IS IT TRUE? November 14, 2011 Evening Laughs and Condolences

IS IT TRUE all of the staff of the City County Observer are agreeing to stand in solidarity with the NBA players union?…that we all refuse to play basketball for less than a couple of million dollars per year?…that no matter how much they beg we are resolute not to even practice our free throws for less than $1 Million per season each?…that we won’t even answer their phone calls?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #3 called in from South Florida with a tip that Evansville City Councilwoman Missy Mosby is considering taking on Indiana State Representative Gail Riecken in the Democrat primary to punch her ticket to Indianapolis?…that we did have to ask Mole #3 if it had been adapting to the hard drinking lifestyle of South Florida as this was completely out of left field?…that we shall keep our local feelers out to see if there is any truth to Mole #3’s first contact in the last week?…that we think there may be some rum involved with this tip?

IS IT TRUE that excluding the well rehearsed and presented words of Vectren Corporation president and CEO Carl Chapman that we will address in the morning that tonight’s meeting of the Evansville City Council made the meetings regarding racing pigeons look rational?…that there was a 45 minute discussion on changing the zoning so a man that has an 8 bedroom house could put a mother in law apartment on his property?…that he must not have wanted his mother in law within 7 bedrooms of where he sleeps because he was asking for rezoning to add another structure for them to live in?…that neighbors did not believe him and neither did the Evansville City Council because his request was shot down by a vote of 8 – 1?

IS IT TRUE that the last act of comedy at the Evansville City Council was brought to us courtesy of Jeff Day?…that Mr. Day was upset because there is a flag of Canada in the Ford Center to make the Canadian hockey players feel more at home?…that Mr. Day did seem to have a valid point that the City Council and the manager of VenuWorks, Mr. Scott Schoenike did not understand the proper protocol regarding he flying of the flags and that he entered an instruction into the record of the Evansville City Council?…that City Councilman Dr. H. Dan Adams took Mr. Day on and supported the tradition of flying Canadian flags in places where hockey is played?…that Mr. Day countered and we must say very effectively asking if we would be flying the Mexican flag if most of the players were Mexicans?…that at that point the President B. J. Watts took the first opportunity to close the discussion and adjourn the meeting?…that for those of us out in TV land who can read lips it was obvious that President Watts clearly said “that guy needs to shut the f#@% up” to City Clerk Alberta Matlock as they were leaving the desk?

IS IT TRUE that Schoenike is a three syllable word that is pronounced “Shay-Nuh-Kee” as opposed to “Shay-Nike” as Mr. Day pronounced his name?…that we encourage everyone in Evansville to learn how to pronounce Scott’s last name as it appears he will be here for as long as he likes if the attendance at the Ford Center continues as it has started?

IS IT TRUE that it was disclosed today that Stratman’s Pharmacy on Main Street will be closing tomorrow?…that as skeptical as we have been about the job creating capacity of the Ford Center we did not expect to see a closure of a business happen so soon?…that the people who have bought lofts really did need Stratman’s and that it is a blow to downtown living to see Stratman’s go?…that we do know John Stratman to be a good man and wish him peace and prosperity in his next phase of life?…that a superb restaurant that has lunch and dinner would work well in that location and we hope to be trying one out soon?…that this will be a big test of the attractive capacity of the Ford Center?

IS IT TRUE? November 14, 2011 Part 2

IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation reports that a new form of VETTING for the company to build a downtown Convention Hotel must be taking place at UE basketball games?…that at least two members of the Evansville City Council were spotted from the cheap seats enjoying the confines of one of the luxury suites at the Ford Center with the principles of one of the businesses that submitted a bid to build the downtown Convention Hotel?…that in a time when transparency is demanded and expected that it is more than just disappointing to hear about such utter indiscretions?…that Evansville deserves better than this?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Icemen are keeping up their winning ways on the home ice of the Ford Center where they remain undefeated?…that the official crowd at yesterday’s game was 4,110 which was about half of the crowd at the home opener against the Fort Wayne Komets but still respectfully above the budgeted expectation of 3,500 per game?…that the trend toward some core group of fans will be interesting to watch as 3,500 was an aggressive goal but with a winning team and the parking fears healed a first year average of 3,500 per game is still achievable?…that the biggest crowd of the year is expected when the UE Purple Aces take on the Indiana University Hoosiers on Wednesday night at the Ford Center?…that for this game expect no empty seats?…that the real test of attendance for the UE basketball team will come in January and February when the opponents are the other teams in their conference and the marquee matchups have all been completed?

IS IT TRUE that the fate of Evansville Parks and Recreation Director Dan Schall has been reported two ways since Lloyd Winnecke won last week’s election for Mayor of Evansville?…that one report stated that Mr. Schall would be replaced and another said that his current job is “on the table”?…that if there is one thing that we can all agree on it is that the state of the Evansville City Parks is not acceptable and that the extracurricular activities that have been going on that have left us with souvenirs like needles, condoms, empty liquor bottles, graffiti, potholes, and broken facilities must be curtailed?…that when Dr. Neil Troost was dismissed with his pleas prior to going before the City Council to advise them of the state of the parks that the sort of customer service is also unacceptable and is not consistent with the “nice” factor that Mayor Elect Winnecke has expressed his intentions to implement?…that we can all agree on two things?…that the City of Evansville Parks are an abysmal mess and that Dan Schall has presided over the decline that lead to the mess?

IS IT TRUE that the one question that has not been asked is the question of the magnitude of the task that Mr. Schall was handed with respect to the financial resources that he has had at his disposal?…that there is a real possibility that the routine things that need to be done to maintain a park system the size of Evansville’s greatly exceeds the purchasing power of the dollars that the Evansville City Council appropriates for Mr. Schall or anyone else to carry out this business?…that the City County Observer would like to see Mr. Schall stand up and publicly defend his position?…that a “Reclaim the Parks” plan is in order and that Mr. Schall is the person to do this plan?…that the cold hard truth may just be that for the money that is appropriated by the City Council that there are too many acres, too many facilities, not enough equipment, insufficient infrastructure, oppressive contracts, and quite frankly too many criminals, litterbugs, and punks to handle with the budget appropriated?…that whomever is the person to run the Evansville City Parks Department going forward should understand this and let the people of Evansville know what parks solution that we can afford?…that Dan Schall may just be the man for this job?…that it also may be true that uber-manager Jack Welch would take a look at the magnitude of the tasks and the budget to do the job and conclude that the City of Evansville must be seriously delusional to ask so much from so little?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer is running a series of polls this week regarding the so called “Machine” that was called out for malfeasance by both candidates in the 2011 election for Mayor of Evansville?…that if “the Machine” is real and if it is at the least contributing to the 50 year dribbling down from a city of some significance and wealth to what we have become then it must be dismantled?…that we have been running a poll for the last 24 hours asking our readers “Is Evansville Really Ruled by a Political Machine”?…that as of this morning our readers had voted by roughly a 3 to 1 majority answering YES, any fool knows this?…that the other answer was of course “NO, “the Machine” is only urban legend”?…that there are certainly urban legends in Evansville but most are harmless and entertaining?…that urban legend or not the truth of the matter is that our readers believe there is a “Machine” that runs Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that the demographic of the readers of the City County Observer are overrepresented by people who are over 45, have a graduate degree, earn over $100,000 per year, are female, and surf the internet from home?…that one high ranking member of a certain winning political team and a “mover and shaker” in Evansville stated recently that “the CCO may not have the pure number of readers as the other news outlet, but it seems to have every educated and politically engaged person in town as loyal readers”?…that if this demographic believes in “the Machine” then “the Machine” is doing damage whether it has a formal membership and a meeting hall or not?…that to believe in “the Machine” also constitutes believing that some dark force is choosing the winners and losers based on a system of patronage as opposed to merit?…that political machines are also known for back door deals, insider contracts, etc. etc. etc.?…that there is not one know instance of a political machine serving the greater good in any place that they have infested?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #7 and several other Moles are telling us that Councilwoman Connie Robinson has gathered the votes needed to become the next President of the Evansville City Council?…that we have also been informed that Councilwoman Missy Mosby will be the Council’s Vice President and that Councilman John Friend will head the Finance Committee?…that all we wish to say is “that was fast”?…that some may see this as the work of “the Machine”?…that others would just say good choices and let’s move on?…that some may say both?

IS IT TRUE that Mr. Carl Chapman, the president and CEO of Vectren Corporation will be making a presentation and taking questions from the Evansville City Council tonight?…that the topics of discussion are expected to center on a) the fact that the people in Vectren’s service area pay the highest rates in Indiana, b) the economic development consequences of those rates, and c) the prospects for future rates including the value, the holding location, and the impact of the future sale of accumulated carbon credits on future rates?…that tonight’s questions will be coming from the City Council and heavily influenced by Councilman John Friend who has worked in a utility and that public input will not be allowed?…that the public will have their opportunity to have their say at the Evansville hearing of the IURC that will be on November 28, 2011 at the Centre?…that we encourage a packed house at that meeting but encourage those wanting a say to stay home tonight and take notes by watching the City Council meeting on WNIN?

IS IT TRUE that we are pleased that Evansville did not have a Portland moment on Saturday night at the Four Freedoms Monument where about two dozen members of Occupy Evansville were planning to camp?…that sometimes Midwestern courtesy from both protesters and law enforcement is the best way to go?…that the City County Observer supports freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, a free press, etc. but encourage order and respectfulness by all citizens if at all possible?

IS IT TRUE that the University of Evansville Purple Aces launched the regular season at Ford Center yesterday with a thrilling overtime victory over the two time defending National Runner-Up Butler Bulldogs?…that the Ford Center was once again filled to near capacity and that we have yet to hear any credible complaints about parking?…that the reports of full bars immediately before and after the events continue?…that to put a little perspective on that with the capacity as set by the fire marshal of all of the bars in downtown Evansville maximized it would take a stop at a bar by less than 3% of the people who attend a sold out event to pack all of the bars?…that filling up the barstools of only 3% of attendees is not test of anything with respect to real economic development from the Ford Center?…that the real test will be to see how many national or outside investor owned businesses are opened up in the first year because the demographics merit the investment?…that if at the end of three years that downtown Evansville has a 4th Street Live atmosphere with establishments such as Gordon Biershe, Howl at the Moon, TGIF, a 5 star restaurant, a upscale dance club, a real department store and even a full service grocery store that then we will be able to attribute these developments to the Ford Center because they were sure as heck not going to happen before?

IS IT TRUE that there are a few more very serious indicators of the power of the Ford Center as an economic development tool?…that losing an existing business in the first year on Main Street in any manner but acquisition by a stronger player would be a serious negative statement about the real foot traffic and staying power of Main Street?…that the other real test will be if in the next year that a major attraction project is closed where the president cites the Ford Center as a significant reason for the decision to come to Evansville?…that this does not mean a group of 4 that says that someday if the wind shifts correctly and the bed bugs don’t bite that they may have a big expansion?…that this is a real project with a large sum of outside money that creates more than 1,000 jobs because of the Ford Center?…that if a downtown Convention Hotel ever really happens with outside money and without shaking local government down for over 50% of the cost that would make a positive indicator?…that the CCO is skeptical but hopeful regarding downtown?…that we do wonder out loud how it is that our little sister across the river Owensboro is getting downtown hotels yet Evansville can’t even VET proposals?

IS IT TRUE that the Louisville has two old historic hotels?…that the Brown Hotel has 293 rooms and the Seelbach Hotel has 321 making a total of 614 rooms in historic hotels in Downtown Louisville to serve a metropolitan area of about 1.2 Million people?…that Evansville has an MSA population of just over 350,000 or about 30% of what Louisville has?…that just using that scale as a metric that one can learn that if Evansville can utilize historic hotel rooms at the same rate as Louisville that we can use 180 such rooms?…that we wonder if any serious consideration has been given to finding an investor to turn the McCurdy into the hotel that it was meant to be?…that it is the right size, is in a great location, and that as a hotel would be in a position to have much more revenue potential than it would with 90 apartments?…that at 180 room hotel at $100 per night has a revenue potential that is 500% higher than 90 apartments at $1,000 per month?…that if such a hotel had only 58% occupancy and the apartments had the typical 85% occupancy that the expected revenue would exceed that of the apartments by 250%?…that this is certainly worth considering as a refurbished McCurdy is within an easy walk of both the MLK Entertainment district and Casino Aztar?…that more importantly it would create a triangle that completely envelopes Main Street that has struggled for many years to get people down there?

IS IT TRUE? November 12, 2011

IS IT TRUE that agenda for the Evansville Redevelopment Commission that was sent out at the end of the workday yesterday has no line item on the agenda mentioning the McCurdy Hotel, City Centre Properties, Hunden Strategic Partners, or either of the companies that have made a proposal to construct a downtown Convention Hotel?…that as the next meeting will be in December that unless these very important topics are snuck in under the banner of “other business” that we will enter the last month of the year with no resolution with respect to these pieces of rotting unfinished business?…that we are now wondering just how long does it take to VET two construction companies?…that speaking from experience that it takes longer for the ERC to do this than it took to plan, orchestrate, sell, and close a $27 Million secondary public offering?…that something is wrong with the thought processes and the sense of urgency here in River City?

IS IT TRUE that Mayor Elect Lloyd Winnecke has expediently released the names of the 15 members of his transition team?…that it was refreshing to see no names that are outwardly and openly members of the “good old boy’s network”?…that the CCO is pleased to see that since we had previously expressed concern that some of the “good old boys” were suspected of trying to get their nose under the tent of the future Winnecke Administration?…that we should not be surprised to see some of the people on the transition team to end up with appointments to key boards and positions?…that one should not be surprised if County Councilman Russ Lloyd Jr. is persuaded to accept the position of Evansville City Controller?…that will create a vacancy on the County Council that Mole #7 tells us that Pete Swaim is interested in?…that Mole#7 also says that Mike Duckworth may be transitioning from a job with the County to a similar job in the City?…that Mole #7 also expects that Ed Ziemer will be replacing David Jones as the City Attorney?…that Mole #7 believes that we will see former Chamber of Commerce Vice President Steve Schaefer will be moving into Rose Young’s office as Mayor Elect Winnecke’s Chief of Staff?

IS IT TRUE that the scourge of meth made a house go boom in quiet Newburgh neighborhood yesterday?…that this one was a little too close for comfort as it was right on the jogging path of this writer?…that this house explosion happened just before 7 am yesterday morning and was soon followed with a plume of black smoke rising into the air?…that this neighborhood is as middle class Americana as it gets and is more the domain of young parents with strollers, children on bicycles, grandparents taking walks, and well kept lawns that the typical front page meth explosions show?…that this should serve notice to the people and the public officials of SW Indiana that no neighborhood is immune to the scourge of meth?…that it is time to get serious about cutting the supply lines of pseudoephedrine?…that education is a good thing but to think we can rely on education alone to solve the meth problem is incredibly naive?…that we are dealing with drug addicts here and they unfortunately do not educate well even if they are already educated?…that significant damage was done to the houses on each side of the meth house?