IS IT TRUE? April 23, 2011
IS IT TRUE that the traffic analysis from Google Analytics from Good Friday, April 22, 2011 shows acceleration of the growth of internet traffic month over month for both the City County Observer and for the Community Observer?…that the number of pageviews for the City County Observer has grown 38% over the previous month?…that the number of pageviews for the Community Observer has grown 52% over the previous month?…that combining those two traffic counts may have the CCO publication families even closer to taking over the #2 internet traffic spot in the greater Evansville media coverage region?…that this is a surprise to even the biggest fans of the CCO and the CO?
IS IT TRUE that education of our children is a hot topic this week at both the state level and the local level?…that there is a very informative video regarding the origins of the modern education system and how it works for most people on the following link?…that this really make you wonder if it is time to completely transform how we educate children as the business model has not changed in over a hundred years?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=player_embedded
IS IT TRUE that the Center for Disease Control has postulated that every state in America may have smoking bans in effect by 2020?…that comprehensive indoor smoking bans are now in place in 25 of our 50 states?…that there are only 7 states that have NO STATEWIDE SMOKING RESTRICTIONS at all?…that these states are INDIANA, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, West Virginia, Texas, and Wyoming?…that like it or not we are known by the company that we keep?… that if the recent brew-ha-ha in the Indiana Senate in which an exemption was even carved out for nursing homes prior to a toothless bill failing is an indicator of Indiana’s ability to a collaborate on public health that Indiana will most likely be the last state to adopt statewide smoking restrictions?…that we as a state are in the lead pack in a race to finish last?…that not only does the City of Evansville need to administer the 8th grade ISTEP to candidates for office but the State of Indiana does too?…that before doing so we should legalized a new form of gambling where we can bet on “which legislators will pass the 8th grade ISTEP?†earning even more tax money for local government?…that odds makers would have a bonanza on this one?
IS IT TRUE that the issue of what to do with ROBERTS STADIUM is one of the hot button issues in the upcoming primaries and will maintain its relevance into the general election?…that at least one candidate for the democratic nomination for Evansville City Council at large is taking a hard stand on the issue of Roberts Stadium?…that Jonathan Weaver in a recent interview said that “it needs to go, quite frankly it’s the worst stadium I’ve ever seen in my life,” when asked about Roberts?…that other candidates are less conclusive in their opinions but that all seem to agree that spending $15,000 per month to mothball it without use is a bad idea?…that several non-candidate citizens have been coming forward with ideas on what to do with Roberts?…that Roberts recently hosted the Guns and Hoses charity event and the Evansville Home Show?…that both events were well run and that Weaver’s “worst stadium in his life†was a quite adequate venue and that both events were enjoyable?…that Mr. Weaver may have not seen very many stadiums though and that his extreme statement is based on a small sample?…that part of the reason for Roberts Stadium needing maintenance is that the repair budget allocated by the CITY OF EVANSVILLE has been at life support level anticipating a demolition?
IS IT TRUE That with modifications that cost less than tearing it down Roberts could be a perfect place for the Home Show, Boat Shows, Rodeo’s, Circuses, up and coming band concerts, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera?…that Louisville’s Freedom Hall is doing just fine as a lesser entertainment venue and as a forum for COMMERCE than the YUM Center and that Roberts Stadium deserves a chance to continue to serve Evansville as a back up and lower cost place for entertainment?…that a position of “tear it down now so the new Arena doesn’t need to compete†is a myopic view that reflects the desires of the now demolished Team Weinzapfel?
IS IT TRUE? PART 2 April 22, 2011
IS IT TRUE that CCO “MOLE # 3” has announced this evening this he shall retire after this coming November-2011 City Election? ….that he feels that his mission of exposing self serving political types is complete? ….that starting in November that the CCO shall announce a new super hero to replace him? ….that CCO “MOLE # 3” and the other “143 CCO MOLES” have served the citizens well? ….”when people fear its government there is tyranny and when government fear the people there is liberty”? …..we are glad that CCO “MOLE # 3″ has help make government fear the people”? …..THE ANSWER IS “YES”!
IS IT TRUE that silver has risen to $46 an ounce that gold has topped the $1,500 level?…that just this week that Standard and Poor’s took an action that is most likely a precursor to a downgrade of the debt of the United States?…that the rise in pricing of precious metals is not driven by speculation as it was in 1980?…that the rush of money to hard cross border currencies such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium is happening because people do not have a strong feeling about their own governments fiscal policies?…that as long as the debt to income ratio of the United States government continues to rise that the prices of portable precious metals will rise with it?…that only prosperous countries can afford to have fiscal policies that run perpetual deficits?…that for the first time in many years the United States has crossed the chasm from being a solidly prosperous country to being a cautious country?…that hopefully our political leaders but more important our future political leaders will learn something about cause and effect from this period of economic malaise?
IS IT TRUE that we wonder just how much business that the army of construction workers in downtown Evansville working on the Arena have brought to downtown merchants and restaurants?…that we are interested in whether or not this $128 Million expenditure has enriched certain business owners in downtown Evansville?…that we are also interested just how long the Arena needs to operate to make up for the daily traffic from 600+ (advertised number) hungry and thirsty construction workers?
IS IT TRUE that it has been revealed that the Kunkel Group paid $2.9 Million for the old Whirlpool building on 41 North?…that given the size of the building that the purchase price works out to $2.42 per square foot?…that $2.42 per square foot will not even pay for half the cost to pour a concrete pad on which to build a yard barn?…that the cost to build such a structure for warehouse purposes would be closer to $40 per square foot or nearly $50 Million?…that a decent cardboard box costs more than $2.42 per square foot?
IS IT TRUE that the current assessment (before Kunkel purchased) on the Whirlpool Building is $10,700,000 and that the taxes are $291,163?…that the taxes on this building on the new mandated market value assessment cannot exceed 3% of the assessed value or $87,000 per year?…that the property tax collections on this Whirlpool property given the new market value of $2.9 Million will reduce the property tax revenue collected by a total of $204,163 or 70% of the previous total tax?…that this is a hard lesson on how hard property devaluation is on local government finance?…that the way out of this shortfall and the others that will surely come home to roost in the near future is to create a growing population and business base?…that this is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the confluence of falling property values and abandonment of property in a world where property tax caps create upper limits on taxation?
IS IT TRUE that for the Whirlpool building to become a breakeven proposition for taxes into the local government that it will have to appreciate by 269%?…that at historical appreciation rates in Evansville, IN of 2% per year that this will take 66 years for this to happen?…that the life of this building is not 66 years?…that examples like this just accentuate the need for professional jobs, and educated populace, and a growing population base?…that the Kunkel Group took a risk and MAY have gotten a good deal but that they MAY have just purchased a “PIG IN A POKEâ€?…that we hope that Kunkel brings prosperity back to that big empty building and that Evansville begins and IAO Decade in business soon?
IS IT TRUE? April 21, 2011
IS IT TRUE that in the language of the Lakota Sioux the words “HANTA YO†means “LEAD THE WAYâ€?…that the small but growing force of citizen litter pickers are doing just that and that we salute them?…that in a real play on words we once again congratulate Dr. Vince Bertram, the new CEO of Project Hanta Yo?
IS IT TRUE that we are extremely pleased with Indiana State Senator Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) for sponsoring a bill that creates and promotes cooperation among emergency responders working together?
IS IT TRUE we congratulate the staff at the USI college newspaper (THE SHIELD) for winning 16 Indiana College Press Association awards?
IS IT TRUE we are extremely impressed that 4th Ward City Councilwoman, Connie Robinson agreed to answer some tough political questions submitted to her by the City County Observer yesterday? …that it is important to point out that City Councilwoman Robinson has no one running against her in the primary or the general election? …that word on the political street is that the political types are expecting Connie to assume the position of the Dean of the Evansville City Council since Councilmen Curt John decided not to run for re-election?…that Councilwoman Robinson is an entrepreneur and a successful business owner?…that one of the questions that she will be responding to is how her unique experience as a minority female business owner shapes her deliberations and decision making processes as an Evansville City Councilwomen?…that all governing bodies would benefit greatly from the presence of people like Councilwoman Robinson who have burned the midnight oil to make a payroll?…that there is something about being an entrepreneur that provides a person with a real hands on feel for the way that cities, states, and even the federal government could be run better?
IS IT TRUE that in the United States of America our citizens are considered to be innocent before the law until proven guilty?
IS IT TRUE that 9 CCO MOLES are gearing up to take on CCO “MOLE # 3” to see if they can predict who shall be elected in the upcoming primaries to carry their party banners in the November General election? ….if any CCO MOLE beats CCO “MOLE # 3” in this contest they shall win dinner for two (2) at the CORK AND CLEAVER restaurant?
IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,448 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 1,302 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 there are now 561 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?
Companies have a great deal to learn from failure—provided they manage it successfully
BUSINESS writers have always worshipped at the altar of success. Tom Peters turned himself into a superstar with “In Search of Excellenceâ€. Stephen Covey has sold more than 15m copies of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleâ€. Malcolm Gladwell cleverly subtitled his third book, “Outliersâ€, “The Story of Successâ€. This success-fetish makes the latest management fashion all the more remarkable. The April issue of the Harvard Business Review is devoted to failure, featuring among other contributors A.G. Lafley, a successful ex-boss of Procter & Gamble (P&G), proclaiming that “we learn much more from failure than we do from success.†The current British edition of Wired magazine has “Fail! Fast. Then succeed. What European business needs to learn from Silicon Valley†on its cover. IDEO, a consultancy, has coined the slogan “Fail often in order to succeed soonerâ€.
There are good reasons for the failure fashion. Success and failure are not polar opposites: you often need to endure the second to enjoy the first. Failure can indeed be a better teacher than success. It can also be a sign of creativity. The best way to avoid short-term failure is to keep churning out the same old products, though in the long term this may spell your doom. Businesses cannot invent the future—their own future—without taking risks.
Entrepreneurs have always understood this. Thomas Edison performed 9,000 experiments before coming up with a successful version of the light bulb. Students of entrepreneurship talk about the J-curve of returns: the failures come early and often and the successes take time. America has proved to be more entrepreneurial than Europe in large part because it has embraced a culture of “failing forward†as a common tech-industry phrase puts it: in Germany bankruptcy can end your business career whereas in Silicon Valley it is almost a badge of honour.
A more tolerant attitude to failure can also help companies to avoid destruction. When Alan Mulally became boss of an ailing Ford Motor Company in 2006 one of the first things he did was demand that his executives own up to their failures. He asked managers to colour-code their progress reports—ranging from green for good to red for trouble. At one early meeting he expressed astonishment at being confronted by a sea of green, even though the company had lost several billion dollars in the previous year. Ford’s recovery began only when he got his managers to admit that things weren’t entirely green.
Failure is also becoming more common. John Hagel, of Deloitte’s Centre for the Edge (which advises bosses on technology), calculates that the average time a company spends in the S&P 500 index has declined from 75 years in 1937 to about 15 years today. Up to 90% of new businesses fail shortly after being founded. Venture-capital firms are lucky if 20% of their investments pay off. Pharmaceutical companies research hundreds of molecular groups before coming up with a marketable drug. Less than 2% of films account for 80% of box-office returns.
But simply “embracing†failure would be as silly as ignoring it. Companies need to learn how to manage it. Amy Edmondson of Harvard Business School argues that the first thing they must do is distinguish between productive and unproductive failures. There is nothing to be gained from tolerating defects on the production line or mistakes in the operating theatre.
This might sound like an obvious distinction. But it is one that some of the best minds in business have failed to make. James McNerney, a former boss of 3M, a manufacturer, damaged the company’s innovation engine by trying to apply six-sigma principles (which are intended to reduce errors on production lines) to the entire company, including the research laboratories. It is only a matter of time before a boss, hypnotised by all the current talk of “rampant experimentationâ€, makes the opposite mistake.
Companies must also recognise the virtues of failing small and failing fast. Peter Sims likens this to placing “Little Betsâ€, in a new book of that title. Chris Rock, one of the world’s most successful comedians, tries out his ideas in small venues, often bombing and always junking more material than he saves. Jeff Bezos, the boss of Amazon, compares his company’s strategy to planting seeds, or “going down blind alleysâ€. One of those blind alleys, letting small shops sell books on the company’s website, now accounts for a third of its sales.
Damage limitation
Placing small bets is one of several ways that companies can limit the downside of failure. Mr Sims emphasises the importance of testing ideas on consumers using rough-and-ready prototypes: they will be more willing to give honest opinions on something that is clearly an early-stage mock-up than on something that looks like the finished product. Chris Zook, of Bain & Company, a consultancy, urges companies to keep potential failures close to their core business—perhaps by introducing existing products into new markets or new products into familiar markets. Rita Gunther McGrath of Columbia Business School suggests that companies should guard against “confirmation bias†by giving one team member the job of looking for flaws.
But there is no point in failing fast if you fail to learn from your mistakes. Companies are trying hard to get better at this. India’s Tata group awards an annual prize for the best failed idea. Intuit, in software, and Eli Lilly, in pharmaceuticals, have both taken to holding “failure partiesâ€. P&G encourages employees to talk about their failures as well as their successes during performance reviews. But the higher up in the company, the bigger the egos and the greater the reluctance to admit to really big failings rather than minor ones. Bosses should remember how often failure paves the way for success: Henry Ford got nowhere with his first two attempts to start a car company, but that did not stop him.
Source: The Economist: Schumpeter
IS IT TRUE? April 21, 2011
IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Housing Authority Board of Directors has or may have to return $2 Million to $3 Million dollars to the Federal Government because they didn’t put together a meaningful financial package to develop the “Crown Jewel” property located in the Center City?….that property was to have been known as “ERIE Housing” for low income families and is located on the corner of Governor and Lincoln Ave?….that if this property was properly developed, this could have been a major success story for the Weinzapfel Administration, the Evansville Housing Authority and the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development and its Front Door Pride program? ….instead of being a political success story, this vacant property is now considered an example of “Bad Public Policy”?
IS IT TRUE that this is the same Weinzapfel Administration that recently announced plans to proceed with low income housing that is priced at nearly $240,000 per apartment that could be bought and refurbished in the private sector for less than $25,000 per unit?…that between the Vision 1505 project, the Cedar Trace Apartments III project, and the 40 new RENTAL HOUSES in the Front Door Pride area that commit to spend nearly $23 Million dollars to build only 120 dwelling units ($191,666 each) that could be done in the private sector for $8 Million or less that there will be an influx of $500 hammers, $200 sheets of drywall, and a fleet of Baghwan style Rolls Royce’s headed for Evansville?…that all tax money is our money and that just because it comes from the feds does not make it okay to overpay by 8 times what local markets will bear?…that the Evansville Housing Authority is the developer of record for the Vision 1505 project that is the most wasteful of the three recently announced projects?
IS IT TRUE that there is an apartment complex located at 1526 South Green River Road that has 320 dwelling units offered on Loopnet for $5.6 Million?…that this amounts to only $17,500 for each unit in this complex that offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom models?…that anyone who can use a calculator and think has to just by mystified by the intention of the City of Evansville to spend $239,916 per unit for something that can be purchased on the open market for $17,500 each without haggling?…that this is a 1,271% premium over market value?…that with all due respect offered to government housing a premium like this is the equivalent of paying $137.10 for a hamburger and a beer at one of our local restaurants?…that this would be a certain way to go broke?
IS IT TRUE that Superintendent Dr. Vince Bertram has announced that he will be leaving his job at EVSC to become the CEO of Project Lead the Way for the entire United States?…that Project Lead the Way is recognized as the premier program for technology training at the high school level?…that one of the top schools in America in the Project Lead the Way group of schools is Pike Central High School in Petersburg, Indiana?…that the students at Pike Central have won several national championships and are working with the engineering team at Crane Naval Weapons center and Indy Power Systems on a truly high technology project?…that the Pike Central kids are so recognized for their accomplishments that they will be featured in FAST COMPANY MAGAZINE’s upcoming issue?…that Dr. Bertram has just been hooked up as the CEO of a program of national significance that is a rapidly rising star and that Pike Central and a few other Southwest Indiana schools are the fuel behind that star?…that the City County Observer wishes Dr. Bertram well in his desire to make a nationally significant contribution to the education of our young people?
IS IT TRUE we hear that at least two (2) incumbent Evansville City Council members up for re-election are very happy with City Council attorney John Hamilton’s on the job performance? ….they would like him to be retained by the soon to be elected City Council members? ….that the CCO completely agrees with them and find that that Mr. Hamilton is hard working, honest, knowledgeable, and has done an outstanding job and should be retained?
