Both Candidates approached by CCO today

The City County Observer has notified both Rick Davis, the Democratic nominee and Lloyd Winnecke the Republican nominee that it is offering to act as lead sponsor in one of the debates for the office of Mayor of Evansville. The CCO will work with the candidates and their campaigns to assure that the debate is as informative as possible in our effort to promote good local governance and good public policy.

“Jonathan Weaver granted 24 hours to respond to claim $2,000 for Charity”

Jonathan Weaver has failed to respond to the City County Observer’s Charity Challenge regarding his on camera allegation that people associated with the Rick Davis Campaign stole his signs. Today the $500 Bounty offer expired!

The CCO is so adamant about stamping out criminal activity in campaigns that we have decided to increase the Bounty to $2.000. Mr. Weaver has 24 hours to accept this challenge. This offer will become invalid at 10:00 AM on Friday May 13, 2011.

As a reminder, if Mr. Weaver files a criminal complaint that leads to the prosecution and conviction of any person that was officially working under orders from the Rick Davis campaign for SIGN STEALING, the CCO will make a $2,000 donation to the Charity of Mr. Weaver’s choice.

Here is a link to the story about Weaver’s on camera interview where the allegations were made.

http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/05/05/link-to-weaver-interview-supplement-to-is-it-true/

Previously Issued

IS IT TRUE that it has been 144 hours this morning since the City County Observer offered a $500 bounty on anyone that Jonathan Weaver would come forward to back up his on camera assertions of being ELECTION SIGN THIEVES?…that Mr. Weaver has not yet accepted our challenge nor has he come forward to claim the bounty?…that he has exactly 24 hours to accept our challenge or it will no longer be available?…that we do not understand why Mr. Weaver has not come forward?…that a candidate for office is expected to be both honest and charitable?…that IF Mr. Weaver was honest in his allegations of theft that the City County Observer has given him the perfect opportunity to be charitable as a result of his honesty?…that we are waiting?

By: Joe J. Wallace

Band’s Donation to Riley Children’s Hospital started off the evening with warmth

The Trans Siberian Orchestra made a stop in Evansville last night playing their now world renowned “Beethoven’s Last Night” tour with the composing creativity not seen in these parts since the 70’s pinnacle of Evansville as a “must play” place on tours by Queen, Styx, Kiss, and other bands who artfully mixed theatrics with rock and roll music.

The good vibes actually started before the music when four members of the orchestra came on stage with WIKY to announce that $1 of every ticket sold was being donated by the Trans Siberian Orchestra to the Riley Children’ Hospital. Some bands that come to town demand beer, whiskey, and expensive food as part of their contracts. This band came to give and give they did.

Three hours of non-stop teaching, entertaining, and actually making audience members think about life’s conundrums followed. The main story, Beethoven’s last night on earth where the devil (Mephistopheles) tries to trick him out of his music in exchange for his mortal soul has influences from “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” throughout. When the vocalist sang the lines “this is who you are” it certainly conjured up memories of “this is the point of no return”. The continuous display of musical talent, choreography, and synchronized monochromatic lights (lasers) kept the audience, many of whom were back for their 20th or more concerts mentally engaged.

At the conclusion of the show when old Mephistopheles gets tricked by Twist, the playful child of Fate, he goes back to where he came from empty handed. A good show with a happy beginning and a positive ending is about as good as it can get in River City. TSO then returned to do a 40 minute set of songs from their newest release “Night Castle” that left most of us ready for their next trip to Evansville, or Louisville, or any other place within driving distance.

On the way home my wife Karen turned to me and said that she wanted to read a biography of the life of Beethoven. That is testament to the teaching and inspirational power of acts like the Trans Siberian Orchestra that fuse entertainment styles to engage broad audiences.

Enjoy the video below. The stage set-up, the lights, and sounds that came to Evansville last night were identical to what New York City was treated to.

IS IT TRUE? May 12, 2011

IS IT TRUE that Republican candidate for Mayor Lloyd Winnecke got 6 months in front of election day in recommending that a series of three debates be staged between himself and Democratic candidate Rick Davis?…that Mr. Winnecke’s letter was complimentary of Mr. Davis’s victory over Troy Tornatta in the Democratic primary and that it was respectful in tone?…that respectfulness is Lloyd Winnecke’s nature and that if this letter is a taste of things to comes his collaborative style will been in high gear in the campaign?…that as Mr. Winnecke’s challenge was more suggestive than challenging and that we expect that if Mr. Davis asks for slight modifications to Mr. Winnecke’s suggested format that an acceptable compromise will be reached quickly?

IS IT TRUE that it is quite refreshing to see advanced planning and respect for one’s opponent in the beginning of the campaign?…that there are plenty of substantive issues facing the City of Evansville and that either Mr. Winnecke or Mr. Davis will be our next Mayor?…that we get the feeling that these two guys would willingly work together to correct some of our problems and furthermore expect that they will regardless of who is the Mayor?…that if there are to be debates lets cross our fingers that the format, the moderator, and the questions are intense enough not to inspire disinterest and apathy?…that last year’s debates for Vanderburgh County offices were remarkably boring?…that even some of the candidates were frustrated by the failure of the moderators to force them to mix it up a bit with depth and substance?…that there are plenty of gotchas to be brought up and plenty of legitimate issues to captivate an audience for a good long time?…that we hope that the debates help people make informed choices about our governance and that the Pied Piper is silenced in the voting booth?

IS IT TRUE that “CCO MOLE 2 #” received private phone calls from several City/County employees and elected officials that share the same opinion as the City County Observer concerning the City Water and Sewer Department forcing one to give their Social Security number when they have water turned on? …that we wonder if the City Water and Sewer computer software have safe guards that protect our Social Security numbers?…that we wonder why the State of Indiana took off the requirement that forced us to put our Social Security numbers on our driver licenses? …that they felt that one wayward public employee could have taken ones social security and birthday dates to possibility steal one’s identity? …that it would take only one public employee to misuse personal information of a taxpayer that would expose the City of Evansville to a major law suit? …that we wonder why the City of Evansville Water and Sewer Department can’t just ask us for a copy of our driver’s license and past address we had our water and sewer services?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Water and Sewer Department is known around town for being oppressively unfriendly to landlords? …that the water department charges you for trash pickup even if you do not use it?…that if you have a dumpster on your property you still pay the trash fees?…that the water department only charges a person a $15 deposit to turn water in your name?…that when they run up the water bill, which can be several months before it is turned off, and moves out the landlord is responsible for the sewer portion of the bill?…that they can put a lien your property if it is not paid?…that this costs landlords thousands of dollars per year in Evansville?…that the offending the tenant goes to another rental, pays another $15 and they get water again?…that Vectren now requires new customers to provide a form that is notarized proving their identity before they will provide services to them?

IS IT TRUE that in a shrinking city that is burdened with SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS of blighted homes many of which are abandoned having a City of Evansville department enforcing arcane and oppressive rules onto the residents and landlords is just counterproductive?…that if there were ever a place that responsibilities need to be decoupled it is between landlords and tenants when it comes to public service providers?…that this stone age policy and other City of Evansville legacy problems might just make an excellent debate topic or better yet an opportunity to publish position papers that our citizens can examine at will?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer will publish all position papers written by or sanctioned by the candidates for Mayor of Evansville and the candidates for City Council?

IS IT TRUE that you should never vote to the words of this song?

Letter to Davis Recommends Starting Early so the People of Evansville Can Think it Through

Lloyd Winnecke after seeing the debacle of Troy Tornatta’s last minute call for a debate with Rick Davis in the Democratic Primary for Mayor of Evansville has taken the long term approach and issued a call for a series of three debates. Mr. Winnecke has suggested that the first debate come prior to Labor Day with the following two to come in September and October.

Winnecke’s Letter to Davis

May 10, 2011

Mr. Rick Davis
Vanderburgh County Treasurer
1 NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Room 210 Civic Center
Evansville, IN 47708

Dear Rick,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your win in the Democratic primary. Your efforts, and the efforts of your campaign, are commendable. I am looking forward to an exciting and engaging campaign.
As mayoral candidates, we will no doubt be asked to make many joint appearances over the coming six months. Although these appearances will be informative to voters, they may not truly showcase our individual ideas for the future of this great city. Therefore, in addition to the many joint appearances, I propose we schedule a minimum of three debates over the course of the campaign. Political debates are a time-honored method of enabling voters to choose their leaders wisely, allowing them to hear firsthand what each candidate proposes and why.

I suggest at least two of these debates be televised and hope to hold one debate at a local high school. I feel it is best if we do not backload the debates to the end of the campaign. Instead, I recommend the first debate be held prior to Labor Day. We could then schedule at least two more in September and October. I believe this schedule would grant voters ample time to compare our answers and decide whose vision for Evansville they feel will benefit our community the greatest.

Please contact me with available dates and any suggestions that you might have. I look forward to your favorable reply.

Sincerely,

Lloyd Winnecke
Republican Candidate for Mayor

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 May 11, 2011

IS IT TRUE when John Kish went become City Council to answer a series of well thought out questions submitted by 5th Ward City Councilman, John Friend, CPA on Monday of this week was a stroke of genius on Councilman Friend’s part? …that Mr. Kish forgot to realize that his public remarks he made to the City Council about the Arena and Hotel deals were also viewed by local WINN TV viewers? …that those who have been following Kish-Weinzapfel-Evansville Development Commission new Arena and Hotel political and financial decisions can now be reviewed via TV tapes? …that the time for the political spinning games concerning the Arena and Hotel costs is officially over, thanks to City Councilman John Friend, CPA and the WINN TV station? …that the financial figures could mislead but TV presentations don’t?…that one should not be surprised that Mr. Kish’s TV remarks will be renewed during the upcoming Evansville City Council budget hearings starting in July?

IS IT TRUE that voting should take serious thought and deliberation?…that your vote is yours and that you really do not have to follow some self appointed Pied Piper who professes to think for you?…that the other child’s game that needs to stay out of the voting process is Simon Says?…that if people would think for themselves, do what is best for the city, state, or event the country that the group of folks that we have to choose from would improve and our laws would too.

IS IT TRUE that the term FUBAR (fouled up beyond all recognition) has been thrown about on comments this week except it was a profane version that we chose not to allow to be posted?…that the overall project management of the MLK Entertainment Complex was the object of that disrespect?…that the other moniker that was tossed out was FUMU (foul up move up) and that it was edited out too?…that it is not because we disagree with the sentiment that was being posted, it is simply that we do not post offensive language?

IS IT TRUE that there is an event that will address Renewable Energy at the Washington Square Mall tomorrow?…that there will be speakers and panel discussions that will go on from before noon until into the afternoon?…that when we have more specific event details we will post them?

IS IT TRUE that no one should vote in accordance with the following song?

IS IT TRUE? May 11, 2011

IS IT TRUE that it has been 144 hours this morning since the City County Observer offered a $500 bounty on anyone that Jonathan Weaver would come forward to back up his on camera assertions of being ELECTION SIGN THIEVES?…that Mr. Weaver has not yet accepted our challenge nor has he come forward to claim the bounty?…that he has exactly 24 hours to accept our challenge or it will no longer be available?…that we do not understand why Mr. Weaver has not come forward?…that a candidate for office is expected to be both honest and charitable?…that IF Mr. Weaver was honest in his allegations of theft that the City County Observer has given him the perfect opportunity to be charitable as a result of his honesty?…that we are waiting?

IS IT TRUE that gasoline price schizophrenia is back and this time it is legion?…that last week was one of those weeks that really made people think things were at least headed in the right direction?…that last week Bin Ladin was shot, oil prices stabilized and as recent as Friday when gas in Evansville was still under $4.00 per gallon that all of the news agencies were reporting that BY SUMMER gas would drop another 50 cents per gallon?…that yesterday it jumped up by roughly 25 cents?…that the reason given is because the floods that have plagued the Ohio River basin and the upper Mississippi finally made it to Memphis and traders woke up and realized that the refineries and storage tanks of Louisiana were only a couple of days down river?…that high water in Louisiana that may disrupt transportation of oil based products must be as good of an excuse as any for futures traders to drive the price up?

IS IT TRUE that when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans that price gouging on basic items was made highly illegal and punishable by incarceration?…that the floods of 2011 on a national basis will do more economic damage than Hurricane Katrina?…that manipulating gas markets by 25 cents per gallon on the expectation that floods will hit Louisiana is absolutely nothing but price gouging?…that it has been known for weeks that the flood waters would be making their way down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico?…that this little 25 cent per gallon gouge is testament to market manipulation, mass ignorance, lack of planning or ALL THREE?…that if you have a full tank you should drive less and avoid filling up until this passes?…that this like most other acts of manipulation shall pass?

IS IT TRUE we wonder if state law gives the City of Evansville Water and Sewer Department authority that allows them to force you to give them your Social Security number when you sign up to get your water turned on? …when the City of Evansville forces you give them your personal Social Security number should this be considered a violation of your right to privacy issue?

IS IT TRUE “CCO MOLE # 3” is hearing that 5th Ward City Councilman John Friend is openly encouraging some anti-Rick Davis Democratic party workers and candidates to rally around the Democratic standard bearer for Mayor of Evansville? …that Mr. Friend seems to understand the motto of the State of Kentucky–“UNITED WE STAND OR DIVIDED WE FALL”?…that if the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party does not get over its SORE LOSER SYNDROME due to the repudiation of the so called “machine” by Evansville voters in last week’s primary that the Democratic Party here may be in for a real slap in the face come November?

IS IT TRUE that it is pretty darn stupid to bite the hand that feeds you?…that it is simply brain dead to bite your own hand when it is the one that feeds you?…that when emotion takes over the decision making process that human beings in general have a pretty poor track record of making good judgment?…that emotion has run the Vanderburgh County Democratic Central Committee’s decision making process since at least last year’s Fall Festival?…that the hand that feeds it is down to the nub by now and it shows?…that every day that this adrenaline crazed family feud continues that there are happy Republicans on the sidelines thinking about a Fall 2011 victory party?

THIS IS FOR THE BEERGUY

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 May 10, 2011

IS IT TRUE that it has been 120 hours this morning since the City County Observer offered a $500 bounty on anyone that Jonathan Weaver would come forward to back up his on camera assertions of being ELECTION SIGN THIEVES?…that Mr. Weaver has not yet accepted our challenge nor has he come forward to claim the bounty?…that he has exactly 48 hours to accept our challenge or it will no longer be available?…that we do not understand why Mr. Weaver has not come forward?…that a candidate for office is expected to be both honest and charitable?…that IF Mr. Weaver was honest in his allegations of theft that the City County Observer has given him the perfect opportunity to be charitable as a result of his honesty?…that we are waiting?

IS IT TRUE one our “CCO Moles” went to turn on water at a rental home he owns?…that only one person was available to serve a large volume of customers (8 to 10) standing in line? …that after about 25 minutes of standing in line our “Mole” encountered one rude employee of the City of Evansville Water and Sewer Department?…if this person worked in the private sector and treated customers the way she treated a “CCO MOLE” yesterday she would have been fired on the spot?…that we are extremely thankful that starting in January 2012 that the new administration shall have the opportunity to select a new entity to run the Water and Sewer Department business functions?

IS IT TRUE that the 9 Breaking Thrills at Theme Parks located in America posted by Browse Bing Travel cites that the World’s Longest Water Coaster is called the WILDEBEAST located at Holiday World and Splashing Safari in Santa Claus, Ind.

IS IT TRUE that we are hearing that it is time for newly elected Prosecutor of Vanderburgh County , Nick Herman should consider establishing a white collar Division within his office? …that this new entity could not only rid white collar crimes in the private and but also in the public sectors alike?

IS IT TRUE that one should follow the responses posted by JOEBIDEN in the CITY COUNTY OBSERVER in its daily “IS IT TRUE” posts?…that JOEBIDEN is close to finding out who the real “CCO Mole # 3” is? …that he is almost ready to discover who “CCO MOLE # 3” is but isn’t there yet?…that “CCO MOLE # 3” is saying that JOEBIDEN is one of 7 final candidates capable of replacing him in this coming November when he retires?

IS IT TRUE that not only does a “vetting” process need to be established for big projects involving the use of public money but that the Evansville community needs to familiarize itself with the word?…that on four occasions yesterday members of the Evansville media and even elected officials have been overheard talking about “venting” the hotel developer?…that “vetting” is a process where the capability and financial capacity of a person or a company undergo an in depth examination and are either approved or not approved by a financially astute committee?…that “venting” is typically used to describe talking through a particular aggravation that one may have with some person or situation?…that there was plenty of “VENTING” going on in Evansville on cell phones last night over the lack of “VETTING” that has been done by the powers that be with respect to the Downtown Convention Hotel?…that most everyone understands that so far a PULSE and GOOD INTENTIONS are the criteria for vetting developers and they are finally starting to vent about how low the bar is set?…that we hope that we will no longer hear the word VENT used for VET on the 10 o’clock news or anywhere else in Evansville?…that confusion like this is why we are sometimes talked down to by the powers that be and thought to be buffoons by certain outsiders?

Hunt Construction Contract

IS IT TRUE? May 10, 2011

IS IT TRUE that last night’s meeting of the Evansville City Council took an unexpected turn when Evansville Arena project manager John Kish stood at the lectern and basically talked down to the City Council and particularly to Councilmen John Friend and Dan McGinn?…that the posture, the carefully chosen words, and the demeanor all projected a “how dare you question me” attitude?…that when all was said and done that last night’s Friend-Quisition is a perfect example of the NEED for transparency and timely disclosure in public works projects?

IS IT TRUE that the long awaited contract between the Evansville Redevelopment Commission and Hunt Construction magically appeared at about 4 PM yesterday afternoon?…that this contract was dated October 16, 2009 and should have been released to the public and made easily accessible by posting it in a “CONTRACTS” page on the Evansville Arena website?…that even though it is a 97 page monstrosity that all of the discrepancies asked about by Councilman Friend were answered?…that John Kish then admonished the City Council not to always believe what they read in the papers and particularly in the 10/20/2009 article in the Evansville Courier and Press reference by Councilman Friend in his letter to Mr. Kish?…that the maximum allowable under the contract is $7,172,000 including fees, reimbursable expenses, and a performance bonus?…that maximum amount is exactly what Mr. Kish has in his most recent budget for Hunt Construction?

IS IT TRUE that a similar situation explained away the questions that Councilman Friend had asked about the deal between the Evansville Redevelopment Commission and Populous?…that Mr. Kish said that his 10% benchmark quoted in the Courier was just a guideline and not a real number?…that Populous is “doing other things” and the cost will actually be $11.3 Million instead of the $9.5 Million?…that when provided with the actual contracts in a timely manner that Evansville people, media, moles, and concerned citizens are fully capable of reading the documents and adding the numbers?…that if Mr. Kish had been TRANSPARENT and that a clearinghouse for contracts was available in a timely manner that these two BIG TICKET apparent discrepancies would have never been brought up last night?…that if Mr. Kish would have followed the Obama Administration’s stimulus example of timely disclosure through a dedicated website that he would not have been called before the Friend-Quisition last night?

IS IT TRUE that Mr. Kish responded to the question that originated from the City County Observer regarding cell phone service in the Arena?…that Mr. Kish said that the City of Louisville did not have to pay for the $2M oversight at YUM Center and that the City of Evansville will not have to pay for the cellular solution in the Arena?…that Kish said all of this will be private money?…that we will not forget what was said regarding this FREE SOLUTION?

IS IT TRUE the Mr. Kish addressed the hotel situation asserting that the NOT YET RELEASED contract between Woodruff Hospitality LLC and the ERC remains the governing document of the much needed Convention Hotel?…that two milestones are coming up in the next 7 weeks with regard to financial performance?…that another media source quoted Mr. Kish as stating that the agreement can be extended if Woodruff Hospitality has not secured financing by those deadlines?…that Councilman Friend asked about “vetting” of Woodruff Hospitality and about the posting of bonds?…that Mr. Kish’s trite response was “what kind of bonds?” and then to look rapidly back and forth from Councilmen Friend and McGinn sending the message of “are you two happy now?”?…that there were no bonds of any type required but that a “SERIES OF ESCROWS” are part of the NOT YET RELEASED contract?…that whatever “vetting” has been done is not working and that some effective way of qualifying the Hotel Developer needs to be established?…that if Hunt Construction had not qualified and vetted material suppliers and the Arena could not be completed because vetting was not done that heads would be rolling?…that Councilman Friend needs to be granted the authority to vet the general partners of Woodruff Hospitality and to see the list of limited partners along with the amounts of their investments?…that he offered to sign a non-disclosure agreement to be allowed to do so?

IS IT TRUE that Mr. Kish and the City Administration would be well served to spend some of their “other” budget on a MINISTER OF TRANSPARENCY to avoid future Friend-Quisition types of situations?…that being open and honest and supplying signed public documents is EXPECTED for large capital projects and that thus far the Evansville Arena project has not lived up to that expectation?

IS IT TRUE that it is now abundantly clear that the expenses created by the Arena project that are outside of the four walls of the Arena will not be paid for or accounted for as part of the Arena project?…that we are heading for an end game where the Arena as Mr. Kish insists will be on budget but that an accumulation of unbudgeted items that are into the people of Evansville’s pocket because of the Arena will have to magically be paid for by some other budget?…that this reminds us of a teenager who buys a $3,000 car then rigs it out with a $3,000 stereo only to continue to claim that his car only cost $3,000?…that the right hand knows exactly what the left hand is doing because the right hand shoved these responsibilities into the left hand?…that the poor left hand is facing what is called “UNFUNDED MANDATES” in government circles?