Not much else to say but that Evansville’s home Major League Baseball franchise just won the World Series for the 11th time. The MVP was David Freese who grew up in the St. Louis area. What a great night for the Cardinals and for the Cardinal fans of Evansville. I can honestly attest that the Buffalo Wild Wings on the East Side was in winning mood from the 7th inning on and erupted at the end of the last out.
“Alkesh Patel, a 44-year-old immigrant from India, borrowed about $5 million to open the Best Western Plus motel on Main Street in this city of 17,500 north of Portland, Ore….But Mr. Patel doesn’t own the Best Western anymore. Five years later, Mr. Patel still works the front desk with his wife, chats with the housekeeping staff and helps do laundry while making the morning rounds, much as family members have done at other motels nearby for two decades.The bank that lent him the money failed in 2008, and his loan was sold to one of the many investment firms specializing in buying distressed assets from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in the wake of the financial crisis. The new owners of the loan demanded $3 million in repayment. Mr. Patel didn’t have it, so the owners foreclosed.”
“”We never missed a payment,” said Bhaskar Zaver, an immigrant from Zambia of Gujarati ancestry who borrowed $2.7 million from BB&T Corp. to buy a Microtel Inn in Lawrenceville, Ga. The loan was due to be refinanced last year when BB&T, of Winston-Salem, N.C., sent a foreclosure notice, demanding that he pay off the loan, he said. Revenue at the motel shrank to $400,000 last year from a peak of $1 million before the financial crisis, and its value has declined, but Mr. Zaver said he tapped his savings to avoid falling behind on the mortgage. He was about to refinance with a different bank when BB&T sold the loan for $800,000. The loan’s buyer foreclosed on the property, and the Microtel has been empty since March. He said he has lost about $750,000.”
“Over time, Patels became entrepreneurs in small cities and towns across America. Families often own or operate several properties, leaning on economies of scale to squeeze profits from the low-margin motel business. But the current turmoil threatens to undo all that hard work, some motel owners said. Banks are calling in some loans and are leery of financing construction of new motels because of economic uncertainty and concerns about the health of the commercial real-estate market.”
“Dr. Patel, 52, said he “cannot afford to file for bankruptcy,” adding that he already has sunk nearly $3 million into his motel properties. Columbia State Bank spokeswoman JoAnne Coy wouldn’t comment on the lender’s actions, though she said bank officials “recognize a lot of businesses are being challenged in today’s economy. Vijay Patel, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Uganda, forfeited more than $150,000 in licensing fees on four properties after failing to find a bank willing to lend him money to build the motels. Mr. Patel, 55, said he never missed a loan payment since getting into the business in 1994.”
“Stowed in a warehouse with a leaky skylight is one of this city’s remaining valuable assets: a U.S. Cavalry horse’s hoof purportedly found on the battlefield at Little Bighorn, the site of Lt. Col. George A. Custer’s Last Stand in 1876.”
“The hoof was headed for a National Museum of the Old West here in Pennsylvania’s capital. The museum was never built, but the hoof is now part of Harrisburg’s push to escape $310 million in debt.”
“Few people expect a stampede to buy the stuffed buffalo in the corner. “Quite frankly, it looks like something that was in my grandmother’s attic,” Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson recalls saying when she saw the collection.”
“Two weeks ago, the city council filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. Harrisburg is the second U.S. city to have done so this year. While the move was opposed by Ms. Thompson and Pennsylvania’s governor Tom Corbett, they agree that the city of about 50,000 needs a plan to get out from under its debt. The city is projected to be insolvent within about six months, according to the governor’s office.”
“The word on the street is that everything is for sale,” says Anniken Davenport, a lawyer who has lived here for 25 years.
” Last year, Arizona sold state legislative buildings and other properties for $735 million, leasing them back for 20 years. Pontiac, Mich., sold the Silverdome, former home of the Detroit Lions, for $583,000.”
“The museum idea died when Harrisburg couldn’t pay the debt on the incinerator and ran into grave financial problems. The artifacts cost about $7.8 million, although Ms. Thompson says the records are scattered. A yellowing invoice under an overturned coffee cup in the former water plant shows $12,050 for photographs of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody and scenes from Nevada.”
“Even though Harrisburg looks like a desperate seller, “we are not going to have a fire sale,” Ms. Thompson says.”
Evansville Redevelopment Commission
AGENDA
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 – 8:30 am
Civic Center Complex – Room 307
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes of October 18, 2011
3. Approval of Accounts Payable Vouchers
4. DESIGN REVIEW
Downtown Redevelopment Area
Kunkel Group/Hilliard Lyons – rear parking area w/ wrought iron fencing & landscaping
Walnut /6th / MLK Jr (old Hotel tower site) – temporary paving
Strouse Building – 203-205 Main – façade renovation
Main Gate – 518-520 Main St –Sidewalk Sandwich sign
5. Downtown Redevelopment Area
11-ERC-76 – Approval of License Agreement For Usage of the Ford Center by the University of Evansville Basketball Program TABLED FROM 10-04-2011
11-ERC-86 – Change Order No. 3 for Downtown Sidewalk Repair Project Phase 1
6. Evansville Arts District
11-ERC-87 – Approving a Development Agreement with Michael S. Martin Realty IX, LLC for the Euclid Apartment Restoration Project in Arts District
11-ERC-88 – Approving a Development Agreement with Soap Solutions for 213-215 Blackford Ave Mixed Use Development in Arts District
Whereas, Connie Robinson has served as a City Council representative for the Fourth Ward of the City of Evansville, Vanderburgh County; and
Whereas, she has served in said position for the past 16 years and shall serve for next 4 years as Fourth Ward Council representative since she has no opposition; and
Whereas, in addition to serving on the City Council, Connie has served as Vice-Chairwoman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Central Committee for the past 6 years; and
Whereas, Connie has donated thousands of dollars and significant hours of volunteer work to help local and state Democrats get elected to public office; and
Whereas, she has been a loyal party supporter for more than 30 years.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the following Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Central Committee Officers, Ward Leaders, Elected Officials of Vanderburgh County and candidates for public office that Connie Robinson remain as Vice-Chairwoman of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Central Committee due to dedication and loyalty to our local, state and national Democratic Party. Furthermore, that any and all issues involving Connie Robinson be resolved by the Vanderburgh Democratic Central Committee.
Mark R. Owen, Chairman
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Conor O’Daniel, Treasurer
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Rob Faulkner, Secretary
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Chris Cooke, 2nd Ward Leader
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Stephanie Brinkerhoff Riley, 3rdWard Leader
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Louise Williams, 4th Ward Leader
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Tom Shoulders, 5th Ward Leader
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
David Mosby, 6th Ward Leader
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
Jonathan Weinzapfel, Mayor
City of Evansville
Alberta Matlock, City Clerk
City of Evansville
B.J. Watts, Councilman
City of Evansville
Curt John, Councilman
City of Evansville
John Friend, Councilman
City of Evansville
Missy Mosby, Councilwoman
City of Evansville
Eric Williams, Sheriff
Vanderburgh County
Annie Groves, Coroner
Vanderburgh County
Z Tuley, Recorder
Vanderburgh County
Bill Jeffers, Surveyor
Vanderburgh County
Stephanie Terry, Councilwoman
Vanderburgh County
Mike Goebel, Councilman
Vanderburgh County
Kathryn Martin, Trustee
Knight Township
Fred Happe, Trustee
German Township
Jonathan Weaver, candidate
City Council at Large Candidate
/ss/
Signatures on file at the offices of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
I have been reading with interest the willingness of local government officials in Evansville, Indiana to invest $20 Million in 8 ballfields and to donate public land and contribute public money to building tennis courts in order to stimulate the tourism industry. I think that I have a better idea for Evansville to consider.
My family has been enthusiasts for the sport of polo for many years. My father Thurston Howell III lost his edge in playing the sport while stranded on a tropical island with that foolish Gilligan and his boorish Skipper. Ginger and Mary Ann always made for good eye candy and the Professor was ingenious in helping the castaway crew survive. I have such fond memories of my childhood watching my dear fathers hired hands wash and groom our polo ponies prior to our participation in the grand sport of polo. Afterwards we would enjoy lobsters and quaff champagne while our servants tended to our ponies and replaced the divots in the polo fields.
It is my privilege and pleasure to propose to the government of the City of Evansville that your good public money should be appropriated to construct a polo grounds in Wesselman Park.
The beauty of the tourism dollars attracted by polo players is that it takes so few of us to make such a big economic impact. With just one polo tournament per year your local economy can expect at least two dozen private jet landings complete with an entourage’ that includes our polo ponies. Furthermore we will require the services of your local workforce to carry our bags, tend to our monstrous children, and prepare our clothing so that we are always prepped to our finest. Of course we will rent all of the finest suites in every 4-Star or above hotel that you may have in your village. We absolutely adore items of luxury like good Midwestern beef, lobster, Cuban cigars, beluga caviar, and Napoleon Cognac and will frequent your finest dining facilities for our entire stay. Money is no object to us so you can tell your constituents whatever large number that you like for what we have available to spend on our little soirees.
We are simply thrilled at the prospect of introducing Evansville to the sport of polo and equally delighted that no Evansville natives will participate giving us and our exclusive club of friends free reign over your public lands and facilities.
All we ask in terms of land is the 10 acres that the polo grounds will require, an air-conditioned barn that holds 50 polo ponies, a luxury paddock in which our entourage’ can watch us play, 20 cases of Opus One per match, and of course the obligatory fountain of Dom Perignon to celebrate our victories over each other.
Please consider our proposal. We are willing to ascend on your village aboard our fleet of Lear Jets to hijack one of your Parks Board meetings soon. Remember do not step on the steaming divot.
LA may have Lindsay Lohan but Evansville has Lindsey LawsuitGate IS IT TRUE? October 28, 2011
IS IT TRUE the Cardinals came through last night with a hometown boy (St. Louis) driving in both of the runs to force extra innings and then knocking that ball out of the park for the winning home run to force a 7th game in the 2011 World Series?…that the CCO is pleased as we are sure that nearly everyone in Evansville is who does not happen to be a native Texan?…that this sounds like a great night to go out and stimulate the economy at one of our enjoyable restaurants that will be showing the game?
IS IT TRUE that the lawsuit that David Mosby and Randall Whitehouse recently lost and appealed against Al Lindsey and the Vanderburgh County Election Board has allegedly been dropped?…that this whole legal battle about where Lindsey lives and has lived is just another one of those weird little things that keeps being a Democrat in Evansville confusing yet interesting?…that there have been more sideshows within the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party in the last year than any carnival has offered for many years?…that this sideshow now includes BoothGate, FloatGate, EndorseGate, and now the perpetual Mosby vs. Lindsey LawsuitGate may have finally ended?…that Los Angeles may have Lindsey Lohan to keep the curiosities piqued buy she can’t even touch Lindsey-LawsuitGate for keeping Evansville’s interests at an all time high?…that we can’t wait to see what kind of a GATE opens up this weekend?
Charlie SheenIS IT TRUE that Los Angeles may have Charlie Sheen but Evansville has the Sheenius of the Vanderburgh Democratic Party to keep the tiger blood pressure up?…that we just can’t wait for another Manic Monday in Evansville
IS IT TRUE that 6th Ward Democratic candidate for Evansville City Council Al Lindsey has been forced to spend a substantial amount of money to defend where he lives so he can run for office?…that the Vanderburgh County Election Board found in his favor?…that a court found in his favor?…that still the appeal was filed?…that Mr. Lindsey has had to deal with people stalking him and keeping notes with respect to his comings and goings?…that most sane people put through this would most likely file a countersuit to recover all of the cost associated with this litigation plus loss of sleep, damage to reputation, disruption of a campaign, and who know what else?…that we are quite suspicious that the last entertaining moments from the never ending merry-go-round ride that we now christen Lindsey-LawsuitGate have not yet been heard?
IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party has drafted a document of support and gratitude to Connie Robinson for her years of service to the City of Evansville and to the Democratic Party?…that they have expressed support for her to retain her Vice Chair position in the Vanderburgh Democratic Party and that Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel put his own John Hancock onto the letter of support along with 22 others?…that Mayor Weinzapfel has signed a vow of silence with respect to making comments on the upcoming election?…that at-large City-Council candidate Jonathan Weaver hinted strongly that he will not be able to work with Democratic Mayoral candidate Rick Davis?…that we look forward to seeing the letter of support with all of the signatures on it as soon as possible?
Lloyd Winnecke
Republican Mayoral candidate Lloyd Winnecke disclosed today that he has raised an additional $4,500 to supplement his campaign to become Mayor of Evansville. The complete disclosure in on the following link.