“IS IT TRUE” SEPTEMBER 13 2024
IS IT TRUE that there are several beliefs and ambitions within several of the ruling class of Evansville that make very little cognitive sense when all current things are considered?…one of those beliefs that are not validated by fact is that Evansville has a thriving and vibrant downtown and that there is a growing base of the population in downtown Evansville?…this has been asserted for more than a decade. Still, it, unfortunately, is not true or has made little or no difference?…before 2010, there was an effort to provide incentives to get people to move downtown with some success insofar as converting vacated and abandoned retail space into residential units?…the old JC Penney and the old DeJongs were both converted to condominiums and look pretty good?…there were several other properties that converted upstairs space into living quarters?… let’s examine some hard data on how population growth in downtown Evansville has progressed?
IS IT TRUE that between the years of 2012 and 2022 the population of downtown tracts in the City of Evansville decreased by a staggering 15.6%?…during that same 10-year period the population of non-downtown tracts increased a smidgeon by 0.2%?…the income of the people who remained in the downtown tracts increased by 10.5% during that decade and the non-downtown tract dwellers only increased by 8.6%?…that according to the CPI inflation calculator on the website of the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the cumulative inflation rate from 2012 to 2022 was 27.4% meaning that Evansville is not even keeping up with half of the cost of living inside or outside the downtown area?…this may reflect the obsession with fun and games instead of activities that are of substance that create wealth and pay living wages?…with a downtown that is shrinking in population in spite of an abundance of construction and conversions, does it really make sense to aspire to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on riverfront lifestyle projects?
IS IT TRUE that recent FBI data puts Evansville, Indiana at the 22nd most violent crime-ridden city in the United States of America, with a violent crime rate of 8.15 per thousand residents?…that means that there are 21 more violent cities in the nation and list was headed by Memphis, Tennessee but included the legacy pain pits of Detroit, St. Louis, Cleveland, Baltimore, Kansas City and other large places that typically have terrible neighborhoods?…there were even 5 medium-sized cities that are more violent than Evansville is and our midwestern neighbors like Peoria, Dayton and Flint all are more violent?…this is not good company to keep if efforts to grow the population with higher earning people is the goal?
IS IT TRUE that, in the world of politics, maintaining and distributing timely information is one of the keys to success? …that we have been contacted by some local Republicans who are perplexed by the lack of information about precinct committee members (PCs) on the Vanderburgh GOP website? …that the website offers a link for downloading an outdated spreadsheet with PC contact information? …that the last date for adding a name to the spreadsheet was in 2021? …that there is a complete list of all of the PCs, including the new ones elected in the May primary, but the list is not being shared with party members?
IS IT TRUE that Vanderburgh County Republicans have not had a meeting or party-sanctioned gathering since the caucus last spring to select Marsha Abel Barnhart for interim County Clerk? …that PCs that were elected in the May primary have not had the opportunity to attend any official party gathering since taking office? …that many PCs are wondering when their party of choice will bring the members together.
IS IT TRUE that because of the negative vibes and personality conflicts the chair of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party has predicted that Vanderburgh County could vote blue in this coming election as it did in 2008 for Barack Obama? … this is a developing story?
Poorly Managed Aurora Apartments Offered Easy Target for Nonprofit-Driven Migrant ‘Takeover’
Poorly Managed Aurora Apartments Offered Easy Target for Nonprofit-Driven Migrant ‘Takeover
Two publicly funded Denver nonprofits — ViVe Wellness and Organization Papagayo — chose to move thousands of Venezuelan migrants, including some members of the violent Tren de Aragua street gang, into run-down apartment complexes in nearby Aurora precisely because those buildings were poorly managed.
In an email to Aurora City councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky, obtained by National Review, Jessica Prosser, the director of Housing and Community Development for Aurora, says she learned that ViVe and Papagayo were moving migrants into Aurora through conversations with three city, state, and county offices, including the Colorado Office of New Americans (ONA) and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The state and local officials explained that three apartment complexes run by CBZ management were chosen to house the illegal immigrants because the property managers failed to do basic due diligence on their tenants.
“No housing quality inspections were completed to check for even basic life safety concerns prior to placing individuals in apartments,” Prosser writes.
She goes on to say the CBZ apartments were chosen because they “had lower rent, lack of consistency with providing leases, and more leniency with the number of people in each unit.”
View of the apartment complex (Screenshot via CBS Colorado/YouTube)
When reached for comment, Prosser referred NR to her communications department. They did not respond.
CBZ did not respond to a request for comment.
The nonprofits chose to unload the migrants in Aurora without asking permission from the city or coordinating with local officials in any way, Jurinsky told NR.
In February, Aurora reaffirmed their status as a non-sanctuary city and passed a resolution banning the transportation of migrants into city limits.
The resolution “demands that other municipalities and entities do not systematically transport migrants . . . to the city for temporary housing without the City first being given an opportunity to coordinate such assistance.”
‘That’s a Takeover’
Colorado governor Jared Polis and local progressives have tried to downplay the chaos and violence that’s descended on Aurora, pushing back on Mayor Mike Coffman’s claim that the CBZ apartments have been “taken over” by gangs. But, according to Cindy Romero, who used to live at the Edge apartments, that’s exactly what’s happened.
“They want to say there’s no takeover. I don’t know what your definition of ‘takeover’ is, but there were no managers, no owners, the housekeepers were being harassed, and these guys changed the locks to the outside of buildings.”
“I saw them breaking down doors and taking pictures, then showing the apartments to different families like they were real-estate agents.”
According to the same email, ViVe and Papagayo worked together to place “many” individuals and migrant families in the apartments dating back to the spring of 2023 and provided, in some cases, the deposit and three months’ rent. The two nonprofits had placed 8,000 Venezuelan migrants across 2,000 leases in Aurora as of April, according to the Colorado Sun, though it’s unclear exactly how many of those ended up in CBZ buildings.
“That’s a takeover.”
FOOTNOTE: THE City-County Observer posted this article without bias or editing.
BREAKING NEWS: Social Media Threats of School Violence
The Evansville Police Department, along with all local school entities and law enforcement agencies, is aware of the recent threats of school violence that have been circulating nationally and locally on social media. As screenshots and “snapchats” get forwarded it becomes difficult to locate the origin of the “post” or statement, but numerous states and schools have been named in these threats.
The Evansville Police Department understands the seriousness of any type of threat to our schools, even though it may be vague and trending across the country on social media, we want the community to know that we are aware and taking necessary precautions.
EPD has increased our police presence in and around our schools and are vigilant in protecting our community. To ensure safety in our schools we are asking for parents to talk to their children about the importance of social media responsibility and accountability. Please monitor your child’s social media and discuss the dangers-and potential consequences-of posting, and spreading, serious statements such as threatening gun violence in our schools.
Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our community safe.
Explore Evansville Welcomes Special Olympics Indiana Cornhole Tournament
Explore Evansville Welcomes Special Olympics Indiana Cornhole Tournament
State Comptroller Nieshalla Holds NYC Comptroller Accountable
State Comptroller Nieshalla Holds
NYC Comptroller Accountable
STATEHOUSE – New York City Comptroller Brad Lander sent letters demanding the CEOs of Walmart, Costco, Kroger and other large retailers immediately start dispensing the abortion drug, Mifepristone, in every state where the drug is legal in order to maximize sales and long-term shareholder value.
Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla sees this as a faulty fiduciary duty argument.
“If we take this reasoning of the NYC Comptroller to its natural conclusion, there may be short-term gain from drug sales, but there would be lifetimes of loss in the decreased sales of diapers, formula, food, clothing, school supplies and on and on,” said Comptroller Nieshalla.
NYC Comptroller Lander, who serves as the custodian and trustee of $1.32 billion in total pension assets invested in these retail corporations, threatened divestment if the drug was not made available for sale.
“This pressure campaign by the NYC Comptroller disregards all the factors companies consider when deciding whether to sell a particular product,” states Comptroller Nieshalla. “The leaders of Albertsons, Kroger, McKesson, Costco and Walmart should determine what goods best serve their customer base and shareholders (free markets) without coercion from an elected official.”
Costco recently conveyed they had no material demand for the abortion drug.
Comptroller Nieshalla, along with 15 other state financial officers, sent a letter to each of the pharmaceutical leaders urging support to disregard the NYC Comptroller’s recent demands, which prioritize political advocacy over fiduciary duty.
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Calls on Partners to Help Spread Awareness of Indiana’s 988 Crisis Response System
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Calls on Partners to Help Spread Awareness of Indiana’s 988 Crisis Response System
Progress in Development of Crisis Continuum Shared Ahead of National 988 Day on Sunday, Sept. 8
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announces continued progress in building a comprehensive statewide crisis response system that encompasses all three pillars of the crisis continuum — Someone to Contact, Someone to Respond and A Safe Place for Help.
During National Suicide Prevention and National Recovery Month, and to mark the nation’s first 988 Day on Sunday, Sept. 8, FSSA is calling on communities across Indiana to help spread awareness about 988 and make sure that all Hoosiers know that help is just a call, text or chat away. To learn more about what to expect when contacting 988 in Indiana, watch this video.
A toolkit with all the materials needed to help spread awareness is available at 988indiana.org.
Indiana’s five 988 Response Centers’ in-state answer rate of 92% puts the state in the top 10 of the nation. The call centers received more than 7,700 calls in July, compared to 3,700 in July 2022, when the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in Indiana.
The 988 Crisis Response System has rapidly grown, and now has the ability to dispatch mobile crisis teams in more than two-thirds of the state’s 92 counties and has funded 19 Crisis receiving & stabilization service providers, of which 17 are currently operating and open to the public. The final two locations are preparing to open in the coming months, providing a place where Hoosiers can receive services if their crisis cannot be resolved by a call center or mobile crisis team.
“Over the past two years, DMHA has worked diligently to build capacity and statewide coverage for crisis services,” FSSA Secretary Dan Rusyniak, M.D. said. “We are well positioned for the work ahead to ensure all Hoosiers have access to quality, enhanced level of behavioral health services.”
In June 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services named Indiana as one of 10 states selected to participate in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program. To fully develop the state’s behavioral health continuum, the 988 crisis response pillars are an integral part of Indiana’s CCBHC demonstration and mission to fully develop the state’s behavioral health continuum.
About the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
988 is a free, confidential resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing callers a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
If you or someone you know is currently experiencing thoughts of suicide, or a mental health or substance use crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to speak with a trained crisis specialist 24/7/365. For more information, please visit 988Indiana.org.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or…editing
MEDIA ADVISORY: Vincennes University to host Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation quarterly meeting on Sept. 19
MEDIA ADVISORY: Vincennes University to host Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation quarterly meeting on Sept. 19
WHAT:
VU is excited to invite the media and the public to attend the upcoming public session of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s quarterly meeting. The IEDC is led by Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenburg and is governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric Holcomb.
The IEDC is charged with growing the state’s economy, driving economic development and helping businesses launch, grow, and locate in the state.
Attendees will learn more about the state’s strategic initiatives to foster economic growth and innovation in Indiana.
WHEN:
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024
2:30-3:30 p.m. (ET)
WHERE:
Vincennes University
Shake Learning Resource Center – Innovation Room #112
130 E. College Avenue
Vincennes, Indiana 47591