Ford Center Construction Audit for CCO Readers
Today the City County Observer got a copy of the audit of the Ford Center construction project which we respectfully make available to our readers on the following link.
Some key conclusions taken from the audit are as follows:
“Based on procedures performed, the initial deposits to capitalized interest trust accounts were correct but subsequent deposits to the 2010B capitalized interest trust account were incorrect.”
“Based on the disbursements reviewed, the following disbursements were noted that did not appear to be for the construction of the Ford Center.”
“Based on the procedure performed, the City of Evansville did not spend $32 million of local funds on the Construction of the Ford Center.”
“Based on the procedure performed our review of Resolution C-2009-29 indicates that the total cost of design and construction of the Downtown Multi-Purpose Arena was capped at $127,500,000 excluding finance costs, furniture, and prior feasibility studies. Based on the expenditures reviewed, the total amount spent on the design and construction of the Downtown Multi-Purpose Arena from the reviewed funds and trust accounts was $128,279,998 as of December 31, 2012. This amount exceeds the cap of $127,500,000 proposed by the City Council in Resolution C-2009-29.”
“Based on the procedures performed, payments made on several contracts were not within the approved contract amount. Of the contracts reviewed ten were paid more than the contract amount plus (minus) change orders. The total amount overpaid was $1,052,732.”
“Based on the invoices reviewed, all paid invoices were not properly documented.”
“Results of the procedure performed indicates that not all of the deposits to and disbursements from the 2009 BAN A and 2009 BAN B bank accounts and the 2010 A and 2010 B trust accounts were appropriate and/or approved by the Redevelopment Commission or Redevelopment Authority Board.”
You can read the details that lead to the above derogatories and the official City of Evansville response on the following link.
Healthy Grilling Tips for Summer Barbecues
Enjoy outdoor cooking while keeping cancer risk to a minimum, expert urges
SUNDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) — For many Americans, summer just wouldn’t be the same without a backyard barbecue. However, the blackened meats and smoky flavor that come with grilling could put your health at risk, experts caution.
The good news, though, is that by planning ahead and making some smart choices, you can enjoy summer barbecues and reduce your exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
High-heat grilling can convert proteins found in red meat, pork, poultry and fish into heterocyclic amines (HCAs). These chemicals have been linked to breast, stomach, prostate and colon cancer.
“What happens is that the high temperature can change the shape of the protein structure in the meat so it becomes irritating in the body and is considered a carcinogenic chemical,” Stacy Kennedy, a nutritionist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said in an institute news release.
Another cancer-causing agent, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is found in the smoke from the barbeque. PAHs form when fat and juices from meat cooking on the grill drip down onto the heat source.
“That’s where the main cancer-causing compound occurs in grilling,” Kennedy said. “So you want to reduce the exposure to that smoke.”
For those who plan to fire up the grill this summer, Kennedy offered the following tips to reduce exposure to cancer-causing agents:
•Choose meats wisely. Avoid grilling high-fat meats, like ribs and sausages. Instead, choose lean meats, which create less dripping and less smoke. Always trim excess fat and remove skin. It’s also a good idea to choose smaller cuts of meat, such as kabobs, which require less cooking time.
•Try thin marinades. Thicker marinades tend to char, which could increase exposure to cancer-causing agents. Choose marinades made with vinegar or lemon, which will form a protective layer on the meat.
•Reduce grilling time. Always thaw meat before cooking. Meat and fish also should be partially cooked in the microwave before grilling. This will reduce cooking time and the risk for smoke flare-ups.
•Flip often. Flipping burgers once every minute will help prevent burning or charring.
•Consider food placement. Be sure to place food at least six inches away from a heat source.
•Create a barrier. Do not allow juices to spill and produce harmful smoke. Line the grill with aluminum foil or cook on cedar planks.
•Consider veggies. Try grilling your favorite vegetables since they do not contain the protein that forms harmful HCAs. “People are surprised, but you can safely eat charred vegetables,” Kennedy said. “They have different proteins that are not affected the same way as the meat protein.
Despite the risks, Kennedy said, barbecue enthusiasts should keep things in perspective. “If you’re grilling and following the proper safety tips, the risk of getting cancer from grilling food is very low,” she said. “Being overweight or obese, which are at epidemic levels in the U.S., are far greater risk factors for developing cancer than the consumption of grilled foods.”
IS IT TRUE June 7, 2013
IS IT TRUE June 7, 2013
IS IT TRUE the City County Observer would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for our publisher Mr. Ron Cosby who had a very serious medical situation yesterday?…even after having a beer with the grim reaper yesterday morning he did sound better on the phone and was very pleased that the CCO was able to acquire and publish a copy of the Ford Center construction audit for our readers to peruse?
IS IT TRUE to those of us who have been observing local government competence either directly or through the eyes of MOLES for several years now the fact that seven (7) separate areas of the sixteen (16) categories examined were cited for having something done wrong?…getting only 9 of 16 categories correct is only 56% which would earn a big fat F in every classroom setting at any level?…it is truly disappointing that getting an F has become the expectation of City government performance and it is encouraging when 56% was actually achieved?…it was almost a D- so we should all be proud?…of the things cited for not conforming contractually or legally to what was agreed to none are particularly giant?…this comedy of errors was just another example of sloppy work that was half done with a detached supervisor and poor oversight?…some of the problems cited were probably encouraged by sloppy oversight as a way to pull the wool over some bumpkins eyes and fatten up a bottom line or two but the damages are relatively small when compared to the size of the project?…the sheer number of things cited reflects the “let it slide†manner that Evansville has been running its projects for perhaps a century?…if Evansville were a ship it would have many small leaks and occasionally teeter on sinking but would somehow find a way to remain afloat?…organizations like our local government always seem to flirt with disaster in earning Fs but figure out how to charm their way into a diploma without learning a thing?
IS IT TRUE of course there were six pages of excuses and rationalizations about why the seven (7) citations were “okay†or “wrong†or still being finalized and that is par for the course?…those of you who read the audit will not find malice or criminal indications?…what you will find is just plain old fashioned sloppiness?…as long as sloppiness goes unchallenged it will continue?…if the City of Evansville wants to be seen as a competent place then competence needs to start inside of local government?…the people named in the audit as responsible parties and their managers do not seem to be doing their best or even performing at an acceptable level?…if the past is protocol there will be raises and accolades for them all and the buffoonery will continue?
IS IT TRUE that City Council members John Friend and Jonathan Weaver squared off in a debate last night on Local 7 to debate the merits of financial consultant David Garrett’s performance in providing 3rd party oversight for Evansville’s budget?…long time critic of Mr. Garrett Councilman Weaver admitted that the Weinzapfel Administration handed the Winnecke Administration a financial “messâ€?…the debate was monitored by Brad Byrd and had some comical interchanges where Councilman Friend made it obvious that Councilman Weaver did not have a clue about the scope of David Garrett’s function?…it is also obvious that Councilman Weaver has been trying to run some independent traps toward Mr. Garrett that Mr. Garrett has not been getting caught in?…the thing that was not mentioned is that David Garrett is providing contractual oversight on a continuing bank reconciliation problem for $1,666 per month which is less than a City Council person earns and much less that either the present or former Controllers currently earn?…if the Evansville Office of the Controller and two high dollar consulting firms have not been able to do this job correctly after over a million dollars being spent, to tee off on David Garrett for finding many shortcomings that are exposed in the SBOA audit is quite disingenuous on the part of Councilman Weaver?…you can view the debate on the following link?
http://tristatehomepage.com/fulltext-news?nxd_id=621822
IS IT TRUE President Barack Obama will be meeting with the Premier of China in Rancho Mirage, CA this weekend at Sunnylands that is also known as the Western White House?…Sunnylands is on this writers jogging path but I gotta find a new path for the weekend because the roads in and around Sunnylands are closed to traffic and covered up by men in black?…I better watch my cell phone and email activity though because it has now been revealed that government goons have not only been tapping the phones of some reporters but have been routinely monitoring the cell phones and emails of unsuspecting private citizens?…the USA seems to have become the Gulag Archipelago while we have not been looking?…eternal vigilance and continuous diligence is needed in more than local government if any of the Bill of Rights is to survive even until New Years Day?
County Commissioners Reject Request For Free Passes To Burdette Park For County Employees
President Abell: Under new business, Burdette Park passes for county employees. You’re not here to discuss that, are you? I spoke with Mr. Craig on the phone today about this. He has not ordered those. He’s leaving that decision on whether or not to provide them up to us. Of course, this is where we’re going to make that decision, because the three of us having discussed it. I don’t know how the other two feel, but, we just, I just do not think this something we can continue to afford. We’re operating at bare bones. We’re losing money at Burdette Park every year, and I don’t think we can continue to provide passes for anyone to use the facilities, but I will entertain comments from my fellow Commissioners.
Commissioner Melcher: Well, it’s not just not the county employees. Every time we do the county employees, the next two weeks we’ve got to come back and do the building here. So, they’re not on here again, so that means they’ll be back at the June 4th meeting wanting to know where their passes are. I agree, you know, right now, with the times the way they are and all of this, I was in a meeting with Shetler yesterday, you were on the phone, we’ve got to find out where all of this money is going to come from. You know, we hate to do that, but, you know, nothing says we can relook at this some other time. So, I don’t even think–
Commissioner Kiefer: Don’t do anything.
Commissioner Melcher: – don’t even do anything on it, no. So, we’ll just move on with old business.
President Abell: No action. There will be no action on this, and there will be no park passes issued this year.
Annual Days Of Service
As an active part of the Evansville community, UE is excited to offer every student countless opportunities to get involved through community service.
During the 2011-12 academic year, UE students reported more than 19,000 hours of service to the Evansville community, helping to ensure that they will leave the Evansville community better than they found it. Over the course of the year, our students took part in service activities that included:
â—¾Landscaping
â—¾Tutoring
â—¾Mentoring
â—¾Serving Meals
â—¾Cleaning
â—¾Building Homes
â—¾Assisting and Visiting the Elderly
â—¾And Much More!
To get involved, all you have to do is visit the Office of Community Service Initiatives in the student life suite of Ridgway University Center. There, you will find an extensive list of service sites in the Evansville area that can connect you with a meaningful community service opportunity.
For more information, please stop by, or call the Office of Community Service Initiatives at 812-488-2538.
Students to pitch products in second technology transfer academy
USI students from engineering and business disciplines have come together once again for this year’s summer Technology Commercialization Academy (TCA). This is the second year for the program, which piloted in 2012.
Academy participants work full time to develop ideas and business strategies around commercialization of several Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) patents. This year’s TCA has been expanded to include more students and additional time for independent work.
In this year’s Academy, students explored NSWC Crane military patents for radio intelligence, the intuitive interface initiative, and the fire control laser model. From radio intelligence technology, students have developed four tentative final products: a wristband that will track children, wait times for rides, and cash and ticketing information in amusement parks; an inventory tracker for retail establishments and warehouses; a device to track customers inside stores; and a device for institutions that will track people and help identify potential emergency or disaster situations using location patterns.
Students in the Academy, which kicked off on May 13, meet for two hours each day with faculty and spend another six hours each day working on their projects. Students utilize USI resources to develop a manufacturing plan and produce prototypes of selected technologies. They also complete preliminary market research and feasibility analyses. The Academy includes four teams of four students, each with two business and two engineering students.
The first segment of the TCA will conclude with final product pitches. Teams with high-potential technologies will have the opportunity to continue in the Academy for an additional five weeks, wrapping up in mid-July. With the additional time, teams are encouraged to license and further develop their technologies, form startups, and reach out to potential customers and investors.
Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE) in collaboration with USI came up with the Academy idea in their Tech Transfer Committee. The academy was made possible through a Lilly Endowment Sustaining Grant secured by Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the Romain College of Business, and Dr. Scott Gordon, dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.
“This is an extremely important project for us to gain insights into and increase the pace of technology transfer between Crane, USI, and others in southwestern Indiana,†said Dr. Khayum.
Debbie Dewey, president of GAGE, delivered the closing remarks at last year’s final presentations. “This project has been transformational for USI, Crane, GAGE, and our region,†she said.
If you go
Each team in the 2013 TCA will pitch its final idea and unveil a prototype at 10 a.m., Friday, June 14, in the atrium of the USI Business and Engineering Center on campus. Interested businesses, local media, and others from the community are invited to attend.
Live, local music performed at Library
Hear live music from local musicians at this summer’s Dig Into Music concert series at Central Library. All performances begin at 7:00 pm and take place in the Library’s lobby (*July 10 concert will be in Browning Events Room).
June 12 Monte Skelton
June 26 Kennedy Rose
July 10 The Vintage Rendition*
July 24 Zion
August 7 Andy Norvell
August 21 Likewise
For more information, call (812) 428-8246 or visit evpl.org. Admission is free to this concert series, which is made possible by the Public Library Friends.