The Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation will be holding the last Energize Evansville water aerobics event of the season this Saturday, August 17th, 9am – 11 am, at Lloyd Pool. Mayor Winnecke hasn’t missed one yet and plans to finish out the Summer of Swimming with the trainers from Bob’s Gym at Lloyd pool. See attached flier and contact me for details.
Yesterday, a criminal investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Josh Rozzi resulted in the arrest of Hogan Moss, 23, Logansport, IN. Moss was arrested at the Indiana State Police Peru Post and incarcerated in the Miami County Jail. He faces two class B felony charges for neglect of a dependent and battery. Rozzi initiated his investigation after receiving information from the Miami County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services of a suspected child abuse case involving a one month old Bunker Hill, IN, girl. The investigation revealed that on August 4, 2013, Charli Mangelsdorf was transported to a Miami County hospital, by her mother, with a high fever and feeding issues. Later that day, the mother transported the child to an Indianapolis hospital. A subsequent cat scan revealed a subdural hemorrhage along with other medical issues. There were no visible external injuries. Charli was transferred to Riley Children’s Hospital where additional tests were conducted. Further examination allegedly revealed numerous retinal hemorrhages in the girl’s eyes. According to medical staff, there was no accidental event to explain the medical findings and the injuries incurred by Charli. Her condition is often referred to as “Shaken Baby Syndrome.†Further investigation by Detective Rozzi, revealed that the injuries to Charli purportedly occurred on August 3, 2013. It is alleged the injuries were inflicted while Charli was in the care of her father, Hogan Moss, at a Bunker Hill, IN, apartment. Moss was purportedly watching the child while the mother was running errands. He allegedly shook Charli, in a front to back motion, to get the infant to stop crying. Detective Rozzi was assisted with this investigation by Indiana State Police Detective First Sergeant Bob Burgess and Detective Paul Baker (All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.) |
EVANSVILLE, IN August 13, 2013
Following the release of more project details at Monday’s City Council meeting, the Libertarian Party of Vanderburgh County announced on Tuesday its formal opposition to the proposed downtown hotel project in Evansville.
Based on information from the Council meeting, the proposal seeks to gift $37.5 million of taxpayer dollars in the form of taxpayer debt to a private investor, HCW, for the construction of the downtown convention hotel and meeting space.
“If it is a good idea the developer will be leading this construction effort without taking $37.5 million from the taxpayers,” claimed LPVC Chairman Bart Gadau. “The City of Evansville places a tax upon all innkeepers within city limits. Those fees will ultimately help service the debt of a competitor’s investment. That doesn’t seem right to us.”
Gadau further charges that the numbers put forward by the Winnecke Administration that surround this project seem dubious.
“He claims, for instance, that over 800 construction jobs and over 200 permanent jobs would be created. Yet, when pressed by Councilwoman Robinson, HCW representative Rick Huffman admitted he could not give a true figure for the number of permanent jobs this project will create,” Gadau continued. “The waivers built into the current agreement offer no assurance that employment would remain anywhere near that lofty 200 mark. Furthermore, there is nothing stopping this out-of-state developer from selling the property after a few years and pocketing our taxpayer dollars.”
Gadau finished, “The Libertarian Party platform has long supported free markets, fiscal responsibility and equity under the laws of the State of Indiana. Unfortunately, those interests are easily clouded when our elected officials misrepresent project facts. In its current incarnation, this project proposal should be abandoned. We urge the Council to vote ‘no’ on funding this project and encourage Mayor Winnecke and his leadership team to make a more concerted effort to find a private developer willing to build a convention hotel on the site using private funds and of a size suitable for the Evansville market.”
IS IT TRUE it was extremely obvious at last night’s City Council meeting that people in attendance were on both sides of the issue concerning building a downtown Convention Center Hotel?…we were impressed with how 7 out of 9 City Council listened and ask intelligent questions concerning this issue? …we believe that those 7 of 9 council members are open minded about how to fund this major capital project in a responsible manner or not to?… we were stunned to see City Council members Weaver and Mosby wear a sticker supporting a building a new downtown Convention Hotel during the meeting?…it looks like Weaver and Mosby have made up their mind without having all the financial facts given to them?…the unlearned pair are seemingly committed to ignore the VETTING that has finally started before they make up their minds on this issue? ….that Ms. Mosby’s soon to be announced primary competition has documented her political behavior on this issue this evening?…he told his supporters this evening about what a great TV ad this shall make?
IS IT TRUE that it was also obvious to everyone in the room that there were many union members in attendance wearing their colors in support of the project?…they also have their minds made up based on self interest as opposed to what is the best thing for all residents of the City of Evansville?…of course we all understand that jobs are important but public works jobs need to be for things that are priced fairly and are beneficial to everyone who pays taxes and not just a couple of hundred union members?…there are plenty of necessary jobs on basic infrastructure like the EPA mandated sewer projects to keep the trade unions of Evansville in work for many years?…it is disappointing to see our friends and neighbors wear the buttons of “what’s in it for me†without knowing anything about the financial value of the project?
IS IT TRUE that the claims by Mayor Winnecke that this hotel will be hiring 200 permanent employees needs to be examined for sanity?…that 200 jobs that average $10 per hour plus benefits and social security taxes will generate a payroll of roughly $5.6 Million per year?…that if one were to assume a rate of $100 per night and 60% occupancy that the 253 rooms can be expected to take in revenue of $5.5 Million over the entire year?…that is less that just the payroll without accounting for utilities, maintenance, replacement of fixtures, etc.?…this simple bit of math is why the claims of 200 – 250 permanent jobs are simple pulled from the hip and not based on any realistic financial projections?…Hotel News Now a trade publication for hotels did a study of 5,100 hotels nationwide to learn what the payroll expense for hotels really is for well managed properties?…for this region that number is 25% to 30% for mid range properties?…in the case of this hotel and its assumptions we can expect a payroll expense of about $1.65 Million?…that will be enough to employ between 55 and 65 equivalent full time jobs?
IS IT TRUE that another little back of the envelope calculation will put some sense of reality on the claims that 800 construction jobs will be created by this project?…if one uses a two year completion time and the $75 Million budget this equates into $37.5 Million per year?…if a labor content of 35% is used as is advised by several publications on estimating hotel construction that leaves a labor budget of $13.1 Million per year?…at a burdened hourly rate of $40 per hour one would arrive at 32,800 hours of labor in each year’s budget?…that works out to 6,310 hours per week or 1,262 hours per day?…at 8 hours per day we can expect between 150 and 160 full time equivalent jobs from this construction project?…this is all really just simple arithmetic but our elected officials just can’t seem to grasp it?…we wonder are they lying or are they just numerically inept?
The EVSC will be back in session tomorrow morning. That means thousands of kids will be making their way to school bright and early. Be alert around the bus stops and in the neighborhoods near the schools. Please pay attention to the flashing caution lights and the crossing guards. There will be EPD officers patrolling the school zones to ensure the safety of the children.
Evansville Police responding to a fight between two men in the 200 block of E. Missouri uncovered more serious activity involving one of the men.
While police were speaking with 34 year old DONALD ROBB, they believed he was hallucinating and was under the influence of methamphetamine. Robb told the officers there had been a fire in his house and that his skin was burning from exposure to lithium. Officers went to 221 E. Florida and determined there had been an active meth lab in the house. EFD responded as well, but there was no active fire. Robb was taken to Deaconess Hospital to be treated for his burns and his intoxication.
When officers arrived at the emergency room, they were told there was a female there who was being treated for injuries she received when Robb assaulted her and held her against her will for several hours. During that time, Robb pointed a handgun at her several times and threatened her. The female had minor injuries.
Officers found a one pot meth lab and a handgun at the home on Florida.
Robb was admitted for overnight observation and is under police guard. Upon his release from the hospital, he will be taken to jail. He has been charged with Criminal Confinement with a Weapon B-felony, Intimidation with a Weapon C-felony, Pointing a firearm, D- felony, and Domestic Violence A- misdemeanor. The investigation into the meth lab is on-going and additional charges may be filed at a later date.
The BOB & TOM Show and 103.1 WGBF present:
The Bob & Tom Comedy Show
Saturday, October 5, 2013
The BOB & TOM Comedy Show presents a rotating ensemble of the world’s best comedians to stages all across America. Each live comedy show features several headliners, and a member or two from the hilarious cast of The BOB & TOM Show, one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in
America and the premiere radio showcase for today’s top comedians. Now in its 7th year, The BOB & TOM Comedy Show has performed more than 300 shows from coast-to-coast.
The Bob & Tom Comedy Show in Evansville, IN will feature the following comedians and special guests: Drew Hastings (www.drewhastings.com), Donnie Baker (www.shutuprandy.com) & Tim Bedore (www.vaguebuttrue.com).*
Victory Theatre
600 Main St.
Evansville, IN 47708
Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 8:00 PM
INFO: Tickets go on sale Friday, August 16 at 10:00 AM (Central). Tickets may be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/05004AFAFACCB496, by calling 800.745.3000 or by visiting the Ford Center Ticket Office at 1 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Evansville, IN 47708 between the hours of 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Central), Monday – Friday.
Below is the text of a letter delivered to Indiana Inspector General David Thomas last Thursday by Indiana House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath from Michigan City and Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane from Anderso
| Dear Inspector General:
In recent weeks and months, a series of incidents have generated the kind of attention that calls into question the accountability of state government to the people of Indiana. The most recent of these incidents is the highly-publicized case involving former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett and the controversies over the misuse of the A through F grading system. Taken as a whole, we believe the circumstances surrounding each of these cases demonstrate the need for a fundamental review of the duties of the Inspector General’s office and the code of ethics presently in place for executive branch officials. Let us explain why. As we mentioned, the Bennett case is one of several issues that could potentially fall under review by your office:
Now we are hearing that former Superintendent Bennett intends to use your office to absolve himself of any alleged ethical missteps in the recent “A-F” grading controversy. While we would respectfully opine that such a request is rugged new terrain for your office, we would like to understand your plan for handling such an unusual matter. In light of the above, we have several questions:
Finally, some have debated the narrowness of the Inspector General’s rulings on both the Woodruff complaint and the case involving former Governor Daniels, whose immediate transition from the position of governor to president of Purdue University apparently met the letter—if not the spirit—of current regulations. Given these concerns, does your office intend to pursue an update of the executive branch’s code of ethics? If not, why not? We genuinely appreciate your prompt and thoughtful consideration of this inquiry. We assure you that we would much prefer the discussion of other issues, but occasionally events before the public merit a reconsideration of what is working and what is not. In any case, we look forward to your detailed response. As always, we remain grateful for your dedicated service to the people of Indiana.
Sincerely, Scott D. Pelath                                    Timothy S. Lanane
|
IS IT TRUE August 13, 2013
IS IT TRUE that the meeting of the Evansville City Council on Monday with respect to the Mayor of Evansville and the Evansville Redevelopment Commission’s desire to give away $37.5 Million of your tax dollars to HCW of Branson, Missouri ran into a well prepared cast of opposition and what some may call a VETTING COMMISSION?…that Monday August 12, 2013 will mark the day that the real VETTING and DISCOVERY period for the hotel project began?…it was blatantly obvious that Mayor Winnecke was ill informed from the minute he slipped and made the errant claim that the downtown Evansville TIF would generate $700 Million per year in additional taxes?…upon being corrected by Councilman Dan Adams for this 9,900% mistake the Mayor stuttered “oh yeah it is just $7 Millionâ€?…this is just the kind of thing that demands a reasonable period for financial assumptions to be rigorously questioned over a period of time so that no more haphazard rookie errors like this one sneak into the pro-forma unchallenged?…when the CEO of any company or city makes 9,900% errors in a public forum it becomes clear just how UNVETTED this or any project is?…that the Winnecke Administration’s sacrificial lamb ERC Chairman Ed Hafer was no more prepared to answer even simple questions than Mayor Winnecke was?…last night neither of these long term Evansville good old boys even deserved to share the stage with what was to come?
IS IT TRUE in what was perhaps the most honest discussion that has been held regarding this project HCW representative Rick Huffman stood like George Washington before the cherry tree and could not bring himself to tell a lie?…when Mr. Huffman was asked pointedly by City Council President Connie Robinson “how many people will you hire at the new hotel†he honestly answered that he was not in a position to answer that question?…it must be remembered that Mayor Winnecke and others have claimed publicly that the new hotel will create 250 full time direct jobs?…this claim is financially impossible even at the minimum wage as a minimum wage job with benefits cost and employer roughly $100 per person per day or just about the rate that the 253 rooms in this hotel will rent for?…to have enough people on the payroll to consume the entire revenue stream of the hotel at 100% occupancy is simply some baseless fantasy concocted by either the Mayor or one of his propaganda ministers?…when pointedly asked how much the jobs in the hotel would pay Mr. Huffman did throw out a 6 figure number for the general manager and $30,000 for a desk clerk, but could not tell a lie about the rest of the jobs?…if one cannot tell a lie the best thing to do is to remain mute?…Mr. Huffman did just that?…in perhaps the most honest confession of the night by Mr. Huffman he said “We still haven’t gotten into finance in any depthâ€?…the truth has set this man free and the CCO appreciates this man’s willingness to stay silent rather than corroborate the nonsensical claims that the Winnecke Administration and it’s alter ego organization have spewed forth?
IS IT TRUE that Attorney Joe Langerak who happens to also be the son-in-law of Indiana Representative Gail Riecken was hired by a consortium of 14 local innkeepers to rebut the assertions of the Winnecke Administration regarding using taxes collected by their private businesses to finance a competitor?…Mr. Langerak literally dismantled every argument put forth by the administration for doing so?…Mr. Langerak took the Winnecke Administration to school last night and the immediate feedback is that he made a lasting positive impression on the City Council as well?…we encourage Mr. Langerak and of course CCO commenter Brad Linzy who also tore Mayor Winnecke’s youtube video to shreds to go to all six of these townhall meetings and make their cases as they did last night?
IS IT TRUE the tax revenue increases shown by project proponents last night that project $800,000 in new taxes per year just from the hotel fall well short of the $2.6 Million in bond service that Mayor Winnecke spoke about?…even if the downtown TIF achieves everything it has been projected to (and you know how those projections are) and brings in $7 Million it will not cover the bond payments of both the Ford Center and this new hotel?…$2.6 Million + $5.7 Million = $8.3 Million?…arithmetic as we learned in the 1st grade tells us that $8.3 Million is more than $7.0 Million?…that is nearly as indefensible as confidently stating that the TIF will bring in $700 Million per year?…City Councilman John Friend, CPA will pilot the Monkey Boat from Mesker Zoo down Main Street with a boat load of monkeys before a TIF in Evansville will bring in $700 Million per year?
IS IT TRUE the VETTING has finally started, the administration was not prepared, and the ERC rubber stamped this proposal without seeing numbers because as Mr. Huffman said “We still haven’t gotten into finance in any depthâ€?…if the administration does not make a better case for this than it made last night the people of Evansville may just demand that their City Council vote not to fund this?…at any rate voting on this on September 9th would be an utter insult to both the people of this city and show contempt for truth in advertising?…if this is the best that the City of Evansville can muster then they need to stop mustering?…the crowing statement of the night also came from Rick “George Washington†Huffman when he admitted to speaking in the recent past against a public subsidy for a hotel that would compete with one owned by HCW?
