Observations And Opinions On CORE Reorganization Meeting.

I attended COREs Tuesday night reorganization meeting. It was well lead and organized. I could tell some thought and preparation had went into the planning, yet the leadership had allowed flexibility for comments and input for the restructuring. It was well attended and I sensed that I was surrounded by many intelligent, well informed, and thoughtful people. I was impressed by the number of political officials and hopefuls who attended, and they all deserve commendation for attending. Their input was often informative and educational. Their presence gave evidence that CORE does carry some weight in the Evansville community.

A mission statement of education, engagement and empowerment was presented along with a suggestion that the group would be named E3. One of the objectives discussed was that this group could be a resource where leaders and citizens could come together to understand both the function and concerns of our leaders while they also heard our voice. The majority of us learned for the first time from Cheryl Musgrave exactly how the property tax cap works. That einformation was a great example of the education function of the mission statement.

Most of the time was spent listing perceived concerns which were listed on poster boards hung on the walls and lightly discussed. A few of us described the concerns posted as weeds which included concerns for roads and sidewalks, transparency and accountability in government, health risk from fluoride and meters, government waste, blight in Evansville, and the fate of Mesker Amphitheater. To“cut down the weeds” an informal straw poll was taken in which we were asked to vote for our top three. Transparency in government, financial accountability, and explanations of the function of the DMD were the top three picks. I was pleased to see that there was a commitment to, while asking for explanations, witch hunts not being tolerated.

My top pick was Mesker Amphitheater. While the top picks by all means are top shelve concerns, they are intangible, a bit trite in political jargon, and difficult to measure, I feel that a focus on Mesker could bring the top issue to bare with a tangible asset to show for our efforts. Mesker already has the attention of our residents and a soft place in their hearts with a pleasant spot in their memories. Concerns like financially accountability, what happened to the trust fund? Responsibility, is an amphitheater a justifiable function of government or should it be privately supported? dealing with blighted properties, what do we save or tear down? and why are there funds to purchase properties far above market value but not save a gift and treasure to our city?

Never the less, whatever direction this E3 group proceeds, I expect to see positive and long lasting change come from it’s efforts. Perhaps it is a clump of weeds after the first meeting, but I predict that in a short time it will be well groomed lawn.

Thanks

Jerry Wirth