We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

IS IT TRUE recently it was reported in the City County Observer that the downtown Evansville Doubletree Hotel that was paid for with taxpayer dollars footing more than half of the cost needs to reduce it’s room rate to closer to $90 to be competitive with other hotels in greater Evansville?…in an online search for the going rate that include Expedia, Priceline, Hotels, Booking, Hotwire, Travelocity and many other travel websites, the going rate at the Doubletree is exactly $95?…this is competitive but is a far cry from the $125 per night average touted in the pro-forma that was used to sign the City Council up to subsidize the place? …this $30 decrease (25%) could mean that the demand for downtown Evansville room nights is not what people deluded themselves into believing?…it could also mean that the time is coming when the operator will be coming back to the well for more subsidies to keep the doors open?

IS IT TRUE the other number that needs to be investigated is the occupancy rate that was touted at 65% in the beginning phase of the project?…it is believed that the occupancy rate is actually slightly below 60% just like most other Evansville hotels?…this double whammy of price contraction and occupancy underage adds up to a 30% revenue shortfall when compared to the best laid plans of developers and politicians?…that is much better than the financial performance of the Ford Center and the hockey team but we hope its not a warning that the owners will be back with their hat in their hand at some point?…in a transparent city, the real performance numbers for capital projects put into place by past and current city administrations need to be made public?

IS IT TRUE we are pleased to announce that a new online publication, the City-County Banner, will be launching sometime during February, 2019? …The City-County Banner will service Orange and Dubois counties, specifically focusing on the cities of Jasper, Huntingburg, French Lick, and Paoli?  …the City-County Observer will be a media partner with the City-County Banner and both papers will be operating as corridor newspapers?  …this publishing partnership between the City County Observer and the City-County Banner will provide articles and advertisements published in both papers to readers in cities stretching from Paoli to Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that the not-for-profit ‘Funk In The City’ was founded in 2005? …in 2008 Ashley Vezzoso Schaefer became the President/CEO of this organization? …that since 2008 Mrs. Schaefer has organized many worthy cultural and social events on behalf of “Funk In The City” in the Haynie Corner Arts District? …in 2018, Ashley Vezzoso Schaefer created a Board Of Directors to help guide and spearheaded future social and curtail events in the Haynie Corner Arts District? …we are told that the new Board of Directors of “Funk In The City” are an impressive group? ….we are told in the coming weeks the new Board of Directors will do a casual review of the “Funk In The City” financial records to make sure everything is in order? …once this task is completed the Board Of Directors will be focusing on planning  future fundraising events for this worthy charitable organization? …we congratulate “Funk IN The City” for sponsoring a “Toys For Kids Christmas” party for disadvantage kids living in  the Center City area?

IS IT TRUE we would like to congratulate State Rep. Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) for being selected as a member of Indiana House leadership? …that Mr. Hatfield will serve as Assistant House Democratic Floor Leader for the 2019-2020 sessions of the Indiana General Assembly?

IS IT TRUE that it is now known that the City of Evansville had eleven murders in 2018 which is down 45% from the record setting 20 murders in 2017?…this slowdown in murders is encouraging but the eleven murders are still historically high for Evansville and the 2017 rate was double the murder rate of the United States at just under 10 for each 100,000 people? …its not known why 2017 ran off the rails with murder? … but we must point out the 2018 figure is a is 45% improvement over the 2017 rate?

IS IT TRUE we congratulate local attorney Josh Claybourn for being elevated by Jackson Kelly PLLC?  …Josh is also the city attorney for the Evansville City Council?

IS IT TRUE that we are told that a candidate for the Evansville City Council will demand that the results of the Forensic Audit and the EPD criminal investigation of ECHO HOUSING Corp. be immediately be made public?

IS IT TRUE its been alleged by reliable sources that several city employees were given questionable overtime pay?

ANALYSIS OF GOVERNOR HOLCOMB STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH

BY GAIL RIECKEN, CCO STATEHOUSE EDITOR

Last night Governor Eric Holcomb gave his annual State of the State speech to the General Assembly.

As expected, he talked of investing in infrastructure, stepping up the fight to end the opioid epidemic and making government more efficient. He wants to keep about 1.8 billion in reserve.

What seems to be the passion of the Governor’s initiatives is his workforce initiative.  The Governor said tonight he will be the push to reorient our educational system to take vocational/career – talent – training to the “Next Level” in order to increase post-secondary certifications and degrees-even while in high school

He sounds like he would support what an education leader in southeastern Indiana is doing in his school system.  This rural educator has made aggressive changes in the curriculum resulting in a dramatic increase in more students graduating high school with industry recognized certifications and/or associate degrees.

The educator reasons his approach this way.  He says over the years we have increased learning expectations by two school years. So, let’s take advantage of this and change the expectations in those last two years of high school, focus the students more on a career and give them a head start in college or finding a job.

The Governor should have no trouble getting his education agenda passed. The legislature gave him a boost in 2017 when they passed legislation allowing the governor to appoint the superintendent of public instruction, right now a statewide elected position.  He will have assured, built-in cooperation.

As a matter of fact, the Governor should have an easy road getting all his budget priorities funded. The lack of strong fiscal leadership by Senators like Luke Kenley, Brandt Hershman and President David Long, all who have left the Senate, has opened a door for the Governor’s budget staff to assume that leadership. Staff members Jason Dudich and Micah Vincent, so far, have shown they are up to the task.

I am not sure what will happen with teacher pay raises. More money is coming the way to education but without specific legislation like that of Representative Hatfield’s HB 1611 that requires a minimum salary for a full-time teach to $50,000, there is no guarantee the increase in monies to the schools will reach the teachers.

Little notice was given to the Governor’s agenda for the health of our children, but we know he wants to increase funding for the Department of Child Services, which we all want. He also wants to boost rural broadband, which has been a critical need for some time.

And, last, we know the Governor wants a hate crimes bill passed. It is the right thing to do and he knows it. Big business wants it and the Governor should use his political influence in the legislature to make it happen. I join many others in wishing him the best of luck here.

As I might want to say,” the game is over” now that the Governor has spelled out the rules. But, the reality is that the game has just begun and in the General Assembly it is never over until the last minute – adjournment, sine die, which is April 29 this year.

The House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday will consider State Rep. Holli Sullivan’s (R-Evansville) legislation to strengthen Indiana’s workforce pipeline.

Sullivan said House Bill 1002 would reallocate funds to proven workforce programs so Hoosiers could increase their certifications, earn stackable credentials and secure high-paying jobs in high-demand fields to meet the changing needs of Indiana employers.

“Indiana is ranked among the top 10 in the nation for our business climate and pro-growth policies, but more needs to be done to build up our workforce and better prepare Hoosiers for careers in high-demand fields,” Sullivan said. “By building off of our previous work, promoting early career exploration and encouraging employers to participate in successful workforce programs, we can increase our talent pipelines and fill the needs of businesses today and in the future.”

According to Sullivan, the legislation would also prioritize career and technical education and provide additional flexibility for schools to partner with employers and establish work-based learning opportunities.

The committee will meet upon the adjournment of session on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Statehouse. Visit iga.in.gov to watch the committee hearing live and learn more about House Bill 1002.

OPPOSED TO LIBRARY DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR

by THERESE FINN

My name is Therese Finn and I live in Evansville. I do not support the drag queen story hour plans with the library.  I presently have my own business but also have a college background in Child Development and Family life as well as having raised 4 children.

I think as tax payers and as voters we as citizens have the right to know where our leaders stand on this issue and what if anything you are willing to do about it.  Along with many things I could say about the harmful effects this has on our child’s brain and development

I also am appalled at the library’s obvious liberal agenda. I do not believe that Evansville wishes to follow the same path as some other states like New York and California who have been an avid proponent of this project. As a business owner I am very aware that the reason people move out of some of these areas and into the Midwest is because we have common sense conservative values that support both business and family life in a positive way.  This program does not support the voters and taxpayers in any way and is an embarrassment to the values and goals of this area.

I would also like to say that if there are positions on the EVPL board that are open I would be willing to consider serving in this capacity.

Sincerely, 

THERESE FINN

FOOTNOTE: The City-County Observer posted this article with bias or editing.