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Occupy Evansville Ordered to Vacate Four Freedoms by 11 pm or be Removed by Force:

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Do Not Let This Happen Here

It has been reported by members and observers of Occupy Evansville that they have been notified by the Evansville Police Department to leave the Four Freedoms Monument by 11:00 pm or that they will be forcefully removed.

Update: It has been reported by people at Four Freedoms that the electricity to the monument has been turned off and that the occupation will continue in the dark. It is also reported that the next march scheduled will be in November and that the focus of the march shall be the Vectren Corporation.

It is truly ironic that on public property in a monument to freedom that right here in Evansville that this groups freedom to assemble is being taken away. The City of Evansville is in the midst of an election and our nation is in the worst economic recession since the great depression.

The last thing that is needed is to have a civil rights lawsuit to deal with. It is difficult to understand why this group can’t sit peacefully at the Four Freedoms Monument if they wish to.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is gathered.

Occupy Evansville Assembles and Marches Peacefully on Day One

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Occupy Evansville drew a diverse group of people of all ages and races to its initial occupation of the Four Freedoms Monument. The gathering was on time and the description of the amplification techniques and protest etiquette was communicated clearly right up front. The crowd was made up of children with their parents, young adults, and a large contingent of older veterans waving America flags. In the first two hours there were no altercations and barely any rudeness.

The group came spoiling for a march on something and after nominations of Vectren, Fifth Third, the Arena, Old National Bank, and the Ford Center, a consensus opinion was reached to march a lap around Vectren and to go back to the Four Freedoms Monument to caucus. There was an elderly veteran in a wheel chair that was collecting signatures for John Friend’s petition for Vectren to freeze rates and for the IURC to hold all meetings involving Evansville in Evansville who was doing a brisk business.

The march around Vectren while serving to burn off some energy met no resistance and no unruliness happened. All of the marchers stayed on the sidewalks and kept moving as they had been directed. There was little talk of mass demands as have been reported in other sources and there were no chants of soaking the rich. Thus far day one just seems to be a gathering of patriotic people as evidenced by the flags who happen to be disappointed with the way that our country is being run. There were some signs that had the look of what we have been seeing on TV but no meanness was vented.

It is worth noting that Vectren was in fortress mode with police cars circling and guards inside and out. Plenty of cars driving by would honk in approval with an occasional fist salute held aloft from the windows. All in all this seemed to be a healthy exercise in democracy. We hope that it stays that way.

Take That: October 15, 2011

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Take That: October 15, 2011

IN RESPONSE TO: Davis and Winnecke Trash “The Machine”

“Davis simply needs to point out the following, which will be a bit easier after Oct. 21:
1) Winnecke has the same donors as Weinzapfel
2) The Dem machine is suppporting Winnecke
3) Winnecke said that if Weinzapfel were running again, he wouldn’t enter the race because “he agrees with Weinzapfel’s agenda”

It’s clear who the Machine candidate is.” Vonkayel

“Rick Davis could not win the Dem. primary without fracturing the Dem. party. He started this four years ago, at that time to prepare for Dan Adams to run against Jonathan Weinzapfel. … Yes, he was able to dismantle the Mosby machine in Perry Township, but his only inroad into the Mosbys on the Eastside has been D-d-d-d-d-donny. Big deal.” Veracity

“It makes no difference to the machine politics if you are a republican or a democrat the machine has and always will cross party line for the good of the old boys club’s benefit, power hungry control freaks don’t have a political badge that is of a certain color or affiliation, the old boys club transcends well beyond party boundaries, that’s it’s strength and power base.” Blanger

“He failed to understand that there are two separate political entities involved in the process. If you doubt that I am right, just ask all the citizens living in unincorporated Vanderburgh county to show up at the polling station to vote in the city election and see if they are allowed to vote! It is another case of Weinzapfel instructing Winnecke on what he was to do. The puppet and his master.” Pressanykey

“Please Define who are the good ole boys. You throw this around but fail to say who belongs. Our inquiring minds want to know.” Auchilles

“Here’s how I would lay it out:
The Powers: These are the people who actually control what happens in Evansville political and economic life. They tend to remain behind the scenes, acting through proxies or managers (see below).
Bob Koch
Neil Ellerbrook/Vectren
Bob Jones/ONB
Andy Goebel
Jack McNeely
Alan Braun
Englebrecht (questionable)

The Managers: These are the Apparatchiks, the ones who see to it that the agenda of the Powers actually gets done, by any means necessary. They don’t generally control the money or overall strategy, but they are the ones who do tactical planning, the intimidation, and the political maneuvering needed to implement the strategy.
Mark Owen (D)
Jeff Knight ($)
Marco DeLucio ($)
Carol McClintock
David Jones (D)
Ted Zeimer (R)
Lloyd Winnecke (R)
Bettye Lou Jerell (R)
Ed Hafer ($)
Curt John (D)
The Sock Puppets: These are the public officials who take their orders from the managers. They cast the votes, talk to the media, and generally are the “face” of the machine.
Jonathan Weinzapfel (D)
Connie Robinson (D)
Troy Tornatta (D)
Jonathan Weaver (D)
Missy Mosby (D)
Matt Meadors ($)
Joe Kiefer (R)
Mike Duckworth (R)
John Friend (D)
Suzanne Crouch (R)
Eric Williams (D)
Brad Ellsworth (D)
Brad Hill
Keith Jarboe (D)
Susan Kirk (R?)
BJ Watts (D)
Tom Shetler (R)
Mike Goebel (D)”

From Vonkayel in response to Auchilles

IS IT TRUE? October 15, 2011

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? October 15, 2011

IS IT TRUE that today is the day the group of people calling themselves “Occupy Evansville” will be assembling at the Four Freedoms Monument to set up the occupation?…that the combined Facebook “like” indicators are now over 2,000?…that looking over the site there are people from as much as 100 miles away indicating that they will be joining in the occupation of Evansville?…that finally today that some pointed political posts and some demands are starting to show up in the local sites?…that these demands are looking very much like what other parts of the country are hearing?…that it seems as though this leaderless and misdirected group may be getting its marching orders from somewhere because that is the only way that uniform statements could ever find their way to what is now several hundred groups?…that if and we must say if the list of 13 “demands” that are listed in the Evansville Courier and Press this morning are the goals of this group that what they have is a utopian dream that will put the last dagger into the heart of the already weakened American economy?…that we hope that the Evansville group will direct its youthful energy into things that Evansville can use improvement with?

IS IT TRUE that within “Occupy Evansville” there is a very vocal group that are naming targets for march bys?…that the targets listed include Vectren, some banks, Springleaf (for AIG history), and of course government buildings?…that there is a section under legal where all of the protesters are instructed about what is legal and what is not?…that there is no need for anyone to expect any violence or disrespect as the group seems to be well coached on protest etiquette?…that all of these targets have some merit and may be a part of the improvement of Evansville and that we hope that they will see march-bys as a wake-up call as opposed to an attack?

IS IT TRUE that the press release from Vectren this week letting us know that natural gas prices have fallen and that we can on average expect to pay $10 less this winter to keep warm?…that of course the normal disclaimers like “if the winter weather is just like last year’s”, “if the sun shines as much as normal”, and “if there are as many power outages as last year” then you will see you $10 but if not we are not responsible for this statement were included?…that what the press release really said was “if you use exactly the same amount of gas that you used last year Vectren believes based on its purchases that you will save $10, and they would like to get credit for saving you the $10”?…that this press release was really just an FYI to the ratepayers?

IS IT TRUE that unlike electricity where Vectren’s prices are dramatically higher than nearly every utility in the United States, their gas pricing is decoupled and actually has to compete in some areas that it serves?…that decoupling means that the price of the gas itself is passed directly through to the ratepayers at the cost that Vectren spends to acquire the gas?…that if Vectren is a good shopper that we the ratepayers benefit?…that if Vectren is a bad shopper and pays a high price for the openly traded commodity of natural gas that they will pass those extra costs on to us as well?…that during the last 5 years Vectren has been both a good and bad shopper?…that natural gas is traded today at $3.54 per million Btu’s and has a rising inventory?…that natural gas has not changed considerable over the past year but it has dropped dramatically from its highs of over $10 per million Btu in much of 2005?…that natural gas due to fracking increasing the supply is actually at a 10 year low in real dollars per Btu?…that Vectren does not have the size to control this market and is much at the whims of the market for gas as the ratepayers of SW Indiana are to the whims of the IURC?

IS IT TRUE that Vectren makes all of its profits from its gas operation from “distribution and service charges”?…that in one recent statement that “distribution and service charges” make up 77% of the gas charges while the “therms used (code for gas)” only makes up 23% of the total gas charges?…that while the recent press release was informative that it was a little sleight of hand as Vectren as a company is only earning profits from the “distribution and service charge” side of that equation?…that given the drop in natural gas since 2005 that one would expect that the gas portion of the bill should be 60% lower now than it was then?…that that nice warm air is moved with fans from the source of the flame to most homes?…that these fans are powered by electricity which at the end of the day still cost triple as much in Evansville than it does across the money saving bridge?

IS IT TRUEthat 10 therms = 1 million Btu’s?…that a recent bill would calculate that Vectren charges $4.85 per mmBtu?…that the spot market for natural gas has been stable this year at just over $3.50 per mmBtu?…that it seems as though Vectren’s overhead associated with purchasing the natural gas must be about 35% – 40%?

Link to historical natural gas price chart:

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/commodity/natural-gas

Drug Task Force Reports Another House Destroyed Due to Meth Lab

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METH Lab Fire 10152011

City Adding 250 Parking Spaces in “Back 40”

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Parking Expansion Notice

Evansville Redevelopment Commission Meeting Agenda 10-18-2011

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ERC draft_agenda_10-18-11_erc

The Littlest Candidates Debate

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IS IT TRUE? October 14, 2011 Lunchtime Edition

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Name this City Council Member

IS IT TRUE? October 14, 2011

IS IT TRUE that noon tomorrow is the time that the group of people calling themselves “Occupy Evansville” will be assembling at the Four Freedoms Monument to set up the occupation?…that the combined Facebook “like” indicators are now over 2,000?…that looking over the site there are people from as much as 100 miles away indicating that they will be joining in the occupation of Evansville?…that there are no real demands, agendas, or leaders identified on the site so we shall learn what we are getting when we get it?…that there is a very vocal group that are naming targets for march bys?…that the targets listed include Vectren, some banks, Springleaf (for AIG history), and of course government buildings?…that there is a section under legal where all of the protesters are instructed about what is legal and what is not?…that there is no need for anyone to expect any violence or disrespect as the group seems to be well coached on protest etiquette?

IS IT TRUE that today’s Evansville Police Department activity report contained 34 reports of stealing or fraud?…that it also contained a number of meth related arrests with one particular case where there were 100 one-pot meth labs in a single house?…that the City County Observer wishes to ask that all of our readers do not litter or steal anything this weekend?…that these should be easy things to do and easy things to encourage with others?…that we look forward to a day when the EPD has only 5 pages or less of crimes on any given day as opposed to the up to 20 pages that we have on bad days now?

IS IT TRUE that we would like to reiterate something from our earlier IS IT TRUE and that is that NO MEMBER of the EVANSVILLE CITY COUNCIL whether they met privately with Vectren or not was aware that there was going to be an announced fee increase hearing the very next morning?…that we have been assured by enough council members to say with confidence that if this piece of material information had been known that Vectren’s October 24th date with the City Council would not have been changed?…that our City Council got the wool pulled over their eyes this time?

IS IT TRUE that the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has filed for bankruptcy?…that the characteristics of Harrisburg are a population that has been shrinking for over 50 years, a failure to adapt to a modern economy, and borrowing a very large sum of money on a public works project that was projected to be self funding?…that the Mayor of Harrisburg and the entire City Council are Democrats?…that we wonder just how many others might see some similarities to Evansville?…that we need to attend events at the Ford Center so that it becomes a financial success as opposed to the incinerator project in Harrisburg that finally bankrupted that city?…that it seems as though elected officials get the wool pulled over their eyes all over the place?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission is scheduled to meed on Tuesday August 18, 2011 but has not yet issued an agenda?…that all are curious about the potential for line items about VETTING, the hotel, or the McCurdy?

IS IT TRUE that the Democratic Central Committee tells us that those 6 poster names that magically vanished from the Courier and Press comment site are not their names and that they had nothing to do with catjones, bullettooth, Labor215, fourwheeldrive, EleanorRugby, or EvilleResWest?…that we are relieved to hear that?

Libertarians to Occupiers: Crony capitalism is the problem

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2011

Contact: Wes Benedict, Executive Director
E-mail: wes.benedict@lp.org
Phone: 202-333-0008 ext. 222

Libertarians to Occupiers: Crony capitalism is the problem

WASHINGTON – Libertarian Party Chair Mark Hinkle released the following statement today:

“I have been following the Occupy protesters, who call themselves the ‘99%’, with interest.

“It’s true that 99% of Americans do not enjoy the special benefits of crony capitalism. Crony capitalism is very different from real capitalism. In crony capitalism, government hands out special favors and protections to politically well-connected businesses.

“The TARP bailouts, Solyndra, and the military-industrial complex are all facets of crony capitalism.

“Libertarians love free markets and hate crony capitalism.

“Unfortunately, hypocritical Republican politicians have taught a lot of Americans to think that ‘free markets’ means freedom for government and big business to engage in crony capitalism.

“That’s not what free markets are. A free market is where the government leaves businesses alone, does not attempt to pick winners and losers, does not stifle competition, does not hand out corporate welfare, and does not absolve businesses of liability for their actions. Most of our economy today does not resemble a free market at all.

“It’s unfortunate that so many businesses today go to the government begging for handouts and special treatment. I wish they wouldn’t. But the real problem is the politicians who choose to give those favors to them, at everyone else’s expense.

“I hope the Occupy protesters will start to direct their anger away from Wall Street and big businesses, and toward our government, which has done so much to destroy free markets and entrench crony capitalism.”

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America’s third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

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