Home Blog Page 7103

IS IT TRUE? December 8, 2011

45

The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? December 8, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party caucus that was held last night at the C. K. Newsome Center, was won by Crooks by a vote of 24-21?…that only 45 precinct committeemen & vice committeemen showed up to vote for this important position?…that there are more than 130 precincts in Vanderburgh County?…that if the vice committeemen had showed up too that the voter turnout was only 17%?…that is slightly worse than the turnout for the general election held on November 8th?…that it is one thing for the beer swilling masses to choose to sit home on their swollen backsides and abdicate their right to vote?…that it is quite another when people who are selected to serve in a position of power and authority by a political party just blow off a caucus?…that if one wonders why the people of Evansville are indifferent and disenfranchised that one must only look to the leadership of the Democrat Party?

IS IT TRUE that at least one member of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission seems to have awaken from the Group Coma that this cast of appointed officials seems to have been in for the last several years?…that Sara Miller whose day job is spent as a Senior Commercial Loan Officer with Old National Bank has actually started asking the kinds of questions that should have been asked for four years now?…that after floating those questions, digesting whatever Hunden Strategic Partners told the ERC, and looking over the long term prospects of the two proposals that Ms. Miller voted NO on entering negotiations with either of the respondents?…that maybe Ms. Miller has seen the light and merits some consideration for a continued appointment in the Winnecke Administration?…that the ERC needs desperately to explain themselves and what it is about the invisible study that Hunden Strategic Partners produced?…that even thought the ERC Chairman Mr. Bob Goldman says that Hunden said that the Kunkel proposal was the quickest proposal to move forward with that does not mean that either proposal received a hearty endorsement?…that maybe this was a choice between two proposals that were very weak?…that one will only know that when the City County Observer publishes the work of Hunden for all to see?

IS IT TRUE that EB5 financing is one of the most preferred forms of forming a financing plan for real estate ventures in the State of California right now?…that maybe Evansville is 30 years behind this important trend in attracting talent and money too?…that Mr. John Kish, who came to Evansville as the Arena Project Manager but of lately seems to be the acting Chancellor of all things to hard for the Weinzapfel Administration to handle has stated that all of the problems that have prevented attracting an experience developer from the hospitality industry are still in place?…that the incentive package is not enough to attract an experienced developer like White Lodging that did the Fort Wayne downtown Convention Hotel?…that we wonder if the Weinzapfel Administration learns from experiencing failure like the McCurdy and the hotel?…that if there had been an understanding or even a willingness to listen with regard to that valuation and the pro forma of this project that there would be a hotel in place now and the CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau would not be stating that Evansville is in no position to even compete for conventions?…that the cost to The Centre and the community has far exceeded the extra incentives that would have brought an experienced developer to town 4 years ago?…that the Weinzapfel Administration has been penny wise and pound stupid and that the taxpayers of Evansville and Vanderburgh County are suffering because of it?…that we hope that the Winnecke Administration will learn from the failures of the Weinzapfel Administration?

IS IT TRUE that we the Civic Center Mole Club is telling the CCO that the present City of Evansville Controller, Jenny Collins may be transferred to a position with the Evansville Water/Sewer department very soon? … that if this happens we wonder if this is a new position, what is the base salary, what are the job responsibilities, whether or not this position was properly advertised and how many people applied for this position?…that these are the same questions that we have been asking regarding the hiring of Tonda Pauley, Linda Durham’s Chief of Staff during her reign as the Knight Township Trustee was selected for a job with the City of Evansville at the garage?

Pink Floyd’s Brain Damage (Lunatic), a Song for the Week

1

Questions and Details of the Right to Work Poll

6

Question Details of the AFL-CIO Sponsored Right to Work Poll

Is There An “Option C” for Roberts Stadium?

28

Is There An “Option C” for Roberts Stadium?
By: Richard Poorer

Since the construction of the new Ford Center in downtown Evansville, citizens and politicians alike have debated about what best to do with the old Roberts Stadium. Proposals boil down to those in Camp A, who believe the Stadium should be torn down in favor of some other project and those in Camp B, who believe the Stadium should be saved and incorporated into some other public scheme.

In Camp A are those who want to see the property turned into a park or a set of sports fields. In Camp B, the propositions range from raising the floor of the stadium to solve flooding issues while incorporating the facility into some type of swimming center, basketball courts, tennis courts, or mid-sized venue.

Both of these main arguments fail to acknowledge the 800 lb. gorilla in the room – namely the logical solution to the problem: Option C. On the one hand, Camp A acknowledges the need to offset the cost of demolition with the revenue generated from the new project (which will also cost the taxpayers money to construct and maintain), and in some circular feat of logic uses this cost as the justification for the demolition itself. On the other hand, Camp B insists that revenues from some other use can effectively raise the floor, keep the parking lot paved, the roof leak-proof, the facilities clean, etc.

The fact is, even if the economy was not on the skids, no scheme could be guaranteed to be financially successful. Any imagined scenario has a large measure of risk to the taxpayer that their dollars wouldn’t simply be flushed down a perennial black hole of unnecessary spending on something no one will actually use. The authorization of more spending on a Roberts Stadium project for either Option A or B is also taking a risk that cronyism will rear its ugly head, and the job will simply go to he who has the most pull, not the best resume.

The only argument I have yet to hear espoused in any real detail is the free market solution – namely selling the old Stadium along with the land upon which it sits to a private entity in an open auction. This not only solves the problem of demolition cost, but also the political problem of deciding what purpose the property should serve. In this solution, the free market would decide the best use of the land and facilities through that old, dusty, arcane principle we used to know as “capitalism.”

According to some estimates, Roberts Stadium and the property on which it sits could be worth as much as $25 million. Finding buyers at that level for that Stadium would certainly be difficult, but $10 million? $15 million? Who knows? It’s possible. Even selling the Stadium for $1 is certainly preferable to spending $1.25 million on demolition or $500,000 on raising the floor and god knows how much more turning it into something the public may or may not use. And let’s not forget the government’s propensity to grossly underestimate the cost of just about every project it undertakes.

To invoke an example, let’s say I buy a shiny new automobile, let’s say it’s a Ford. It has more space, better gas mileage, better reliability, updated looks…the works. It cost me a pretty penny, but barring any serious unforeseen problems, I should begin to see my initial investment offset in, oh, about a generation or so. Now I have a problem of what to do with my old car. Sure it leaks a little, might need new floor panels, and isn’t the prettiest thing in the world, but it’s got new tires, is paid for, and with a little work, it will still make a good car for someone.

The fact is, besides my shiny new Ford, I also have several other vehicles for different purposes, so I don’t really need the other car. The question is, is it economical for me to follow Option A and pay someone to come melt it down into a huge chunk of steel I could then hopefully sell for scrap, or should I take Option B and plow more money into that old car to fix it up even though I don’t need it?

No one in their right mind would limit their options in this scenario to A or B. Anyone with common sense can see that there is a clear Option C, which is to sell the car “as-is” and get as much for it as you can without investing more money in it you may never recoup. Even parting the vehicle out yourself is certainly preferable to melting it down, and considering the lack of any practical advantages over your new car, it makes no sense to keep it and watch it just rot away either.

The fact of the matter is, no one in Evansville seems to want to admit that perhaps government solutions aren’t always the best solutions. They don’t “create” jobs or do anything that doesn’t eventually come out of the pockets of taxpayers. Someone always pays! No one wants to take the logical stretch necessary to see that things like an innkeeper’s tax “on visitors to our fair city,” which is the method proposed for paying for the razing of Roberts, is really a tax on the innkeeper! No one wants to admit that any taxes on the customers of a business is a tax on the potential profits of the business itself!

The only solution that will not cost taxpayers a dime is the one that involves selling Roberts Stadium, getting it off the books, and using the revenue generated to either fix something else like the sewers, or give the money back to taxpayers in the form of a tax holiday. It’s the only solution that makes logical sense…Option C.

Republicans to Caucus to Replace Winnecke on County Commission

4

Thursday December 22, 2011 Caucus:

As Chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party, I am calling a Vanderburgh County Republican Caucus to be held Thursday December 22, 2011. The purpose of the Caucus is to fill the County Commissioner vacancy created by Lloyd Winnecke being elected Evansville Mayor. Our Republican Caucus will be held at 815 John St. in Suite 160 at 6:30 PM. Suite 160 is part of the same building that houses the GOP HQ office– just a few doors west. The Rock Church meets in this suite. Notification letters to PC’s will be sent on or before December 12.

If anyone desires to be a candidate for this Commissioner position must reside in Commissioner District #1, must complete a CEB-5 form (see attachment) no later than 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011 and submit it to Wayne Parke, Republican Party Chairman. Any CEB-5 Form received after this time/date for this position will not be accepted.

Tuesday January 3, 2012 Caucus:

There will be another Vanderburgh County Republican Party Caucus held on Tuesday January 3, 2012. At this Caucus, we will elect/fill any County Council seats that might become vacant and the Center Township PC’s will fill a vacant Trustee Board Position. PC’s will be sent an addition notice on this Caucus by not later than December 23.

Wayne Parke
Chairman VCRP

AFL-CIO Commissions and Releases Right to Work Poll

5

And the results are on the following link. Drumroll Please.

AFL CIO RTW Poll

Nutcracker Ballet – Tickets On Sale Now

0

Evansville Ballet and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra present, the Nutcracker, December 17th, 2:00 and 7:30 pm, at Evansville’s Victory Theatre. Joining locally trained dancers of the School of Evansville Ballet are guest performers, former American Ballet Theatre principal, Ashley Tuttle as the Sugarplum Fairy, and soloist Carlos Lopez as Cavalier. Making his ballet debut as Mother Ginger is baseball great, Don Mattingly. Other onstage celebrities include arts patron, Rita Eykamp, and Mayor-elect of Evansville, Lloyd Winnecke. The production is presented by Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union.

Tickets are $44.50, $34.50, $29.50, $24.50 and Students $14.50; prices include all
fees. Order tickets by phone: 812-425-5050; online at evansvillephilharmonic.org; or at the Philharmonic box office, 401 SE 6th St., Suite 105.
Tickets may be purchased:
By calling the Philharmonic Box Office at 812.425.5050.
in person at the Philharmonic Main Offices
Our offices are located at 401 S.E. Sixth Street, Suite 105 of the Walker Building
(on the corner of Sixth and Cherry St.)
Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday — Friday.
If tickets are still available on the day of the performance, they may be purchased:
until 3:30 p.m. CT for Saturday evening performances, or until 11:00 a.m. CT for Sunday
afternoon performances or by calling 812.425.5050 until 3:00 p.m.
or in person at the Victory Theatre Box Office, two (2) hours prior to the concert.
The Victory Theatre Box Office is located at the Sixth Street theatre entrance.
Finding Us
If you need additional information or any other help, please contact us by phone at 812.425.5050, or by email at evphil@evansvillephilharmonic.org .

Downtown Today: 12/7/2011

0

Time 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Subject COUNTY COUNCIL
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Reminder 15 minutes
SANDIE @ 5791
Categories ROOM 301

Time 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Subject DMD
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes
ASHTON @ 7825
Categories ROOM 318

Time 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Subject PARKS BOARD
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
GLENN BOBERG @ 6141
Categories ROOM 301

Time 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Subject SAFETY BOARD
Location 301
Reminder 15 minutes
TINA OWEN @ 7897
Categories ROOM 301

Time 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject Code Enf. – Ron Beane
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes

Time 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Subject HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 12/7/2011 until 12/7/2011 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Categories ROOM 318

$5 million in settlements being paid to State Fair victims

0

AG: Protocol developed in consultation with Feinberg determines criteria for amounts

INDIANAPOLIS – Today Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced the payment plan for distributing the maximum $5 million in tort claim funds to victims of the Indiana State Fair tragedy.
With the amount the State has available for victims of the August 13 incident capped at $5 million, the payment protocol guarantees that at least $300,000 will be offered to the estates of each of the seven deceased victims in the stage rigging collapse.
Sufficient funds remain to compensate 61 other surviving victims who were among the most seriously injured. The computation works out to payments that are approximately 65 percent of the value of medical bills victims documented when they submitted their claims to the State. Every seriously-injured victim who submitted medical records will receive an offer of settlement.
Shortly after the August 13 disaster, Zoeller announced he would distribute the full $5 million in tort claim funds to victims on an expedited basis, without delays and costs from litigation regarding state liability. Zoeller brought in nationally-recognized victim-compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg, who administered victim compensation funds after 9/11, the Virginia Tech shootings and the BP Gulf oil spill, to assist the Attorney General’s Office in devising a protocol for distributing settlement payments to victims of the State Fair tragedy.
“No amount of money ever can replace lives lost or alleviate anguish endured by the victims of the Indiana State Fair tragedy. Because state law limits the amount the state can pay to $5 million per incident or $700,000 per individual and we are legally obligated to defend those limits, we had to make extremely difficult decisions about which injured victims would receive payment out of the limited pool of funds available. With the benefit of Mr. Feinberg’s expertise, my office has done everything possible to allocate these settlement offers fairly, equitably and humanely,” Zoeller said.
“I applaud Attorney General Zoeller, his staff and all others involved in designing the compensation protocol. No amount of compensation can make victims whole, or resolve their grief. But the protocol will bring some amount of financial relief to those most in need and will provide a fair and efficient process for resolving their claims against the State of Indiana. It is sound public policy,” Feinberg said.
Claimants and their attorneys have been notified of the State’s settlement offers. They have until December 12 to respond and accept or reject the offers. If any offers are rejected, then funds allotted for those individuals will be added to those for other claimants who accepted offers and their amounts will be recalculated. Once offers are accepted and claimants sign a release of liability, the State through the State Auditor’s Office will mail checks or issue electronic funds transfers later in December.
The Attorney General’s Office administers the State Tort Claim Fund, which is made up of tax dollars. A tort claim is a legal notice that a person who intends to sue the State for a loss is required to file. If the State grants the claim and pays a settlement, then the claimant releases the State from liability and does not file suit. After the State Fair tragedy, a total of 114 individuals or their estates filed 101 original tort claims (some of them filing jointly) against the State using a customized State Fair tort claim developed by the Attorney General’s Office with Feinberg’s help.
A claims-management firm retained by the State, JWF Specialty Company, made an extensive outreach to victims, received and processed the incoming claims, and followed up with claimants and their attorneys to obtain hospital bills and other medical records in order to calculate the medical costs involved. Through that data, the Attorney General’s Office developed a payment formula based on a modified protocol used after a previous incident for determining settlement amounts for claimants.
Also, during the process of calculating offers, the Attorney General’s Office participated in mediation with a group of 30 attorneys and law firms representing many claimants and reached tentative accord on the protocol. Settlement offers are with the consent of the Governor’s Office, and all claimants have the legal right to decline a settlement offer and take their chances with filing a lawsuit in court.
“Nearly all the claimants indicated they want expedited early settlements with the certainty of payment now to assist with their immediate medical bills and lost incomes, rather than the uncertainty of lawsuits that could take years to litigate with no guarantee of payment if the funds are exhausted,” Zoeller said.
Priority was given to providing compensation to families of the deceased and the most seriously injured as documented through medical records, meaning there was less available for the less-seriously injured and none for those who claimed non-physical injuries or whose claims could not be documented. Once the $5 million is exhausted, no payments can be made to remaining individuals who submitted claim forms but were not eligible for distribution under the protocol.
Meanwhile, a recent federal court ruling denied a request by one personal-injury lawyer to block the State from distributing the $5 million in tort claim funds; instead the court found that the distribution of funds to the claimants can proceed. The court’s certification of the lawsuit as meeting one legal criterion for a class action seeking a declaratory judgment does not impact the settlement offers the State made to the claimants, many of whom participated through counsel directly in settlement negotiations with the Attorney General’s Office.
The tort claim process of filing a notice with the State applies only to potential legal actions against state government. The State of Indiana is not a defendant in the separate lawsuit seeking damages that a group of claimants recently filed against a number of private businesses concerning the August 13 stage rigging collapse.
In advising the Attorney General’s Office on the tort claim fund, Feinberg donated his expertise at no charge to the State or taxpayers. Feinberg also consulted with another client, the Indiana State Fair Commission, concerning its separate State Fair Relief Fund, made up of private donations that were distributed as charitable payments to victims.
“I greatly appreciate the efforts of Mr. Feinberg, JWF Specialty and those in my office who have worked diligently to craft a dignified response to this tragic circumstance and do justice for the victims,” Zoeller said.

IS IT TRUE? December 7, 2011

11

IS IT TRUE? December 7, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission had decided to accept the recommendation that allegedly was in a report from Hunden Strategic Partners to endorse the proposal of the Kunkel Group over the proposal of Prime Lodging to take the next step on the four year journey to attempt to construct and operate a Convention Hotel in downtown Evansville?…that this decision was made over the protest of Marco DeLucio, attorney for Prime Lodging who also submitted a proposal?…that Mr. DeLucio was simply stating that neither he nor Prime Lodging had seen or had discussions regarding any study by Hunden Strategic Partners and that to make such a decision without making the thought process and reasoning behind the decision is unfair?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #44 tells the City County Observer that in reality there is no Hunden Study that has been published at all?…that Mole #44 tells us that there was a powerpoint presentation made recently to the ERC that discussed the plusses and minuses of the two proposals but that there is no formal study that has been published or provided?…that Mole #44 furthermore stated that the main reason Kunkel was favored was because the financing that has not been disclosed will either happen or not happen faster than the EB5 financing that was proposed by Prime Lodging?…that we shall all know the status or existence of any study done or not done by Hunden Strategic Partners for the ERC is 18 more business days because the CCO has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to get that information and has every intention to publish it in its entirety?…that when the people pay for a study that the people have a right to read its contents?…that for Mr. Bob Goldman to refuse to release the so called study today is not only the height of arrogance but constitutes willful refusal to release publically owned information to the public?…that this shall not be allowed to stand?…that Mr. Goldman and the other four members of the ERC stand in contempt of the people that they serve with this cowardly and deceptive action?

IS IT TRUE that in reality even though no basis for any actions was released is the Kunkel becomes the 3rd group to get the endorsement of the ERC to build and operate a hotel?…that an endorsement in no way constitutes a funding source or an incentive package?…that all this means is that Kunkel’s proposal will now go to the next board of political appointees for another recommendation prior to going before the Evansville City Council that must vote to approve all city money to incent this project?…that even then it does not mean that Kunkel will secure a loan for the rest of the project, it only means that they can count on the city to do their part if they get funded privately for the rest?…that my friends is exactly where City Centre Properties LLC has been for the last 4 years with respect to the McCurdy Hotel project?…that is until yesterday when they formally notified the ERC that they can get the financing for the project in the time frame granted?

IS IT TRUE

The Mole #??
that the five member of the ERC and their attorney were shocked and amazed that CCP wrote such a letter?…that competent members of the ERC, their attorney, and a financially competent mayor should never have been surprised by this?…that to anyone that understands valuation that this has been as plane as the nose on a face since the day the scheme was hatched?…that as long as the people of Evansville elect leaders with no analytical skills who appoint stewards of public money that refuse to use whatever skills that they may have this sort of thing will continue unabated?…that all eyes will be on City Councilman John Friend, CPA when the Kunkel deal comes before council for guidance and a competent line of questioning?…that Councilman Friend knows how to VET and how to ask the right questions of the right people to learn about the financial strength of any company that is posturing to start a $30 Million project that involves taxpayer money?…that Councilman Friend knows that local firm Klenck Construction has not been paid for demolition work on this very project?…that if Councilman Friend does not do proper diligence on this action and rubber stamps an agreement without a documented audit trail then he very much deserves to be Mr. Friend once again?

1...7,1027,1037,104...7,322Page 7,103 of 7,322