IS IT TRUE the Old National Bank, that recently burst the bubble of the Winnecke Administration by revealing that they can pay no more than the real value of the naming rights of the building formerly known as The Centre has announced yet another action designed to enhance the bottom line of their operation?…this time, ONB is closing some of its branches and selling others which will most likely fatten the profits but put some people out of work?…that is all well and good in the private world of a for-profit business and it is to be expected as the bank’s job is to manage the shareholder’s return to the max?…the real question is who in the heck was taken in by the whole overpaying for naming rights scheme in the first place?…whomever fell for that one must not know a darn thing about running a shareholder owned bank?

IS IT TRUE it is now February and we are all waiting on baited breath to see the new renderings for the downtown convention hotel with a new price for the stick built structure that is being planned?…odds on the street are about even that a $36 Million price can be achieved for a hotel that will be worth no more than $24 Million when it is opened?…the real question that should be asked by the City Council is whether or not what gets presented is what they voted to spend $20 Million for?

IS IT TRUE that Democrats, Independents and Republicans, young and old, rich and poor, black and white and from inside and outside of the 4th Ward of Evansville came together to witness City Councilwoman Constance Robinson file for her 6th term in office? …that the mood was celebratory as more than 100 plus people gathered and created an energy that was palpable? …that office holders, past and present, and candidates in attendance included Alex Burton, Dan Adams, Anna Melcher, Al Lindsey, Misty Hart, Stephen Melcher, Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley, Russell Lloyd, Jr.,       Z Tuley and Brad Ellsworth? …that also present were Democratic party pillars, including Reverend Adrian Brooks, who was announced as Mrs. Robinson campaign Chairman, Mike Woods, Gail Riecken Campaign Manager, City Attorney Scott Danks, Ron Riecken,  Katie Riecken,  Louise Williams, Neil Woods,  Matthew Neville and Fred Cook? …that Councilwoman Robinson had the crowd cheering over her statement that she would continue to fight for those who had no voice ….that it was clear from those in attendance that the Democrats in the 4th Ward are united, excited and poised to turn out in mass to vote in the upcoming Primary Election?  …that we were surprised to that City Council members Missy Mosby,  Jonathan Weaver,  City Clerk Laura Windhorst and union bosses were missing in action at this event?  …Councilman Friend and O’Daniel informed Mrs. Robinson that they attend her event because of a prior business comminment?

IS IT TRUE that the open gym time at the C. K. Newsome Center has been suspended until further notice in the aftermath of the shots fired incident that happened two weeks ago?…it is also being transmitted that drug trafficking has been going on in the community center and that marijuana has been reported to have been smoked brazenly in front of everyone during open gym time?…it seems as though the former safe haven of sport and civic gatherings has declined into a den of drugs and violence?…what is a shame is that a vast majority of the people who use the facility are fine people who do not carry on illegal activities, but who also seem to have an aversion to turning in the perpetrators who are ruining it for everyone?

IS IT TRUE that bankers are normally nervous when the administration suggests reducing funding for the Small Business Administration, one of the few government agencies they genuinely like? For fiscal year 2016, the Obama administration contemplates a $701 million budget for the SBA, less than the $733 million Congress granted it for the current year?…with small business being touted as the backbone of the economy and start-ups being the job creators of the future it is an oddity that President Obama would cut $31 Million from the previous budget for the SBA?…perhaps if the Obama Administration would ride herd on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to finish the regulations to allow crowd funding like they promised to do by January 2013 (2 years ago) in the Jobs Act of 2012, SBE loans would not be as vital to growing a small business into a big business as they currently are?

IS IT TRUE the EPD stated that three people have been arrested in connection with a robbery last week and they believe the suspects could be responsible for other crimes in the area?..the alleged theft ring of Kelly Emerson, Christy Mercer, and Dakota Stoneberger all face charges related to the crimes of attempted robbery, battery, and criminal confinement?…it all started with the robbery of the AA Hobby shop on Franklin Street where someone was victimized by a knife to his neck from behind while another perp tied his wrists together?…the suspects were caught on camera stealing silver coins and apprehended after selling them to a jewelry store in Newburgh?…every theft ring needs a place to fence stolen things whether it is a local government official in Union County, KY or an opportunistic shopkeeper or recycler?…the best policy is not to buy things that seem completely out of the realm of reality for the person offering to sell them for a song?

IS IT TRUE that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler unveiled a proposal that would subject mobile and fixed broadband providers to utility-like regulations on how they treat traffic over their networks?…the proposed rules would change broadband Internet access from a lightly regulated information service to a more strictly overseen telecommunications service?… the FCC would use that new authority to ban broadband providers from blocking, slowing down or speeding up specific websites in exchange for payment. The proposal is aimed at satisfying proponents of net neutrality?…this proposal would essentially set up broadband providers in a format that mirrors how the regulated monopoly of utilities are now managed?…if the satisfaction of American consumers with the utility rates nationwide are any indication of the future of broadband service, it does not bode well for consumers?…on the other hand cell phone and broadband providers have consolidated to the point of effective monopoly anyway so maybe this is worth consideration?

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