IS IT TRUE that a legal notice appeared in the Courier last Saturday giving notice that Dunn Hospitality LLP was disbanding?…one of the big supporters for the people in favor of the gifting of $37.5 Million sent this notice to the CCO in hopes that the CCO would run with it without checking it out?… we have a  policy of  checking all rumors out and learned that this was a LLP that was the holding company for a hotel that Dunn Hospitality had sold last winter and that the shell had served its purpose and was being shut down?…we further learned that this shell has no effect whatsoever on the day to day operations of Dunn Hospitality?
IS IT TRUE we notified the supporter that there was no story to tell and told her all of the details?…in spite of having no story and telling this person directly that there was no story this morning we received and email stating that another person was told at a social event last night that “the CP had a notice that Dunn Hospitality is shutting downâ€?…the CCO admonishes all of the supporters of this hotel gift to cease with this whisper campaign of lies and concentrate on doing some real financial analysis if they wish to engage in productive and substantive conversations about the reality of subsidized hotels?
Hopefully this email finds you well. My interest has been piqued in a few topics that you are discussing in your latest email and other events recently.
I appreciate this last email regarding the hotel, however, I’d really enjoy hearing your reason for supporting the hotel project. My understanding is that it has come to light that some $37 Million in taxpayer assistance has been devoted to this project. Please correct me if I have that figure wrong or that you recall no government funding is involved, but I’d like to know more about your support and why you have chosen to do so publicly. Are my taxes going to be increased as a result? If so, I have to be honest that I’d be particularly interested in why the Republican Party Chairman is getting involved in this issue. If the past is any indicator, I anticipate that I will receive questions from neighbors and fellow Republicans in my area regarding your involvement in this issue, because my understanding is that you have made your support public knowledge. My recollection is that the Republican Party platform includes planks for both 1) lower taxes and 2) smaller government. I know the “I’m a Republican because…” placards that are available at the Vanderburgh GOP office include those criteria, so I’d like to know how supporting the hotel does either of those.
And while we’re talking about controversies, I was already planning to email you as it was regarding the leaked audio from Brenda Bergwitz’ answering machine. It made it onto the City-County Observer website where it sounds like you effectively demanded she remove the ‘missing’ photo that is floating around Facebook. Is there a reason why you felt compelled to demand she remove that post as per her duties as a precinct committeeman? It also sounds like you did not see it yourself but referenced someone else seeing it and telling you. Are you not on Facebook that you could see this for yourself? From what I have found out, it appears that she did not even author the image. Can you also explain why this constitutes a breach that would warrant a county chairman calling and leaving her a voicemail and two emails? Some are claiming that you should be instead spending time to have Representative Bucshon make the rounds to have a public town hall appearance to address the concerns voters have. Could you speak to this as well? This would be a great opportunity for Congressman Bucshon to explain what he will be doing to stop Obamacare between now and next year’s election. Have you spoken with him and what is the reason he stated for not appearing to answer these questions from his constituents?
Of course we all recall when you made that comment to me in an email in 2012 that Kristi Risk should not be running and that you knew of not one Republican who supported her doing so, despite many that told you they would support that challenge (including myself in the email). A lot of people are scratching their heads asking if you are simply unwilling to hear other legitimate voices despite the process that is set up to do so. And at a time where Republicans hold many offices, is this the way to add to those gains?
Lastly, are all these controversies causing you to seriously consider Brenda’s recommendation that you step down from your position? Please excuse my deep inquiry into these topics, but thanks in advance for your thoughts and consideration.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a one vehicle fatal accident that occurred this afternoon on U.S. Highway 41 just south of Hillsdale Road.
At approximately 5:20 pm Deputies were advised that a white van travelling South on U.S. Highway 41 had run off of the roadway and crashed. Upon arrival Deputies were able to determine that the driver ran off of the roadway and into the median. The vehicle continued in the median for several hundred feet before hitting a culvert. The impact of the this collision caused the vehicle to become airborne for a short time before coming to rest between the North and South bound lanes of U.S. Hwy 41. The driver of the van died at the scene.
The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. The cause of this accident is undetermined at this time and is still under investigation by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. The driver was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.
The identity of the driver is being withheld pending notification of family members. The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office will release upon notification of family.
At 2:30 on Friday Afternoon, Christopher Bell was sentenced by Judge Robert Pigman in Vanderburgh County Superior Court to 90 years the Indiana Department of Corrections.
On May 30, 2013, Bell was found guilty of Murder as well as Conspiracy to Commit Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury – Class A Felony. Bell’s conviction also drew a Habitual Offender Enhancement. In sentencing today the A Felony was dropped to Conspiracy to Commit Robbery – C Felony.
Judge Pigman sentenced Bell to 60 years on his Murder conviction and 6 years on his Conspiracy to Commit Robbery conviction. Those sentenced will be served concurrent. The Habitual Offender Enhancement drew an automatic 30 year addition.
Bell is the accomplice to Ted Mueller Jr. who has been already found guilty of the same charges for the shooting and killing of Cedric Watt in September 2012.
For further information on the case listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton, Director of Public Relations at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at kphernetton@vanderburghgov.org.
Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, August 29, 2013.
Gary Page Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
Teresa Page Domestic Battery-Class D Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanor
Robin Montgomery Attempted Murder-Class A Felonies (Two Counts
Dealing in Methamphetamine-Class B Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement-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.
Libertarian Party Chair Geoffrey J. Neale today strongly opposed any U.S. military intervention in the civil war in Syria.
“There is no Constitutional justification for America to unilaterally use force in Syria,” Neale said.
“Syria is not threatening our country,” he added. “We have no national interest in intervening there. There are no reasons for the U.S. to support either the Assad dictatorship or the opposition warlords.”
Neale reaffirmed the party’s longstanding foreign policy of nonintervention, quoting part of the National Defense plank of the party platform: “The United States should both avoid entangling alliances and abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world.”
He also quoted from the International Affairs plank, which says, “American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy should emphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid.”
IS IT TRUE this writer has been in the high Sierras at a hydroelectric power complex for the last three days where there is no internet connection?…while this was enjoyable and a great learning experience it is also the answer to the questions being asked about why certain things that became news after the Monday night meeting of the City Council were not addressed in IS IT TRUE?…it seems as though every time one goes offline for a few days interesting stuff happens?
IS IT TRUE that the battle between the hotel supporters has nearly turned into the battle of Republican precinct committee people?…Vanderburgh County Republican Party Chairman Wayne Parke sent out an email to the precinct committee people yesterday urging the ones who are on board with him in support of the hotel to show up at last night’s town hall meeting and show support?…the trouble with this position is that Chairman Parke is representing his support of this giveaway as though it is an official republican position when it is really just his own way of showing support for a republican mayor who was elected by democrats?…when one examines the economic principles espoused by the republican party at the state and national levels that supporting gifting public money to private enterprise would never pass muster?…precinct committeeman Sean Shelby has joined the growing number of PCs who oppose Chairman Parke’s strange position on handing out corporate welfare to a private business?
IS IT TRUE last night’s final town hall style meeting at the CK Newsome Center was well attended and the supporting and opposing groups were in balance?…the supporting group continues to consist of the same group of speakers (literally the same faces) that have filled the podium at all of the meetings and some very nasty people in the peanut gallery who boo, hiss, sign, and even on occasion put an elbow to someone’s ribs?…the childish war of words has continued on Facebook as well with reasoned questions and analysis presented by the those who support the hotel but are skeptical about public funds being stung with claims based on nothing but emotion?…even if it is said 1,000 times mindless platitudes like “we need itâ€, “we deserve itâ€, or “quality of life†still would not pass muster to a competent financial analyst?…the alpha financial analyst on the Evansville City Council despite all of the antics of the last week is John Friend who has gone from demanding a financial package and a business plan to threatening to keep the vote in committee as long as he possibly can in the absence of what amounts to a “grant applicationâ€?…Councilman Friend is right to do this because there has not been sufficient information provided to make a competent decision?…even if some council members are card carrying members of the â€we deserve it†club, this hotel has not been VETTED?
IS IT TRUE that the Fraternal Order of Police have made it known that they are calling for Reverend Adrian Brooks to resign from the Police Merit Commission and for City Council President Connie Robinson (elected not appointed) to step down as President?…this is all about the emotional moments at the Monday night meeting of the Evansville City Council?…we stand by our assertion made in Tuesday’s IS IT TRUE that while seeing Monday night’s meeting was uncomfortable, it is a golden opportunity to improve relations between the EPD and the African American community?…all positive change starts with negative feedback and the negative feedback Monday night was not sugar coated as it often is?…calling for resignations is not the best way to move toward improvement?
IS IT TRUE the issue is so hot that Mayor Winnecke himself is inserting himself into the process to promote a “civil†discussion?…while the Mayor has not proven to be very adept at VETTING and seems to jump at shiny objects without much analysis, this task of promoting civil discussion between contentious groups is an area that plays right into his biggest strength?…communication is Mayor Winnecke’s highest and best talent and that is what has to happen first in taking the EPD and the African American community’s relationship to a higher and better level?…this will also test his commitment to collaboration as there will be more emotional moments on this path to two way respect?…Mayor Winnecke and that classy man the Reverend Brooks together are probably the most qualified and capable leaders of Evansville to reach a plateau of success in repairing the contentious relationship between the EPD and the African American community?…the CCO commends them both for stepping up to own this problem and wish them all of the success in the world?
