IS IT TRUE that the 2013 Federal Budget as proposed by President Obama was published on Monday and that it calls for roughly a $1 Trillion deficit?…that this will have to be borrowed to pay for the day to day operating expenses of the federal government?…that there was only a miniscule amount allocated to stimulus projects so the shortfall cannot be blamed on non-recurring investments?…that in the last 3 years the debt of the United States has doubled as a percentage of GDP to 80%?…that the nation of Greece which has experienced riots in the streets and placed on an austerity plan by their creditors has a debt of 160% of GDP?…that if the good old USA doubles again we will be in the same dire financial straits as Greece?…that there is no way to close this gap without cutting spending as growing the GDP by a third in four years is just not going to happen?

IS IT TRUE that even the three fundamental planks of the social safety network that are made up by Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are spending more money than they are collecting?…that the decision to GIVE the American people the illusion of incremental gains by cutting the FICA collections from paychecks is the big culprit in jeopardizing Social Security?…that this is a system that needs to be dynamic enough to be solvent long term on a day to day basis?…that it was quite irresponsible to loot the Social Security revenue stream for the shallow purpose of GIVING working people and extra $20 per week or so?…that this made about as much fiscal sense as buying candy today with next month’s food budget?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer is pleased to once again be in a leadership position on exposing the reality that the weekly gathering of Democrat members of the Evansville City Council have about a 99.999% probability to violate the Open Door Laws?…that this was done by our previous council in a very in our face manner and there were no consequences for these actions?…that it appears as though the one act play that is now being compared to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” that played out on January 23rd may have a long term positive outcome?…that if a colossal public embarrassment and the exposure of the Evansville City Council as a governing body is what it took to get “old Boy Ways” ended then it is worth it?…that the months of January and February of 2012 may just be the beginning of the end for Evansville’s oligarchy of politics?

IS IT TRUE that the CCO has learned that just today the Chairman of the Evansville Fire Department Merit Commission, Jim Hubert, voluntarily excused himself from the Al Lindsey case?…that in the February 10th edition of “IS IT TRUE” the CCO pointed out that Mr. Hubert could possibly have a conflict of interest with this particular hearing?…that Mr. Hubert is an attorney with the Evansville law firm Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel and Shoulders and that this firm is representing the Evansville Fire Department in the Al Lindsey case?…that we thank and commend Mr. Hubert for doing the honorable thing?…that Mr. Hubert’s actions are the perfect example of public officials holding themselves to a higher standard in the interest of good public policy?

IS IT TRUE that over the last 20 years there have been several City of Evansville firemen who have had alcohol related issues while on the job or while driving a City Fire Department vehicle?…that they have not had their employment terminated by the City of Evansville.

IS IT TRUE that over the last 20 years there have been several City of Evansville firemen who have had drug or immoral conduct issues while on or off the clock?…that they have not had their employment terminated as a result of such situations.

IS IT TRUE that these simple facts and the other inconvenient fact that precedent carries much weight in the world of litigation should be taken into account with respect to the case of Al Lindsey?

IS IT TRUE that this whole MainGate Bar episode seems to be driving home some of the pettiness that has been going on in Evansville politics for many years now?…that we hope that this whole embarrassing situation is used as an opportunity to implement some changes?…that the first rule for changes should be “IF WHAT YOU CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ABOUT TO DO WILL MAKE THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE LOOK LIKE A CORRUPT VILLAGE OF 500 IN THE 1950’S, DON’T DO IT”?

IS IT TRUE? February 14, 2012

IS IT TRUE that today is Valentine’s Day and that we encourage all of our readers to express their emotions to that special person that you love to celebrate?…that even goes for those among you who have fallen for the charms of Lifestyle Lil who is also the siren who sang to seven husbands?…that even if no one else loves you that Lil will?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville City Council passed by a vote of 7 – 2 last night a nearly comprehensive smoking ban that will take effect on April 1, 2012?…that there is literally not one land based building in Evansville where people are employed that will allow smoking after that date?…that the only exception is the gaming area of Casino Aztar and that all of that floats?…that there has been some question raised recently as to whether the boat is in the city or the county or even in Kentucky but that is all moot at this point for enforcement purposes?…that Councilwoman Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley gets the badge of courage last night for voting against the exemption for Aztar because she truly believes that a comprehensive ban is the right thing to do?…that Councilwoman Mosby as expected opposed the ban based on what she thinks her constituents in the second ward want?…that if there is one thing that we can say for Missy is that she has been the most consistent of the nine members of the City Council through this whole multiyear process?

IS IT TRUE that the most puzzling vote of the night was cast by Councilman Jonathan Weaver who cast the other NO vote?…that Councilman Weaver was elected to represent the community at large which has consistently supported a smoking ban by a 4 to 1 majority for several years now?…that Councilman Weaver may want to review who he works for as his title is Councilman at-large as opposed to Councilman at-the-bar?

IS IT TRUE that two weeks ago when this whole dust up over the January 23rd booze fest attended by six Democrat City Council members came up that the City County Observer raised the issue of such meetings violating OPEN DOOR LAWS?…that we were dismissed and scoffed at with even attorneys who should know parsing words and expressing opinions to the contrary?…that now former City Council member Wendy Bredhold has been reported to confirm that these after council meeting gatherings have been going on for a number of years?…that the Monday night gatherings of Democrats have been described as “tradition”?…that to her credit Ms. Bredhold had the good sense to realize that such gatherings do not pass the smell test and rarely attended?…that Evansville’s 3rd Ward seems to have become a consistent source of principled City Council members having elected now County Commissioner Steve Melcher, Ms. Bredhold, and current Councilwoman Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley?…that the CCO thanks the 3rd Ward for electing people who can be counted on to do what is right to the Evansville City Council?

IS IT TRUE that the whole OPEN DOOR LAW issue is quite likely to raise its ugly head on the heels of the January 23rd alcohol fueled gathering of Democrat City Council members?…that it would take incredible naiveté, denial, or an outright lie for anyone to believe that a majority of the Democrat members of the City Council could meet weekly after council meetings for a 3+ year period and not talk about the people’s business?…that there may just be a real investigation in the making to expose whatever goes on at these gatherings?…that there will be lots of egg on lots of faces and maybe even some consequences when the fallout from the January 23rd Bacchanalian BoozeFest of the Democrats has completely been made public?

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville tonight passed by a 7 – 2 vote an ordinance to adopt the comprehensive smoking ban that was adopted by the Vanderburgh County Commissioners on behalf of the people of Vanderburgh County 3 years ago?…that the only two votes against this resolution were cast by Missy Mosby and Jonathan Weaver?…that the City County Observer is proud of the City Council members who voted in favor of this resolution that is 25 years late but is finally here none the less?

IS IT TRUE that we first of all would like to recognize and thank Martha Caine and her army of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make Evansville a more attractive and healthier place to strengthen the smoking laws of the City of Evansville?…that we also thank and acknowledge the efforts of City Councilmen Dan Adams and Dan McGinn who have been on the right side of this issue from day one?…that we furthermore wish to thank and acknowledge the unwavering efforts of former City Councilwoman from the 3rd Ward Wendy Bredhold and her worth successor Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley for not letting politics or power get in the way of doing the right thing for public health?

IS IT TRUE that you can’t always get everything that is desired and the forces for public health are to be congratulated for getting Evansville to a point where there is NO LAND BASED SMOKING and only the gambling floors of Casino Aztar allow public indoor smoking?…that Evansville just became the FIRST INDIANA CITY TO GO THIS FAR and that this will pay off?…that whatever one believes in KHARMA seems to be real and today the City of Evansville has made a deposit into the GOOD KHARMA bank?

IS IT TRUE that we also thank Mayor Winnecke for his many years of advocating for a smoking ban?…that today it finally happened and that Evansville, Indiana will be a better place for it?