IS IT TRUE? February 18, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the slots for candidates for Evansville City Council are filling up and in some cases over filling to the point that 3 person primaries will be needed to determine the nominations?…that the 2nd Ward City Council seat now has contested primaries for both major political parties?…that the eDebate between the Democratic candidates Missy Mosby and Patrick McBride will be next Monday in the Community Observer?…that another epic battle is looming in the 2nd Ward between Republican nomination seekers E. Lon Walters and Bill Kramer?…that the at-large seats already have three candidates from each party and Mole #13 tells us that a highly qualified individual may be filing today forcing a primary for the at-large field?

IS IT TRUE that a couple of the City County Observer Moles took advantage of the spring weather to take a trip into the Front Door Pride district in and around Goosetown yesterday?…that the tour guide was none other than the Director of Metropolitan Development Mr. Tom Barnett?…that the Moles were leaning negatively prior to accepting the guided tour?…that some Mole minds may have changed a little?…that there are a few places where entire blocks have either been refurbished or torn down and replaced with FDP houses?…that when entire blocks have been reclaimed that the housing is nice, occupied, and has the look of neighborhood?…that in the locations where the complement was a nice FDP home surrounded by vacant lots or dilapidated crack houses that the FDP homes still have for sale signs up?…that those for sale signs are getting dusty and losing some of their color to UV damage from extended exposure to the sun?…that significant and sustainable change takes cleaning out blocks at a time to separate the new residents from crime and blight?…that Tom Barnett understands this very well but is drastically underfunded from the perspective of really cleaning it all up and making it attractive to the educated young professionals that Evansville is in desperate need of?

IS IT TRUE that one of the most beautiful homes that the Moles were privileged to have a look at was the Evansville Living Idea Home?…that this is perhaps the best and most beautiful reclaimed home in the Washington Avenue corridor?…that over $500,000 was invested in bringing the IDEA HOME up to modern standards with classic elegance?…that this home has been on the market for nearly 6 months and only has an asking price of under $200,000?…that this house in any prosperous American city in a safe and completely reclaimed neighborhood would easily fetch over $1 Million?…that as long as the house next door is patrolled by free range pit bulls that have open front door access to the house, has dilapidated houses across the alley and as far as a child can walk to the school bus, this home will not attract a family of young educated professionals?…that the IDEA HOME represents everything that the Washington corridor and Goosetown can be but that the homes that completely surround it represent why it hasn’t been and why it probably won’t?…that to really create a Johnson Place atmosphere as the Washington corridor once was would require 40 or 50 IDEA HOMES, a demilitarized barrier (maybe a wall) of at least a lot on the entire perimeter, schools that compete with Scott for ISTEP achievement, and the crime to be eradicated?…that the part of that scenario that can be bought will cost $30 Million to $50 Million that Evansville does not have and will not get unless there is a dramatic shift in the local economy?

IS IT TRUE that the Moles were also shown non FDP areas that make Goosetown look pretty darn good?…that Mr. Barnett’s presentation where he revealed that over 8,000 homes in the City of Evansville need over $100k of work each just to be habitable seems like an understatement?…that one Mole has been to 3rd world countries like Indonesia, central Mexico, rural China, and Thailand?…that parts of the City of Evansville have the same look and feel to them as these third world countries and that these places are within walking distance of downtown Evansville?…that the best thing that could happen to some of these areas would be demolition?…that Evansville has nearly 10,000 abandoned homes?…that Evansville has lost 24,000 residents in the last 50 years?…that incidentally coincides quite closely to the number of abandoned homes?…that these homes given the present population and continued contraction are simply not needed?…that demolishing 10,000 abandoned and uninhabitable homes would only cost around $50 Million (the same as getting a Johnson Place atmosphere on Washington)?

IS IT TRUE that a massive demolition would not only “right size” the housing stock of the City of Evansville but it would save a COUPLE of BILLION DOLLARS?….that empty lots do not need sewers?…that it stands to reason that the EPA mandated bill to separate the combined sewers will be reduced by massive demolition as well?…that the Moles came away from this experience with a high level of admiration and respect for Tom Barnett and the task that he has taken on?…that the Moles are also awestruck and shell shocked at the advanced state of dilapidation in much of the housing stock of the City of Evansville?

EVANSVILLE, INDIANA: A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE

By Dr. H. Dan Adams

Evansville is a unique place on the Ohio River, here for more than two hundred years. Its intimacy with the river has sustained it over all that time, bringing it food, settlers, and business. During World War II, Evansville stepped up as a formidable provider of the tools for victory.

The Evansville Golden Crescent is made up of roughly four parts: Upstream has concentrated the expression of our history with the LST 325, the Evansville Museum, and the delightful historic home section.

The Golden Crescent

Next is the business engine of banks, larger corporations, courts, new Arena and government. Below that area is the Entertainment District containing Aztar, its bars and gambling. Finally, in the Evansville’s last, downstream section resides it heavy industry with its promise of rejuvenation of a slack water port in the decade to come. Here lies our city!

Surrounded by four major midwestern cities, Evansville has the major advantage of being able to easily get to those urban centers, if desired. Yet our city does retain the marvelous features of quiet sustaining neighborhoods, personal kindness, safe streets and relatively low taxes.

City of Evansville Population
(2009) – 116,584
(2010) – 116,500 with annexation areas included
Vanderburgh County Population (2009) – 175,434
GPS Location – 37.966865 -87.566724
Evansville Regional Airport, IN
Elevation 417 ft Latitude: 38.04306; Longitude –87.52028
Estimated Median Household Income: Evansville – $33,600 Indiana – $47,9662

CITY OF EVANSVILLE PROJECTED REVENUES
Miscellaneous $ 88,192,216
General Fund Property Tax 56,605,735
Sewer Fund Fees 36,244,000
Water Fund Fees 23,237,700
Local County Income Tax 11,367,609
River Boat Fund 10,641,310
Park Fund Property Tax 6,247,500
Fire Pension Property Tax 105,000
Police Pension Property Tax 105,000

Grand Total Revenue Projected $232,782,070

Miscellaneous Revenues: (in Million $)

General Misc 26.4, Fire Pension 5.7, Police Pension 7.0, Parks Misc 3.9, Park Refunding 0.4,
Redevelopment Bond 2011 1.3, Redevlmt Bond ret. 0.2, Print & Supply 0.5, Law Enforcement Ed 0.1,
COIT Misc1.8, Cumultv Capital Improvemt 0.3, Rvboat Misc 0.03, Highwy 4.5, Rny Day 0.03, Golf 1.5,
Redevlmt TIF Ret Bond 0.4, Sports 0.4, Greenway 0.3, Local Rds & Strts 1.8, Cert Tech Pk, 0.001, Pking
Gargs 0.5, HUD Fair Hsing 0.03, EEOC 0.05, TIF Projects Acct 6.9, Hospitalization 19.5, Unemplmt Fd
0.1, Wrkers Comp 1.0, Liabty Ins Fd2.4, Waste Watr 0.7 = $88,192,2163

CITY OF EVANSVILLE 2011 PROJECTED EXPENSES

Total Utility – Water, Sewer & Wastewater $60,133,316
Police 29,420,344
Fire 23,690,223
Total Insurance Fund 22,885,311
Local Income Tax Use Fund 15,318,892
Riverboat Fund 11,168,030
Miscellaneous 10,535,608
Parks and Recreation 10,311,606
Remainder of General Fund 9,053,661
METS 7,159,122
Master TIF Projects 6,917,997
Fire Pension 5,635,137
Highway Fund 5,498,396
Central Dispatch 3,192,956
Local Roads & Streets 2,131,186
Golf Course Non-Reverting 1,511,728
Redevelopment Bond Fund 1,375,519
Dept of Metro City 1,238,655
Code Enforcement 1,185,720
Grand Total City Projected 2011 Expenses $228,363,4074

CITY OF EVANSVILLE – CHALLENGES
BACK to BASICS:

Recession – Slow recovery or double dip.? As the stimulus money’s effect has blunted the potentially catastrophic deep slope of a depression, it is now time to slow BIG government spending, until the exact length and depth of the downturn can be accurately determined. The independent variables of increased revenue from phased-in, newly annexed city areas and a hopeful increase of sales tax income may counter balance the dip caused by the constitutionally demanded property tax ceilings and the EPA sewerage judgment. New hiring for jobs is most needed and should come in one to two years. It is time to be cautious to commit money to projects other than those of the most basic nature. A full-scale attack on new business creation with continued intense encouragement of existing businesses is primary.

Basic Services – As police and fire create public safety and trash collection protects us from epidemics, these needs are paramount. The Firefighter contract must be promptly settled. In the future, arbitration legislation may be needed to push the process along. If the possible revenue crunch does become prohibitive, these primary obligations will take precedent for all other city funding, which could include administrative pay cuts. In light of these basic needs, other much less demanding, frivolous spending should be sharply curtailed.

Sewer Correction – Although an admirable start to correct a huge long-standing problem has been done, much is needed yet. The sewer/water rates have been increased regularly over recent years with each sewer project. Because of the uncertain nature of our economy, no new sewer rate increases should be entertained for at least two years. The Public’s squeal factor is beginning to be heard. The slope of sewer rate increases should be flattened, until the final bill to be paid from the EPA case is known. Ultimately soon, the decades present, eye-and-nose sore of Bee Slough should made into a cleansing fen.

New Arena – About three quarters of the way through its creation, the new Arena’s building goes apace. It IS a beautiful edifice. Hopefully, it will finish early and under budget, as it has so far. When done, it should draw crowds of people to the Downtown on more than 130+ occasions per year. Roberts Stadium costs $15,000 per month to maintain empty, which will not occur for some months. Would it not be worthwhile to retain the iconic building and create another interior use for it? Any solution should wait for at least a year, until it so apparent that the worse of the recession’s damage has passed. All other solutions should be fleshed out during this waiting period to deliver value to ALL of our citizens…not just a handful.

City-County Merger – Although many good ideas have come forth in this most recent effort, the decision not to have the referendum be on this fall’s ballot has effective paralyzed its forward progress. Now that the study has been turned in on January 11st, it may sit gathering dust for almost two years before an appropriate election cycle occurs. The public’s present apathy may well be in concrete by then. The study’s cost of $108,000 for legal and secretarial uses needs to be documented in detail. The question of whether the study was worth the money has yet to be answered.

Summary – The search for city/public consensus management is desperately needed. A kinder, gentler, less “my way or the highway” approach should be sought.

The Reorganization Plan’s Potential Negative Impact on Future Local Elections

By: Bill Jeffers, Vanderburgh County Surveyor

On January 11, 2011, the Evansville–Vanderburgh County Reorganization Committee delivered its final Plan of Organization to the Vanderburgh County Commissioners and the Evansville City Council. At the county commissioners meeting on the same day, Lloyd Winnecke, Commission President, suggested the three commissioners take a month to look over the plan, and then hold a joint meeting with the city council to have their concerns and questions about the plan addressed by members of the reorganization committee. Mr. Winnecke also suggested another joint meeting with the city council at which the public may give input, after which both legislative bodies can modify the plan based on the feedback from the public, elected officials, and committee members.

When one considers the vociferous and copious feedback heard at the reorganization committee’s many public hearings, the anticipated mass of public comments on the reorganization plan might exceed the endurance of county commissioners and city council members at a single public hearing. But since Commissioner Winnecke wants to initiate public discussion of the plan, and a full month has passed since the committee delivered it, let the discussions begin. After all, the more they hear up front, the less they must mull over later.

One part of the plan that should concern both voters and municipal officials is the chronology of elections for mayor and common council mandated by the plan. When invited by the reorganization committee to present specific recommendations for a model of consolidated city-county government, Mayor Jerry Abramson (Louisville, Ky.), gave impassioned and concise advice regarding the benefits of non-partisan elections of municipal officeholders. Yet after a modicum of initial enthusiasm for non-partisan elections, the reorganization committee opted instead for partisan elections of local officials, other than judges and school board members who already are non-partisan.

However, when one considers fact, there just is no reasonable argument for national partisan politics to influence municipal elections. And since Indiana laws specify the duties of elected officials, and each official swears to follow the law and carry out those duties, why should national party philosophies influence local elections or stain municipal offices? Moreover, unless they declare a political party on their campaign literature, it seems that the more successful and popular local officeholders are pretty much indistinguishable with regard to national party affiliations.

If the plan included Mayor Abramson’s recommendation for non-partisan elections, that also would remove the undesirable impact of straight ticket voting on municipal government, because then candidates more likely would win or lose on their own merit rather than blind allegiance to party politics. In fact, non-partisan elections might benefit municipal candidates by allowing them more freedom to attend a broader array of political and civic group functions as do the candidates for judge and school board. So, is Evansville truly not ready to outgrow its addiction to partisan municipal elections?

Now even if, and especially if, partisan elections remain part of the reorganization plan, the city council, the county commissioners, and the voters had better look long and hard at the plan’s mandated chronology of elections. As currently written, the plan requires the initial election of mayor and common council at the first general election following the voters’ approval of the referendum, with subsequent municipal elections every four years. Since the reorganization committee’s lawyer tells us the first possible spot for the merger referendum is on the 2012 ballot, that means the first election for mayor and council would be 2014, if the referendum passes. Thereby, the plan mandates a chronology of municipal elections coincidental with “off-presidential” years. So, think about what negative impact national politics had on local elections in 2006, and especially 2010.

Municipal elections should be held in odd-numbered years to promote a separation between national party politics and local government affairs. And municipal government should evolve away from national political influences by moving to non-partisan elections. When they hold their joint meetings, the county commissioners and city council hopefully will hear constructive input from the public and local officials on these and other issues, and will either modify the plan for the better or reject it altogether.

Bill Jeffers

VenuWorks Staffing in Evansville to include 25 full time and 300 part time positions

For Immediate Release: February 15, 2011

Contact: Steve Peters 515-232-5151

The New Evansville Arena, managed by VenuWorks, will open in November. VenuWorks will have an executive director on site as soon as possible. After the executive director is in Evansville, hiring can begin with sales and administrative positions followed by food and beverage, operations and event production staff members. It is anticipated that the venue will have about 25 full-time positions filled by the time the venue opens in November. Those who are interested in full-time work should monitor the VenuWorks website for forthcoming information on submitting applications.

VenuWorks will also be hiring roughly 300 part-time workers in areas of food service, box office, customer service, ushers, event production and custodial services. These positions will be posted on the VenuWorks website. There will also be a series of job fairs in Evansville as the opening gets closer.

BACKGROUND

VenuWorks provides comprehensive management, booking and marketing solutions for arenas, theatres and convention centers throughout North America. We are committed and innovative facility operators and presently manage of 36 separate facilities in 17 communities in 10 states. Based in Ames, IA the company was founded 14 years ago. For more information, please view www.venuworks.com.

IS IT TRUE? Part 2 February 17, 2011

IS IT TRUE that yesterday’s announcement by Douglas de Groot took the Vanderburgh party leadership by surprise? ….the select members of the local Tea Party are extremely pleased that Mr. de Groot entered the Republican primary race? ….that the Tea Party membership shall engage both Republican candidates for Mayor in open dialogue concerning serious issues facing the City of Evansville during the upcoming primary?

IS IT TRUE that Dr. Neil Troost has been asked to run as a Republican in the upcoming city election?….if he decides to run for elected office it would be for the At Large City Council seat?…that his passion is to see the city park system in Evansville and Vanderburgh County become a source of civic pride?…that the investment to bring our parks up to exemplary status and to keep them that way is a small fraction of the cost of the new Downtown Arena?…that visitors to the City of Evansville are more apt to judge our city as a place to live or invest by our parks than by a basketball stadium on Main Street?…that the policies that allowed the park system to turn into a neglected domain of drugs and prostitutes is the epitome of poor public policy?….that we bet the good people of Evansville would support a respectable budget to make and keep our parks beautiful and safe for families to enjoy?….that the current leadership and management of the Evansville Parks Department would be terrified of the prospect of an advocate to clean and maintain the parks like Dr. Neil Troost to be elected?

IS IT TRUE that the elected Vanderburgh County Surveyor Bill Jeffers published an excellent article today in the Evansville Courier and Press titled “Keep Elections in Odd Years”?…that the body of the article expands on much more than just election years?…that this article is a well thought out and superbly written observation on the irrelevance of national party agendas in local government?…that Mr. Jeffers also points out that the unification committee after engaging former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson on the issue of non-partisan elections summarily rejected his advice?…that the City County Observer would like very much to provide a link to this article but cannot because it is not published in the online version of the Courier?…that this article alone is worth many times the 75 cents that the daily Courier costs so please go buy one, borrow one, or visit the library to familiarize yourselves with this article?

Here is a link to the CCO version.

http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/02/17/the-reorganization-plan%E2%80%99s-potential-negative-impact-on-future-local-elections/

IS IT TRUE? February 17, 2011

IS IT TRUE that back in 2003 the Weinzapfel Committee for Mayor received a whopping $48,000 from the campaign committee of the Dean of the Evansville City Council, Curt John ….that it is obvious that in 2011 Mayor Weinzapfel not only has forgotten this generous gift from the Honorable City Councilman Curt John’s campaign committee but that he also doesn’t seek his wisdom and advise on important big ticket issues facing the City of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that “MOLE #3” is hearing that the overall cost of the new downtown Arena is beginning to go over budget? ….we look forward to John Kish publishing an up to date itemization of the funds that have been spent, committed, or budgeted to put this rumor to rest soon as possible?…that there are other costs that need to be included in the Arena cost break down such as the demolition cost of the Executive Inn and the City of Evansville’s portion of the Convention Hotel Project?

IS IT TRUE that newly announced Mayoral candidate Douglas de Groot ran against Russ Lloyd, Jr. in the Republican primary in May of 2003?….that it is legend that Mr. de Groot muster over 40% of the vote against Mr. Lloyd in the Republican primary?….that the 2011 Republican primary could prove to be similar to the 2003 results?

IS IT TRUE that Missy Mosby and Patrick McBride now have a Republican waiting for them to settle their primary campaign?…that Mr. Bill Kramer will be filing today at 1:30 as a Republican to seek the City Council seat in Evansville’s 2nd Ward?…that Mr. Kramer is not new to the game of politics and has the contacts and potential to give Miss Mosby or Mr. McBride a formidable challenge?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer hosted a public policy forum yesterday at Biaggi’s that attracted a full house of 25 business and political leaders?…that the insurance firm of Torian, Hofmann, Dillow, and Flittner sponsored the event and the Joe Wallace served as the presenter/facilitator?…that both of the State of Indiana’s flagship universities were also represented?…that the theme of the meeting was “Symptoms of Public Policy”?…that the “Symptom” that garnered the most discussion was the state of the parks in the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County?…that there was unanimous agreement that the condition of City Parks is as Symptomatic of the condition of a city as a hacking cough is of the condition of a person?…that it was also expressed that given the entire budget of the Parks Department up against the number of acres of park land that the budget is only about 20% of what is needed to hire high school students to mow the acreage?…that the condition of the parks, especially in the City of Evansville are a “symptom” of poor public policy and a deterrent to Evansville’s ability to attract outside investment?…that this is a relatively cheap problem to correct as it the litter problem which also was supported as a “symptom” of poor public policy?

IS IT TRUE that other “symptoms” that were discussed included population decline in the City of Evansville, a shrinking wage base, educational attainment, safety of certain intersections, business unfriendliness of local government, flooding and sewer overflows, non-existent private investment opportunities, the general inferiority complex, exorbitant electricity rates, and the United Nations metrics of efficiency, transparency, and participation?…that Dr. H. Dan Adams has published a paper on transparency and made it available on his website www.hdanadams.com?

IS IT TRUE that Brent Grafton, president of Green Tree Plastics and Republican candidate for Evansville City Council in the 5th Ward that Evansville has a history of industriousness and skills that could be leveraged for economic growth and even a profitable use of Roberts Stadium?…that Mr. Grafton has taken his business from the start-up stage to a platform of high potential that employs just over 25 people within the City of Evansville?…that his company has never asked for or received and incentive from local government?…that when GTP wishes to hire the first people they ask are their current employees and it never crosses their mind to ask for a check from local government?…that 300 Green Tree Plastics would immediately solve the unemployment problem in Evansville and Vanderburgh County without costing a dime of incentives?…that many of the attendees at the forum left with a new appreciation for growing local business as opposed to running all over the world engaging in the economic development practice of “whale hunting”?…that when Evansville people create Evansville jobs, they tend to stay and treat employees better?…that is because these employees are their neighbors too?

Department of Justice Publishes City of Evansville Consent Decree in Federal Register

Notice is hereby given that on January 6, 2011, a proposed Consent Decree in United States and State of Indiana v. City of Evansville, Indiana and Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Board, Civil Action No. 3:09–CV–128, was lodged with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

In this action the United States and the State of Indiana seek civil penalties and injunctive relief for violations of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., in connection with the City of Evansville’s operation of its municipal wastewater and sewer system. The United States’ and State of Indiana’s Complaint alleges that Evansville violated the Clean Water Act and Indiana law by, inter alia: (1) Discharging untreated sewage in such a way as to cause violations of applicable water quality standards for E. coli in the receiving streams; (2) discharging untreated sewage from the combined sewer collection system during dry weather into ‘‘waters of the United States’’ and ‘‘waters of the state’’; (3) failing to maximize treatable flow to the city’s two wastewater treatment plants, known as the ‘‘East Plant’’ and the ‘‘West Plant,’’ during wet weather events, causing discharges of untreated sewage from combined sewer overflow (‘‘CSO’’) outfalls during times when there is remaining treatment capacity at the East Plant and the West Plant; (4) failing to properly operate and maintain the city’s combined sewer and separate sanitary sewer collection systems in violation of the city’s two NPDES permits; (5) illegally discharging untreated sewage from the city’s sanitary sewer collection systems into navigable waters and their tributaries in violation of the city’s two NPDES permits; (6) creating an imminent and substantial endangerment by releasing sewage onto public and private property and into residential dwellings and other buildings; and (7) failing to adequately report discharges from the collection system and CSO outfalls in violation of the reporting provisions in the city’s NPDES permits. Under the proposed Decree, the City will be required to remedy the deficiencies in the capacity, operation and maintenance of Evansville’s East Plant and West Plant, combined sewer system, and sanitary sewer system at a cost that may exceed $500 million. Evansville must make these improvements by calendar year 2032 or, if Evansville demonstrates a lack of financial capability, by calendar year 2037. In addition, the proposed Decree requires Evansville to pay the United States a civil penalty of $420,000 and the State of Indiana a civil penalty of $70,000, and spend an estimated $4 million to connect homes with failing septic systems to the city’s sewer system.

The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this publication comments relating to the proposed Consent Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and either e-mailed to pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044–7611, and should refer to United States and State of Indiana v. City of Evansville, Indiana, D.J. Ref. 90–5–1–1– 08738.

The proposed Consent Decree may be examined at the Office of the United States Attorney, Southern District of Indiana, 10 W. Market Street, Suite 2100, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (contact Assistant United States Attorney Tom Kieper (317/226–6333)), and at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604–3590 (contact Associate Regional Counsel Nicole Cantello (312/886–2870)). During the public comment period, the proposed Consent Decree may also be examined
on the following Department of Justice VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Jan 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM 19JAN1 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 3160 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 19, 2011 / Notices Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/ Consent_Decrees.html. A copy of the proposed consent decree may also be obtained by mail from the Consent Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044–7611 or by faxing or e-mailing a request to Tonia Fleetwood (tonia.fleetwood@usdoj.gov), fax no. (202) 514–0097, phone confirmation number (202) 514–1547. In requesting a copy from the Consent Decree Library, please enclose a check in the amount of $26.50 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. Treasury or, if by e-mail or fax, forward a check in that amount to the Consent Decree Library at the stated address.

Maureen M. Katz,
Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement
Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 2011–973 Filed 1–18–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–15–P

Winnecke to face a challenge afterall

Vanderburgh County Commissioner Lloyd Winnecke had and lost one challenger for the Republican nomination for Mayor of Evansville in the course of 16 hours on Monday and Tuesday and now another challenger has thrown his hat into the ring.

Douglas De Groot has signed up as a Republican and challenge Commissioner Winnecke for the party nomination. Mr. De Groot is not stranger to Mayoral politics as he took on former Mayor Russell Lloyd Jr. in the Republican party primary back in 2003 running a frugal campaign in an effort to gain the nomination.

On Monday afternoon Jeremy Heath announced similar intentions only to allegedly be persuaded by a local Republican operative to change the office he is seeking to Evansville City Council member at-large.

Check back as this story develops.

IS IT TRUE that SB Bill 292 if passed will bar local governmental units from passing any gun laws? ….as currently written, they would not be able to stop people from bringing guns in public meetings as long as the person conceals their gun? ….. SB Bill 506 is now on second reading? ….that this proposed bill will let anyone to carry a gun without a permit under certain conditions? ….. that SB Bill 411 makes it illegal for employers to ask employees about guns they might have on the company’s property? ….that this bill has already passed the Indiana Senate? ….if any of these Indiana Senate Bills concern you then contact your elected officials in Indy?

IS IT TRUE that you can contact your appropriate legislator through the following link.

http://www.in.gov/legislative/index.htm

IS IT TRUE? PART 2: February 16, 2011

IS IT TRUE that changes of heart and disclosure seems to be coming from all sorts of places nowadays?…that yet another member of the Evansville City Council has come forward to state that he has never used any free tickets to entertainment venues?… that the 5th Ward City Councilman, John Friend told the City County Observer that he was offered tickets for events held at the Stadium but never used them?

IS IT TRUE that this is not the only revisit of position that Mr. Friend has had recently?…that City Councilman John Friend told the City County Observer that he has decided to support a comprehensive smokefree workplace resolution in the City of Evansville only if it had no exemptions attached to it?…that sometimes reconsidering antiquated ideas supported by ill-informed people is the right thing to do?…that sometimes voting for something after voting against it is a redeeming experience for good public policy? …we say–wow to Councilmen Friends public statement on this hot button issue?…that a new resolution should be brought before the Evansville City Council ASAP to get on board with Vanderburgh County and the rest of the progressive cities of America before minds change again?

IS IT TRUE that there have been several requests this morning to be included in any future good public policy meetings that the City County Observer holds?…that emailing us at our published email is the best way to ask for an invitation?

IS IT TRUE that it seems as though VenuWorks is not only charged with the responsibility to fill the new Arena but that they are tasked with selling the naming opportunities and sponsorships too?…that the TEAM that did this for Louisville’s YUM Center spent two years prior to the opening and secured $50M in commitments?…that we wish VenuWorks the best as they get ready to eat this elephant one bite at a time?…that perhaps some of the staff at SMG would make good employees for them to consider as they know the lay of the land?…that Lewis and Clark would have been nothing other than scalped if not for the local guide Sacagawea?…that there are most likely several Sacagawea’s in waiting that can make the monumental task that VenuWorks was just awarded easier to accomplish?