Major IS IT TRUE January 29, 2019 future reference THUBNDERBOLTS

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 the revelation that Evansville City Controller Russ Lloyd Jr., CPA hasn’t paid the $369,000 in Victory Theater bills for 2017 has really got the attention of many people?  …he has taken $369,000 from the 2018 city budget to pay for the operating expenses of the Victory Theater for 2017?  …we wonder how City Controller Lloyd is going to find the money to pay for the Victory Theater bills for 2018?  …we wonder why someone hasn’t contacted the Indiana State Board of Accounts to report this transaction?

IS IT TRUE that the above Victory Theater transaction has inspired us to look into and see if any other questionable financial transactions that have been made by the City of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE last week it was announced that the Thunderbolts Head coach and General Manager are moving on to greener pastures?  …we wish them the best in the future? …their unexpected departure leaves some daunting questions concerning the Thunderbolts hockey team past, present, and future financial activities?

IS IT TRUE last year Scott Schoenike General Manager of VenuWorks of Evansville LLC stood before the Evansville City Council and made some statements that raised many eyebrows?  …during last year budget hearings, Scott Schoenike stated that “VenueWorks aims to break even” at the Ford Center and went on to say that their primary interest is “to bring economic development to downtown Evansville?”

IS IT TRUE to understand what economic risk if any that VenuWorks of Evansville LLC may have with respect to the Evansville Thunderbolts Hockey team, one must first examine addendum #6 to the legal contract agreement between VenuWorks and the City of Evansville that was discreetly funneled through the Evansville Redevelopment Commission? … this legal agreement deals with the operation and control of the Evansville Thunderbolts?  …in addendum #6 of this legal contract, it stated: “VenuWorks shall be entitled to utilize facility (Ford Center) staff and resources reasonably necessary in connection with its operation of the SPHL Franchise?”  … during any such periods in which VenuWorks operates the SPHL Franchise, ALL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE SPHL FRANCHISE SHALL BE DEEMED AN EXPENSE OF THE FACILITY (Ford Center) AND ALL OPERATING REVENUES OF THE SPHL FRANCHISE SHALL BE DEEMED A REVENUE OF THE FACILITY (Ford Center)?”

IS IT TRUE it looks like under the terms of the addendum #6 to the original legal agreement between Venuworks and the City of Evansville that the taxpayers of Evansville are saddled with all the expenses and possible losses associated with the Evansville Thunderbolts hockey team.  It also looks like VenuWorks will be paid a $390,000 fee for management services of the Ford Center even if the Evansville Thunderbolts lose money? … this agreement looks like a heads Venuworks win, and tails the taxpayers lose scenario?

IS IT TRUE the taxpayers and City Council members need to know who is responsible for the paying the for the administrative, support staff and players salaries of the Evansville Thunderbolts?   …the taxpayers and City Council members need to know who is paying for the yearly SPHL franchise fees? …the taxpayers and City Council members need to know who is responsible for away games travel expenses (transportation, meals, and lodging) for the Thunderbolts?  …the taxpayers and members of City Council need to know who is paying for the medical costs for injured players for the Thunderbolts?  …the taxpayers and City Council members need to know who is responsible for paying for the marketing of the Thunderbolts?  …the taxpayers and City Council members need to know who is responsible to pay the costs of providing housing for the Thunderbolts players?  …the taxpayers and City Council members need to know who is responsible to pay for all the costs in getting the FORD CENTER ready for the Thunderbolts to play hockey? …the taxpayers and members of the Evansville City Council need to have an accurate and detailed breakdown down of the profit and loss statements for the 2017-18 Thunderbolt hockey season?  …the taxpayers and City Council members need to know where is the City of Evansville getting the money to cover any possible losses incurred by the Evansville Thunderbolts?

IS IT TRUE the bottom line is that members of City Council are the stewards of the public trust and should start acting like it? …it’s time that the taxpayers and members of the City Council force an open and honest dialogue with City Controller Russ Lloys, Jr., CPA and Mayor Winnecke concerning the current financial status of the Evansville Thunderbolts?  …if they don’t members of the Evansville City Council can expect this will be a  major re-election issue in 2019?

Todays “Readers Poll” question Is: Do you feel that the Winnecke Administration should subsidize the Evansville Thunderbolt hockey team?

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