Lloyd Winnecke, Republican candidate for Mayor of Evansville released a jobs plan today that essentially returns to the fundamentals of economic development that Gage and the Coalition for Economic Development were founded in in 2007.

In his plan Winnecke refers to leveraging the technology transfer agreement that was signed between Gage and the Crane Navsea back in 2008 and to returning to getting to know local businesses that was also established by Gage under the name EnGage in 2007. The plan also calls for returning to the basics of promoting entrepreneurship that was the fundamental tenant in establishing Innovation Pointe.

The entire plan is available on the link below.

Winnecke-Jobs-Plan

Mass Email from information@vanderburghdemocrats.com

Keeping the Majority

City Council Fundraiser
for

Missy Mosby
Stephanie Brinkerhoff Riley
Connie Robinson
John Friend
Jonathan Weaver
Conor O’Daniel

Hosts:
Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel
Curt John

June 29, 2011
5pm-7pm

Main Gate Sports Bar and Restaurant
529 Main St
Evansville, Indiana

$50 per person
Sponsorships Available

For more information contact Missy Mosby at (812) 453-6479 or call453misy@yahoo.com

The Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
200 SE 6th St
Evansville, IN 47713
(812) 464-9100
http://www.vanderburghdemocrats.com

Authorized by The Vanderburgh County Democratic Party, Mark R. Owen, Chairman.

IS IT TRUE? June 1, 2011

IS IT TRUE that Centre City Properties is not the only assessment that does not reflect the reality of the situation?…that houses that have been and remain in the Front Door Pride program just make ones head spin when trying to figure out a basis for assessment and taxation?…

IS IT TRUE that the first wave of Front Door Pride houses included a house located at 401 Southeast 3rd Street?…that this house like the other Front Door Pride houses cost the City of Evansville approximately $200,000 to build?…that the cost to build does not include any cost to acquire and prepare the land for construction such as demolition of a previous structure, grading, sewer taps, etc?…that this home sold in a transaction recorded on June 24, 2010 for the amount of $130,000?…that the assessment of this home as per the Vanderburgh County Assessor’s website this morning is exactly $64,000?…that the maximum taxes reported by the assessor are curiously listed as $1,280 which would correspond to 2% which is the maximum levy for a rental house?…that the actual taxes for this home are exactly ZERO?…that an exemption in the amount of $64,000 under the category of “other” is recorded making the taxes on this property ZERO until further changes?…that we wonder how completely destroying the tax base on a property that seems to be in good condition and well maintained is even remotely close to establishing a sustainable city?…that actions like this are the economic equivalent of cutting off ones nose to spite ones face?

IS IT TRUE that the second wave of eight Front Door Pride houses that took nearly a year to attract their first buyer last November is still in search of a second buyer?…that the remainder of the houses that cost from $178,305 to $207,262 to build are still sitting empty six months since the last buyer came along?…that at the rate of selling that the City of Evansville through Project Hope is sitting on six years of inventory just from FDP phase 2?…that no private business of any kind could survive holding a six year inventory?…that the sale that did happen was recorded last November 24th at a price of $130,000 for a home that cost the City of Evansville just under $200,000 to construct?…that this house is located at 1228 Culver and does not seem to have gotten a full exemption to property taxes?…that the assessment of this $200,000 house that sold for $130,000 is $53,000?…that the buyer has filed for a homestead tax exemption but still is paying $347.94 per year in real estate taxes?…that at this rate of taxation that the City of Evansville will recover the losses incurred from building this home in 201 years assuming a zero interest rate?…that the life of the house will not be 201 years?

IS IT TRUE that increasing the tax base and attracting private investment were two of the main reasons to pursue the Front Door Pride program?… that in a market that costs $200,000 to enter, years to sell at a $70,000 loss, in a neighborhood that legitimately delivers comparable values of $65,000 is never going to attract private investment?…that the gap is just too large?…that the value gap may even exceed the expected value over the life of the homes?…that now the City of Evansville is planning on building 40 more of these houses but they will be rentals?…that it is widely accepted that rentals hurt property values?…that this is turning into a money pit and that much of the money being thrown into this pit was originally programmed for a business loan fund?…that is a story for another day?

IS IT TRUE that John Kish stood before the Evansville City Council and stated that the assessment of the new downtown hotel would be based on cost of construction?…that there is strong precedent from the Front Door Pride program and the Constitution of the State of Indiana that market value is the only acceptable method of assessment?…that given those rules that the new downtown hotel will be fairly assessed at between $15 Million and $20 Million as opposed to the projected cost to build of $32 Million?…that if it is not that the developer can appeal the assessment and win on the precedents set by the Front Door Pride program and the McCurdy?

IS IT TRUE Centre City Properties LLC has accomplished a milestone?…that as owners of the McCurdy Hotel that Centre City has finally written a check to the Vanderburgh County Treasurer to pay SOME TAXES that were overdue on the historic hotel?…that SOME is the operative word here and not ALL?…that sometime after the May 10, 2011 due date that a payment of $10,771.55 was made toward an overdue tax bill of $23,046.31?…that included a penalty of $2,985.34 most of which was levied after May 10, 2011?…that the strange amount paid by Centre City was sufficient to bring the property taxes to within 6 months of being current?…that it would certainly be a show of good faith in pursuing this project if CCP were to take another step and pay the $12, 274.76 needed to bring the taxes current?…that one can basically stay 6 months to a year behind on property taxes forever without fear of the tax auctioneers hammer?

IS IT TRUE that the land on which the McCurdy sets is assessed for taxation purposes at $505,400?…that this land includes the parking lot that the City of Evansville purchased for a price of $603,000 exactly 1,345 days ago?…that we must assume that the City of Evansville’s purchase price was based on market value?…that the State of Indiana has a constitutional mandate to assess properties at market value?…that if this assessment is at market value that the land that the actual structure is on must have a value of NEGATIVE $97,600 unless of course the City of Evansville overpaid for the parking lot in the first place which they are not supposed to be able to do?…that either this land is assessed inconsistently with its market value based on an actual sale?…that this violates the constitution?

IS IT TRUE that the improvements to the McCurdy Hotel property are assessed at $316,200?…that every improvement is given a grade of F for condition?…that the assessors website does not have any record of the square footage of the structure?…that scaling from the map the structure itself appears to be in the 90,000 to 100,000 square foot range?…that the assessment is then in the $3 – $4 per square foot range or comparable to a dish towel?…that the recorded sale price of the entire McCurdy property is $818,500?…that the total dollars spent by the City of Evansville to acquire the parking lot and the hotel on behalf of Centre City Properties was $1,403,000?…that something does not smell right about an assessment of $821,600 for a property that the City of Evansville paid $1,403,000 for?…that it appears that this property is under-assessed by $581,400 costing the taxpayers of Evansville $17,442 per year if this assessment was correct?

IS IT TRUE that in all fairness that in its present condition the McCurdy would not draw a bid of $1.4 Million or even $821,000 at a public auction?…that even though the accounting was done wrong back in 2007 and 2008 that the property has degraded along with its next door neighbor the Riverhouse since that time?…that based on a recent auction at the Riverhouse that both 90 room hotels have a market value of only about $350,000 in their present condition?…that an eroding tax base due to devaluation is already a big problem in Evansville and is getting bigger?…that Centre City Properties could appeal the assessment based on the Riverhouse auction and get an even bigger tax reduction than they already are receiving?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,491 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 1,345 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 518 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 31, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County School Board is already releasing snippets of information regarding the search for a new superintendent to replace the soon to be departed Dr. Vince Bertrum?…that they officially expect a “shallow” pool of external candidates?…that the response to that low expectation is to seriously consider looking inside?…that undergoing a national search only to settle for a local candidate has been code for limited salary budget for public positions in the past?…that Evansville may be creating the “shallow” pool of external candidates by underpaying relative to national numbers?…that this predisposition to underpaying public positions relative to national scales holds Evansville back?…that this is a counterproductive attitude that pervades local government and non-profits in Evansville and has for years?…that it would be great if a local candidate turns out to be the right candidate to replace Dr. Bertrum?…that if the EVSC finds a local candidate but does not pay them a national wage that in a couple or three years this great local candidate will be our next brain drainer when some other locale recognizes it and pays a national wage?

IS IT TRUE that even after a weed whacker and some mowing was done at the McCurdy Hotel that it still looks dilapidated?…that ivy covers half of the sidewalk on the north side of the property and that the beanstalk to the second floor is still in place?…that we have it on good authority that the Shriners are planning to get the lot into good shape for their upcoming Shrinersfest?…that they want to avoid the embarrassment of having visitors in town seeing the state in which that once elegant building has been allowed to degenerate into?…that we thank the Shriners in advance for their contributions to Evansville and encourage everyone to attend the Shrinersfest to support their noble efforts?

IS IT TRUE that university tuition at a particular institution is nearly always uniform with respect to a student’s major?…that employment prospects and expected earnings bear no resemblance to each other with respect to major?…that a bachelor’s degree in any engineering discipline this year is commanding multiple offers that exceed $60,000 per year in most markets?…that a bachelor’s degree in some majors are not commanding any job offers at all for most students and are drawing less than $30,000 offers for the students fortunate enough to be hired?…that the so called “name” university graduates can expect to receive offers that are double the amount than graduates of the lesser known colleges?…that the big name schools charge up to 4 times as much and justify that by the salary and opportunity advantages that they offer?… that there should be different prices for different degrees?…that we wonder how recruiters look a kid in the eye and say it cost $30,000 for four years of tuition to get a credential that commands $30,000 per year at best while charging the same for a degree that will command more than twice as much?

IS IT TRUE that a drive by of the Executive Inn reveals that it was not on the ground last Friday as the plan was?…that we can look forward to being rid of the remains of that place this week?…that it is better late than never and that we are more interested in how the financing for the construction for the new hotel is going?

IS IT TRUE that the last three days have been a welcome break from the daily routine of people’s lives all across the country?…that we learned this weekend that outdoor music festivals in Louisville have now banned smoking?…that this was the first time that the City of Louisville that enacted a comprehensive smoking ban several years ago had moved the ban outdoors?…that event organizers report that this was the highest year for attendance?…that the City of Evansville needs to learn a lesson or two from Louisville in the public smoking department?…that Louisville’s Brown and Williamson Club is non-smoking?…that being last is better than never and that the time has come for the City of Evansville to promote public health with a comprehensive smoking ban?…that even all indoor areas of Churchill Downs are non-smoking and that after many bad years the track is doing okay again?…that Churchill Downs fought smoking restrictions like a cat fights a bath only to have their paranoia disproven?

IS IT TRUE that if you believe the mainstream media that one neighborhood in Evansville acted as if the moon was full last weekend?…that three young men took the life of a pizza delivery guy into their hands and pistol whipped him for the change that he carried and maybe a pizza or two?…that the thought process that enables one to rationalize committing such a crime for such a paltry payoff is mind boggling?…that we doubt very seriously that this act of cowardice can be blamed on the economy?…that these three knuckleheads should have learned better by this stage of their life?…that statistically speaking that they will all three find a cell to live in at some point in their lives?…that there were two more crimes of violence one involving a knife and another involving a gun in the same area?…that the good people of this neighborhood need to take the bull by the horns and start turning these criminals in?…that someone saw these things happen and either through fear or apathy has not come forward?…that the words “I DIDN’T SEE NOTHIN” are the words that drove Evansville’s crime rate up and that an attitude of not being willing to turn in perpetrators costs us all a degree of safety and some property value?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Police report included what sounds very much like a gang rumble that started in a Westside club and ended on the streets of the Southside on Washington Avenue between Kentucky Ave. and Highway 41?…that guns, knives, and injury were involved and that several of the partiers ended up in the emergency room?…that of course the cooperation level of the witness pool was “I DIDN’T SEE NOTHIN”?…that good people that happen to live in bad neighborhoods have the power to reduce crime in these neighborhoods by being willing to provide witness to the police?…that to refuse to do so enables the decline of the neighborhoods?…that this summer is not starting out well in the violent crime department and that we hope that cooler and more diligent minds prevail?…that we do not want to see the violent crime in Evansville increase by another 14% in 2011?

IS IT TRUE that the end of May brings with it the requirement that some financial milestone be achieved by Woodruff Hospitality LLC with respect to the new Downtown Evansville Convention Hotel?…that to date even though Arena Project Manager John Kish made a statement to that effect that he has not enlightened the public as to what that contractual requirement happens to be?…that the City County Observer should be finding out on or before June 16th as a result of our Freedom of Information Act request of May 19th?…that Mr. Kish should in the interest of transparency willingly inform the public of the end of May and end of June milestones and of the status of achieving them?…that the taxpayers of Evansville who are already subsidizing the hotel have a right to know the status of the project?

IS IT TRUE that on the riverfront in Louisville’s Belvedere Park there are engraved pavers with the cities along the Ohio River?…that Evansville is among these cities?…that beneath the Evansville paver that someone with some sidewalk chalk had written the words “Fattest City in America”?…that a little bit of water removes sidewalk chalk?…that water will not remove the distinction of being the fattest city in America but that discipline and willpower will?…that the City County Observer encourages all of our readers to eat healthy this week and walk a mile or so each day?…that if everyone does this Evansville will lose its dubious title of “Le Ville de Gras” in a couple of years?

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.

In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America’s wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)

Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.

Only Two Places in the World Duplicate this Festival: Louisville and Washington D. C., City County Observer is Evansville’s Media Representative at Festival

For additional information click on: http://www.abbeyroadontheriver.com/index1.php

Attendance at its Highest in 10 Year History of 5 Day Festival

The Abbey Road on the River festival that features 300 Beatles tribute concerts over a period of 5 days has broken new ground in progressive moves this year banning smoking even in the outdoor venue of Belvedere Park. The sign featured below is not in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, or New York’s Central Park, or even at a street festival in Boulder, CO. This is Louisville, Kentucky on the banks of the Ohio River.

Through a two hour rendition of the “Love” tribute that plays in Las Vegas there was only one person seen trying to sneak a taste of Kentucky’s second largest cash crop. Of course a few more were noticed by the river sneaking a taste of what has become Kentucky’s largest cash crop but that is governed by a different law.

Attendance at the festival which costs $30 per day to attend is at an all time high according to event organizers.

IS IT TRUE that the month of May has been a tough month on the City of Evansville?…that during the month of May that it has become widely known that we have been awarded the distinction of “the most obese city in America”?…that during the month of May we were fingered by the FBI for a 14.1% increase in violent crime?…that to add injury to insult that the Blue Angels through no fault of anyone from Evansville had an unexpected management change that resulted in the cancellation of their much anticipated appearance at the upcoming Shriner’s Fest?…that Evansville during the month of May could easily be called “the city that can’t catch a break”, or even “bad luck city”?

IS IT TRUE that lifestyle, accomplishment, and prosperity is not really about luck or what others can do for you?…that amidst all of this externally driven “bad luck” that some Evansville people and organizations were out there manufacturing their own “good luck”?…that under the leadership of Ann Ennis at Keep Evansville Beautiful that the fund raising effort to refurbish the fountain at Garvin Park was a solid locally driven success?…that this is a prime example of Evansville helping Evansville to be a better place and an accomplishment that benefits us all?…that not a dime of government money was needed to do this?

IS IT TRUE that the primary of 2011 is another place where the people of Evansville started the process of making their own luck?…that the groundwork for electing a balanced and deliberative City Council has been put into place with the victories of candidates for City Council that are not under the thumb of any quasi control group?…that if there was really an infamous “machine” in Evansville politics that it took at punch in the nose during the primary on May 3rd?…that the victorious candidates of both parties are proof that Evansville people can mobilize and make something different happen?

IS IT TRUE that several other self made successes that were not dependent on outside help or validation occurred during “bad luck month” as well?…that the grass at the McCurdy was mowed and that the Director of DMD was on TV talking about how “equal enforcement” of local ordinances is the rule of the day with his department?…that this has not been the perception for some time and that maybe the McCurdy rat, snake, goat, and pigeon tutorial will level the playing field going forward?…that the Audubon Apartments are now open for occupancy after a couple of decades of emptiness?…that this is a great example of Evansville Elevating Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that when Evansville Elevates Evansville it always seems to work out for the best?…that this rule is somewhat universal?…that the cities of America that help themselves always seem to rise to the top and those that stick their paw out for a handout never seen to catch a break?…that this rule works for people, groups of people, and formal organizations of people?…that to truly prosper and elevate the “quality of life” in Evansville that we need to ask ourselves what can we do ourselves to improve this city?

IS IT TRUE that “self improvement” is the theme that should dominate the City of Evansville elections in 2011?…that the candidates that can help or inspire the people of Evansville to help themselves are the ones that should be elected?…that as this campaign progresses that candidates who say that they will get “BIG BROTHER” to come into Evansville from the outside to rescue us from the dilemmas that were “Made in Evansville” should be viewed with skepticism?…that the candidates that present ideas and detail plans to utilize Evansville talent to solve Evansville problems are those that are worthy of support?

IS IT TRUE that our distinction as “America’s fattest city” might make us want liposuction but that what we really need is a nutritious diet and an exercise plan?…that the outside intervention of liposuction is certainly the easy path to instant gratification but that a healthy lifestyle is the only real sustainable answer?…that LIPOSUCTION GOVERNANCE that is dominated by outside money and outside control is no different?…that Evansville needs to reject the temptation to seek the easy short term solutions and support sustainable local governance that creates an atmosphere in which everyday people can flourish?