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IS IT TRUE August 8, 2013

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

IS IT TRUE August 8, 2013

IS IT TRUE that today is the day that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission is expected to vote on the yet to be seen agreement between the City of Evansville and the out of town developer chosen to build a new downtown convention hotel with all of the bells and whistles imaginable?…the ERC has been put into a position of being a rubber stamp to a proposal before by Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel on three occasions with respect to this same hotel project?…that all three times the ERC did what their master told them and voted in the affirmative without doing sufficient vetting and three times they wore goat horns with egg on their face for choosing loyalty over cognizant thought?…the ERC also chose loyalty over exercising their mind when rubber stamping Mayor Weinzapfel’s scheme to buy a parking lot down at the McCurdy Hotel for $603,000 and to approve a completely unqualified developer who failed to pay his taxes but still made a healthy contribution to the Weinzapfel for Mayor campaign as the contractor for the project?…we shall see tomorrow morning at the Civic Center at 8 am on the third floor if the Evansville Redevelopment Commission has learned the lesson that VETTING MATTERS?…it is a sad thing to say but the CCO expects the rubber stamp of blind loyalty to be used again?

IS IT TRUE that meetings of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission are public meetings and people are allowed to stand up and have their say?…it will be interesting to see just how many members of the Evansville City Council who are being teed up as the next rubber stamp commission by the Winnecke Administration will actually show up and speak?…this is a good opportunity for Councilman John Friend, CPA who chairs the Budget Committee to ask some of the financially critical questions that he has been pontificating about for months?…tomorrow is the chance for every fiscally conscious member of the City Council to admonish the ERC to read the agreement and think before casting a vote?…we are living in a city where public pools are closed to save $72,000, a 75.8% sewer rate increase is being planned for a September vote, a potentially Billion dollar EPA mandate is coming, yet our appointed and elected officials are being asked by the Mayor to rubber stamp a $37.5 million (or more) gift to an out of town developer to build a hotel downtown?…if we are not living in the TWILIGHT ZONE then there is no TWILIGHT ZONE?

IS IT TRUE this also is happening when the free dental clinic is closed for lack of being able to raise donations of $150,000?…this is only 61 days of interest on the debt that will be incurred to give away $37.5 Million for a hotel?…if this is not a gross case of misplaced priorities then there has never ever been a set of misplaced priorities in the history of Evansville?…this is the sort of thing that drives good people away and makes the rest of the country think that we are not just fat but we are incredibly stupid to put up with a local government whose choices indicate delusion and narcissism?…if the people of Evansville take this laying down or sitting on the couch they are getting what they disserve?

IS IT TRUE that Mike Duckworth, Director of the Vanderburgh County roads may be accepting a new position with the City of Evansville? … that the new position could be in the City of Evansville Water Department?…we also hear that this water department job shall pay about $20,000 more per year than the County position? …we wonder if this position with the city water department was advertised in the local media?…if it wasn’t, could we be correct in saying here is another example of back room political patronage appointment deal between President of County Commission Marsha Abell and the Mayor of Evansville?…we also hear we will be extremely surprised to hear who Marsha Abell selected to replace Mr. Duckworth?…we wonder if Ms. Abell advertised this vacant county position in the local media before making an appointment?

IS IT TRUE that City of Evansville Controller Russ Lloyd, Jr. in the attempt to level out cash deficiencies, asked the county auditor to advance the City of Evansville 50% of the spring installment due in June?…that the auditor granted his request?… that due to these advances, the City’s funds balance, especially in the hospitalization, Parks and Recreation, and General funds will be adversely effected?…that Controller Lloyd’s action has distorted the true cash balances on hand?…that we cannot wait until the budget hearings to see how this one gets explained?

IS IT TRUE Part 3: August 7, 2013, Looming 78% Sewer Increase is on the Table

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

IS IT TRUE we just been informed by extremely reliable sources within in city government that all rate payers who use the City of Evansville Water and Sewer system shall be facing a whopping 38% rate increase in our sewer rates this coming year?…the 2nd year increase shall be another 8% increase and the third year the sewer rate shall increase by 18%?…the compounded amount of the increase that the City of Evansville will be voting on will increase the rate payers that are connected to the Evansville sewer system by a whooping 75.87%?…this means that if you currently are paying $100 per month that you will be paying $175.87 three years?

IS IT TRUE we do not know if the proposal made by the City of Evansville to the EPA has been accepted or rejected?…when that decision is made known we shall know whether the bonded debt of the City will be increased by $545 Million or $815 Million?…even holding a vote on spending $37.5 Million on a gift to a hotelier is highly irresponsible?…even the poor hotelier may get stuck with un-affordable water bills due to the implementation of the EPA mandates?…we urge the Evansville City Council to delay any vote on funding a hotel, a park, or any other non-essential item until the EPA issue is settled?

President Grants Congress and Staffers ObamaCare Waiver

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President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama

By: Mike Cannon

America has a two-party system. But it’s not Republicans versus Democrats. It’s the ruling class — Republicans and Democrats — against everyone else. Consider how President Obama just gave Congress its very own Obamacare waiver.

Obamacare includes a provision that should cost each member of Congress and each staffer $5,000 to $11,000 per year. Needless to say, the ruling class was not pleased.

Congress wasn’t about to try to exempt itself from this provision explicitly, though. If John Q. Congressman voted to give himself an Obamacare waiver that his constituents don’t get, he wouldn’t be John Q. Congressman much longer. What’s an aristocrat to do?

On July 30, I predicted that, even though he had no authority to do so, President Obama would waive that provision at taxpayers’ expense. On August 1, he ignobly obliged the aristocracy by decreeing we peasants give each member and staffer $5,000 or $11,000, depending on whether they want self-only or family coverage. It’s good to be king.
The president’s supporters, like courtesans of old, are trying to quell a peasant uprising by denying there were any special favors. The denials ring hollow.

Obamacare imposes two costs on members of Congress and their staff. First, it kicks them out of their current health plans, leaving them to buy coverage on Obamacare’s health-insurance “exchanges.” Second, it makes no provision for the federal government to keep paying $5,000 or $11,000 toward the cost of their insurance as the Treasury does today.

The second cost is by far the larger one; it amounts to a pay cut of $5,000 or $11,000. Many staffers were threatening to quit or retire early.

When the president’s supporters claim that Congress isn’t being exempted, they mean that Obama didn’t exempt them from Cost No. 1. Which is true. But he did exempt them from Cost No. 2.

Rescinding that pay cut may or may not have been the right thing to do. But it’s still a break that ordinary Americans like Kevin Pace don’t get. Pace is an adjunct music professor at Northern Virginia Community College. To avoid penalties under Obamacare, his employer cut his hours — sticking Pace with an $8,000 pay cut.

Supporters say President Obama merely held Congress harmless. Exactly. Kevin Pace and countless others like him aren’t being held harmless, because they’re not members of Congress. As Kevin Pace put it, “This isn’t right on any level.”

Things would be unseemly enough if Congress’s Obamacare waiver were legal. But experts say the president had no authority to grant it.

That didn’t stop even Republicans from praising him, however. Tin-eared Representative Chris Stewart (R., Utah) gushed: “There’s no question it was the right thing to do. Not just for me, but for my staff. Heavens, I have staff who don’t make much money. This would be a really big bite for them.”

Congressman, you also have constituents who don’t make much money, and who can’t make it appear out of thin air. Enjoy your waiver.

How was I able to predict the president would grant illegal subsidies to members of Congress? He’s a repeat offender.

Obamacare actually kicked members of Congress out of their current health plans and imposed that $5,000 to $11,000 pay cut immediately upon enactment in 2010. But President Obama just ignored that part of the law. He let members and staff stay in their current health plans and kept the taxpayer money flowing in their direction.

I predicted President Obama would give illegal health-insurance subsidies to members of Congress because he is already in his fourth year of doing it.

Pretty much all Americans can point to some part of Obamacare that they hate. Seniors hate the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which even Howard Dean calls “a health-care rationing body.”

Unions, teacher assistants, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and other school employees hate how the law is cutting their pay. Private-sector unions despise the “Cadillac tax” that forces them to fund subsidies their members don’t receive. Young adults hate the penalties for not buying health insurance. Okay, everybody hates those. In fact, a majority of Americans oppose the entire law.

But only Congress gets relief. Why?

Simple. President Obama doesn’t want Congress to reopen Obamacare. A significant share of congressional Democrats just voted to delay the individual mandate. With once-loyal Democrats now upset over how the law hurts them personally, who knows what else Congress would discard?

President Obama circumvented a potential legislative defeat by giving each member and staffer thousands of taxpayer dollars he had no authority to touch. He’s buying votes from members of Congress — with stolen money, no less.

Source: NRO

The Merry Go Round Restaurant, A Time Honored Evansville Tradition.

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Phone pics 1149

When the Merry Go Round restaurant opened its doors in June of 1948 it did so, in true 50’s fashion, complete with neon lights, curb girls, and drive-in service. Located on Old Hwy 41, the Merry Go Round became an instant hit for locals and travelers alike and was known for its famous Dilly Burger. It was not until early 1966 that additions were added on to the restaurant bringing along with them a new menu aimed at providing a complete family dining experience. Excellent plate lunches and great sandwiches along with full sit down service were the “order” of the day.

The Merry Go Round was purchased in 1982 by Eric Raeber. Eric, an employee of the Merry Go Round since 1970, worked under the original owner, Virgil Syerup, until purchasing the establishment himself in 1982. Eric’s extensive history at the Merry Go Round has allowed him to build personal relationships with many of his customers throughout the years. It is also interesting to note that the Merry Go Round was the first family restaurant in Evansville to convert to completely non-smoking, doing so in 1999!

Eric’s entire family works with him at the Merry Go Round and he loves the opportunity to spend the extra time with his family. “The Merry Go Round is the best parental tool I could ever imagine” he said, “This truly is a dream come true to have both a family that is not only close and works together, but also has so much fun while doing so.” Eric also mentioned that the Merry Go Round is the only restaurant in Evansville that closes for a full week during the summer for family vacations and also closes for a period of time between Christmas and New Years!

Eric’s oldest son, Cam , works full time as the head chef and frequently works the 12-hour days the position demands. His next son, Chevy, works the same long hours starting his day after breakfast and working until closing at 9pm . His daughter Erica, a full time student at Indiana University , started at an early age also and now works the floor during summer breaks and special events. Erica is studying hospitality and event management. His youngest son, Axil, is just getting started in this demanding business working the fountain area during the evenings. Eric’s wife, Natalie, also works in the restaurant doing much behind the scenes and is known for her delicious home made pies and popular salads!

The Merry Go Round’s recent 65th anniversary has brought a lot of nostalgia along with it. Generations of customers have revisited the restaurant to relive happy memories from their past. There aren’t many spots in Evansville that have the power and history to invoke emotion out of their patrons and the Merry Go Round does just that. The record crowds that visited the Merry Go Round during it’s 65th anniversary customer appreciation week are a testament to the restaurants long standing reputation for great food, fair prices, and the impact the Merry Go Round has had, for decades, on generations of families in the Evansville area.

IS IT TRUE Part 2, August 7, 2013: City Does the Math Behind Decision to Close Pools Early

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

IS IT TRUE the only City pools open right now are Hartke and Lloyd?…the 2012 and 2013 Budget included expenses for Hartke to remain open beyond the regular closing date for the Neighborhood Pools?…last year the City had to request funds from the Council in order to go beyond the regular season?…the the Mayor’s Office has done the math and concluded that public pools are very costly to operate on a per swimmer basis?…for example, the actual attendance at Mosby for the 8 days (weekends) until Labor Day in 2012 was 218 children and 199 adults?…the total cost to keep the pool open for those 8 days was approx. $17,700 and the total revenue was only $616 which makes the cost per swimmer $42.42?…the cost per swimmer for Rochelle was slightly higher at $57.24?

IS IT TRUE the City County Observer would like to commend and congratulate the Mayor’s Office on being this detailed about the cost per swimmer?…this is the kind of analysis that is needed on all of the activities that are funded with taxpayer dollars?…it must be pointed out that the expenses for the pools like the Ford Center results do not include interest?…some pools are of course paid for and have no interest expense but if the cost of the pool itself were included these numbers would be even more disturbing?…Evansville may have entered a period in its development that the pools much like the parks can’t be justified financially when the use is considered?…this is very sad indeed?

IS IT TRUE that the cost of maintenance of a private backyard pool is roughly $250 per month including electricity?…if this pool is used 60 two hour sessions per year by each member of a family of 5 and the pool is opened and incurring costs for 5 months per year the cost per swimmer is only $4.16 per swim session?…that is staggeringly low when compared with the numbers reported for a public pool?…even if the construction cost of about $30,000 per pool are considered the cost of swimming in a private pool is much lower than the public pool option?…the City needs to either close the pools or find some way to start attracting more people to use them?…at a revenue to cost ratio of 616 to 17,000 (3.6%) it is clear that the revenue is peanuts compared to the cost?…perhaps a summer of free swimming next year could attract more swimmers to the pools?…if it does not work it is time to re-evaluate the pool program?

IS IT TRUE now that we know that the City does have the ability to do basic arithmetic we would encourage doing use/cost analysis of other projects like the proposed dog park and skateboard park where we suspect the cost per use will run well into the hundreds of dollars?…such analysis of often sobering but is always illuminating when other peoples money is at stake?…we once again congratulate the Mayor’s Office for doing the math?…we hope it becomes a habit?

EPD Activity Report: August 6, 2013

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EPD PATCH 2012

EPD Activity Report: August 6, 2013

IS IT TRUE August 7, 2013

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

IS IT TRUE August 7, 2013

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville may just be understating the cost to the taxpayers by saying the hotel deal will only cost the taxpayers $37,500,000?…the complete story that financial experts estimate the real cost of handing the developer after fees and capitalized interest will cost the taxpayers $44,000,000?…that when any project funded by the purchase of municipal bonds, those investors want their interest at the time of purchase?…that this hotel project will require over two years to complete and during that time, the City will have to pay interest during the construction period just like the Ford Center did?…that the lawyers serving as “bond council” will get their cut that will typically run close to $1 Million for a bond issue of this amount?…that the underwriters will get their cut?…that Mayor Winnecke says that this project will be totally financed through the downtown TIF funds, but, failed to mentioned that the taxpayers will have to pledge their local income taxes from their paychecks in order to finance this deal?

IS IT TRUE that the Ford Center had to pledge the employees local income taxes as well, in order to finance that project?…that Bugsy Segal sold over 400% of the famous Flamingo Hotel but such things are expected of folks like Bugsy whose employer was not exactly an upstanding honest organization?… that the County will come to the table with only a meager $2.5 million and the unfortunate City Citizens will be footing the remainder of the tab?…to get their hands on the $2.5 million, the County will be refinancing the Centre which will have similar legal and underwriting fees?…when the transaction fees to get the $2.5 Million are considered the County may be paying an APR of nearly 100%?…that the City will have to wait until 2018 until 100% of the Food & Beverage taxes go directly to the Ford Center and by refinancing the Centre, that may prolong the Ford Center from receiving the Food & Beverage taxes to its fullest and requires more of the declining Boat Revenues?…that Mayor Winnecke may be following the Russ Lloyd, Jr. playbook in fast-tracking what many taxpayers believe is an elitist project?…the CCO will be following the developments and actions of all City Council Members who have already started getting calls to demand support from local Union Bosses?

IS IT TRUE that yet another financial operations report for the Ford Center has been released to the media with no line item for expenses in the category of bond interest?…this time reporting for Ford Center even had the audacity to exclude the arena-related costs incurred by the Evansville-Vanderburgh Building Authority, which are between $1.2 million and $1.5 million per year?…even excluding the interest the Ford Center which was sold to the public as being a net profit by now?…by including the interest payments of approximately $5.1 Million per year and annualizing the reported results the Ford Center should be reporting a net loss this year of roughly $5 Million for its second year of operation?…that not including the interest on the bond debt in the operating expenses may be an acceptable accounting trick during the early years when interest is capitalized but it is intentionally misinforming the public of the true operating costs to the taxpayers?…we do wonder what goes on inside the mind of someone or some entity that tears down one building because it is losing $125,000 per year but praises the success of another one that is losing $5 Million per year?…in their own way we could be convinced that the powers that be do not even have the awareness to understand that interest is a cost?…one would think that a banker would be in tune to such things?

Arrest for Confinement

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On Wednesday, August 07, 2013 at approximately 00:12 am, deputies were dispatched to Moto Mart at 19720 Big Cynthiana Road regarding a suspicious circumstance. The reporter stated a female had parked her van in the lot and went into the bathroom which was located outside and started screaming. The reporter went onto further say a male had grabbed her in the bathroom, knocking her to the ground, and tried to keep her inside. The suspect had also pulled a knife on her.

When deputies arrived on scene, the victim was still locked in the restroom however the suspect had fled the scene. The victim received minor abrasions on her knees where the suspect had pushed her down. The victim stated she had pulled into the gas station to use the restroom, which were located on the outside of the building, after being out of town. The victim stated she had seen an older model red car on the parking lot however no one was around.

The victim stated when she walked in and entered the restroom; a white male had been hiding behind the door. The suspect then knocked her to the ground and a struggle ensued. The offender then displayed a knife and would not let her leave. As the struggle continued, the victim grabbed a hold of the suspect’s genitals and twisted real hard. This caused the suspect to fall backward and allowed the victim to escape his grasp and lock herself inside the bathroom until help arrived.

Once management arrived at the store, deputies were able to review the surveillance video of the assault which confirmed the victim statements. The deputies and the store employees were able to identify the suspect, Charles Robert Rickard, because he was previously employed at the gas station until he was terminated.

With the assistance of Gibson County law enforcement officials, deputies were able to locate Rickard at his residence in Owensville, Indiana. The vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle was in the driveway. Inside the residence deputies recovered the articles of clothing the victim described Rickard wearing. Upon questioning Rickard admitted to his actions.

Rickard then showed deputies where he had thrown out the baseball cap he was wearing at the time of the incident. However, deputies were unable to locate the knife used during the assault due to the expansive and vague area Rickard gave them.

Rickard was finally transported to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center where he was arrested for Intimidation w/ a weapon; Criminal Confinement, & Battery.

Free Publications Available

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Gail

I think there is another part of my role as a state lawmaker that goes beyond passing laws and helping you cut through government red tape to respond to your concerns.

That would be letting you know about the vast array of services and programs that are available to you through state government. In that light, I want to take a few moments to let you know about some of the publications available through my Statehouse office that provide useful and helpful information in a wide range of subject areas.

Here are just a few of the publications you can obtain for free through my office or simply print them on line from my Statehouse website:

– Indiana Veterans Benefits Guide provides information on state and federal programs available to those who have served in the military. I also can provide a guide telling you about Consumer Discounts for Veterans and Military Personnel.

– Hoosier Fun Facts and Games provides an entertaining way for kids to learn about our state.

– Higher Education in Indiana is a guide to educational opportunities, as well as the financial aid that can be available to enable you to attend.

– In Case of Emergency gives you instructions and checklists to follow to make sure you are prepared in the event of emergencies.

– An Information Guide for Senior Citizens offers useful health, legal and financial information for older Hoosiers.

– Women’s Health Guide for Hoosiers provides information about nutrition and other health concerns.

– Indiana Consumer Protection Guide gives ways to protect yourself from frauds, scams and crime.

– The Indiana Guide to State Agencies tell you who to contact if you have a problem, question or concern.

– The 2013 Digest of Enactments tell you more about the new laws we passed in the recent session of the Indiana General Assembly.

My office also offers a series of handouts that can tell you more about How a Bill Becomes a Law, offers details on the General Assembly’s Page and Intern programs, and gives you information on the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network’s Hardest Hit Fund.

How can you get any or all of these publications?

Simply drop me a line by email, through the toll-free Statehouse telephone number of 1-800-382-9842, or through snail mail in care of the Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

You also can print out one of these guides by going to my website and clicking on the Publications button at the top.

 

Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Meeting

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EVSCThe Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet in executive session at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 12, 2013, in the John H. Schroeder Conference Centre at the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut, IN 47713, Evansville, IN. The session will be conducted according to Senate Enrolled Act 313, Section 1, I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, as amended. The purpose of the meeting is for discussion of collective bargaining, (2)(A); initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing, (2)(B); purchase or lease of property, (2)(D); and job performance evaluation of individual employees, (9).

The regular meeting of the School Board will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the EVSC Board Room, same address.

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