IS IT TRUE? Part 2 May 23, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the wrecking ball is scheduled to swing into what is left of the old Executive Inn today at 4 o’clock?…that with that final swing any shred of thought about turning an obsolete pile of bricks into a functioning 2-Star flop house is officially over?…that there are a couple of relics that someone may want for collecting purposes like the E or a brick from the tower?…that they need to get on about the business of getting them because soon they will be recycled into something?…that this day is only two years behind schedule?…that the most cost effective and well planned solution would have had the Big E taken down when the west wing went down in 2009?…that if that were done according to a well thought out MASTER PLAN that there would or at least could be a new convention hotel already in operation?…that much money could have and should have flowed into the city if this whole exercise had been planned and vetted when it should have been in the 2007 – 2009 timeframe?

IS IT TRUE that the old refurbished Kentucky Theatre in Downtown Lexington is still in operation and serves as a movie theatre?…that on Friday night that hundreds of people were seen coming out of the Kentucky Theatre after watching a movie?…that every Saturday night the Rocky Horror Picture Show is shown to fully costumed crowds?…that we are curious as to the feasibility to show movies in the Victory Theatre?…that if there is one entertainment venue in Downtown Evansville that could be adapted to show movies to increase both event nights and attendance that the Victory could serve that purpose?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Arena with its 11,000 seat capacity and $127 Million price tag is across the board about half of the Yum Center in every category?….that given that ratio that the marquee naming opportunities for the Evansville Arena should be expected to scale accordingly?….that would mean that there are over $50 Million in naming opportunities that can be identified in the new Evansville Arena? … that a search of the Evansville Arena website makes no mention of naming rights opportunities?…..that with the potential for around $50 Million of naming rights opportunities to be sold that a concerted effort to sell sponsorships with a chairperson and a committee or even a paid professional team should be underway?….that the only reference in an archive search is that project manager John Kish is quoted in “hoping” that someone will buy the naming rights to the Evansville Arena?….that the City County Observer as one of the fastest growing internet traffic sites in Evansville has not been approached or been told of any naming rights programs that exist?….that the CCO would not know who to call to name so much as a floor tile?….that the naming rights efforts today remind us of the Executive Inn Dilemma?

IS IT TRUE that if the City of Evansville will release a list of the naming opportunities in the new Evansville Arena that the City County Observer will post these opportunities with or without pricing so that our readership can consider these marketing opportunities as their marketing budgets are being formed for 2012?…that well run businesses are starting to think about and form 2012 budgets RIGHT NOW?…that if sponsorship opportunities at the Arena are to be in the mix that they need to be in discussions RIGHT NOW and not in a panic to get into the mix after the dollars are already committed to other places?…we really wonder where we would go to buy so much as a brick or a chairback naming opportunity?…that we are shocked and amazed that a public naming opportunity of some type is has not yet been announced?

IS IT TRUE? May 23, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer has received written notice from Tom Barnett, Director of the Department of Metropolitan Development that two of our requests for documentation under the Freedom of Information Act will be granted?…that we will be receiving the information on June 16th which is exactly 21 days after our request was made?…that is the longest time allowed by law for the City to deliver?…that choosing to take the maximum time means utilizing the maximum obstructive capacity that the law allows?…that if there was nothing to obstruct that we would be given the stuff right now instead of pushing the release to the last hour of the last day?…that transparency does not push to the limit of the law to delay making legally required public disclosures?

IS IT TRUE that we will be eager to examine these materials and to understand more about the real contractual relationships with respect to the Downtown Convention Hotel and the management of the new Evansville Arena?…that we cross our fingers that by the time that we have the documents that a full financial package is in place to build the hotel and that a sellout marquee act has been booked for the first event in the Arena?

IS IT TRUE that John Gregg who recently threw his hat into the ring seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor of Indiana was in Evansville last week?…that he spent the better part of the afternoon buddying up to Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel?…that such sightings could make for some rampant speculation about potential Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor in 2012?…that one of the most interesting cameo shots of the afternoon could occurred when Republican candidate for Mayor of Evansville Lloyd Winnecke joined them for a while and exchanged pleasantries in a downtown Evansville dining establishment?…that Winnecke’s presence is the object of the most local curiosity?

IS IT TRUE that select campaign staff members of the Lloyd Winnecke for Mayor committee and Rick Davis for Mayor campaign staff shall meet at 10:30 this coming Thursday at the Winnecke for Mayor campaign headquarters to discuss the terms of possible public debates? …that this meeting shall be one of many between key campaign staff to discuss possible future public debates between both candidates? …the next such meeting on this subject shall be at the Davis for Mayor campaign headquarters on West Franklin Street?

IS IT TRUE that a big discussion broke out among mixed political company about the meanings of the often used terms “good Democrat” and “good Republican”?…that there were people who considered themselves to be a “good Democrat” who thought that means to vote for whatever piece of humanity that actually runs on the Democratic ticket?…that when the last name of the former Knight Township trustee came up that they all backed off of that assertion?…that a similar discussion came up among the self anointed “good Republicans” with similar results?…at the end of the discussion a very good set of definitions emerged with respect to what the word “good” means when used as an adjective before a political party?…that the definitions and examples agreed upon were as follows:

“A good Democrat is a person who agrees with the fundamental philosophy of the Democratic Party yet possesses the mental capacity to deduce a bad Democrat when one runs under the party banner, and the courage of their own ethics to never vote for a bad Democrat” ex: Good Democrats are more than willing to reject bad Democrats and vote for a good Republican.

“A good Republican is a person who agrees with the fundamental philosophy of the Republican Party yet possesses the mental capacity to deduce a bad Republican when one runs under the party banner, and the courage of their own ethics to never vote for a bad Republican” ex: Good Republicans are more than willing to reject bad Republicans and vote for a good Democrat.

IS IT TRUE? May 21, 2011

IS IT TRUE that it has been widely recognized and acknowledged that the gateways to cities are places that should be nurtured and kept looking good to give people a good feeling when driving?…that the most used gateway to Evansville from the south is Southlane Drive?…that the smells on Southlane Drive are enough to give the McCurdy Goat nausea and to make the goat not want to eat when he is turned loose at the McCurdy?…that Southlane is suffering from more than the usual Bee Slough aroma nowadays?…that the guardrails along Southlane Drive appear as though they have not been painted since they were installed?…that the guardrails are sporting a long term thick coat of rust on the top that is just disgusting and give the impression that the City of Evansville does not care about how the southern gateway to the downtown looks?…that painting this two miles of guardrails even at a high price of $1 per foot would amount to a piddly $10,000 or so?…that you can’t get to the new $128 Million arena or to the Front Door Pride area from the south without passing these rusting guardrails?

IS IT TRUE that reversing the direction of some one way streets in Downtown Evansville is not going to attract a single visitor?…that curb cuts and turn lanes that are costing millions of dollars will not add any value whatsoever to Downtown Evansville?…that for a small fraction of what is being spent for no benefit the guardrails leading to town could be painted and the McCurdy Hotel could be mowed for all of the growing season?…that sometimes the choices that government makes just make you shake your head in disbelief?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,479 days since the announcement was made on May 14, 2007 that the McCurdy Hotel was to be refurbished into luxury apartments?…that it has now been 1,333 days since the Evansville Redevelopment Commission at the request of Mayor Weinzapfel approved the spending of $603,000 to purchase the parking lot?…that City Centre Properties and Scott Kosene the developers of the McCurdy project are both listed as contributors to the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee for 2010?

IS IT TRUE that there are now 530 days remaining in the two years that the EPA had given the City of Evansville to present an acceptable solution to the Combined Sewer Overflow problem?…..that this plan is an expensive and complex endeavor that needs immediate attention to avoid the embarrassment and expense of another round of fines?

Take That: May 20, 2011

In Response to: McCurdy Hotel

“maybe we could get them a goat to go with the pigeons and bats” Henry

“A display of pettyness by the Administration, or running scared of the CCO? One wonders.” Crash Larue

“The Shriners are going to cut the grass at the old McCurdy Hotel because it would be such a embarrassment to have people see that site during the Shrinersfest in June.” Rick Hubbard

In Response to: City Budgets

“I’d guess we might have been closer to the averages before we got hooked on crack. (i.e. pre-Aztar), Down that line, watch out for “leveraged” pre-payments of Aztar monies in these figures. We’re an open gambling community! A better comparison would be Atlantic City or Vegas. After all, we were sold the boat on how much additional city-wide benefits all the “FREE” money would get us! At least part of those extra expenditures are supposed to be fighting the additional crime element, right? And cleaning up any needle problems in our parks – Oooops.” Eville Taxpayer

“Checked out the Henderson budget vs. the population and it looks as though the money saving bridge works for government too. $878 per person over there! Nearly $1,000 each less than Evansville but in line with other places. Evansville is insane on its costs.” The Donald

“Based on the info available, your comparison on per capita costs for fort wayne and evansville seems correct, although something may be missing. Another way to cross reference expenses and revenues would be to compare property tax rates and revenues. What are the city and county property tax rates in Fort Wayne and Allen county compared to Evansville and Vanderburgh County? Two differences, one of which you point out, make a difference. Utility rates are more expensive in Vanderburgh County and some labor rates are more expensive in Evansville. Fort Wayne does not use bargaining unit employees for some and possible all of their maintenance work, specifically parks.” Mole #411

In Response to: Professional Sports in Evansville

“The thing I come away with reading this is that the time for a professional sports team supported by the city has long since come and gone, times have changed, with the advent of 24 hr TV, … In the best economic times sports teams are a luxury, given today’s economic climate it makes little sense to me to waste tax payers dollars on such a luxury with the infrastructure crumbling all around us.” Blanger

“Ice hockey … eh?” Soon2B

“I couldn’t agree more. A copy of this message should be given to every city council and mayoral candidate. Keep the trash picked up, the grass cut in the summer and the snow plowed in the winter, flush the poop, provide us with clean water, fire and police protection and do it all at a reasonable price. I would add providing some minimal level of a social safety net would be essential too. Being a good spokesperon representative for the city and region is a bonus. If we could get this accomplished then the site locators, CEO’s, business leaders and families would WANT to relocate to Evansville, reducing the need for “jobs programs” and quasi-bribes in the form of tax abatements. If we don’t get this done, then the population decline and brain drain will continue to happen.” Steve Smith

“This is completely opposite of the Otters. This is a garbage team in a garbage league. Bill Bussing has shown absolutely no interest in providing any type of improved product here. Annual last place finishes in a garbage league. With Bosse Field and our support of baseball, there is no excuse for anything less than A ball here. I would strongly support the Otters having their lease terminated and attempts to secure a real minor league baseball team here.” Buzzard

“There’s more teams on the way but it won’t be in the new arena.” Railoverauto

IS IT TRUE? May 20, 2011

IS IT TRUE that merger mania took over part of the Civic Center again last night?…that in yet another planning session that nothing was settled and the two or more factions that have developed are digging their heels in on their respective positions regarding the future of law enforcement in Vanderburgh County and the City of Evansville?…that a full three of the six (half) ward based members of the City Council have expressed the desire of their constituents is to LEAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT ALONE?…that if the consolidation committee so misread this most important and expensive element of the service that government provides that there are impaired judgments throughout the rest of the proposal too?…that lets just call this thing what it is and be done with it?…that the most used adjective that the consolidation proposal seems to have placed in front of it starts with cluster?

IS IT TRUE that this proposal makes no financial, moral, or even prosperity based imperative that has any basis is reality?…that there is about the same amount of elevative substance in this proposal as there was in the recent primary?…that that would be slim to none?…that just because the Chamber of Commerce believes in the theory of consolidation does not make the proposal that is in place a basis on which to go forward?…that as the City County Observer has opined on many occasions “when you show the people of the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County tangible benefit, they will recognize it and support consolidation”?…that so far we have only heard condescendence and been shown nothing of value?…that experimentation for the sake of experimenting is not a reason to enact permanent and irreversible change?…that this needs to start over or it needs to be discarded?

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh Democratic Party faithful shall be having its 6th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner on June 8th at Bauer House in Darmstadt?…we congratulate Vanderburgh County Democratic party Central Committee for holding this worthwhile event?…that feel that this event shall begin the political healing of the Vanderburgh Democratic party?…that all eyes are on Team Rick Davis, Party Chairman, Mark Owens and Union Leader, Jack McNeely?

IS IT TRUE that “CCO MOLE 206” has corrected a CCO “IS IT TRUE” statement concerning the Vanderburgh County Democratic was giving money to relocate from the Executive Inn Parking garage to old Welborn Hospital building owned by the Kunkel Group?…that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission didn’t pay the Democratic party to relocate…that another entity has commented to pay them to relocate?…that this entity hasn’t paid the party to move their headquarters as of yet? …the figure that has been alleged to be paid to the Democratic Party for this move is between $1 to $10,000?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville made it onto Jay Leno’s monologue on Wednesday night?…that our newly bestowed distinction of being the most obese place in America is gaining us national attention?…that Leno made fun of the Evansville jail saying that it does not even need bars because they put us at the bottom of the stairs and we can’t climb out?…that this is not good publicity but that as one Facebook comment said “if the tent fits, wear it”?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer got over 30 referrals yesterday from a never before heard of website called modern-bliss.com?…that this happened as a result of someone from Evansville posting a link on that site to the CCO article from 3 weeks ago about Evansville being named the obesity capital of America?…that the poster was quite disturbed and embarrassed at Evansville’s new distinction?

IS IT TRUE that all of these humiliations are a call to action and that as a community we need to rise to that call to action by living healthier, cleaning our streets, fixing our sewers, etc. etc. etc?…that this is an opportunity for Evansville to acknowledge these problems and others and to do something about it?…that this election year of 2011 is a great catalyst to change how we live for the better?

IS IT TRUE? May 20, 2011

IS IT TRUE that one of the best reader comments to come along this year came to us yesterday after we posted a picture of the 3 foot tall grass at the McCurdy?…that we have been making fun of the failures at the McCurdy for over a year now and have often referred to it as the convalescent home for aging pigeons and bats?…that one of our readers suggested yesterday that the City of Evansville needs to deploy a GOAT to take care of the weeds and vines at the McCurdy?…that the City of Evansville already has a GOAT that is in charge of taking Freedom of Information Act requests?…that the response from the City’s GOAT yesterday without the unlawful City of Evansville request form was Naaaaaaaa?

IS IT TRUE that Section 2.05.050(F) of the City of Evansville Municipal Code requires that the Mayor of Evansville shall provide any information regarding City affairs that the legislative body (City Council) requests?…that the Mayor of Evansville must not only provide documentation, but information requested by the City Council concerning City of Evansville’s business?…that it’s time that Mayor of Evansville adhere to documentation requests submitted to the Mayor by 5th Ward City Councilman, John Friend, CPA and 1st Ward City Councilman, Dan McGinn, ESQ?

IS IT TRUE that President Obama gave a speech to Arab leaders yesterday in which he called upon Israel to return to their 1967 borders?…that the President furthermore made a statement that there will never be a truly peaceful situation as long as “occupied” territories exist?…that the State of Israel was formed in 1948 as a Jewish nation and has been under some sort of siege from outside enemies ever since?…that 2011 marks the 63rd year of existence for Israel?…that in 1967 the nation of Israel was only 19 years old or 30% of its current time of existence?…that the United States of America was formed in 1776 and reached its 30% mark relative to 2011 in 1847?…that to be given the same directive by a foreign leader as President Obama gave Israel?…that there were foreign leaders who were telling the United States back in our “manifest destiny” days of expansion that we could never be at peace with so much expansion and occupied territories?…that the USA still has occupied territories?

IS IT TRUE that as melting pots go that the USA has had some serious growing pains but for the most part has found a form of governance that is inclusive, respectful, and brings a myriad of peoples together under a common flag?…that Israel and the rest of the middle east may someday reach a state of peace but that it is not the sole place of the President of the United States to call for the geographic borders of such a solution?…that many of the problems in the middle east today are as a result of British geographic meddling?…that Israel has been a good and loyal ally of the United States and that our leaders should not develop habits of making public demands on our ally?…that such words probably have no place at all but if they do it would be in a private conversation with the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu?

IS IT TRUE that the Palestinian people need and deserve a homeland of their own and that the land for this future state will have to come from somewhere?…that this is a goal in which the United States can play an important role but that it is ultimately up to the people of the Holy Land to determine where that is to be?…that all peoples need a place to call home and to have self determination and that a Palestinian state would probably go far in establishing a peaceful coexistence in the middle east?

IS IT TRUE that this commercial spoof is like a trip to the Civic Center?

IS IT TRUE? May 19, 2011 Evening Bonus Edition

IS IT TRUE that the EVSC made a press release yesterday that told of many awards that they have won for programs that promote healthy lifestyles and nutritious eating habits among their students?…that programs can sometimes win lots of awards based on being cute or innovative in the eyes of the judges only?…that this announcement comes on the heels of the Evansville MSA being awarded the distinction of being the most obese MSA in the United States by a Gallup survey?…that while the programs at EVSC may be cute or impress judges that they most certainly should not have won these awards for effectivity?…that it is good to acknowledge the problem of being too fat as a community and to do something about it?…that gold medals are reserved for results and not for attempts?…that we are wondering if Rosanne, Fat Albert, and Baby Huey were the judges in this contest?…that we encourage the EVSC to evaluate the effectivity of their programs by the percentage of obese children in our schools as opposed to whether or not Fat Albert & Co. hands them a prize?…that maybe the school system of Boulder, Colorado that is one of the leanest in American does not have programs that impress Fat Albert et al as much as Evansville does but that when it comes to effectivity they are way out in front?

IS IT TRUE that we have been notified via a comment that the Shriners will be mowing the overgrown grass at the McCurdy so as not to be embarrassed by the state of neglect of this formerly elegant property during their upcoming Shrinerfest?…that a picture taken today at the McCurdy shows a vine that is beginning to take over the building?…that the first thought that came to mind when surveying the situation for pictures was that of a picture in the child’s book called Jack and the Beanstalk?…that in this case it is Mayor and the Beanstalk and if someone like the Shriners do not get there quick and cut the grass and the vine that one may be able to climb to the 2nd floor balcony on the vine?…that another picture shows the grass nearly a third of the way up a street light?…that this SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT of the laws of this town is something that should not be tolerated by law abiding citizens?…that being behind in property taxes but ahead on political contributions is not justification for this building being allowed to return to the jungle?…that we thank and honor the Shriners for their good work and for their willingness to do for Evansville what the City of Evansville cannot seem to muster the political will to do for itself?

IS IT TRUE that when the City County Observer went to the Civic Center to serve Freedom of Information Act requests for three different sets of documents that as we had been warned the City of Evansville would deny our requests because they were not accompanied by “official” City of Evansville request forms?…that the State of Indiana under I. C. 5-14-3-1 governs the requests for public records in the State of Indiana and that the City of Evansville has no authority or basis for being persnickety with the forms?…that our letters were prepared by an online service that does FOIA letters for people in the State of Indiana?…that we knew that we would be denied going in and that as soon as we get the official written notice of denial that we will post it and file a complaint with the appropriate higher jurisdiction?…that we may just fill out the persnickety little delay tactic form to expedite getting what we requested or we may let the higher authority put an end to the City of Evansville’s “form without basis”?

Familiarization with the language of Private Equity will help Evansville

Evansville, Indiana is one of the only cities in the United States with a population of over 100,000 people that has no active Angel Investment Group and no Venture Capital. Private equity firms from other places routinely come to Evansville and buy our successful businesses and repatriate the profits to other locations.

It has often been expressed that one of the shortcomings of Evansville as an attractive place to establish investment firms is that the knowledge base of the people of Evansville does not run very deep into the language of investments.

The City County Observer would like to encourage as many of our readers as possible to read the 2011 Global Private Equity Report of Bain & Company that is available on the following link. Ultimately we are what we know and we would like to encourage the elevation of the knowledge of Evansville when it comes to financial sophistication.

http://resultsbrief.bain.com/pdfs/2011_bainandcompany_pe_report.pdf

IS IT TRUE? May 19, 2011 ACE Purple

IS IT TRUE that the University of Evansville is considering giving mascot Ace Purple a makeover as part of the move to the Downtown Evansville Arena?…that everyone needs to change with the times and that old Ace is no exception to the rule?…that the last time Ace Purple went through a makeover he was changed from a perfectly intimidating riverboat gambler with a club and a gun INTO a thing that former California Governor Arnold Swartzenegger would call a “GIRLY MAN”?…that Ace in his present form seems more like a bridge playing senior citizen that looks forward to early bird dinners than a riverboat gambler?…that mascots are meant to intimidate and that modern day Ace would not scare a flea?…that in the spirit of competition and intimidation that UE should consider the following as ways to spice up the ballgames and the mascot?

IS IT TRUE that Ace Purple needs a new ride?…that the golf cart is the symbol of leisure and retirement and that it has no place in Ace Purple’s garage?… that Ace Purple needs a Purple HEARSE in his garage with the name of the visiting team shrouding the casket in the back?…that no self respecting wise guy riverboat gambler dresses like Mr. Roark from Fantasy Island and has no girlfriend(s)?…that Ace Purple needs two or more hot babes that accompany him everywhere?…that to attract the kind of babes that Ace Purple wants he needs to hit the gym and give the rest of Evansville and example for getting into shape?…that Ace Purple’s transformation into being an intimidating mascot starts in the gym and a trip to an image consultant?…that the image to send is that of a bad dude with an IQ of 160 that is that master of no limit poker and a fan of UE sports?…that if there are cards involved that up the sleeve is the place for them?…that a gold tooth would add to the image as would a saturday night special in his boot?…that a shiny switchblade and some brass knuckles could come out at tip off time?…that the image that Ace Purple should have is one of Conan the Barbarian that makes a living playing poker because he is the smartest and meanest dude at the table?…that an intimidating Ace will have all of the trappings of the lifestyle of Superfly Evansville style?…that no one fears Mr. Rogers and that this move should be the end of the Mr. Rogers look and demeanor of Ace Purple?

IS IT TRUE that the UE pep band needs to add some new songs to the pregame mix too?…that “Poker Face” would go well with the bad boy mascot?…that “Purple Rain” should have been in the play list for 20 years now to commemorate the raining of three point baskets by the Purple Aces?…that “Purple Haze” should have been on the playlist for 40 years to celebrate the mental state of the opponents when they take a beating from the Purple Aces?

IS IT TRUE that sharpening the sword or the switchblade and adding a little edge is something that all of Evansville has needed for a very long time and that making a lovable cuddly Ace Purple back into someone to be reckoned with might just put a little fight back into the team and the fans?…that successful spectator sports all incorporate intimidating mascots with all of the trappings into the mix and UE should take a lesson from that playbook?…that any team called the Pirates that lets their mascot wither into the greeter at Red Lobster is doing their team and their fan base a disservice?…that it is time for Ace Purple to be a real mascot as opposed to an oversized beanie baby?

IS IT TRUE that this is the genius, the edge, and the image of an ACE PURPLE that intimidates?

IS IT TRUE? May 19, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer will be back on the speaking tour today making a presentation at the downtown Kiwanis Club about its unique way of focusing attention on situations in need of improvement and how IS IT TRUE is promoting better public policy in Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that the Freedom of Information Act requests with respect to the correspondence between the Evansville Redevelopment Commission/City of Evansville and Woodruff Hospitality LLC/Kunkel Group regarding the downtown convention hotel were finalized yesterday afternoon and will hand served upon the information officer of the City of Evansville by Mole #2.5 this very morning?…that similar requests with respect to the dealings with VenuWorks and the recent trip that Mayor Weinzapfel made to Germany are also being made this morning?…that tomorrow there will be a statement to the affect of “it has been 24 hours since the CCO made three FOIA requests to the City of Evansville”?…that there will be daily updates until we have the documents in our hands?…that we will be posting the requests later today?

IS IT TRUE that “CCO MOLE # 3” personally visited the vacant McCurdy Hotel property on the Evansville water front last evening?…that the weeds in the front are waist deep and that if the McCurdy was a rental house owned by some so called “slumlord” that the weed enforcement group would have already put them on warning or even mowed the property and billed the owner an exorbitant rate to do so …that after walking around the exterior of this once Grand Hotel that “CCO MOLE # 3” realizes that this historical property should be immediately put on the State of Indiana Historical endangered property list? …that we wonder how many more years and additional investment of our hard earned tax dollars will continue to be spent on this seemly “not to happen millions of dollars condo project”? …that it is time for Evansville Redevelopment Commission Chairman, Bob Goldman, Mayor Weinzapfel and DMD Director, Tom Barnett to call a news conference and publically declare that the proposed McCurdy Condo project is hereby declared dead? …that we can’t wait for the public debate to begin between candidates for Evansville Mayor and City Council concerning the real future of the once Grand but now vacant McCurdy Hotel?

IS IT TRUE that there is another end of the world prediction that has been made by Mr. Harold Camping of Oakland, CA?…that this same guy made a calculation that 1994 was rapture time and that didn’t work out for him so he refined his algorithm and has returned with a solid date of Saturday May 21, 2011?…that he still has a few followers who tune into his radio show to follow their final days on earth?…that there are also plenty of mocking sites including one Facebook page touting a morning after party that has 175,000 followers?…that this sort of bull seems to come around about every ten or so years?…that the last memorable one was Heaven’s Gate in San Diego when the group was all going to hitch a ride to paradise on the Hale Bopp Comet?…that they really just bought new shoes and celebrated with vodka and narcotics in a mass suicide?…that before that Jim Jones lead a flock of his followers to South America where that gave “drinking the Kool-Aid” a new meaning?…that if people who fall for these lunatics would occupy their time picking up litter or cleaning parks in Evansville instead of helping make the Kool-Aid that the world would be a better place?