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?

IS IT TRUE? February 16, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the highly regarded 4th Ward City Councilwoman, Connie Robinson shall announce that she shall run for her 5th term? ….this Thursday (February 17, 2011) she shall make her official announcement at 4:45 p.m. at the Civic Center?…that her campaign committee shall sponsor a reception in her honor following her announcement?….that the reception shall be at Zazzy Groove located at 217 Main Street?

IS IT TRUE that the 4th Ward City Council women, Connie Robinson has just informed City County Observer “MOLE # 2” that she has never received free tickets from SMG or any promoter while she has been a member of City Council?

IS IT TRUE that if David Rector, Director of Vanderburgh County Building Authority would spend more time in overseeing the properties he manages and less time playing power politics, tile floors in select offices and rest rooms in the Civic Center wouldn’t be so dirty and smelly?….that the Civic Center and Roberts Stadium seem to suffer from the same sticky floors, rank toilets, and general dirtiness?…if he did some routine cleaning of heating and air condition ducts in the Civic Center employees and patrons wouldn’t have allergy problems caused by less than clean H/A ducts system?

IS IT TRUE that today marks the second good public policy forum held by the City County Observer and the Community Observer?…that the theme of this meeting is “Symptoms of Good Public Policy”?…that one symptom of good public policy is a growing population?…that in 1890 the City of Evansville peaked among American cities at 56th?…that at that time Evansville was larger than Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Dallas, Charlotte, Miami, and Houston, while being the equal of Atlanta and Nashville?…that as recently as 1950 Evansville’s peer cities would have included Phoenix, Kansas City, Tampa, Charlotte, and San Jose?…that at some point in Evansville’s history its population has exceeded the population of seven of the 10 largest cities in America?…that today Evansville checks in at #217 and counts places like Columbus, GA, Fort Smith, AR, and Peoria, IL as peer cities?…that we will discussing the 50 year decline in population and the 100 year decline in relevance along with many other factors that are symptoms of good public policy?

IS IT TRUE that Detroit was perhaps the center of the first production based entrepreneurship revolution in America?…that Detroit was essentially the Silicon Valley of the middle of the 20th Century?…that much of the decline of Detroit can be attributed to poor public policy?…that the United Nations evaluates the “goodness” of governance based on EFFICIENCY, TRANSPARENCY, AND PARTICIPATION?…that Detroit, Evansville, and many other American cities in prolonged decline would not score so well on the United Nations choice of metrics?…that the City County Observer would like to see its Public Policy Forums become the crucible from which influential business people and willing elected officials can formulate the knowledge and action plans to reverse the habits that have been enablers in this regions trickle down the relevance curve?

IS IT TRUE that scheduling a trip to Detroit for one overnight in about two weeks has become an eye opener for why the Evansville Regional Airport is having difficulty attracting flyers and flights?…that a round trip ticket to Detroit on the 27th and returning on the 28th is $1069?…that the same trip out of Nashville is $436 or out of Louisville is $347?…that this difference is not only unexplainable and unexpected but is enough to be worth the drive to save the money for a person travelling alone?…that at dinner last night with two travelers from the Detroit area that they confessed that they flew to Nashville to get to Evansville because of the FARE DIFFERENCE?…that these flights are all being paid for by multi-billion dollar entities that are very cost conscious?…that when something is so astonishing that it is disgusting there is often some piece of POOR PUBLIC POLICY somewhere in the chain of foolishness?

IS IT TRUE that back in 2007 that Mayor Weinzapfel raised a ruckus with the ownership of Casino Aztar over not keeping a relatively small number of jobs in staff?…that there is now much speculation among the SMG staff that up to 20 layoffs will be happening as a result of the choice of VenuWorks over SMG to manage the new Downtown Arena?…that we wonder if the Mayor will be asking VenuWorks to give special consideration to the soon to be displaced workers from SMG?…that consistency is a virtue within local government?…we will keep an eye on this opportunity to heal a wound that has been opened?…that if these 20 people lose their jobs and 20 different people are hired by VenuWorks that the actual job creation from this little shuffle is ZERO?…that we bet the official job creation count will not count job losses against the gains?…that this way of counting is misleading?

Albert E. Johnson Makes it a Three Man Race

Albert E. Johnson, 55, a self proclaimed father of 10 kids with lots of roots in Evansville will be throwing his hat into the ring and seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party for Mayor of Evansville.

Mr. Johnson has announced his intention to file his candidacy on Wednesday February 16th at 11:00 am at the Civic Center.

Check Back for Further Developments

Economics of Campaign Changes Heath’s Perspective of Office of Mayor

Jeremy Heath after making it known that he had intention to file today to run for the Republican nomination for Mayor of Evansville against County Commissioner Lloyd Winnecke has changed his mind and has filed to seek one of the three at-large positions on the Evansville City Council. Mr. Heath has filed as a Republican and expects to receive the blessing and support of the Republican Party but has not had any conversation with party Chairman Wayne Parke yet.

Mr. Heath is 25 years old and works at Good Samaritan as a Certified Nursing Assistant, is married with one child and another child on the way. When asked why he developed an interest in running for local office, Mr. Heath responded that, “he is tired of the lack of transparency in local government and that his first idea to run for Mayor of Evansville was inspired by his disappointment with the old guard and the candidates from both parties who seem to be a part of it”. Mr. Heath stated furthermore that he is not a member of the Tea Party but is sympathetic with some of their positions.

On some local issues Mr. Heath expresses a desire to save Roberts Stadium and hopes that the people of Evansville will reach a decision on the best idea for its use and supports consolidation but was not impressed with the Consolidation Committee’s process with respect to law enforcement. Mr. Heath is a resident of the 1st Ward.

Paraphrased, Condensed, and Localized from “Public Governance Indicators” as published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

The City County Observer believes that being an advocate for good public policy includes being an informed, active participant in the development of public policies that affect our businesses, our citizens, and the community in which we operate. Good public policy begins with diverse stakeholders participating in open and transparent proceedings to carefully examine issues and offer different perspectives that promote effective solutions.

Indicators of Good Local Government: EFFICIENCY, TRANSPARENCY, and PARTICIPATION

The review of governance indicators shows that governments have many objectives. Governance indicators serve to inform the different stakeholders, including the public, on the state of public finances and governmental performance; they can assist the public in making informed choices, understanding the impact of their collective actions on public finances; and perhaps most importantly to enable the public to judge the performance of local government and their dependent alter-ego types of organizations. This process will ultimately lead society to evaluate and possibly redefine the tasks that are to be accomplished by the public sector and its specific institutions, which in turn would enhance democracy.

Any effort to monitor governance is limited by resource constraints, as well as the need to be realistic in terms of what data can be systematically collected and compared on a comparative basis. If it is desirable to collect data on a systematic basis on a comparative level, the following three inter-related dimensions of governance would seem to stand out.

PAGE 2: EFFICIENCY

IS IT TRUE? February 15, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the President of the Evansville City Council B. J. Watts came to the council meeting last night armed with a letter of support to hire SMG as the management company for the new Evansville Arena?…that in his plea for signatures he cited the fact that the next Mayor, Council, and administration will have to live with this agreement so they should be the ones to make that decision?…that President Watts was only able to get four Council members to sign the letter of recommendation?…that these signers are Councilman Curt John, President Watts, Councilwoman Missy Mosby, and Councilman John Friend?…that Councilman Friend was on the appointed Advisory Committee that voted “unanimously” to recommend VenuWorks to manage the Downtown Arena?…that Councilman Friend as Senator John Kerry before him “voted for it before he voted against it”?…that we would be very interested in the rationale behind both his first and second opinions?

IS IT TRUE that Councilman Dan McGinn who spent much of his life practicing law expressed a solid opinion that the role of the Advisory Committee and the Evansville Redevelopment Commission in this decision could very well be subject to Indiana’s “open door” laws?…that Councilman McGinn also stated that if there is an error to be made in the interpretation of said laws that the error should be on the side of openness?…that Councilman McGinn even hinted at a simple way that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission could hold a public discussion and put those who question the legality of the process to rest?…that taking one more week and holding two more meetings to remove the stigma of backroom dealing would be a cheap insurance policy that the ERC could and should take to fully legitimize the process?…if they do not do so, there will always be those who cry “FOUL” and there may be legal costs incurred to defend the alleged “FOUL”?

IS IT TRUE that Vanderburgh County Treasurer and Democratic candidate for the nomination for Mayor of Evansville Rick Davis put a resounding stake in the ground yesterday on the issue of getting free admission to events in Evansville as a result of his political position?…that Mr. Davis publically proclaimed that he has never received or even been offered free admission to entertainment venues?…that for today, his proclamation sets him apart from the other two elected officials who are running for Mayor of Evansville?…that we encourage both candidates Troy Tornatta and Lloyd Winnecke to come forward with statements of their own regarding the rumored practice of elected officials being supplied free admission to events at Roberts Stadium, the Centre, the Victory Theatre, and other local entertainment venues?…that we also encourage the four City Council members who have not spoken out, the County Commissioners, and the County Council to have their say on the issue of “FREE TICKETGATE”?

IS IT TRUE that the United Nations has published a very long document that details exactly what they consider to be the defining metrics of good governance?…that the name of this study is “CORE DIMENSIONS OF GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS TO MONITOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR”?…that the three indicators chosen by the United Nations to monitor the governments of the world from the smallest banana republic to the largest and most powerful members of the United Nations Security Council are Efficiency, Transparency, and Participation?…that this would be a good place to start when evaluating exactly what good public policy is on a local government level for American cities?…that the City County Observer will be publishing a condensed and localized version of this study in the very near future?

The City County Observer has just learned that the President of the County Commissioners and candidate for the Republican nomination for Mayor of Evansville will be facing a challenge in the upcoming primary.

Jeremy L. Heath, a Certified Nursing Assistant with Good Samaritan will be filing to run for the Republican nomination for Mayor of Evansville tomorrow. Mr. Heath’s intention has been confirmed by a family member.

Please check back for developments.

In the nearly 9 years that I have been an employee of Vanderburgh County, including 2+ years as the elected Vanderburgh County Treasurer, I have NEVER accepted a free ticket – nor have I been offered one – from SMG or any other concert promoter.

Thank you,

Rick Davis, Vanderburgh County Treasurer.

Does Evansville Really Want to End a 20 Year Working Relationship

There is an effort being taken to gather a veto proof number of signatures from the members of the Evansville City Council to support extending the contract of managing the new Evansville Arena to SMG.

The link below is to the letter that has been drafted for this purpose. We publish this without edit, prejudice, or bias.

Letter_to_ERC

IS IT TRUE? February 14, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Housing Authority has hired the Ralph Anderson & Associates of Rocklin, Calif. to locate and interview candidates to be considered to become the next Executive Director of the Evansville Housing Authority? …..that it is refreshing to see that this City of Evansville sponsored board of directors at least didn’t hire a firm from Indianapolis to conduct this search??…that there are 14 searches that are currently published on the company website?…that 13 of those opportunities are in California and on is in Evansville, Indiana?…that it really seems like a reach to hire a search firm that has 100% of its current business in California to do a search for the Evansville, INDIANA Housing Authority?…that they haven’t even developed a profile yet?…that if you wish to apply for this position you may do so at the following website?

http://www.ralphandersen.com/career_opportunities.html

IS IT TRUE we think it is time for other local “main stream media” to ask for copies of the Evansville Housing Authority “Audited Financial Statements” for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009, for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, and for the year ended Dec. 2007? ….this official request should include the Independent Auditors report and related schedules required by the office of Management and Budgets circular A-133 of nonprofit organizations? ….the local “main stream media” could save time by filing a direct request with the City of Evansville Controller office for copy of these audits?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville City Council members Curt John, Dan Adams, Don Walker, Wendy Bredhold, and Dan McGinn have all contacted the City County Observer and answered our challenge to proclaim that they have never accepted free entry to entertainment venues from SMG?…that Councilman John went the extra mile and produced over $2,000 in receipts for entertainment that he paid for with his own money?…that we have yet to hear from any other elected or appointed official including Mayor Weinzapfel, or any elected officials from Vanderburgh County?

IS IT TRUE that the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department has the use of a SKYBOX at Roberts Stadium?…that the annual fee for a SKYBOX at Roberts Stadium costs in excess of $10,000 per year?…that we wonder just how much the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department pays for that SKYBOX?…that the board of directors of the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department are paid $3,000 each annually?…that if the SKYBOX were not set aside for the Parks and Rec. Department that it would be available for sale to someone from the private business community at market rates?…that even if the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department pays for the SKYBOX that it is coming out of the right pocket of the City of Evansville and going into the left pocket of the City of Evansville?…that the over $10,000 that could be raised from the sale of that SKYBOX could be allocated to cleaning needles, condoms, and other artifacts of a poor lifestyle from the parks that elementary school children SHOULD BE SAFE PLAYING IN?

IS IT TRUE that the Democrats of Evansville seem to be on the verge of an Egyptian style change of control?…that the Democratic Central Committee led by Mark Owen looks like they will be enlisting in the Army of Trojans and backing Troy Tornatta?…that Rick Davis and his large group of loyal supporters already has a three month lead on Team Troy earned by knocking on door after door in one of the nastiest winters on record?…that it will be a real uphill battle to make up for the lead established by Mr. Davis with his masterful break from the Democratic Machine to gain a three month head start?

IS IT TRUE that Mole #3 has been informed that David Rector did not travel alone to check on the maintenance at some VenuWorks managed facilities?…that Arena project manager John Kish made the trip too?…that we still are wondering who paid for the trip and who authorized the trip since the trip took place after the appointed Advisory Committee had already made their recommendation?

IS IT TRUE that the people over at Vectren are releasing the good news that natural gas prices are lower this winter and actually getting TV time from it?…that the news release said nothing whatsoever about the fact that the electricity to move that nice warm air into your house by powering the air handling system is still 188% higher than it is in Henderson?…that natural gas is a commodity and is priced as a commodity and that Vectren only profits from delivering it?…that electricity is also a commodity but has government approved pricing that is 188% above Henderson’s?…that deregulation and competition across state borders will be the only way that this little corner of SW Indiana will ever be able to compete with its surrounding counties?

IS IT TRUE that the men and women of Evansville would be well advised to do something special for their spouses, lovers, and significant others on this Valentine’s Day?…that the City County Observer encourages all of our readers to spend their Valentine money right here at our fine local businesses?

IS IT TRUE that Sunday’s edition can be seen at http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/02/13/is-it-true-february-13-2011/ and Saturdays can be seen at http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/02/12/is-it-true-february-12-2011/?…that we put the effort into some weekend posts and hope that some of our readers do not miss out on them?