IS IT TRUE? Part 2 May 13, 2011

IS IT TRUE that it has been over 3 months since Mayor Weinzapfel, John Kish, and Evansville Redevelopment Commission selected VENUWORKS to manage the new Evansville Downtown Arena? … that as of today, copies of the Management Agreement contract have never been given to members of the Evansville City Council?…that in addition to the failure of the signers of the contract to distribute this contract to the Evansville City Council that there has been no public release of this document?…that maybe there is no such document or that maybe there is a concerted effort to conceal the contents of this document?

IS IT TRUE that VenuWorks was pleased to hang their hat on the success of managing the LA Forum just a couple of months ago when they were wooing the Weinzapfel Administration to let them manage the Evansville Arena?…that VenuWorks no longer lists the LA Forum as one of the arenas that they manage?…that the LA Forum is now managed by a start up management company that calls itself “The Planning Company”?…that you can learn about who replaced VenuWorks as the management company of the LA Forum at the following website?

http://www.theplanningco.net/

IS IT TRUE that this website is not very impressive but that we are intrigued by this change in LA?

IS IT TRUE that a similar situation exists with respect to the agreement between the Evansville Redevelopment Commission and Woodruff Hospitality?…that whatever the details are about the agreement with Woodruff Hospitality LLC that only a few of the details have been alluded to in public and those came as a result of a Friend-Quisition?…that we now know that there are a series of escrows as opposed to a performance bond?…that we now know that there are financial performance deadlines at the end of May and the end of June?…that we have no idea what these performances are?…that there is already consideration being given to extend the deadlines as per public record statements by John Kish?

IS IT TRUE that it may be time for the City County Observer, the Evansville Courier & Press, the local TV stations, the Evansville City Council, and even concerned citizens to demand these documents by formal request using the Freedom of Information Act?…that one does not have to be a news agency or work for a news agency to file a request under the Freedom of Information Act?…that government Agencies have 20 days to respond to FOI requests?…that government agencies must publish an annual report which includes reasons for denials, appeals, number of days required to process requests, number of backlogged requests, number of full-time staff devoted to processing requests, and amount of fees collected from requestors?

IS IT TRUE that for those of you who are interested the following is a link to an example of a letter that can be customized to your individual requests?…that these letters can be hand carried to the government agency that you wish to file a FOIA with?…that prior to actions taken by President Lyndon B. Johnson to establish the Freedom of Information Act that closed door meetings and secret file cabinets were just the way business was done in Washington?…that President Johnson may just be the father of American transparency laws?…that after over 40 years that it is time for transparency to come to Evansville?

FOIA Request Letter

Claims of Theft not Substantiated or Officially Alleged

Jonathan Weaver has failed to step forward to claim the $2,000 bounty that was offered by the City County Observer if he could back up the claims regarding stealing of campaign signs that he made in an interview with a WTVW reporter just after the Democratic primary.

As we specified yesterday the offer to make a donation to Mr. Weaver’s favorite charity became null and void at 10:00 am CST today May 13, 2011.

As Mr. Weaver was quick to point the finger of accusation at the campaign of Democratic nominee for Mayor of Evansville, he was completely silent when we offered a bounty on the alleged thieves. It would seem as though Mr. Weaver may have been speaking out without evidence to back up his statement.

That being the case we feel that Mr. Weaver owes the Davis campaign and apology for his on camera statement. The City County Observer would like to offer Mr. Weaver an opportunity to extend such an apology in our publication. We will furthermore make a $100 donation to the charity of Mr. Weaver’s choice if he should accept our offer of free column space to make a public apology.

Take That: May 13, 2011

In Response to: CCO Increases Bounty on Election Sign Thieves to $2,000

“Keep ‘em honest, CCO!

To me, signs that appear in those places do not portray a “grassroots” support for any candidate. I see it as an easy, lazy way for candidates to promote themselves. I much prefer to see a yard sign in an actual person’s yard as opposed to just stuck at a random, “public domain” location.” 对上帝

“At what point does a political sign that is associated with a failed campaign (that is over) cease to be promotional and become litter? I would think that the clock is ticking on Troy before he could be cited for littering the public street, carries a hefty fine I’m told.” Blanger

“why don’t you guys just increase it to $100,000? You know Weaver just ran his mouth with no proof” VVC1

“… or he pulled that story out of the same orifice that he pulled a lot of those assessment figures out of!” Soon2B

“How about a fund/reward for an acknowledgement from candidate Weaver that the CCO even exists? It could come in the form of an apology for his statements, a retraction, an explanation that he made those comments in the heat of battle/emotion or he stands by his statements. If the latter then we can move to Step B. I’d chip in, anybody else?” Steve Smith

IN RESPONSE TO: IS IT TRUE May 11, 2011

“I believe the disgruntled Democrats are few in number, and are more than made up for by the Democrats who voted and see the change as good. The independants that have rallied to Mr. Davis will still vote for him in November as well. Mr. Davis won the “Hero’s Mantle” this past primary. Winnecke is “Homestead Tax Toast”.” Crash Larue

“What is it that Ron White sez…..”You Can’t Fix Stupid!”

Rick Davis made it through the primary without “The Machine” if he stays his course he will be elected also without the support of the machine, what they always seem to forget is that it’s the voters who put candidates into office not political machines….it should be a interesting summer/fall.“ Blanger

“I’d liike to point out that all the Dems are not sore losers, there are some sore winners, like Missy Mosby and Jon Weaver who still have not come under the party umbrella. With Lon Walters breathing down her neck, Missy better rethink her position and come on board or she will soon be a one term has been. And I’m still waiating for Mark Owen to send me the invitation to his rescheduled Awards Dinner.” Henry

IN RESPONSE TO: IS IT TRUE May 10, 2011 (the Friend-Quisition)

“At the end of the day, no one is in charge of this project, and no one is accountable for the largest public works project in over 50 years.” Beerguy

“The real problem with the hotel deal will arise when the city has to pony up more than the 8 million plus tax abatement. The point is we all know the arena costs much more than advertised by the city. It will all come out in the open eventually.” BAM

“My question is, where has Mr. Friend been for the last year? Why is he just now asking all of these “important” questions? If the City Council felt Mr. Kish was not being “transparent” enough all along, why wait until the project is nearly complete to start complaining? Why haven’t they been asking for all of the documents at each of the meetings Mr. Kish attended? If this is a City project, why hasn’t the City been keeping track of all the money? Mr. Kish doesn’t write the checks, the City does. Easy to deflect responsibility and make someone else a scapegoat to cover up your own inefficiency Mr. Friend.” Whatabunchof

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville City Council and the Vanderburgh County Commissioners held a workshop last night to see if they could do a little surgery to the proposed consolidation agreement?…that the most discussed subject of the meeting was the power that the proposal grants to the Mayor of the County?…that the winds of change in the wake of Team Weinzapfel are most certainly toward clipping the wings of any future Chief Executive of a consolidated Vanderburgh County?…that if it is such a great idea to limit the powers of a Mayor at the county level it should be an even better idea to act now and limit the powers of the Mayor of Evansville and see how it works?…that nearly every astute observer seems to recognize that big changes are needed in the way the City of Evansville is run but that deficiencies are not so apparent in unincorporated Vanderburgh County?…that if some of the “big ideas” to improve a consolidated Vanderburgh County should be tested out in the City of Evansville prior to pronouncing them to be the magic bullets for Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE that most of the time when a head of government has their wings clipped from a power perspective that it is a reaction to a strong self serving head of government that alienated the affections of the people the government is there to serve?…that without the poor top down governance of King George III that the United States of America may have never existed?…that without the self indulgent lifestyles of Marie Antoinette and her husband Louis XVI that the French Republic may have never existed?…that in case after case a sharp transition where power was spread around in a change of government form that it was preceded by someone who abused the power that was entrusted in them?…that the discussion of the limitation of power of the Mayor of Evansville needs to examine the successes and failures of the Mayors of Evansville over the last 50 years?…that maybe the problems here can be solved by limiting the powers of the Chief Executive but that maybe what is needed is a more informed electorate that entrusts the City or County to less self serving leadership?

IS IT TRUE that the City of Evansville should be the guinea pig for these ideas because the city is the outwardly dysfunctional entity that is in need of dramatic changes?…that if recently defeated City Council President B. J. Watts says “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” is the mantra to follow then the Evansville City Council should get on about the business of fixing those things that are broken and leave the county to its own self examination?…that both Rick Davis and Lloyd Winnecke seem to be much more amenable to self limitation when it comes to Mayoral power?…that both of the gentlemen candidates are deliberative individuals who have indicated that they are completely open to surrounding themselves with highly qualified people as advisors?…that it is the person who holds the office of Mayor that determines the extent to which power is spread around?…that if a collaborative deliberative style is what is needed in the City of Evansville that our future is looking brighter because both of the candidates for Mayor have a more cooperative demeanor than we have been accustomed to?

IS IT TRUE that it has not yet been established that consolidation is the right thing to do?…that if the only reason to consolidate is to save money through efficiencies that not enough savings have been put forward yet to bother to consolidate?…that the consolidation proposal needs to be dissected for feasibility before it becomes a Magna Carta for the entire county?…that the right question to ask is still “WHY CONSOLIDATE?” as opposed to the presumptuous “HOW DO WE CONSOLIDATE” that the consolidation committee under the thumb of a STRONG MAYOR has been asking?…that we wonder if the powers of the Mayor of Evansville had been limited in the past if the question of “WHY CONSOLIDATE?” would already be answered?

IS IT TRUE that a tangible and measurable goal for efficiency should determine the answer to the question of “WHY CONSOLIDATE”?…that if a savings threshold of 10% were adopted that a savings level like that would likely benefit all of the would be governed?…that 10% savings of the combined budgets of the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County would amount to over $30 Million per year?…that any private company in America that can’t cut 10% through implementing lean principles is either perfectly managed already or has the wrong management team in place?…that the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County are certainly not perfectly managed which leaves only one conclusion as to which it is?…that if the consolidation committee show us $30 Million per year in savings that the probability of passing will increase dramatically?…that these powers that be do not seem to care for voting thresholds and will probably run from savings thresholds like a rabbit runs from a bird of prey?

The City County Observer has notified both Rick Davis, the Democratic nominee and Lloyd Winnecke the Republican nominee that it is offering to act as lead sponsor in one of the debates for the office of Mayor of Evansville. The CCO will work with the candidates and their campaigns to assure that the debate is as informative as possible in our effort to promote good local governance and good public policy.

“Jonathan Weaver granted 24 hours to respond to claim $2,000 for Charity”

Jonathan Weaver has failed to respond to the City County Observer’s Charity Challenge regarding his on camera allegation that people associated with the Rick Davis Campaign stole his signs. Today the $500 Bounty offer expired!

The CCO is so adamant about stamping out criminal activity in campaigns that we have decided to increase the Bounty to $2.000. Mr. Weaver has 24 hours to accept this challenge. This offer will become invalid at 10:00 AM on Friday May 13, 2011.

As a reminder, if Mr. Weaver files a criminal complaint that leads to the prosecution and conviction of any person that was officially working under orders from the Rick Davis campaign for SIGN STEALING, the CCO will make a $2,000 donation to the Charity of Mr. Weaver’s choice.

Here is a link to the story about Weaver’s on camera interview where the allegations were made.

http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/05/05/link-to-weaver-interview-supplement-to-is-it-true/

Previously Issued

IS IT TRUE that it has been 144 hours this morning since the City County Observer offered a $500 bounty on anyone that Jonathan Weaver would come forward to back up his on camera assertions of being ELECTION SIGN THIEVES?…that Mr. Weaver has not yet accepted our challenge nor has he come forward to claim the bounty?…that he has exactly 24 hours to accept our challenge or it will no longer be available?…that we do not understand why Mr. Weaver has not come forward?…that a candidate for office is expected to be both honest and charitable?…that IF Mr. Weaver was honest in his allegations of theft that the City County Observer has given him the perfect opportunity to be charitable as a result of his honesty?…that we are waiting?

By: Joe J. Wallace

Band’s Donation to Riley Children’s Hospital started off the evening with warmth

The Trans Siberian Orchestra made a stop in Evansville last night playing their now world renowned “Beethoven’s Last Night” tour with the composing creativity not seen in these parts since the 70’s pinnacle of Evansville as a “must play” place on tours by Queen, Styx, Kiss, and other bands who artfully mixed theatrics with rock and roll music.

The good vibes actually started before the music when four members of the orchestra came on stage with WIKY to announce that $1 of every ticket sold was being donated by the Trans Siberian Orchestra to the Riley Children’ Hospital. Some bands that come to town demand beer, whiskey, and expensive food as part of their contracts. This band came to give and give they did.

Three hours of non-stop teaching, entertaining, and actually making audience members think about life’s conundrums followed. The main story, Beethoven’s last night on earth where the devil (Mephistopheles) tries to trick him out of his music in exchange for his mortal soul has influences from “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” throughout. When the vocalist sang the lines “this is who you are” it certainly conjured up memories of “this is the point of no return”. The continuous display of musical talent, choreography, and synchronized monochromatic lights (lasers) kept the audience, many of whom were back for their 20th or more concerts mentally engaged.

At the conclusion of the show when old Mephistopheles gets tricked by Twist, the playful child of Fate, he goes back to where he came from empty handed. A good show with a happy beginning and a positive ending is about as good as it can get in River City. TSO then returned to do a 40 minute set of songs from their newest release “Night Castle” that left most of us ready for their next trip to Evansville, or Louisville, or any other place within driving distance.

On the way home my wife Karen turned to me and said that she wanted to read a biography of the life of Beethoven. That is testament to the teaching and inspirational power of acts like the Trans Siberian Orchestra that fuse entertainment styles to engage broad audiences.

Enjoy the video below. The stage set-up, the lights, and sounds that came to Evansville last night were identical to what New York City was treated to.

IS IT TRUE that Republican candidate for Mayor Lloyd Winnecke got 6 months in front of election day in recommending that a series of three debates be staged between himself and Democratic candidate Rick Davis?…that Mr. Winnecke’s letter was complimentary of Mr. Davis’s victory over Troy Tornatta in the Democratic primary and that it was respectful in tone?…that respectfulness is Lloyd Winnecke’s nature and that if this letter is a taste of things to comes his collaborative style will been in high gear in the campaign?…that as Mr. Winnecke’s challenge was more suggestive than challenging and that we expect that if Mr. Davis asks for slight modifications to Mr. Winnecke’s suggested format that an acceptable compromise will be reached quickly?

IS IT TRUE that it is quite refreshing to see advanced planning and respect for one’s opponent in the beginning of the campaign?…that there are plenty of substantive issues facing the City of Evansville and that either Mr. Winnecke or Mr. Davis will be our next Mayor?…that we get the feeling that these two guys would willingly work together to correct some of our problems and furthermore expect that they will regardless of who is the Mayor?…that if there are to be debates lets cross our fingers that the format, the moderator, and the questions are intense enough not to inspire disinterest and apathy?…that last year’s debates for Vanderburgh County offices were remarkably boring?…that even some of the candidates were frustrated by the failure of the moderators to force them to mix it up a bit with depth and substance?…that there are plenty of gotchas to be brought up and plenty of legitimate issues to captivate an audience for a good long time?…that we hope that the debates help people make informed choices about our governance and that the Pied Piper is silenced in the voting booth?

IS IT TRUE that “CCO MOLE 2 #” received private phone calls from several City/County employees and elected officials that share the same opinion as the City County Observer concerning the City Water and Sewer Department forcing one to give their Social Security number when they have water turned on? …that we wonder if the City Water and Sewer computer software have safe guards that protect our Social Security numbers?…that we wonder why the State of Indiana took off the requirement that forced us to put our Social Security numbers on our driver licenses? …that they felt that one wayward public employee could have taken ones social security and birthday dates to possibility steal one’s identity? …that it would take only one public employee to misuse personal information of a taxpayer that would expose the City of Evansville to a major law suit? …that we wonder why the City of Evansville Water and Sewer Department can’t just ask us for a copy of our driver’s license and past address we had our water and sewer services?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Water and Sewer Department is known around town for being oppressively unfriendly to landlords? …that the water department charges you for trash pickup even if you do not use it?…that if you have a dumpster on your property you still pay the trash fees?…that the water department only charges a person a $15 deposit to turn water in your name?…that when they run up the water bill, which can be several months before it is turned off, and moves out the landlord is responsible for the sewer portion of the bill?…that they can put a lien your property if it is not paid?…that this costs landlords thousands of dollars per year in Evansville?…that the offending the tenant goes to another rental, pays another $15 and they get water again?…that Vectren now requires new customers to provide a form that is notarized proving their identity before they will provide services to them?

IS IT TRUE that in a shrinking city that is burdened with SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS of blighted homes many of which are abandoned having a City of Evansville department enforcing arcane and oppressive rules onto the residents and landlords is just counterproductive?…that if there were ever a place that responsibilities need to be decoupled it is between landlords and tenants when it comes to public service providers?…that this stone age policy and other City of Evansville legacy problems might just make an excellent debate topic or better yet an opportunity to publish position papers that our citizens can examine at will?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer will publish all position papers written by or sanctioned by the candidates for Mayor of Evansville and the candidates for City Council?

IS IT TRUE that you should never vote to the words of this song?

Lloyd Winnecke after seeing the debacle of Troy Tornatta’s last minute call for a debate with Rick Davis in the Democratic Primary for Mayor of Evansville has taken the long term approach and issued a call for a series of three debates. Mr. Winnecke has suggested that the first debate come prior to Labor Day with the following two to come in September and October.

Winnecke’s Letter to Davis

May 10, 2011

Mr. Rick Davis
Vanderburgh County Treasurer
1 NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Room 210 Civic Center
Evansville, IN 47708

Dear Rick,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your win in the Democratic primary. Your efforts, and the efforts of your campaign, are commendable. I am looking forward to an exciting and engaging campaign.
As mayoral candidates, we will no doubt be asked to make many joint appearances over the coming six months. Although these appearances will be informative to voters, they may not truly showcase our individual ideas for the future of this great city. Therefore, in addition to the many joint appearances, I propose we schedule a minimum of three debates over the course of the campaign. Political debates are a time-honored method of enabling voters to choose their leaders wisely, allowing them to hear firsthand what each candidate proposes and why.

I suggest at least two of these debates be televised and hope to hold one debate at a local high school. I feel it is best if we do not backload the debates to the end of the campaign. Instead, I recommend the first debate be held prior to Labor Day. We could then schedule at least two more in September and October. I believe this schedule would grant voters ample time to compare our answers and decide whose vision for Evansville they feel will benefit our community the greatest.

Please contact me with available dates and any suggestions that you might have. I look forward to your favorable reply.

Sincerely,

Lloyd Winnecke
Republican Candidate for Mayor

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 May 11, 2011

IS IT TRUE when John Kish went become City Council to answer a series of well thought out questions submitted by 5th Ward City Councilman, John Friend, CPA on Monday of this week was a stroke of genius on Councilman Friend’s part? …that Mr. Kish forgot to realize that his public remarks he made to the City Council about the Arena and Hotel deals were also viewed by local WINN TV viewers? …that those who have been following Kish-Weinzapfel-Evansville Development Commission new Arena and Hotel political and financial decisions can now be reviewed via TV tapes? …that the time for the political spinning games concerning the Arena and Hotel costs is officially over, thanks to City Councilman John Friend, CPA and the WINN TV station? …that the financial figures could mislead but TV presentations don’t?…that one should not be surprised that Mr. Kish’s TV remarks will be renewed during the upcoming Evansville City Council budget hearings starting in July?

IS IT TRUE that voting should take serious thought and deliberation?…that your vote is yours and that you really do not have to follow some self appointed Pied Piper who professes to think for you?…that the other child’s game that needs to stay out of the voting process is Simon Says?…that if people would think for themselves, do what is best for the city, state, or event the country that the group of folks that we have to choose from would improve and our laws would too.

IS IT TRUE that the term FUBAR (fouled up beyond all recognition) has been thrown about on comments this week except it was a profane version that we chose not to allow to be posted?…that the overall project management of the MLK Entertainment Complex was the object of that disrespect?…that the other moniker that was tossed out was FUMU (foul up move up) and that it was edited out too?…that it is not because we disagree with the sentiment that was being posted, it is simply that we do not post offensive language?

IS IT TRUE that there is an event that will address Renewable Energy at the Washington Square Mall tomorrow?…that there will be speakers and panel discussions that will go on from before noon until into the afternoon?…that when we have more specific event details we will post them?

IS IT TRUE that no one should vote in accordance with the following song?