Home Blog Page 7158

IS IT TRUE? November 2, 2011 Will the Centre Ever Perform Financially?

14

IS IT TRUE? November 2, 2011 Will the Centre Ever Perform Financially?

IS IT TRUE that the Centre has now released another report of the results of operations from a financial perspective?…that during the last year the Centre has added another $600,000 of losses to bring the 12 year total up to over $7 Million?…that Roberts Stadium is being slated for demolition by the Weinzapfel Administration because it costs about $400,000 per year to keep on ice?…that prior to the opening of the Ford Center that Roberts Stadium was actually running at a profit?…that it was and is the only paid for facility that is capable of operating at a profit in the City of Evansville?…that the dual thought process of the Weinzapfel Administration is nothing short of mind boggling?…that the Centre is owned and operated by the Vanderburgh County Commissioners who are now blaming the lack of a downtown Convention Hotel for losing 20% of the convention business in a single year?…that this was discussed three years ago, two years ago, last year, and today?…that the Vanderburgh County Commissioners are just as complicit in letting a hair brained scheme run amok that has resulted in no downtown Convention Hotel as anyone else including the Administration of the City of Evansville?…that going with the flow and refusing to call out idiocies is pretty much the downfall of downtown Evansville?…that hopefully in 60 days there will be the seed of sanity for a future of hope installed in the Office of the Mayor of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that the hour that the Bank of America announced that they were going to be charging a $5 fee per month for the use of debit the City County Observer pounced on those rascals like a cat on a rat running through Bee Slough?…that our story about how the Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Regions, and other banks that were planning to feast on usury fees like this would backfire drew nearly 10,000 pageviews?…that only about 500 of those pageviews came from the Evansville area?…that we can thank our friends at Google for driving people across America who were incensed by this usury fee to the CCO?…that yesterday the Bank of America and several other of those banks have suspended their plans?…that this is a testament to the power of consumers in a FREE MARKET?…that where there are informed people who are aware of their surroundings that competitive forces prevail?…that if everything that we buy including electricity were competitive that the country as a whole would always be able to pound down usury fees like the B of A’s $5 fee?…that in a country that is being driven by fear and uncertainty that this reversal of intent is a validation that when left alone that capitalism and free markets are the best way to go?…that it is a hard but true lesson that everything that the government touches becomes a little bit less competitive even if it is called The Centre?

IS IT TRUE that if The Centre has lost $7,065,744 in 12 years and that it has received a total of $7,244,103 from the people of Vanderburgh County that it may just mean that the real operating deficit is $14,309,847?…that at an attendance of only 175,000 people per year that works out to a subsidy of nearly $7 for every warm body that steps in the building?…that the CCO is interested in what the projections were for the performance of this facility when it was committed to back in the planning stages?…that we would like to know if we were sold a pig in a poke by local government or if we all knew right up front that high six figure losses were expected every year forever?…that we also question the proposition that a downtown Convention Hotel will stop the flow of red ink?…that it really seems as though the financial projections of government paid consultants have about as much credibility as Khadafy’s Ghost would have as the guest speaker at a conference on human rights?

IS IT TRUE? November 2, 2011 McCurdy hits Another Fowl Ball: Pigeons Safe for 30 More Days

3

IS IT TRUE? November 2, 2011 McCurdy hits Another Fowl Ball: Pigeons Safe for 30 More Days

IS IT TRUE that The Evansville Redevelopment Commission pretty much just rolled over an capitulated to all future extensions that will be needed for City Centre Properties LLC to have a perpetual extension?…that it does not matter whether the extensions are granted in 30 day increments, 60 day increments, or even full year increments, because given the total circumstance facing the ERC of the bitter pill of losing the building and the $1.4 Million of taxpayer money that has been sunk into it they literally have no choice?…that for the 4th time it has been concluded that the financing is solid and that it is just taking too long so as the song says let’s just “Let it Ride”?…that the City County Observer would like to dedicate the following song by Bachman Turner Overdrive to the Evansville Redevelopment Commission?

https://city-countyobserver.com/2011/11/02/let-it-ride-by-bto-dedicated-to-the-mccurdy-project/

IS IT TRUE that in all honesty between the four year building up this project as though it were the resurrection of downtown Evansville and the SNEGAL financing where an out of town developer that makes healthy contributions to the Weinzapfel for Mayor campaign is getting a cash out nothing down deal with not a dime of private money in the deal the ERC is as they say between a rock and a hard place?…that at this point any prudent group would have to grant extensions so let’s just make these extensions renew automatically every 30 days unless of course these people come up with some money?

IS IT TRUE that taxes are due in 8 days in the amount of $10,268 on the McCurdy?…that we shall really see how weak the ERC is in this situation if City Centre Properties just lets this tax bill lapse intentionally?…that they can slip one more tax installment perpetually without fear of the taxman stepping in with an auctioneers gavel?…that believe it or not if the financing is not rock solid and assured of happening very soon the right business decision for City Centre Properties may just be to let the taxes lapse?…that by giving a 30 day extension that the ERC even laid that one weapon that they have down before offering their belly in an up position?

IS IT TRUE that we wonder if the Office of the Mayor of Evansville comes with an annual annuity from City Centre Properties LLC?…that this Indianapolis based company, its shareholders, and its associated businesses have all been very generous to Mayor Weinzapfel’s various campaign funds over the years?…that we wonder if a Mayor Winnecke or even a Mayor Davis can count on this little money party continuing its tradition of enriching the Mayor of Evansville while not paying taxes?

IS IT TRUE that another consideration with respect to the McCurdy Project is if there will be sufficient cash available to do the job?…that the numbers are still based on estimates made in the 2007 – 2008 timeframe?…that construction costs have risen during that time and that some materials have been reported to have increased by over 50%?…that a design audit or dare we say a vetting process of the sufficiency of the funds being sought to do the job being proposed is in order?…that if you think errantly dropping $1.4 Million of taxpayer dollars into this project is problematic just wait until the developer has spent all of his $12 Million and needs another $8 Million to finish the job?…that then Evansville will have a real problem?

Four more Democrats Come Out for Winnecke

40

In what is increasingly becoming what is taking on the appearance of orchestrated defections four more Vanderburgh Democratic Party lifers have joined City Council members Curt John and Connie Robinson in taking a supportive stance for Republican Lloyd Winnecke.

Today’s list includes 2nd Ward Precinct Committeeman Aaron Calbert, 2nd Ward Leader Chris Cooke, 4th Ward Leader Louise Williams and 4th Ward Committeeman Wilbert Robinson bringing the number of prominent Democrats endorsing Winnecke to Six.

In their statement the new four to break ranks stating a desire to see the work of outgoing Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel continued.

Downtown Today: 11/2/2011

1

Time 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Subject PARKS BOARD
Location 301
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 11/2/2011 until 11/2/2011 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
GLENN BOBERG @ 6141
Categories ROOM 301

Time 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Subject SAFETY BOARD
Location 301
Reminder 15 minutes
TINA OWEN @ 7897
Categories ROOM 301

Time 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Subject Code Enforcement – Ron Beane
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs every Wednesday effective 11/2/2011 until 11/23/2011 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Categories ROOM 318

Time 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Subject ERA
Location 307
Reminder 15 minutes
CINDY RESING
Categories ROOM 307

Time 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Subject DMD
Location 318
Reminder 15 minutes
ASHTON @ 7825
Categories ROOM 318

Time 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Subject HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Location 318
Recurrence Occurs the first Wednesday of every 1 month effective 11/2/2011 until 11/2/2011 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Reminder 15 minutes
Categories ROOM 318

Let it Ride by BTO: Dedicated to the McCurdy Project & the Evansville Redevelopment Commission

3

Andrew Smith’s Letter to Republicans and Conservatives

30

My Fellow Conservatives and Republicans:

What a strange and entertaining election this is turning out to be for those of us who were born and raised here in Evansville!

In the last two weeks, our nominee for mayor has received endorsements from the self-proclaimed Queen of the 4th Ward, Connie Robinson, #1 Democrat Curt John, as well as our “friends” at the Evansville Courier & Press. We also read about behind-the-scenes support from Democrat leader Mark Owen as well as Mayor Weinzapfel, the entire Mosby clan, and a lineup of the usual suspects who have helped run Evansville’s economy into the ground over the last 30 years.

I suppose the only thing that could top it would be if President Obama himself flew into town to endorse Lloyd Winnecke!

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Rick Davis is busy fighting the establishment in his own party and standing for many of the very principles we conservatives have always held dear: openness and transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accountability to the people. He has been the only one to defy the Weinzapfel Machine, while our own candidate cuts behind-the-scenes deals with them in the name of “collaboration.”

I know firsthand what it is like to stand virtually alone in the line of fire like Rick Davis is doing now. Four years ago, I was part of a ragtag band of independent Republicans who said that Evansville could ill afford a $150+ million stadium at a time when our sewers and infrastructure were crumbling, our population was shrinking, and our job base was evaporating. The establishment went to war against us, cutting off our access to funding, working behind-the-scenes to discredit us, and even mailing out political hit pieces full of untruths.

The Machine won that battle, but the war is far from over. Evansville will be paying for their arrogance and fiscal irresponsibility for decades. The financial crisis of 2008 finally put the spotlight on how government spending and ballooning debt is crippling our economy. That crisis was an eye-opener for many conservatives. When establishment Republicans and liberal Democrats alike voted to bail out Wall Street and expand public debt at an unprecedented rate, we realized that you have to look beyond party label to see what a candidate really stands for.

The same holds true here in Evansville. Rick Davis is the only candidate who has consistently shown that he has the courage and conviction to stand up to the establishment—the Machine—and do what he believes is right for the people. The Republican nominee, on the other hand, has said that he wouldn’t have entered the race had Weinzapfel sought re-election because he agrees with so much of the Weinzapfel agenda!

Much has been written about the now infamous meeting at which Weinzapfel and Winnecke apparently planned to eliminate the homestead tax credit without informing taxpayers. I have nothing more to add to that topic except to point out that East- and North-siders—mainly Republicans—would have suffered disproportionately due the higher property values in those parts of town. Have you calculated how much losing your homestead exemption would have cost you, personally?

William F. Buckley famously described a conservative as “someone who stands athwart history, yelling ‘Stop,’ at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it.” That sounds an awful like what Rick Davis is doing at the moment.

I realize that party loyalty is powerful and that many Republican voters relish thought of electing someone with an “R” next to their name as a symbolic victory. Likewise, many of you know and like Lloyd Winnecke; for that matter, so do I. Lloyd is a fine person. But as the Democrat endorsements keep piling in on Lloyd’s behalf, it becomes clearer and clearer that he is not the one to break with Evansville’s history of backroom dealings, Machine intrigues, and reckless arrogance among those in power. We have what may be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change that history by electing an independent thinker like Rick Davis.

That is why I am urging all conservatives and independent Republicans to seize this opportunity and vote for Rick Davis for mayor. Like me, you may not agree with Rick on every issue, but there is no doubt about his character or his willingness to fight for the basic principles of fairness and transparency that have so long been missing in Evansville politics.

Sincerely,

Andrew G. Smith
Former Republican City Council Candidate
Founder, “Sewers Before Stadium”
Native Eastsider

IS IT TRUE? November 2, 2011

17

The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE? November 2, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer would like to commend Vanderburgh County Commissioner Stephen Melcher for calling his own party out for not paying their bills?…that Commissioner Melcher acknowledged that there was a long standing debt incurred by the Vanderburgh County Democrat Party for having an event at the Centre in October of 2010?…that Commissioner Melcher and other enlightened and responsible Democrats should keep the leadership of the local Democratic Party’s feet to the fire to PAY THEIR DEBTS, TELL THE TRUTH, and be the kind of people that the general public expects leaders of political parties to be?…that the recent dead beat finances, BoothGate, FloatGate, EndorseGate, etc. etc. etc. has literally made a laughing stock of the entire City of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that at this point the Vanderburgh Democratic Central Committee cannot book an event at the Centre for non-payment, are being sued by the Baurhaus for non-payment, and will be facing very serious difficulties in finding a place to have a victory party in case any of their candidates are elected next Tuesday?…that the City County Observer would like to suggest that the election night party of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Central Committee should book their event at Roberts Stadium as the last event there was a celebration dinner?

IS IT TRUE that $3,500/23 = $152.17?…that this amount from each of “The 23” signers of the “Declaration of Drop Dead State Democratic Party” ponied up $152.17 that the Bauerhaus could be paid off in full today?…that it will start to be mystifying if this does not happen in the next few days?

IS IT TRUE that the CCO would like to thank the Vanderburgh Democratic Central Committee for supplying us with yet another GATE?..CHICKENGATE!!!…that we also are assured of yet another day of record traffic?…that by the end of this day November 2, 2011 that the CCO will have more pageviews than it attracted in all of November of 2010 when there were no GATES at all to speak of?…that well there was BoothGate, but it had not become a habit yet?…that the other new word now is CENTREGATE?????

IS IT TRUE that in spite of all of the idiocy and antics of the local Democratic Party that the business world moves forward?…that we know of entrepreneurs in three Evansville businesses that are expanding and are doing so without sticking their paw out for some greasing from the public trough?…that this is why entrepreneurs and only entrepreneurs will ever bring this town and this country out of the Great Recession?…that while the big companies that thrive on paying under-motivated and undereducated people paltry wages are shaking down local governments for incentives, the entrepreneurs just move forward?…that governments are a burden to entrepreneurs?…that banks are not interested in the business of entrepreneurs?…that this is why people like Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison, Bill Gates, and others for the most part just laugh at the ineptness of politics and have enough money to buy banks?

IS IT TRUE that the exposing of the shortcomings in political strongfolks is exactly what has been needed in Evansville for a half a century?…that whether we end up with a Mayor Winnecke or a Mayor Davis that if the “machine” is completely dismantled that this hotly contested election season and the next 7 days of hell will be worth it?…that these are the kinds of changes that Evansville has needed for many many years?

Early Voting by Party or NOT

17

Courtesy of our free overtime working Vanderburgh County Clerk Susan Kirk:

Total Early Votes: 5,951

No Party Specified: 4,929

Party Specified: 1,022

It looks like independent minds and not partisan drones are out there at at 5 to 1 majority.

Parks Protection and Maintenance By Pete Swaim, Republican Candidate for City Council at large

8

Parks Protection and Maintenance
By Pete Swaim, Republican Candidate for City Council at large

As the city election nears and voters are finally focusing on the issues, it is distressing to see the campaigns bog down in petty politics. Why all the emphasis on Float-Gate, Connie-Gate and Meeting-Gate, when voters really want to hear about who has the best ideas for making Evansville a more secure and successful city?

As a candidate for City Council at Large, I’d like to climb out of the bog and offer up my multi-part plan for securing and maintaining Evansville’s parks. Part One is how to refocus and make the parks a priority once again. Part Two is how to pay for more policing and ongoing maintenance in the parks, and perhaps a big investment for Robert’s Stadium.

Step One is to create a liaison from the Mayor’s Office to the city’s neighborhood associations. This Parks Liaison would be an existing city employee who would have daily contact with our neighborhood associations. These vital groups are a first line of defense in keeping Evansville a beautiful and successful city.

Step Two is to examine how the city handles concessions at city facilities, with an eye toward making the city some money. Let’s engage the public for some substantial ideas at the Parks Board meetings.

Step Three is to increase the flexibility of the city work crews and send them to priority locations, depending on seasonal needs.
Step Four–let’s encourage and recruit university clubs, Greek organizations and even sporting teams to adopt a park. This will build community pride while cleaning and improving the parks. Doing this will help these folks develop closer ties with the community and give them a stake in making it better. And, who knows, it might make more of our 17,000+ college students think about making Evansville their home.

Part Two begins with a close look at what the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau can address with the money from the Innkeeper’s Tax. I think a reasonable and simple argument can be made for tweaking the statute, if necessary, to let this revenue be used to “maintain and protect the city’s recreation areas.” By this I mean the major parks, pools, community centers and other facilities operated or maintained by the city. This additional funding source, plus any available grants, could open the door for the additional police protection needed to secure our investments in these facilities. Off-duty officers could be compensated to patrol the parks during peak problem hours.
Part Two also invites citizen input at the Parks Board about the possibility of selling naming rights to some of the parks. This money could then go directly to the Parks Foundation budget with a major portion dedicated to grants to the neighborhood associations for needed improvements. These projects would be overseen by the Parks Foundation Board.

Besides the obvious impact this would have on maintaining and protecting our neighborhoods, it could ease the burden on taxpayers, and perhaps even lower the tax rate. A reasonable tax rate is one of the first thing developers and other job creators look at.

I hope these ideas can be part of a city-wide town hall discussion. This meeting also should include brainstorming about the many potential uses for Robert’s Stadium. Many ideas have been bandied about in the last several months, but as far as I am aware, none have been seriously explored. Perhaps some additional naming rights could generate the funds needed to cover the utility costs.
It’s high time we all get together in a concerted effort to make Evansville the best Indiana has to offer. What are we waiting for?

Pete Swaim is a retired Vanderburgh County Deputy Sheriff, the former United States Marshal, and former Executive Director of Transportation and Services for the City of Evansville.

Link to Campaign Finance Manual

0

http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/2011_Campaign_Finance_Manual.pdf

1...7,1577,1587,159...7,355Page 7,158 of 7,355