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IS IT TRUE October 1, 2013

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Mole #3 Nostradamus of Local Politics
Mole #3 Nostradamus of Local Politics

IS IT TRUE October 1, 2013

IS IT TRUE now that the convention hotel deal has passed the Evansville City Council by a vote of 9 – 0 it is time to move forward with that project and see what lessons may have been learned in this 5 year and counting saga that started with former Mayor Weinzapfel proclaiming in 2008 that if that City Council voted to move forward with a downtown arena that Browning Investment was poised to sign on the dotted line to deliver a 4-Star Marriot hotel with a fine dining establishment aptly called JW’s?…lesson number one from this saga that has lasted longer than World War II is to keep your trap shut about deals that are not secure?…lesson number two is secure means that the financing is in place and the vetting is done?…lesson three is that as good as the new deal sounds financially lesson two is not yet behind us with HCW having until March to deliver on their part of the financing or we shall be back to square one again?

IS IT TRUE lesson four is that private investors in Evansville wanted a hotel so much that they were willing to lay $11.5 Million on the table to get one when they saw this opportunity slipping away?…unless this hotel performs to about double its own expectations with respect to revenue and profits these local investing Samaritans will in all likelihood see some of their money go up in flames?…there will of course be other ways of recovering money for this group like capturing depreciation and operating losses that can be used to offset other gains but even the best case pro-forma pretty much guarantees a loss on exit?…taking this risk for something they believe in and wish to see prosper is admirable in this group and the CCO thanks them for stepping up?…the real question is what other things private investors wish to see in Evansville enough to pony up the dollars to make it happen?

IS IT TRUE Mayor Winnecke did indeed reach out to the wealth of Evansville to cobble together a last minute deal that seems to have satisfied most of the people of the town?…Mayor Winnecke rightly identified a lack of any active angel investment group or venture capitalist in Evansville as one of the biggest deterrents to job growth and wealth creation from entrepreneurs during his campaign for Mayor in 2011?…Old National Bank president and CEO Bob Jones, the man who is the face of the investment group behind the hotel one told this writer in 2009 that “Evansville is the only city in the United States over 100,000 people that does not have a venture capital firm”?…Mr. Jones was right then and he still is as 4 years later there is still no active angel network or venture capital firm?…if this is so important, and the CCO assures its readers that access to capital is the backbone of entrepreneurship, it is time for Mayor Winnecke to have another conversation with the wealthy citizens of greater Evansville about establishing a venture capital fund with private dollars that has a mission to support entrepreneurs from THIS REGION whose ideas, ambitions, and plans have sufficient merit to VET well and deliver venture capital style returns on investment of over 35% per year?

IS IT TRUE since “JOBS, JOBS, and MORE JOBS” seems to be the justification for all public spending it is time for the elected leadership of Evansville to spend some time on a real job creation engine and that is innovation and entrepreneurship?…if you want to attract and retain educated young professionals this is the path to take?…the highly respected Kauffman Foundation recently reported that ALL (100%) NET JOB GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1982 CAME FROM START UP COMPANIES?…the CCO would appreciate comments about whether things like hotels, dog parks, arenas, and ball fields are even close in the world of JOB CREATION to venture capital firms and entrepreneurship?…there are many reasons that Silicon Valley, CA had Intel, Oracle, and Apple before they had a modern convention center and a portfolio of downtown hotels?…the jobs and wealth created the atmosphere for private investment to follow with fun, games, hotels, and conventions?…Evansville has traditionally put the cart before the horse and then failed to ever get a horse?…now is the time to get busy and establish a venture capital firm that can leverage the IU Medical School to start Evansville’s first entrepreneurship revolution in nearly 100 years?…this is not a chicken and egg situation as some apologists would like to say?…if the investment funds are not put into place the entrepreneurs will silently go elsewhere as they have for many years?…a word to the wise is usually sufficient?…we shall know whether there is wisdom among our leaders soon but their actions with respect to this gaping hole in local opportunity?

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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nick herman Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, September 30, 2013.

Nathaniel Case                 Domestic Battery-Class D Felony

Shelby Kirby                      Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony

Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug-Class D Felony

Possession of Methamphetamine-Class D Felony

Possession of Paraphernalia-Class A Misdemeanor

Tara Miller                          Theft-Class D Felony

Jennifer Smitha                Theft-Class D Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanor            

James Bolin                        Possession of Methamphetamine-Class D Felony

Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor

Jerald Clark Jr                    Possession of Methamphetamine-Class C Felony

Invasion of Privacy-Class A Misdemeanor

Jelani McGee                    Dealing in Marijuana-Class D Felony

For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at KPhernetton@vanderburghgov.org

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

EPD ACTIVITY REPORT_9.30.2013

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EPD PATCH 2012

EPD ACTIVITY REPORT_9.30.2013

Make An Impact

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University Of Evansville“The vision of the University of Evansville is to be an innovative institution of global reach and reputation where students develop knowledge, skills, and wisdom to lead and serve.”

– Dr. Thomas A. Kazee, President, University of Evansville

Dr. Kazee’s vision is based on the University’s Strategic Plan, Transforming Tomorrow: Our Students, Our University, Our World. That plan has four goals.

  1. Transform the learning environment
  2. Build a robust and rich curriculum and co-curriculum
  3. Enhance and sustain high quality student and residential life
  4. Tell the UE story

The vision is vast and has real costs attached to making the vision a reality. That is why the University Board of Trustees has broken down the projects that are in the vision into a series of modules and asked that we proceed to raise funds for specific projects.

The first module was the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Practice Facility, now completed. The second module, Module II is now in operation. Module II will fund:

  • Bower-Suhrheinrich Library and Clifford Memorial Library – upgrade and modernize the facility. Needed: $3,407,910
  • Hyde Hall – renovation and create flexible and active learning spaces. Needed: $7,837,370
  • Center for Career Development – funds to sustain and expand the program. Needed: $3,000,000 Endowment
  • Reinvigorated Streetscapes – the campus and enhance the look of Walnut Street.
    • Walnut Plaza: $955,075
    • Street Intersections: $3,146,000

Please take a look at each of these projects in Module II.

Enhancing the Academic Environment

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USI
USI
Creating Faculty Engagement Fellowships — $2 million

Like students, faculty benefit from engaged learning, and the University seeks to fund new experiences for faculty to do on-site work and collaborate with businesses and organizations relevant to their field of study. These experiences allow faculty to undertake activities that will impact teaching, scholarship, and artistic endeavors, bringing real-world interpretations to theories and studies in the classroom. (Strategic Plan Goals #2, #4)

Endowing Faculty Professorships — $4 million

ProfessorsThese endowed professorships will serve three main functions: (1) retain talented faculty, (2) attract distinguished faculty, and (3) attract splendid students eager to study with these persons. USI will award an endowed professorship to one distinguished faculty member from each College; faculty will receive an annual stipend for one to three years to pursue work on specific projects enhancing the University’s future and serving the community. (Strategic Plan Goals #2, #4)

Establishing the Innovative Thinkers Speaker Series — $1 million

A university has a responsibility to students, faculty, and community to engage in creative, innovative thinking and discussion. Therefore, USI seeks to establish an endowment to fund a public-speakers series featuring globally prominent entrepreneurs and innovators who are eager to share their expertise, provoke thought, and promote conversation. (Strategic Plan Goals #3, #4, #6)

IS IT TRUE October 10, 2013

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Mole #3 Nostradamus of Local Politics
Mole #3 Nostradamus of Local Politics

IS IT TRUE October 10, 2013

IS IT TRUE that 9 months into his second presidency George W. Bush in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans and exposed the efficacy of the federal government as being right up there with people who have been committed to an asylum had an approval rating of 39%?…in yesterday’s Associated Press poll of presidential approval President Obama now has an approval rating of 37% which is lower than President George W. Bush every had?…those who are saying that the Republicans are taking the biggest beating from the ineptness of government and the inability to reach a deal on a budget should take note of this latest poll?…the reality of the situation is that Democrats, Republicans, and the President of the United States all are feeling the tar and feathers of public opinion for their failure to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement to re-open the government of the USA?…the American people may be distracted by life and somewhat uninterested in the day to day shenanigans of government but for the most part they are realists who understand that both parties are playing politics with the country and will exact a toll on those who have been a part of it from the Tea Party right up through the most liberal factions in Congress?

IS IT TRUE that coinciding with the 37% approval rate of President Obama was the exposure that 5 dead United States servicemen and women’s families will not be getting the $100,000 honorarium that military families are always granted for the purpose of handling the funeral arrangements and travel associated with giving fallen heros a proper burial?…this happened on the heels of our federal government issuing a permit for an immigration rally on park lands that were closed to World War II veterans just 24 hours earlier?…there are things in government that are wasteful, there are things in government that are irresponsible, but for the first time in a long time the choices made by our government with respect to what to refuse to pay for in the government shutdown are disgusting?…the approval rating of President Obama (37%) and the Congress (10.5%) reflect that disgust?

IS IT TRUE the government of Vanderburgh County has successfully cut $4 Million from the 2014 budget?…this happens at a time that the same county government has agreed to put $1.5 Million into the kitty to fund improvements to the Centre for the purpose of attracting conventions to Evansville?…this was something we are sure was a hard choice(s) to make but time will tell if these were the right decisions?…we at the CCO do not condemn the County for this choice and were not privy to the information they had to make these decisions?…it is the members of the County Council and the County Commissioners who will live or die politically with these decisions as they will not be forgotten or ignored in the future?

IS IT TRUE that most of Evansville is rejoicing tonight at the fact that the St. Louis Cardinals will be playing the Los Angeles Dodgers for a spot in the World Series?…it is ironic that Evansville native Don Mattingly is the manager of the Dodgers and grew up in a town that just loves the Cardinals?…Evansville cannot lose with the National League this year as either our home team Cardinals or our hometown hero Don Mattingly will be in the World Series?…either way the National League pennant winner will command the affections of the largest number of the people of Evansville this year?

Hotel Bonds Pass 9 – 0, HCW has until March 2014 to Prove Financing

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Hotel EVV

In a unanimous vote the Evansville City Council tonight voted 9 – 0 to go forward with a resolution to issue up to $20 Million in bonds to finance $12.5 Million in infrastructure and a $7.5 Million incentive to HCW of Branson, MO to build a downtown convention hotel, a parking, garage, and an apartment comples.

This vote is the culmination of 5 years of failures by the City of Evansville to get a convention hotel approved for downtown Evansville. The financing of the deal is not disclosed but the sale of the bonds is contingent upon all other financing sources included a 25% stake by a local investment group, HCW’s equity, an a loan to HCW by an undisclosed financial institution prior to public funding.

This vote was in jeopardy of ever passing until a last weekend effort was successful in reducing the public contribution from $38.5 Million to $20 Million. The reduction in subsidy was forced by six members of the City Council, assorted groups of citizens for good government, and of course the City County Observer.

What Will Happen if the Government Shuts Down?

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gov shutdown

The increasingly likely shutdown of the US government could have far-reaching effects throughout the US. If Congress fails to reach an agreement to avert a shutdown by midnight ET Monday, some services – mail delivery, Social Security and Medicare benefits – would not be affected. Others, like national parks and routine safety inspections of food, would be curtailed as the majority of federal employees tasked with their operation would be furloughed.

A look at how a shutdown could affect other services across the federal government:

Federal workers:

About 800,000 federal employees could see their paychecks jeopardised. Already hit hard by several unpaid furlough days caused by sequestration this year some workers have begun lobbying to receive back pay in the event of a shutdown. While Congress agreed to retroactively pay them during previous shutdowns, the fractured nature of this Congress makes such a step unlikely.

US military

The military’s 1.4 million active-duty personnel would stay on duty, but their paychecks would be delayed. The US House proposal to delay Obamacare for a year – passed early Sunday morning but almost certain will be killed in the Senate – included a provision to ensure troops’ paychecks continue.

About half of the Defense Department’s civilian employees would be furloughed.

Science

Nasa will furlough almost all of its employees, though it will continue to keep workers at Mission Control in Houston and elsewhere to support the International Space Station, where two Americans and four others are deployed. The National Weather Service would keep forecasting weather and issuing warnings and the National Hurricane Center would continue to track storms.

Travel

Federal air traffic controllers would remain on the job and airport screeners would keep funneling passengers through security checkpoints, though some airports have warned of delays at security. Federal inspectors would continue enforcing safety rules.

The State Department would continue processing foreign applications for visas and US applications for passports, since fees are collected to finance those services. Embassies and consulates overseas would continue to provide services to American citizens.

Courts

Federal courts would continue operating normally for about 10 business days after the start of a shutdown, roughly until the middle of October. If the shutdown continues, the judiciary would have to begin furloughs of employees whose work is not considered essential. But cases would continue to be heard.

The US supreme court is scheduled to begin its new term on October 7. In previous government shutdowns, it continued to operate as normal.

Mail

Deliveries would continue as usual because the US Postal Service receives no tax dollars for day-to-day operations. It relies on income from stamps and other postal fees to keep running.

District of Columbia

The city, which does not have autonomy over its own budget, briefly flirted with the idea of using the potential shutdown to make a stand when mayor Vince Gray moved to designate all city employees “essential,” thereby avoiding the cuts in services like libraries that were expected. Some District politicians were willing to go so far as to get arrested over the show of defiance, but on Friday the city’s lawyers approved using a $144m contingency fund to make up the difference if the federal government funds dry up.

Homeland security

The majority of the Department of Homeland Security’s employees are expected to stay on the job, including uniformed agents and officers at the country’s borders and ports of entry, members of the Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration officers, Secret Service personnel and other law enforcement agents and officers. US Citizenship and Immigration Services employees would continue to process green card applications.

Veterans services

Most services offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs will continue because lawmakers approve money one year in advance for the VA’s health programs. Veterans would still be able to visit hospitals for inpatient care, get mental health counseling at vet centers or get prescriptions filled at VA health clinics. Operators would still staff the crisis hotline and claims workers would still process payments to cover disability and pension benefits.

But those veterans appealing the denial of disability benefits to the Board of Veterans Appeals will have to wait longer for a decision because the board would not issue any decisions during a shutdown.

Source: Guardian

STATE LAWMAKERS JOIN CALL FOR END TO THREATENED GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

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images-5STATE LAWMAKERS JOIN CALL FOR END TO THREATENED GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

INDIANAPOLIS – State Reps. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville), Cherrish Pryor and Robin Shackleford (both D-Indianapolis) today joined a national call for an end to a threatened federal government shutdown and prevent the risk of stopping programs that help the elderly, children, and veterans across the country.

The three Indiana state lawmakers were in Washington, DC, as part of activities conducted by the Women Legislators Lobby (WiLL), a national non-partisan network of women state legislators who work together to influence federal policies and budget priorities.

If an agreement on a new federal budget is not reached by midnight – the end of the 2013 fiscal year – a partial government shutdown will take place and numerous federal programs and agencies will be stopped until a deal is reached.

“When the focus of the American people is on job creation, quality education, and accessible, affordable health care, we don’t need the focus of our highest elected officials to be on job destruction, education failure, and health care obstruction,” Shackleford said.

An extended government shutdown would have long-ranging impact on many aspects of the lives of Americans, the three Indiana lawmakers agreed.

“Our first priority should be keeping government running so we can pay our bills and take care of those in the military and our veterans, whose paychecks are at risk of being cut,” Riecken said. “This manufactured crisis is an insult to those who have risked so much for our country. They too have to put food on the table.”

Pryor decried the fact that those forces attempting to shut down government are doing so because of their opposition to a plan to provide affordable health care to millions of Americans.

“Shutting down our government because of a basic fear that every American should have health care is not in the best interests of this state or nation,” Pryor said. “It is time to accept that the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land and move on to other priorities, such as creating jobs and improving our failing infrastructure.”

EPD investigating armed home invasion in 400 block of S. Denby

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Evansville Police Department
Evansville Police Departmen

 

Evansville Police are investigating an armed home invasion that happened at 11:30 Sunday night in the 400 block of S. Denby.
The victim told investigators that an unknown black male knocked on his door. When he opened the door, the suspect pointed a handgun at his face and forced his way into the house.
The suspect then threatened to kill the victim and his family if he did not stop snitching on the suspect’s friend.
The suspect then fled in a dark colored 4 door car, possibly a Pontiac.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call EPD at 436-7979 or the WeTip hotline.

For full details, view this message on the web.

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