IS IT TRUE? February 8, 2012
IS IT TRUE? February 8, 2012
IS IT TRUE that Al Lindsey’s date with the inquisition has been postponed until 10 am today?…that Mr. Lindsey’s inquisition will be entirely on the basis of what the Evansville Fire Department investigation has discovered in what seems to have been a pretty quick turnaround if statements have actually been taken from everyone who was in the Maingate that night?…that we hope that everyone in the place was questioned and that the statements do not contradict each other?…that for justice to be done this is what should have happened?…that all eyes and ears will be awaiting the results of this inquisition to see what the EFD decides to do with Mr. Lindsey?…that Mole #3 called in from the beach to advise us that Mr. Lindsey has secured the services of an expert attorney and that no stone will be left unturned with the other patrons sitting around table, their motives, and their own capacity to make unimpaired judgments at the time they were pointing the finger(s) at Al Lindsey?…that memories can be changed by agendas and vision can be blurred when consuming mass quantities?…that this may be this year’s version of a Bacchanalian Festival when all of the truths are revealed?
IS IT TRUE that Mole #12 tells us that the gathering at the Maingate may be child’s play for certain Democrat members of the Evansville City Council when compared to another not yet disclosed set of activities?…that as they said at Toyota yesterday, major announcements are coming so stay tuned?…that knowing something and having to hold onto it for approval is enough to drive a news organization crazy?
IS IT TRUE that Indiana’s Right to Work legislation has not taken long to start bearing fruit?…that one Ohio company near the border has advised the IEDC that they will be expanding and that their expansion will be in Indiana?…that just yesterday the Wall Street Journal ran an article on a Canadian locomotive manufacturer that is interviewing people in Muncie for those jobs and may just ship the entire operation to Muncie with 450 jobs that pay about $15 per hour each?…that there were many more applicants than there were jobs?…that this is the free market at work and that Muncie and anyone who is hired will be better off for it?…that the Canadian plant was unionized by the Canadian Auto Workers, had a bitter relationship with the company, but did pay $32 per hour?…that soon this rate will be ZERO and the jobs will be in Indiana?…that the first days of Right to Work have been quite good but that we will keep watching for any company that cuts wages or benefits because of RTW?…that we also anticipate a job creation announcement from Toyota’s Gibson County Plant today?
IS IT TRUE that the WalMart Corporation employs many people in greater Evansville?…that WalMart pays lots of real estate taxes, collects lots of sales taxes, pays income tax in the state, and has employees that pay tons of taxes too?…that if WalMart were exempted from minimum wage laws that they would pay even more taxes and may go forward with an new store on the north side?…that we wonder if there would be support for exempting WalMart from the minimum wage laws within the Evansville City Council if it would mean that WalMart would pay several million dollars in additional taxes?…that exemptions are quite different from one time exceptions in that with exemptions come disparities among competitors?
IS IT TRUE that economic prognosticators are saying that the average price of regular gas in the United States is about to make a 70 cent run up to $4.05?…that such a thing cannot be good for President Obama this election year on the heels of his decision to stop the job creating and oil delivering Keystone Pipeline?…that with all of the things in the economy that may bite the President’s re-election campaign on the backside a big run up in the price of gasoline may just be the worst one?…that of course diesel will do the same and will be reflected by the price of food rising?…that we hope that these economic prognosticators are wrong because the last thing the nation needs right now is inflation in energy and food which are both conveniently left out of the “official†cost of living calculation?…that by exempting these two items from the equation, our nations economists have actually created a propaganda tool to give bad information to the American people?…that a form of propaganda is telling people that things are great when things are really not so great?
Lonely Hearts Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and this year I don’t have a Valentine. I’m not sad, and I’m not planning on feeling sorry for myself for being alone alone. Heck, I’ve decided that sometimes being alone is a good thing! You don’t have to please anyone and you can just be who you are! It doesn’t matter that I don’t have someone to shower with chocolate and conversation hearts. I’ll be spending this Valentine’s Day in a special way with a few special friends.
For some single people, February 14th can sometimes make you feel excluded, like the kid who didn’t get picked for the team. I know that sounds pretty bad, but I’ve spent my share of V-day’s alone, eating a tub or two of Prarie Farms ice cream, watching sappy romance movies. I’ve also had my share of wonderful and downright amazing Valentine’s Days with my beloved Piotr. My dear Piotr made sure that everyday was Valentine’s Day, so he went all out on the actual holiday. This year, I’ll be spending this one alone, and while I’d love nothing better than to wallow in the misery of single life, I’m choosing to spend this day visiting a few lonely hearts at the Vanderburgh Humane Society.
Those of us who are single might want to ignore the holiday, hole up in the house and wait for February 15th to arrive. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself or ignoring the day altogether, make this Valetine’s Day special for someone else. Having a Valentine doesn’t mean you have to be in love, or in a relationship. Little kids give everyone Valentine’s Day cards, so why not send one to your grandma or a long lost friend from the old days. Better yet, invite an old friend out for coffee, or visit a local nursing home to spend time with those who may truly be alone this Valentine’s Day.
If you can’t seem to find someone to spend the day with, and don’t want to spend it alone, consider visiting the dogs and cats at the Vanderburgh Humane Society. The facility is visitor friendly, accommodating those who just want to browse and those who would want a little more hands on experience. There are three kennel rooms of dogs who need a special visitor, a room of furry rodents and rabbits, several cat areas and a free-range room where cats can roam to hearts content. I try to visit the VHS as often as I can. It used to make me really sad to visit the old facility on Buchanan Rd. With the new building and spay/neuter clinic, the VHS has become one of my favorite places to visit in Evansville. The staff is dedicated to making these animals have at least a little comfort during such a stressful and lonely time. Being around these broken hearted animals makes a solo Valentine’s Day seem not so much to handle.
If you go to the Vanderburgh Humane Society this Valentine’s Day, remember to check their website for details on needed donations and bring in your soda caps and aluminum cans for recycling. Spend the day visiting with every shelter resident, giving them a little love and companionship. You can even give the dogs treats and help them practice their sit command. You never know, you might end up finding someone who melts your heart and makes this Valentine’s Day the last one you will spend alone!
Love and kisses,
Lil ïŠ
VHS Pet of the Week: “Boomer”
Greetings from Boomer, a 2-year-old neutered Shepherd Mix. Boomer is an exceptional dog, very well behaved. He is looking for an owner to spend lots of one on one time with him. He would do best in a home with older children as he does tend to get a bit nervous when things get too crazy. Boomer would prefer a home where he is an only pet. He is working on fine tuning his housebreaking skills and in a home with a regular routine, he’ll have that down in no time. He loves belly rubs and to play fetch. For more information on Boomer and how to make him a member of your family, visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563.
Former diplomat to discuss social justice, education at USI
Dr. Michael Omolewa, a pioneer of adult education and leading education historian in his native Africa, will discuss social justice and education initiatives at 5 p.m. Thursday, February 9, at the University of Southern Indiana.
Omolewa is former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris, France; served as president of the 32nd session of the General Conference, UNESCO; and was deputy chair of the Governing Board of the Commonwealth of Learning in Vancouver, Canada.
As a distinguished scholar, civil servant, and diplomat, his contributions impact local and national educational activities in Africa and throughout the world. He has dedicated his life to adult education and the promotion of literacy for underserved populations.
Omolewa is professor of history of education at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and served as its first director of external studies, opening the opportunity to pursue a degree to more than one thousand adult learners.
He has authored numerous books, including Adult Education Practice in Nigeria, and many articles in leading adult education journals. The History of Education Society of Nigeria named him a Life Patron of the Society.
He is a member of the Babcock University (Nigeria) board of trustees; deputy chairman of Christ Redeemer’s Bible College in London, United Kingdom; and an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Nigeria.
Omolewa’s visit to USI is sponsored by the Center for Social Justice Education, housed within the College of Liberal Arts, Department of Social Work. His lecture will be held in Room 1101 in the Education Center.
February 8th is Wild Wednesday at cMoe
cMoe will be open until 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and the Alliance of the First District Dental Society will be at the Children’s Museum of Evansville (cMoe) from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday with activities and demonstrations to educate and encourage kids to practice proper dental care. Children will match the sugar content to certain foods, practicing flossing on the “Giant Flossing Demonstratorâ€, and learn why teeth are important to overall health.
Get WILD with evening hours at cMoe.
Caterpillar Announced Plant Relocation from Canada to Muncie
Excerpts from and link to WSJ article.
“Caterpillar’s decision, ending a standoff with locked-out workers huddled around barrels of burning scrap wood outside the London factory gates, may benefit another downtrodden manufacturing city: Muncie, Ind., where Caterpillar last year opened a locomotive plant and where it is trying to fill jobs at about half the pay workers in Ontario received. At a job fair in Muncie Saturday, Caterpillar will be offering jobs at that plant at wages ranging from $12 to $18.50 per hour.”
“The gulf between the company and the union was too wide to resolve.”
“The Canadian Auto Workers union, which represents the workers, called the move “truly rotten behavior. They are immoral, they are unethical and they are greedy,” said union president Ken Lewenza in an interview.”
“Mr. Julian, the county economic-development official, said site-selection experts for manufacturing plants have told him that about 30% of such projects specify that the factories go to states with right-to-work laws. “We obviously want to compete for those,” he said. Indiana this week became the 23rd state with such a law and the first to enact one since Oklahoma did a decade ago.”
“Muncie lost thousands of jobs over the past decade as the U.S. auto industry shuttered plants making vehicle parts. In 2009, BorgWarner Inc. closed a local auto-transmission plant after the United Auto Workers local refused to renegotiate a contract two years ahead of its expiration. That plant remains idle.”
>Mayor Winnecke Seeks Supporting Documentation on Convention Hotel
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
LLOYD WINNECKE
February 7, 2012 Contact: Ella Johnson-Watson
For Immediate Release 812-436-4965
Mayor Winnecke Seeks Supporting Documentation on Convention Hotel
EVANSVILLE, IN – Citing the need for more data to make sound investments for the City of Evansville, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke will ask the Evansville Redevelopment Commission to conduct a market analysis to determine how large of a hotel needs to be built Downtown to support the Convention Center and Ford Center and the fiscal impact. The mayor will make the request at Evansville Redevelopment Commission’s board meeting Tuesday, February 7th, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 307 at the Civic Center.
Mayor Winnecke said discussions began almost three years ago about the prospect of building a new convention hotel. The previous city administration negotiated an agreement with the Kunkel Group to construct a 220 room hotel. Negotiating a specific agreement with the city was left to the Winnecke administration.
“I do not believe we have all of the necessary data to begin discussion on a development agreement,†Winnecke said. “For instance, there is no supporting documentation that we have discovered in our first five weeks in office that suggests 220 rooms are sufficient to support the 280,000-plus square foot Centre and the Ford Center. Conversations with the Convention and Visitors Bureau have led us to believe a larger hotel would be a better match for the size of our convention center.â€
More specifically, the mayor wants:
• A market analysis to determine how large of a hotel is needed
• A financial impact analysis to determine the level of public investment
• A planning recommendation to provide prospective developers with criteria for an overall plan on how to integrate major public and private projects in the immediate area of the hotel site.
“I believe once we have this information we’ll have all of the data we need to move forward,†Winnecke added. “The project has seen delay after delay. Slowing it down two or three more months to ensure we have all of the necessary information to act will only benefit the city.â€
IS IT TRUE? February 7, 2012
IS IT TRUE? February 7, 2012
IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Council didn’t directly include funds in their 2012 Budget so they can join the City of Evansville to pay for a much needed Information Technology Assessment Audit? …we are pleased that the City of Evansville directly put funds for this Audit in their 2012 Budget? ….we join 5th Ward City Councilmen and Budget Chairmen, John Friend-CPA call for this City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County funded department begin to do a long overdue and detailed financial assessment of this little known but important publically funded department? …we now are awaiting to see if the past Budget Chairmen and newly elected President of the Vanderburgh County Council, James Raben shall put the money on the table so this extremely important Assessment Audit can begin?
IS IT TRUE that the new President of the Evansville Water and Sewer Board is moving this extremely important public entity in a positive direction?…that President Jeff Hatfield directing this board to make good business decision based on “good public policy”? …that it was well known that Mr. Hatfield had major disagreement with some of the policy decisions made by the prior board President and members when he was a board member during last 4 years?
IS IT TRUE that State Representative Wendy McNamara made remarks at the recent “Meet Your Legislators” gathering that shall cause her major political problems when she seeks re-election this year?…McNamara stated that the survey she conducted on the “RIGHT TO WORK” issue that some of her respondents approved of her vote?…that she also added that she didn’t base her decision on what the majority of her constituents wanted but on how she felt personally and really upset many voters in her District?…that her stance on “creationism” being taught in a “historical perspective” in public schools might be OK but will cause her major political problems with the Constitutional voters in her District?…that we hear that the State Democratic Party will make an all out effort to put Wendy McNamara seat back in the Democratic column this coming election?
IS IT TRUE that State Representative Ron Bacon’s push to make pseudoephedrine, an ingredient used in making methamphetamine to be taken the off drugstore shelves and requiring purchasers to have an prescription failed to receive a proper committee hearing?…he also claimed that his original bill died due to strong opposition from “big pharmaceuticals”?…we respectfully suggest that Mr. Beacon contact a locally owned family pharmacy that is located in Chandler, Ind. (the District he represents) and ask John Guthrie how he is dealing with the sale of over the counter cold medicines that have pseudoephedrine in them?…that the City County Observer strongly feels if Mr. Bacon would start a well organized petition drive asking that the State elected officials make drugs that contains pseudoephedrine be sold by prescription only it would get their attention?…we also expect to see this petition drive to be sponsored by State Senators Jim Tomes and Vaneta Becker and State Representatives Gail Riecken, Wendy McNamara, Suzanne Crouch, Greg Battle and Sue Ellspermann?