IS IT TRUE? October 31, 2011 Political Holiday

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer would like to play on the Dia de los Muertos celebration with the proposal to have the night after the election christened as Noche de los Tontos?…that there are plenty of Spanish to English translators available to those readers that are curious?…that we promise it is not a bad word?…that in the spirit of Dia de los Tontos that we would like to dedicate the new system of government that’s definition was sent to us this morning by an avid reader?

Ineptocracy; (in-ept-oc-ra-cy): A system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

IS IT TRUE that another one of “The 23” the CCO’s name for the 23 Democrats who signed the resolution supporting Democrat City Councilwoman Connie Robinson’s endorsement of Republican mayoral candidate Lloyd Winnecke has cast his lot with the Winnecke campaign with a strong letter of support as well?…that Councilman John stated in his endorsement that he is for good government first and a Democrat second?…that he said he can’t remember ever voting a straight ticket?…that Councilman John is not an officer of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Central Committee and that the CCO supports splitting tickets and using one’s mind to vote and thus support Councilman John’s independent position?…that if he had been an officer we would have been calling on him to resign his office and then support the candidate that he believes is best for the job of Mayor of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that joining Councilman John today in the endorsement of Winnecke is United States Congressman from Indiana and Republican candidate to succeed Governor Mitch Daniels Mike Pence?…that Congressman Pence appears to be headed to the Governor’s Mansion and has carried the torch of conservatism in the United States Congress for his entire duration in office?…that this election is really making for some strange juxtapositions of support?

IS IT TRUE that the silence is deadly going into tomorrow’s meeting of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission?…that there is not a word on the agenda about Centre City Properties LLC or the McCurdy Hotel?…that technically the newest deal turns into a pumpkin at midnight tonight and the ERC will have to either extend the deal, congratulate Mr. Scott on his successful closing of his loan, let it slide for a bit longer without a contract, or maybe just maybe let this deal that has been on life support for years die a good death on Dia de los Muertos?…that another $10,268 in property taxes are due in 10 days do any extension needs to take those taxes into account and go into default if the tax is not paid on time?…that there is no law against paying ones taxes 10 days early?

IS IT TRUE that the ERC is also not anticipating hearing a word about the downtown Convention Hotel either as the names Kunkel, Prime, and Hunden are conspicuously absent from the agenda?…that at this point we think there has been plenty of time to VET the two proposals and are wondering exactly what is causing the delay?…that if they VET then the VET but if they don’t they don’t?…that what would be best is to announce that the Vetting process is complete, to seal the results, and to let the next mayor handle the choices and the details?

IS IT TRUE? October 31, 2011

IS IT TRUE that Evansville is well known for being resistance to change and that the first UE Aces game produced one of the funniest resistance to change stories yet?…that some out of towners who usually met up with their Evansville friends in the Roberts Stadium parking lot and then go to their seats together were discussion where and how to do the same?…that after much confusion and discussion they agreed to just meet at the Roberts Stadium parking lot like they always have and drive in one car to the Ford Center downtown?…that of all the new things that the Ford Center offered the $6 beer is the one they remembered as though getting hosed for a beer at a ball game was just invented in Evansville last Saturday?…that the trick of hosing people for food and drinks is an old trick mastered by every stadium and movie theatre in America?…that we do wonder where the best tailgate parties in downtown Evansville will be?…that perhaps we could add some public “Cornhole” space?…that was a joke that only Harrisburg, PA would take serious and consider issuing some “Cornhole Revenue Bonds” to pay for it?

IS IT TRUE that of all the money that has been spent in downtown Evansville the sidewalk improvements and the decorator streetlights really do add some attractiveness?…that giant flower pots that are attended to and kept fresh will do the same?…that this writer put forth an idea in 2007 to convert those big gun barrel ashtrays to flower urns and to start enforcing litter laws to improve the appearance of downtown Evansville?…that it was shot down like a dog in the street by the powers that be?…that the cost would have been in the low 4 figure range and the money could have been raised?…that the City of Evansville was not willing to water the plants?…that by drilling a couple of holes in the ashtrays and making a fiberglass bezel to fit over the top of the ugly ashtrays that an attractive urn with good drainage would be the result?…that it can still be done?

IS IT TRUE that changing the direction of all of the streets does not seem to have made any difference at all?…that the only difference thus far is parallel parking on Main Street now is done into a space on ones right as opposed to ones left?…that we hope the reversals were free because it is no improvement?…that it is no damage either so live and let live?

IS IT TRUE that Halloween like much American life has been neutered to the point that it hardly seems to be worth the effort?…that Halloween was always a chance to burn off energy and have some fun by making mischief?…that Halloween used to start at dusk and now it “officially” finishes at dusk all in the name of safety?…that kids used to scare each other, toss water balloons, soap windows when no candy was offered, and occasionally toss eggs all in good fun?…that the very words “trick or treat” meant “give me a treat or you will get tricked”?…that life in the well controlled spin zone is not nearly as interesting as it was when kids could be kids a couple of times a year?

IS IT TRUE that the members of Occupy Wall Street who dress up like zombies and march around will be right at home today?…that they will be even more at home tomorrow in communities like New York where there are large “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) celebrations?…that Dia de los Muertos is actually a much misunderstood celebration that’s true purpose is to “Celebrate Life by Honoring the Dead”?…that this is one more thing that this guy misses about living in California?