IS IT TRUE? November 17, 2011 ERC Dilemma Continues
IS IT TRUE? November 17, 2011
IS IT TRUE that a call to the Vanderburgh County Treasurer’s Office today by the City County Observer resulted in us learning that the McCurdy Hotel owned by City Centre Properties LLC of Carmel, IN has officially been declared to be delinquent on their tax bill?… that City Centre Properties that owns tract #82-06-30-020-005.002-029, aka the McCurdy Hotel has failed to pay their Fall 2011 installment of their real estate taxes?…that the tax bill on that property that was due last week was $10,268.66 but has now a penalty of 5% is now $10,782.69?…that if they don’t pay this by December 10th they will be popped with another 5% penalty?…that the choice not to pay this tax bill serves as an early indicator that City Center Properties LLC either does not have the means or intention to move forward with this project without public money handed to them to do so?
IS IT TRUE that as we just reported the Riverhouse Hotel has a contract on it?…that the Riverhouse which has recently had much trouble and fell into as many or more code violations that the McCurdy failed to register an acceptable bid at a recent auction only bringing an interest up to $350,000 that the bank owner refused to accept?…that the financial parts of this deal have not been released and that only the principals, Mole #7, Mole #44, and the McCurdy Brown Bats know the details.?…that the McCurdy Brown Bats learned by dropping eaves that are dangerously close to falling off anyway?…that the McCurdy Brown Bats have been known to gossip a bit to their friends the Pigeon Creek Piranha so just go ask the Piranha if you need to know?
IS IT TRUE that the real information comes from the McCurdy Rat Snakes who did get a glimpse of some plans for a 125 – 150 room riverfront hotel that the buyer and seller were discussing in the parking lot?…that the potential for a new riverfront hotel may just have some affect on the deliberations that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission regarding the longsuffering downtown Convention Hotel project slated for the space between the Ford Center and the Centre?…that just when we thought the vetting would be done and a decision could be made that new information comes along?…that Evansville could still benefit from a Convention Hotel and that the Hunden Strategic Partners vetting of Prime Lodging and the Kunkel Group should play itself out?…that as soon as it is revealed that the study is complete that it is the responsibility of the ERC and the DMD to release that study to the public?…that just to keep the process honest that the City County Observer will file a Freedom of Information Act Request the hour that we know that this report has been completed?…that going forward with anything at all with respect to a contract or a decision without the justification of the Hunden study that we the people of Evansville paid for is not acceptable?
IS IT TRUE that the CCO believes that this downtown Convention Hotel project has gone on long enough and that the Weinzapfel Administration’s bumbling has been the only consistency at all?…that it is time for a new team to make this decision and the name of that team is the Winnecke Administration?…that we encourage Mayor Elect Winnecke to inject himself into this discussion so that it does not become an unmanageable albatross around his neck in the future?
Riverhouse Under Contract: New Hotel Possible
The City County Observer has learned through it newest addition Mole #7 and has confirmed through Mole #44 that the Riverhouse property has a contract that has been signed on it and that the buyer is a developer who has every intention to utilized the property to create a river front hotel with between 125 and 150 rooms.
The Riverhouse has been in disrepair for many years and recently only drew bids of $350,000 at auction and opted to remain on the market to wait for a better offer. The terms of the contract have not been disclosed but the property has been listed by Woodward Commercial Realty for $1.25 Million.
The property that consists of two tracts is currently owned by Centra Credit Union of Columbus, IN and is assessed at a total of $760,000.
The Riverhouse which is the next door neighbor to the McCurdy Hotel that was just declared delinquent on their recent real estate tax bill of $10,782.69 and assessed a 5% penalty of $539.13 and has been the subject of much controversy of the three year ordeal that its owner City Centre Properties LLC has gone through seeking financing to convert it to 90 luxury apartments.
The Evansville Redevelopment Commission is meeting in a private executive session today to hear the Vetting report of Hunden Strategic Partners with respect to the downtown Convention Hotel that has been planned for the MLK Entertainment Complex for three years now. That hotel project has been through several false starts due to difficulties with financing and weakness of the chosen companies. The ERC commissioned an extensive vetting process to be done by Hunden Strategic Partners on proposals from Prime Lodging and the Kunkel Group to avoid another false start. The results of that vetting procedure may be released today.
How to Buy American Made Products this Holiday Season
The City County Observer would like to encourage all of our readers to consider making this Holiday Season a season where we all band together to aid the nations economy by resolving to purchase every holiday gift possible that is MADE IN AMERICA.
We took it upon ourselves to try to learn just how to go about doing such a thing and came across the website for DigUSOut that is a business that goes out and finds goods and services that are American and makes them available to people who wish to buy American made. DigUSOut’s site has the following mantra for why they exist.
“Dig U.S. Out was created for one simple reason: to put Americans back to work. With a national unemployment rate of 9.1 percent and 13.9 million Americans out of work, it is time for Americans to take action.
Instead of relying on government to dig us out of our current financial woes, Dig U.S. Out believes that it is we the people who need to rise to the occasion and act. One simple way we can all help is by purchasing more products that are made here at home in the USA by hardworking Americans.
Dig U.S. Out realizes that it is easy to want to purchase the cheapest priced products without giving notice or thought to where these products are made and whose jobs they are supporting. Unfortunately, it is this carelessness that has contributed to our current economic difficulties and the enormous loss of jobs of our family members, neighbors, and friends.
By adjusting our purchasing habits and buying more American-made products, you can help put Americans back to work and rebuild our economy. Far too many jobs have been outsourced to other countries. Dig U.S. Out understands that America is a part of the global economy, but the level of dependence that we have granted to other countries has gone too far.
Today is the day to rise and support American-made products! In so doing with each purchase we can help dig our country out of our economic troubles, create more American jobs, and support the country that we love so dearly. So please make an effort to support American companies and American jobs and in doing so you will be supporting your fellow citizens, community, and the cause of freedom.
Together we can Dig U.S. Out.”
http://www.digusout.com/about-us
Of course if you can find a local retailer to make your American purchases from that is even better because the entire chain of transactions will stay in America, the sales taxes will stay in Indiana, and a local business will make the profits.
Indiana Government Salary Link
The City County Observer is pleased to make this link to the salary data base for all State of Indiana employees available to our readers. This link opens up the entire data base from highest pay of Tom Crean at $600,000 per year and proceeding down.
You can click on the “new search” icon at the bottom left to do additional searches by name or institution. For example if you click “new search” and insert the name “Daniels” you will get a list of all of the people named Daniels that work for the State of Indiana. Mitch Daniels, our Governor is 3rd on that list with a salary of $95,000.
If you search again under “employer” and choose the University of Southern Indiana you will get a list of all of the USI State employees with their salaries listed from highest to lowest.
This is one way to monitor your tax dollars at work so investigate to your heart’s desire.
http://www.indystar.com/data/government/state_salaries2008_results.shtml
USI proposes reduction in summer session costs
The move would reduce the current $193.07 per credit hour for Indiana undergraduates to $154.50 per credit hour in summer 2012 and $162.30 per credit hour in summer 2013. For an undergraduate taking a full-time summer load of 12 credit hours, this new program would cut costs by $463 in summer 2012 and $510 in summer 2013.
“USI is already the most affordable four-year public university in Indiana, but we recognize the pressure on families in the state in these difficult economic times,” said President Linda L. M. Bennett. “USI has focused on expanding opportunities for summer school for the past five years. The reduction of summer session costs beginning in 2012 will encourage our students to take advantage of earning credits in the summer and will help with timely degree completion, a priority for the state and for the University.”
“For students from Evansville and the southwest Indiana region home for the summer from other colleges and universities, this price reduction also will be a benefit,” Bennett added. “They can earn credits at USI that apply toward their degree completion, most likely at a much lower cost.”
USI′s 2012 summer sessions begin May 9 and June 18, with more than 560 courses scheduled so far. Last summer, 4,455 students were enrolled in summer courses, an increase of over nine percent or 400 students over the last five years. The University anticipates increased enrollment in summer sessions and more efficient use of state-funded facilities.
For more about summer sessions at USI, see www.usi.edu/summer.
Indiana Takes Down Evansville, 94-73
Box Score
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Five Hoosiers scored in double figures as the Indiana University men’s basketball team topped Evansville, 94-73, Wednesday evening at the Ford Center.
Kenneth Harris and Colt Ryan were the leading scorers for the Aces (1-1) while Verdell Jones III paced the Hoosiers (3-0). All three players finished with 17 points.
Indiana hit three of its first four shots en route to an early 7-0 lead. Jordan Hulls, who finished the night with 14 points, scored four in the early run. A Harris layup got Evansville on the board before a Ryan free throw got the Aces within four, 7-3. That is as close as UE would be for the remainder of the contest as IU would put up the next two baskets before leading by as many as 26 points in the opening period.
Another Harris bucket made it a 24-point game (51-27) at the break as a dominant inside game would be the difference. Indiana outscored Evansville, 26-8, in the paint in the opening stanza.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Indiana utilized a 12-6 run to extend the advantage to 30 points as Verdell Jones stuck again in the form of two three-pointers. Indiana would lead by as many as 33 points before coming away with the 24-point win.
Over the final minutes of the game, several Evansville players logged minutes to gain pivotal experience. Rokas Cesnulevisius played 13 minutes and grabbed five boards while scoring four. Jordan Nelson finished with five tallies in eight minutes while Jaylon Moore saw three minutes of action.
Denver Holmes had his second double-digit outing of the young season, scoring 13. Ryan and Cesnulevisius were the leading rebounders for UE with five.
Christian Watford had 15 points for the Hoosiers while Cody Zeller and Jordan Hulls notched 14. Zeller also hauled in a game-high nine rebounds.
Both squads shot the ball fairly well, but the Hoosiers 55.9% proved to be too much for Evansville, who finished the evening shooting 42.9%. Indiana was also 11-of-21 from three-point range and had a 37-32 advantage on the boards.
Evansville will look to rebound on Saturday as it will play host to Oakland City at 2:05 p.m.
Students at Glenwood Collecting Mac & Cheese for Rescue Mission
Students at Glenwood Leadership Academy are now collecting boxes of macaroni and cheese to be donated to the Evansville Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Outreach program. The students invite the public to assist them in their goal to reach 1,000 boxes donated by 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.
Anyone wishing to donate should bring the boxes to GLA and ask for Mrs. Karen Cross.
An assembly is planned at 2 p.m. on Friday to present the mac & cheese to the Rescue Mission and to celebrate reaching the goal.
Downtown Today: 11/17/2011
Time 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Subject SHERIFF SALE
Location 301
Reminder 15 minutes
PHULLIS GULLEDGE @ 434-6606
Categories ROOM 301
Time 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Subject WATER DEPT
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes
VIVIAN
Categories ROOM 318
Time 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Subject CODE ENFORCEMENT HRGS
Location 307
KIM JOSEY @ 7889
Categories ROOM 307
Time 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs every Thursday effective 11/3/2011 until 11/24/2011 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Sharon Evans @ 4982
Categories ROOM 301
Time 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Subject BOARD OF ZONING
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the third Thursday of every 1 month effective 11/17/2011 until 11/17/2011 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
KATHIE @ 5228
Categories ROOM 301
Time 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Subject VCCC ADVISORY BOARD
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the third Thursday of every 3 months effective 11/17/2011 until 11/17/2011 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
CAROL HEAD @ 421-6313
Categories Must Attend, ROOM 318
IS IT TRUE? November 17, 2011
IS IT TRUE? November 17, 2011
IS IT TRUE that the University of Evansville Aces ran into a buzz saw last night when the Indiana University Hoosiers came to town for the first time since 1995?…that playing before an announced crowd of 9,640 fans that the Hoosiers shot 56% for the game but much better than that in the first half and early in the second half as they built a 33 point lead on the hometown Aces?…that the final score of 94 – 73 looks more respectable than the game actually was?…that the good news for Hoosier fans is that Tom Crean has put together a very talented team that can compete with any team in the country outside the NBA/NCAA fraternity of Kentucky, UNC, and Duke?…that the Aces have the 2nd half to build on and a couple more tough tests including a road game against that NBA franchise in Chapel Hill, NC?…that in spite of getting the tar beaten out of them last night that the Aces still have the talent to put up over 20 wins this season and to keep the Ford Center filled?
IS IT TRUE that the ESPN crew didn’t cry as loudly about the TV unfriendliness of the Ford Center as the Indianapolis crew that televised the UE-Butler game did?…that the ESPN guys did imply in their interview by a tongue in cheek use of the word “interesting†to describe the TV set up at Ford Center?…that there must have been some oversight in being TV friendly for the first two TV crews to react the way that they have?…that we shall chalk that up to the few instances of televised sports events in Evansville of recent years?…that this should have been done better but we are certain that a change order will be in place soon to make the Ford Center TV friendly?…that the future success of the Evansville Sports Corporation will be depending on TV friendly environs as they seek NCAA events that are televised and don’t draw more than 9,000 fans?…that they will need a downtown hotel in place to really make the NCAA take Evansville serious as a host for playoffs that may be appropriate for Ford Center?
IS IT TRUE that speaking of that downtown Convention Hotel, all eyes will be on the Evansville Redevelopment Commission this afternoon as they emerge from their closed door meeting to discuss the elusive hotel?…that we hope that they are being given a detailed presentation from Hunden Strategic Partners regarding just how Prime Lodging and the Kunkel Group have made it through the VETTING process?…that as the final decision does involve public dollars and will need to go to the Evansville City Council for approval of incentive funding that the Hunden Report should be made available to the media and the public for a sufficient amount of time prior to the announcement of any decision?…that in reality this decision should be for the Winnecke Administration to make as the entire funding and construction process will be done during the next four years as opposed to the last four years during which it has languished under the leadership of the Weinzapfel Administration?
IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer would be quite interested in what Mayor Elect Winnecke thinks about this last minute push by the Weinzapfel Administration to push through a $51 Million hi-tech package, a $40 Million hotel project, and hopefully a TV friendly upgrade to the Ford Center?…that between the election and December 31st, it looks like Mayor Weinzapfel may actually shove $100 Million of spending through the system that he Winnecke Administration will have to pay for?…that the CCO thinks that the public should be made aware of how our next Mayor intends to manage all of these last minute actions of the Weinzapfel Administration?…that spending $100 Million is not exactly something that comes under the category of tying up loose ends?…this constitutes a significant investment of public dollars and needs the approval of the guy who will have to live with it?…the next 43 days are shaping up to be the last SNEGAL spending spree for a long time?