IS IT TRUE May 25, 2012

IS IT TRUE

the New Orleans Times Picayune a daily newspaper with a history going back over 100 years has faced the reality that printing a daily hard copy is a good way to lose money?…the Times Picayune announced yesterday that they will be printing a copy of the paper only on three days per week?…the focus of the great American paper is being shifted to providing online digital news content to the people of New Orleans?…that this half step will become a full step at some point as the business model for traditional print media has been disrupted forever?

IS IT TRUE the forces in support of and opposing next November’s vote on unified government in Vanderburgh County are both finally out in force trying to convince the voters to support their cause?…that both Mayor Winnecke and Sheriff Eric Williams are vocal proponents of VandyGov 2012 and are widely thought to be the candidates who will face each other to become Mayor of the County in the event that consolidation passes?…that the theory of consolidation is a very hard concept to argue effectively against?…that when one has a tangible plan in place that ignores the two most fruitful areas to provide the voters with the savings associated with consolidation and actually forbids that these sacred cows be discussed for 10 years, opposition forces can make a pretty good case that the planning process was partisan, selective, and really provides none of the benefits that could have been provided?…that the next 5 months will be quite interesting as this may come down to good theory vs. poor planning in the minds of voters?

IS IT TRUE the City County Observer is pleased to see that one of our favorite public servants, Ann Ennis who headed Keep Evansville Beautiful for many years has chosen to fire her distinguished career of service back up as opposed to heading out of town for greener pastures?…Ms. Ennis will be leading Ruth’s House and that we are sure that Ruth’s House will be better for her presence?…that Ms. Ennis’ decision is a counter to a recent pattern of exodus that has seen 12 adults with master’s degrees leave Evansville for better opportunities just since January 1st?…it is bad enough to lose the young educated professionals that all cities covet but losing people in that 40 – 60 age grouped of accomplished educated professionals with children poised to follow in their footsteps is in many ways much worse for a community?

IS IT TRUE the Kentucky Democrat primary came very close to dealing President Obama a loss in his own primary with no opposition?…if two of the 120 counties in Kentucky are removed from the totals that “Uncommitted” would have defeated President Obama by roughly 5,000 votes?…the two counties that pulled out the win for President Obama are Jefferson (Louisville) and Fayette (Lexington)?…this narrow win against no opponent was brought to you by the people of a state that depend very much on coal mining?…another state to watch for an indication of a shift from Obama to Romney is Wisconsin that is mired up in a recall election of Governor Scott Walker?…polls are tied in Wisconsin for president but that the probability of Governor Walker surviving this recall election are now at 94% on a website that allows gambling on elections (www.intrade.com)?…that if Wisconsin rejects this recall attempt that was initiated and bankrolled by the public employee unions it will not bode well for President Obama in Wisconsin?…that President Obama did make a 2008 campaign promise to walk the picket lines but thus far has not delivered on that promise?

IS IT TRUE that sometimes crime delivers more humor than a comedian?…yesterday it was reported that a 79 year old man from rural Illinois was robbed of his collectable pair of brass bull balls?…that some of the young, male, and dumb specimens who grace our fair city have been spotted with imitations of brass balls hanging from their rear view mirrors or trailer hitches and that is just written off to youthful silliness?…that one must wonder what it was about such a trophy that made a pair of brass balls become the prized possession of a 79 year old?

IS IT TRUE Tuesday’s Democrat primary in Kentucky may have sent a strong message to President Barack Obama?…while the President had no opponent on the ballot, there was an option to vote for “uncommitted” that translates into “I will not be voting for President Obama but I did find a need to vote in the Democrat primary”?…that “uncommitted” got nearly 43% of the votes?…in Arkansas President Obama’s opponent also got over 42% of the vote?…the opponent in the Arkansas primary was an attorney from Tennessee who did not campaign at all?…that the Obama campaign is quick to note that they were not counting on winning in Kentucky, Arkansas, or West Virginia where a similar thing happened in the primary?…that these kinds of losses may be tempting to blow off but that Kentucky and West Virginia in particular are pretty good proxies for how Southern Indiana, Southern Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania will be voting?…that nearly every poll right now is calling for a statistical dead heat between President Obama and Mitt Romney?

IS IT TRUE several of our readers have expressed curiosity about several projects in downtown Evansville?…the one drawing the most interest is of course the McCurdy Hotel that still has open windows and is beginning to look like it is once again going to be the home of snakes, rats, and a beanstalk?…that despite big announcements the McCurdy is still reported on the Vanderburgh Assessors website as owned by City Centre Properties LLC and now owes back taxes of $21,525.84 that corresponds to being a full year behind on property taxes?…our readers have also been asking for an update on the repairs being done at Kunkel Square?…that there was much fanfare a couple of weeks ago when homeland security (????) closed the building over a set of stairs and an alarm system feature?…that we would like a follow up on when the tenants will be back into their apartments?

IS IT TRUE the other project drawing questions is the downtown Convention Hotel status?…we have been treated to the numbers that Hunden Strategic Partners have advised and that the budget should amount to $150,000 per room with no bells and whistles?…what was not released was the amount of public assistance that is being recommended by Hunden that the City of Evansville will have to offer to attract an experienced developer/operator?…that looking back to valuation, rate, and occupancy studies from a year ago one would have to expect that the package will have to increase to roughly $13.5 Million + Bridge to Nowhere + Infrastructure Improvements + Tax Abatements to make this happen right?…that will bring us right up to the total package of about $25 Million to $30 Million that Fort Wayne had to shell out to get White Lodging to town?…that hopefully this time the Office of the Mayor, the Evansville Redevelopment Commission, and the City Council will at least start their thought process with some basis of reality?…the real question is how much is this hotel needed?…we would like to see examples from other comparable cities that have invested 8 figure incentive packages in the private lodging business?