Reporting from Florida’s Space Coast.
Special Correspondent for the City-County Observer, Glen Kissel

Friday July 8, 2011

Today Space Shuttle Atlantis thundered from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39-A marking the final launching of the Space Shuttle program which commenced 30 years and 3 months ago.

Atlantis’ launch day began with only a 30% chance that weather would allow the 11:26 a.m. EDT liftoff. However, no serious storms materialized and only a layer of clouds above 10,000 feet blanketed the launch complex.

From this reporter’s vantage point, just three miles from the launch pad, the Shuttle Training Aircraft could be heard flying mock Return to Launch Site abort scenarios to the Shuttle landing strip, further confirming acceptable weather, and allowing for a final waiver of a minor weather rule.

As key points in the count were passed, shouts of approval could be heard from the assembled crowds, located near the Vehicle Assembly Building where components of the Space Shuttle had been brought together months earlier prior to transport to the launch pad.

The countdown proceeded normally until the T-minus 31 second mark when the Ground Launch Sequencer noted an apparent failure of the Gaseous Oxygen Vent Arm to fully retract, resulting in a halt to the countdown. This vent arm, known as the “Beanie Cap,” vents off gaseous oxygen from the very top of the orange External Tank as a means of preventing ice buildup on the tank.

With the short launch window beginning to close, retraction of the vent arm was confirmed, and, astonishingly, the launch team was able to quickly restart the countdown at T minus 31 seconds. At the T minus 6.6 second mark the three main engines lit causing steam to billow around the vehicle, until taken over by the smoke of ignition from the Solid Rocket Boosters and liftoff from the pad.

After clearing the tower, Atlantis rose on breathtakingly bright flames whose heat could be felt three miles away, with the thunderous roar of the engines soon hitting the cheering crowd. After the Shuttle pierced the cloud layer, a huge pillar of smoke from the Solid Rocket Boosters could be seen extending all the way back to the pad. This cloud pillar, looking something like a giant gray twisted rope, gradually floated north of the pad.

The eight and a half minute ride to orbit proceeded smoothly, after which Atlantis began its orbital chase of the International Space Station for which it would supply a new Italian-made module. The four crew members, Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, along with Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim were scheduled to be in space 12 or 13 days before landing at the Kennedy Space Center, ending our nation’s
135th and final Space Shuttle mission. Fittingly, Atlantis will remain on display at the Kennedy Space Center, and forever be a reminder of one of America’s greatest technological feats.

Evansville Scores high on Potential but LOW on Performance

Excerpts from the Study

“According to the National Broadband Map, Evansville ranks 368 of 370 metros in the U.S. on upload and download speeds (see endnote 8). This is a serious impediment for the attraction of certain IT types of companies, and to mobile entrepreneurs that rely on the internet for their work.”

“ The Evansville Regional Airport provides good air service for a region of its size. However, the schedule is not necessarily business friendly. For example, it is difficult to do a day trip to and from Atlanta.”

“During our focus group sessions, many of the respondents who are either employers, or who serve as a resource to help train employees for employers, cited the difficulty to find and retain skilled industrial, technical and managerial talent. There was near unanimity of that opinion from most if not all of the 70 focus groups participants we interviewed.”

“During our interviews, it was also evident that many local leaders, elected officials and in some instances, economic developers, did not quite understand the economic development process, how industry clusters are identified, how to market the region effectively and what role the EDC and the LEDO’s should undertake so that there is no duplication of effort.”

“Clearly, one of the most significant challenges in the region is the lack of suitable and available industrial and office space related to industrial parks, industrial sites and available, quality class A office space.”

“The availability of venture or angel capital for entrepreneurs and start up ventures related to non retail enterprises is virtually nonexistent in the region. “

“However, the general appearance of many of the communities within the four counties we visited displayed blight, an aging housing stock (average age of 52 years), decaying downtowns and central business districts, litter, and in general, a perception of lack of community pride.”

“Evansville has a lower relative proportion of residents whose highest level of attainment is “Bachelor’s Degree” and above (Figure 8, Figure 9 and Table 6). While the differences are not entirely striking, they may influence the attraction of firms demanding a sizeable pool of highly educated workers, or cause firms to reconsider Evansville for large scale research and development type operations. “

“Evansville and the two benchmark communities each enjoy relatively low Cost of Living scores, all below 100 (Table 25). Utility prices (residential electric and gas) appear the exception in Evansville, scoring at 120.3.” Note: The utility score for the region average the rates of Duke Power and Vectren. If only Vectren rates were used the score of 120.3 would have been substantially higher (lower is better).

Link to the entire study:

http://media.courierpress.com/media/static/EVV_Competitive_Realities_report_final_04032011__2_.pdf

IS IT TRUE? July 9, 2011

IS IT TRUE that a few of our readers by the nature of their comments must have misinterpreted what was published by the City County Observer yesterday regarding the survey that was partially released yesterday by the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana?…that the frustration that we expressed with the survey was not with the contents of the survey but was and is with the fact that there have been such surveys published twice in the last 10 years and that NOTHING EVER SEEMS TO GET DONE?…that surveys like this really do need to be conducted every five or ten year for the purpose of updating and adjusting regional planning?…that in all fairness we must say that WE HAVE READ EVERY ONE OF THE 84 PAGES THOROUGHLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY AGREE WITH THE CONTENTS?…that it is Saturday and we are somewhat optimistic that with the healthy discontentment that Evansville is finally exhibiting with the STATUS QUO that the WINDS OF CHANGE will finally blow and something will actually be done to correct some of our legacy problems?

IS IT TRUE that the first step in solving problems is always AWARENESS?…that after three studies in 10 years yielding nearly identical lists of weaknesses that one would think that there should be a high state of AWARENESS with this list of weaknesses?…that we suspect that the opposite is true?…that for this study to inspire action that an AWARENESS campaign needs to be put into place?…that means that lots of people in the region need to read this study?…that here is a plan to make this happen?

IS IT TRUE that every government employee in SW Indiana should be given a job assignment to read this study cover to cover and that they should all be given a test on its contents?…that every school child in the public and private schools have to take a class on the subject matter of this study complete with tests?…that prior to that every employee of the school systems including teachers should attend a seminar on this subject matter and should have to be certified to teach its contents?…that every professor in every college in SW Indiana should attend a seminar on the subject of what the weaknesses of our region are?…that every person that is drawing unemployment should be forced to pass a test on this study to get their next check?…that every union leader, politician, candidate for office, appointed board member, and chamber of commerce member should read this study and take a test on it?…that any of the above that can’t pass a test on what needs to be done to make this region competitive should be sent straight to the unemployment line for a refresher course?..that only after what may seem like force feeding this information to the masses that adequate AWARENESS and the second step which is ACCEPTANCE be achieved so that support for the forthcoming plan can be mustered?

IS IT TRUE that the remainder of the study will be released in a couple of months and that at least this time there is the intention to formulate a plan to do something about it?…that while we are very hopeful that we will be astonished if the actions required do not meet serious resistance from political leaders and from a few select business leaders whose prosperity seems to be improved by keeping Evansville down?…that this is the time to give it one more shot to rise from the ashes of mediocrity and actually make some positive change?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville needs to feel the cool breeze of the WINDS OF CHANGE which is the title of the following song that was written to honor the most peaceful revolution ever, the fall of the USSR and the end to the oligarchy?…that we encourage a peaceful and positive change in Evansville to elevate our city back to relevance on a national scale?…that our next chance may be our last chance?

Martha Caine Speaks out on the New Smoking Ordinance

Dear Editor,

The Smokefree Communities Coalition of Vanderburgh County commends the Vanderburgh County Commissioners for voting to enact comprehensive smokefree indoor air legislation that went into effect on July 1. This action is a great one on so many levels. The coalition has always seen this as a public health issue.

In this economy, people cannot always choose to walk away from a job that is putting food on the table. No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck. Beyond the health aspect of this legislation, it is good for Vanderburgh County’s economic development. Businesses today that want to grow are looking at communities that are interested in protecting the environment and the health of their citizens. This legislation only makes us more attractive to businesses that are looking for a place to locate

The Smokefree Communities Coalition supports business in Vanderburgh County. We want to see this county grow and thrive. We are committed to providing assistance to smooth the transition to being truly smoke free. We encourage business owners who see their establishments as being at risk to work with and not against this legislation.

For more information on secondhand smoke, implementation of the new law, and quitting smoking, go to www.smokefreecommunities.com. Employees and patrons will also be able to confidentially report violations of the smokefree law to the Vanderburgh County Health Department.
We look forward to living and working in a healthier, more viable community.

Sincerely,
Martha Caine
Executive Director of Smokefree Communities

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 July 8, 2011 Another Survey of What Evansville Needs???

By: Joe Wallace

IS IT TRUE that Greg Wathen the President and CEO of the Economic Development Coalition for Southwest Indiana released the first phase of the anticipated study that the United States government is paying $231,000 to Garner Economics of Atlanta to do?…that the one of the bits of content of this study is to tell the people of Evansville what our plusses and minuses are?…that in management lingo this is called a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis?…that the most valuable information to improve on is your weaknesses so that you can actually use that knowledge to make things better?

IS IT TRUE that a SWOT analysis was done and published when the last master plan was done in 2000-2001?…that the weaknesses of 2001 are still the same in 2011 with a few more weaknesses added and the hole that we have dug into getting a bit deeper?…that another SWOT analysis was done as part of the WIRED initiative in 2007?…that the writer of this installment of IS IT TRUE was a participant in that SWOT analysis?…that the 2007 SWOT analysis had about 25 participants and was facilitated at USI?…that some of the legacy weaknesses were attempted to be removed from the study by a few members of the committee who are a part of the legacy and sympathetic to the current administration?…that at least one person was formally counseled about speaking out about ugly truths in what was supposed to be an open and honest forum?…that the weaknesses of the 2007 study were the same as they were in 2001 and are still the same as the “outsider” study published today?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville’s problem is that it does not use these expensive studies as a call to action to take actions designed to improve on the weaknesses?…that if the past is prologue that somewhere in the City of Evansville in a very few weeks there will be a tribunal formed of the legacy contributors to community discussions?…that the dominant parts of their discussion will have a predetermined conclusion along the story line of “them outsiders don’t understand our uniqueness and that them weaknesses ain’t weaknesses at all, they is strengths”?…that denial runs deep within the oligarchy of Evansville?…that denial runs so deep that is sometimes seems like someone must be profiting from the prevention of positive change?

IS IT TRUE that just for the sake of repeating the weaknesses that seem to get swept under the rug every six year or so that they bear repeating?…that Evansville ranks 368 out of 370 metro areas for internet connection speed?…that the Evansville Airport is not business friendly because of low numbers of flights and difficult scheduling?…that the City of Evansville is cited as unattractive and compared to rundown rural communities for attractiveness?…that the availability of professionals is so sparse that it is cited to be a hindrance to doing business here?…that as has been published in the CCO and other publications that there is exactly ZERO venture capital available?…that the utility bills are cited for being 20% above the national average and 50% above the cost in the peer cities of Davenport, IA and Chattanooga, TN?…that with respect to educated people living here that Evansville trails the nation in every single category?…that if the past is prologue for these weaknesses that NOT A DARN THING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT UNTIL ANOTHER STUDY IS DONE IN 2017 WITH THE SAME ROTTEN RESULTS?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer and this author have published article after article regarding the “pall” over Evansville, the failure of the business community to establish any venture fund at all, the litter problem, the degradation of infrastructure, the lack of transparency in local government, and the appallingly uncompetitive wages that local professionals are paid?…that we would like to know where to send the bill for our services?

IS IT TRUE that last week we posted a video call “the Wayseers Manifesto” that we called a celebration of creativity and accomplishment oriented people?…that this video expressed the belief that 10% of the population are such people?…that these people that are vital to positive change are the very kind people that are so turned off by the failure of oligarchies to embrace positive change that they either leave (brain drain) or assimilate by suppressing who they are?…that when and only when Evansville can find a way to stop driving the creative and outside of the box thinkers that are born here away can it even hope to attract such people from somewhere else?

Behold the Wayseers Manifesto:

http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/07/02/the-wayseer-manifesto-a-celebration-of-pushing-the-envelope/

“Living on a Prayer: Gotta Hold on to What we Got”

IS IT TRUE? July 8, 2011

IS IT TRUE that with all of the interest in the recently disclosed interest in an outside party to lead the refurbishment of the old Greyhound Bus Station the subject of what happened to cause the rest of the block to be vacant was raised by one of our readers?…that there was a building there that some people thought had some architectural significance that had fallen into disrepair and was for all practical purposes abandoned?…that this building was known as the “Skora Building”?…that several small pieces of the ornate stonework on the Skora Building fell to the ground one night?…that when big pieces of stone start falling to the ground that is an indicator that it may just start “raining stone” in the daytime?…that the night it rained stone from the Skora Building was the catalyst that was used by the City of Evansville to issue an emergency demolition order?…that the Skora Building is no more because of the danger of “raining stone”?…that the decision of the City of Evansville to demolish the Skora Building because of the stone raining down may have been the right decision because no one stepped forward with the money to refurbish the building and that it had become a public nuisance?…that raining stone really is dangerous to the public and that when parts start falling off of buildings it is time to raise them to the ground OR refurbish them right now?

IS IT TRUE that there is some evidence that some small pieces have been falling off of the McCurdy Hotel?…that there are absolute visual indications that some big chunks of ornamental stone are nearing the point of impending motion and will be crashing to the ground?…that there is tape around every entrance to the McCurdy Hotel that forbids entry?…that some of the potential for “raining stone” at the McCurdy will endanger the general public if they are not dealt with?…that if history is any indicator AND if the current administration is consistent in its actions that WHEN and we do mean WHEN a piece of stone crashes onto the street that a raise order will have to be issued?…that this would be a shame to let this landmark follow the Skora Building and the Executive Inn to the recycling graveyard?…that the picture in this article is just the most accessible example of a rock that is ready to fall?…that separations like this could be all over the McCurdy Hotel?…that a thorough inspection by City of Evansville Building Inspectors is in order?…that that inspection if there is the will to take this puppy on WILL result in orders to do repairs to protect the public safety from the potential for “raining stone”?…that this should be done before the end of July of 2011 so that the current owners are held accountable for the deteriorating condition of the McCurdy Hotel?…that it will be a travesty if the people of Evansville are stuck holding this bag along with the Executive Inn bag, the Parks bag, and the Sewer bag?…that proper VETTING of the developer by the Evansville Redevelopment Commission could have and should have prevented the McCurdy from rotting to this point?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,529 days since the announcement was made on May 14, 2007 that the McCurdy Hotel was to be refurbished into luxury apartments?…that it has now been 1,382 days since the Evansville Redevelopment Commission at the request of Mayor Weinzapfel approved the spending of $603,000 to purchase the parking lot?…that City Centre Properties and Scott Kosene the developers of the McCurdy project are both listed as contributors to the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee for 2010?

IS IT TRUE that there are now 480 days remaining in the two years that the EPA had given the City of Evansville to present an acceptable solution to the Combined Sewer Overflow problem?…..that this plan is an expensive and complex endeavor that needs immediate attention to avoid the embarrassment and expense of another round of fines?

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Five award winners will be honored at Sustainable Evansville Awards Ceremony. The application deadline is July 29, 2011.

Nomination Category
An Award will be provided to acknowledge projects that excel in each of the following 5 categories: 1) Air, 2) Water, 3) Resource enhancement & Conservation, 4) Green Community, and 5) Education.

Nominee Eligibility
Projects must have been completed during January 1, 2006 and July 29, 2011. It has to be demonstrated that the project is leading the way to a more sustainable future for the Indiana-Evansville region, including Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties.

Judging Criteria
The judging panel will select five winners who best meet the 3 criteria: 1) Innovation, 2) Impact, and 3) Leadership.

Award Ceremony
Mayor Weinzapfel will present the Awards at the Awards Ceremony. The date, time, and place will be announced shortly.

Agenda for Meeting of Board of School Trustees
Monday, July 11, 2011

2.03 Good News (Vice President Duckworth)
2.04 Public Comment Cards

3. Consent Items (Dr. David Smith)
3.01 Consideration of Minutes of the June 20, 2011 Board meeting
3.02 Consideration of Allowance of Payments
3.03 Consideration to purchase items from Extracurricular Accounts
3.04 Consideration to submit grant proposals
3.05 Consideration to approve the agreement between EVSC and CAPE Head Start
3.07 Consideration to approve the agreement between EVSC and Evansville Association for the Blind
3.08 Consideration to approve the agreement between EVSC and Blackboard
3.09 Consideration to approve the agreement between EVSC and Ivy Tech Community College
3.10 Consideration to approve the amendment to the agreement between EVSC and Apex Learning, Inc.
3.11 Consideration to approve the resolution to extend participation with Key Government
3.12 Consideration to approve the resolution authorizing petition to court for appointment of appraisers for North & a portion of SICTC
3.13 Consideration to realign the titles for athletic treasurers at the high schools
3.14 Consideration to approve the transfer of funds for Oak Hill School

4. Consideration of Personnel Recommendations (Dr. David Smith)
4.01 Personnel Recommendations (Smith)

5. Action Items
5.01 Appointment of Treasurer of the Board of School Trustees (Smith)

6. Public Comment
6.01 Public Comment

7. Continued Business (Dr. David Smith)
7.01 Continued Business

8. Adjournment