Dear Colleagues

Now that we all have been in procession of the letter from RGL Forensics for a couple of days, I believe we need to discuss what we should do with the report. It is my contention that since it was paid for with the Public’s money that it needs to brought to the City Council floor for discussion. We can debate as to its need; but I contend that we still need to share the report’s content with our Mayor and the Public, as some months ago, Mayor Winnecke reflected to me that he was “looking forward to reviewing the consultant’s findings”.

Various Issues have come forth:

1, Dave Garret’s “Lead Sheets” were not compiled on the City Council’s nickel. He and Councilman Friend did that work independently.

2. The conclusion (Pg 4, Paragh 4) by RGL Forensics speaks for itself – “We do not believe that the Garret Lead Sheets confirm that accounting irregularities occurred within the accounts of the Ford Center Construction Center. Yet the lead sheets do raise questions as to the accuracy of the information reported in the accounts and we cannot discount the possibility that accounting irregularities may have occurred. ”

3, It is presently unknown by me as to whether the ~$350,000 overpaid to the Kansas City steel company has ever been recovered or not. If not, what remedies are being pursued ? Although some have said such an overpayment is relatively “chump change” in a project of ~$129,000,000 (?), that sum could maintain a family of four for almost a decade. So I would like to know.

4. Some feel this study was a waste of taxpayer money. I, for one, do not in that I seriously doubt any review study would have been done at all, if we had not pursued this course. It is akin to me of doing a preoperative baseline hematocrit: the fact that it comes back a little abnormal helps the surgeon know when to transfuse blood. Our study clarifies the data for all to evaluate.

5. In my opinion, the recommendation (Pg 5) by RGL Forensics that “Therefore as a possible alternative, we recommend that a selected Garret Lead Sheet (or multiple sheets) be investigated completely to verify whether it is associated with intentional material misstatement. The conclusions from that investigation could then be used as a guide in determining whether a forensic audit is warranted. We would recommend Garret Lead Sheet No. 5, Purchase of the Executive Inn Hotel. “should be brought forth for a vote at City Council ASAP. I think one has to follow the recommendation of one’s consultant, but I am not an accounting expert….And I represent only one vote.

6. Through both our and the Administration’s efforts to review this situation, we have been able to create a substantive change of policy. From now on, there will be a Public Representative on every major City construction project. The Downtown Convention Hotel is an example of this excellent improvement. We all will be privy to real time accurate reports on how the Public’s money is being spent. This information was not promulgated during the Ford Center’s construction.

Please consider the above carefully. After due deliberation, communicate your desires to Chairwoman Robinson, Finance Chair Friend, Lawyer Danks or myself.

Thank you,

Dan

POSTED BY CITY COUNTY OBSERVER WITHOUT OPINION, EDITING OR BIAS!

 (Washington, D.C.) – Thursday afternoon, Congressman Larry Bucshon, a physician, spoke on the House floor and shared stories from constituents who have contacted his office through his webpage, www.bucshon.house.gov/yourstory, and on social media.

A full script of the speech is included below.  To access the video, click here.

“Mr. Speaker, as a physician, my goal is to make certain that every American has access to quality affordable health care.

“The President and Congressional Democrats promised that you can keep your health insurance if you like it.

“Well, we learned yesterday that in my home state of Indiana only 701 Hoosiers have signed up successfully for the Affordable Care Act while over 108,000 Hoosiers have had their current plans cancelled.

 

“I think the people know this promise has not been kept.

 

“Mary from Evansville, Indiana wrote to me about this very thing. She said:  ‘Our insurance is excellent. I had a heart attack a year ago – we met our deductible this year, but insurance has paid for everything recommended, including two months of cardiac rehab, prescriptions, and hernia surgery this summer. My insurance and my doctors saved my life, and now both are at risk.’

 

“On Facebook, Andrea wrote that she was able to extend a plan for her and her son until next December, and then it would be cancelled.  She went on to say, ‘What happened to if you want to keep your healthcare, you can?’”

 

“And finally Allen summed up his frustration in one sentence: ‘I will not have insurance beginning January 1. End of story.’

 

“Mr. Speaker, these are real stories that affect real people; hardworking families just trying to get by.

 

“Mr. Speaker, we need to hold the President and Congressional Democrats to their promise.”

 

Earlier this week, Bucshon asked for constituents to share their experiences with the Affordable Care Act with him via the website,www.bucshon.house.gov/yourstory.  Constituents are still encouraged to send these stories through the webpage, social media, letters, or by calling Bucshon’s office.

 

(Washington, D.C.) – At a Science hearing on Thursday, Congressman Larry Bucshon, a physician, questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Gina McCarthy about the impact of the administration’s new coal regulations on Indiana.

Watch the full exchange by clicking on the image below.

In September, the Administration announced new regulations that are likely to prevent the construction of new coal-fired plants.

In late October, Dr. Bucshon joined over 5,000 Americans from the coal industry at the American Energy Jobs Rally in Washington, DC where he spoke about these regulations. Pictures from the event can be found here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/replarrybucshon/sets/72157637672956503/.

You can also click this link to access the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIcGzyQ-p80&list=PL4CE9BC61F1ADA6A6&index=1.