Program Expenses increased $1.8 million from $89.8 million in fiscal 2009.
    • Revenues from Business-type Activities increased $3.3 million in fiscal 2010 from $41.7 million in fiscal 2009.
    • Expenses of Business-type Activities increased $5.3 million in fiscal 2010 from $37.4 million in fiscal 2009.

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    Are we headed down this same path? Has our spending already determined a future for Evansville that will take us down the path Davis, California has traveled, where more and more funds are “diverted” to meet debt service payments for projects of dubious worth? Will our future also be one of “layoffs, hiring freezes, new taxes and fee increases”?

  3. “S IT TRUE that the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department has the use of a SKYBOX at Roberts Stadium?”

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    The Evansville Parks and Recreation Department will hold its next meeting two days from now on Wednesday Feb. 16th at 12:noon in room 301 of the Civic Center. Why not show up and ask them if it is true?

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