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IS IT TRUE? October 5, 2011 Special Evening Edition

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IS IT TRUE? October 5, 2011 Special Evening Edition

IS IT TRUE that the weather with week is about as perfect as any fall week on record?…that we could not have dialed up a better forecast for the Fall Festival and that we encourage all of you who are inclined to eat the adventurous fare offered at this West Franklin Street classic to head on over and spend your $20 bucks because there will never be a better day or night than this one to go?…that today may be equaled and that may happen tomorrow but it shall never be exceeded?

IS IT TRUE that our federal government and some economists are in a frenzy because American businesses have amassed over $2 Trillion in cash that they are not investing?…that investing this money would create the much needed jobs that the elected parrots keep squawking about?…that the reason that the $2 Trillion is staying on the sideline is because the owners of these businesses are not able to find investment opportunities that are worth investing in?…that one of the worst things that a CEO can ever do is to under-invest and be left sitting in the dust by a competitor with more nerve and better intelligence?…that this money will only be invested when the people who control this money have the expectation of profit from any investments?…that the uncertainty associated with taxes, regulations, overzealous redistribution schemes, and the inability of our government to make much of anything happen is what is causing this money to be parked and inactive?…that business will only wait so long to invest this money and if the USA is not deemed worthy to invest in the money will leave the country?…that if you don’t believe that ask Mr. Jeff Immelt, the CEO of GE how much he is putting into China?…that if you don’t believe that you should ask the CEO of Boeing what he thinks of the shabby way our Justice Department is treating him for investing in South Carolina?

IS IT TRUE that the Ford Motor Company that did not take any bailout money is now rewarding its workers with a $6,000 bonus?…that we applaud both Ford and the workforce of Ford for weathering this economic storm without panhandling for government money?…that if it were General Motors or Chrysler handing out bonuses that the CCO and many other publishers would be crying foul as loud as we could?…that when the stock of GM triples from its current level that the US Government can be said to have broken even?…that until that happens there should be no bonuses for anyone working there?

IS IT TRUE that the musical voice of Monday Night Football ole Bocephus let his mouth overload his backside on camera last week?…that what we all should know by now is that to compare Hitler to anyone at all and especially the President of the United States really evokes a negative emotional response?…that ole Bocephus is an emotion driven character himself and realizes the error of his ways?…that he has apologized and should know better than to do it again and that we hope to hear his familiar voice asking us “Are You Ready for Some Football” next week?…that Michael Moore never was called out or penalized for wagging his finger and shaming President Bush and he didn’t apologize either?…that in the spirit of equality we say to wash their mouths out with soap and let them continue to entertain their audiences without political tampering with their products?

IS IT TRUE that more than one Mole has now told us that there are some efforts to shove big ticket projects through the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau and that some of the new board members are having their arms twisted to go along with these projects?…that we encourage these board members to think deliberatively and to resist whatever coercion that may be coming from people who will be out of power 87 days from now?

David Bowie: Changes, a song for these times

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Dr. H. Dan Adams Position Paper on What Evansville Needs

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Dr. H. Dan Adams

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.

HDanAdams_PositionPaper pdf

VHS Pet of the Week: “Mickey”

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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

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The Mole #??
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 EXTENSION”?…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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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State Representation Gail Riecken

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.”
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.

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