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IS IT TRUE? January 16, 2012

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? January 16, 2012

IS IT TRUE that during the past week that the City County Observer has made many subtle improvements most of which were suggested by our readers?…that the font of the content part of the articles has been enlarged to accommodate reader requests that have been stating that it was too small for a while now?…that a couple of color changes have been made to draw attention to article content?…that our tab bar has been expanded to make more information at the touch of a tab for our readers?…that the blogroll has eliminated several links that no one ever used and is being expanded to include links that our readers requested such as links to crime maps, sex offenders, and outstanding warrants?…that the number of words as the teaser for each article has been truncated to allow us to have more current articles in the home page?…that we will be changing the word Evansville on the mast head to Evansville-Vanderburgh County to reflect the top local issue on the 2012 ballot which is CONSOLIDATION?…that the CCO has secured the writing services of a chef to tell our readers all about some cool recipes and Lifestyle Lil is being brought back from the dead to tell our readers about social life?…that we hope that our changes will be well received and will further enhance our ability to serve our readership?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville’s Jeff Overton will be arriving in the Palm Springs area to compete against the world’s most skilled golfers in pursuit of a substantial payday if he can beat their butts in the Humana Challenge that was formerly called the Bob Hope Desert Classic?…that President Bill Clinton will be here during the later part of the week and will be having breakfast with certain leaders of the area on Thursday?…that CCO columnist and Managing Director of the California Innovation Hub for Renewable Energy Joe Wallace is hoping for an invitation to that breakfast?…that after being named one of the 12 to watch in the Coachella Valley for 2012 that Joe (Mole #1) may just get to have breakfast with President Clinton?

IS IT TRUE that the graduation rates of USI and IVY Tech were published and that the performance with respect to how many students that enter actually graduate in a reasonable time frame is simply abysmal?…that IVY Tech that has programs designed to be completed in two years currently has an 8.7% graduation rate over 3 years?…that such a graduation rate is a slap in the face of the taxpayers of Indiana?…that many of the 91.3% who do not graduate in 3 years end up saddled with debt that ruins their lives?…that USI has a graduation rate of 14% in the 4 years that college is designed to take to graduate and only 32.2% graduate in 6 years?…that national rates are 31.4% and 56.1% respectively making the USI graduation rate basically half of the national rate?…as far as IVY Tech goes the national graduation rate is 22.1% or nearly TRIPLE what IVY Tech is graduating?…that these two paltry and embarrassing performances should serve as evidence that bricks and mortar do not really help in the education process as each institution has built building after building with no improvement in graduation rates?…that IVY Tech was more than 50% better in graduation rates before they build the palace on North 1st Avenue?

IS IT TRUE that if one wants to know why college loans are defaulting at record rates that appalling graduation rates like these should be examined?…that when some student that either had no business in college in the first place or did not receive sufficient motivation to believe in the value of education winds up in dire financial straits over college loans for attending a place that added no value to their lives it is no wonder that they can’t pay off the loans?…that this is probably going to be the next financial meltdown that the USA will have to endure?…that a bunch of classes on credit that yield no tangible life advantages is not much different than an internet stock with no revenue or a nothing down home loan on a million dollar trailer that had its price collapse to $30,000?

IS IT TRUE that every American has some skill or potential?…that federally guaranteed debt always seems to distort that skill, inflate prices, or even worse damage or destroy the people that these programs were designed to help?…that this recession should be an opportunity to hit the reset button and restore practicality and sanity to life in these United States?

Classic Nirvana Covered on Violin by David Garrett

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EPD Activity Report January 14, 2012

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EPD Activity Report January 14, 2012

IS IT TRUE? January 14, 2012

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Foreigner live Performance

IS IT TRUE? January 14, 2012

IS IT TRUE that this writer was treated to a Foreigner concert in Rancho Mirage, CA last night with a free ticket from the guitar player for the band?…that I was innocently sitting at the bar eating fish and chips when the guitarist sat down in the seat next to me and started visiting with his cousin who was one seat away?…that he was bringing them some tickets for the show and when I saw there were extras I interrupted the family reunion and offered him $50 for a ticket?…that he just laughed and gave me a 4th row center ticket?…that the last time I knew someone who sat front row center for a concert it was Evansville City Councilman John Friend who somehow scored 4th row center tickets to the Bob Seger concert at the Ford Center?

IS IT TRUE that the La Quinta High School choir joined Foreigner on stage to sing the backup lines to “I want to know what love is” and were presented a check for $1,000 for their hard song’s work?…that at the end of the encore a member of the audience was selected by ticket number as the winner of a new guitar autographed by the band?…that the winner was offered $5,000 for it in the lobby afterwards and turned the offer down with a resounding “hell no man”?

IS IT TRUE that the first reading for a stronger smoking ordinance for the City of Evansville has been scheduled for January 23rd?…that the second and third readings along with a vote are set for February 13th so all eyes are on Martha Caine, the City Council, and Casino Aztar top man Ward Shaw to see what our stronger smoking ordinance will be looking like come February 13th?

IS IT TRUE that shades of last year’s Indiana Democrat contingency vacation to Urbana, IL are in the air with the upcoming floor discussion of the Right to Work bill and any amendments that are attached to it?…that it seems to us at the City County Observer that the zealots on both extremes of this issue seem to be involved in self serving propaganda campaigns?…that the constructive way to proceed is for both sides and the middle to read the objective evidence set forth in scholarly studies that were done for the purpose of correlating cause and effect between Right to Work and prosperity?…that what has been going on in the country during the latest recession alone is not a scholarly study and should be discounted?…that this decision should be based on 20 year or more improvements or lack thereof when it comes to Right to Work states vs. non Right to Work states?…that there are lots more emotion driven opinions out there than there are scholarly studies and that this is not a decision that should be made based on emotion?…that we hope that tangible evidence is presented and that a decision is made with all legislators present and that the vote is not along strictly partisan lines?

How Can We Help You?

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The City County Observer has decided to start 2012 with a fresh look. Over the next week we will be re-organizing and testing different upgrades. We will soon feature a few new columns by new local contributing writers. We are currently working on design elements that will enhance the site to be more user-friendly. This time will also allow our past publisher, Joe Wallace, to become acclimated to his new career in California. Joe will continue to provide us with his famous analytic, in-depth, well researched “Is It True” articles. Please be patient with us over the next few days as we transition into a new year and a new look.

As the CCO staff work on numerous projects to make our site more convenient for our readers we would like to hear any suggestions you may have. Are there specific features that would enhance your visit to the site? Would you like to see more coverage on state politics? National? Weather? Respectfully, we are not seeking advise on content of our publishing or opinions on editorial views. The comments on this article will be closely moderated. We ask for productive dialogue that leads to a more user-friendly site for your use. Just an advanced notice that any comments that stray from that goal will be removed. We look forward to reading your input!

How Private Equity Works: Read this Before Calling Romney a Vulture

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Phoenix is a Better name than Vulture for Private Equity Investors

Excerpts form WSJ Article

“This is anticapitalist claptrap. Private-equity firms make significant investments in companies, mainly U.S. companies. Most of their investments are in companies that underperform industry peers. Frequently these firms are on the brink of failure.

Because private-equity firms are, by definition, equity investors, they make money only if they improve the performance of their companies. Private equity is last in line to be paid in case of insolvency. Private-equity firms don’t make a profit unless their companies can meet their obligations to workers and other creditors.”

“As for turnaround success stories, Continental Airlines, Orbitz and Snapple have all benefitted at some time from private-equity investment.

Or take Hertz. Ford sold Hertz to private-equity investors in 2009 for $14 billion. These investors were able to take the company public less than a year later at an equity valuation of $17 billion.”

“Private-equity firms not only help corporate performance, but in the long run they lead to more employment and higher wages as well. The alternative to the leaner, smaller firms created by private equity are bankrupt firms that do not employ anybody.”

“Unlike some other investors who trade in debt and derivatives, private-equity firms make money by investing in businesses that make things and provide services. This industry should be applauded, not attacked.

Assaults on the private-equity industry really are attacks on economic freedom, because the private-equity process is nothing more and nothing less than free-market capitalism at work. Shame on all the people, particularly those who claim to be friendly to capitalism, who attack Mitt Romney because of his association with the U.S. private-equity industry.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204124204577154521024107002.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop

Governor Daniels Claims not being “Right to Work” cost Indiana the Chance to Compete for Volkswagen Plant that went to Chattanooga

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Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels

Governor Mitch Daniels says he believes not being a right-to-work state may have cost Indiana the opportunity to compete for a significant economic deal. Daniels tells Inside INdiana Business a major automaker “wouldn’t return my calls” before ultimately deciding to build a new factory in another state. The governor says there are a lot of economic opportunities “you’ll never know about” because of the lack of a right-to-work law.

Daniels says Volkswagen of America Inc. did not consider Indiana before locating its factory in Tennessee.

The governor says Indiana has shown itself to be a fast-growing automotive state after being chosen for major expansions by American Honda Motor Co. Inc. (NYSE: HMC) and Toyota Motor Co. (NYSE TM).

Source: Inside INdiana Business

Winnecke Administration Responds Immediately to Include CCO in Distribution

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Winnecke Administration Chief of Staff Steve Schaefer responded immediately this morning in response to our earlier IS IT TRUE to assure the City County Observer that all official releases WILL BE sent our way in the future. Mr. Schaefer has now secured four email addresses to send to CCO writers and has committed to do so.

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer appreciates the immediate attention of the Winnecke Administration and thanks them in advance for the inclusion?

IS IT TRUE? January 13, 2012 Part 2 “National Champions”

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IS IT TRUE? January 13, 2012 Part 2

Evansville's other National Champion

IS IT TRUE that today both Evansville and Henderson are mentioned in the national publication USA TODAY?…that Evansville has made the news of the day for the State of Indiana for the second time this week but that this time the news is not so flattering?…that the news from Evansville is about the film crew from England who is gracing our presence for the purpose of documenting “Life in the Fattest City in America”?…that last spring Evansville was fingered by a survey of the legendary Gallup Organization for having the highest percentage of adults in the USA that are obese tipping the stats at over 37%?…that the British crew will also be making a visit to the skinniest city in America which is Boulder, CO with an obesity rate of under 20%?

IS IT TRUE that Henderson is in the national publication because it is a stopping point on two of the maiden voyages of the American Queen which is a magnificently restored showboat the operates out of Cincinnati and provides a luxury Mark Twain experience to it’s customers?…that Henderson has a dock where people can get off and walk to the downtown but Evansville does not?…that perhaps such a boat docking alongside the LST in the future with shuttles to a refurbished and vibrant downtown Evansville COULD BE on a future itinerary for the American Queen?

IS IT TRUE we are extremely pleased to see that State of Indiana House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee endorsed a measure yesterday that shall keep public workers from hiring members of their families for jobs they supervise?…that we are also pleased to see that this soon to be passed state law shall prevent those who work for municipal governments-police officers, firefighters, parks workers, and more from serving on the County Commission, City Council, and County Council, which set their agencies budgets and salaries?…that we want to thank our elected State officials for passing this most needed reform that represent “Good Public Policy”?

IS IT TRUE that we are quite pleased to hear that an extremely honorable Vanderburgh County judge recently announced that he shall run for re-election?..that we consider Vanderburgh County Superior Judge Wayne Trockman one of the most outstanding judges in the State of Indiana?…that we also are pleased to learn that the Honorable Judge David Kiely has decided to run for the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge to replace the retiring and most Honorable Judge Carl Heldt?

IS IT TRUE that the Wall Street Journal is shedding more light on the demise of the Kodak Corporation in today’s issue and this time the author is Rich Karlgaard who was the keynote speaker of an entrepreneurship forum right here in Evansville and sponsored by GAGE, Regency Properties, the Chamber, and others back in 2008?…that Mr. Karlgaard has put forth the opinion that the small town mind of Rochester contributed greatly to Kodak’s malaise?…that much of the language of the article would apply if the word Kodak was replaced by Whirlpool or any of the once powerful refrigeration industry and Rochester was replaced by Evansville?…that understanding outside failures and making moves to prevent them are key to avoiding the continuation of practices in both government and existing business that inhibits prosperity?…that the full article is on the following link?

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052970204124204577153053662634584-lMyQjAxMTAyMDEwMzExNDMyWj.html?mod=wsj_share_email

Community Invited to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with UE

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With the theme “Social Justice in 2012,” the University of Evansville will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 16 with a daylong series of events — including a re-enactment of the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C., and a panel discussion in which local residents will share their own accounts of the civil rights movement.

According to La Toya Smith, UE diversity and equity officer, the day’s activities reflect upon King’s life and legacy, honor Evansville residents’ personal experiences of the civil rights movement, and shine light on current day civil rights issues.

“Considering the ways that hatred, fear, and greed manifest in various forms of oppression in today’s society, the UE MLK Jr. Program Committee wanted to have a bold approach for this year’s celebration,” Smith said. “Thus, with the theme of ‘Social Justice in 2012,’ the committee wanted to set the tone for the year with a focus on eradicating oppression of all forms.”

Throughout the day, King’s historic speeches will air on the University of Evansville’s radio station, WUEV 91.5 FM.

The day’s schedule of events is as follows. All events are free and open to the community.

11:30 a.m.: “Living the Dream,” Shanklin Theatre. This University of Evansville Black Student Union production celebrates the life of Martin Luther King Jr. through music, art, and dance.

1:00 p.m.: Walk for Justice, Carson Center. The 24th annual re-enactment of the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington will begin in front of UE’s Carson Center on Walnut Avenue and conclude at Eykamp Hall on the second floor of the Ridgway University Center. This event is part of Evansville’s 200-day Bicentennial Celebration.

1:30 p.m.: Talk for Peace, Eykamp Hall. This community program begins immediately after the Walk for Justice and features the final round of the third annual UE Martin Luther King Jr. Day Speech Contest for local high school students.

The program also includes a panel discussion, moderated by Jack Schriber of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, in which three Evansville residents will discuss their personal experiences during the civil rights movement.

6:30 p.m.: Social Responsibility in Action, Eykamp Hall. UE students’ community service projects will be on display.

7:00 p.m.: William G. and Rose M. Mays Martin Luther King Jr. Lectureship, featuring Robiaun Charles, Eykamp Hall. Through the generosity of William G. and Rose M. Mays, this lectureship funds the annual keynote speaker during the University of Evansville’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

Robiaun Charles is the assistant vice president for development and external relations for the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) at the University of Texas at Austin. In this role, she provides strategic direction and leadership for the development, communications, special events, and community relations operations of the division.

Before joining UT Austin, Charles served as the special assistant to the president and director of diversity initiatives at the University of Evansville where she advised the president and senior administration on a range of diversity issues.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Charles is currently working on her doctorate in higher education leadership and policy at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

A reception in the Class of 1959 Gallery and Lounge will immediately follow the lecture.

Source: evansville.edu

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