IS IT TRUE that last night’s meeting of the Evansville City Council devolved into a lame duck spending approval festival of what may be epic proportion?…that one spending proposal after another was put up by Tom Barnett the Director of Metropolitan Development for projects of all sizes?…that there was a $100,000 deal for Mike Martin to do a refurbishment on the Euclid Apartments, a $250,000 deal to do roof work at the Old Post Office, mention of another $1 Million that ”may” be required at the Old Post Office if a certain but unnamed “federal” tenant decides to come in?…that the $1 Million could come from the Evansville Redevelopment Commission but the City Council has to approve it so “CHOP CHOP” let’s get this all authorized before power is transferred to the Winnecke Administration and hopefully someone will be watching the cash register?

IS IT TRUE that the there were three members of the City Council, namely Councilmen John and Watts along with Councilwoman Mosby that took turns making the motion, seconding it, and calling for votes faster that anyone could possibly write?…that countless spending and refinancing resolutions were jammed through along with a liquor license and a name change for a street with military precision?…that it all flew right through with 8 – 0 approvals?…that Councilman John Friend, CPA who often asks the tough financial question was across the street WHERE THE REST OF THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE BEEN at the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission was having a hearing about a Vectren fee increase?…that it really seemed as though the rule of the night was spend it all now while oversight is across the street and four weeks before we are out of power was how last night was?…that it will be interesting to get a copy of the minutes and add up just how much last minute spending was jammed through?

IS IT TRUE that if these guys want to hurry up and do something productive that the CCO suggests that they do some last minute clean up of the RUBBLE PILE at 600 E. Franklin that is still both an eyesore and a health hazard?…that would take work and has little opportunity for crony deals so it falls under the category of something that can be left for the Winnecke Administration?

IS IT TRUE that as consolidation is a hot local topic of the next year that it merits looking at what is going on in the European Union right now?…that there is legitimate concern that the currency known as the Euro could come under serious pressure?…that there are serious discussions going on with respect to consolidation of the finances of the European Union for the purpose of saving the currency, stabilizing the debt markets, and bailing out the most egregious offenders (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and maybe others) of time honored financial management?…that what is going on in Europe right now is an example of the strong and responsible bailing out the weak and irresponsible with little of no consequence for the irresponsible?…that is not all that different than what is being contemplated right here in Evansville and Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE that another example of what can happen when the federal government steps into the business world is playing itself out with President Obama’s favorite car, the Chevy Volt?…that sales are slower than expected and that there are allegedly problems with the battery packs?…that expecting people to pony up for a $40,000 car that only has commuting range during a recession is not a wise business decision?…that prematurely releasing a vehicle that develops battery problems that could have been tested for also reeks of government in the boardroom syndrome?

IS IT TRUE that last night in spite of being the nastiest day of fall so far that an estimated 300 people fought the elements to attend the IURC meeting regarding the Vectren hearing on its proposed dense pack technology?…that about 50 of the attendees were members of the media or elected officials but the rest were just regular ratepayers?…that even though the hearing was about dense pack technology that the mood of the gallery was more about rates and Vectren bills and thus the comments were about bills more so than the dense pack technology?…that series of elected officials that included Mayor Elect Lloyd Winnecke, State Representative Ron Bacon, and State Representative Susanne Crouch spoke appreciably to the Commissioners of the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission for coming to Evansville and stated little or nothing about dense pack or excessive rates?…that this may just turn out to be an opportunity lost for these three officials to state a case for their constituents regarding Vectren’s highest in the state electric bills?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville City Councilman John Friend, CPA came out swinging and presented his petition to the IURC that specifically requests that no rate increases be granted until all of the surrounding counties catch up to Vectren’s rates as Vectren has repeatedly stated that they would?…that Councilman Friend discussed premature implementation of EPA guidelines and how they affect people and businesses along with an idea to equalize rates by spreading the Vectren EPA improvements over a larger area?…that State Representative Gail Riecken a long time thorn in Vectren’s side also spoke with more depth than just fawning over the Commissioners of the IURC for coming to the Pocket City?

IS IT TRUE that when the people of Evansville started streaming to the microphone that the pain of having the highest rates in the State of Indiana and bills that triple what Henderson’s are was given a personal touch?…that from ex Vectren employees, people on fixed incomes, to people with decent jobs the stories were all the same?…that the testimonies of people who do not pay rent or forgo meals to pay the Vectren bill were out in force?…that these people were well aware that their bills of $500 would only be $160 in Henderson because many of them have lived there or have relatives that live there?…that many long time residents were openly speaking of moving across the money saving bridge?…that Representative Riecken quoted a study that the 3rd most stated reason for people here losing their homes is the utility bills?

IS IT TRUE that seeing this makes one understand just how inconsequential the $1.08 per month for the dense pack is but drives home the seriousness of being a poor city with some of the highest utility rates in the nation?…that the average family in Evansville works about 10 hours per month per worker to pay Vectren but in other high cost areas with similar rates the bills only consume 2 or 3 hours of pay per month?…that the real problem in Evansville from both a lifestyle and business perspective is dealing with these excessive rates?…that one senior citizen on a fixed income flat out said that he does not have 36 years to pay this off?…that he probably doesn’t?

IS IT TRUE that one speaker called on the IURC to have all future hearings regarding Vectren in Evansville where the people are the most sensitive?…that the CCO agrees that this is the best course of action and is looking forward to seeing this serious issue play itself out?

IS IT TRUE? November 28, 2011 Part 2

IS IT TRUE that tonight night, November 28, 2011 there will be a hearing of the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission at THE CENTRE beginning at 5:30?…that the topic of discussion is the proposed “dense pack” project and the way that Vectren is proposing to finance it?…that this meeting is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and that the PUBLIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK?…that those who complain that the IURC is a rubber stamp group that never comes to Evansville and won’t listen to regular people need to make a point to be at this meeting?…that this is an opportunity to start an education process between the IURC, Vectren, and the people of Evansville that should have started many years ago?…that this is a repeat but we know it as it seems as though people need at least 5 reminders to commit anything to memory?

IS IT TRUE that in a poll that the CCO is running right now that a full 63% of the voters are predicting that less than 100 people will show up at tonight’s meeting?…that is a sad state of affairs if this turns out to be the truth?…that to have less than 100 people show up to such a meeting that affects 141,000 households will send a strong message to Vectren and the IURC that he people of greater Evansville do not care enough to get off of their butts and show up to a meeting that many of us have fought hard to make happen?…that the CCO encourages all of our readers, our elected officials, our appointed officials, and our incoming elected officials to do the right thing and show up at this meeting?…that if you don’t that the 99.9% who choose to stay home shall be the subject of tomorrow morning’s IS IT TRUE?…that if you can’t attend please write a letter to the IURC explaining your position?

IS IT TRUE that in what is one of the more perfect quotes of the day regarding legislation under consideration to regulate the internet and particularly internet commerce, L. Gordon Crovitz said “Washington regulating the internet is akin to a gorilla playing a Stradivarius”?…that is one of the best descriptions possible for politicians who just can’t resist tampering with something that they know absolutely nothing about?…that it also make about as much sense as asking you typical great grandparent about how to best use Twitter for marketing purposes?

IS IT TRUE that the legislation under consideration would make it the responsibility of a website like Facebook, the Courier and Press MyTurn, or even the CCO comment section responsible for any comment that any random user may post?…that the rule today simply says that if something that violates Copyright laws is posted that we have to take it down upon the filing of a complaint and that is all there is too it?…that some Hollywood types would like to see the Digital Millennium Copyright Act amended or abolished so that the owner of the website that it is posted on is legally liable for financial damages if a third party puts a bit of digital graffiti up that violates a Copyright?…that would mean if some stranger posted a link to a song or video that the website it was posted on could be liable for damages?…that this would put an immediate end to a medium that is growing and creating wealth at a time when nearly everything else is flat on its back?…that we encourage our elected officials in Congress to resist the urge to regulate that which they cannot understand?

IS IT TRUE that tonight, November 28, 2011 there will be a hearing of the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission at THE CENTRE beginning at 5:30?…that the topic of discussion is the proposed “dense pack” project and the way that Vectren is proposing to finance it?…that this meeting is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and that the PUBLIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK?…that those who complain that the IURC is a rubber stamp group that never comes to Evansville and won’t listen to regular people need to make a point to be at this meeting?…that this is an opportunity to start an education process between the IURC, Vectren, and the people of Evansville that should have started many years ago?…that this is a repeat but we know it as it seems as though people need at least 5 reminders to commit anything to memory?

IS IT TRUE the City County Observer checked the Assessor’s website today and that that the McCurdy Hotel owned by City Centre Properties LLC of Carmel, IN has officially been declared to be delinquent on their tax bill?… that City Centre Properties that owns tract #82-06-30-020-005.002-029, aka the McCurdy Hotel has failed to pay their Fall 2011 installment of their real estate taxes?…that the tax bill on that property that was due last week was $10,268.66 but has now a penalty of 5% is now $10,782.69?…that if they don’t pay this by December 10th they will be popped with another 5% penalty?…that the choice not to pay this tax bill serves as an early indicator that City Center Properties LLC either does not have the means or intention to move forward with this project without public money handed to them to do so?…that it is now a high probability that these taxes will not be paid by the time that the current 30 day extension expires on November 30th?…that all we can say is “here we go again” on the McCurdy Hotel project?

IS IT TRUE that the CCO is glad to see and hear that the Courier and WIKY have actually chosen to jump on this bandwagon and help out with informing the people of Evansville just how poorly their hard earned tax money is being managed?…that by choosing not to pay these real estate taxes but never failing to contribute to the “Weinzapfel for Something” campaign that City Centre Properties LLC is basically giving one big middle finger to the ERC and the people of Evansville?…that we wonder if there will ever be any negative consequence associated with these blatantly non-compliant actions?

IS IT TRUE that there are only 2 more meetings this year of the ERC and that means that there will only be 2 more meetings ever with the Weinzapfel Administration pulling the strings?…that the next scheduled meeting is for December 6, 2011 and that McCurdyGate will have played itself out for the 4th time by then?…that the best course of action for the ERC would be to schedule a special meeting on December 1, 2011 to put a fork in this turkey if the taxes are not paid and the financing is not secured in writing with dates, numbers, and names?…that once again the failure to VET has bitten Evansville on the backside and this kind of oversight has to be ceased?…that every day that the ERC and the Weinzapfel Administration let this fiasco continue is a day that a qualified developer cannot come forward?

IS IT TRUE that the CCO has been made aware that there was at one time an interested party (local) in turning the McCurdy back into a classic hotel as it should be?…that if City Centre Properties LLC fails again to get that last signature that has been needed for 18 months that it is time to start legally unwinding this deal and for the Weinzapfel Administration to eat the losses, absorb the humiliation and enjoy a big Christmas Crow for many meals?…that there are only so many times that a can should be kicked down the road without looking as effective as the STUPOR COMMITTEE?