IS IT TRUE that as gang violence is on everyone’s mind there are some things regarding Evansville that we would like to make known to all?…that there is a website that tracks mainstream media news releases about gang activity all over America?…that there are 29 entries for the State of Indiana thus far in 2011 and that 7 of those are about incidents in Evansville?…that these gang activities range from drug distribution for out of town cartels all the way up to murder?…that the number of incidents reported on in Evansville constitutes 24% of the reports in all of Indiana?…that Evansville has only 2% of the population of Indiana within its borders so to say that we have our share of gang related issues would be a gross understatement?…that this is a problem that is in need of a solution and that denial is not part of any solution?…that Republican candidate for Mayor of Evansville Lloyd Winnecke took a step forward in that war yesterday by validating the problem and putting a plan forward?

IS IT TRUE that one may agree or disagree with what was in Winnecke’s plan but the first step in solving a problem is to acknowledge it which he did?…that it may just be the case that the experience, the knowledge, and the equipment that are appropriate for Evansville’ gang problem are not here?…that if that turns out to be the case then the next Mayor had best be doing the research and finding that expertise soon?…that in our online poll most of the respondents think that gang activity in Evansville has started in the last 8 years, a large number think it started before that, and nearly no one thinks this is a new phenomena?…that our readers once again seem to get it that Evansville has gang problems?…that Winnecke deserves a thumbs up for the research that he did to put a plan out there?…that it will need some changes but that the dialog is now started?…that we would like to warn Mr. Winnecke that gangs are not really famous for collaboration skills so don’t give too much credit where it is not due?

IS IT TRUE that everyone who seems to have had a hand in “FloatGate” is back from vacation and that it is time to get to the bottom of what happened once and for all?…that we wonder if police protocol was broken?…that we wonder if the call from Sgt. Hubbard was encouraged by anyone else?…that these are two simple things that should be easy to figure out using police techniques?…that we are also interested in who else knew about this before it happened?…that as funny as this whole incident was that any and all of the people who were in on it need to be exposed so that the voters know this before November 8th, and so the next Mayor has this information at his disposal when considering appointments?

IS IT TRUE that the most disturbing thing to come from FloatGate is the fact that there are over 7,000 active warrants walking the streets of Evansville and Vanderburgh County?…that we realize that many of these may be for petty offenses and that the hunted are not really a danger to society?…that the guy (Alex Jarvis) who was hauled off of the float at the Fall Festival does not seem to be much of a threat to anyone either so as we concluded before, he was singled out for political purposes by someone and police resources were squandered in serving that warrant at just the right moment?…that what rather than worrying about 7,000+ warrants what is needed is a targeted plan to go after the 10% or so of those who really are violent threats to society as was done in Chicago yesterday when a killer from Evansville was apprehended?

IS IT TRUE that it was announced this morning by State Representative Gail Riecken and Evansville City Councilman John Friend, CPA that they will be holding a news conference to discuss the just scheduled Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission (IURC) hearing in Evansville regarding Vectren Corporation’s recent application for a fee increase?…that the City County Observer is thrilled that the IURC has actually agreed to come to Evansville for this meeting that will be in the Locus Room at the Centre on November 28, 2011 at 6 pm?…that our Indy Mole Nation tells us that there will be opportunities to discuss both the proposed dense pack technology upgrade and “other” issues of concern to the citizens of Evansville?…that there will be a sufficient contingent of people to offer one-on-one time for people who would rather express their grievances in private?…that this meeting is a big win for Evansville and SW Indiana and in all fairness it is a win for Vectren too?…that we think they will be supportive of local hearings?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer would like to challenge and admonish the people of Evansville to get out of the house and attend this meeting?…that by our presence we can make our concerns and our commitments to be engages as citizens known?…that after these elected officials have demanded this, the CCO has continually called for this, and even Vectren is supportive of this that the least we can do is “densely pack” the Locust Room for this meeting?…that the days of the people of Evansville being complacent about the issues that determine what our community is need to come to an end?…that we call upon everyone who spends time moaning and groaning about Vectren to put this on your schedule and pack the house?…that admission is free?

IS IT TRUE that the CCO would like to thank and congratulate the officers, the board of directors and the new shareholders of the Evansville Commerce Bank for doing what it took to acquire the shares back from the Michigan company that held them and establish what is now Evansville’s 2nd bank that is locally owned?…that this effort is precisely the kind of effort that is needed over and over in Evansville so that local wealth is built and channeled for local good?…that this people is precisely what is meant by Angel Investment?…that while we still have no formal Angel Investment Group or Venture Capital Firm that this share buy-back should be an example to rally around to light that entrepreneurial fire that we certainly hope is smoldering?

IS IT TRUE that on a national level that last night’s Republican Presidential Candidate’ Debate from Las Vegas nearly resembled a WWF smack down or a cage fight with things getting so contentious that pointing, touching, and yelling ensued?…that the night started out with the pack going after Herman Cain’s 999 plan like it was a 666 plan instead?…that the jackals (candidates) said everything they could short of calling 999 “the mark of Cain”?…that the question that we have about all of the official reports on how this plan is unfair, insufficient, etc, is “aren’t these the same people that said the stimulus would keep unemployment under 8%”?…that for the Washington economists and think tanks that gave their blessings to the economic policies of Presidents Obama and Bush to opine on any economic plan is just unnecessary?…that this is sort of like a 3rd Grader issuing a negative opinion on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity?…that it is actually worse because the 3rd Grader will not have lost credibility yet?…that most people should be able to do their own math with a simple plan like 999?…that either it works or it doesn’t?…that if the taxpayers of this country are incapable of simple multiplication by 9% then we really are beyond repair from and educational point of view?…that we wonder what percentage of 100 random people in the mall can correctly answer the question “what is 9% of 100”? Care to Guess?