EPD Activity Report April 9 2011

Take That: April 9, 2011

Dilapidated Park Related Comments:

“Has anyone seen Lorraine pool? They kept pushing back the opening date last year-once the leaves turned, it was pretty evident someone fibbed-whatcha bet it wont happen this year?” Bootsie

“Dear future Mayor,

Please stop all NEW construction projects in all of Evansville. Please fix our sewers, streets, sidewalks, and parks. These are the basic job requirements when holding the mayoral position in the City of Evansville. Always has been. If you feel that there is some other project that takes precendent over these basic requirements. Please excuse yourself from the mayoral race now….or we will excuse you! C Me

“Also, why is Goebel Soccer Complex’s gates kept closed all the time? If this is a Parks & Rec facilty then why does the taxpaying public not have access to it? It would be nice to go kick a soccer ball around with your kid once in a while. Their excuse will probably be they don’t have the staff to go unlock the gates everyday.” C Woods

“During last summer’s heat Helfrich pool was not open & the reason given was because they didn’t have enough lifeguards to work it. Hartke pool’s kiddie pool was not open, we have no idea why. Lorraine was always closed, but promises kept being made to open it. When the city has a swim meet at one pool, the meets only last a few hours, but they don’t open the pool to the public for the rest of the day. This loses out on making money on admissions. It does not make sense! When trying to contact parks & rec to just ask a simple question on if the pool will be open the phone does not get answered. Now if you look at the Parks & Rec website the listing & locations of the pools has been removed this year. Good luck on finding your nearest pool if your new to the city.” C Woods

Comments Regarding Consolidation:

“…that if there is to be consolidation that it needs to be with the consent of the governed?…that a “one person one vote” scenario where either the City of Evansville or unincorporated Vanderburgh County reject consolidation will not constitute the consent of the governed?…that land grab or not, consolidation needs to have the consent of the governed to go forward?…”
Words worth repeating! I could care less if consolidation comes to a vote or not. Bring it on! The problem is, without Rejection Threshold, it is a RIGGED vote. 100% of rural voters could vote it down but it could still pass. Exactly how is that fair?” Magic Man

“In the past, consolidation has always gone down to defeat because county residents, those outside the corporate limits of Evansville, did not want it. They had witnessed the way the city was managed and made a conscience and informed decision that they did not want to live under that system.
In my personal opinion, this time, forces in the background within city government were successful in “persuading” two democrat and one republican county commissioner to vote to do away with the rejection threshold under that fallacious argument that we are all just one big happy family, never mind the fact that city dwellers can vote in county elections, but county dwellers are not allowed to vote in city elections.

The rejection threshold was created so if your answer to the question above is no, then that type of government can to be forced down your throat.” Pressanykey

“I would like to hear from a county resident who could tell us under what conditions they would feel comfortable with consolidation. I would also like to hear from a city resident as to why this would be a benefit to most Vanderburgh County residents.” Steven Smith

EPD Activity Report_4-08-2011

IS IT TRUE that in the final possible hour the federal government averted the so called and much hyped “shutdown” by passing what both sides are calling historic with respect to spending cuts?…that cutting a whopping $37 Billion from the federal budget is the equivalent of cutting the average personal budget in Evansville by $12.45 per week?…that amounts to a couple of brain sandwiches per week?…that the people in charge of our country must have very little experience with budget cutting if they think that the equivalent of two brain sandwiches a week is a historic exercise in anything?…that the last minute deal was cut for political expediency as opposed to making any real significant financial difference?…that this whole exercise seems more like a three act play that could be named “The Washington Cycle” in honor of “The Kentucky Cycle” that was touring the country several years ago?…that neither play would be flattering to the choices of the actors?…that just this week the City County Observer called for more substance and less play acting from elected officials and especially candidates for office?

IS IT TRUE that there are still some candidates for office who have not been very enthused about accepting their invitations to participate in e-debates published by our sister publication The Community Observer?…that even more disturbing is the fact that we have offered every candidate for Mayor of Evansville the opportunity to have a position paper of substance published on the subject of consolidation with no restriction on the number of words they choose to use to articulate their positions?…that sound bite size word restrictions on issues that have dissertation size needs are not even worth the ink that it takes to print them?…

IS IT TRUE that City Centre Properties is the owner of record of the McCurdy Hotel?…that the McCurdy property is located at 100 SE Riverside Drive and is delinquent with respect to the November 2010 property tax payment in the amount of $9,792.31 and has been assessed a penalty of $979.24?...that City Centre Properties is currently delinquent on the property taxes for the McCurdy Hotel in the amount of $10,771.55?…that to bring this account current that City Centre Properties will have to bring a payment of $21,040.21 in by the next tax due date of May 10, 2011?…that if taxes are not brought current by May 10, 2012 that the McCurdy may just find its way onto the tax sale the following August?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,437 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 1,291 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 David Coker wrote an excellent article in today’s Courier and Press making some of the same points that have been made in the City County Observer for a long time now?…that Mr. Coker is one of the best minds in Evansville for recreating visual memories of the beauties of the past with the written word?…that instead of a home for pigeons and bats or even an upscale apartment building that the McCurdy Hotel could be and should be a HISTORIC HOTEL like the Seelbach in Louisville or the Canterbury in Indianapolis?…that we encourage you all to read Mr. Coker’s editorial?…that we are pleased that other media outlets in Evansville are coming forward to call attention to the travesty that the McCurdy project has become?… that the following link is to Mr. Coker’s article?

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/apr/09/mccurdys-beauty-now-for-the-birds/

IS IT TRUE that there are now 572 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?

EPD Activity Report April 7 2011

IS IT TRUE that the first thing to change everyone in Indiana’s day today as a result of the looming government shutdown has already happened?…that President Obama has cancelled his trip to Indianapolis to stay in Washington DC and do his job?…that perhaps the Urbana Democratic Indiana state legislators should take the President’s example in staying in his work location when important matters need his attention?…that today is the day that these former prodigal elected officials are supposed to start arranging to pay their fines for their flight to Illinois?…that President Obama is doing the right thing by staying in Washington to continue working with Congressman Boehner even if he does not particularly like the task at hand?

IS IT TRUE that a candidate for Democratic nomination for the Mayor of Evansville had a “GALA” political fundraiser at Western Ribeye Restaurant yesterday? …..that this event attracted an interesting group of political “mover and shakers”? ….that one of the “CCO “MOLES” was taken back by Mayoral Candidate Rick Davis improvement in his poise, command of the “KINGS ENGLISH”, delivery of his political speech and most of all was the passion he display in talking about where he wants to take EVANSVILLE if elected the next Mayor of Evansville? ….that our “MOLES” reported that this event surpassed its fund raising goal?

IS IT TRUE that CCO “MOLE # 3” reports the 2nd Ward “MEGA PREACHER” has made his decision on which candidate he shall publically recommend to be elected as the Democratic primary candidate for the 2nd WARD City Council seat? ….that CCO “MOLE # 3” predicts whomever the “MEGA PREACHER” supports shall win this hotly contested 2nd Ward City Council battle?

IS IT TRUE CCO “MOLE #3” predicts that the 3rd spot for the AT LARGE City Council seat in the Democratic primary is to close? …..that CCO “MOLE # 3” hears that Dr. Dan Adams looks like a slam dunk to win one of the three primary seats in this primary? ….CCO “MOLE #3” is also hearing the name of one Sonya Kates Nixon as a serious contender to take one of the two remaining seats in this low key Democratic primary? …..that “At Large” Democratic candidate Steve Smith is making head way to be elected as part of this ticket? ….that CCO “MOLE #3” shall make an early prediction whom shall be elected to the one of the two remaining “At Large” seats in the upcoming Democratic primary on this coming Monday?

IS IT TRUE that local leadership is going to be required if there is to ever be worker protection laws in Indiana with respect to smoking?…that our Indiana state legislature bungled it up so much with exemptions that even the cancer prevention societies basically said DON’T BOTHER?…that the only restaurant that is within easy walking distance of Roberts Stadium is sporting a new message on its marquee on Boeke Road?…that Kipplie’s is now SMOKEFREE?…that Kipplie’s is to be thanked and congratulated?…that at least one person that has been on a boycott of restaurants that allow smoking will be visiting Kipplie’s for a good stromboli again now that they have seen the light and banned the lighter?…that we wonder since Kipplie’s is older than Roberts Stadium if the stadium was put there because of the Kipplie’s?…that in its 54 years of hosting entertainment that Roberts Stadium has inspired exactly ZERO new entertainment venues to locate within walking distance of its parking lot?…that local government is surely expecting different results with the downtown arena?…that now that Kipplie’s is non smoking that it will be a great place to stop before an Evansville Icemen game at the new downtown arena?

IS IT TRUE that ROBBERY WEEK in Evansville rages on?…that it is easy to lose count when the news is now reporting multiple robberies in a single article?…that the Singapore model of a good whipping with a cane may just deter this street crime?…that it certainly does deter crime in Singapore?…that Singapore is clean and basically crime free?…that repeat offenses are rare after having one three stroke encounter with the civil servant whose title is “flogger”?…that a government shut down on FLOGGING DAY would be noticed immediately as the floggings are publicized so as to deter others from doing things that may lead them to the flogger?

EPD Activity Report April 6 2011

IS IT TRUE that when a child stepped on a needle in an Evansville City Park that no responses came from the Parks and Recreation Department for several months?…that when it was pointed out in 2010 that the condition of the Vann-Pollack Park was deplorable and that it was so full of fowl mouthed punks NOTHING WAS DONE?…that it seems as though a half dozen articles and a continuous stream of TV exposure for the neglect of the parks and pools was what it took to get the people at Parks and Recreation off of their backsides and to start taking some positive actions?…that it is a sin and a shame that quietly pointing out needed maintenance does not get anything done but that media exposure will?…that thanks to the inaction of the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department and the failure of the City of Evansville to adequately maintain our parks that a simple Google search would give an outsider or a business executive the impression that Evansville’s parks resemble Fort Apache the Bronx or the late 70’s movie Warriors?…that it is about time things started happening?

IS IT TRUE that Kid’s Kingdom after only 7 years is in need of a major overhaul?…that if the day to day maintenance had been done during those 7 years that this privately funded overhaul would not be necessary?…that we are thankful and grateful for the generosity of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in taking the leadership role that the City of Evansville should have been taking for the last 7 years to assure that this volunteer built park deserves?…that the City of Evansville seems to think that the Sunset Park is all better now that some sand where multiple needles from drug addicts have been found has been replaced with mulch?…that replacing sand with mulch eliminates a play area and does absolutely nothing to alter the “patrons” of Sunset Park?

IS IT TRUE that an election year really seems to bring out the press releases when it comes to doing ones job?…that it was announced yesterday that the much maligned Lorraine Pool will be re-opening this year?…that the expense incurred to diagnose the problem was a whopping $7,500?…that the repair needed is just a new liner at a cost of $37,200?…that for the failure to allocate $44,700 that the children of Southeast Evansville were without a public pool last summer?…that several lifeguards went without summer jobs?…that pools charge entrance fees?…that this is just another example of neglect and misappropriation of funding?…that if this was not an election year, that if there had been no media exposure for the neglect, and that if the powers that be were not threatened by these revelations that NOTHING WOULD BE GETTING DONE NOW?…that a load of mulch, a private donation, a couple of trucks of gravel, and a pool liner is a start but only a start?

IS IT TRUE that the media and fed up parents need to keep the City of Evansville’s feet to the fire and demand answers from candidates for city offices about the detail plans for all of the parks of Evansville to be restored to a condition that promotes activity and CIVIC PRIDE?

IS IT TRUE that at roughly 3 PM on Wednesday April 6, 2011 the top five stories on the Evansville Courier and Press website under the most popular heading were all about theft?…that the full complement from embezzlement, to armed robbery, to robbing an elderly person in a motorized wheelchair in broad daylight in downtown Evansville dominated the news (at least the popular part) yesterday?…that a major retail outlet tests its security enhancements in Evansville today the way that fast food franchises tried out new offerings in the past and still do on occasion?…that one of the reasons for this is that this particular store has one of the highest theft to inventory ratios of any of its stores in the nation?…that this particular retailer has over 1,000 stores in operation across the country and even in other countries?…that this penchant for taking things from others is disturbing?…that at least the rascals seem to be getting caught due to the efforts of the Evansville Police Department?

IS IT TRUE that the census numbers for Louisville look pretty much like Evansville multiplied by 4?…that despite voting in unified government the flight from the old city limits to the county continued at roughly the same rate?…that the 5 census tracts with the biggest loss of population are all in the older areas of Louisville that have been plagued with crime, declining values, and poor performance in neighborhood schools?…that the 5 fastest growing tracts in the newly consolidated Louisville-Jefferson Metro are all out in the county to the east or a Louisvillians call it “outside of the Watterson”?…that based on the 2010 census that it is a logical conclusion that consolidation had no significant effect on the migration of people to places that they prefer to live?…that some of the counties surrounding Jefferson like Oldham County have experienced growth at the expense of Jefferson County?

IS IT TRUE that the legislation that was referred to as a statewide smoking ban for Indiana has died in committee?…that the so called ban had more exceptions to the rule than there was rule?…that exceptions were lobbied for and included for casinos, private clubs, bars, tobacco stores, and even nursing homes?…that the only real changes that this bill included would have been to eliminate the smoking sections in restaurants?…that the Indiana legislators were hoping to pass this watered down bill that bore a decisive name so they could pat themselves on the back as advocates for public health for doing next to nothing?…that the bill was shot full of holes to the point that even the American Cancer Society called it out for having an unacceptable level of exemptions?…that it will be up to the city governments of the State of Indiana to take steps to promote public health because at the state level we obviously are unwilling to slay even one sacred cow?…that maybe the private club exemption makes sense but NURSING HOMES?…that forgetfulness, oxygen tanks, and a cigarette are a formula for an explosion?…that this is one of those things that people in other states or even Hoosiers who have lived in progressive states just shake their heads in disbelief at the squabbling that goes on in our legislative body?

IS IT TRUE that Rodney Witherspoon contributed an excellent article to the Courier and Press today that deals with one of the issues to be considered in the consolidation saga?…that we encourage you to visit the following link to read the article?

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/apr/07/city-county-residents-not-same/

IS IT TRUE that the federal government is threatening to shut down over funding?…that were it not for the soldiers and others not being paid this may be a great step forward?…that if not for the media circus surrounding the potential shut down of the government most of us would never notice?

IS IT TRUE that there is one step that would install financial accountability to government?…that abolishing payroll withholding of taxes and requiring people to actually write checks for their taxes like businesses are required to would give people a very different perspective on government spending?…that getting all of your paycheck and having to go to the tax collection office on Friday afternoon to write a check to Uncle Sam for hundreds of dollars would get peoples attention?…that government officials do not want anything to do with that much accountability?