IS IT TRUE MAY 8, 2017

IS IT TRUE that the question about just what does it take for a hockey team to make money at the Ford Center while paying enough rent for the Ford Center to pay its bills?…the City County Observer has attempted to show how the Evansville Thunderbolts have lost on and off the ice while seemly bleeding the Ford Center dry with subsidies?…it is common knowledge that the Evansville Icemen lost on the order of $600,000 per year paying market rate rent ($10,000 for each home game) and drawing much larger crowds than the Evansville Thunderdolts?…it’s obvious that even with the Evansville Iceman paying market rent did not make the Ford Center break even?…it seems as though there is not much of a chance for success and ice hockey to coexist in Evansville?…we want to forewarn our readers that an editorial on what it will take to make hockey work is in the works?…someday this week this work will be published?

IS IT TRUE that the City is paying for half of the utilities costs at the FORD CENTER and VenueWork is paying the other half?  …one entity is paying for electric and the other is paying for gas?  …we have no idea who is paying for water?  …we are told that we will be shocked when we find out what the annual costs for utilities for FORD CENTER are?

IS IT TRUE that another retail chain is closing all of their stores?…this time it is long time sports retailer Gander Mountain that has elected to close all 150+ of its stores nationwide?…Gander Mountain joins Sports Authority in getting out of the brick and mortar retail distribution business?…Dicks has been struggling for a couple of years as well?…the only big box sports retailer that is not admitting to any problems is the Bass Pro Shops which cater to a demographic that is less prone to online purchasing?…two things that are wallowing in denial these days are mall owners and cities that depend on sales tax revenue for existence?  …we hope that someone will explain this to 1st Ward City Councilman Dan McGinn (R)?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville has showed up on some national weather maps this week among the parts of the country that have gotten over ten inches of rain in a week?…we all know what that means for the south side of Evansville in terms of raw sewage making its way into the streets and being discharged directly into the Ohio River?…it was pathetic to start learning about the level of neglect that has lead to an EPA mandate to spend a billion dollars to correct for an antiquated combined sewer system?…at that time many felt sorry for  the administration that had to deal with this legacy of neglect and the scourge of disease?…now that it is clear that the powers that be are only concerned about downtown fun and games projects while dedicated to kicking the can of neglect down the road, it has become a joke and a badge of shame?…at some point this $#|+ has got to be fixed?

IS IT TRUE Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Chairman Scott Dank’s requested that the CCO clarify that the Democratic State Party rules prohibit the stating of candidates?  …that Mr. Danks has not taken a position at this time whether he will  be endorsing candidates in the primaries?

IS IT TRUE we expect the At Large Councilwoman Michelle Mercer (R) to make it through the primary without a problem?  …Mercer re-election challenge start the day after the primary election is over with?  …so far Ms Mercer has done everything the Mayor wants?  …if she continues to be the Mayors “puppet” its going to be difficult for her to persuade the voters to re-elect her to a second term

 IS IT TRUE  Missy Mosby primary opponent is a life long democrat?  …he’s from a blue collar working class  background? …we are hearing that many individuals that served on campaign committees of her pasts opponents are supporting his campaign?  …we are hearing that he will be a fiscal watchdog and not a political lap dog for the Mayor?  …he ask us not expose his identify at this point until he complete a series of campaign strategy meetings?  …we agreed to honor his request?  …this is a developing story?

TODAYS “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that any member of the media should be allowed to ask any questions concerning city business during any official city council meeting