IS IT TRUE that David Dunn reported to the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau yesterday that $306,000 has been spent on the Roberts Stadium Ballfield complex?…that when the City County Observer visited the offices of the ECVB in August to examine the minutes of the board of directors meetings that we found that “through October of 2010, a total of $1.6 Million has been authorized to be spent on The Park and $765,000 has been either spent or committed”? ….that we are quite curious as to which number is actually correct?….that we are curious to find out the answer on how much was really spent on the Roberts Stadium Ballfields project before it was repudiated by the public?….we also wonder how much of the work that was done may have value when other locations are considered?

IS IT TRUE that Senator Evan Bayh’s announcement that he is not running for Governor of Indiana has really gotten the chattering class of Indiana into speculation mode?…that the names of Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel and Evansville resident Congressman Brad Ellsworth are some of the first names to roll off of the lips of the talking heads statewide?….that these statewide prognosticators need to do a little research into the archives of the Evansville media before anointing Mayor Weinzapfel as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Indiana in waiting?…that a simple search of the terms “Homestead Tax Credit”, “McCurdy”, “Executive Inn Dilemma”, and “Gage+Barnett” may just turn their affections and attention to Congressman Ellsworth or some other worthy candidate?

IS IT TRUE that Evansville has never before been the home of the top two mentioned candidates for either party’s nomination for Governor of Indiana?…that the last Governor of Indiana from the Evansville area was Robert Orr who left office in 1989 after two terms and handed the keys to the office over to Senator Evan Bayh?….that out of 49 Governors of Indiana that Governor Robert Orr is the only Governor of Indiana since 1873 to have called Evansville home?…that it is about time we had another Governor from Southwest Indiana?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,312 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 1,167 days since the Evansville Redevelopment Commission at the request of Mayor Weinzapfel approved the spending of $603,000 to purchase the parking lot.

IS IT TRUE that there are now 698 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?

A Report on the December Monthly Meeting

By Don Counts

The Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit agency that works on projects they believe will benefit Evansville, as well as to help support other non-profit agencies in the area.
The bureau voted to help support the Soccer Clubs in the amount of $5,000.00. The City has an investment of 1.5 to 1.6 Million for Soccer.

The Tennis group didn’t have anything else to report and again thanked the bureau for their support.
Joe Vezzoso recognized and acknowledged Marsha Abell, welcoming her back into the political area as a new County Commissioner.

New business concerned Visa Card with points on it and if they should be donated to other non-profit organizations. Joe Vezzoso stated that the Bureau is a non-profit and that he felt the money should be used for the Bureau’s travel and other expenses. The members agreed.
Joe Vezzoso was asked about other possible baseball field development in Evansville and/or Vanderburgh County. He said that they are looking at several areas, but can’t say where they are at this time. He said some of the money spent could be salvaged once another site is selected concerning design and other costs previously spent. He said nothing will be done until after the first of the year.

Dave Dunn said they have spent about $306,000 on the Roberts Stadium Baseball Field complex. This includes the latest bills that they have received. He estimates there could be about $50,000.00 plus or minus in outstanding bills. He too agreed that some of the money will be saved at a new site because the basic design would not change and may not have to do an environmental study at another site, like they did at Roberts. Dunn said they are presently looking at four areas, but cannot release the locations, because they are privately held and negotiations have not begun. The locations will need to be 75 acres or more. Dunn said that he felt that the bureau had overcome all the objections of the neighbors to have the complex at the Roberts Stadium area.

The City-County Observer will continue to follow the developments of this story.

The Louisville Courier Journal is reporting that the $238 Million Yum Center, Louisville’s Downtown Arena is expecting to make a profit in its first full year of operation. Included in the projection is a $6.5 Million payment from the City of Louisville to apply toward the debt on the bonds issued to finance the construction of Yum Center.

The Yum Center also includes sponsorships of nearly $5 Million per year lead by Yum Brands that signed a 10 year naming agreement for $1.3 Million per year. Yum Center is the home of the Louisville Cardinals basketball team that sells out all of its home games and the Lady Cardinals who have leveraged their 2009 national runner up status to average over 11,000 people per game. The Lady Cardinals recently sold out the 22,000 seat Yum Center for a game with arch rival Kentucky.

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/2010312130063

IS IT TRUE that Downtown Evansville’s image, its economic development potential, and safety would improve if the sidewalks were cleaned off when it snows?…that City of Evansville officials must be intentionally trying to ruin the image of Downtown Evansville due to their lack of simple attention to sidewalk maintenance?…that downtown Evansville has no sidewalk maintenance program at all?…that if someone falls and hurts themselves on the ice that the City of Evansville will be sued?…that no one ignorant enough to let ice stay on sidewalks should be allowed to hold public office?…that complaints have been registered for three years now and nothing has happened?…that the head of DMD is on record as saying “it’s not the city’s job” to do that?…that this kind of failure on the part of leadership is why Evansville does not ever seem to move forward?…that any government entity that can afford to build a $128 Million stadium yet cries “POOR” when it comes to picking up paper or shoveling ice and snow has no business holding the purse strings to anything?

The CCO asked the following question to State Representative Gail Riecken about her election stance on the Vectren rate increases. “The issue of Vectren and the request for an increase in the electric rate was one of your issues in this past election. Do you feel the Vectren rate increase proposal is still an issue?”

Following is her response:

Yes. The issue is the rate increase but the issue presents more challenges to us as ratepayers. Yes, it is how the increase affects homeowners and how the increase affects economic development, business and industry. I continue to advocate for those who contact me getting answers to their concerns about their Vectren bills. But, this rate increase is also a red flag where we, as citizens, had better get more involved.

So much of this process is complicated and we need to be sure professionals on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission are committed to being accountable to the public. That is why I have two bills I will propose for legislative approval in the 2011 session.

One bill provides for transparency in the selection process of appointees to the Indiana utility regulatory commission to the extent of legislative authority. The bill calls for the Indiana Regulatory Commission to hold public hearings on nominees proposed by the governor. I wish the legislature could approve nominees of the governor but that is beyond legislative authority by State constitution.

The other bill removes the one year waiver option. In other words, the employee that went from the Indiana utility regulatory commission straight to the energy company regulated by the commission would have to wait a year – no waiver.

As legislators , we are going to be challenged by many critical issues this year. None can be more important that making sure the cost of living and running a business in southwestern Indiana remain competitive. I call on other legislators to join me and co-author these important bills and local chambers and economic development organizations to support our efforts.

IS IT TRUE that Senator and former Indiana Governor Evan Bayh announced that he will not be making a run for the Indiana Governor’s office in 2012?….that Senator Bayh cited his desire to devote himself to fatherhood during his twins teenage years as one big reason that he chose not to run?…that we admire the Senator’s dedication to being the best parent that he can be and for setting a solid life example for others who may be in 24/7 types of careers?

IS IT TRUE that a literal herd of Democratic politicians popped the cork on champagne bottles at the sound of that announcement”….that the wannabe list for the Democratic nomination for Indiana Governor went up by double figures today?….that one of those Democrats is none other than Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel?….that now he has all of the information he needs to make his choice for what to do with his own career in the near future?…that we anxiously await his upcoming announcement and wish him wisdom in choosing his own next step?

IS IT TRUE that Indiana House Bill 1588 concerning the increase of the Vanderburgh County Innkeepers tax rate also addresses the creation of the Convention and Visitor Commission Board of Directors? …in the section (IC 6-9-2.5-2) of this bill that (section d) states a member of the commission may be removed for cause by his appointing authority? …. you may be able to see the entire bill by going to Legislative Services Agency listed on the General Assembly Home Page?

IS IT TRUE that “MOLE 3” predicts on or about December 21, 2010 the Mayor will call a press conference to announce that he has selected local group of investors to award the Arena Hotel project to? …. that you can expect the Mayor to ask the City and County governmental officials to put tax incentive money towards this extremely needed capital project? …that if this really happens that we will commend the Mayor for finally awarding a large capital project to a “Home Owned and Home Grown” business entity?

IS IT TRUE you can expect the Vanderburgh County Commissioners to not re-nominate the Chairman of the Evansville Visitors and Convention Bureau? ….that may not be the only EVCB Commissioner that may not be re-appointed by our elected Vanderburgh County office holders?

IS IT TRUE that two Evansville City Council candidates are teaming up for a political fundraiser on December 19, 2010? …. that Al Lindsey and Patrick McBride shall have an all you can eat “RED HOT CHILI” political fund raiser at the Local Firefighters 357 Union Hall at 1065 West Lloyd Expressway between noon and 5:00 p.m.?…. that the cost for this event is a mere $10.00?… that the City County Observer shall put in our publication similar information of any other Evansville City Council candidates political fund raisers?

IS IT TRUE that Representative Riecken intends to introduce two bills in the next session of the Indiana House of Representative that are designed to make the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission more accountable to the voters of Indiana?….that offering electrical power at a competitive price to comparable areas that compete for jobs is one of the most important issues to prospective outside investors?…that Fort Smith, Arkansas and Cleveland, Tennessee both have electricity rates that are more than 40% less than Vectren offers?….that both of these cities have Whirlpool plants that are expanding in the USA instead of closing the doors?

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. White Lodging has announced that its luxury property in Texas, The Westin Austin at the Domain, is listed as one of the Top 10 New Hotels in the US. Selected by Gayot, a worldwide team of hotel, restaurant, travel and lifestyle critics, the announcement was made in the company’s latest online Guide to the Good Life. “Gayot’s guides have been around for more than 40 years, and we are honored to be listed among these incredible hotels,” said General Manager Tom Tabler. “We are humbled by this recognition.”

The Westin Austin at the Domain, part of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts brand, is located in the heart of a 1.3 million square foot, high-end retail, dining and entertainment complex in Austin’s northwest corridor. The Gayot guide praised the hotel’s location and said it tops the list when is comes to a recommendation
for a conference site.

“We are a wonderful location to mix business and pleasure in the heart of Austin’s leading lifestyle center,” remarked White Lodging Regional Vice President John Randall. “We are very proud to learn that our hotel is recognized as one of the top ten new hotels in the nation.” In addition to being a part of the Domain lifestyle center, the property is convenient to many businesses with corporate offices in Austin. Oracle, Cisco Systems, Time Warner, IBM, Microsoft and National Instruments are all within a mile of The Westin Austin at the Domain. Featuring executive and presidential suites as well as luxurious king and queen rooms, the eight-story Westin Austin at the Domain provides guests with a full service restaurant and bar, a heated outdoor pool and the signature 24-hour Westin WORKOUT Gym.

“White Lodging’s concept for this property was to offer guests an oasis where, after a day of work or play, they can be pampered and rejuvenated,” shared Randall. “And, from the feedback we’re receiving, I think we’ve done this very well.”

White Lodging Services Corporation was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana. White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development, and operations company – a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid-to large-scale hotels across the country. Their current portfolio consists of over 153 hotels in eighteen states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group, and Carlson Hotels
Worldwide.

For more information about White Lodging, please visit www.whitelodging.com or
call 219-472-2900.

SOURCE White Lodging Services Corporation

The primary focus of this publication will be built upon the foundation of honesty, trust, and the strong principals of journalistic integrity. Our mission will be to give our readers the answers to vital, often complex information they need to live safer and more enriched lives. This publication shall be nonpartisan with consistent and objective reporting. We will not only report and inform our readers about political events, but we will seek out and provide insight into the not so apparent political issues which help shape our lives. In essence our publication will be built on the conerstone of service and trust to the taxpayers and citizens of Evansville as well as Vanderburgh county. While we strive to educate and inform, we shall serve as a community watchdog by sounding the alarm whenever our citizens rights are in danger of being violated by our elected and appointed officials. We also will encourage our appointed officials to always consider the welfare of Evansville and Vanderburgh county’s citizens. We also realize that a community can have not greater ambassador of good will than one which keeps its citizens informed about the accomplishments and triumphs of their appointed officials. This publication shall be complimentary.