IS IT TRUE that both candidates for Mayor of Evansville came to last night’s debate well prepared to address the questions at hand?…that the majority of the questions that are of interest to the people of Evansville are predictable and that both of the candidates had obviously spent time practicing their lines?…that the format flowed well and that the absence of a peanut gallery of loud support for either candidate was a good way to keep viewers attention on the debate and off of the antics that sometimes come from a crowd?

IS IT TRUE that both candidates seem to get it that jobs is the #1 concern of most people in Evansville and even across the country?…that both candidates have published economic plans that can be read in full on their campaign websites?…that while both plans have their good points that neither has a “rabbit out of the hat” quick fix to the problems like unemployment and underemployment?…that the same goes for the problem of “sinking skills pays sinking wages” that is affecting manufacturing based economies in cities all across the country but particularly in the Midwest?…that both candidates seem to understand that business as usual in the Civic Center has worn out whatever welcome that it ever had and that local government must become transparent and sensitive to the will of the people?…that the “one liner of the night” award goes to Rick Davis for his opening remark quip of “THE STATUS QUO HAS GOT TO GO”?…that in much of the detail of the dialog of the debate although they chose different words to say it that both candidates seem to understand that it is time for big changes in Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that both candidates agree that the first role of local government is to provide for PUBLIC SAFETY?…that there is agreement that the City of Evansville could do a better job of implementing diversity initiatives?…that both candidates agree that seeking efficiency in government is preferable to raising taxes?…that both candidates want the Ford Center to succeed?…that both candidates would like to see Roberts Stadium become some kind of success without competing with the Ford Center?…that both candidates think that whatever happens at Roberts Stadium must be financially responsible…that these kinds of questions are pretty easy to spend two minutes answering without offending anyone?…that no sane candidate would have disagreed with either of them on these questions?

IS IT TRUE that when the question of how to deal with meth labs was raised that we learned for the first time that both candidates support the ever louder call to support a statewide law requiring that pseudoephedrine based medicines be put on a list of prescription medicines?…that Mr. Davis has supported this all along?…that in the case of Mr. Winnecke that this is a new position?…that the CCO agrees with this position and would like to congratulate Mr. Winnecke on thinking this through and reaching what is an unfortunate but logical conclusion?…that flexibility and a willingness to think and change is a good trait in both candidates and everyday people?

IS IT TRUE that it was learned in Louisville yesterday that another former Evansville business is now a Louisville business and that MONEY IS WHY THEY MOVED?…that Agent 511, a technology based business that had its first “out of the garage” home in downtown Evansville’s Innovation Pointe in 2007 – 2009 is now prospering in Louisville and was in attendance at yesterday’s meeting of the Louisville Venture Connection group of Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists?…that makes 3 companies that could have been and should have been growing and creating jobs in Evansville if local equity investment dollars had been available that have found investment dollars in Louisville?

IS IT TRUE that more details regarding the role of capital and brains in the role of job growth as it applies to both candidates economic plans will be the subject of IS IT TRUE PART 2?

IS IT TRUE? PART 2 September 7, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the consolidation committee as was expected adjourned last night?…that now the 30 day countdown starts during which both the Evansville City Council and the Vanderburgh County Commissioners will have to pass identical proposals to send this plan to a voter referendum?…that about the only good thing that can be said about this plan is that the voters get to make the choice?…that there are at least five members of the Evansville City Council who are expressing reservations about this plan?…that their frustrations with the shallowness of the touted details of any tangible cost savings are shared by many?…that even people who support the idea of consolidation are scratching their heads in disbelief at how the consolidation committee has dodged proposing anything of substance?…that they even worded the proposal in a way that the biggest opportunities for saving can’t even be touched for 10 years?…that the consolidation committee acted more like a POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE formed by government employees to advocate for government employees that as a merger committee whose job was to identify cost savings from efficiency enhancements?

IS IT TRUE that at least one member of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners, that being Commissioner Stephen Melcher is on record as opposing this without having threshold rejection?…that the plan does not have threshold rejection so count Commissioner Melchers vote as a great big NO?…that as County Commissioner and Republican candidate for Mayor of Evansville Lloyd Winnecke has been supportive of consolidation that it looks like this really will come down to what Commissioner Marsha Abell chooses?…that the CCO predicts that neither Commissioner Abell or Commissioner Winnecke will ever win a county wide race if they vote for this particular consolidation plan?…that annexation by ballot is not the way to go about such things AND that punting all of the real work to 10 years down the road is no way to write a consolidation plan?…that it is time to start over?

IS IT TRUE that Louisville is home to the #1 ranked boutique hotel in America and has been for 2 years running?…that 21C Museum Place has ranked at the top of Conde’ Noste’ Magazines list for two years in a row?…that 21C Museum Place has a three month waiting list for its nearly $300 per night rooms?…that 21 C Museum Place is now being franchised across the United States?…that 21C Boutique Hotels was started with LOUISVILLE MONEY from the Brown-Forman family?…that this same family recently purchased the entire block of abandoned buildings right next to the YUM Center for $4.8 Million with intention to refurbish the classic Cast Iron Facade Buildings for an additional $40 Million?…that two of these family members use the word “CHARITY” to describe their decision to invest $44.8 Million in their downtown?…that we wonder if anyone of significant means in Evansville is paying attention?

IS IT TRUE that outside money seldom invests in places that will not invest in themselves?…that the sooner that Evansville investors step up with cash to put into Evansville projects and form Angel or Venture groups to invest in Evansville companies that the sooner outside money may warm up to Evansville?…that until then we can always pick up litter, paint over graffiti, blow smoke about our attractiveness up our own backsides, and hold our lucky rabbit’s foot while wishing upon a star that a white knight from afar will rescue us from our plight?…that this is the year to put some real change of leadership into place and next year is the year to hold our new leaders feet to the fire so that the old ways do not take over again?