IS IT TRUE? February 8, 2011

IS IT TRUE that Troy Tornatta will be holding his press conference tonight at 5:00 PM?…that the Vanderburgh County Commissioners will meet at precisely the same time at the Civic Center to begin the process to overturn soon to be candidate Tornatta’s signature accomplishment (reversal of anti-smoking ordinance) as a County Commissioner?…that irony is a beautiful thing?…that there are people in town who are expecting that Troy’s coach at USI and current basketball coach at Tennessee Bruce Pearl will join Troy in his announcement of his plans for the future?…that maybe, just maybe, Troy will not be announcing a run for Mayor?…that maybe, just maybe, Coach Pearl will be announcing that Troy will be his new assistance coach in charge of public relations at the University of Tennessee?

IS IT TRUE that one 2nd Ward Democratic candidate for City Council voted for the first time ever in the November, 2010 Vanderburgh County election? ….we ask him what took so long? ….we congratulate him for correcting the errors of his political ways and joining the world of voters?

IS IT TRUE the President and Vice President of SMG met yesterday with the Mayor of Evansville?….that we would like to have been a mouse in the corner to witness this spirited conversation between both parties?….that the above SMG executives also met one on one with elected City and County officials?

IS IT TRUE that a consortium of eight local contractors has filed a lawsuit against the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation?…that they are alleging that the EVSC found a way to dodge the open bidding requirement for public construction jobs by transferring property to a non-profit to have the work done?…that this is precisely what the EVSC did and that attorneys seem to concur that this move was legal?…that the maneuver is tricky and has been used in other locations both to SAVE MONEY and to expedite construction?…that these eight contractors are doing exactly the right thing by airing their grievances in a court of law?…that there is much curiosity in the City of Evansville about this case?

IS IT TRUE that a contract is now in place to demolish the rotting shell of the Executive Inn?…that we so not recall any call for bids going out for that task?…that John Kish has been quoted in public meetings as estimating that the cost to demolish this tattered facility will be 1.0 Million, then $1.2 Million, then $1.5 Million?…that we are quite curious as to what the real cost of demolition will be and whether or not this Million dollar plus project was competitively bid?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,369 days since the announcement was made on May 14, 2007 that the McCurdy Hotel was to be refurbished into luxury apartments?…that it has now been 1,223 days since the Evansville Redevelopment Commission at the request of Mayor Weinzapfel approved the spending of $603,000 to purchase the parking lot?…that City Centre Properties and Scott Kosene the developers of the McCurdy project are both listed as contributors to the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee for 2010?

IS IT TRUE that there are now 641 days remaining in the two years that the EPA had given the City of Evansville to present an acceptable solution to the Combined Sewer Overflow problem?…..that this plan is an expensive and complex endeavor that needs immediate attention to avoid the embarrassment and expense of another round of fines?