Evansville City Councilman H. Dan Adams released a position paper today outlining where he stands on the issues facing Evansville that are at the top of his to do list. These positions include transparency in government, public safety policy, smokefree Evansville, and our parks. His entire paper is on the link below.
Dr. H. Dan Adams Position Paper on What Evansville Needs
VHS Pet of the Week: “Mickey”
Greetings from Mickey, a 7-month-old neutered Terrier Mix. Mickey is full of life and full of energy. He is looking for an active home that has a big yard he can run and play in. Obedience classes will help him to work off some of his energy and gain some basic manners. Mickey will do great with kids over the age of 10. His energy level will probably be too much for the little ones. Mickey loves to play with all kinds of toys and will need a basket full to keep him busy in his new home. At the end of the day, a warm bed will make him quite a happy boy. For more information on how to make Mickey a part of your home, visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563.
IS IT TRUE? October 5, 2011
IS IT TRUE that we are pleased to learn that Mr. Steve Scott of City Centre Properties LLC is reported to have paid the back taxes on parcel #82-06-30-020-005.002-029 also known as the McCurdy Hotel and located at 100 SE Riverside in Evansville, IN in the amount of $12,274.76?…that this action indicates at least that City Centre has the intention to do something that must be done to secure a loan to start the construction?…that this by no means is a guarantee of anything but that it does show that CCP is not planning to just dump the building after the election?…that there is another tax bill that is due on November 10, 2011 so we are now 36 days away from the next critical milestone in the payment of taxes?…that maybe given City Centre’s habit of staying one installment behind on real estate taxes that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission should craft some language that forces the payment of the November 10th taxes before any permits can be issued?
IS IT TRUE that it was the City County Observer that first raised the issue of back taxes with the McCurdy?…that we stayed on that issue relentlessly and now the May 2011 installment has been paid?…that if there is a commission payable for bill collection as there may very well be that we would like to donate the commission that we have surely earned to the Evansville community for some beautification efforts?…that we would appreciate it very much if the Vanderburgh County Treasurers Office would send our commission check to Ann Ennis at Keep Evansville Beautiful to use at her discretion?…that in all fairness we are glad to see that the Redevelopment Commission did the right thing and took our advice of “NO TAXES, NO EXTENSIONâ€?…that we shout out GOOD JOB ERC?
IS IT TRUE that the “Protester Zombies†are hanging out in and around the Bank of America offices in Boston to call attention to the ridiculous $5 monthly FEE that B of A announced last week for using a debit card?…that while “Protester Zombies†are an annoyance and maybe even a source of free entertainment in an otherwise dull work day, it is the millions of Bank of America customers who are out in the blogosphere vowing to take their accounts elsewhere over this NIBBLING that will get their attention?…that it should also get management’s attention that the stock of Bank of America (BAC) has collapsed by a full 15% in the week since their FEE FEAST was announced?…that as Bank of America does not enjoy a government granted monopoly and that their customers are free to seek like services elsewhere that they will have to save themselves from their own usury practice?…that free markets work quickly and without mercy to correct bone headed decisions by private companies?…that while the “protester Zombies†get their faces on the nightly news it is the flight of cash that will determine the fate of Bank of America?…that their website was not hacked, it has been having difficulty for 3 months?…that it won’t even work well enough to accept a payment?…that comes from personal experience?
IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer encourages Vectren to accept the challenge that has been issued by a growing number of local officials lead by Commissioner Stephen Melcher and City Councilman John Friend to come before local governance to explain their pricing?…that this is something that each and every citizen that pays their rates should understand?…that taking elected officials into private meetings with high profile Vectren employees is not a transparent way to do business?…that one story before all while being subject to detailed accounting questions like the ones posed by 5th Ward Candidate for City Council Brent Grafton today is the right way to go for a business that enjoys the governmental protection of guaranteed rates of return?…that if a business is guaranteed a profitable business model and granted a monopoly by the government that this business should operate under the same kind of “sunshine laws†that the government itself does?
5th Ward Candidate Brent Grafton Speaks out on Vectren’s Rates, Questions Pass Through Charges
Vectren Rates
Vectren Energy is a publicly traded company that is given special consideration by our government to help guarantee a stable power supply and delivery system. In this time of increasing fees and political rhetoric, the details are being lost in the hyperbole.
Recently, when Brad Ellsworth called Dan McGinn to set up an appointment to explain Vectren’s’ rate increase, Dan invited him to come to City Council and give his presentation in front of the Council and the citizens of Evansville, their customers.
I believe that this is an effective and respectful way to give Vectren an opportunity to speak straight to their ratepayers.
If Vectren takes Dan up on this offer, I would encourage my opponent to use his training as a CPA to ask Vectren some of the following questions:
1. What percentage of our electric bill reflects depreciation expense for the capital investments that Vectren has made in becoming more “green?†And how much of that expenditure was paid to companies owned by Vectren?
2. Recently, we learned that Vectren “buys†coal from itself to sell to us. What percentage of our electric bill reflects the cost of coal that is dug out of the ground by Vectren, processed by Vectren, and burnt by Vectren to make energy to sell to Vectren’s’ customers. How does the “pass through price†that we pay for this coal relate to the open market price for comparable coal from other non-Vectren owned sources?
3. What percentage of our electric bill reflects depreciation on the capital invested in coal mines that were overbuilt to sell coal to other utilities? Did it ever occur to Vectren that other utilities were not going to buy their primary feedstock from a competitor? Are we paying for this misjudgment in our electric bills?
I believe that our residential electric rates are too high, but I also recognize that Vectren employs a large number of people in our region both as direct employees and as construction workers, many of whom belong to Unions that have endorsed my opponent. Vectren deserves the opportunity to explain their rates and explain the decisions that they have made that affect these rates.
I do not believe that is good public policy or wise for any public official to attempt to provoke an “Arab Spring†public response to any of our institutions. At this time in world history, there is way too much possibility for such a response to get out of hand, fast.
I hope that Vectren decides to attend a City Council meeting and take the opportunity to answer some of the tough questions. I also hope that someone on City Council will ask those questions.
I will not sign my opponent’s petition, but if elected, I will find a public forum to ask Vectren these kinds of questions, and I look forward to hearing their response.
2nd Ward Candidate Businessman E. Lon Walter’s Joins Vectren Petition Army
For Immediate Release on October 4, 2011
From: E. L. “Lon†Walters, Candidate for City Council 2nd Ward
(812) 305-4768
lon@lonforcouncil.com
On Sunday, October 2, 2011, I started a petition online stating as follows: We the People petition the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to reject any rate increases to Vectren until the rest of the state catches up with us on pricing.
As I stated in my jobs position paper posted in the City County Observer in June that our Vectren rates are too high, and in my Chamber of Commerce interview last month, that our local utility rates are too high when compared to the rest of the state. The rates we pay are 50% higher than anywhere else in the state and more than double what they are in neighboring areas like Henderson County. One of the big reasons Toyota located in Gibson County was because of Gibson Power. The high Vectren utility rate is a jobs killer, and is a big burden to enticing new businesses to Evansville. We need to attract new jobs to the area and the people of Evansville are suffering from the high cost of their utility bills. I believe standing up and speaking my mind to the Chamber of Commerce about the burden Vectren rates are to creating new jobs cost me their endorsement. This is a non-partisan issue and one that everyone should support for the betterment of the city of Evansville.
The online version of the petition is available at:
http://www.webpetitions.com/petition/reject-any-vectren-rate-increase-until-rest-of-the-state-catches-up-with-us-on-pricing/8489/acdab2869be5a643f5ed50e5c2bb70a0
A written version is available for anyone who wishes to sign it. I will be at the Fall Festival all week with the petition if you would like to sign it. Just look for the person in the E. L. “Lon†Walters for City Council shirt.
Downtown Today: 10/5/2011
Time 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject COUNTY COUNCIL
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 10/5/2011 until 10/5/2011 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
SANDIE @ 5791
Categories ROOM 301
Time 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Subject PARKS BOARD
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 10/5/2011 until 10/5/2011 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
GLENN BOBERG @ 6141
Categories ROOM 301
Time 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Subject EVANSVILLE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Location 307
Reminder 15 minutes
CINDY @ 5297
Categories ROOM 307
Time 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Subject HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 10/5/2011 until 10/5/2011 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Categories Must Attend, ROOM 318
West Terrace First Graders Become Engineers for the Day Thanks to a Visit from Project Lead the Way
Today, Oct. 5
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
West Terrace Elementary School, 8000 West Terrace Dr.
Today, first graders at West Terrace Elementary School will become engineers for the day with the help of Andrea Groslin, chief operating officer for Project Lead the Way. Groslin will be at the school from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today leading activities for students to introduce them to engineering.
Not only will students learn what kinds of things engineers do and the different types, students will work in groups to design a rocket out of common materials and safely launch their astronaut, which in this case is a fragile egg, up in the air.
By participating in the lesson, students will experience the principles of design – trial and error – and learn what it takes to make an idea a success. School officials also hope to increase the young students’ interests in engineering and engineering-related projects.
State Representative Gail Riecken’s Latest Vectren Related Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS —— Outraged by yet another rate hike request from Vectren, State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) will press the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to proceed with a public hearing in Vanderburgh County to give residents a full opportunity to register their concerns.
“Today we get the latest word about the unchecked greed demonstrated by Vectren: another dollar a month from local families to pay for construction costs at its Posey County plant,†Riecken said.
“Like a spoiled child, this company shows no shame in its behavior,†she continued. “It’s certainly apparent that Vectren is not content with simply charging the highest electric rates in the state for residential customers. It must go back month after month and ask for residents to pay for more and more and more.
“I know that the current administration and its appointees at the IURC have been fond of enabling this kind of behavior, but it is far past time to stage an intervention and teach Vectren that it has to live within its means, just like the rest of us,†Riecken said.
The legislator said she has received assurances from IURC Chairman James Atterholt that the commission will come to the Evansville area to give residents a chance to speak about the problems they have encountered in paying their utility bills.
“We need to have a public forum to shed some light on the utility’s broad-based arrogance in customer relations, concerns that stretch beyond unchecked rate increases to include Vectren having a generally poor attitude toward anyone who might have a legitimate problem with service,†Riecken said.
“With this recent news, I have to think that there is an added urgency toward scheduling some type of hearing in the very near future,†she noted.
“I believe that most folks are unaware of their rights as ratepayers,†Riecken said. “They often feel that they have no place to turn when they have reached an impasse with the utility. In fact, they may have more rights than they believe. All they need is someone to explain what can be done on their behalf.â€
A public hearing would give IURC staff a chance to listen to grievances and provide a clear and a precise definition of the steps they can take to file a complaint, Riecken stated.
“I believe the value of a public hearing in Vanderburgh County that focuses on these issues is important simply because many people do not have the time to drive to Indianapolis to testify at IURC hearings,†she said. “A lot of residents I talk to feel the hearing process is weighted toward the company, and local appearances will give them a better chance to make their feelings known.
“The fact that Vectren is choosing to raid the wallets of taxpayers for the umpteenth time only makes this local hearing a greater necessity, and I will work with the IURC to get it on the calendar as soon as we possibly can,†Riecken concluded.
“Occupy Evansville” Planning “Zombie Walk” for Evansville on Saturday
A previously unheard of organization calling itself “Occupy Evansville” has announced a “Zombie Walk” similar to the daily protesters in New York City and in cities that have branches of the Federal Reserve Bank.
The group is organizing this event for Sunday October 16, 2011 at 1:00 pm at 1 Vectren Square. The group that seems to be new has the following message on their website. A link is below.
WE are not Left.
WE are not Right.
WE are the 99%.
and WE will prevail!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Evansville/167860976631515?sk=info
IS IT TRUE? October 4, 2011: Vectren’s Persuasion Campaign Begins
IS IT TRUE? October 4, 2011
IS IT TRUE that the latest Evansville City Council members and candidates to pledge support for Budget Committee Chairman John Friend’s petition to force all Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission meeting regarding Evansville to be held in Evansville and to freeze Vectren’s rates at the current level until all of our closest neighbors rates have caught up with ours are City Councilwoman Connie Robinson (D), 6th Ward Candidate Al Lindsey (D), and 2nd Ward Candidate Lon Walters (R)?…that in spite of calls for one-on-one meetings with Vectren officials these elected officials and candidates for office have committed to join Vanderburgh County Commissioner Stephen Melcher and District #75 State Representative Gail Riecken in supporting Councilman Friend’s petition?
IS IT TRUE that Mole #3 tell us that some members of the Evansville City Council have been called personally by Vectren employee and former Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth to be discouraged from signing or supporting Councilman Friend’s petition?…that Mr. Ellsworth is also a former member of the United States Congress having served 2 terms representing the people of Indiana’s 8th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives?…that now Mr. Ellsworth clearly represents his employer, Vectren Corporation?
IS IT TRUE that all of the members of the Evansville City Council and candidates for City Council seats are being asked to meet individually with Vectren PR people to be counseled on Vectren’s position on why the rates are triple what they are in Henderson and how the people of Evansville are better off for paying this premium?…that some members and candidates are accepting these appointments and others are not?…that Councilwoman Robinson and Councilman Friend in particular prefer not to meet one-on-one with Vectren but prefer that Vectren should come before the Evansville City Council to make their case before a live TV audience and what will surely be a packed house?
IS IT TRUE that all of the elected officials, economic development leaders, and community leaders who spoke in favor of “letting the people†decide the fate of the consolidation proposal had better take a long look in the mirror before they decide not to support a petition that while having no legal means can certainly raise the awareness level of the people of Evansville?…that to support the right of the people to vote on consolidation but blunt the efforts of some elected officials to give the people of Evansville a voice through this petition is hypocrisy?
IS IT TRUE that if Vectren is so certain that they are correct in their assertions that all of our neighbors will catch up in pricing and that they are fully compliant with EPA regulations then Vectren should have no fear of taking their campaign to the people either?…that we will be very interested to see if Vectren employee Brad Ellsworth who is a former US Congressman will be making an endorsement of any local candidates for office?