IS IT TRUE that on April 29, 2011 that the City County Observer was the first to publish a Gallup Survey that awarded the Evansville MSA the distinction of being the most obese MSA in America?…finally today 16 days after this survey was released that the Evansville Courier and Press has decided that this distinction is worthy of publication?…that being singled out as the most obese MSA (metropolitan statistical area) is really some pretty bad news from an economic development perspective?…that such a distinction tells outsiders who may be considering moving a business to this area some things about our workforce?…that what it tells them is that our workforce will take more sick days than less obese places, will cost more provide health insurance for, will move a bit slower on the job, and will pass away at an earlier age?…that none of these things are viewed as positive by potential employers?

IS IT TRUE that the broad statistic of 37.8% of our population is obese does not apply to any individual?…that there are some people who are technically obese (Body Mass Index > 30) that are quite healthy, full of energy, and are very productive?…that when it comes to the herd that statistics do not lie?…that taking a sample of 10,000 people with a BMI of over 30 and comparing it to a sample of 10,000 people with a BMI of 20 will be quite accurate in predicting sick days, insurance premiums, and energy level 100% of the time?…that Evansville will be judged by this distinction for the foreseeable future?…that if this distinction is not overcome by exercise, healthy eating, and living an active lifestyle that this could become a permanent situation?…that Evansville did not just lead this infamous statistic, but we were first by a wide (no pun intended) margin?

IS IT TRUE that when you combine this distinction with being the suicide leader, the much publicized problems like litter, ugliness, park degradation, and low educational attainment that this picture is not very pretty?…that the other side of this coin is that 62.8% of us are not obese?…that there are larger numbers of motivated healthy people who choose to call Evansville home?…that the 37.8% who seem to have defined us as the cellulite capital of America need to take this as an intervention and do something about this?…that there are plenty of good examples around to follow?…that the negative attributes of the first sentence are all indicators of low self esteem, lack of pride, and an unwillingness to better ones self?…that some type of mass encouragement needs to be followed to right this wrong?

IS IT TRUE that just this week a person was observed planting flowers in a public area?…that several people are now being observed picking up litter of their own free will?…that these are positive steps and that the obesity problem can be solved the same way through the same efforts?…that resolving to do something positive like picking up litter or planting a flower in public will also burn off calories?…that the City County Observer encourages all of the people of Evansville to better themselves and our community through activity, awareness, and pride?…that if we do this for 5 years that we will lose this dubious distinction and that many of our other maladies will vaporize as well?…that civic pride often starts with personal self esteem?

Link to the full study:

http://city-countyobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Obesity-Study.pdf

IS IT TRUE that the saga of at-large City Council candidate Jonathan Weaver and his on camera SIGN THIEF allegations has resulted in his not taking the City County Observer up on our more than generous offer to make a $2,000 donation to the charity of his choice IF HE BACKED UP HIS ALLEGATIONS WITH CHARGES AND CONVICTION of any of the broadly accused thieves?…that this was not a personal vendetta against Mr. Weaver?…that the CCO has a policy to attack the deed and not the person?…that for a candidate for public office to make allegations of criminal activities against their opponents is downright irresponsible?…that any future allegation by any candidates in the 2011 elections will be met with a bounty and continuous posting?

IS IT TRUE that our week of offering a bounty for Mr. Weaver to come forward is over and that we have an offer to make a donation of $100 to his favorite charity if he will do the right thing and apologize publically to the unnamed group of campaign workers that he accused of thieving?…that this is the right thing for Mr. Weaver to do and that he has one week to do so and still get the $100 donation for his favorite charity?…that this can be a lesson to the other candidates that if they “CRY WOLF” that they had better be able to back it up with names, time, pictures, and charges or they too will be offered a bounty by the City County Observer?

IS IT TRUE that in the first 13 days of May that the City County Observer has been read by enough ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE VISITORS to win any election that is going to be held in the City of Evansville in 2011?…that we are quite pleased with the growth in our readership?

IS IT TRUE that the minutes of the meetings of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission that are posted online do not include the prices that they have discussed and approved in their meetings?…that even members of the Evansville City Council have difficulty getting their hands on the numbers and contracts?…that even when members of the City Council ask they are not often accommodated?…that it is time for a financially astute member of the Evansville City Council to be appointed to the Evansville Redevelopment Commission as at least an ex-officio member?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,472 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 1,326 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 537 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? Part 2 May 13, 2011

IS IT TRUE that it has been over 3 months since Mayor Weinzapfel, John Kish, and Evansville Redevelopment Commission selected VENUWORKS to manage the new Evansville Downtown Arena? … that as of today, copies of the Management Agreement contract have never been given to members of the Evansville City Council?…that in addition to the failure of the signers of the contract to distribute this contract to the Evansville City Council that there has been no public release of this document?…that maybe there is no such document or that maybe there is a concerted effort to conceal the contents of this document?

IS IT TRUE that VenuWorks was pleased to hang their hat on the success of managing the LA Forum just a couple of months ago when they were wooing the Weinzapfel Administration to let them manage the Evansville Arena?…that VenuWorks no longer lists the LA Forum as one of the arenas that they manage?…that the LA Forum is now managed by a start up management company that calls itself “The Planning Company”?…that you can learn about who replaced VenuWorks as the management company of the LA Forum at the following website?

http://www.theplanningco.net/

IS IT TRUE that this website is not very impressive but that we are intrigued by this change in LA?

IS IT TRUE that a similar situation exists with respect to the agreement between the Evansville Redevelopment Commission and Woodruff Hospitality?…that whatever the details are about the agreement with Woodruff Hospitality LLC that only a few of the details have been alluded to in public and those came as a result of a Friend-Quisition?…that we now know that there are a series of escrows as opposed to a performance bond?…that we now know that there are financial performance deadlines at the end of May and the end of June?…that we have no idea what these performances are?…that there is already consideration being given to extend the deadlines as per public record statements by John Kish?

IS IT TRUE that it may be time for the City County Observer, the Evansville Courier & Press, the local TV stations, the Evansville City Council, and even concerned citizens to demand these documents by formal request using the Freedom of Information Act?…that one does not have to be a news agency or work for a news agency to file a request under the Freedom of Information Act?…that government Agencies have 20 days to respond to FOI requests?…that government agencies must publish an annual report which includes reasons for denials, appeals, number of days required to process requests, number of backlogged requests, number of full-time staff devoted to processing requests, and amount of fees collected from requestors?

IS IT TRUE that for those of you who are interested the following is a link to an example of a letter that can be customized to your individual requests?…that these letters can be hand carried to the government agency that you wish to file a FOIA with?…that prior to actions taken by President Lyndon B. Johnson to establish the Freedom of Information Act that closed door meetings and secret file cabinets were just the way business was done in Washington?…that President Johnson may just be the father of American transparency laws?…that after over 40 years that it is time for transparency to come to Evansville?

FOIA Request Letter

Claims of Theft not Substantiated or Officially Alleged

Jonathan Weaver has failed to step forward to claim the $2,000 bounty that was offered by the City County Observer if he could back up the claims regarding stealing of campaign signs that he made in an interview with a WTVW reporter just after the Democratic primary.

As we specified yesterday the offer to make a donation to Mr. Weaver’s favorite charity became null and void at 10:00 am CST today May 13, 2011.

As Mr. Weaver was quick to point the finger of accusation at the campaign of Democratic nominee for Mayor of Evansville, he was completely silent when we offered a bounty on the alleged thieves. It would seem as though Mr. Weaver may have been speaking out without evidence to back up his statement.

That being the case we feel that Mr. Weaver owes the Davis campaign and apology for his on camera statement. The City County Observer would like to offer Mr. Weaver an opportunity to extend such an apology in our publication. We will furthermore make a $100 donation to the charity of Mr. Weaver’s choice if he should accept our offer of free column space to make a public apology.

Take That: May 13, 2011

In Response to: CCO Increases Bounty on Election Sign Thieves to $2,000

“Keep ‘em honest, CCO!

To me, signs that appear in those places do not portray a “grassroots” support for any candidate. I see it as an easy, lazy way for candidates to promote themselves. I much prefer to see a yard sign in an actual person’s yard as opposed to just stuck at a random, “public domain” location.” 对上帝

“At what point does a political sign that is associated with a failed campaign (that is over) cease to be promotional and become litter? I would think that the clock is ticking on Troy before he could be cited for littering the public street, carries a hefty fine I’m told.” Blanger

“why don’t you guys just increase it to $100,000? You know Weaver just ran his mouth with no proof” VVC1

“… or he pulled that story out of the same orifice that he pulled a lot of those assessment figures out of!” Soon2B

“How about a fund/reward for an acknowledgement from candidate Weaver that the CCO even exists? It could come in the form of an apology for his statements, a retraction, an explanation that he made those comments in the heat of battle/emotion or he stands by his statements. If the latter then we can move to Step B. I’d chip in, anybody else?” Steve Smith

IN RESPONSE TO: IS IT TRUE May 11, 2011

“I believe the disgruntled Democrats are few in number, and are more than made up for by the Democrats who voted and see the change as good. The independants that have rallied to Mr. Davis will still vote for him in November as well. Mr. Davis won the “Hero’s Mantle” this past primary. Winnecke is “Homestead Tax Toast”.” Crash Larue

“What is it that Ron White sez…..”You Can’t Fix Stupid!”

Rick Davis made it through the primary without “The Machine” if he stays his course he will be elected also without the support of the machine, what they always seem to forget is that it’s the voters who put candidates into office not political machines….it should be a interesting summer/fall.“ Blanger

“I’d liike to point out that all the Dems are not sore losers, there are some sore winners, like Missy Mosby and Jon Weaver who still have not come under the party umbrella. With Lon Walters breathing down her neck, Missy better rethink her position and come on board or she will soon be a one term has been. And I’m still waiating for Mark Owen to send me the invitation to his rescheduled Awards Dinner.” Henry

IN RESPONSE TO: IS IT TRUE May 10, 2011 (the Friend-Quisition)

“At the end of the day, no one is in charge of this project, and no one is accountable for the largest public works project in over 50 years.” Beerguy

“The real problem with the hotel deal will arise when the city has to pony up more than the 8 million plus tax abatement. The point is we all know the arena costs much more than advertised by the city. It will all come out in the open eventually.” BAM

“My question is, where has Mr. Friend been for the last year? Why is he just now asking all of these “important” questions? If the City Council felt Mr. Kish was not being “transparent” enough all along, why wait until the project is nearly complete to start complaining? Why haven’t they been asking for all of the documents at each of the meetings Mr. Kish attended? If this is a City project, why hasn’t the City been keeping track of all the money? Mr. Kish doesn’t write the checks, the City does. Easy to deflect responsibility and make someone else a scapegoat to cover up your own inefficiency Mr. Friend.” Whatabunchof

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville City Council and the Vanderburgh County Commissioners held a workshop last night to see if they could do a little surgery to the proposed consolidation agreement?…that the most discussed subject of the meeting was the power that the proposal grants to the Mayor of the County?…that the winds of change in the wake of Team Weinzapfel are most certainly toward clipping the wings of any future Chief Executive of a consolidated Vanderburgh County?…that if it is such a great idea to limit the powers of a Mayor at the county level it should be an even better idea to act now and limit the powers of the Mayor of Evansville and see how it works?…that nearly every astute observer seems to recognize that big changes are needed in the way the City of Evansville is run but that deficiencies are not so apparent in unincorporated Vanderburgh County?…that if some of the “big ideas” to improve a consolidated Vanderburgh County should be tested out in the City of Evansville prior to pronouncing them to be the magic bullets for Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE that most of the time when a head of government has their wings clipped from a power perspective that it is a reaction to a strong self serving head of government that alienated the affections of the people the government is there to serve?…that without the poor top down governance of King George III that the United States of America may have never existed?…that without the self indulgent lifestyles of Marie Antoinette and her husband Louis XVI that the French Republic may have never existed?…that in case after case a sharp transition where power was spread around in a change of government form that it was preceded by someone who abused the power that was entrusted in them?…that the discussion of the limitation of power of the Mayor of Evansville needs to examine the successes and failures of the Mayors of Evansville over the last 50 years?…that maybe the problems here can be solved by limiting the powers of the Chief Executive but that maybe what is needed is a more informed electorate that entrusts the City or County to less self serving leadership?

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville should be the guinea pig for these ideas because the city is the outwardly dysfunctional entity that is in need of dramatic changes?…that if recently defeated City Council President B. J. Watts says “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” is the mantra to follow then the Evansville City Council should get on about the business of fixing those things that are broken and leave the county to its own self examination?…that both Rick Davis and Lloyd Winnecke seem to be much more amenable to self limitation when it comes to Mayoral power?…that both of the gentlemen candidates are deliberative individuals who have indicated that they are completely open to surrounding themselves with highly qualified people as advisors?…that it is the person who holds the office of Mayor that determines the extent to which power is spread around?…that if a collaborative deliberative style is what is needed in the City of Evansville that our future is looking brighter because both of the candidates for Mayor have a more cooperative demeanor than we have been accustomed to?

IS IT TRUE that it has not yet been established that consolidation is the right thing to do?…that if the only reason to consolidate is to save money through efficiencies that not enough savings have been put forward yet to bother to consolidate?…that the consolidation proposal needs to be dissected for feasibility before it becomes a Magna Carta for the entire county?…that the right question to ask is still “WHY CONSOLIDATE?” as opposed to the presumptuous “HOW DO WE CONSOLIDATE” that the consolidation committee under the thumb of a STRONG MAYOR has been asking?…that we wonder if the powers of the Mayor of Evansville had been limited in the past if the question of “WHY CONSOLIDATE?” would already be answered?

IS IT TRUE that a tangible and measurable goal for efficiency should determine the answer to the question of “WHY CONSOLIDATE”?…that if a savings threshold of 10% were adopted that a savings level like that would likely benefit all of the would be governed?…that 10% savings of the combined budgets of the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County would amount to over $30 Million per year?…that any private company in America that can’t cut 10% through implementing lean principles is either perfectly managed already or has the wrong management team in place?…that the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County are certainly not perfectly managed which leaves only one conclusion as to which it is?…that if the consolidation committee show us $30 Million per year in savings that the probability of passing will increase dramatically?…that these powers that be do not seem to care for voting thresholds and will probably run from savings thresholds like a rabbit runs from a bird of prey?

The City County Observer has notified both Rick Davis, the Democratic nominee and Lloyd Winnecke the Republican nominee that it is offering to act as lead sponsor in one of the debates for the office of Mayor of Evansville. The CCO will work with the candidates and their campaigns to assure that the debate is as informative as possible in our effort to promote good local governance and good public policy.

“Jonathan Weaver granted 24 hours to respond to claim $2,000 for Charity”

Jonathan Weaver has failed to respond to the City County Observer’s Charity Challenge regarding his on camera allegation that people associated with the Rick Davis Campaign stole his signs. Today the $500 Bounty offer expired!

The CCO is so adamant about stamping out criminal activity in campaigns that we have decided to increase the Bounty to $2.000. Mr. Weaver has 24 hours to accept this challenge. This offer will become invalid at 10:00 AM on Friday May 13, 2011.

As a reminder, if Mr. Weaver files a criminal complaint that leads to the prosecution and conviction of any person that was officially working under orders from the Rick Davis campaign for SIGN STEALING, the CCO will make a $2,000 donation to the Charity of Mr. Weaver’s choice.

Here is a link to the story about Weaver’s on camera interview where the allegations were made.

http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/05/05/link-to-weaver-interview-supplement-to-is-it-true/

Previously Issued

IS IT TRUE that it has been 144 hours this morning since the City County Observer offered a $500 bounty on anyone that Jonathan Weaver would come forward to back up his on camera assertions of being ELECTION SIGN THIEVES?…that Mr. Weaver has not yet accepted our challenge nor has he come forward to claim the bounty?…that he has exactly 24 hours to accept our challenge or it will no longer be available?…that we do not understand why Mr. Weaver has not come forward?…that a candidate for office is expected to be both honest and charitable?…that IF Mr. Weaver was honest in his allegations of theft that the City County Observer has given him the perfect opportunity to be charitable as a result of his honesty?…that we are waiting?

By: Joe J. Wallace

Band’s Donation to Riley Children’s Hospital started off the evening with warmth

The Trans Siberian Orchestra made a stop in Evansville last night playing their now world renowned “Beethoven’s Last Night” tour with the composing creativity not seen in these parts since the 70’s pinnacle of Evansville as a “must play” place on tours by Queen, Styx, Kiss, and other bands who artfully mixed theatrics with rock and roll music.

The good vibes actually started before the music when four members of the orchestra came on stage with WIKY to announce that $1 of every ticket sold was being donated by the Trans Siberian Orchestra to the Riley Children’ Hospital. Some bands that come to town demand beer, whiskey, and expensive food as part of their contracts. This band came to give and give they did.

Three hours of non-stop teaching, entertaining, and actually making audience members think about life’s conundrums followed. The main story, Beethoven’s last night on earth where the devil (Mephistopheles) tries to trick him out of his music in exchange for his mortal soul has influences from “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” throughout. When the vocalist sang the lines “this is who you are” it certainly conjured up memories of “this is the point of no return”. The continuous display of musical talent, choreography, and synchronized monochromatic lights (lasers) kept the audience, many of whom were back for their 20th or more concerts mentally engaged.

At the conclusion of the show when old Mephistopheles gets tricked by Twist, the playful child of Fate, he goes back to where he came from empty handed. A good show with a happy beginning and a positive ending is about as good as it can get in River City. TSO then returned to do a 40 minute set of songs from their newest release “Night Castle” that left most of us ready for their next trip to Evansville, or Louisville, or any other place within driving distance.

On the way home my wife Karen turned to me and said that she wanted to read a biography of the life of Beethoven. That is testament to the teaching and inspirational power of acts like the Trans Siberian Orchestra that fuse entertainment styles to engage broad audiences.

Enjoy the video below. The stage set-up, the lights, and sounds that came to Evansville last night were identical to what New York City was treated to.

IS IT TRUE that Republican candidate for Mayor Lloyd Winnecke got 6 months in front of election day in recommending that a series of three debates be staged between himself and Democratic candidate Rick Davis?…that Mr. Winnecke’s letter was complimentary of Mr. Davis’s victory over Troy Tornatta in the Democratic primary and that it was respectful in tone?…that respectfulness is Lloyd Winnecke’s nature and that if this letter is a taste of things to comes his collaborative style will been in high gear in the campaign?…that as Mr. Winnecke’s challenge was more suggestive than challenging and that we expect that if Mr. Davis asks for slight modifications to Mr. Winnecke’s suggested format that an acceptable compromise will be reached quickly?

IS IT TRUE that it is quite refreshing to see advanced planning and respect for one’s opponent in the beginning of the campaign?…that there are plenty of substantive issues facing the City of Evansville and that either Mr. Winnecke or Mr. Davis will be our next Mayor?…that we get the feeling that these two guys would willingly work together to correct some of our problems and furthermore expect that they will regardless of who is the Mayor?…that if there are to be debates lets cross our fingers that the format, the moderator, and the questions are intense enough not to inspire disinterest and apathy?…that last year’s debates for Vanderburgh County offices were remarkably boring?…that even some of the candidates were frustrated by the failure of the moderators to force them to mix it up a bit with depth and substance?…that there are plenty of gotchas to be brought up and plenty of legitimate issues to captivate an audience for a good long time?…that we hope that the debates help people make informed choices about our governance and that the Pied Piper is silenced in the voting booth?

IS IT TRUE that “CCO MOLE 2 #” received private phone calls from several City/County employees and elected officials that share the same opinion as the City County Observer concerning the City Water and Sewer Department forcing one to give their Social Security number when they have water turned on? …that we wonder if the City Water and Sewer computer software have safe guards that protect our Social Security numbers?…that we wonder why the State of Indiana took off the requirement that forced us to put our Social Security numbers on our driver licenses? …that they felt that one wayward public employee could have taken ones social security and birthday dates to possibility steal one’s identity? …that it would take only one public employee to misuse personal information of a taxpayer that would expose the City of Evansville to a major law suit? …that we wonder why the City of Evansville Water and Sewer Department can’t just ask us for a copy of our driver’s license and past address we had our water and sewer services?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Water and Sewer Department is known around town for being oppressively unfriendly to landlords? …that the water department charges you for trash pickup even if you do not use it?…that if you have a dumpster on your property you still pay the trash fees?…that the water department only charges a person a $15 deposit to turn water in your name?…that when they run up the water bill, which can be several months before it is turned off, and moves out the landlord is responsible for the sewer portion of the bill?…that they can put a lien your property if it is not paid?…that this costs landlords thousands of dollars per year in Evansville?…that the offending the tenant goes to another rental, pays another $15 and they get water again?…that Vectren now requires new customers to provide a form that is notarized proving their identity before they will provide services to them?

IS IT TRUE that in a shrinking city that is burdened with SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS of blighted homes many of which are abandoned having a City of Evansville department enforcing arcane and oppressive rules onto the residents and landlords is just counterproductive?…that if there were ever a place that responsibilities need to be decoupled it is between landlords and tenants when it comes to public service providers?…that this stone age policy and other City of Evansville legacy problems might just make an excellent debate topic or better yet an opportunity to publish position papers that our citizens can examine at will?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer will publish all position papers written by or sanctioned by the candidates for Mayor of Evansville and the candidates for City Council?

IS IT TRUE that you should never vote to the words of this song?