IS IT TRUE? December 7, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission had decided to accept the recommendation that allegedly was in a report from Hunden Strategic Partners to endorse the proposal of the Kunkel Group over the proposal of Prime Lodging to take the next step on the four year journey to attempt to construct and operate a Convention Hotel in downtown Evansville?…that this decision was made over the protest of Marco DeLucio, attorney for Prime Lodging who also submitted a proposal?…that Mr. DeLucio was simply stating that neither he nor Prime Lodging had seen or had discussions regarding any study by Hunden Strategic Partners and that to make such a decision without making the thought process and reasoning behind the decision is unfair?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #44 tells the City County Observer that in reality there is no Hunden Study that has been published at all?…that Mole #44 tells us that there was a powerpoint presentation made recently to the ERC that discussed the plusses and minuses of the two proposals but that there is no formal study that has been published or provided?…that Mole #44 furthermore stated that the main reason Kunkel was favored was because the financing that has not been disclosed will either happen or not happen faster than the EB5 financing that was proposed by Prime Lodging?…that we shall all know the status or existence of any study done or not done by Hunden Strategic Partners for the ERC is 18 more business days because the CCO has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to get that information and has every intention to publish it in its entirety?…that when the people pay for a study that the people have a right to read its contents?…that for Mr. Bob Goldman to refuse to release the so called study today is not only the height of arrogance but constitutes willful refusal to release publically owned information to the public?…that this shall not be allowed to stand?…that Mr. Goldman and the other four members of the ERC stand in contempt of the people that they serve with this cowardly and deceptive action?

IS IT TRUE that in reality even though no basis for any actions was released is the Kunkel becomes the 3rd group to get the endorsement of the ERC to build and operate a hotel?…that an endorsement in no way constitutes a funding source or an incentive package?…that all this means is that Kunkel’s proposal will now go to the next board of political appointees for another recommendation prior to going before the Evansville City Council that must vote to approve all city money to incent this project?…that even then it does not mean that Kunkel will secure a loan for the rest of the project, it only means that they can count on the city to do their part if they get funded privately for the rest?…that my friends is exactly where City Centre Properties LLC has been for the last 4 years with respect to the McCurdy Hotel project?…that is until yesterday when they formally notified the ERC that they can get the financing for the project in the time frame granted?

IS IT TRUE

that the five member of the ERC and their attorney were shocked and amazed that CCP wrote such a letter?…that competent members of the ERC, their attorney, and a financially competent mayor should never have been surprised by this?…that to anyone that understands valuation that this has been as plane as the nose on a face since the day the scheme was hatched?…that as long as the people of Evansville elect leaders with no analytical skills who appoint stewards of public money that refuse to use whatever skills that they may have this sort of thing will continue unabated?…that all eyes will be on City Councilman John Friend, CPA when the Kunkel deal comes before council for guidance and a competent line of questioning?…that Councilman Friend knows how to VET and how to ask the right questions of the right people to learn about the financial strength of any company that is posturing to start a $30 Million project that involves taxpayer money?…that Councilman Friend knows that local firm Klenck Construction has not been paid for demolition work on this very project?…that if Councilman Friend does not do proper diligence on this action and rubber stamps an agreement without a documented audit trail then he very much deserves to be Mr. Friend once again?

IS IT TRUE? December 6, 2011

IS IT TRUE that Mole #11 tells us that none other than Mayor Weinzapfel’s Chief of Staff Rose Young stepped up and did what it took to get Linda Durham’s Chief of Staff Tonda Pauley back onto the public payroll with a new job at the City of Evansville Garage?…that it was a big surprise when the CCO called the City Garage and the phone was answered by Ms. Pauley herself?…that as today is a day to discuss vetting we once again ask just what was the vetting criteria for this particular hire?

IS IT TRUE that all but one of the candidates in the 2011 City of Evansville election who chose to advertise with the City County Observer have paid their invoice?…that we have sent two notices and will have to decide how to proceed to collect for what we delivered in the very near future?

IS IT TRUE that a traditional way to make sure that one has the cash coming in to cover the electric bill has been to buy stock in your local public utility?…that as the stock of Vectren (VVC, NYSE) has an attractive dividend of $1.40 per share per year this would be a good strategy for the people who have the means to do so?…that the question of interest is just how much would it cost to purchase enough shares to do that?…that if you live in Henderson and your monthly electricity consumption is 1,000 kWh that you would have to purchase 450 shares of Vectren stock at a price of $13,050 to cover your bills at today’s prices?…that if you are from Evansville and have the same consumption that you would have to purchase 1,350 shares at a total cost of $39,150 to cover your electric bills from dividends?…that all other things considered equal that the difference in those amounts of $26,100 is the amount of pure wealth that is consumed due to the rate difference?…that if that number is multiplied by the 141,000 ratepayers that the wealth required to cover all of the electricity cost on this side of the river is $680 Million?…that puts the rate differences in a different perspective to an outsider who is looking in?

IS IT TRUE that today there are only 25 days remaining in the Weinzapfel Administration?…that it is also the first day in which the Evansville Redevelopment Commission has an opportunity to rescind the agreement that they have with City Centre Properties LLC with respect to turning the McCurdy Hotel into 90 luxury apartments?…that it is time for the ERC to fish or cut bait on this project?…that even in the simplest of games using a stick and a ball after three strikes you are out and this is the 4th Strike for both City Centre Properties LLC and the Evansville Redevelopment Commission in its present embodiment?…that we are all out here in taxpayer land wondering if a 5th extension will be granted or if this lingering deal will finally be unwound so the Winnecke Administration can start with a clean slate?…that the TAXES ON THE PROPERTY THAT WERE DUE ON NOVEMBER 10TH ARE STILL NOT PAID?…that we would hope there would be some discussion about this situation at today’s ERC meeting?

IS IT TRUE that all eyes and ears will be focused on the resolution that is being considered with respect to the downtown Convention Hotel?…that the eyes of Klenck Construction that has thus far been on the receiving end of some shoddy treatment by the City of Evansville will certainly be on this resolution and on any decision that may come from the ERC about proceeding?…that the last minute spending that is being presented to the ERC and to the Evansville City Council is just getting oppressive?…that every time in December that either body meets it is all about spending everything that can possibly be spent?…that we are counting on City Councilman John Friend, CPA to provide the financial oversight and guidance so that no shenanigans are pulled in the last days of the reign of Mayor Weinzapfel?

IS IT TRUE that above all things the CCO hopes that any actions taken by the Evansville Redevelopment Commission with respect to these projects reflect the same kinds of actions that the members of the ERC would make in their real jobs in banking, architecture, accounting, and pawn shop operation?…that in the particular case of pawn shop operation paying too much for something or doing business with financially incapable people is of utmost importance for success?…that the mantra for tomorrow’s meeting needs to be “IF YOU WOULD NOT DO THIS WITH YOUR MONEY, PLEASE DO NOT DO IT WITH OURS”?