IS IT TRUE? Part 2 September 2, 2011

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Sponsor the Jetway Please

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 September 2, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the manager of the Evansville Airport (EVV) that has been repeatedly identified as one of the vital needs to promote economic prosperity and even viability is coming out swinging to get the jetways that have been needed for years to make the EVV experience better and more competitive?…that Doug Joest is actually showing some leadership and publishing some pricing for these essential features of a modern airport?…that it seems as though the price is about $1.5 Million for 4 jetways?…that is only $375,000 each?…that is less than the area Ford dealers are paying per year to buy the naming rights for the Ford Center?…that all 4 jetways will cost $500,000 less than the CVB was wanting to pay for just one ballfield?…that each jetway cost about as much as the “art” for the Ford Center?…that all of the jetways cost as much as 7 Front Door Pride houses?…that given these comparisons we are seriously wondering about the sense of priority with respect to local government spending during recent history?

IS IT TRUE that if 6% bonds were issued with a 20 year term that the payment would be $10,746 per month?…that this is a sponsorship opportunity at less than the cost of a billboard with a captive pedestrian audience if there ever was one?…that you Mr. CEO can sponsor one jetway at the Evansville airport for a paltry $2,686 per month?…that this sponsorship would completely pay for the jetway in 20 years?…that if this can be done with some sense of urgency and without concerning ourselves with waiting around for years to get approved for federal reimbursement then we can have these jetways now while interest rates (and sponsorships) are low instead of waiting around for the federal government to subsidize them and attach a bunch of strings to the project?…that the CCO would jump at the opportunity to help Doug, Diana, and the team at EVV in trying to make something happen the old fashioned way to get some jetways?

IS IT TRUE that many years ago in the days of our youth that Channel 25 crossed the money saving bridge for a new headquarters in Henderson?…that back then it was Channel 50?…that it has been revealed that the recent changes at WTVW Channel 7 will now be changing locations from their longtime home in downtown Evansville and into the Henderson headquarters of WEHT News 25 in Henderson?…that there will be another building available in downtown Evansville when this move plays itself out?

IS IT TRUE that CCO “MOLE #3” is hearing that many political types are spinning the name of Evansville police officer Billy Bolin to replace the Honorable Chief of Police Brad Hill as the next Chief? …that the Billy Bolin supporters are making the following argument why he should be appointed as the next city of Evansville Chief of Police? …that they state that under Billy Bolin’s watch that the department morale shall improve quickly because the rank and file know that he is fair and not afraid to make tough decisions? …they also are saying that the African-American community has a great deal of respect for Mr. Bolin because of his street work on the South Side, Bosse High School as their Liaison Officer, and has experience as a South Sector Crime Prevention Officer? …that they say he not only enjoys an excellent relationship with the top brass of the Vanderburgh Sheriff’s Department but with the rank and file members of that Department? …that they state that Mr. Bolin enjoys an excellent personal relationship with Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann? …they also point out that Mr. Bolin’s leadership involvement with the “GUNS AND HOSES” fund raiser is also a major reason why their candidate should be appointed as the next Evansville Chief of Police?

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25 COMMENTS

  1. So a jetway provides easy entrance and egress from a plane sitting on the tarmac…..this will keep traveling folks from walking across the tarmac and having to climb a flight of stairs to gain access to the terminal…correct?

    I must point out to the people who continually say that parking for the “Ford Center” won’t be hampered by patrons parking on the back 40 and walking to the arena err Ford Center, anybody see a parallel here?

    I know the jetway/airport is a matter of ease and perception but doesn’t that come into play at the Ford center? maybe we could build a jetway from the back 40 to the arena (sorry) and plaster it with ads for D-Pat and other advertisers, we’d have a captive audience.

    On the flip side every time I’ve used the airport I thought it was kinda’ cool to be able to walk right up to the plane you were boarding, it gives you a different perspective on the size of the plane, but I guess no one else really sees it that way.

    JMHO

    • “On the flip side every time I’ve used the airport I thought it was kinda’ cool to be able to walk right up to the plane you were boarding, it gives you a different perspective on the size of the plane, but I guess no one else really sees it that way.”

      Isn’t that nostalgic! Some exec who may want to do future business in Evansville and doesn’t see jetways might wonder what bush county they have landed in. This is a small price to pay to modernize an Evansville “entrance”. There is no parallel between this and parking for the Ford Center.

      • Thank you Sir or Ma’am for your kind words…..and setting me straight on my opinion, I do thank you! (sarcasm) A exec traveling to EVV that hasn’t done his pre-trip homework could be surprised by the lack of jetways but the impression won’t stay with them long as they make that beautiful trip into town passing the old Whirlpool building, the attractive rail yard across the road, if that doesn’t impress them the sheer number of stop lights will surly do the trick. (we won’t even bring in the fact that our roads are in fantastic shape!)

        I would agree that the initial impression of having a jetway would put us on par with other cities, but would it be a lasting impression? doubtful.

        Again JMHO

        • When a person’s opinion is based on something other than fact, then they do need to be set straight. So, your welcome.

          By the way, the new Ford Center makes a lasting impression!

          • You may want to look up the definition of “opinion”

            I’ll give you a start on your quest….

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion
            http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/opinion

            “In casual use, the term opinion may be the result of a person’s perspective, understanding, particular feelings, beliefs, and desires. It may refer to unsubstantiated information, in contrast to knowledge and fact-based beliefs.”

            BTW the Ford Center will leave a lasting impression on all of us who will be paying for it for many years to come, while our sewers overflow into the Ohio.

            JMHO

  2. The only question I would have for Mr Bolin is what is his stance on consolidation of the city and county police departments, does he want to lead or follow?

    Now taking bets on whether the FOP’s PAC will back Davis or Winnecke at their meeting on the 21st, my bet will be Winnecke, anyone?

    JMHO

  3. $ 1,500,000 for these four badly needed jetways is truly chump change compared to the size of our City/County. How much did the Airport Board approve for buying Hamilton’s Golf Course ? This $ 1.5 Million was one of the top negatives of all of the many consulting studies over the last decade, and yet we sat by and couldn’t pull the trigger ? This is the small-town mentality that has been ruining the area for many moons.
    I say a big thumbs up to Doug Joest for getting the ball rolling, and a big raspberry to all prior Airport Board members who sat on there large buttocks for years and couldn’t implement or even extend a hand for $ 1.5 Millon, unbelievable. For how many years has an FAA reimbursement been available, dare we ask ? As bad as this makes the Airport look, it makes the Mayor and many others look like dumb shihites. Take one of those many studies, and pencil in an estimated cost to implement. Next, go after the low-hanging fruit first. $ 1.5 MM to take us out of the stone age was a no brainer a decade ago. I will withdraw the disparaging comment about Thunderbolt Pass just as soon as it hosts a PGA event. Clearly, we needed JETWAYS BEFORE FAIRWAYS !!!

        • Yes, Airport is a public agency, IC 5-14-3-2, (m): “Public Agency”, except as provided in section 2.1 of this chapter means the following:

          (1) Any board, commission, department, division, bureau, committee, agency, office, instrumentality, or authority, by whatever name designated, exercising ay of the executive, administrative, judicial or legislative power of the state.

    • Maybe the Airport Authority could sell that golf course they own in order to raise the needed funds for the jet ways.

      __

  4. Dan is new to the job. Previous airport managers didn’t put this as a priority. Dan cannot be responsible for what previous managers did.

    But to the credit of previous managers, they worked very hard and put their effort into extending the cross runway so that safe landings could be attempted in more weather conditions. This along with exterior improvements that would get the airport to current security standards.

    We have a good airport board and leadership that has a good track record of scoring FAA funds, spending the money wisely, managing the construction/spending well then going back for more. Rarely does a year go by that they don’t do a medium or large improvement project.

    • “Dan” is actually Doug. If you truly believe in your post (that prior managers/board were good), then please explain in detail the successes you refer to, as well as why this item (jetways) was not taken on ? Name the “medium or large improvements”, please.

  5. Editor,

    Your mole listed several worthy reasons why Billy Bolin would be a good choice for Chief of Police, but I would like to add to that list what I believe is the key reason why he should be considered – Leadership.

    The value of any organization is only as good as its leadership. The primary responsibility of any leader is to inspire hope, provide encouragement, promote teamwork, and empower their people to serve.

    Leadership must be done humbly, allowing people to make decisions and take actions, giving credit to others for its successes, yet taking responsibility for any setbacks. This is the style of leadership that I have witnessed from Billy.

    That is why I would follow Billy and encourage others to do so as well.

  7. Hey remember that 1% tax added onto our restaurant food bills to pay for the new terminal that was going to go away when the bonds were paid off? WE ARE STILL PAYING IT! Doesn’t it go to the CVB? How about the CVB pay for the jetways!

    • Ooooh…such a good idea and right up their alley, Ding Ding Ding! We Have A Winner! I think they still have that $18m for the ball fields gathering dust down at ONB.

      • blanger, as John McEnroe would say ” You can not be serious !” ? The CVB gets 1 % of the Food & Beverage Tax, and is sitting on $ 18 Million in Cash ? CVB could have bought those jetways years ago and had plenty of money left for Opus One ! I suppose CVB decided that “the tarmac walk” left a favorable impression on conventioneers & tourists. Stay classy, Evansville !

        • They do not have $18 Million in cash. They have a cash stream that is sufficient to allow them to borrow $18 Million if they are willing to tie it up for 20 years or so. I do think they have a bit over $3 Million on hand though.

          • $ 1.5 Million for Jetways
            16.5 Million loan to Downtown Hotel Developer (TBA Sept. 8th)

            3.0 Million left–already on hand for rainy day

        • Just doing my part time job “stirring the pot” here at the CCO, I help however I can. 😉 ….but I do stand corrected (thanks!), they are sitting on $3m gathering dust in ONB’s vaults.

          • Yes, you do put forth unsubstantiated information. Are you referencing the dictionary because you coloring books are full? The mention of the Center gets people like you worked up and immediately bringing up something like sewers.

  8. New T-Shirt at snorgtees.com:

    Evansville: Jetway to the West !

    (St. Louis already had ‘Gateway’ taken)

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