IS IT TRUE? May 27, 2011

IS IT TRUE that News 25 has done a piece of good investigative journalism that deserves congratulations?…that in the aftermath of the alleged sexual assault on the greenway this week in the Garvin Park area that News 25 tested the emergency kiosks that are located on the greenway trail that is used by joggers, walkers, and bicyclists?…that some of these kiosks are not working and when the emergency button is pushed that there is no response?…that there is no notice on the non-working kiosks to indicate that they are broken?…that if a woman or a child was eluding an attacker and sought police protection at these kiosks that it is a throw of the dice as to whether the kiosk nearest was working or not?…that on the 6 pm news last night that Evansville Director of Parks and Recreation Dan Schall was filmed making a statement that he was aware that some of these kiosks are not working?…that Mr. Schall made a statement that emergency kiosks are something that may not be needed since people have cell phones?…that this is one of the most astonishingly uninformed statements of rationalization that a public official has ever dared to utter?…that if your sister, your daughter, or your wife went jogging on the much celebrated Evansville greenway that it is ASSUMED that the emergency kiosks are in working order?…that to have no kiosks is risky but acceptable?…that to have working kiosks is the best situation?…that having non-functioning decoy kiosks is absolutely not acceptable?…that having non-working kiosks is the same as having a non-working 911 emergency response center?…that non-working emergency kiosks trick the public into feeling secure when they are not secure at all?…that if there were no emergency kiosks that maybe young women would choose to exercise elsewhere, carry pepper spray, or be certain to have a cell phone at all times?…that the people of Evansville pay for and deserve better than this?

IS IT TRUE that to rationalize about the inevitable obsolescence of having a non-functioning emergency network is simply not sound logic from a senior government official?…that such an attitude and such poor judgement is not acceptable from a public servant?…that Mr. Dan Schall is a well paid department head for the City of Evansville?…that this is the same individual that presides over the park where a child was stuck by a discarded drug addict’s needle?…that the parent of this child attempted for months to get the attention of the City of Evansville Parks Department and was continually dismissed and delayed?…that only when Dr. Neil Troost stood before the Evansville City Council and told local media the story of the needle in the sandbox did even so much as acknowledgement of the problem come forth?…that the time has come for the person who presided over the needle in the sandbox and knowingly left non-working emergency kiosks on public jogging paths to either justify this performance or step aside?…that a dismissive tone and disregard for public safety has no place in the Office of the Director of Parks and Recreation in any American city?…that Mr. Schall should do something for the people of Evansville who pay his salary and present a solution to these problems, a reason for these situations, or step aside?…that there is no place for this kind of attitude in public service?

IS IT TRUE that any and all officers of the City of Evansville whether elected, appointed, or hired who were aware that these emergency kiosks were not working and kept their silence about this need to go too?…that any and all members of the board of directors of the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department that had knowledge that these emergency kiosks were not functional and perpetuated the situation with their silence should step aside too?…that to compromise public safety with what are essentially decoy devices is a bigger disservice to the public that to have never had emergency kiosks in the first place?…that this is the equivalent of willfully preventing the police department from receiving vital information needed to do their job?….that in a week where Evansville was fingered by the FBI for having a 14.1% increase in violent crime that we also have learned that the emergency kiosks on our greenway are not working and have not been working for some time?…that the Director of Parks and Recreation knew it and said nothing?…that this is not an acceptable way for any city to operate?

IS IT TRUE that if this is not our moment of hitting bottom with respect to maintenance of our infrastructure then we all should shutter at where the bottom will be?…that we have truly become a city where the sewers do not work, the emergency kiosks on public trails have failed, that is spending $128 Million on entertainment?…that this looks more like a scene from “Deliverance” than from a mid sized Midwestern city?

Take That: May 27, 2011

In Response to: McCurdy Hotel Weed Problems

“Thanks to the CCO for staying on this story and not letting the City of Evansville off the hook. Make no mistake, without the CCO the city would not be mowing this grass, nor would they be holding the Mayor’s big donor accountable. You guys have done more to make Evansville a better place than all of the politicians have for years. Please keep it up.” The Donald

“After these excellent articles highlighting the McCurdy money pit decay snafu, don’t expect the CCO to be invited to the regime’s farewell party.” Joe Biden

“Kudos to CCO for spearheading this, it would seem someone downtown is reading the CCO daily, taking notes, and reporting to their handlers what is being said, for this problem to go on for so long and just now get some attention speaks volumes….but then again maybe someone from the shrine made a phone call and got-it-done….either way I’m sure the past yard tenants just moved over to the River House.” Blanger

“As a “WATCHDOG” CCO does not “STAY ON THE PORCH!” “Get’em!” Bubbageek

“with all that grass and an abandoned building, I’d imagine there is a rat problem in the works if one does not already exist. And I’m not referring to the owners shady dealings with Mr Weinzapel and his administration, although if the shoe fits……. Henry

“hopefully the dmd code enforcement will step up to the plate and do their job ,i drove by the old mccurdy a little while ago and yes it does look seedy ,did my duty as a taxpaying citizen and called it in to the dmd ,together we can all make evansville a beautiful city again as long as ALL do their job” evilletaxpayer

In Response to: Rusty Guardrails Make an Ugly Gateway

“Let me see if I have this right? You want to be on the City Council and do not know where the city limits are and you are silly enough to think that consolidation will magically get guardrails painted. The only feasible response to that is “you must be kidding”. Come on man, if the city and county need consolidation to paint a guardrail there is nothing worth consolidating.” Free Bird to Conor O’Daniel

“Hint: The centerline of the levee is the city limits. Everything inside the levee is city, plus the Harbor’s Edge subdivision, and everything outside the levee is county.” Soon2B to Conor O’Daniel

“Is it in the city or the county? The limits are right there. If it is county property then don’t they have the responsibility. Yet another reason consolidation makes sense.” Conor O’Daniel

““PARABLE OF THE STINKING TOILET”
Picture this:
You are invited into someone’s home. It has “curb appeal.”
As you tour the house new furnishings and fixtures are apparent, but as you near the bathroom, the unmistakable stench of human waste burns your eyes and nose.
You try to ignore it and not show your disgust but as you peer into the bathroom bowl, you spot excrement floating in stagnant urine.
The toilet appears to have been used for weeks without flushing. You (at this point) can’t help yourself, and blurt out, “what the hell is going on here?”
The host calmly explains, “well, we spend our time and money on more important things. Won’t you stay for supper, perhaps stay the night?
We have a brand new ‘big screen TV’”
_____
What would be your reply?
_____
This disturbing parable parallels the mayor’s strategy for attracting visitors to Evansville. Currently, stories of city streets caving into the sewers abound.
One thing is certain:
The citizenry has paid their taxes and Evansville’s toilet is full. Bubbageek

Joe Wallace Accepts Offer to Represent City County Observer on Panel

[/caption]The campaigns for Evansville mayoral candidates Lloyd Winnecke (R) and Rick Davis (D) have agreed on a series of three debates to be held in the three months building up to the November election.

The first debate will take place at Harrison High School on August 25th and will be a town hall discussion format where only students can ask questions.

The second debate will be on September 5th and will reportedly be moderated by Mizell Stewart of the Courier and Press and will include a panel of three local people including Joe Wallace, the editor of the City County Observer.

The final debate will take place on October 12th and will be a traditional debate format utilizing representatives from the Evansville TV media to moderate and serve as panelists,

As this is a developing story please check back for emerging details.

IS IT TRUE? Part Two May 26, 2011 Consolidation

IS IT TRUE that members of the Evansville City Council and the Vanderburgh County Commissioners are continuing with the effort to amend the consolidation plan into a document that both of them can support before moving forward to a referendum?…that the consolidation plan as it is will be soundly defeated and that serious changes will have to be made for there to be any hope of passage?…that a wise man once said that “when your horse is dead your only option is to dismount”?…that from an efficiency of government perspective that carving out large portions of a budget that are off limits to review is a fundamental mistake and sends messages of favoritism and cowardice to the populace being governed?

IS IT TRUE that the perfect example of making the fundamental mistake of granting broad exemptions to favored groups is the federal government’s approach to universal healthcare?…that what we have looming is not universal healthcare at all?…that when this political support group, that fancy restaurant, one of 500 separate unions, and the congress itself are exempted then the word universal does not apply?…that these exceptions and exemptions are the ammunition used by opponents of universal healthcare to discredit it as filled with favoritism?…that ignoring to review the largest components of the budgets of the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County sends the exact same message to opponents of consolidation?

IS IT TRUE that the concept of consolidation is an easy concept to grasp and that it is intuitively easy to understand how one governing body can waste less money than two or more governing bodies?…that even a first grader can grasp and support that concept?…that what is utterly befuddling is how a committee made up of intelligent people can spend countless hours and not find any efficiencies that can be leveraged for the financial benefit of both the residents of the city and the county?…that the City of Evansville has a budget per person of nearly $1,000 per year more than the City of Henderson does?…that both budgets are readily available on the websites of the respective city governments?…that simply looking for the differences in the budgets of the City of Evansville and other cities should easily identify opportunities for saving money?

IS IT TRUE that the residents of both the city and the county if given the opportunity to save $1,000 per person per year will overwhelmingly support consolidation?…that the total saved if just the City of Evansville were to use Henderson as a model would amount to $117 Million per year?…that for learned people to spend a year on a project and then have it followed by a review by elected officials and still have only token savings can only mean a couple of things?…that one thing that it could mean is that the people doing this are just plain dumb?…that knowing many of them that this is simply not the case, these are smart people?…that maybe these smart people and our elected officials are afraid to broach the subject of some sacred cows?…that the only way to find substantial savings that will get the support of the citizens of this county and city to support it is to examine the budgets of every sacred cow and to eliminate the ones that are not needed to provide essential services?…that failure to do this by carving out exemptions and exceptions will doom consolidation?…that if the architects of this plan and the elected officials that are trying to craft amendments move forward with something that shows no financial advantages for consolidating then consolidation will go down in flames and will be set back at least 10 years by cowardice?

IS IT TRUE that when businesses merge there is a simple three step process to a successful merger and eventual benefit?…that the first step is RIGHTSIZING, followed by RE-MARGINING, followed by GROWTH?…that business cannot afford to support sacred cows and governments that desire to merge can’t either?…that Jerry McGuire got it right when his only client looked him square in the eye and uttered the words “SHOW ME THE MONEY”?

City Council, County Commissioners, and Consolidation Committee, “SHOW US THE MONEY” and you will get our support.

IS IT TRUE? May 26, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the Democratic candidates for the City of Evansville offices will be meeting tonight at Democratic Party Headquarters in the old Welborn Hospital to discuss the current state of affairs within the local party?…that the current rift in the Democratic Party became public last year when the BOOTHGATE incident at the Fall Festival happened?…that the rift within the party was magnified during the primary when the Democratic Central Committee openly backed Troy Tornatta and several other members of Team Weinzapfel over the candidates that aligned themselves with Rick Davis?…that the post primary landscape has only two Democratic candidates that were visible members of Team Weinzapfel that have not made peace with the Davis Campaign?…that candidates Friend and Robinson attended the Davis victory celebration and have made peace?…that candidates Lindsey and Adams were in the Davis camp all along?…that candidates Riley and O’Daniel are new to the political scene and somehow managed to avoid taking sides in a visible way?…that candidates Missy Mosby and Jonathan Weaver are still solidly not at peace with Team Davis?…that sources tell us that a good fireworks show may be happening at the Democratic Headquarters tonight in an attempt to calm the long running feud within the party?

IS IT TRUE that it will be quite interesting to learn whether tonight is a true healing event that results in the Democratic candidates mending fences or if Evansville will be treated to a Team Davis that has a couple of Republican candidates ideologically aligned with it RUNNING AGAINST a Republican team that is essentially a reincarnation of Team Weinzapfel cloaked in red?…that at least three of the ward based seats and one of the at large seats can take the high road and espouse confident independence?…that four independent thinkers on the Evansville City Council will be an asset to the community?

IS IT TRUE we want to thank Evansville-Henderson TV Channel 25 for the excellent follow up report concerning the major weed problems now confronting the once grand McCurdy Hotel on the Evansville riverfront? …the people of Evansville are tired of seeing, hearing and reading remarks made by several key Mayoral appointed spoke persons (Evansville DMD Department Head, Hotel Project Manager and Chairman of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission) about the McCurdy Hotel and the new Downtown Hotel? …it’s time for the Mayor of Evansville to call a press conference to address and explain why he announced years ago during the 2007 election that he believed these capital development projects where etched in economic stone? …that the citizens and voters of this community demand that the Mayor of Evansville stop having his media spin doctors talking on his behalf and step forward to explain the real the real status of both projects? …it would also be nice that DMD Director Tom Barnett, Hotel Project Manager, John Kish and Evansville Redevelopment Chairman, Bob Goldman would also be available at this news conference to answer questions from the media about their role in downtown Hotel and McCurdy projects?

IS IT TRUE that even though the City of Evansville cited the McCurdy for weeds and mowed the grass that it still looks disheveled?…that weed whacking the lot and leaving the piles of grass may get the property legal but that it still looks like the Edward Scissorhands Mansion?…that the Mayor’s beanstalk is still alive and well and being used by rats as a ladder to the upper floors?…that a half done job is a poorly done job and that the job needs to be finished?…that as efforts go the City of Evansville raised its grade from an F to an I (incomplete) with yesterday’s work?…that it is a good thing that the mowing crew from yesterday have a job with the City of Evansville because they would never be able to make a living in a private landscaping company?

IS IT TRUE that many City of Evansville Department heads are starting to pass their professional resumes not only to the public but also the private sector? …that “CCO Mole # 3” also realizes that it’s time for him to do similar? …chances are that he shall quickly land a new job with the State of Indiana? …we bet that the Mayor must wonder who is the “CCO Mole # 3”? …that maybe “CCO Mole # 3” just might just tell him on January 2, 2012 who he is and why he did what he did?

IS IT TRUE? May 25, 2011 Evening Bonus Edition

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville did their job and laid a weed enforcement citation and a mow order onto Centre City Properties LLC today?…that if they actually charged anything for the job they did then someone was overcharged?…that when the mowing was done the yard may comply with the weed ordinance but that it looks horrible?…that the beanstalk to the 2nd floor was not touched at all and that the clipping around the edges was ignored?…that we commend the attempt but cannot approve the job that this batch of workmen did?…that the rats and snakes will be back before nightfall if this is the end of the job?

IS IT TRUE that DMD Director Tom Barnett was on News 25 last night stating that he speaks with Centre City Properties LLC about the McCurdy project every couple of months?…that the City of Evansville has already given Centre City Properties LLC $1.403 Million and that CCP has not performed?…that anyone who is handing out a sack of money with $1.403 Million in it that will only call to check on it every couple of months is a pretty trusting individual and that lots of people would like to know where the LINE STARTS to get such a deal?…that if a bank handed someone $1.403 Million four years ago and that the loan was not performing that the bank or their collection lawyers would be calling daily and even visiting unannounced to check on their money?…that it is time to hold Centre City Properties LLC’s feet to the fire for more than just cutting the grass and leaving the windows open?…that CCP has been a non performing partner and should have this opportunity taken away from them so Evansville can get on about the business of finding a developer that can deliver?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #168 tells us that the City of Evansville is about to issue a purchase order for a Cisco Systems 7613 switch that will be a necessary part of the hardware required to enable wireless communication to occur inside the new Evansville Arena?…that this device is going to cost in the neighborhood of $500,000?…that just two weeks ago during the Friend-Quisition that John Kish, Arena project manager stood before the Evansville City Council and clearly stated that the cellular service for the Arena would be done at no cost to the Evansville taxpayers?…the he cited Louisville’s much publicized $2 Million faux pas as precedent for all of the cost being paid for by private parties?…that our column on May 10, 2011 included the following verbatim?

“IS IT TRUE that Mr. Kish responded to the question that originated from the City County Observer regarding cell phone service in the Arena?…that Mr. Kish said that the City of Louisville did not have to pay for the $2M oversight at YUM Center and that the City of Evansville will not have to pay for the cellular solution in the Arena?…that Kish said all of this will be private money?…that we will not forget what was said regarding this FREE SOLUTION?”

IS IT TRUE it has been 15 days and it is now time to remember what was said?…Mr. Kish that all of this approximately $500,000 partial solution to the bandwidth problem in the Arena being paid for by outside sources?…that if you were telling the truth that night that it is time to prove it and let us all know just what private companies are picking up this tab and how they are justifying this expenditure to their shareholders?…that Mr. Kish artfully and correctly stated that when the arena started there was no 3G and now there is 4G and that new technology must be accommodated?….that we agree with Mr. Kish but that we want reassurances that either the Arena budget will cover these costs or that outside private dollars will do so?

Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Takes Steps to
Save Millions and Provide More Efficient Operations

(EVANSVILLE, IN) – May 25, 2011 – The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) Board approved a project development agreement (PDA) yesterday with Johnson Controls, Inc. which is expected to create operational efficiencies and save the City of Evansville millions of dollars. Under the terms of the PDA, Johnson Controls will lead an overall effort to pursue energy, water, network infrastructure, and operational improvements; and will work in concert with Energy Systems Group on these efforts. “The goals of this project are to reduce costs while offering improved services to citizens and ratepayers, and to meet the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.

The PDA calls for upgrades to the water and wastewater plants and an assessment of automated meter reading (AMR) devices that send meter readings electronically to the EWSU. The AMR system could lead to the creation of a wireless communication network that may also provide benefits to the Police Department, Fire Department, Building Commission, Department of Metropolitan Development, and other City and County departments. Such projects are expected to produce more than $3 million in savings and new revenue streams. The EWSU will evaluate the results of the assessment in collaboration with the City/County Computer Services Department. The City then expects to enter into a performance-based contract to execute projects deemed most beneficial to the City of Evansville.

“Performance-based contracting offers a unique approach to funding capital improvement projects by using a portion of the energy savings expected to result from a capital improvement project to pay for the project itself – without rate increases,” added Weinzapfel. This self-funded program, projected to be completed almost entirely with local workforce, has the potential to create jobs for the area, improve services to utility ratepayers, improve working environments for City employees, reduce CO2 emissions from EWSU facilities, and provide a wireless network for several City and County departments.

About Johnson Controls: Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. The company’s 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Johnson Controls’ commitment to sustainability dates back to its roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through its growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

Johnson Controls Contact: Angela Adams, Angela.S.Adams@jci.com, (414) 524-5210

About Energy Systems Group: Energy Systems Group (ESG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC), is an award-winning energy services company that specializes in delivering sustainable energy solutions which allow building owners to maximize their energy efficiency and operational performance, while reducing their carbon footprint. Through its core business of performance contracting, ESG provides customers with innovative energy efficiency, technology, and long-term financing solutions for modernization of their facilities and energy infrastructure. To learn more about ESG, visit www.energysystemsgroup.com.

City County Observer leads the charge in forcing much needed action

The City County Observer was just made aware that the McCurdy Hotel is having its grass mowed for the first time this year as we write? Just yesterday one of our Moles reported that there were two fat and well fed snakes that were sunning themselves in the $603,000 parking lot that they call home?

The snakes were attracted to this downtown location mainly because of the close proximity to their favorite outdoor restaurant on the grounds of the McCurdy that has been serving up plump rats for a minimal effort for a couple of months now. Mole #7 has reported that the family of snakes who were the first family to move to the McCurdy were heard hissing and cursing as they scurried away at the first sounds of a lawn mower? The snakes were heading south into the Historic District in search of a new rat infested weed patch to establish a residence.

The rats that originally drew the snakes to the building were seen frantically climbing the Mayor’s beanstalk to the second floor and squeaked their intention to compete with their flying cousins the pigeons for food? That devilish Mole #666 called in to report that a crocodile was also seen vacating the building for his preferred domain of the Ohio River where he can dine on the Pigeon Creek Piranha? There has been no other reported sighting of the crocodile though so we think that true to form that Mole #666 is lying to us again?

In all seriousness, the City County Observer is pleased to see the mowing crew on the task and is even more proud of the fact that we called attention to this neglected eyesore. We advocate for good public policy and this is at least a one day example of good public policy? We hope that the member of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission whose office looks out of the ONB building at the McCurdy will feel safe walking in heels in front of the nice mowed lawn that may no longer be the home to rats, mice, and snakes.

IS IT TRUE? PART 2 May 25, 2011 FBI Crime Statistics for Evansville

IS IT TRUE that the FBI released the preliminary crime statistics for 2010 yesterday?…that the United States of America has defied past times of economic challenge and has seen the violent crime rates drop by 5.5% and property crimes drop by 2.8%?…that the City of Evansville has once again performed in an opposite manner with respect to the nation in a key “quality of life” metric?…that the crime for the City of Evansville rose during 2010 seeing a whopping 14.1% increase in violent crime and a 3.1% increase in property crime?…that the devil is in the details and the details are as follows?

IS IT TRUE that murders in Evansville grew from 3 to 5 last year that is a statistically staggering 67% increase?…that murder in Evansville has been and continues to be something that is counted on one’s fingers as opposed to the hairs on one’s head?…that going from 3 to 5 sounds bad statistically but that if 2011 only brings 3 murders again then our leaders will be crowing about the 40% decrease?…that is it good to live in a place where murder is statistically insignificant?…that the City of Gary, IN had 50 murders last year to statistically lead the nation in that infamous statistic and that the rust belt economic basket case of Flint, MI with a population smaller than Evansville has recorded 53 murders?…that if you are to be murdered in Evansville it will probably be by someone who knows you as opposed to a random killing?…that Evansville’s biggest death related crime is the crime of suicide that we indeed do lead the country in statistically for cities over 100,000?…that the crime of suicide is a form of murder that somehow does not find its way into the statistics of murder because the perpetrator cannot be prosecuted?

IS IT TRUE that the crime of rape increased by 5% from 60 to 63 crimes in Evansville in 2010?…that our rape rate calculates to 54 rapes per 100,000 people?…that some cities that are way worse than Evansville for murder are less prone to committing rape?…that Fort Wayne that nearly doubles Evansville for murder is exceeded by Evansville in the rape rate by 42%?…that even Detroit with a rape rate of 45 per 100,000 is lower than Evansville for this heinous crime?…that the rape rate in Evansville needs some serious attention and that we do have a large enough number of rapes to be statistically significant?

IS IT TRUE that the crime of robbery increased by 5.1% in the City of Evansville to a rate of 122 crimes per 100,000 people?…that Fort Wayne’s robbery rate is exactly 122 as well?…that this rate of 122 is about triple the robbery rate in the safest cities in America but a fraction of the robbery rate for some of the more violent urban centers like St. Louis that has nearly 600 robberies per 100,000 people and is right there statistically with Detroit, Chicago, and Flint?

IS IT TRUE that the crime of aggravated assault increased in the City of Evansville by 21% to a rate of 246 per 100,000 people?…that the Hoosier City of Fort Wayne has an assault rate of only 121 per 100,000 or less than half that of Evansville?…that in this category the City of Evansville is only slightly better than Louisville, but much better than the crime ridden centers like Detroit and St. Louis that have rates of over 1,000 per 100,000?…that America’s safest cities have aggravated assault rates of less than 100 per 100,000?…that this category is also one in which the City of Evansville is in need of improvement?

IS IT TRUE that it is not so much the raw numbers in the City of Evansville that are disturbing as the trend toward more criminal activity?…that from a big picture perspective that Evansville is going the wrong direction but with the exception of a half dozen or so census tracts is a safe place to live?…that we encourage the CITIZENS OF EVANSVILLE to take on the responsibility to help our excellent police department to reverse this trend so that soon we can be listed among the safest cities in America where we should be?…that the words “I DIDN’T SEE NOTHING” are the criminals best friend and have no place in a city with self respect?

IS IT TRUE that the FBI crime stats are available at the following website?

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/may/crimes_052311/crime_052311