Mole #3’s Farewell Letter to Evansville and Predictions for Today’s Elections

While I have enjoyed my time in the city of Evansville it is time for me to say goodbye and enjoy my time with my family. This will be my final correspondence with the readers of the City-County Observer. My family and I are off to Florida where I intend to relocate to the peacefulness of beautiful sunny days, shady palm trees and the sound of ocean waves to lull me to sleep at night.

This year’s Evansville city election process has been the most interesting and exciting. The daily twists and turns that have affected the opinions of voters have been substantial. It’s obvious we may not have had a transparent city administration for the last four years but thanks to the City-County Observer, Mole Nation and its intellectual posters of comments together we have forced transparency in Vanderburgh County government.

Wishing you farewell, I offer you my final predictions for this Tuesday’s election. It is my prayerful thought that whoever is elected mayor this coming Tuesday will be true stewards of the public trust.

MAYOR’S RACE

The mayoral race is going to be extremely close. Both men have worked diligently and have given us their honest opinions on their ideas of how the future of Evansville should look. Their campaigns have been respectful and classy regardless of the disruptions provided by other self-serving political players. My prediction for the winner is Rick Davis by a extremely slim margin of 500 votes or less only because Evansville is a historically Democrat city. From day one of Mr. Davis’s political aspirations to become mayor of Evansville his campaign has been sabotaged by certain power brokers of his own party. Mayor Weinzapfel, Mark Owens, Connie Robinson, Curt John, and others have done everything in their power to derail Rick’s campaign. Rick is a intelligent man of integrity, honesty and diligence. He has shown the determination and the will to fight for what he believes in, the makings of a true leader. Rick Davis has the heart of a lion.

Understand that I think very highly of Mr. Winnecke and I have no doubt that he has background and experience to become an outstanding mayor if elected. He is personal, engaging and connected. He would be able to attract the right people to make him an effective mayor. It is difficult to tell whether the support of the status quo Democrats has helped or damaged his chances of becoming the mayor of Evansville. Regardless of who wins this Tuesday the city of Evansville will begin to restore itself to what it once was, one of the greatest places to live and raise a family.

MY REMAINING ELECTION PREDICTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

CITY CLERK: Alberta Matlock will be victorious by a less than comfortable margin. It is important to note the J.D. Strouth is an intelligent, honest and religious man that if elected will serve the public well in this position.

2nd WARD CITY COUNCIL: Missy Mosby wins by a less than expected margin. In fact it will be a nervous election night for her. Because she did not publicly engage Mr. Davis’s campaign she will be walking a political tight rope that night. None-the-less, this is a very strong Democrat ward and she will pull a much earned victory. I do believe that Lon Walters if elected will serve the public well. He is known for sound business principals, honest and has a very straight-forward attitude. This race actually all of the ingredients to provide Walters with the perfect storm needed to pull off a political upset.

3rd WARD CITY COUNCIL: Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley wins by a decent margin in a historically Democrat Ward. Her opponent has run a great campaign and should not be forgotten. He is bright and intelligent. No matter who becomes mayor Mr. Leibundguth’s talents should not go to waste. He will prove to be valuable on any number of boards or committees he is appointed to.

5th WARD CITY COUNCIL: John Friend is victorious by a less than comfortable margin. Most of his political career has been spent falling in line behind Mayor Weinzapfel. However, over the last year he began to break from the confines of conformity and political dictatorial mandates of Mayor Weinzapfel. In fact he has shown himself to be an independent thinker by vocally disagreeing with city budget proceedings. He was able to use his influence and professional knowledge to correct the problems within the budget process. He has also taken the lead in the fight against the frequent rate raises of the Vectren Corporation by voicing the unjustness that is being forced onto our citizens.

Friend’s opponent Brent Grafton also has a decent probability to pull off a slight upset. This is a Republican leaning year when even good Democrats are being tossed out of office for their guilt by association. Grafton is an honest and successful businessman whose love for Evansville is truly transparent. In the second most Republican leaning Ward in Evansville anything can happen.

6th WARD CITY COUNCIL: Al Lindsay is a big winner in this contest because the West Side is a proud Democrat community. Although I feel the same about his opponent Mr. Short as I do about 3rd ward candidate Alan Leibundguth. Mr. Short is a young and passionate man that this city deserves to be served by in some capacity. He no doubt has a bright future and will be a valuable resource to the next group of city leaders.

CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE: Dan Adams is an absolute winner of one of the seats available. He has proven to be an independent thinker and has on many occasions voted for what he believes to be right regardless of outside pressures. The other two available seats will be won by a nose in a squeaker by Bill Kramer and Michelle Mercer, with Pete Swaim taking the 4th slot by less than 100 votes.

I cannot thank the City-County Observer enough for providing an outlet for truth and openness for the good of the great citizens of Evansville. Public servants are elected by the people, for the people and to represent the people in the best interest of the community. They should be accessible and accountable to the citizens they serve. Public service should be an honor never to be taken advantage of. Keep your eyes, ears and mind open Evansville. The “ Political Machine” is nearing its end. After Tuesday you will be provided with a chance for a fresh start. Take advantage of this opportunity to make Evansville and Vanderburgh County a community you are proud to call home.

“When people fear its government there is tyranny. When government fears its people there is freedom!”

God Bless America and Evansville-Vanderburgh County Indiana!

Mole #3

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