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

IS IT TRUE that “CCO Mole # 3” has information that shall save you money the next time you shop either at Lowes or Home Depot? …when you go to the counter to pay your bill please ask them if they give discounts to Veterans? …they shall ask you to show documentation that you are Active Duty or are a United States Veteran? …that once you prove your Veteran status they will immediately give you a whopping 10% discount on total purchases? …that aren’t you glad that you read the CITY COUNTY OBSERVER because they have money saving ideas you can use?…that the link below is for our military and veterans to use in living a life full of discounts?

http://themilitarywallet.com/home-depot-lowes-10-military-discount/

IS IT TRUE that Mole #92 tells us that Vanderburgh Democratic Party Chairman Mark Owen is actually making a concerted effort to unify the fractured party?…that some of the sour attitudes have been spilling onto Facebook and into the Tweet Stream of Twitter?…that in one particular case of a Facebook post that Chairman Owen has admonished one of the Democratic candidates to suppress the hate that keeps being expressed for certain other Democratic candidates?…that several Moles and Mole Assistants have a screen shot saved of the interaction but that for the time being we will not post it?…that another Democratic candidate was simply taken aside and told in so many words to shut his mouth with the acidic language and that if he can’t to please just shut his mouth altogether?…that as Gandalf told Peregrine Took before standing before the Steward of Gondor that “it would be best if you say nothing at all”?…that the City County Observer would like to give Chairman Owen two Mole thumbs up for his efforts?…that the antics of the party have given us free and easy material for some time now and that we may have to work harder if there is peace among democrats?

IS IT TRUE that our article about accommodating the Jehovah’s Witnesses yesterday elicited 10 comments very quickly?…that all are supportive of making some positive use of Roberts Stadium and that they are split on whether or not there will be parking issues downtown if the Arena is filled during working hours?…that sometimes the numbers do not stack up and that a full Arena during a workday is a case where the numbers just do not stack up?…that busses to bring people downtown from the Roberts Stadium parking lot will solve that problem?…that then number of times that the Arena will be used and crowded in any given year during the work day will be able to be counted on one hand?…that we agree with most of our readers that there IS a good use for Roberts Stadium?…that we await the day that a local group steps forward to implement a use?…the term use it or lose it may just apply to Roberts Stadium?…that if SMG wants to keep booking acts into there that there should be no reason not to allow them to do so?…that Bob Dylan tickets start at $25 each?…that if he were to be booked into either the new Arena or the Centre that the price would be higher and less of our citizens could enjoy the show?…that the CCO says thumbs up to Bob Dylan, SMG, and Outback Concerts for an affordable concert during the Great Recession?

IS IT TRUE that tomorrow June 16, 2011 is the day that the CCO is supposed to be receiving all of the communications and documentation regarding the VenuWorks contract and more importantly the agreement(s) to bring a convention hotel to downtown Evansville?…that we hope that all of you are just as eager as we are to see what kind of a deal that we have in both cases?

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 June 14, 2011

IS IT TRUE that there is a fly in the ointment for keeping the annual Jehovah’s Witness Convention coming to Evansville?…that the leadership of the Jehovah’s Witnesses has expressed concern over the availability of parking in downtown Evansville with respect to holding their convention at the new Evansville Arena?…that the Jehovah Witnesses have been renting Roberts Stadium for their convention for two consecutive weekends for weekends for many years now?…that the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that the 10,000 visitors have an economic impact of $3.5 Million to the Evansville economy?…that if the waiting time for tables at restaurants last weekend is an indicator that the number may even be higher?…that the Jehovah’s Witnesses all wore their badges and were seen in all of the best restaurants of Evansville enjoying themselves after a day at Roberts Stadium?

IS IT TRUE that the Jehovah’s Witness conventions always start on Friday?…that being the case that they will be competing with the reported 14,000 downtown workers for the 4,000 or so parking spaces that are in downtown Evansville within walking distance of the Arena?…that the City County Observer has always accepted the City of Evansville’s assertion that downtown Evansville has an adequate number of parking spaces to handle Arena crowds?…that we still accept that but do not think there is adequate parking during normal working hours from 8 – 5 on Monday through Friday?…that parking may indeed be a real problem for any event at the Arena during normal working hours?…that if keeping the Jehovah Witnesses coming to Evansville is a priority then the parking problem for Friday will have to be dealt with?…that one piece of a solution is to make two Fridays in June vacation days for the Civic Center employees liberating the entire back 40 for parking?…that another piece of a solution is to make two Fridays in June FREE PARKING DAYS for downtown Evansville?…that it would really infuriate someone to drive around looking for a parking place that is marked with a “TWO HOUR PARKING” sign, to park there, and to return from your convention to a $15 PARKING TICKET on your windshield?

IS IT TRUE that when all things are considered that the new Evansville Arena on a Friday is not a very inviting place to have an event that draws over 5,000 people?…that parking will be a problem, that an increase in rental rates will be an unwelcome surprise, and that one bad experience will be the last one?…that the management of the Owensboro Sports Arena is quite aware of the dilemma that Evansville has created for itself?…that the best and most convenient way to keep the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their $3.5 Million of economic impact in Evansville is to KEEP ROBERTS STADIUM OPEN?…that to whine about a cost of $400,000 per year as being waste but to lose a $3.5 Million economic impact constitutes the right brain not knowing what the left brain is doing?…that this is a very good opportunity for Mr. Bob Warren to show his colors and negotiate an acceptable solution to this in a way that is a positive experience for the 2012 Jehovah’s Witness Convention?

IS IT TRUE that we hope that there is a new convention hotel under construction on that very site during June of 2012?…that will pose some unique challenges as well?…that if things do not get taken care of soon from a financial perspective that the hoped for construction may impact 2013 too?…that the Jehovah’s Witnesses just proved last weekend that there are enough hotel rooms in Evansville to accommodate a 6,000 person convention?…that the Frog Follies will prove the same thing?

IS IT TRUE that the video content of the story about weapons, liquor and condoms in the Line Street Park can be viewed on the following link?…that sometimes pictures are better than words for getting people’s attention?…that it is comical to hear the Director of the Evansville City Parks first response when confronted?…that he really did say that “parks employees did not put the rubbers, weapon, and liquor into the park”?…that this summer’s revelations from City Hall keep getting more and more astonishing?…that here is the video?

www.news25.us/story/14899906/are-evansville-parks-safe

IS IT TRUE that the first day after the Courier and Press reported that the Evansville Parks Department was trying to get its act together with a system to track complaints that a News 25 reporter went to a highly visible city park and was able to collect an empty liquor bottle, a sharp piece of metal, a weapon, a condom wrapper, and a used condom all in a matter of minutes?…that the reporter gathered this disgusting collection and took it to Dan Schall the Director of Parks for the City of Evansville?…that his response was that this was done by the people of Evansville?…that in defense of Mr. Schall that his statement is truthful?…that if a population of people lives like animals that there is indeed little that can be done to improve the conditions of the feedlot?…that part of the solution to these problems with the parks is in the hands of the people of Evansville but that the leadership role needs to come from the City Administration?…that Mr. Schall should consider this collection of garbage to be the first citizen complaint that he should log into his complaint register?…that maybe Monday mornings would be a good time to do a sweep of the parks to clean the garbage of reckless living?…that this whole garbage, used rubbers, druggie discards etc. will only improve according to the old adage “where there is a will there is a way”?…that we are very curious where the will to improve is in the current administration?

IS IT TRUE that a little old lady named Bernice stood before the Evansville City Council last night to speak her mind about the Council’s judgment or lack thereof?…that Bernice started out with an admonishment to the Council to think for themselves as opposed to continuing to be “puppets” for the current administration?…that Bernice was cut off by City Council President B. J. Watts mid sentence and told that there would not be any political statements made?…the Bernice simply asked “why”?…that on her way back to her seat that Councilman H. Dan Adams gave her some respect and allowed her to speak for a sentence or two?…that Bernice had a simple message and it was for the City Council to think for themselves and be a puppet for no one?…that the City County Observer would like to thank Bernice for her diligence in trying to make Evansville better and echo her admonishment to the City Council to think and do not be a puppet for anyone?…that Evansville could use more citizens with the civic engagement that Bernice has?

IS IT TRUE that on the heels of the City County Observer’s posts about the “Keeping the Majority” fundraiser that Fox 7 News has been in pursuit of the Democrats included and excluded from the fundraiser?…that it is always gratifying to see and hear of the mainstream media picking up leads from our website and running with them?…that it takes coordinated research to get to the bottom of things and that with as many Moles as we have we really like to see other news agencies get into the fracas?

IS IT TRUE that we encourage you to celebrate the “Ordination” of Bishop Charles Thompson on June 29, 2011 at Robert’s Stadium at 2:00 p. m.? … Bishop elect Charles Thompson is just the 5th Bishop to be named to the Diocese of Evansville? …that his ordination and installation is a significant event in the life of the Catholic Church? …we encourage you to call 477-8923 or e-mail – cindyj@hrparish.org for more information?

IS IT TRUE we are saddened to hear about the unexpected death of attorney, Timothy R Dodd? …that Mr. Dodd was extremely well respected and was a tireless advocate of the disadvantaged? …that because of Mr. Dodd’s untimely death that this shall cause a delay in the trial of alleged murderer, Jeffery Weisheit? …that because the courts have to replace Mr. Dodd with another defense attorney to represent Mr. Weisheit his trial may not start up until the beginning of next year?…that this time lag should give the Vanderburgh County Council an opportunity to budget and fund the reasonable request from Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann so he and his excellent legal team can bring justice to the victims and their families for this horrible crime