We hope that today’s “READERS FORUM” 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 we would like to congratulate Mayor Winnecke and his staff for planning a first class presentation concerning building the Deaconess Aquatic Center at Garvin park? …that Mayor Winnecke did a masterful job in convincing that the City can afford to build the Aquatic Center?  …that Olympian Gold Medal winner Lilly King was extremely convincing when she told City Council that the City needs to bit the bullet and build a new Aquatic Center? ..the group of well-prepared swimming enthusiasts also made a convincing argument for this projects?  …we wish that the City could have afforded to build the new Aquatic Center at Robert’s Park?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville City Council voted to approve the construction of a new $28 Million Aquatic Center on Monday evening?…even Evansville’s pride and joy Lilly King who distinguished herself as an Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion was on hand to encourage the expenditure on yet another quasi-fun and games investment?…what escaped many people is that the nationally acclaimed Ms. King developed into an Olympic caliber swimmer without such a facility right here in Evansville?…we say quasi- fun and games because such an Aquatic Center will also serve as a year round opportunity for swimming and host swim competitions in a location that has never had something like this?…the location of Garvin Park is being questioned by some due to the parking issues and the general state of the neighborhood?…it is widely believed that the new Aquatic Center would have been better served by becoming the anchor for the future Roberts Park where the Roberts Stadium once sat?…all in all as such investments go, this is a decent one and will provide opportunities that have not been available in Evansville?…the real question is whether or not the City of Evansville has the cash and willingness to take care of the place?…the list of neglected things is long and includes but is not limited to Mesker Amphitheater, Roberts Stadium, the Victory Theater, Lloyd Swimming pool, dozens of city parks, and of course the condom and heroin needle filled sand boxes for children?…we hope the historically negligent City of Evansville does a better job with the new Aquatic Center?

IS IT TRUE that another bizarre crime was reported with a man on a bicycle carrying a sword has been arrested for trying to use his sword to steal a scooter?…the mental picture of this meth head jousting is both concerning and every bit a skit that Johnny Knoxville would have invented for the Jackass movies?…picturing a knight in tattered clothing galloping on a bike with a sword brings back memories of Don Quixote tilting at windmills while slowly going crazy defending the virtues of a streetwalker named Dulcinea?…much to our surprise, a Sir Galahad imitation on a bike with a sword was done about a year ago in Evansville too?…this is the dumbest crime since some fool tried to climb down the chimney and got stuck in Goosetown?… Evansville is making a name for itself in the dumb crimes world and nothing is ever a surprise in River City?

IS IT TRUE that former Mayor Weinzapfel and his political buddies told us years ago that if a new downtown arena is built the “big” rock and roll acts will come to Evansville?…one of the acts that it was claimed would not come to Evansville because of the stadium rigging was Metallica?…on March 9, 2019 Metallica will be playing at the Yum Center in Louisville?…no date has been announced for Metallica to come to Ford Center and we assume that Evansville is not on the spring tour even though the Ford Center was built and the ceiling will supposedly hold the speakers?…we suspect the whole ruse of building a smaller arena for “big” bands was just lies and that Metallica will not be coming to Evansville as long as they can sell out 20,000 seats a night elsewhere?…it looks like we got fooled again?

IS IT TRUE that Edie Hardcastle, Democratic candidate for State Senate seat District 49, revealed yesterday that her opponent, Republican incumbent Jim Tomes, refuses to participate in a televised debate jointly hosted by the Courier & Press and by WNIN? …that State Senator Jim Tomes decision not to debate his opponent is an insult to his constituents? 

IS IT TRUE we wonder how much the City of Evansville will have their “Rainey Day Fund” account for 2019?

IS IT TRUE we wonder how much did the City subsidized the Evansville Thunderbolts during their 2017-18 hockey season?

IS IT TRUE the very popular community music event “Parksfest” was moved over the weekend from Garvin Park to Old National Events Plaza due to bad weather? …that the “Parksfest” committee and volunteers were in a bind and called upon Vanderburgh County Commissioner Ben Shoulders for his help just in case bad weather hit and it had to be taken inside or canceled? … that County Commissioner Shoulders engaged the General Manager of ONEP, Alexis Beggren, and her team to ensure this event could be moved on such short notice in case of bad weather? …the rain hit and “Parksfest” event has to be held inside and went off without a hitch? ….we give five (5) cheers to Commissioner Ben Shoulders, Alexis Berggren and the entire ONEP team for helping to save this worthy community event? ..we also give five (5) cheers to Nathan Jochum, Zach Evans, Amy Word-Smith and the “Parksfest” committee, volunteers, musicians, and food vendors for putting on a first-class event? …that big things can get done by working together, even if it rains!

IS IT TRUE that University of Evansville student Aulden Nance keeps bugging the heck out of our Editor to do a “Readers Poll” on the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s race?  …we have decided to grant his wishes during the next several days?

Todays“Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that State Senator Jim Tomes decision not to debate his opponent is an insult to his constituents? 

Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, Channel 44 News, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, Hot Jobs” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

STATE SENATOR JIM TOMES REFUSES TO DEBATE CANDIDATE EDIE HARDCASTLE

Multiple Dates Offered, Tomes Declines to Participate   

EVANSVILLE, Indiana – Edie Hardcastle, Democratic candidate for state senate seat District 49, revealed today that her opponent, Republican incumbent Jim Tomes, refuses to participate in a televised debate jointly hosted by the Courier & Press and by WNIN.  He has refused despite being offered three potential dates: October 22^nd, October 24^th, and November 1^st, , any of which Hardcastle has agreed to make herself available.

Hardcastle states: “The Courier & Press and WNIN have invited us both to debate the issues so the public can learn more about us and what we stand for, but Jim Tomes has refused all three opportunities.    I think Hoosiers need someone who is willing to stand up and answer questions about education, wages, and healthcare. What is he afraid of?”  A biology professor at USI, Hardcastle has dubbed her opponent “the gun guy,” because over the last eight years, he has authored legislation that has legalized switchblade knives and sawed-off shotguns, and now wants to put guns in the hands of our teachers.  

Indiana Democratic Party officials echoed Hardcastle’s dismay. John Zody, Chair of the Indiana Democratic Party, said, “This is happening all over Indiana.  Republican candidates are afraid to talk to voters about their record of trying to take away health care, voting rights, and doing nothing to make sure Hoosiers are protected equally or to address the issue of livable wages.” 

Scott Danks, Chair of the Vanderburgh County Democrats, said, “Tomes is refusing to debate because he’s afraid to defend his unpopular, radical ideas. If he’s afraid to stand up to Edie, how can we have confidence he’ll stand up to the other forty-nine State Senators on issues that are critical to his constituents?”

Hardcastle’s platform focuses on three issues: education, jobs, and energy.  She is a proponent of universal pre-K and supports fully funding public schools to improve educational outcomes and to address Indiana’s teacher shortage. She is also a strong proponent of raising the state-level minimum wage to reduce poverty and income inequality, increase economic activity, and encourage job growth. To strengthen District 49’s position as the “crossroads of America” and to attract big business to the area, Hardcastle will work to secure state funding for infrastructure repair, maintenance, and upgrades. And to create jobs, lower energy bills, and counteract pollution and climate change, she will advocate for investment in renewable energy sources.

Hardcastle  has also agreed to attend three other area candidate forums, the first hosted by Indivisible Evansville on Tuesday, September 18^th (7:00 pm at Ivy Tech Auditorium), the second by the West Side Improvement Association on Thursday, September 20^th (6:00 pm at Howell Park Shelter House), and third by the United Neighborhoods of Evansville on Thursday, September 27^th (6:00 pm at the CK Newsome Center). The candidate forums precede the upcoming general election, which will be held on Tuesday, November 6^th, 2018.

(District 49 is comprised of Posey County, five townships in Gibson County, and eight townships in Vanderburgh County.  Jim Tomes has held the District 49 seat since 2010.)

FOOTNOTE: For more information about the Edie Hardcastle, follow her on Facebook and Twitter at @Hardcastle2018, or on Instagram at @hardcastle2018.