Now there is a face to associate with our word Snegal meaning “Sneaky but Legal”

In the Lord of the Rings trilogy there was a creature that went by two names. One name was “gollum” and the other name was “Smegal” which rhymes with Snegal the word that we created to define the practice of being “sneaky but legal”. Smegal as Tolkien fans will recall existed for one singular purpose. That purpose was to get back the ring of power that he affectionately called HIS PRECIOUS. Smegal would have had no qualms at all about doing all things Snegal to get back HIS PRECIOUS. Today we introduce Smegal in a suit and christen him to be SNEGAL our sneaky but legal mascot. He will make random appearances in the City County Observer at appropriate times when we have uncovered more sneaky but legal activities in local government.

SNEGAL made his debut today in our IS IT TRUE Part 2 where we are asking just how all of the Skyboxes and Loge seats in the Arena could have been sold without any public record of ERC approval of pricing and/or contracts. We do need a home for SNEGAL as we think he is squatting in the bushes in and around the Civic Center hoping that Mole #3 will toss him a sandwich. Suggestions are appreciated.

**UPDATE**
For those of you who see something SNEGAL that you would like to talk about – visit us on Twitter, where we are starting to promote the new hashtag #snegal. Share your thoughts about things that are #snegal and we will post our favorites at the end of the week.

Example:
I made a #snegal turn through a gas station this morning to avoid that red light
America continues a #snegal engagement in Libya
Blagojevich – not so #snegal any more

First Published: June 28, 2011 AM

“I do not support the proposed indoor tennis facility at Wesselman Park. I would, however, support a collaboration between owners of the Tri-State Athletic Club and the Evansville Community Tennis Association that would allow for additional courts to be constructed at Tri-State Athletic Club WITHOUT the use of public funding. I understand that such a proposal was outlined, but rejected by the ECTA.”

Lloyd Winnecke, Republican Candidate for Mayor of Evansville

IS IT TRUE that the last page of the Contract for Pre-Opening Consulting Services between the Evansville Redevelopment Commission and VenuWorks is very specific about the hierarchy regarding who does what during the period that the temporary consulting contract is in effect?…that today it has been 126 days of operating under a temporary agreement that was supposed to have been superseded by a permanent contract within 30 days?…that the temporary contract is quite clear in Section B2 that all booking and rental rate policies shall be PROPOSED by VenuWorks and APPROVED by the Evansville Redevelopment Commission?…that in Section B3 it is made very clear that all tenant/user agreements that are for a term of over one year require JOINT APPROVAL by VenuWorks and the ERC?…that in Section B4 that it is clear that all vendor agreements also require JOINT APPROVAL by VenuWorks and the ERC?…that Section B4 goes a step further in subsection (iii) to designate that if such agreement involves a major revenue stream that can impact the profitability of the Arena, including ticketing and sponsorships, then VenuWorks and the ERC shall JOINTLY APPROVE such agreement?

IS IT TRUE that it has been widely reported that ALL of the Skyboxes in the new Arena have been leased?…that it has also been reported that those leases are for more than one year?…that there are 5 sets of minutes of meetings of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission that have convened since the February 24, 2011 signing of the temporary consulting agreement between VenuWorks and ERC?…that there are no references whatsoever to any presentation or approval of any of the pre-opening operational tasks that VenuWorks was assigned to work on in the contract?…that without ERC approval things like contracts with sports teams cannot be signed?…that SKYBOX pricing and LOGE SEAT pricing have no available public record of approval?…that without approval by the ERC that the widely reported sales of all of the SKYBOXES and substantially all of the LOGE SEATING cannot have been sold as per the Contract for Pre-Opening Consulting Services between VenuWorks and the ERC?…that IF these approvals have indeed been granted that it must have been done in yet another “SPECIAL MEETING” of which there is no readily available public record?…that if the total of all of the LUXURY SEATING is indeed sold out that the selection process for finding buyers was so exclusive that the citizens of Evansville and even the non-preferred businesses of Evansville DID NOT EVEN HAVE THE COURTESY OF SEEING A PRICE LIST AND AN AVAILABILITY SHEET?

IS IT TRUE that under the terms of the Contract for Pre-Opening Consulting Services between VenuWorks and the ERC that EITHER some snegal (sneaky but legal) backroom deals were made to sell the seating contracts OR that the sales have not happened as they have been reported?…that we are most curious to find out what the status of the LUXURY SEATING in the Arena is?…that we would like to see who bought what, how much was paid for it, and all of the other terms of any agreements made without exposing any purchase opportunities to unwashed masses?…that the people of Evansville are financing this Arena and that the people of Evansville deserve every opportunity to be exposed to any seating that is for sale in it?

IS IT TRUE that we are wondering where the two candidates for Mayor of Evansville stand on this sort of issue?…that in the shorter term we are particularly interested in hearing from Rick Davis and Lloyd Winnecke about their positions with respect to the looming decision to give away public land in Wesselman Park and to contemplate the use of public dollars from the CVB to fund part of the POLE BARN INDOOR TENNIS CENTER?…that the proponents of the POLE BARN INDOOR TENNIS CENTER are planning to pack the gallery again tomorrow and that this foregone conclusion has the potential to be another BALLFIELD EXPERIENCE?…that the two candidates need to put a position statement together today regarding their opinions of just what role that local government should play in funding or funding by proxy of a POLE BARN INDOOR TENNIS CENTER?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville City Council has its drawers in a bundle about the vetting process that the City of Evansville has been applying to the downtown Convention Hotel project?…that for the first time in the four years that this fiasco has been playing out that some members of the Evansville City Council are flexing the muscles that they were elected to flex to ask the most fundamental of questions regarding the viability of downtown hotel developers?…that the most long awaited quote of “we will not take anyone’s word for it, we need to see some proof” finally came out of the mouths of at least a couple of the elected members of the Evansville City Council?…that the Evansville City Council brought this conundrum upon themselves several years ago when they relinquished the budgetary responsibility for the MLK entertainment complex to the Evansville Redevelopment Commission?…that this was done by resolution in August of 2009?

Link to TV Report of aggravated City Council members:

http://www.news25.us/category/164155/video-landing-page-code?clipId=&topVideoCatNo=160919&topVideoCatNoB=164126&topVideoCatNoC=124443&topVideoCatNoD=189146&topVideoCatNoE=143820&clipId=5002147&topVideoCatNo=160919&autoStart=true&clipId=5998272&topVideoCatNo=160919&autoStart=true

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer opposed the budgetary responsibility being placed in the hands of appointed officials as opposed to elected officials?…that if one were to search the archives of any of Evansville’s mainstream media that one will find that this is true?…that if the Evansville City Council would have retained the responsibility that they are elected to provide that the ruckus that is being raised by several Council members right now over the failed vetting process could have been avoided?…that the Weinzapfel Administration used the resounding political victory over a non-candidate in 2007 to create the illusion of a mandate?…that this illusion of a mandate sent a wave of fear through the members of the Evansville City Council that prevented them from mustering the courage to question practices that should have been under scrutiny all along?…that the bag that the citizens of Evansville may be left holding is the end result of this illusion of mandate that was used to create voting block on the Evansville City Council that could not be overcome by independent thinking members?

IS IT TRUE that we wonder if a financial rabbit will be pulled from the hat of anyone before the expiration date of the contract between Woodruff Hospitality LLC and the Evansville Redevelopment Commission?…that if there is a rabbit in the hat that any of the next three days would be the time to ruffle up the sleeve and pull the rabbit out?…that we wonder if there will be a news conference with all of the confidence, vim, an vigor of the announcements of Browning, etc. that we have been treated to on Thursday June 30, 2011 to announce that the vetting process and the RFP have failed (if it indeed does fail)?…that opening a new RFP if that is indeed necessary is something that should not give the appearance of selective authorship?…that if this is the course of action that must be taken that it should be a respectable period to draw other parties into the process?…that the citizens of Evansville have waited this long for a developer to be chosen by an effective process and that we can wait another month or so until an effective process is designed?…that in 2050 no one will remember the bumbling of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011?… that it is time to reset the clock on the downtown Convention Hotel?

IS IT TRUE that in late July and early August there is a very high probability that we will be having the exact same discussion about the McCurdy Hotel project?…that even the members of the City Council that have been in the solid voting block for anything and everything that the Weinzapfel Administration has demanded seem to understand that things should have and could have been done better?

IS IT TRUE that we also have lost count of the number of members of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission that have been cycled through during the last 7 years?…that we think that number is now up around 15?…that it would be interesting to investigate exactly what the departed members of the ERC think about their departure and about their service on this commission that controls such a large amount of the budget of the City of Evansville?…that other media outlets should be asking these questions too?

Former Governor of Illinois May Face Prison Time

On count after count the former Governor of Illinois was found guilty by a jury of his peers. From trying to sell President Barack Obama’s Senate seat to attempting extortion on a school Blago’s defenses were repudiated by the jury. Two other counts were hung and another was deemed to be non-guilty.

This is a developing story, please check back.

Mole #63 Make Pertinent Documents Available, Please Read and Decide

The 2003 Lease Agreement

The 2003 Lease Agreement

The Site Plan

Wesselman Tennis Site Plan

The Recent Proposal

Evansville Community Tennis Association (ECTA)

Our mission is to “Grow Tennis in the Evansville Community”
Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation Presentation

Terry L. Clements
President of ECTA

Proposed Expansion of Wesselman Tennis Center

The lease signed in year 2003 for a term of 25 years with an extension of 10 years provides the ability for the ECTA to build 12 additional outdoor and/or indoor courts at the Wesselman Tennis Center. All construction requires the review and approval by the Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation.

In order to continue to grow tennis in the Evansville community additional courts are required to support the various ECTA Programs such as 1) Middle School; 2) Leagues; 3) Junior and Adult Tournaments. Currently Evansville is lacking the necessary minimum indoor court count required to petition for USTA League Championships. In addition this deficit restricts the ability to petition for high level Adult/Junior Tournaments.

The ECTA Wesselman Tennis Center Master Plan addresses growing tennis by the addition of six Indoor courts and six Outdoor courts within the existing lease property.

The high-level characteristics of the proposed expansion are:

Site:

Parking will be expanded to support the additional player capacity
Landscaping will be added along North, East and South of expansion

Indoor Building:

Specifications of indoor facility will follow USTA Court Construction Book
Design meeting local and state building requirements
Design and construction focused on minimizing operating expenses
Post-Tension construction resulting in longevity of investment
Locker rooms to address player needs
Office space to support professional tennis instructors and meetings
Mezzanine for viewing all matches
Energy efficient lighting
Energy efficient air handling

Outdoor courts:

Specifications of outdoor facility will follow USTA Court Construction Book
Post-Tension construction
Mezzanine for viewing all matches
Lighting equivalent with existing lighting with reduced pole height

OVERVIEW

Evansville Community Tennis Association (ECTA) is a non-profit 501-c3 organization.

Formed in year 2000 from the Evansville Patrons (youth) and Evansville Tennis Club (adult) with the goal of growing tennis in the Evansville community.

Our volunteer board consists of 3 officers and 10 board members listed below:

President – Terry L. Clements;Vice-President/Secretary – David Wu; Treasury – Barb Kemper;
Junior Chairman – Karan Wilson; League Chairman – John Wolk; Tournament Chairman – Barb Boone; Marketing Chairman – Amy Johnston; Facilities Chairman – Robert Patten; Legal – Brian Carroll; Women’s Professional Tournament – Kim Angermerier; Fund Raising Chairman – Kavone Mitchell; Member at Large: Larry Larson, Dr. Emil Weber

We are a Community Tennis Association (CTA) organized under the United States Tennis Association (USTA) with the mission to grow tennis. ECTA is in the Midwest Section, Indiana State and Central Indiana Tennis Association (CITA) District. ECTA has managed the USTA Leagues in Evansville since the inception of local league play. In the past 8 years we have had two presidents of CITA and various members sitting on CITA committees. In addition, Woodie Sublett from Evansville is currently the Head of all Referee for the USTA and Kim Angermeier is currently a Referee (both active members of ECTA).

We operate the following programs at the Wesselman Tennis Center: USTA Leagues, Local Leagues, USTA Junior Tournaments, USTA Adult Tournaments, Middle School, instructional and community service. Each program is targeted to different tennis players.

The Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation (EDPR) has partnered with ECTA in creating the existing lease signed in 2003 to support the growth of tennis by managing and improving the Wesselman Tennis Center.

The expansión and operational costs of the Wesselman Tennis Center are supported by programs ECTA operates and by donations from individuals and organizations.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation (EDPR) has partnered with ECTA in creating the existing lease signed in 2003 to support the growth of tennis by managing and improving the Wesselman Tennis Center.

The lease signed in year 2003 for a term of 25 years with an extension of 10 years provides the ability for the ECTA to build 12 additional outdoor and/or indoor courts. The lease requirements were fulfilled in year 2006 by the completion of 4 additional courts and installation of new lighting on all 12 courts.

7/15/2003: Wesselman Tennis Center Lease signed

2004-2005: Constructed 4 additional Post-Tension Courts

2005: Resurfaced (new paint and lines) on 8 courts

2005: Created gravel parking lot

2006: Replaced existing lights with Musco lighting for 12 courts

2007: Constructed Club House and Paved Parking lot

2008-2009: Constructed Viewing Stand on North side of facility

2010: Resurfaced (new paint and lines) on 12 courts

The estimated value of the capital improvements since the lease signature is $700,000. It is estimated that the current investments will out live the initial and extended lease term. The construction of the Club House and Paved Parking Lot required borrowing of $105,000 which was paid off in an eighteen month time period.

Since the signature of the lease the various programs operated by ECTA have grown. The two programs demonstrating the highest growth have been 1) Middle School Programs of 310 middle school students in 2010; 2) USTA/Local League Adult Program (450 league players) with an 11% growth in 2010. The growth of these two programs has resulted in high utilization of the existing 12 courts from April until October of each year.

During the years of 2009 – 2010 the lights were utilized an average of 4 hours each evening for 237 days per year.

Since 2005 the USTA 10K Women’s Professional Tournament has been hosted at the Wesselman Tennis Center. This tournament has been noted by the USTA as a model tournament in the areas of management and facility.

Facility Management and Use

Consistent with the management of the existing 12 outdoor courts and Clubhouse the management of the expanded facility would be the responsibility of the Facility Committee reporting to the ECTA Board.

This Facility Committee would be responsible for managing the staff required to operate the facility; for reviewing and scheduling ECTA League, Tournament and community programs; and managing the profit and loss for the Indoor courts. Revenue for the indoor facility to offset the operating costs would be derived from facility membership, instructional fees, league fees and tournament fees.

Outdoor courts would be scheduled based on ECTA programs while also providing public access.

IT IS TRUE that two members of the Evansville City Council have been requesting information that is pertinent to their capacity to serve as informed members of Council for three months now?…that the information that they have requested is very much under the control of the Office of Mayor Weinzapfel, Arena project manager John Kish, and/or the Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development?…that the two Evansville City Councilman whose requests have been denied by silence are 5th Ward City Councilman John Friend in 1st Ward City Councilman Dan McGinn?…that the City County Observer officially offers to write Freedom of Information Act requests fee gratis for both of these gentlemen for any request that they would like to make?…that elected officials who are the selected stewards of the City of Evansville should never ever be denied access to information that will help them do their sworn duties better?

IS IT TRUE that James Madison observed, “A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or, perhaps both?”…that for the City of Evansville to deny information to members of the Evansville City Council has indeed been prologue to a farce or two or three or four right here in River City?…that the Executive Inn Dilemma, the quagmire down at the McCurdy Hotel, the Homestead Tax Grab, and the convoluted method in which Tom Barnett was paid his deserved and market rate salary are all products of what at times appears to be a secret society of city government?…that we truly hope that this prologue to farce does not prove Madison fully correct by becoming tragedy?…that the next 34 days will go a long way in determining if Evansville’s farces become tragedies with respect to the Executive Inn and the McCurdy as the Bells of the Day of Reckoning are poised to ring once again?

IS IT TRUE that federal government efforts to evade the constraints of separation of powers, judicial review, checks and balances and democratic accountability, has hidden its actions from public view for many years and over several administrations now?…that our federal government developed and executed its policies in secret, denied information to Congress, abused the process for classifying information, and narrowly interpreted the Freedom of Information Act all for our collective benefit?…that it seems as though the Evansville City Council is being treated with the same contempt that the Congress must be getting used to?…that those who think this is wrong on the federal level should certainly see similar actions from local government to be just as undermining of one of the tenets of good public policy?…that transparency is and should forever be expected of all governments especially local ones that deal with local issues?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,518 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 1,371 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 there are now 491 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?

IS IT TRUE that we are very curious to see just how much money is allocated in the 2012 City of Evansville budget to design a solution to the CSO problem that will hopefully meet with EPA approval?…that the design fees associated with a $500 Million construction project are not trivial and need to be budgeted for?

Evansville’s Don Mattingly is Dodgers Team Manager

Embattled Dodgers owner Frank McCourt took the dramatic step of filing his franchise for bankruptcy Monday, setting up a showdown with Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.

Mr. McCourt filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 in Delaware in a last ditch effort to save the Los Angeles team from being seized by Major League Baseball, which took over day-to-day operations of the club in April amid concerns over team finances and security at Dodger Stadium.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/27/us-baseball-dodgers-bankruptcy-idUSTRE75Q2M120110627

IT IS TRUE that “CCO Mole #3” just reported that mayoral candidate Rick Davis and 2nd Ward Councilwoman, Missy Mosby are having positive dialog? … thanks to 4th Ward Councilwoman, Connie Robinson and 5th Ward Councilman, John Friend encouraging this dialog?… that all eyes are on City Council at Large candidate Jonathan Weaver to follow suit?…that this expectation may be dampened as it has been reported by high ranking Democrats that Mr. Weaver is a frequent guest at the Winnecke for Mayor headquarters at 4th and Main?

IT IS TRUE that Republican Party Chairman Wayne Parke pulled a political rabbit out of the hat when he discovered an extreme quality candidate for the 3rd Ward City Council?…that the 3rd Ward will now be an ideological battle for votes between a true liberal Democrat Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley and a centrist Republican Alan Leibundguth?…that Chairman Parke demonstrated political savvy by deciding not to sponsor a candidate for the 4th Ward against Councilwoman, Connie Robinson?…that the Democrats returned the favor by not running a candidate in the 1st Ward against incumbent City Councilman Dan McGinn?

IS IT TRUE that many political experts are extremely puzzled why Democratic Chairman, Mark Owen hasn’t publicly endorsed Rick Davis as the Democratic Central Committee’s choice for the next Mayor of Evansville? …that we are hearing the local organized Labor is starting to reach out to Mayoral Candidate Davis and is beginning to realize that there is a possibility that he shouldn’t be counted out?

IS IT TRUE that it has been over 67 days since Budget Chairman and 5th Ward City Councilman, John Friend, CPA publicly requested from John Kish (Arena Czar) to provide him and the Council a copy of the Property and Casualty Insurance report prepare by Old National Bank which the City allegedly paid $100,000 for the report?…that the Mr. Kish can run but can’t hide, according to Councilman Friend, because budget hearings are fast approaching?…that key elected officials are quietly scrutinizing the activities of the Vanderburgh/Evansville Information Technologies Department?…that City’s of Evansville website says it all?

IS IT TRUE that if ideas are what is needed to keep Roberts Stadium alive and open that it will truly have a long and productive future?…that there have literally been 30+ decent ideas floated in this publication and others since the word came down that the City of Evansville was recommending that the mothballs be placed on August 3rd?…that the City of Evansville in its rush to mothball Roberts Stadium may have just started the thought processes of many of the citizens of Evansville?…that ideas are only ideas and that unless some funding comes forward with a solid business plan to get the $300,000 per year expense off of the back of the City of Evansville that the relentless drive to swing the wrecking ball will not be abated?…that as much as Roberts Stadium evokes great memories and is now sparking the ideas that this really will come down to money?

IS IT TRUE that there is precedent in the City of Evansville for aging buildings to be sold for token amounts like $1 to private businesses that wish to pursue profitable enterprises in them and return the buildings to the tax rolls?…that the scrutiny that these deals have been vetted with have run the gamut from checking a pulse to an attempt at vetting the business?…that we would bet that anyone with a funded proposal for Roberts Stadium will be met with the most rigorous vetting process that the City of Evansville has ever mustered?…that vetting processes should be applied equally but they are not?…that the degree of vetting depends on how much the powers that be want a headline or a hope for a project?…that the powers that be want a downtown hotel badly and we see how that vetting process has gone?…that they want Roberts demolished so the group with money and a plan had better be prepared with funding, working capital, and a repair plan for the long list of defects that we are sure that the City of Evansville has accumulated regarding Roberts Stadium?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer wishes good fortune upon any group that comes forward with funding and planning for Roberts Stadium?…that like our best and brightest young professionals, our home grown entrepreneurs, and professional of all kinds that without the INVESTMENT DOLLARS in place, that the City of Evansville will swing the wrecking ball at Roberts?…that this investment will be Evansville driven or it will have very little chance of being realized?

IS IT TRUE that the downtown Coliseum has been run by a group of local people since 1971 at no cost to the taxpayers?…that there are still many events both private and public that pay good money for use of the Coliseum?…that many people have enjoyed the Coliseum during the last 40 years that this classic building was placed into the caring hands of a private entity?…that all of the rock concerts, country shows, wrestling, boxing, roller derby queens, wedding receptions, and civic organizations have not been able to hurt Roberts Stadium as a sports and entertainment venue?…that Roberts Stadium is currently a profitable building despite the wailing of those who want to see it eliminated?…that those who cry in fear that Evansville cannot support two stadiums need to look at how the Coliseum and Roberts have coexisted for 55 years?…that Evansville already supports the Coliseum and Roberts Stadium and that both are profitable?…that the only venues in the City of Evansville that supposedly bleed money year after year are the Centre and the Victory Theatre?

IS IT TRUE that there are two letters from citizens in the City County Observer that not only support the idea of keeping Roberts Stadium available and open but who have GIVEN A LONG LIST OF POSSIBILITIES for Roberts to host?…that non on those possibilities seem to be the types of things that would compete with the new Arena?…that for the champions of the new Arena to fear the competition from Roberts Stadium makes about as much sense as any of the following ludicrous mismatches:

LeBron James being afraid to play Mole #3 in a game of one on one basketball

Peyton Manning having anxiety over fear of losing a passing contest to Mole #69

Boris Gelfund trembling over an upcoming chess match against Mole #2 1/2

Mayor Weinzapfel expecting a knock-down drag-out fight from David Nixon in the 2007 election for Mayor of Evansville

IS IT TRUE that the new Arena will be spectacular and that for those who can afford spectacular and sell enough seats to justify using spectacular that there is no competition whatsoever over which venue is preferred?…that eliminating this non competition venue in the name of competition is about like a restaurant eliminating hamburgers from the menu and only serving steak?…that every town needs a good steak house but that everyone can afford hamburgers?…that there is a place for both and that hamburgers come in all shapes and sizes?…that we can think in terms of restaurants and arenas in the following manner?

Downtown Arena: Cavanaughs, Haub House, or Madeleine’s
Roberts Stadium: Cheeseburger in Paradise, Red Robin, or Applebee’s
Coliseum: White Castle, B &H Café, or Buzzard’s

IS IT TRUE that there is a place for all of the above places to eat?…that each serves a very different clientele and that each can thrive?…that each venue can too because everyone is in the target market for all three at any given time?…that if one can’t then the free market will take care of that kind of business?

IS IT TRUE that the idea of bringing big time tennis tournaments to town could be appealing?…that the new POLE BARN INDOOR TENNIS CENTER will not have a place to host even a small number of spectators?…that both Roberts Stadium and the Coliseum have hosted tennis as entertainment events in their illustrious pasts?…that Roberts as was pointed out by Martha Crosley in her letter to the CCO and the Courier today may just be the perfect tennis venue?…that it is already built and has no mortgage?…that raising the floor by enough to get back to where it was before the dodo design upgrade of the 90’s took it below the water table has been reported to be much less to implement than building the POLE BARN TENNIS CENTER will cost?…that it will destroy no park land to do?

IS IT TRUE that the powers that be have been whining and moaning that there are no ideas for what to do with Roberts Stadium?…that now the ideas are flowing?…that the powers that be need to put a vetting committee together to separate the sheep ideas from the goat ideas?…that the powers that be have a terrible track record with the exercise known as VETTING?…that maybe the powers that be should not have been granted any powers over financial matters in the first place?