Using terms like “might be a melt down” without evidence is Irresponsible

When the Three Mile Island accident happened, the mainstream media sensationalized the meltdown as an Armageddon scenario that never happened and was not even possible. The following years of misinformation crippled the American nuclear power industry in a way that has kept us slaves to fossil fuels all because we as a nation have been collectively afraid of the boogyman.

The reporting then was irresponsible and the reporting on what is going on in Japan today sounds the same. Here is a link to a website that has a very simple description of Boiling Water Reactor technology along with a narrative of what is really happening as opposed to what the media is spewing. Please be as informed as possible. We do not need 30 more years of stone age based fear ruling our energy policies. When one gets their information from fools it is impossible not to be foolish.

http://bravenewclimate.com/2011/03/13/fukushima-simple-explanation/

IS IT TRUE that Lady GAGA played before a crowd of 20,000 people Saturday night at Louisville’s YUM Center?…that the face value ticket prices ranged from $50 to $175?…that with prices like that the gate at YUM Center for the GAGA concert was in the area of $2 Million?…that the Lady GAGA Monsters Tour is also making a stop in Nashville?…that the only small venue that Lady GAGA will be playing is the MGM in Las Vegas that only seats 16,800 and that standing room tickets start at $89?…that there is a movement in Evansville to have Lady GAGA open the new Evansville Arena?…that to make it financially attractive to promoters with our 11,000 seat capacity the range in seat prices will have to be from $100 – $350?…that Lady GAGA wanted to come to Evansville back in 2009 but was dismissed as too risque’?…that 10,000 times $50 equals??? You do the math!

IS IT TRUE the Firefighters Local 357 PAC had a “Meet the Candidates” night on Wednesday March 9, 2011? The meeting was very well conducted and attended and much information was obtained?…the FOP had members in attendance and made this event a very important public safety forum?…that public safety is very dedicated to the citizens they serve in Evansville which makes it a very important event for the citizens of Evansville?…that democratic mayoral candidate Troy Tornatta excused himself quite early from this very important public safety event for a previous engagement?…that Mr. Tornatta was seen shortly thereafter at the Evansville Country Club drinking and playing trivia?

IS IT TRUE that the solution for the once dilapidated public swimming pools of Evansville is widely seen as a successful solution?…that the solutions came from the formation of CITIZEN COMMITTEES that made suggestions to local government?…that when local government goes to its citizens for solutions that those solutions come with a certain amount of the all important CITIZEN SUPPORT?…that it is time for the formation of CITIZEN COMMITTEES to take on the problem solving aspects of the BLIGHT that has taken over the parks in the City of Evansville?…that government has failed in every way and just needs to get out of the way and let the citizens of Evansville take this problem on?…that no CITIZEN COMMITTEE would think that three light bulbs will solve the problem, try to diminish the problem with dismissive language, lay off all of the Park Rangers, or sign a contract that makes volunteerism illegal?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,405 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 1,259 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?…that we wonder just what worthy cause that all of the campaign donations made to the Weinzapfel for Mayor fund will go to now that Mayor Weinzapfel has taken his hat out of the political ring for the forseeable future?

IS IT TRUE that there are now 604 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?

IS IT TRUE that Dr. Talitha Washington, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of Evansville has made a very strong request for the “REAL” study on the issue of diversity within the Evansville Police Department to be released?…that the “REAL” study was paid for with tax dollars should be released so the public can see the results complete with personal interviews conducted (names omitted when appropriate) in the investigation about diversity issues?…that the City County Observer appreciates and supports Dr. Washington’s call for transparency and full public disclosure of what the situation is so the City of Evansville can get on about seeking real solutions to any problems that have been uncovered?…that calling a cancer a cut and stitching it up does not cure the cancer?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Police Department held a public forum at the C. K. Newsome Center on Thursday night as part of their on-going diversity initiative?…that the Evansville Courier reported that approximately $86,000 has been spent on this diversity initiative?…that part of this diversity initiative was an anonymous survey, conducted via surveymonkey for Woodard & Associates, from the members of the Evansville Police Department?…that the results of this survey were not included or mentioned in Thursday’s forum?…that the results of this survey are as protected as the National Archives?…that many members of the EPD were very revealing about the inner workings of the department in this survey?…that several ranking members of the EPD have had private conversations with Dr. Woodard about THE problem within the leadership of the EPD?…that Dr. Woodard has privately acknowledged that he is well aware of this PROBLEM/person?…that we would like to see the unedited results of this publicly funded survey?…that we hope Dr. Woodard has the best interests of the African American community in mind and not merely the paycheck he is receiving from the City of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that a weekend at Howard University will not do a darn thing about deeply ingrained racism?…that a weekend at Howard is the equivalent of calling a cancer a cut and stitching it up before proclaiming it to be cured?…that the “REAL” study needs to be released before a REAL SOLUTION can be designed?

IS IT TRUE that the project narrative of the Vision 1505 project sponsored by the Evansville Housing Authority shines a bit more light on the project and raises even more questions?…that Vision 1505 is the taxpayer funded refurbishment of the not economically feasible to refurbish safe house at a cost of $240,000 per small apartment?…that similar apartments are available all over Evansville in the FREE MARKET for less than $30,000 per unit?…that this expenditure is a complete squandering of at least $6 Million of taxpayer’s money?…that the same common good could be accomplished for at least $6 Million less than the City of Evansville is choosing to spend to do this?

IS IT TRUE that in addition to the Evansville Housing Authority and Aurora Inc. that the project narrative identifies a new partner named ADVANTIX DEVELOPMENT CORP?…that the official address of ADVANTIX according to the Indiana Secretary of State is 500 Court Street, Evansville, IN?…that this is the same address as the Evansville Housing Authority?…that the registered agent with the State of Indiana is one Mildred A. Motley, the Executive Director of the Evansville Housing Authority who was recently notified that her contract was not being renewed?…that the principals of ADVANTIX of record are Ms. Motley, Danny Spindler, Jerry Clark is the President, and Charles Asher is the Secretary?…that this line up looks very familiar as they are all members of the Board of Directors of the Evansville Housing Authority?…that the project narrative says that the EHA will own 51% and that ADVANTIX will own 49% of the Vision 1505 assets?…that as co-developers EHA will develop 75% of the project and ADVANTIX will develop 25%?…that this really begs for a detail explanation of just how the $7.67 Million of public money will be distributed for the only $1.0 Million free market value that it will create?

IS IT TRUE that as pleased as we are that there is seems to be some words directed at the Vann-Pollack Park that Chester Downs raised the flag about this week we are somewhat concerned about the delusional actions which have been discussed?…that Dan Schall, the Director of Parks and Recreation has stated that sometime in the next month that three lights will be installed?…that we wonder why it takes a month to put up three lights?…that we wonder just how long it will take for three rocks to eliminate the illumination provided by those three lights if there is nothing else done?… that the thought process that rationalizes a belief that three lights will solve a blight problem just seems flawed?…that something creative needs to be proposes by a citizens group to solve each parks issues because creativity and cognitive thought is obviously not coming from the Parks Department anymore?

IS IT TRUE that with respect to a single project of moving some basketball courts that Mr. Schall has stated that the job can be done “in house” for $10,000 but that a contractor will charge between $20,000 and $30,000 to do the same thing?…that if this is true that there is something very wrong with either the competitive bidding process that the City of Evansville uses to let contracts or the accounting system for internal costs?…that only when a system is defective or corrupted (as in broken) that a price differential of 200% can exist?…that many repairs and maintenance to parks could be done FREE if not for a ridiculous rule regarding the Teamster’s first right of refusal on overtime to prevent FREE volunteer labor?…that when a system is so insane as to prevent citizens from cleaning their own parks that it is hard to take a department within such a system seriously?

IS IT TRUE that this is the kind of thinking and kind of actions that make one believe that the recently suggested name “Evanstroit” is becoming reality?…that this week’s mainstream media news was filled with gun assisted robbery, murder by stabbing, suicide child molesters, and of course the weekly six pack of meth lab busts?…that the Evansville Police Department truly has their hands full in keeping order here in “Evanstroit”?…that the EPD really deserves respect and admiration for dealing with the mess that our City of Evansville has become?

IS IT TRUE that our Evansville Police Department has recently been the object of discussion for diversity training?…that one of the proposed actions to help with the diversity initiative is to send some officers to traditional black colleges like Howard, Southern, Kentucky State, or Grambling?…that we are really confused as to how sending officers for a FREE weekend at a college campus could possibly be anything but just a FREE fun weekend?…that the City County Observer is pleased and proud of the Evansville Police Department?…that isolated incidents of stupidity are in no way reflective on the attitude of the entire police force?…that the supposed diversity training looks very much like subjecting the entire force to training that a couple of people may need?…that driving a nail with a sledgehammer is not a very efficient way to drive a nail?

IS IT TRUE that in a recent poll in the CP that the question of what grade (A through F) would one give to Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel?…that the top vote getters were A and F?…that during approximately a three hour period when 100 votes were cast that all 100 of the votes have been reported to have been for an “A”?…that there is no way other than a concerted effort to rig the votes that something like that could happen?…that one could not get an exact 100 – 0 agreement on anything at all with any question whatsoever in a poll of random people?…that knowing exactly how WordPress polls works one would have to conclude that someone with a user name and the password added 100 votes to the “A” column and that it happened in one second in the middle of the night and was only picked up three hours later?…that the CP polls and the CCO polls have certainly been the subject of outside mischief on a regular basis?…that there really is only one way to add 100 votes to ZERO to any answer and that it takes a password to make it happen?

IS IT TRUE that early this morning northern Japan was struck by an earthquake that has been recorded as an 8.9 on the Richter scale?…that this is the largest earthquake in the history of Japan and the 7th largest since magnitudes have begun to be recorded?…that the human casualties at this point appear to be a very small fraction of what a smaller quake in Haiti caused last year?…that the minimization of casualties is due to good building codes and compliance?…that good and appropriate building codes and equal enforcement are good public policy?…that four nuclear plants seem to have detected and responded as designed?…that there is no better combination than good public policy, compliance, and a great early warning system to minimize the cost in human lives to natural disaster?

IS IT TRUE that Chester Downs has raised the red flag over the blighted condition of yet another City of Evansville park?…that this time it is the Vann-Pollack park in the 2nd Ward?…that Mr. Downs described the all too familiar scenario of vandalism, alcohol, gang brawling, drugs, and discarded condoms along with dysfunctional infrastructure to describe the Vann-Pollack park?…that Evansville Parks and Recreation Director Schall and 2nd Ward City Councilwoman Missy Mosby seem to be jumping on the bandwagon to try to reclaim this park that like the rest of the City of Evansville parks have crumbled from neglect during the last several years?…that it is refreshing to see elected and appointed public officials come to the realization of the state of our parks and get on about the business of trying to reclaim them?…that it warms our heart to see citizens like Mr. Downs muster the courage to come forward and sound the alarm to stop Evansville’s slide to a Detroit style meltdown?…that Mr. Downs, Dr. Neil Troost, and responsive public officials are the front line of defense in stopping further degradation?

IS IT TRUE that whoever set or enabled policies that allowed our parks to get into the dilapidated shape that strikes fear into the hearts of 12 year olds and their parents should never ever be considered fit to govern again?…that Councilwoman Mosby and Director Schall have been part of the team that has been driving this bus for several years now?…that they seem to have seen the light and are spending lots of effort to fix these problems?…that they both deserve a thank you for their recognition of these deplorable conditions and encouragement to follow through with the corrective deeds they now seem dedicated to?…that the City County Observer is proud to have been a part of the group that has sounded the trumpet on the advanced state of decay of the Evansville City Parks?

IS IT TRUE that some political types are trying to make a major issue of an e-mail sent out by City Councilman Don Walker? ….that City Councilman Walker sent an e-mail he received from a friend and forward it to others without reading it?….that we think these political types should focus on the real issues of the primary campaign and stop the stupid political name calling games?

IS IT TRUE that the Republican frontrunner to become the party’s candidate for Mayor of Evansville has publically stated that his administration would have a new Fire Chief? ….we wonder what the position of the two (2) Democratic Mayoral candidates concerning the identity of the future Fire Chief of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that a direct report to Mayor Weinzapfel was overheard recently boasting that the north knight annexation was settled and that North Knight will soon be part of the City of Evansville with all of the privileges and obligations that go with it?…that this is not the first time that this particular direct report to the Mayor has been overheard making grandiose claims?…that this person’s track record for accuracy when boasting is about the same as flipping a coin?

Mayor Weinzapfel’s last State of the City Speech to Rotary

Here is a link to the entire speech that Mayor Weinzapfel gave before the Downtown Rotary Club on Tuesday. It of course covers the positive accomplishments of the administration in great detail while ignoring some of the more controversial and less popular issues.

In one of the more humorous parts of the document Weinzapfel said that “Seven years ago, there was no strategic vision for creating jobs. Heck, there wasn’t even a plan that people weren’t following.” The belief among the people we have spoken with is that the Mayor is correct but that there still is not a plan that people are not following either. Similarly with the most recent downtown plan that was developed during the Lloyd Administration and still shows a baseball stadium where the District is and has no downtown Arena. The statement did however get a laugh at the expense of Mayors past and in a few years a similar line will produce a few laughs at Weinzapfel’s expense.

The Mayor chose to praise the performance of the EVSC as excellent on the very day that no schools within the EVSC were selected for 4-Star designation. The three non-EVSC schools that were recognized as 4-Star performers were not mentioned.

Some attention was paid to the demolition of some blighted homes and the Front Door Pride program. No mention was made of the 8,000 abandoned and uninhabitable homes that now grace the City of Evansville that represents an increase of 100% from the 2000 census data.

All in all the speech is a kind reminiscence of the time that Mayor Weinzapfel spent in office with minimal challenges set forth for future activities. As humans we do tend to accentuate our own positives and sanitize our bad memories. What Evansville really needs and what Mayor Weinzapfel could choose to concentrate on in his last 9 months is a good look in the mirror and a solid plan to solve our legacy problems. We encourage him to spend some time so that his successor can start from a position of knowledge.

Speech-State_of_the_City-Jonathan_Weinzapfel-03-08-11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2011

Contact: Wes Benedict, Executive Director
E-mail: wes.benedict@lp.org
Phone: 202-333-0008 ext. 222

LP Chair: The problem in Wisconsin is not unions but government

WASHINGTON – While Republicans and Democrats battle in Wisconsin over a bill to reduce the collective bargaining power of state employee unions as a means of balancing their budget, Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle points out that the problem lies with government control of activities it has no business running.

Hinkle comments, “Libertarians are neither pro-union nor anti-union. We believe that the right of association and freedom of contract allows any group of people to choose to bargain collectively rather than individually. Naturally, we oppose violence and threats of such, but unions per se can play a major role in a free society. The problem is that the battle between the Wisconsin state government and state employees isn’t even remotely a free market.

“Government monopolizes many services that could and should be provided in the voluntary sector by profit-making and/or non-profit organizations. This also gives them a ‘monopsony’ as virtually the only potential employer for workers in these fields. Once someone has trained to be a teacher or prison guard, they are essentially at the mercy of government for their employment in that field. Blaming them for wanting collective bargaining representation would be comparable to siding with the Polish government against the union Solidarity headed by Lech Walesa that freed Poland in 1989 from Soviet rule. The problem is with the employer: the government.”

Hinkle considers the education budget to be the best example of a solution only Libertarians have offered:

“Far and away the largest part of the budget of the State of Wisconsin, once aid to local governments is allocated to underlying expenditures, is in the category of education. This is true of virtually all state and local governments, so it is the best example of how freedom can provide a solution. Unfortunately, government expenditures for education are driven by political considerations rather than the needs of the students. The result is outrageous costs that are not primarily for the most important ingredient in education: the teacher.

“The U.S. Department of Education calculates that the per pupil cost of K-12 education is nearly $11,000 in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The Cato Institute, however, in a paper entitled, ‘They Spend WHAT? The Real Cost of Public Schools,’ discovered that actual spending in the districts they examined was 44 percent higher than official reports due to the failure to include various categories (such as spending financed by bond issuances). We can reasonably estimate that true spending is more than $15,000 per pupil. With class sizes, on average, exceeding 20, the total spending per classroom is probably well in excess of $300,000. Obviously, most of that money isn’t going to the teacher in the classroom. In private schools that don’t depend on taxpayers, it does: teacher pay and benefits averages nearly 80% of the total budget of the average private school. Not surprisingly, while private schools are often described as havens for the rich, public school spending per pupil is nearly DOUBLE the average private school tuition, mainly because it is a haven for administrators and other recipients of `education’ money who never step foot into a classroom.

“The answer to Wisconsin’s budget crisis, and that of governments throughout the country, is to return education to the voluntary sector. Compulsory education dominated by tax-supported schools was not established until the mid-1850s, yet literacy rates prior to that time were higher than they are today. Parents have ALWAYS valued the education of their children, and the religious and secular private schools of that time knew they’d only be paid by parents if they taught their children. Free or reduced costs for poor parents was always part of the tradition, and would be again in a country freed of massive taxation and spending.

“Returning education to the voluntary sector and eliminating compulsory funding and attendance laws, not to mention centralized bureaucratic nightmares such as the bi-partisan No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 championed by Republican President George W. Bush and the late Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy, will free teachers to be responsive to the needs of their students instead of the desires of politicians. As for how to do it quickly, a case can be made for selling all the local schools and putting the proceeds into the underfunded pension and benefits funds, then leaving the reorganization of education in the hands of the buyers. But, the workers at these schools are the ones with the strongest interest in ownership. We could just give each school to its local employees and let them decide whether to run it or sell it. Either way, the teachers, the students, the parents, and the taxpayers are all big winners.

“Education is the largest item in the Wisconsin budget, but the same principle applies to other expenditures. The legitimate debate in Wisconsin and elsewhere is not about whether the politicians or the government employee unions should win. It is why we should be stuck with only one employer sucking the money from taxpayers and then complaining when their power to decide how it is spent is not unlimited.”

The Libertarian Party platform includes the following:

2.7 Labor Markets
We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment. We oppose government-fostered forced retirement. We support the right of free persons to associate or not associate in labor unions, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We oppose government interference in bargaining, such as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation to bargain.

2.8 Education
Education, like any other service, is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality and efficiency with more diversity of choice. Schools should be managed locally to achieve greater accountability and parental involvement. Recognizing that the education of children is inextricably linked to moral values, we would return authority to parents to determine the education of their children, without interference from government. In particular, parents should have control of and responsibility for all funds expended for their children’s education.
For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America’s third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

IS IT TRUE that the Mayor Weinzapfel’s speech to the Evansville Rotary Club on the “dysfunctional nature of local government” was interesting? ….that we respectfully remind the Mayor that cities cant’ make themselves “dysfunctional”, elected officials make the cities “dysfunctional” by the political decisions they make?

IS IT TRUE the Mayor’s media relations person is in non-compliance with the State of Indiana “PUBLIC ACCESS” laws? …..that her intentional non-compliance of not sending press releases to all local media outlets shall be a hot topic during the up and coming city budget talks? ….select candidates for upcoming city council seat will also make this a public political issue on the campaign trail? ….that it seems we not only need to remind the Mayors “Minister of Propaganda” that she receives her salary from taxpayer dollars which makes her a public servant?

IS IT TRUE that the “special article written to the Evansville Courier and Press” by State Representative Gail Riecken on “Why Democrats are in Illinois” did her more political harm than good? ….we are hearing that many of Mrs. Riecken’s loyal supporters are extremely disappointed that she has cut and run to Illinois from the political responsibilities she was elected to do? …..we hear that her next open door gathering with her people of her district shall not be a pleasant?

IS IT TRUE “MOLE #3” is hearing that that select city councilmen can’t wait for John Kish to come before City Council to give them an update on present costs of the arena? ….that they are extremely interested how much he has been paid to date for personal services rendered?

IS IT TRUE “MOLE 3” is watching to see when the Evansville Water and Sewer Board will be putting on their agenda the proposed $60 to $80 million project to read our water meters by satellite?
….we also hope they will share this proposed project with members of the Evansville City Council?

IS IT TRUE we hear that City Council candidate, Dr. Dan Adams campaign is “RED HOT”? ….that City Councilman, Dr. Adams is being seen everywhere?

IS IT TRUE that we hear that last night’s meeting at the Evansville Firefighters at their Union Hall was really something? ….that this meet, greet, and answer questions with the candidates for Evansville City Council was extremely productive?….that the firefighters were told by the political types attending this meeting that they can expect that they will have a new fire chief next year?

IS IT TRUE that our Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel was profiled on the front page of today’s Courier and Press for reading to preschool children?…that reading to young children is a great way to give them a head start on life?…that we were not aware that reading to children was an activity that the Mayor has been involved in?…that we appreciate and applaud this action and hope that Mayor Weinzapfel will continue to do this on a regular basis when the cameras and reporters are gone?

IS IT TRUE that many of you wrote in and emailed yesterday to ask exactly which local mainstream media outlet incorrectly reported the price of the Vision 1505 project by a factor of 9.21 or 821%?…that we contacted three different high ranking people at the media outlet and advised them of the mistake they had made in reporting?…that we made them aware of the magnitude of the error?…that no correction has been posted and that we received no response whatsoever from any of the people that we sent the message to?…that the incorrect story is still available on the website as of 7:30 AM this morning and that the following is a link to the story for those who may be curious to see?

http://www.news25.us/Global/story.asp?S=14213076

IS IT TRUE that it is irresponsible to misrepresent the cost of government projects to the public?…that a working democracy depends upon an educated, well informed, and engaged public?…that when the public is fed inaccurate information they have no ability to form opinions over government actions?…that the only route to accountability among elected officials is through accurate and transparent reporting of the financial reality of public projects?…that paying $7,677,308 to refurbish 32 apartments makes the $3,079 that the former board of directors of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau spent for Christmas dinner look like a charitable event?…that penny wise and pound foolish is a poor way to operate?

IS IT TRUE that the Palestinian people now have a Venture Capital fund that will be managed for the purpose of investing in Palestinian owned technology companies in Israel?…that the amount of that fund was established with $28.7 Million much of which came from top performing public American companies?…that the Venture Capital industry grew last year by 19% to $21.8 Billion and funded 3,277 businesses in the United States?…that Evansville, Indiana continues to be one of the few metropolitan areas in this country or it seems like any country that does not have any professional venture capital firm that invests in local start-up and emerging businesses?…that this dearth of dollars for investment has been cussed and discussed by the supposed “powers that be” for over 10 years now?…that the net forward progress made from these discussions has been one great big ZERO?…that until there are new “powers that be” and a different set of puppet masters propping up the powers that be, that that big ZERO will not change?

IS IT TRUE that many rationalizations are coming out of the Indiana Democratic contingent that has continued to hole up in Urbana, Illinois to attempt to justify their choice to flee the state and take up residency in Illinois?…that there is no forgivable excuse for intentionally playing hooky from their jobs which are located in Indianapolis?…that when the City County Observer contacted a local Human Resources department about what their tolerance is when employees play hooky we were met with laughter?…that three absences within a 6 month period without a documented medical excuse results in firing?…that one thing that unions and management in all of the businesses that we have spoken with agree on is that to do your job you have to go to your job and do it?…that not even the strongest union contracts excuse workers from being fired for a three week intentional absence from work?…that our legislators need to get a grip on the reality that comes from the responsibility of holding elected office?

Evansville Still has Zero Venture Capital Dollars Available to Entrepreneurs

In a first for an important region of the Middle East, the Middle East Venture Capital Fund announced today it has raised a $28.7 million fund to invest in Palestinian technology companies according to Venturebeat.com.

The fund will be based in Ramallah and it has money from a bunch of international companies, foundations and other investors. The investors include Cisco, Google, the Soros Economic Development Fund, Skoll Foundation, Jean and Steve Case, and the European investment bank.

There is no question that the region badly needs tech startups to create jobs. The question is whether the region has the infrastructure to support tech startups. One disadvantage, beyond political turmoil, is the lack of infrastructure. Cell phone data networks might solve that, but there’s no guarantee that connectivity will be uninterrupted. Another hurdle is the lack of technologically-educated workers.

Intel realized this when it set up a technology education effort back in 2008 in the region. The world’s biggest chip makers has been investing billions of dollars into chip factories in Israel for many years, but not in the Palestinian areas. Still, the area’s talent has likely been overlooked.

The fund will be managed by Saed Nashef, a software entrepreneur and industry veteran who recently returned to the region after nearly two decades in the U.S. Another manager is Yadin Kaufmann, a longtime venture capitalist in the U.S. and Israel.