“IS IT TRUE” FEBRUARY 4, 2020

We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

IS IT TRUE that some connections are being made that cause people to think there is more to Crescent Valley Capital LLC and its current relationship with Hope of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE recently it was revealed that Crescent Valley Capital bought a distressed house at 101 East Tennessee Street for $5,000 and sold it to Hope of Evansville 6 weeks later for $11,000 making a 120% profit in a period of six weeks?…it was also revealed in the HOPE OF Evansville newsletter that after making a quick and easy $6,000 profit that amounted to 120% that Hope of Evansville turned around and hired Crescent Valley Capital to do the $240,000 refurbishment of the very house that they bought from them?

IS IT TRUE the above transaction really seems like a close relationship that should raise questions from whatever firm audits the financial records of Hope of Evansville?…the 2018 form 990 for Hope of Evansville even includes a statement that discussions of conflicts of interests may be presented to the board of directors from time to time?

IS IT TRUE one must wonder why such an explicit statement on conflicts of interest would be necessary for the non-profit that deals in affordable housing?  …we wonder why haven’t the self-proclaimed investigative reporters from the mainstream media haven’t given a serious look at this transaction?

IS IT TRUE last night the Vanderburgh County Commissioner Ben Shoulders was honored last night as outgoing President of the Board and Chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Evansville?….that Commissioner Shoulders served as emcee of the “Boys And Girl Club” Annual Meeting and got choked up as he accepted the award in front of his family, friends and hundreds of people in attendance? …we give County Commissioner Ben Shoulders five (5) cheers for the sacrifice of his time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the children of the “Boys and Girls Club” of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE several years ago the CCO ran an article about local elected officials were quietly trying to do away with our Local Option Income (LIT) Taxes? …we dubbed this attempted backroom political deal “Sneaky But Legal”? …when we exposed this “SENEGAL” deal those involved ran like “Court House Rats”?

IS IT TRUE we are now told that our elected officials in Indy are talking about making some major adjustments on how members on the LIT COUNCIL can vote on making adjustments to our local Option Income (LIT) Taxes?

IS IT TRUE it seems like another backroom political SENEGAL deal has unconditional support in the Indiana House of Representatives? …if the State Senate agrees with House bill, HB 1065 you will see a significant change in the law on how members of the LIT Council can vote on rural tax issues?

IS IT TRUE we been told that the State Representative representing the taxpayers in the rural areas say this bill is about county residents being treated fairly? …others say it will cause cities like Evansville financial challenges?

IS IT TRUE we are told that HB1108 will give the State Board of Accounts (SBA) greater access to information and tools for better enforcement of state law and protection of taxpayers?

IS IT TRUE that HB1108 sailed through the House without any problems and yet it can cause big problems for local government? …that SBA will now be able to subpoena locals to make them file a report and not just subpoena them for an interview; if a quasi-government agency doesn’t do an annual report and doesn’t have something in their bylaws about filing, the law will say they must and send a copy to SBA?

IS IT TRUE that the Indiana Supreme Court said the SBA can’t fire an officer but if this goes through the court and can be charged a civil penalty of $500 a day?