IS IT TRUE? November 15, 2011 Part 2

IS IT TRUE that according to the Vanderburgh County Assessor’s website that the deadline has passed for each and every property owner including City Centre Properties LLC of Carmel, IN that owns tract #82-06-30-020-005.002-029, aka the McCurdy Hotel to pay their taxes?…that the tax bill on that property that was due last week is $10,268.66 and that the Vanderburgh County Assessors website indicates that the payment is still due?…that means a penalty of 5% is now added to the total?…that at day 31 that penalty is increased to 10%?…that the choice to pay or not to pay this tax bill serves as an early indicator as to whether City Center Properties LLC has the means or intention to move forward with this project?…that many properties appear to have paid so this is probably not the slow moving of the website?…that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission is now proven powerless to do anything about this non-payment?…that we will patiently await the next action but are not necessarily expecting any good news regarding this issue?

IS IT TRUE that today is the last day that Stratman’s Pharmacy will be open?…that the closing of Stratman’s will leave another large space available in downtown Evansville?…that this makes three new vacancies in the last couple of weeks?…that the restaurant that was in the basement of the Marlocon Building also closed its doors after a very short time in business?…that this restaurant location has now seen two businesses come and go during the last three years?…that the other emptied out storefront is also in the Marlocon where the Rug Merchant was in and out and then VenuWorks went in but was always destined for the Ford Center so that on was a planned move?…that on the positive side there is a request for a special liquor by the drink permit to be granted for an unnamed establishment that may be going in at 524 Main Street right next to the Maingate?…that the Maingate got a special deal a couple of years ago and that whatever special deal was made for the Maingate should also be extended to any business that wishes to sell drinks on Main Street?

IS IT TRUE that the Ford Center is now being praised for creating 400 part time and 25 full time jobs?…that whomever puts out statements like this must think that downtown Evansville is a different city than the corner of Boeke and the Lloyd Expressway?…that moving a number of jobs from one part of town to another part of the same town never has and never will constitute job creation?…that sometimes government officials just seem to be idiotic when it comes to making announcements with respect to job creation?…that the only jobs created by moving the entertainment from Roberts Stadium to the Ford Center would be net new jobs in excess of what was at Roberts to begin with?…that we are pretty sure that the 25 full time jobs announced are equivalent to what was at Roberts already?…that we are not so sure about the part time jobs but that creating a part time job is not really the same as a full time job is anyway?…that this is all sleight of hand and smoke and mirrors?…that it does not do the Ford Center justice to attribute things that simply are not true to its presence?…that the Ford Center may very well incent some job creation but moving already existing jobs down there does not constitute job creation?

IS IT TRUE that last night’s meeting of the Evansville City Council was the night for Vectren to state their cases for who they are, what they do, and why they do it here?…that the president and CEO of Vectren Mr. Carl Chapman opened the much anticipated “Friendquisition” with a long but very well done presentation that addressed all of the humanitarian, charitable, and other community partnering that Vectren does with local entities?…that we also were told how many employees Vectren has in their Evansville headquarters, how many taxes they pay, and how much the culture of Vectren is adding to life here in SW Indiana?…that the one very clear thing from the first 90% of the presentation was that Mr. Chapman is an excellent speaker and has the benefit of a superb staff to help prepare him to speak before something as small as the Evansville City Council or as large as the board of directors of a Wall Street investment firm?…that Mr. Chapman is the CEO of a NYSE company and is expected to have these skills?…that seeing some members of the City Council sit there listening with blank looks upon their faces clearly emphasized that when it comes to presentations skills and technical depth that most of the Evansville City Council is no match for Carl Chapman?

IS IT TRUE that one member of the City Council that seemed to follow Mr. Chapman’s presentation with respect to electricity rates and the dense pack proposal was Councilman John Friend, CPA who expressed that he had some experience working with utilities?…that the dense pack project that stirred this whole mess up seems to simply be the straw that broke the camel’s back because the words “rate increase” were associated with it?…that after many corrections and clarifications that particular project seems to be positive for the ratepayers?…that it was nice to hear Mr. Chapman use the term customers as opposed to the more commonly used term ratepayers which makes us customers seem more like mules than customers?

IS IT TRUE that Councilman Friend brought up two valid points regarding the fact that the rates that Evansville customers pay the highest rates in the State of Indiana and roughly triple what is paid across the river in Henderson?…that we understand that Vectren has gotten ahead of the EPA curve and that our rates were approved by the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission based upon Vectren’s requests and investments?…that the CCO and Councilman Friend do not think that Vectren is crooked, we just know that they are very expensive?…that Councilman Friend referred to a recent article from the Louisville Courier Journal where it was stated that Kentucky Utilities (KU) will see a rate increase of 11.2% to a level of $0.0747 per kWh by the year 2016 due to the investments that they will be making to meet EPA standards?…that if that is true that our friends who are on KU will reach attainment by 2016 and will still be paying HALF OF WHAT VECTREN CHARGES TODAY?…that Mr. Chapman’s response to Councilman Friend’s question was that the article was not correct?…that sort of put that argument on hold?

IS IT TRUE that on page 5 of the “Rates and Terms” public document obtained from the KU website that the rate for residential service is stated right now to be $0.06719 per kWh with a monthly connection fee of $8.50?…that if one calculates the increase to reach the number of $0.0747 that it is indeed 11.2% giving credence to the Courier Journal report?…that if we are to believe both the Courier Journal and the official KU rate sheet that it would support exactly what Councilman Friend stated?…that this is a point that deserves more attention at the November 28th meeting because Councilman Friend and Mr. Chapman seem to be at odds over the facts?…that a link to the KU rate sheet is provided below?

https://city-countyobserver.com/2011/11/15/kentucky-utilities-electric-rate-disclosure-document/

IS IT TRUE that another issue that was brought up by Councilman Friend that was clearly understood by Mr. Chapman is the fact that 27 Governors have filed lawsuits against the EPA to relax the requirements?…that if the standards are relaxed and other areas are let off the hook for making the huge investments that Vectren has already made that SW Indiana could be stranded as an island of excessive electricity costs for a long time?…that this will serve as a deterrent to economic development projects that are power hungry?…that in the presentation no successful attraction projects that have been brought into Evansville in recent history are large users of electricity?…that there are several documented cases of small businesses leaving Evansville for Henderson to get cheaper power?

IS IT TRUE that Councilman Friend also brought up the issue of the value of carbon credits and how their value affects ratepayers?…that no real answer with dollars attached to it came from Mr. Chapman on this topic?…that Councilman Friend may be onto something of interest with respect to carbon credits as he has had several discussions in the past with Vectren officials and others and has gotten several different answers?…that we encourage the Evansville City Council to cancel their meeting that is scheduled for November 28th at 5:30 and conflicts with the IURC meeting that will be at the Centre at the exact same time?

IS IT TRUE? November 14, 2011 Evening Laughs and Condolences

IS IT TRUE all of the staff of the City County Observer are agreeing to stand in solidarity with the NBA players union?…that we all refuse to play basketball for less than a couple of million dollars per year?…that no matter how much they beg we are resolute not to even practice our free throws for less than $1 Million per season each?…that we won’t even answer their phone calls?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #3 called in from South Florida with a tip that Evansville City Councilwoman Missy Mosby is considering taking on Indiana State Representative Gail Riecken in the Democrat primary to punch her ticket to Indianapolis?…that we did have to ask Mole #3 if it had been adapting to the hard drinking lifestyle of South Florida as this was completely out of left field?…that we shall keep our local feelers out to see if there is any truth to Mole #3’s first contact in the last week?…that we think there may be some rum involved with this tip?

IS IT TRUE that excluding the well rehearsed and presented words of Vectren Corporation president and CEO Carl Chapman that we will address in the morning that tonight’s meeting of the Evansville City Council made the meetings regarding racing pigeons look rational?…that there was a 45 minute discussion on changing the zoning so a man that has an 8 bedroom house could put a mother in law apartment on his property?…that he must not have wanted his mother in law within 7 bedrooms of where he sleeps because he was asking for rezoning to add another structure for them to live in?…that neighbors did not believe him and neither did the Evansville City Council because his request was shot down by a vote of 8 – 1?

IS IT TRUE that the last act of comedy at the Evansville City Council was brought to us courtesy of Jeff Day?…that Mr. Day was upset because there is a flag of Canada in the Ford Center to make the Canadian hockey players feel more at home?…that Mr. Day did seem to have a valid point that the City Council and the manager of VenuWorks, Mr. Scott Schoenike did not understand the proper protocol regarding he flying of the flags and that he entered an instruction into the record of the Evansville City Council?…that City Councilman Dr. H. Dan Adams took Mr. Day on and supported the tradition of flying Canadian flags in places where hockey is played?…that Mr. Day countered and we must say very effectively asking if we would be flying the Mexican flag if most of the players were Mexicans?…that at that point the President B. J. Watts took the first opportunity to close the discussion and adjourn the meeting?…that for those of us out in TV land who can read lips it was obvious that President Watts clearly said “that guy needs to shut the f#@% up” to City Clerk Alberta Matlock as they were leaving the desk?

IS IT TRUE that Schoenike is a three syllable word that is pronounced “Shay-Nuh-Kee” as opposed to “Shay-Nike” as Mr. Day pronounced his name?…that we encourage everyone in Evansville to learn how to pronounce Scott’s last name as it appears he will be here for as long as he likes if the attendance at the Ford Center continues as it has started?

IS IT TRUE that it was disclosed today that Stratman’s Pharmacy on Main Street will be closing tomorrow?…that as skeptical as we have been about the job creating capacity of the Ford Center we did not expect to see a closure of a business happen so soon?…that the people who have bought lofts really did need Stratman’s and that it is a blow to downtown living to see Stratman’s go?…that we do know John Stratman to be a good man and wish him peace and prosperity in his next phase of life?…that a superb restaurant that has lunch and dinner would work well in that location and we hope to be trying one out soon?…that this will be a big test of the attractive capacity of the Ford Center?

IS IT TRUE? November 14, 2011 Part 2

IS IT TRUE that the Mole Nation reports that a new form of VETTING for the company to build a downtown Convention Hotel must be taking place at UE basketball games?…that at least two members of the Evansville City Council were spotted from the cheap seats enjoying the confines of one of the luxury suites at the Ford Center with the principles of one of the businesses that submitted a bid to build the downtown Convention Hotel?…that in a time when transparency is demanded and expected that it is more than just disappointing to hear about such utter indiscretions?…that Evansville deserves better than this?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Icemen are keeping up their winning ways on the home ice of the Ford Center where they remain undefeated?…that the official crowd at yesterday’s game was 4,110 which was about half of the crowd at the home opener against the Fort Wayne Komets but still respectfully above the budgeted expectation of 3,500 per game?…that the trend toward some core group of fans will be interesting to watch as 3,500 was an aggressive goal but with a winning team and the parking fears healed a first year average of 3,500 per game is still achievable?…that the biggest crowd of the year is expected when the UE Purple Aces take on the Indiana University Hoosiers on Wednesday night at the Ford Center?…that for this game expect no empty seats?…that the real test of attendance for the UE basketball team will come in January and February when the opponents are the other teams in their conference and the marquee matchups have all been completed?

IS IT TRUE that the fate of Evansville Parks and Recreation Director Dan Schall has been reported two ways since Lloyd Winnecke won last week’s election for Mayor of Evansville?…that one report stated that Mr. Schall would be replaced and another said that his current job is “on the table”?…that if there is one thing that we can all agree on it is that the state of the Evansville City Parks is not acceptable and that the extracurricular activities that have been going on that have left us with souvenirs like needles, condoms, empty liquor bottles, graffiti, potholes, and broken facilities must be curtailed?…that when Dr. Neil Troost was dismissed with his pleas prior to going before the City Council to advise them of the state of the parks that the sort of customer service is also unacceptable and is not consistent with the “nice” factor that Mayor Elect Winnecke has expressed his intentions to implement?…that we can all agree on two things?…that the City of Evansville Parks are an abysmal mess and that Dan Schall has presided over the decline that lead to the mess?

IS IT TRUE that the one question that has not been asked is the question of the magnitude of the task that Mr. Schall was handed with respect to the financial resources that he has had at his disposal?…that there is a real possibility that the routine things that need to be done to maintain a park system the size of Evansville’s greatly exceeds the purchasing power of the dollars that the Evansville City Council appropriates for Mr. Schall or anyone else to carry out this business?…that the City County Observer would like to see Mr. Schall stand up and publicly defend his position?…that a “Reclaim the Parks” plan is in order and that Mr. Schall is the person to do this plan?…that the cold hard truth may just be that for the money that is appropriated by the City Council that there are too many acres, too many facilities, not enough equipment, insufficient infrastructure, oppressive contracts, and quite frankly too many criminals, litterbugs, and punks to handle with the budget appropriated?…that whomever is the person to run the Evansville City Parks Department going forward should understand this and let the people of Evansville know what parks solution that we can afford?…that Dan Schall may just be the man for this job?…that it also may be true that uber-manager Jack Welch would take a look at the magnitude of the tasks and the budget to do the job and conclude that the City of Evansville must be seriously delusional to ask so much from so little?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer is running a series of polls this week regarding the so called “Machine” that was called out for malfeasance by both candidates in the 2011 election for Mayor of Evansville?…that if “the Machine” is real and if it is at the least contributing to the 50 year dribbling down from a city of some significance and wealth to what we have become then it must be dismantled?…that we have been running a poll for the last 24 hours asking our readers “Is Evansville Really Ruled by a Political Machine”?…that as of this morning our readers had voted by roughly a 3 to 1 majority answering YES, any fool knows this?…that the other answer was of course “NO, “the Machine” is only urban legend”?…that there are certainly urban legends in Evansville but most are harmless and entertaining?…that urban legend or not the truth of the matter is that our readers believe there is a “Machine” that runs Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that the demographic of the readers of the City County Observer are overrepresented by people who are over 45, have a graduate degree, earn over $100,000 per year, are female, and surf the internet from home?…that one high ranking member of a certain winning political team and a “mover and shaker” in Evansville stated recently that “the CCO may not have the pure number of readers as the other news outlet, but it seems to have every educated and politically engaged person in town as loyal readers”?…that if this demographic believes in “the Machine” then “the Machine” is doing damage whether it has a formal membership and a meeting hall or not?…that to believe in “the Machine” also constitutes believing that some dark force is choosing the winners and losers based on a system of patronage as opposed to merit?…that political machines are also known for back door deals, insider contracts, etc. etc. etc.?…that there is not one know instance of a political machine serving the greater good in any place that they have infested?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #7 and several other Moles are telling us that Councilwoman Connie Robinson has gathered the votes needed to become the next President of the Evansville City Council?…that we have also been informed that Councilwoman Missy Mosby will be the Council’s Vice President and that Councilman John Friend will head the Finance Committee?…that all we wish to say is “that was fast”?…that some may see this as the work of “the Machine”?…that others would just say good choices and let’s move on?…that some may say both?

IS IT TRUE that Mr. Carl Chapman, the president and CEO of Vectren Corporation will be making a presentation and taking questions from the Evansville City Council tonight?…that the topics of discussion are expected to center on a) the fact that the people in Vectren’s service area pay the highest rates in Indiana, b) the economic development consequences of those rates, and c) the prospects for future rates including the value, the holding location, and the impact of the future sale of accumulated carbon credits on future rates?…that tonight’s questions will be coming from the City Council and heavily influenced by Councilman John Friend who has worked in a utility and that public input will not be allowed?…that the public will have their opportunity to have their say at the Evansville hearing of the IURC that will be on November 28, 2011 at the Centre?…that we encourage a packed house at that meeting but encourage those wanting a say to stay home tonight and take notes by watching the City Council meeting on WNIN?

IS IT TRUE that we are pleased that Evansville did not have a Portland moment on Saturday night at the Four Freedoms Monument where about two dozen members of Occupy Evansville were planning to camp?…that sometimes Midwestern courtesy from both protesters and law enforcement is the best way to go?…that the City County Observer supports freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, a free press, etc. but encourage order and respectfulness by all citizens if at all possible?