EPD Activity Report April 7 2011

IS IT TRUE that the first thing to change everyone in Indiana’s day today as a result of the looming government shutdown has already happened?…that President Obama has cancelled his trip to Indianapolis to stay in Washington DC and do his job?…that perhaps the Urbana Democratic Indiana state legislators should take the President’s example in staying in his work location when important matters need his attention?…that today is the day that these former prodigal elected officials are supposed to start arranging to pay their fines for their flight to Illinois?…that President Obama is doing the right thing by staying in Washington to continue working with Congressman Boehner even if he does not particularly like the task at hand?

IS IT TRUE that a candidate for Democratic nomination for the Mayor of Evansville had a “GALA” political fundraiser at Western Ribeye Restaurant yesterday? …..that this event attracted an interesting group of political “mover and shakers”? ….that one of the “CCO “MOLES” was taken back by Mayoral Candidate Rick Davis improvement in his poise, command of the “KINGS ENGLISH”, delivery of his political speech and most of all was the passion he display in talking about where he wants to take EVANSVILLE if elected the next Mayor of Evansville? ….that our “MOLES” reported that this event surpassed its fund raising goal?

IS IT TRUE that CCO “MOLE # 3” reports the 2nd Ward “MEGA PREACHER” has made his decision on which candidate he shall publically recommend to be elected as the Democratic primary candidate for the 2nd WARD City Council seat? ….that CCO “MOLE # 3” predicts whomever the “MEGA PREACHER” supports shall win this hotly contested 2nd Ward City Council battle?

IS IT TRUE CCO “MOLE #3” predicts that the 3rd spot for the AT LARGE City Council seat in the Democratic primary is to close? …..that CCO “MOLE # 3” hears that Dr. Dan Adams looks like a slam dunk to win one of the three primary seats in this primary? ….CCO “MOLE #3” is also hearing the name of one Sonya Kates Nixon as a serious contender to take one of the two remaining seats in this low key Democratic primary? …..that “At Large” Democratic candidate Steve Smith is making head way to be elected as part of this ticket? ….that CCO “MOLE #3” shall make an early prediction whom shall be elected to the one of the two remaining “At Large” seats in the upcoming Democratic primary on this coming Monday?

IS IT TRUE that local leadership is going to be required if there is to ever be worker protection laws in Indiana with respect to smoking?…that our Indiana state legislature bungled it up so much with exemptions that even the cancer prevention societies basically said DON’T BOTHER?…that the only restaurant that is within easy walking distance of Roberts Stadium is sporting a new message on its marquee on Boeke Road?…that Kipplie’s is now SMOKEFREE?…that Kipplie’s is to be thanked and congratulated?…that at least one person that has been on a boycott of restaurants that allow smoking will be visiting Kipplie’s for a good stromboli again now that they have seen the light and banned the lighter?…that we wonder since Kipplie’s is older than Roberts Stadium if the stadium was put there because of the Kipplie’s?…that in its 54 years of hosting entertainment that Roberts Stadium has inspired exactly ZERO new entertainment venues to locate within walking distance of its parking lot?…that local government is surely expecting different results with the downtown arena?…that now that Kipplie’s is non smoking that it will be a great place to stop before an Evansville Icemen game at the new downtown arena?

IS IT TRUE that ROBBERY WEEK in Evansville rages on?…that it is easy to lose count when the news is now reporting multiple robberies in a single article?…that the Singapore model of a good whipping with a cane may just deter this street crime?…that it certainly does deter crime in Singapore?…that Singapore is clean and basically crime free?…that repeat offenses are rare after having one three stroke encounter with the civil servant whose title is “flogger”?…that a government shut down on FLOGGING DAY would be noticed immediately as the floggings are publicized so as to deter others from doing things that may lead them to the flogger?

EPD Activity Report April 6 2011

IS IT TRUE that when a child stepped on a needle in an Evansville City Park that no responses came from the Parks and Recreation Department for several months?…that when it was pointed out in 2010 that the condition of the Vann-Pollack Park was deplorable and that it was so full of fowl mouthed punks NOTHING WAS DONE?…that it seems as though a half dozen articles and a continuous stream of TV exposure for the neglect of the parks and pools was what it took to get the people at Parks and Recreation off of their backsides and to start taking some positive actions?…that it is a sin and a shame that quietly pointing out needed maintenance does not get anything done but that media exposure will?…that thanks to the inaction of the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department and the failure of the City of Evansville to adequately maintain our parks that a simple Google search would give an outsider or a business executive the impression that Evansville’s parks resemble Fort Apache the Bronx or the late 70’s movie Warriors?…that it is about time things started happening?

IS IT TRUE that Kid’s Kingdom after only 7 years is in need of a major overhaul?…that if the day to day maintenance had been done during those 7 years that this privately funded overhaul would not be necessary?…that we are thankful and grateful for the generosity of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in taking the leadership role that the City of Evansville should have been taking for the last 7 years to assure that this volunteer built park deserves?…that the City of Evansville seems to think that the Sunset Park is all better now that some sand where multiple needles from drug addicts have been found has been replaced with mulch?…that replacing sand with mulch eliminates a play area and does absolutely nothing to alter the “patrons” of Sunset Park?

IS IT TRUE that an election year really seems to bring out the press releases when it comes to doing ones job?…that it was announced yesterday that the much maligned Lorraine Pool will be re-opening this year?…that the expense incurred to diagnose the problem was a whopping $7,500?…that the repair needed is just a new liner at a cost of $37,200?…that for the failure to allocate $44,700 that the children of Southeast Evansville were without a public pool last summer?…that several lifeguards went without summer jobs?…that pools charge entrance fees?…that this is just another example of neglect and misappropriation of funding?…that if this was not an election year, that if there had been no media exposure for the neglect, and that if the powers that be were not threatened by these revelations that NOTHING WOULD BE GETTING DONE NOW?…that a load of mulch, a private donation, a couple of trucks of gravel, and a pool liner is a start but only a start?

IS IT TRUE that the media and fed up parents need to keep the City of Evansville’s feet to the fire and demand answers from candidates for city offices about the detail plans for all of the parks of Evansville to be restored to a condition that promotes activity and CIVIC PRIDE?

IS IT TRUE that at roughly 3 PM on Wednesday April 6, 2011 the top five stories on the Evansville Courier and Press website under the most popular heading were all about theft?…that the full complement from embezzlement, to armed robbery, to robbing an elderly person in a motorized wheelchair in broad daylight in downtown Evansville dominated the news (at least the popular part) yesterday?…that a major retail outlet tests its security enhancements in Evansville today the way that fast food franchises tried out new offerings in the past and still do on occasion?…that one of the reasons for this is that this particular store has one of the highest theft to inventory ratios of any of its stores in the nation?…that this particular retailer has over 1,000 stores in operation across the country and even in other countries?…that this penchant for taking things from others is disturbing?…that at least the rascals seem to be getting caught due to the efforts of the Evansville Police Department?

IS IT TRUE that the census numbers for Louisville look pretty much like Evansville multiplied by 4?…that despite voting in unified government the flight from the old city limits to the county continued at roughly the same rate?…that the 5 census tracts with the biggest loss of population are all in the older areas of Louisville that have been plagued with crime, declining values, and poor performance in neighborhood schools?…that the 5 fastest growing tracts in the newly consolidated Louisville-Jefferson Metro are all out in the county to the east or a Louisvillians call it “outside of the Watterson”?…that based on the 2010 census that it is a logical conclusion that consolidation had no significant effect on the migration of people to places that they prefer to live?…that some of the counties surrounding Jefferson like Oldham County have experienced growth at the expense of Jefferson County?

IS IT TRUE that the legislation that was referred to as a statewide smoking ban for Indiana has died in committee?…that the so called ban had more exceptions to the rule than there was rule?…that exceptions were lobbied for and included for casinos, private clubs, bars, tobacco stores, and even nursing homes?…that the only real changes that this bill included would have been to eliminate the smoking sections in restaurants?…that the Indiana legislators were hoping to pass this watered down bill that bore a decisive name so they could pat themselves on the back as advocates for public health for doing next to nothing?…that the bill was shot full of holes to the point that even the American Cancer Society called it out for having an unacceptable level of exemptions?…that it will be up to the city governments of the State of Indiana to take steps to promote public health because at the state level we obviously are unwilling to slay even one sacred cow?…that maybe the private club exemption makes sense but NURSING HOMES?…that forgetfulness, oxygen tanks, and a cigarette are a formula for an explosion?…that this is one of those things that people in other states or even Hoosiers who have lived in progressive states just shake their heads in disbelief at the squabbling that goes on in our legislative body?

IS IT TRUE that Rodney Witherspoon contributed an excellent article to the Courier and Press today that deals with one of the issues to be considered in the consolidation saga?…that we encourage you to visit the following link to read the article?

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/apr/07/city-county-residents-not-same/

IS IT TRUE that the federal government is threatening to shut down over funding?…that were it not for the soldiers and others not being paid this may be a great step forward?…that if not for the media circus surrounding the potential shut down of the government most of us would never notice?

IS IT TRUE that there is one step that would install financial accountability to government?…that abolishing payroll withholding of taxes and requiring people to actually write checks for their taxes like businesses are required to would give people a very different perspective on government spending?…that getting all of your paycheck and having to go to the tax collection office on Friday afternoon to write a check to Uncle Sam for hundreds of dollars would get peoples attention?…that government officials do not want anything to do with that much accountability?

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By: Bill Jeffers

Our community has four men running for Mayor of Evansville, two as Democrats and two as Republicans. At the same time, the city council and county commissioners are conducting a series of workshops to modify the plan of reorganization of Vanderburgh County and Evansville municipal government submitted by the reorganization committee appointed by the mayor, the two councils, and the county commissioners. Therefore, it seems appropriate to ask each candidate for Mayor of Evansville exactly what his opinion is of the plan of reorganization, how the plan should be modified, whether a plan of consolidated government should be adopted, specifically how a consolidated government will or will not benefit Evansville, and specifically how each candidate would implement his powers and duties under a plan of consolidation if one were to pass the referendum in 2012.

Bottom line, it is time for the candidates to stop skirting this issue, and tell us exactly what they think and how they plan to support the plan, or work against the plan, and how they would behave and institute policy as mayor if and when a merger referendum passes.

Okay, here are some key issues, most of which each candidate for mayor has used in his political advertising, along with some questions asking how the candidate specifically will address each issue:
Retaining Existing Jobs and Creating New “Good” Jobs: Well, all the candidates claim to support job retention, and promise to create “good” jobs as Mayor of Evansville. Most claim job creation as issue #1, and each says he is about the business of bringing “good” jobs to Evansville. So, let’s hear from each candidate specifically how consolidated government will attract new jobs and retain existing jobs. Will it? How exactly? What exactly is a “good” job? And how will each candidate utilize his powers as mayor, under the reorganization plan, to attract new jobs and retain existing jobs. No hedging. No generic talking points. Please, just specifics related to the consolidation plan. As a side bar, how does each candidate view the fact that the reorganization plan avoids reducing existing government jobs, and thus shows no cost savings?

Responsible Municipal Budgeting and “No New Taxes:” Everyone knows Evansville municipal government faces budgetary crisis due to reduced population, deteriorating housing stock, reduced property valuations, rising healthcare costs for municipal employees, rising costs for fuel and supplies, and unfunded federal mandates imposing huge future bond debt. So, how does each mayoral candidate view the reorganization plan’s potential impact on the city budget when none of the pressing monetary issues are addressed by the plan, no cost savings are identified by the plan, the plan proposes to reduce the sewer rates for 1/3 of the jurisdiction while the federal EPA has mandated a half-billion dollars in sewer upgrades, etc.? Additionally, how can a mayoral candidate pledge to hold the line on taxes when at the same time supporting a plan of consolidation that will raise taxes and user fees on every single property owner countywide? What say all four mayoral candidates?

Public Safety: Yes, all candidates for mayor always claim public safety as one of the top two priorities during a campaign, as it should be. So, how does each of the four candidates for Mayor of Evansville see the roll of Sheriff and the roll of Chief of Police under the current plan of consolidation? How would each of the four candidates for mayor modify the plan of consolidation to fit his vision of a unified public safety department? Or alternately, how would each mayoral candidate organize the various departments of public safety if he were able to wave a magic wand and make the merger plan coincide with his vision for Evansville? Please be specific, and answer this one as if consolidation of local government is inevitable.

Listening to the People, Transparency, Accountability, etc.: All these words are warm and fuzzy when appearing on banners and in speeches. But each word has a meaning, and words such as these convey powerful images. So, as Mayor of Evansville, how would each candidate implement policies under a plan of consolidation to reflect his pledge to listen, be accountable to the People, and conduct a transparent government?

Before answering exactly how you would fulfill your pledge of open communications, transparency, and accountability to the People, thoroughly read the plan of consolidation. And please keep in mind that the current plan of consolidation creates a “strong mayor” with substantial powers to control all the other elected officeholders via his appointed budget director. Also, please take into account that the plan of consolidation gives the mayor the power to control important legislation by influencing his political caucus in the common council to withhold the super majority vote required to approve changes to the mayor’s budget submitted for other elected officeholders, or to effect future changes in the structure of government. Also under the plan of consolidation, the mayor could advise council members of his own party to attend crucial meetings only to the number required for a quorum (6) while preventing attendance to the super majority number (8) needed to amend the budget or effect a structural change, thereby killing the issue while still moving the hearing to a conclusion.

There are several sections in the plan of reorganization that grant unusually strong powers to the mayor, and each candidate should state his position on the most important of these potentialities only after carefully reading the plan. Then please state how you would modify the plan, or how you would execute policy under the plan when you become mayor of a consolidated municipality.

One Last Batch of Questions: If you are elected Mayor of Evansville in 2011, take office in 2012, and the plan of consolidation in whatever form passes the referendum in 2012, will you run for mayor again in 2014? Will you accept the condition of the current plan that the mayor will only serve and be paid to serve three years (2012, 2013, and 2014) instead of the customary four years, if the referendum passes? Do you approve the plan’s mandate that municipal elections in the off-presidential year 2014, a year sure to be one of hugely divisive national politics as are all off-presidential years? Or do you feel that municipal elections should continue to occur in odd-numbered years as currently provided by statute? Do you favor non-partisan municipal elections, or favor partisan elections as the plan proposes?

One of the four men currently on the 2011 primary ballot for Mayor of Evansville will begin serving as our mayor in 2012, when the consolidation plan goes to a referendum vote. It should be important to each of the four candidates for mayor that the voters of Evansville have a clear picture of his stand on the plan of consolidation right now, before the vote on Primary Day, May 3, 2011. Fact is, early voting already is under way, and daylight is burning waiting for specifics on the issues.

Atlas Shrugged’s Relevance is as applicable today as it was when it was written

Atlas Shrugged Movie: Part I Film Synopsis

Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling) runs Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, with intelligence, courage and integrity, despite the systematic disappearance of her best and most competent workers.

She is drawn to industrialist Henry Rearden (Grant Bowler), one of the few men whose genius and commitment to his own ideas match her own. Rearden’s super-strength metal alloy, Rearden Metal, holds the promise that innovation can overcome the slide into anarchy.

Using the untested Rearden Metal, they rebuild the critical Taggart rail line in Colorado and pave the way for oil titan Ellis Wyatt (Graham Beckel) to feed the flame of a new American Renaissance.

Hope rises again, when Dagny and Rearden discover the design of a revolutionary motor based on static electricity – in an abandoned engine factory – more proof to the sinister theory that the “men of the mind” (thinkers, industrialists, scientists, artists, and other innovators) are “on strike” and vanishing from society.

Clip from the film when Dagny Taggert confronts a union representative: