IS IT TRUE we first wish to advise all of our readers to drive and walk with caution today as the Tri-State seems to have had another run-in with mother nature’s snow machine?…this will of course be particularly true in downtown Evansville where the Barnett Doctrine of “let the empty buildings shovel their own snow” is still in force?…Yukon Cornelius is still looking for gold and silver in downtown Evansville and it is a good thing he has a sled and a dog pack to moooosh because otherwise he would fall flat on his butt like some downtown worker or even a possible shopper will probably do today?…local government still finds it perfectly acceptable to spend $127 Million on a temple to sport with another $40 Million plus being considered for a hotel yet spending $500 to clear the sidewalks is unaffordable and out of the question?…sometimes visitors to Evansville must think Neanderthals are in charge of city government?

IS IT TRUE that site selectors now advise local economic development officials that their website is just about the only way to make it through to round two in a business attraction project?…the only thing that can get a location to round two without a website that is informative and easy to navigate is a strong personal relationship?…over 90% of acceptable locations do not even make round two because of website deficiencies?…the CCO would like to commend the SW Indiana Coalition for Economic Development for establishing and maintaining a most excellent and easy to navigate website?…this website is probably why the Evansville region really does make the cut and always seems to have lots of opportunities to pursue?…getting beyond round two however takes things like a ready to go workforce, specialized talent, and infrastructure?…only after those things are cleared does one make the final round?…exemplary websites may cause lots of interest but cannot eliminate problems like dilapidated infrastructure, dysfunctional government, and an inadequate workforce?…we seem to have great icing but a cake of questionable quality?…it is time to fix the cake?

IS IT TRUE world economists are now projecting that the Eurozone will have a contracting economy in 2013 due to continued debt issues in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Ireland?… they will all of course be looking to Germany to bail them out again?…one must wonder just how long the German people are going to tolerate being the lender of last resort to irresponsible dysfunctional countries?…one may ask how on earth does that affect us here in the United States and why do we care?…it is about customers, markets and investments?…the USA is a strong trading partner with the Eurozone and has maintained a win-win relationship for years?…if more turmoil comes into the Eurozone financial markets we will suffer too?

IS IT TRUE that on the home front there is both good news and bad news?…that hiring in the private sector while slow is consistent and positive so from an unemployment perspective the worst seems to finally be behind us?…that is not to be confused with something that is acceptable or prosperous but it should diminish some of the paranoia that has had the country in a funk for 5 years now?…the latest self defeating micro-blow is the fact that the reinstatement of the 2% FICA tax that hits the average family for about $1,000 per year combined with the spike in gas prices has flat-lined consumer spending?…consumer spending is about 70% of the US economy so this avoidable phenomena will hurt earnings which will hurt hiring, etc. etc. etc.?…the comes at a time that the Obama Administration is crowing about not raising taxes on the middle class and doubling the gas mileage on cars?…sometimes one has to wonder if the President and Congress are even living on the same planet that regular people are?…that both of the President’s claims are either extreme delusion or outright lies?…what is really disappointing is that lots of people apparently believe him when he says gas mileage has doubled and that we all got a tax cut?…the cognizance of the entire country or maybe the interest in politics is perfectly reflected in Evansville’s electorate?…maybe we should send the City Council to Washington as they seem a capable as our congress is?

IS IT TRUE February 21, 2013

IS IT TRUE the Evansville Redevelopment Commission (ERC) has voted to authorize carving the single block that Evansville City Administrations have been dreaming of a convention hotel sitting on for 5 years now into its own little Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District?…assuming that any future hotel will be granted the maximum 10 year tax abatement this makes the amount of money that can be collected by this new TIF limited to the non-hotel revenue from the complex?…it has been estimated that the taxes collected by this TIF will be less than $100,000 per year?…this is a drop in the bucket compared to the interest on the debt already incurred to build the Ford Center or the up-front cash incentives that will be required to close a deal with the Branson, Missouri based hotel developer that is in discussions with the Winnecke Administration right now?…this amount of money committed to be squirreled away to cover the City of Evansville’s anticipated incentive package is equivalent to a 14 year old squirreling away $50 for the purchase of a future automobile?…this is cute and thrifty for a teenager dedicated to hoarding enough money to buy a car but in the City’s case this is a fairly insignificant piece of the whole pie that is still a raw undeveloped parcel of land in downtown Evansville?…this looks a little bit desperate for every red cent that can be allocated to a hotel project?…every dollar that goes into this TIF is a dollar that the rest of the business owners and residents of Pigeon Township will get to pay for with a tax increase?

IS IT TRUE this new TIF is subject to approval of the Evansville City Council?…this would be a good time for our City Council to stop insulting each other and to put their Tom Terrific thinking caps on and figure out how this TIF effects this deal and how it effects the citizens of Evansville who own property in the Pigeon Township?…any member of the City Council who is not able to recite with understanding the potential unintended consequences of established this micro-TIF before casting a vote is undeserving of your future vote?…in cases like this a written test for the City Council is in order?…as a Washington based corporate site selector stated in a conversation in Monterrey, CA last night “the United States can no longer afford to have bumbling idiots in elected office”?…that echo’s a famous comedian George Carlin who always attributed this problem of fools in office to the fools who voted for them?…it is time for all of the people of this country to once again learn the process often called THINKING?

IS IT TRUE that the University of Vermont has released an in depth study of the happiest states in America?…in the Tri-State the State of Kentucky checked in at #28, Illinois was #31, and Indiana followed those two closely at #33?…that of course the happiest state is the State of Hawaii which should surprise no one who has been lucky enough to visit?…7 of the top 10 are western states while 7 of the bottom 10 come from the south?…the Midwestern states as they often do in nearly everything dominate the middle of the rankings?…as cities go the happiest city in America is Napa, California and the least happy is Beaumont, TX just on the Louisiana border?…Louisiana was ranked dead last for happiest?