IS IT TRUE that Keep Evansville Beautiful has some renderings of concepts for renderings of Gateway projects to make the northern entrance to the City of Evansville attractive?…that this is a project that is bigger than most think and long overdue?…that the North 41 entrance to town is so ugly that we KNOW of recruiters who avoid the route altogether for prospective employees and customers?…that one very prominent local institution heads north from the airport on 57 and turns right on Oak Hill Road to bring prospects from the airport into Evansville?…that this is a big and most important project and that anyone who likes can comment on the ideas today at the Keep Evansville Beautiful headquarters at 223 Main Street in downtown Evansville?…that citizen input and approval is vital to projects like this?

IS IT TRUE that some thoughts have surfaced that may obscure some of the ugliness of the buildings on our northern corridor?…that the first thought is that there are too many stoplights?…that an ugly building is not quite as offensive if you are not stopped for two minutes and forced to look at it?…that there is not one redeeming architectural building or feature coming to town from the north?…that the only unique feature is the giant Santa Claus with his arm extended as if doing a “Heil Hitler” salute?…that for that impression alone Santa should be retired?…that a wall or a vine screen tall enough to obscure the view of all of the buildings on the east side of highway 41 from St. George Road to Pigeon Creek would hide the aged and featureless buildings?…that the Whirlpool building although privately owned presents a particular challenge?…that the big blue building always draws questions from visitors?…that the answers to these questions do not reflect well on Evansville?…that the Whirlpool building with is distinctive color and tired corporate logo are a monument to one of Evansville’s biggest failures to adapt?…that Whirlpool Corp. bears some of the responsibility but that we the people of Evansville are the ones left holding the bag?…that if the Whirlpool building is left standing that its image needs to invoke vision for a future and not simply be a reminder of the way we were?

IS IT TRUE that when a solution is found that works on the northern corridor that it should be implemented on the Lloyd Expressway between 41 and Fulton too?…that the 100 year old abandoned buildings in that corridor are a good indicator of what the northern entrance will look like in a few years if something is not done about it now?…that the southern gateway to Evansville is in similar need of some improvement?…that Southlane Drive needs paint for the guardrails and the world’s largest air freshener dispenser to be attractive to visitors and residents alike?…that Ann Ennis and KEB are on the task and that with great ideas and local financial support our gateways really can give a good first impression?

IS IT TRUE that one of our readers has really been unloading on the performance of the Evansville Otters this year?…that the Otters have played 25 games this year and have lost 20 of them?…that Evansville is far and away the largest city in the Frontier League and has the only stadium of significance?…that the Otters difficulty in finding success year after year is proof that talent on the field and talent on the coaching staff are what it takes to win in any league?…that all of the bricks, mortar, history, fans, or even bravado cannot make up for the failure to put talent in the uniform?…that the Otters lost last night to a team called “the Cornbelters”?…that the last time the Otters won a championship that the coach left town over compensation and that the Otters have not been competitive since?…that it is still an enjoyable experience and that the food is good and affordable?…that in baseball and other business we get what we pay for?…that if we as a city are not keeping up with other places it is because we are not investing in talent?…that maybe the Otters performance is a good mascot Evansville?…that would be mass quantities of cheap food, an attraction to the past, and a 20% win and 80% loss record against poor competition?

IS IT TRUE that the Jacobsville neighborhood is starting to get some attention from City Hall?…that the decision to start studying about how to make massive improvements to Jacobsville is a good decision and that Habitat for Humanity is the right kind of partner to engage in the implementation of solutions?…that it is about time that some focus is being given to something other than the Front Door Pride area?…that for each FDP house that loses $100,000 with every sale, 5 or more Habitat homes could have been built?…that the market demographics in the FDP neighborhood are much more suited to Habitat’s size and pricing than they are to the quite nice $200k homes that FDP constructs?…that we hope that the City of Evansville’s next administration has a better sense of appropriateness and practices fiscal sanity?

June 16, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Greg Ballard today detailed major initiatives aimed at stimulating economic development and creating jobs on the City’s Near Westside.

Flanked by community, neighborhood and business leaders, the Mayor announced:

A master plan has been developed by the City of Indianapolis and Develop Indy for the 16 Downtown Technology District, otherwise known as 16 Tech, which extends north from 10th Street to 16th Street and east from the White River to Fall Creek. As part of the City’s efforts to attract high-tech businesses, the master plan allows for up to one million square feet of development and redevelopment opportunities anchored by Helix Park, a multi-acre central park. The district’s unique and sustainable design features an innovative bioswale drainage system, attractive streetscapes, public art and a bicycle/walking trail.

Bush Stadium will be transformed into the 136-unit Stadium Lofts apartment complex with the shell and the historic façade of the stadium maintained in its original form. A new 132-unit apartment complex, Stadium Flats, also will be built on the property, and remaining parcels of land will be set aside for the development of up to 118,000 square feet of commercial space. The Bush Stadium project will result in a $22 million investment by a private developer and the City. Nearly 75 percent of the cost of the project will be privately funded by the developer, Core Redevelopment, LLC, with the City contributing $3.5 million from the consolidated TIF fund, pending approval by the Metropolitan Development Commission, and $1.8 million from the state Certified Technology Park fund.

RebuildIndy is investing $3 million in an Indiana Avenue Streetscape project that will create a signature avenue through the new technology district, serving as a pedestrian-friendly gateway from both 10th and 16th streets. The streetscape includes the development of the Technology Trail, patterned after the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, expanded pedestrian zones, trees and street level plantings, new lighting and public art.

“Indianapolis is making unprecedented investments in our neighborhoods in order to create new jobs and attract new business,” said Mayor Ballard. “The projects we are announcing today set the stage for Indianapolis to be a leader in the 21st-century economy.”

The development of a broad master planned district and the Bush Stadium redevelopment project will create a destination place for modern urban living and a prime opportunity for companies looking to locate near Indy’s urban core within walking distance to a major nexus of education, research, and healthcare institutions.

16 Tech is being designed and marketed to attract to Downtown Indianapolis research firms, contract service providers, and high-tech companies in such industries as information technology, health information technology, motorsports, biotechnology, and clean energy. The master plan creates a vision for a district in which residents and workers can live, work, play, and learn in close proximity to downtown, the IUPUI campus and the Indiana University School of Medicine.

“The 16 Tech District will help Central Indiana’s life sciences and technology sectors flourish while benefitting the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Congressman André Carson, an avid supporter of the project. “I look forward to the greater community investment that 16 Tech’s collaboration, research, and scientific discovery will foster.”

16 Tech is located within the downtown certified technology park created by the State of Indiana in 2003. The area was designated a life sciences district in 2004 under the Indianapolis Regional Center Plan 2020. Since then, no progress was made on the park’s development until Mayor Ballard appointed a task force in 2009 to study the area and make recommendations on a development plan. Today’s announcement is the result of the work of the task force and the commitment by the City to begin making the necessary investments to move 16 Tech forward.

“We are building a sustainable, strategic technology district befitting our status as a city on the leading edge of innovation,” said Scott Miller, CEO of Develop Indy. “16 Tech will encourage and enhance collaboration among public universities, public health providers, and the private enterprise high-technology sector.”

Bush Stadium project developer John Watson of Core Redevelopment, LLC previously served as chairman of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and has extensive experience refurbishing historic properties.

“I’ve had Bush Stadium on my radar for many years, dating back to when I served as the chairman of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana,” said Watson. “At one point, the Stadium was on the list of Indiana’s ten most endangered landmarks. When I ended my brief retirement, it immediately rose to the forefront of my development projects. I’m so pleased to be a part of the effort to not just preserve this historic and iconic site, but to redevelop it in a creative and innovative way.”

Bruce Schumacher, director of special projects for the Indianapolis Indians, commented that his organization is pleased to see such a creative re-use of this ballpark that holds many great memories for so many in the city. “The façade and feel of Bush Stadium will now be preserved for future generations to enjoy,” he said. “This project will be a positive step forward for Indianapolis as a whole and particularly for the surrounding area.”

The City and Develop Indy believe the streetscape project will create the infrastructure necessary to help motivate both commercial and residential tenants to choose to live and work in the district. “Because of our RebuildIndy initiative, we now have the funds to invest in creating projects like 16 Tech,” said Mayor Ballard. “The Indiana Avenue Streetscape is just one example of how infrastructure projects can strengthen our neighborhoods and drive job creation throughout Indianapolis.”

Source: City of Indianapolis

Excerpt:
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) will resign from office, according to a House leadership aide on Thursday.

The leadership aide said Weiner’s resignation would likely come on Thursday.

Weiner told close friends on Thursday that he planned to resign from Congress, according to several media reports. The decision comes after pressure from Republicans and his own party, including most of the House Democratic leadership.

Link

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/166801-report-weiner-to-resign

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Police Department has released the news regarding the number of police runs that were made in 2010 to the 65 public parks in the City of Evansville?…that the number is a startling 1,467 or just over 22 per park?…that on the surface this is not all that high if the police runs are evenly distributed over all of the parks?…that if the crime is evenly distributed that this is only 2 police runs per park per month?…that we seriously doubt that the crime in parks is evenly distributed?…that we think a deeper analysis of the police runs to each individual park will reveal that crime in our parks like crime in our city is concentrated?…that a priority analysis of a list of the specific parks, the types of crimes, the time of the crimes reported etc. would yield a list of places to patrol often?…that this data contains information that is capable of being used to devise an action plan that will work?…that this is what gathering feedback is all about?…that this is a first step at understanding where the problem parks are and then determining what to do about it?…that someone that draws a paycheck with the City of Evansville at the top of it may just be starting to get it?

IS IT TRUE that the crime rates in the City of Evansville vary greatly from census tract to census tract?…that the EPD knows this better than anyone?…that the census tract bordered by Walnut St. on the north, the Ohio River on the West, and zig-zags through the area south of downtown Evansville has the worst crime rating in the City of Evansville?…that this tract will contain the new hotel if when we get one, the Central Library, and the public housing just south of them?…that the Crime Index for this particular tract is 3 which means that 97% of the tracts in the entire United States have less crime?…that single digit and low teen crime indexes are common?…that the best crime indexes in the City of Evansville are in the 60’s and are concentrated on the east side and the far north side?…that McCutcheonville in the unincorporated part of Vanderburgh County is the best overall with a ranking of 96 that is comparable to gated communities with private security forces?…that we are willing to be a lunch that just as our census tract data can statistically tell us where crime is that the police run data will quickly enable the City of Evansville and the EPD to pinpoint the crime rankings for the City of Evansville parks?…that the link below will enable one to examine where the crime is in Evansville should they choose to do so?

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/in/evansville/crime/

IS IT TRUE that with the end of the school year that the subject of brain drain is being discussed at many evening dinner tables in the Evansville area?…that there are many recently graduated young people with a college degree (the ones we need to keep) who would like to stay in Evansville that are faced with no job, a retail job that they could have done 4 years ago, or packing their bags and heading elsewhere?…that this situation has not substantially changed in 40 years?…that it is not just young brains that drain from this market either?…that there is a shoe salesman in the mall with an MBA?…that there is a retail clerk on Burkhardt with a Ph.D?…that these people are still in town because they can’t sell their houses?…that these two and probably hundreds more will brain drain this place someday too?…that if one were to tabulate the professionals that are underemployed or just dropped out of the workforce in Evansville that the number could easily be in the thousands?…that in elementary school that we were all taught that a mind is a terrible thing to waste?…that many minds are being wasted in Evansville every day of the week?

IS IT TRUE that one of our favorite sons, former Congressman Brad Ellsworth was honored by the Vanderburgh Democratic Party with a Lifetime Achievement Award last week?…that his wife Beth accepted the award on his behalf?…that she did so because Congressman Ellsworth has taken a job in Indianapolis?…that Brad has been a supportive and upwardly mobile professional for his entire career?…that when he reached the level of success of becoming a United States Congressman that his expertise became so valuable that Evansville was no longer the best opportunity for him to choose for the betterment of his career and his family?…that we wish him well but feel some remorse for seeing Congressman Ellsworth become our most visible brain drainer thus far in 2011?…that we will all talk fondly of memories of Congressman Ellsworth when he used to live and work here as we do about the other brain drainers who have gone on to great things in other locations?

Mosby Says Controversy was Unnecessary

Apparently, the fundraiser next week has generated a little controversy. It shouldn’t.
Two weeks ago, City Councilman Curt John approached me and other candidates for City Council about hosting a fundraiser. He wanted to help those candidates who had asked him for financial assistance and who had also paid their spring assessments to the Vanderburgh County Democratic Central Committee. Curt asked me to help with the event by collecting responses.

This event should have been seen as a positive effort to help these candidates for City Council raise money for their respective campaigns. Any other interpretation of this event is unfounded. However, if for any reason people are upset about this event, I do apologize

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

REGULAR MEETING
KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER CHAMBERS
ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2011
12:00 NOON

REVISED AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. MINUTES N/A

3. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Request Re: Permission to Seek Quotes for Various Improvements for Fendrich, Helfrich
and McDonald Golf Courses. – Schall
b. Request Re: Permission to Seek Bids for Angel Mounds Boat Ramp Project. – Schall
c. Request Re: Permission to Purchase Tedder Boat Ramp System for Angel Mounds. – Schall
d. Request Re: Approve and Execute Contract with VPS Architecture for Feasibility Study of
Education Building and Administration Offices at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. –
Morris*
e. Request Re: Approve and Execute Advertising Agreement with Comcast/Media Mix for
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. – Morris*
f. Request Re: Approve Closing Zoo Entry Gate at 3:00 pm and Grounds at 4:00 pm for
Preparations for June Brew on June 11, 2011. – Morris*
g. Request Re: Permission to Hold Safe Kids Vanderburgh/Warrick County Car Seat Clinic
at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden on August 20, 2011. – Morris*

*Recommendation from Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Advisory Board.

4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Request Re: Open Bids for Turf Fertilizers and Chemicals. – Debbie Spalding/Mark Peters
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute LPA/INDOT Agreements for Arts, Glenwood, Hi Rail
Enterprise Corridor; Mid Levee Corridor; and Garvin/Governor/Stringtown Bike Lane
Corridor for the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage. – Boberg
c. Request Re: Review and Approve Evansville Community Tennis Association Proposal. –
Terry Clements

5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request Re: EPD – Law Enforcement in City Parks. – Chief Hill
b. Request Re: Approve the Addition of Curb Cuts for ADA Accessibility on South Wabash
Avenue. – Schall
c. Request Re: Approve Budget Transfers and CIP Reprioritizations. – Schall/Morris
d. Request Re: Any Other Business the Board Wishes to Consider and Public Comments.

6. REPORTS
a. Fendrich Golf Course, Dave English
b. Helfrich Golf Course, Dave McAtee
c. McDonald Golf Course & Wesselman Par 3, Mike Wassmer
d. Dan Schall, Executive Director

7. ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS

8. ADJOURN

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 June 15, 2011

IS IT TRUE that Arena Czar John Kish will go before the Vanderburgh County Council on July 6, 2011 to make a request that many people have predicted for some time now?…that this request will be for the Vanderburgh County Council to commit money that is the property of the taxpayers of Vanderburgh County to help pay for part of one of the many non-Arena projects that are having to be done as a result of the Arena project?…that this request will be in the amount of $3.5 Million for the purpose of a walk bridge to cross Martin Luther King Boulevard between the Centre and whatever ends up in the other west side of MLK?…that there is a walk bridge in place now that is a bridge to nowhere or to the ancient ruins of the Executive Inn whatever you prefer to call them?…that the City County Observer predicted this price of $3.5 Million on several occasions only to be scoffed at by the “powers that be”?…that this $3.5 Million chicken just came home to roost and that the City of Evansville is looking for the Vanderburgh County taxpayers to bail them out of this to be defined dilemma?

IS IT TRUE that some members of the Vanderburgh County Council may just suggest that Mr. Kish should have a discussion with the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau about contributing to the bailout?…that just last night that new Executive Director was on TV talking “BALLFIELDS”?…that in all fairness Mr. Warren was not talking about $18 Million ballfields and the destruction of Roberts Stadium but that someone has planted that BALLFIELD BUG in his mind?…that there is no reason to do anything with BALLFIELDS of any kind until the MLK Entertainment Complex is completed including a Convention Hotel?…that this next financial DAY OF RECKONING is astoundingly close to the July 6, 2011 hat-in-hand date for Mr. Kish?…that he may just find that the reception is not so warm to this request unless full and transparent disclosure of every expense is detailed and a full justification is made for the “need”?…that we are sure that this expense will not have any allocation of money in the ARENA BUDGET?…that this is false accounting because it should have been known all along that the bridge would be needed?…that to say this cost is not attributable to either the ARENA or the FIELD OF DREAMS MAY NEVER HAPPEN HOTEL is just misleading?…that we once again shake our heads in belief?

IS IT TRUE that Mayor Weinzapfel is letting it be known that he is planning to give the hard working and much deserving employees of the City of Evansville a 2% raise this year?…that employees of the Civic Center are so accustomed to getting special treatment during an election year and scraps during non-election years that this is no surprise?…that it has been reported by Mole #56 who has a sterling track record that the Controller of the City of Evansville was not aware of the intention to grant raises?…that raises as deserved as they are should have been made known to the Controller whose job is basically to make sure that the City of Evansville does not run out of money?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #78 tells us that the Republican Party leadership is courting a retired Air Force veteran that is both educated and charismatic to run against Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley for the 3rd Ward Evansville City Council seat?…that interest and capability have both been established and that major discussions have begun?

IS IT TRUE that to honor CCO and CP comment poster Bubbageek that we would like to dedicate the following video titled “JACKAL PACK”?

Eastside Upscale Grocery Draws Heavy Shopping on First Day

Fresh Market’s long awaited opening has come and the crowds to get in and shop first exceed even the ticket counter lines at Roberts Stadium when a national entertainer’s concert sales open. Fresh Market had a line forming 15 minutes before its official opening and the line was still full an hour later.

Inside there are fresh fruits and vegetables of every variety, a fresh fish counter with line caught king salmon, wild tuna, monkfish, and other seafood delights. The meat selection was not only extensive it was of the highest quality. Prepared foods like lemon honey cornish game hens and exotic salads. The produce in the Fresh Market is the kind of produce that will promote healthy eating without busting the family budget. The price of most cuts of meat is comparable to other markets in Evansville.

As a first day touch of class a dozen roses were offered at the unheard of price of $6.99.

George Mason Study Places Hoosier State #3 for Freedom, New York is Last

This study comprehensively ranks the American states on their public policies that affect individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres. An interactive map leads to the discussions of why each state ranked the way they are ranked. Indiana in particular was praised for having laws that promote individual freedoms in the areas of gun control, penalties for recreational marijuana use, and for having unregulated professions.

Indiana was cited for having silly blue laws that should be repealed and for making internet gambling illegal. The study urged Indiana to repeal those laws and to reduce the public debt by constraining the budgets for public welfare and hospitals. An appropriate comment was that Indiana strikes a good balance between Baptists and Bootleggers.

Our Midwestern border states of Illinois and Ohio did not fare so well ranking #41 and #42 respectively. Our southern neighbor Kentucky came in at #32 largely for carrying excessive debt and having little restriction on local government bonded debt.

Here is a link to the entire story and an interactive map.

http://mercatus.org/freedom-50-states-2011