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IS IT TRUE September 24, 2013

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

IS IT TRUE September 24, 2013

IS IT TRUE that last night’s meeting of the Evansville City Council started out with contentious factions in the street with organized and in your face support being expressed to hurry up and vote right now on accepting the deal of the day to sign a developer for a downtown convention hotel?…the supporters were disrespectful of both opposition citizens and members of the City Council who were not declared as yes votes?…there were cat calls, booing, hissing, sounds of aghastness, and all sorts of other innuendo of negativity directed at anyone who was not high on the endorphins of an approaching short term buzz that they believed a rapid yes vote would bring them?…this is for the most part the same babbling hoard that was begging and using intimidation tactics trying to push something through on September 3rd that would have given away a $37.5 Million subsidy?…this element of spoiled children would have howled for yes votes if the price tag for the same shiny toy would have been $100 Million?…things have changed dramatically for the better since then and all of that positive change can be sourced with the skeptics who were not willing to roll over and pay any price to anyone with or without a pulse who would agree to put up a convention hotel?…the people of Evansville would be well served to never ever listen to the original yes crowd ever again when money is involved?

IS IT TRUE when Brad Linzy started his 3 minute presentation by asking the crowd “how they liked saving $17.5 Million” they were silent?…he then simply said “if you liked saving $17.5 Million you’re welcome” speaking the mind of all of the prudent people who do not flex for shiny objects including the “RESPONSIBLE SIX” members of the City Council who thankfully voted to wait one more week and review the details of the new resolution that was not even written until 3 hours before the council meeting?…rather than following the example of Nancy Pelosi (gotta pass it to see what it is) seven of the members of our city council did the right thing, and the prudent thing, to read and understand the details before even holding a vote?…of course Councilman Weaver and Councilwoman Mosby who have been wearing YES buttons to meetings and have been founding members of the pass it now at any price club voted NO on waiting a week solidifying their irrelevant status for all future votes involving money?…when Mr. Linzy complemented the Mayor on the events of the last 4 days and stated that this agreement is very close to something even he would support the room took on a different tone?…that set of words was the point where most everyone realized that there is a very high probability that the quest for a hotel will be fulfilled soon?…there are just a few more barriers to having a good shot at a unanimous vote from the City Council and overwhelming community support?

IS IT TRUE it is time for Mayor Winnecke and the support group to cease their tactic of trying to pick off 2 council members with arm twisting and work on a few easy modifications that will galvanize the support of the community behind this project?…one of those things is to eliminate the Innkeeper’s Tax from the direct hotel subsidy?…another is to make every effort to eliminate the need for Riverboat money to pay the bonds?…if these two things are accomplished every reasonable objection will be removed and Evansville can use this painful last month as a learning exercise as a model on how to do things in the future?

IS IT TRUE that if this is accomplished through precise language and any needed modifications even the City County Observer will offer is praise and blessings for this deal?…sometimes working together takes some disagreement but this time the end result may just set a standard convention hotel deals?…Evansville seems to be a few modifications and one week from making the deal of the decade when it comes to downtown convention hotels?…this is not the time to take our eyes off the ball?

Indiana State Police to Host International Police Work Dog Association Nationals

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ISP

 

The Indiana State Police will be hosting the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA) Nationals the week of October 28 through November 1, 2013 at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC) near North Vernon, IN. This year will be the second time in the last three years ISP has hosted this event. During this weeklong event, police work dog teams will participate in search and rescue, utility, explosive, drug, and scenario based training and certifications will be completed daily. Over 120 teams are expected to participate.

The opening ceremony will take place Monday, October 28 at 8:30 a.m. in Building 403 of the MUTC facility. Although media is welcome and encouraged to attend any day, a VIP/Media Day has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 30 beginning at 9:30 a.m. “Windshield” tours of the MUTC facility will begin at 11:00 a.m. and media will also have the opportunity to see the K-9 teams in action and various subject matter experts and K-9 officers will be available for interviews and questions throughout the day. Last year there were K-9 teams from 12 different states and two Canadian Provinces taking part in the event.

The schedule of events for Wednesday, October 30 (Media Day) is as follows:

8:30 a.m. K-9 Venues open
9:30 a.m. Media welcome at MUTC Media Bldg
10:30 a.m. VIP welcome at MUTC Media Bldg
11:00 a.m. Bus tours of MUTC facility for media and VIP’s begin
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch (guests are responsible for their own meals)

**Media and VIP’s will be allowed to stay on the grounds of MUTC until 3:00 p.m. Throughout the day K-9 handlers and subject matter experts will be available to answer questions of media and media will also be permitted up-close access to observe, photograph, and video K-9 teams in action. Sergeant Jerry Goodin, Indiana State Police Public Information Officer and Army Sergeant First Class Brad Staggs, Atterbury/Muscatatuck Public Affairs Officer will be on hand to facilitate media.

For more information about the International Police Work Dog Association visit their website athttp://www.ipwda.org/. Questions concerning the IPWDA Nationals prior to the event should be directed to Sgt. Tony Knox, Indiana State Police at tknox@isp.in.gov or Sgt. Dennis Wade, Indiana State Police atdwade@isp.in.gov.

Directions to MUTC:

From Indianapolis, Louisville, and Camp Atterbury: Take I-65 to exit 50A (U.S. 50 East toward North Vernon). Travel east on U.S. 50 19.8 miles taking you through North Vernon. East of North Vernon a flashing yellow light marks the entrance to MUTC. Turn left at the flashing yellow light in front of Brush Creek Elementary School and follow that road to the MUTC entrance.

From Cincinnati and points East: Take I-275 around Cincinnati to exit 16 (U.S. 50 Greendale exit). At the bottom of the ramp, turn left to go west on U.S. 50. Take U.S. 50 west for 43.2 miles. The flashing yellow light west of Butlerville marks the entrance to MUTC. Turn right at the flashing yellow light in front of Brush Creek Elementary School and follow that road to the MUTC entrance.

“The tale of a sleep apnea bill shows what just might be the most efficient Congress has been in years.”

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220px-Larry_Bucshon,_official_portrait,_112th_Congress“Along the way, Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) and Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) secured the support of major industry groups and dozens of their House colleagues. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously passed their bill Thursday, just a week after it was introduced. It’s slated for a House vote Wednesday, just 13 days after introduction. That success aside, what they most wanted was for FMCSA to go on record in favor of a rule making — and that’s just what they got.”

Bucshon’s bill will be considered on the House floor under suspension of the rules on Wednesday, September 25, 2013.

 

 

Sleep apnea bill awakens Congress

Adam Snider

September 24, 2013

The tale of a sleep apnea bill shows what just might be the most efficient Congress has been in years.

In a few short weeks, two House members went from writing a simple two-page bill to seeing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration committing to a formal rule making on sleep apnea testing and treatment for truckers and other professional drivers.

Along the way, Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) and Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) secured the support of major industry groups and dozens of their House colleagues. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously passed their bill Thursday, just a week after it was introduced. It’s slated for a House vote Wednesday, just 13 days after introduction. That success aside, what they most wanted was for FMCSA to go on record in favor of a rule making — and that’s just what they got.

“A lot of times in Washington, D.C., if you get both political parties to agree on something that’s very practical, you can move things more quickly,” Bucshon said in an interview.

“The speed surprised me a little bit. But I think it shows that things can happen quickly, can get done here,” Lipinski told POLITICO. “We’ve gotten so used to everything getting bogged down. Even sometimes when there is bipartisan agreement, things still get bogged down, but it also shows that the Transportation Committee is working well now.”

The bill’s momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing — Bucshon said House leadership has told him the measure will come to the floor under suspension of the rules, a procedure used to fast track largely noncontroversial legislation.

Though the lawmakers took only modest credit for their bill having prompted FMCSA’s announcement, their colleagues were more effusive in their praise. Even during Thursday’s markup, which was dominated by a major water resources bill, several committee members took the time to praise the duo and say the bill inspired FMCSA’s action.

“I think the action of the committee has already produced the result we intended,” said D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the top Democrat on the highways panel.

“I’ve got to believe some of it is,” Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) told POLITICO when asked if the bill prompted FMCSA to change course. “Being bipartisan can be a powerful force.”

After the bill was introduced, FMCSA initially committed to act “through a public notice and comment process.” That addressed one of the concerns from lawmakers — that industry groups wouldn’t be able to weigh in.

But the night before the markup, an FMCSA official contacted POLITICO with a more definitive statement, saying the agency will act “through the formal rule-making process after collecting and analyzing the necessary data and research.

Bucshon and Lipinski both said they were pleased with FMCSA’s commitment to rule making but still plan to press ahead with their legislation.

They had plenty of help from their fellow lawmakers, but Bucshon and Lipinski also had the trucking industry, a hefty force, behind them. The American Trucking Associations and other groups had recently written to lawmakers in support of the bill.

“We’d like to thank Reps. Bucshon and Lipinski, as well as all our supporters in the House, for moving this important bill forward,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said in a statement after committee passage. “While FMCSA has said they are receptive to a rule-making process in lieu of sleep apnea guidance, we urge the House and Senate to follow through with swift approval” of the bill. The American Bus Association also put out a statement in support.

The sleep apnea bill is child’s play compared with the heavy legislative lifts the committee faces next year with writing a new surface transportation bill just as the Highway Trust Fund is going broke and needs tens of billions of extra dollars to maintain current spending levels.

Shuster, however, isn’t worried about that just yet.

“We have some tougher issues that are going to come up, but I think this sets a precedent for working together,” he said.
This article is available online at http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/sleep-apnea-bill-bipartisanship-congress-97235.html#ixzz2fp0Dbq69.

City Council Defers Hotel Vote Until September 30th

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After nearly a 5 hour finance committee meeting that was for the most part a public forum on the current embodiment of the hotel deal Council President Connie Robinson declared after a voice vote of 7 – 2 to defer the hotel vote until next Monday night at 5 PM. That special meeting will have no other topics except the hotel on the agenda.

Since last Thursday when it became apparent that the $37.5 Million public subsidy supported by Mayor Winnecke, the Redevelopment Commission, and Council members Weaver, Mosby, and McGinn the public subsidy by the City of Evansville has been reduced to only $7.5 Million to the hotel with the balance of the proposed $20 Million bond allocated for infrastructure and a parking garage. The county has committed to pay $1.5 Million to the project in February with the CVB kicking in another $2 Million.

In what was perhaps one of the most courageous moves of the public comments opposition leader Brad Linzy asked the crowd how they liked the saving of $17.5 Million in public dollars only to follow that question with a strong “you’re welcome”. Local Innkeeper’s attorney Joe Langerak spoke eloquently about how much better this deal was now than it was just four days ago and credited the members of the council along with the opposition for forcing that to happen.

It was also revealed that the rumored $13 Million gift from local business leaders is actually an $11.5 Million investment in part ownership of the hotel. When asked how much equity by President Robinson, HCW’s Rick Huffman slipped and said 25% only to say later that the deal was private and that the City Council will not be allowed to know the terms of the deal. The City of Evansville will get no equity for the $7.5 Million subsidy.

This is a developing story.

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 Friday, September 20, 2013.

 

Kyle Baker Theft-Class D Felony

 

Mark Cates Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon-Class C Felonies (Two Counts)

 

Mary Ann Johnson Theft-Class D Felony

Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor

 

Zachary Schnabel Institutional Criminal Mischief-Class D Felonies (Three Counts)

Criminal Mischief-Class A Misdemeanor

 

Matthew Davis Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug-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.

IS IT TRUE Part 3, September 23, 2013 “Vote NO or Delay”

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

IS IT TRUE Part 3, September 23, 2013

IS IT TRUE that there are many people pushing for a YES vote tonight on the newest deal for a convention hotel that will require the City of Evansville to sell bonds of between $18.5 Million and $20 Million depending on whom one speaks to?…this deal has moved around more since Friday than a snake on a fish hook?…for this reason there are only two logical votes that can possibly be casted tonight by the members of the City Council?…the first vote would be a NO vote to whatever is offered up as there is no way a deal that is still in formation could be written and understood in time for a vote tonight?…the other logical position to support is to postpone any vote for roughly a month which would provide adequate time to write and vet a new offer from the support group?

IS IT TRUE it should be blatantly obvious by now that the supporters for bonding $37.5 Million on this deal have no business making any decision that has to do with money?…these folks are the ones who go to a timeshare presentation and pay $37,500 for a timeshare because they succumb to that emotional tricks that a good timeshare salesman pulls on them?…it is also blatantly obvious that the people and organizations who opposed the $37.5 Million hand-out have saved the people of Evansville at least $17.5 Million (and counting) just by asking tough questions and reserving judgment?…somewhere in Florida there may be a twin towers timeshare project with Mosby Tower on the right and Weaver tower on the left joined in the middle by McGinn’s Irish Pub?…the focused use of brainpower and willpower has this deal to a point that in a couple of weeks if everything vets well there may just be an agreement that is good and acceptable to a large majority of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that the “RESPONSIBLE SIX” need to stay responsible and solid for another 24 hours and not get sucked into the blue smoke, mirrors, and radio ad public relations lobbying effort being conducted in Evansville?…like it or not Councilman John Friend’s demand for financial information started this path to $17.5 Million in savings and sticking with his plan to vet will surely lead to more savings in the near future?…this deal is very close to being down to the 25% of project number ($17.5 Million) that Friend used as a guideline for public financing of hotel projects and not that far from the $10 Million number that is about what the basic infrastructure will cost?…the “RESPONSILBE SIX” need to be honored and thanked when you see them in public?…if the plan unfolds as we at the CCO believe it can during the next month this may be Evansville’s finest economic development hour in many years?

IS IT TRUE it will be hard to find much fault with any deal that is only an empty lot and infrastructure?…tonight is the first opportunity to lay the groundwork for that?

City County Observer to Explore Launch of Obituary Section

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The City County Observer has formed an exploratory group to consider launching an obituary section to the daily online publication. Initial discussions are that pricing should remain under $100 for a premium obituary with a color picture with a lower price for simple death notices.

As the CCO is a small team and can move quite rapidly to establish an obits page we expect to announce the details of any offering within a few weeks. Please respond with comments to help us serve you our readers better.

Letter to the Mayor from John Friend

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Posted by the CCO without opinion, bias or editing

Lloyd,
As we discussed, I apologize for not getting back to you before 9 pm...After 
discussion with Dr. Adams, he and I both feel that the City needs to be 
prepared to go "all in' on the downtown Med School RFP.

According to Dr. Adams, Warrick must be receiving inside info, and, apparently, 
will boost the RFP to 40 million and 40 acres. This is highly concerning. 
You and I both realize that the Med School downtown is the game changer. 
From the failed McCurdy to the main street walkway, the med school represents 
the total transformation of downtown. 

The hotel is very important, but, pails to the Med...if we lose this because we 
just could NOT wait for a lousy 4-5 months, this will be blunder of the century. 
For those who think that we MUST move on this ASAP and we are the laughing stock 
of the mid-west are drinking euphoric kool-aid. In addition, med school will not
come because we have decided to construct a hotel. They know that the Med will 
bring the hotels without massive amounts of taxpayers hard-earned tax dollars. 

So, do we over-subsidize the project, and are forced to pay millions for 
the Med school, and HCW pockets the intrinsic value on their way out. If not, 
why did Mr. Huffman indicate rolling the hotel into a REIT [Real Estate
InvestmentTrust] in other words, a mutual fund of sticks and bricks. This was
the discussion when he met with Dr. Adams and I over two months ago. 

So, in summary, why didn't the administration negotiate to these levels 
months ago? And, why do I feel that I'm a contestant on the game show 
"Let's Make a Deal" The only thing that seems to be missing here is Monte 
Hall. Seriously, what is the motive, the extreme sense of urgency concerning
a project that has been debate and reviewed for four years, and especially, 
with the Med school in the mix.

Again, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. 

John

IS IT TRUE Part 2 September 23, 2013

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Evansville Financial Controls Mascot
Evansville Financial Controls Mascot

IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation is telling us that a last minute twist is in the works that will cause tonight’s vote on the hotel agreement to be delayed for perhaps a month?…what we are hearing is that there are even more concessions being made by the developer, the Mayor’s office, and that even some local business leaders are tossing some of their money into the fire?…starting from the $37.5 Million giveaway and taking that further down to $31.5 Million that Mayor Winnecke was touting as the hot ticket on Friday it seems as though another $13 Million has magically appeared to take the bonded amount down to $18.5 Million by this writer’s math?…that may be enough of a reduction to capture the attention of some of the “RESPONSIBLE SIX” and interest them in listening to the newest iteration of this never ending saga of the downtown convention hotel?

IS IT TRUE that any deal that may make someone salivate really does still need to be VETTED including the return expected from the business leaders who are supposedly putting up $13 Million?…we have no information at this time as to whether this is a gift, shares are being purchased, bonds are being guaranteed, or just what the source of funds will be?…if this is indeed a gift simply because these leaders are generous citizens the question should arise about why they wouldn’t just do the whole deal and own it?…there is still much to learn about this new wrinkle and as positive of a move as this may sound like the bonded amount is now back to where the negotiations SHOULD HAVE STARTED?

IS IT TRUE that the one thing that comes out of this is just how unsophisticated and naiive the babbling hoard of beautiful people, the Mayor, and a couple of City Council members (Mosby, Weaver and McGinn) were when they were leading cheer to give away $37.5 Million?…just simple negotiating techniques backed up by arithmetic has reportedly taken nearly $20 Million of the risk to the taxpayers out of the deal and onto the backs of others?…the cheerleaders would have gladly handed over the $37.5 Million a month ago?…this civil war of the people of Evansville has already paid off to the tune of $20 Million and counting?…the City County Observer is pleased to have provided an open forum for discussion and will continue to do so FREE OF CHARGE?

IS IT TRUE that finally we would like to thank the Courier and Press for yesterday’s internet traffic?…not only were they the largest driver of traffic to the CCO but our Sunday pageviews were more than double any Sunday ever?

How to Get a Great Night’s Sleep

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Dr. Arnold

By

Roy M. Arnold, MD
Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine
21st Century Healthcare, LLC
www.21centuryhc.com
812 402 -2003

More sleep, better sleep. That’s what we all want. Do you have to boost your energy level during the day with caffeine? Do you have trouble falling asleep or trouble waking up when it’s time? Do you have to sleep late or nap on weekends? You can sleep sounder and wake up feeling more refreshed without the use of artificial sleep aids or drugs. This article can tell you how.

An important first step to determining causes of poor sleep habits is to keep a sleep diary for a week. By carefully recording information about your sleep patterns, you may be able to identify ways to improve your sleep. Every day, record the time you went to bed and the time you woke up. Record how long you slept and how restful it was. Make a note of how many times you awakened throughout each night and for what reason (bathroom, noise, cold, hot, etc.) Note how much caffeine you consumed each day and at what times. Record what time and what you ate and drank before retiring each night. Make a note of stress factors that were active in your life each day.

At the end of the week, review the results and identify what factors if any can be corrected by lifestyle changes.

Here are a few tips to help you get more refreshing sleep:

* Make certain your sleep environment is at a comfortable temperature, dark enough and quiet. If necessary, add blinds or curtains, or a white noise machine to block out sounds from outside. Add or remove quilts or blankets as the seasons change to keep cool or warm as necessary.

* Eating a large meal with high fat or protein content, drinking alcohol or caffeine-containing beverages within 4 hours of retiring can disrupt your sleep. Keep your fluid intake low after 8 pm and if you must eat, try a light snack containing dairy, nuts, or bananas. These foods are higher in tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep.

* Certain medications, vitamins or supplements can disrupt sleep if taken close to bedtime. Medications like steroids for asthma, Beta blockers for high blood pressure or diuretics for fluid retention can sometimes disturb sleep. Vitamins B6 or B12 can cause vivid dreaming in some people and should be taken in the morning. Supplements like gensing or guarana are stimulants and can keep you awake.

* Don’t go to bed exhausted or stressed out. Exhaustion or stress can release chemicals into your blood that interfere with sleep. Sit quietly and decompress for 10-15 minutes before retiring after an exhausting or stressful day. If stress or grief is a major factor in your life, consider seeing a counselor to learn about effective ways to manage your life’s challenges.

* Try going to bed at the same time every night, not waiting until you get sleepy. If you have trouble falling asleep, don’t toss and turn. Get up and read, watch a relaxing TV show or listen to soft music.

* Take a bubble bath, or warm shower before retiring.

* Consider using a drop or two of essential lavender oil under your nose before retiring. Studies have shown improved sleep patterns after use.

* Pets in your bed can disturb your sleep. In a recent survey 53% of people who sleep with pets said their pets often disturb their sleep. Let the pets sleep on the floor or in their own beds.

* Undiagnosed Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can cause you wake up frequently coughing or choking. If you experience these symptoms you could be suffering from undiagnosed GERD. Your health care provider can sort these problems out.

* Is disruptive sleeping by your partner keeping you awake? If your sleeping partner snores, has vivid dreams or limb movement, this can disrupt your sleep.

* Start an exercise program. Try to work out in the mornings or over your lunch break. Exercise can contribute to overall health and well-being but exercise performed right before bedtime can sometimes disrupt sleep.

Certain types of sleep-related behaviors may signal a more serious problem and should be discussed with your health care provider. These include very loud snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, limb movements during sleep, hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up, sleep walking, sleep eating or other bizarre behaviors while asleep, or inappropriate daytime sleepiness. While any one of these may not necessarily be dangerous, they certainly merit further evaluation.

Sleep disorders such as sleep-disordered breathing, or narcolepsy can be diagnosed through a sleep study or other testing and can be successfully treated with medication or continuous positive airway (CPAP) devices worn during sleep.

The above are a few suggestions that often help most people fall asleep faster and awake more rested. They certainly aren’t the only answers. If poor sleep continues to be a problem, by all means consult your primary health provider.

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