IS IT TRUE September 24, 2015

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IS IT TRUE we would like to personally thank the COURIER AND PRESS and TV CHANNEL 44  for showing up to cover the Veterans “Call To Assemble” Questions/Answers gathering yesterday?  …we were disappointed in the lack of attendence of the event? …we are pleased that the Vanderburgh County Veterans Council also announced that next year they will be hosting another “Call To Assemble” for the 2016 Vanderburgh County elections?

IS IT TRUE we are grateful to the Vanderburgh County Veterans Council for hosting the “Call to Assemble” last night at the Veterans’ Coliseum?  …we were impressed with the candidates who attended and gave thoughtful answers to the questions posed? ..special thanks are extended to Mayoral candidates Steve Wozniak (I) and State Representative Gail Riecken (D) for their time and efforts in addressing the issues? …current Mayor Lloyd Winnecke was a no show at the event, as well as City Council Candidates Jack Schreiber, Bart Gadeau,  James Brinkmeyer, Missy Mosby,  Jonathan Weaver, Dan McGinn and City Clerk Candidate Laura Windhorst?.

IS IT TRUE the 2016 City of Evansville budget will be voted on next Monday night? …there will be eight members present, as Councilwoman Connie Robinson will be out of town on business? …the amended budget, which has been reduced from its original amount of approximately $87 million, is still a larger budget than in 2015? …we predict that the vote will four to four and the budget ordinance will fail? …those opposing the budget will be Council Members Al Lindsey, Conor O’Daniel, Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley and John Friend?

IS IT TRUE those voting no will cite they cannot vote for a budget allowing spending at a level that will not be covered with available revenue? …Controller Russ Lloyd, Jr. told City Council recently at a meeting revenue for the civil budget for 2016 is likely to be under $80 million? …Revenue for the City operating budget the last three years has been largely flat at no more than $76.5 million? …The increase for 2016 does not come from an increase in property taxes but largely comes from an increased fee to cable companies and a higher annual payment in lieu of taxes from Evansville Water and Sewer? …the Administration’s efforts to find new revenue sources should be applauded, but the City has a problem with largely stagnant revenue and the inability to keep up with the growth in fixed costs?

IS IT TRUE the City Council cannot in good conscious vote for a budget that allows $85 million in spending? …the Administration will argue it will not actually spend $85 million, and mostly because the money won’t be there to spend, but the high cap is likely to mean the Administration will continue to spend more than it takes in?

IS IT TRUE in looking at labor costs as 87% of the civil budget, one cannot help but focus in on the 39-44 new employees that have been hired? …not all are full-time, but most are full-time, and all are perpetual? …the 87% percent of the budget in fixed costs is a jump from the 82% of the previous administration? …when the Capital Improvement Plan for 2016 is added to the civil City budget, non discretionary spending is 66%? …the City of Evansville mirrors the Federal Government’s annual budget in that only about one third of the budget is discretionary? …the rest of the budget is allocated to fixed costs and debt service?

IS IT TRUE the budget once voted down next Monday will return to the Administration to either change or to try again at the first meeting in October when Councilwoman Connie Robinson will be present?  …Councilwoman Robinson is the tie breaking vote on the currently proposed budget?  …we predict if she is forced to vote,  she will vote no for the reasons outlined above?  …although Mayor Winnecke has spent less than what has been budgeted in 2013 and 2014, he has spent more than what was received in revenue for those years?  …City Council is obligated to stop this trend and reduce approved spending to estimated actual revenue?

IS IT TRUE the budget must be approved or officially declined by the end of October?  …with Mayor Winnecke being so bad at a game of chicken, we predict that he will further reduce his spending after next week’s meeting? …we also predict he will continue to avoid personal conversations with City Council members?  …he has not at this point reached out to speak with Al Lindsey, Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley or Connie Robinson? …it seems foolish to ignore a third of one’s voters?

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30 COMMENTS

  1. The CCO prides itself on transparency. What is Connie Robinson’s vote on the budget? Why hasn’t the CCO asked Connie Robinson to make public her vote on the budget now? Is this an unreasonable request? Is there ANY doubt as to what Connie Robinson’s vote is? Is THAT the issue? CCO, will you not request Connie Robinson make her vote known now?

  2. Article in local newspaper this morning: FOP endorses Winnecke.

    No surprise there, but the reasoning is that the FOP really (really !) wants to keep those take-home cars. Spendicke is all for that ! Gail was not in favor of that, pointing out that crime is up 28% and questioning the deterrent value of the take-home squad cars.

    Riecken 1, Spendicke 0 (with continued burden on city finances).

    Let the LEO’s buy their own gas and donuts in this town, for crying out loud !

    • Asking cops to pay for their own expenses like the rest of us? Shhh your comment my get deleted and Baloon pilot might have an aneurysm.

      • City paid benefits plus their $30/hr “event security” after-hours jobs at weddings, parties, fund raisers, etc. And a great pension/retirement plan. And double-dipping with a second job after retirement. Yep, the local EPD have it pretty good which explains why so many of them have ‘vettes and big Harley’s.

      • After your terrible comments about police officers was taken down, and properly so, you clearly have no standing here to speak to any issue involving the police.

        • BaloonPilot, agree 100% about EB’s recent idiotic and inflammatory comments about Police Officers. I thank the CCO Editor for removing that trash post and it’s lucky for EB that he wasn’t banned from the CC0.

    • Matt. Riecken is right about one thing. Police cars that are taken home- to Warrick County- are no deterrent to crime in Vanderburgh county.

      • @commonsense, good catch re: Warrick County residing policemen having no deterrent value here. Same with the many EPD officers who live in Posey County. I think Riecken is right about the entire program (it should be discontinued)), there is simply no data which supports a deterrent value, and the fact remains that crime is up (28%), not declining.

        Next, the FOP will endorse Weaver and spousal abuse ?

      • We are paying for one to drive to Degonia Springs. I’m sure there are some further than that even.

      • Warrick County LEOs bring their cars home to evansville. There is one parked on washington av just west of weinbach in the drive every day.

    • I will have to disagree with most of you on the squad car issue. They should be provided as a crime deterrent where that deterrent is necessary. This would also help DMD with Community Development. There are some areas where they park that tank and any police officer who builds a new home in those rundown areas and willing to live right there where the crime is, should have a drive home car maybe even one of those tanks. DMD might even make him a good deal on the new houses they build and cant sell for half of what it cost to build because of the neighorhood they are in.

      • Yes, Mr. Lumley, it is your opinion that there is a deterrent value to the take-homes, but neither you or anyone else can possibly measure that effect.

        That being the case, how can you criticize KC when he pontificates about the value of Brownfields, Haney’s Corner subsidies and signs, North Main project, etc. ? KC also has not a scintilla of proof re: his boasts.

        Just trying to be equal, George, love what you’re doing on Blight . . .

  3. I swung in for a few minutes and was disappointed more people didn’t show up. 50 people, most of them the candidates and their families…

    I wish people in Evansville were more engaged.

  4. CCO, where is your withering condemnation of Jack Schriber;s bald ass lie yesterday re: $ 52 Million in General Fund?

    • If your not a Veteran you would not know, its a call to voice our basic concern’s. Hell if we didn’t assemble to defend you, You couldn’t even get by with writing on this small town Evansville dirge.
      Big guy I’m calling puss on you, how big do you feel now?

      • Puss on you I am not a vet but I feel vets are very mistreated in our society I also thank all of them very much. So screw you.

  6. There was no coverage in today’s Evansville Courier&Press (print edition) on yesterday’s Veteran”s Call to Assemble. Thanking them might be a little premature. Better to wait and see what they have to say about the event.

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