IS IT TRUE that a public revelation made in 2023 that the three entities that have partnered for more than a decade to do the economic development work for the City of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, and parts of the surrounding counties have been merged into a single organization impressed some people as a way to save money and concerned others about the concentration of efforts?…the merged entities consist of the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana that did traditional chamber activities like mixers, lobbying, and the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) to mentor micro businesses, the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE) that was formed to foster entrepreneurship in industries that pay a thriving wage, and the Southwest Indiana Coalition for Economic Development that focused on attraction of outside businesses were merged into a new entity called E-REP that stands for Evansville Regional Economic Partnership?…historically government supported the two economic development entities and private businesses supported the Chamber of Commerce?

IS IT TRUE there is much curiosity in the Tri-State about the benefits of merging these entities into one and why the need to do such a thing culminated so rapidly?…it may not have been as fast as it was revealed as an examination of the 990 tax forms for E-REP showing that it was formed three years ago in 2021 inside the Chamber by Tara Barney during her reign as CEO?  …that right after Ms. Barney departed from E-REP the Executive Board did a “National Search” and selected the former Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke to replace MS Barney?

IS IT TRUE one of the City-County Observer “Moles” that is adept at cyber-sleuthing techniques was able to learn that E-REP is a 501c6 which is typical for organizations that employ lobbyists like Chambers of Commerce do?… that Economic Development entities like GAGE and the Coalition are typically either 501c3 or 501c4 organizations that can accept deductible donations from anywhere?…this begs the question “Can E-REP accept money from the governmental entities without reporting where the money was spent?

IS IT TRUE that E-REP has big plans for the Evansville Riverfront?  … that E-REP is planning to develop the Riverfront property starting at the LST down to the Water Pump Station? …that this proposed multi-million dollar capital project along the Evansville Riverfront will include new residential, retail/food & beverage space, and new recreation areas with elevated and street-level walking paths?  …that this project may propose to reroute  Riverfront traffic and move some of the existing attractions/structures?  …that we expect to learn about this big ticket capital project at a formal announcement on the 21st of this month?

IS IT TRUE when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny and when the government fears the people we have Liberty!

FOOTNOTES

“The City-County Observer does not promote or condone discrimination of any kind including preference based on race, gender, identity, or political preference.

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OBITUARY OF COMMUNITY ICON MARK DAVIDSON FREEMAN

Mark Davidson Freeman, 71, while surrounded by the family he loved so dearly, met Jesus face to face on May 12, 2024. Not only was he welcomed into Jesus’s arms, but also the arms of his mother, Rosemary (Rosie) Freeman, and his father, John (Jack) Freeman. There is no doubt that Rosie tried to race Jesus to get to Mark first. He is survived by the love of his life since he was 16, Ramona (Monie) Freeman. They were blessed to celebrate their 50th-anniversary last summer. He is also survived by his three daughters, Jennifer (Eric) Folz, Jessica (Josh) Rabuck, and Jaclyn (Danny) Moore, and grandchildren Will, Maddie, Izzy, and Lucy Folz, Grace, Isaac, and Ellie Rabuck, and Ruthie, Teddy, and Hannie Moore. He is also survived by his brother, Patrick (Jeanne) Freeman, and many nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his four beloved grand-dogs, Blu, Winnie, Lola, and Poppy.

Born on June 15, 1952, the second of two boys, Mark claimed to rule Helfrich Park with a purple bike and a group of friends finding trouble if it did not find them first. His mother confirmed what we also know—he had a big heart from the start wanting nothing more than to follow his beloved big brother and stay close to his mom. He graduated from Mater Dei High School in 1970, where he excelled at football. He went on to play at the University of Evansville where he broke many records and was inducted into the Purple Aces Hall of Fame in 1988. After graduating from college, he worked at IBM for over 30 years and then retired to become the first CIO at Berry Global and retired from there in 2016.

His favorite title was Dad. Mark’s girls changed him from a tough football player to a dad who was seen on a few occasions with curlers in his hair and painted nails. One of his greatest goals in life was to see his girls happy, even going as far as promising to buy them horses, buying ducks for his grandchildren on a whim, and “grounding” his daughters only if they didn’t have plans. He wanted nothing more than his “Mon” nearby holding his hand, and his girls together for “soup Sundays.” He also loved time with his family in Florida, staying late on the beach with his blue cooler until the sun went down or the beer ran out. He was arguably the best sandcastle and sand alligator creator on the beach.

As he grew, so did his faith. He dedicated his life to God and to various ministries including St. Vincent Daycare and a high school worship team. What his girls thought was a “mid-life crisis” – when he learned to play the guitar – led to God using Him to change many lives through His beautiful music ministry at Mater Dei High School. This program grew to include other churches, and his influence on his “kids” made loving God “cool.” He displayed the deep love of Jesus to all he met and encountered.

Mark loved being with the people he held dear. He enjoyed Wednesday breakfasts with his high school friends, afternoons on the course with his golfing companions, and time spent with his college football buddies. He also loved his time with new friends he made at his mom’s nursing home. He continued to visit the residents he came to know and love even after his mom passed.

Mark loved his people well. He was the best husband, father, brother, papa, uncle and friend. He will be deeply loved and missed. We know for certain that he is in heaven, a place with no drive-throughs to stress him out and plenty of monkey and dog videos to make him laugh. We know he has joined those he loved in heaven and now dances with his mom, hugs his dad tight, and is making friends with anyone he sees, just as he did Earthside. We rejoice in the hope that Jesus saved a guitar for him, and he is worshipping Jesus in heaven, with no more sorrow or tears and only the fullness of joy.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV