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Enrollment record at USI

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University of Southern Indiana set a new enrollment record when fall 2011 course registration closed on Friday, August 26. The University has 10,820 students enrolled for the 2011-2012 academic year, up from the previous record, 10,702, set last year.

“The number of new undergraduate students on campus reached 2,807, the highest since 2005 when 2,811 new students enrolled,” said Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, provost.

The majority of students, 5,145, continue to come from Vanderburgh and contiguous counties, along with 1,302 students from nearby counties. This year the number of students from central and northern Indiana counties increased to 2,825 students. Students also come from 43 other states and 60 other countries.

“We are at capacity in campus housing,” Rochon said. USI serves 3,000 students in apartments and residence halls on the campus.

The student census shows that women represent nearly 61 percent of the students and 75 percent of students are under 25 years of age. Those over 25 years of age increased by 90 students

Minority and international students represent more than 10 percent of the student population. “One of the goals of the University′s strategic plan is to increase diversity among students, faculty, and staff,” Rochon said. “We continue to work to grow in that area. USI views a diverse student population as an important educational resource that enhances learning and academic development plus helps strengthen our commitment to multiculturalism.”

The numbers indicate undergraduate students remain at USI for their education. The junior-level students′ total is 1,970 and the seniors number 2,376. Of the enrollment total, 941 students are pursuing graduate studies.

“USI is becoming more selective of the students it accepts, and the credentials for the Class of 2015 are good.” Rochon said. “It shows in the high academic profile and service records of the new students. While many of the new students are top performers in high school and community college, we review, with an holistic approach, community service and leadership skills as we evaluate applications for admission.”

Another notable statistic for the Class of 2015: 14 sets of twins are among the new students.

Classes for the fall semester began August 22 and will continue through early December.

Downtown Today: 8/29/2011

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Time 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject COMMERCIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs every Monday effective 8/1/2011 until 8/29/2011 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
KATHIE HOLLEY @ 5228
Categories ROOM 318

Time 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Subject EPD HRG
Location 307
Reminder 15 minutes
The meeting starts at 6 and should last no longer that 8.

Rick Hubbard
Categories ROOM 307

Mergers Do Not Always Save Money

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The WSJ has published an analysis that concludes that political expediency often results in causing mergers to result in increased spending as opposed to taking advantage of economies of scale. The reason of course could easily be interpreted as consolidation committees like our local one deferring the examination of “sacred cows” far into the future.

Excerpts:

“But a number of studies—and evidence from past consolidations—suggest such mergers rarely save money, and in many cases, they end up raising costs.”

“the consolidated city finds it politically expedient to take on the more-expensive version of everything.”

“The logic often cited behind consolidations is saving money by shedding layers of management or having departments share equipment such as snowplows. But managers and equipment account for far less than half of local governments’ expenses—most of their cost is rank-and-file labor.”

“Still, when it comes to controlling local government’s largest cost—labor—smaller governments generally do better.”

“In government, the whole idea of economies of scale is turned on its head,” said Wendell Cox, who produced the report for Township Officials of Illinois, an umbrella group for the state’s townships.”

“But Mr. Cox, the consultant, and a visiting fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, has prepared reports for township organizations in other states, including New York and Pennsylvania, that all found small governments cost less than big ones. “Anyone who looks at the data is going to come to the same conclusion,” he said.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904875404576532342236074926.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_news

IS IT TRUE: August 29, 2011

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE: August 29, 2011

IS IT TRUE that we are cautiously relieved about how the hurricane was handled as it made its way up the Atlantic coast?…that it seems as though the advanced planning and warnings along with evacuations were handled about as good as they could have been?…that the Mayor of New York City, Mr. Michael Bloomberg did a particularly masterful job of constant communication as did New Jersey Governor Chris Christie?…that Mayor Bloomberg was particularly animated when speaking about the two idiots who paddled out into the New York harbor in kayaks?…that these fools of course capsized and were saved by a first responder boat that risked their own lives to save these fools bacon?…that both of these idiots were cited legally for their kayak ride?

IS IT TRUE that the east coast and parts near are not out of the woods yet?…that there is a dam in New York state that is weakened and is teetering on breach?…that this takes our memory back to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina where the breach of a levy started that whole mess that made our country look inadequate in responding to a natural disaster?…that with up to date and adequate infrastructure that the aftermath of Katrina would have been much less disastrous?…that if this dam in New York breaks even though it is in a lightly populated area that it could have some rather nasty repercussions?…that it seems as though the entire nation including Evansville is inadequate when it comes to maintenance of infrastructure or even parks?…that the same mentality that smiles and bobs its head approvingly at the prospect of spending $18 Million on 8 ballfields when the other 50+ ballfields are not even being mowed is pretty much a throwaway mentality?…that such ways of doing business do not work in Evansville nor do they work anywhere else?

IS IT TRUE that yesterday’s IS IT TRUE regarding the question of what is a “Mainstream Democrat” got us quite a few responses?…that it is pretty universal among the readers of the City County Observer that the one thing that Evansville “Mainstream Democrats” really do not have a grasp of is what a “Mainstream Democrat” is?…that there are plenty of registered democrats in Evansville and its surrounding cities that would be classified as RIGHT WING REPUBLICANS if they were given a questionnaire?…that the old saying of “to thine own self be true”, doesn’t seem to be followed within local “Mainstream Democrats”?

IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation (meaning more than 5 moles) is telling us that some devout “Mainstream Democrats” are planning a fund raising event for the Republican candidate for Mayor of Evansville?…that we wonder if this event if it is actually held will be sanctioned by or attended by any of Evansville’s “Mainstream Republicans”?…that this place gets more interesting every day?

IS IT TRUE that crossing party lines is a healthy exercise in the electoral process?…that rather than “Mainstream Anything” what this city, state and nation really needs are people who think before they vote and have the capacity to make decisions based on something more than sound bites and appealing physical features?…that for once the City County Observer hopes that the Evansville City Council will have balance and cognitive thinking ability so that our next mayor is made better by the City Council as opposed to just telling them what to do?

Gibson Guitar Factory Raided by Federal Marshalls

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Is it even possible to manufacture anything in the United States anymore? Gibson Guitars are an American classic that has two factories in Tennessee. They moved to Tennessee from Michigan years ago. Feds allege that Indian business needs to do more work before sending the material to America for finishing. Who are the feds working for anyway?

IS IT TRUE: PART 2 August 28, 2011 “A Brick has an IQ of ZERO”

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IS IT TRUE: PART 2 August 28, 2011 “A Brick has an IQ of ZERO”

IS IT TRUE that the team of professionals lead by Mr. Mike Alley that took on the Herculean task of trying to rescue Integra Bank should be thanked and admired for their efforts even though Integra ultimately was taken over by the FDIC?…that this team could have taken the path of least resistance as humans routinely do and just found other jobs or even gone to the beach 2 years ago when this challenge crossed their paths?…that taking the easy road and never taking risks are par for the course in the Midwest and are among the biggest contributors to brain drain, shrinking population, and abandoned neighborhoods?…that for taking on this task, disrupting their own lives to pursue a noble but difficult effort, and for sticking it out until the end that the City County Observer salutes this fine group of professionals and wishes them well in the future?…that we hope their future is right here in Evansville as the value added and lessons learned from the Integra experience may have made them one of the best teams to handle future financial calamities available?…that one only improves by taking on the difficult or impossible task as opposed to sitting comfortably at the helm of a ship in a safe harbor?

IS IT TRUE that it seems as though that Evansville and every village in driving distance has been opening new and beautiful centers that are dedicated to entrepreneurship and training?…that has been over $100 Million invested in bricks, steel, and mortar over the last several years in hopes that these carefully placed inanimate objects will somehow become the catalyst through which economic transformation will occur?…that bricks, mortar, steel, wood, and other things like that have never ever transformed anything?…that once upon a time in Arizona a city called Lake Havasu they reconstructed the London Bridge in the desert in hopes of becoming a tourist attraction?…that they even built English Pubs and invested in places that sold fish and chips?..that Havasu City after all of these years is still not London and that it was the lake that attracted visitors before the London Bridge and after the London Bridge?…that on my last visit the Pub was closed and the fish and chips place was selling snow cones but the lake was still beautiful and the wave runners were still great fun?…that the stones of London Bridge were a flash in the pan?

IS IT TRUE that there are places in America that are consistently churning out entrepreneurs and the companies that they found that transform places and the way that we live?…that most (no all) of these places have active and vital sources of venture capital?…that all of these places have atmospheres that encourage risk taking and even reward failure when that failure was from taking on a monumental task?…that most entrepreneurial success in such places always seems to start in a garage or a dorm room as Apple, HP, Dell, Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn all did?…that each and every entrepreneurial business that has transformed the way people live has been about the spirit of the dreams of these entrepreneurs and their willingness and ability to “go for it”?…that the vital ingredients to such success are not bricks, mortar, or even a cool décor?…that critical business infrastructure like internet speed, availability of professional talent, access to capital, and a desirable lifestyle are what matters?…that all bricks have the same IQ and that is zero?

IS IT TRUE that one can reproduce Harvard University brick by brick and stone by stone on the banks of the Ohio River and it will do absolutely nothing unless the people, the intellectual curiosity, and the atmosphere can be reproduced?…that unless the professors, the staff, the “je ne sais quoi”, and the students that make Harvard what it is can be attracted that the bricks and stones will do nothing but look pretty and grow moss?…that bricks and stones are more expensive than talent?…that one can only wonder what could happen in a place like Evansville if several hundred million dollars were committed to doing what really matters in the economic transformational process?

IS IT TRUE: August 28, 2011

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE: August 29, 2011

IS IT TRUE that those persons who wish to attend this political action committee fundraiser are asked to respond directly to Lauren Jones, the wife of City ofthe Evansville City Attorney, at the Jones law firm? …that the City Attorney’s law firm has received rental income from the City of Evansville for the last 7 plus years? IS IT TRUE that none of the funds raised by this political event to be held on September 8th will go to Democratic Mayoral candidate Rick Davis’campaign? …we are interested for Mr. Jones to give us a legal opinion on what constitutes one being considered a “Mainstream Democrat”?

IS IT TRUE if Rick Davis is elected Mayor of Evansville, attorney David Jones’ days of doing legal work for the City of Evansville will be over? …that Mr. David Jones’ newly organized political group (“Main Stream Democrats”) will prove to be a major boost to the Davis for Mayor campaign because the majority of City employees, Fire Fighters and Police officers hold the City of Evansville Attorney in low regard?

IS IT TRUE that a real true to life liberal “Mainstream Democrat” is Pro Choice?… a real true to life liberal “Mainstream Democrat” would never pass up an opportunity to enact a comprehensive smoking ban?…a real true to life liberal “Mainstream Democrat” supports expanding the powers of government?… a real true to life liberal “Mainstream Democrat” is on board with the redistribution of wealth and earnings?… a real true to life liberal “Mainstream Democrat” would even consider holding closed door meetings to concoct schemes to subvert the will of the people?… a real true to life liberal “Mainstream Democrat” would never use SNEGAL but clever tactics to circumvent the referendum process for a massive public spending project?…that this list could take up the whole column?

IS IT TRUE that given the voting record and stated positions on national issues of the supposed “Mainstream Democrats” that this fundraiser is referring to, that we wonder if the organizers of this event would recognize a real “Mainstream Democrat” if one was sitting in their living room?…that while Evansville has been “RULED” by people who are members of the Democratic Party for nearly all of the last 60 years, it is obvious by examining the ideological tenants of the National Democratic Party that the registered Democrats that have “RULED” Evansville have not really embraced the ideology of the Democratic Party at all?

IS IT TRUE that in the context of this fundraiser that the term “Mainstream Democrat” simply means registered Democrats running for office who are loyal to the Weinzapfel administration.

IS IT TRUE the all eyes of the alleged “non-stream” Democrats are on 1st Ward City Councilmen Dan McGinn’s call for Mr. Jones to make public all the monies he and his Associates have receive from all sources for doing legal work for the City of Evansville this year and last year? …that Councilman McGinn has asked the City Controller provide him with this information for almost a year now? …that we hear Councilman McGinn will be meeting with the Evansville City Controller this week to get answers on his questions about the total legal income Mr. Jones and his Associates have received from City controlled boards, insurance liabilities fund, par-legal expenses for work done for the City of Evansville “Housing Court”, water and Sewer funds, etc.? …we hope that Councilman McGinn will keep his word by making public all the legal expense information with respect to Mr. Jones and his Associates on behalf of the City of Evansville for 2010 and 2011?

Click on Invitation to Enlarge and see just who the so called “mainstream democrats” are.

IS IT TRUE: Part 2 August 27, 2011

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McCurdy
IS IT TRUE: Part 2 August 27, 2011

IS IT TRUE that Mole #7 tells us that VenuWorks has hired a relative of University of Evansville athletic director John Stanley?…that this relative will be relocating back to Evansville from Florida to work for VenuWorks?…that attracting an educated professional to Evansville is a good thing but that VenuWorks hiring a relative of one of their biggest tenants makes one go hmmmmm?…that we wish this person good fortune and success but wish that there were less things happening with nearly everything the City of Evansville touches that make one go hmmmmm?

IS IT TRUE sometime in September the Evansville Redevelopment Commission will have to start coming to grips with the reality of the financial situation with the McCurdy Hotel?…that the contract between the ERC and Centre City Properties is not extended nor has it been rescinded?…that some would describe the state of the agreement, the ERC, and CCP as in “limbo” or parked in purgatory?…that sooner or later push will come to shove and a decision will need to be made?…that the meltdown scenario that could be accelerated by rescinding the agreement will not be pretty?…that we bet this can will be kicked down the road perpetually unless of course Centre City Properties decides to just punt?

IS IT TRUE that the meltdown scenario at the McCurdy is one in which the financing to proceed with all of the refurbishment work is never secured and that CCP decides to hand the keys to the property over to the first mortgage holder 5th 3rd Bank?…that banks in general do not wish to own real estate?…that in such an event that 5th 3rd will most likely liquidate the McCurdy Hotel for whatever the market will bear?…that unless the market would bear an amount that has net proceeds in excess of $1,663,862 that the City of Evansville will lose all of their investment of $1,403,000 and will not have anything at all to show for it?…that this scenario is a driving factor in not wanting to rescind the agreement with CCP as was done with Woodruff Hospitality LLC when they were unable to find financing in a timely manner?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,581 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 1,434 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 in a short 71 days we will all know whether it will be Lloyd Winnecke or Rick Davis who will become the Mayor that will assume responsibility for executing the decisions that are playing out right now?…that that there are 124 days remaining in the Weinzapfel Administration?

IS IT TRUE that there are now 428 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?

How Baltimore is Killing Itself with Poor Public Policy

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Steve Hanke and Stephen J. K. Walters have taken a look into what factors have lead the City of Baltimore into a 60 year period of population decline and economic stagnation. There are lessons to be learned right here in Evansville from the failures in Baltimore. Quite frankly with only a few exceptions we share Baltimore’s policies and fate. Perhaps both Baltimore and Evansville could use a lesson in doing things better.

Excerpts:

“The city’s main streets will be closed so that IndyCar racers can compete in the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. Much more than prize money is at stake. Nine days later, on Sept. 13, voters will pick a mayor, and incumbent Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is betting that the auto race will draw thousands of free-spending tourists and stimulate the local economy, thereby demonstrating her vision and competence. In fact, it will be an economic dud, a money-loser even for its promoters, and a logistical nightmare for residents. The race exemplifies the city’s development strategy: Subsidize big downtown projects with other people’s money—in this case, over $6 million in federal stimulus funds for the two-mile race course—and proclaim an urban renaissance.”

“Away from the waterfront, this strategy’s failure is apparent. The city has lost 30,000 residents and 53,000 jobs since 2000, marking the sixth consecutive decade of population and employment exodus. About 47,000 abandoned houses crumble while residents suffer a homicide rate higher than any large city except Detroit. The poverty rate is 50% above the national average.”

“To attract what little investment Baltimore has in recent decades, public officials awarded subsidies to big developers to offset the difference between the city’s confiscatory tax rate and that of nearby counties. But developers have to “pay to play,” which assures a reliable flow of campaign contributions to sitting officials—and invites corruption. Indeed, Ms. Rawlings-Blake took office only 18 months ago, after the previous mayor resigned as part of a plea bargain to resolve a scandal involving her allegedly accepting gifts from a developer seeking subsidies.”

“In modern Baltimore, the machine has exploited class divisions, not ethnic ones. Officials raised property taxes 21 times between 1950 and 1985, channeling the proceeds to favored voting blocs and causing many homeowners and entrepreneurs—disproportionately Republicans—to flee. It was brilliant politics, as Democrats now enjoy an eight-to-one voter registration advantage and no Republican has been elected mayor in 48 years.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903480904576510794280560566.html?KEYWORDS=baltimore

“Brain Drain” still a concern to Hoosiers

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August 26, 2011

News Release

Indianapolis, Ind. —Indiana business confidence has fallen to 62 percent, steadily declining over the past two studies from a high of 67 in February, according to the Business Confidence Index. The BCI is a measure of the overall confidence Indiana business leaders and employees have in their company’s opportunity for growth and success in the coming 12 months.

“There is too much uncertainty at the national level right now for executives to feel truly confident in where things are headed,” said Gerry Dick, president of Grow INdiana Media Ventures LLC and host of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick. “Until things begin to stabilize, I am concerned the BCI will stay at this level or even drop in the future.”

The INdiana Business Council’s latest study on work force measured how Hoosiers feel about their jobs and companies. Nearly 1,400 members of the statewide, online panel responded to the survey. Results include:

• Two-thirds of the Council are considered “truly loyal“ to their companies, meaning they plan to remain and have a positive attitude about the organization.

• The “brain drain” also surfaced as an issue with Council members. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) agreed top talent leaving Indiana is a problem. Less than one-third were positive when asked if the state is doing a good job of keeping recent college graduates.

• Thirty percent of those surveyed cite “not being a good fit” with the company as the reason why they left their previous job; 24 percent say it was a conflict with their supervisor.

To receive more information on the study or to apply to participate on the council, visit www.INdianaBusinessCouncil.com.

The INdiana Business Council is an online panel of approximately 4,000 Indiana business professionals that are surveyed on important business and economic issues throughout the year. Feedback from the panel is analyzed, interpreted and published by Walker and Inside INdiana Business. The INdiana Business Council is a partnership between Inside INdiana Business and Indianapolis-based Walker.

About Inside INdiana Business
More people get their Indiana business news from Inside INdiana Business than from any other source. With a fully-integrated portfolio of television, radio, Internet and permission-based email products, Inside INdiana Business is trusted by an educated and affluent audience around Indiana and the globe. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Inside INdiana Business’ platform of daily business news products can be watched, heard and read in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois (including Chicagoland), Ohio and Kentucky as well as business centers worldwide.

About Walker
Walker Information, Inc. is a privately held consulting firm specializing in customer loyalty and related customer strategies, including innovative approaches to accelerate growth and increase profitability. Helping businesses for 70 years, the firm provides tailored, comprehensive solutions to help companies obtain, segment, value, retain, and grow customers. Walker works with some of the world’s most influential businesses as well as emerging organizations of all sizes. For more information, please visit www.walkerinfo.com.

Source: Inside INdiana Business