IS IT TRUE? October 11, 2011 Mid-Morning Edition

IS IT TRUE that we have finally learned through both direct calls and from other media that the person taken off of the Democratic Party float at the Fall Festival was Alex Jarvis?…that the incident was over an outstanding warrant for what is typically considered to be a minor offense?…that the timing of serving this warrant certainly made for some serious and unnecessary drama as Mr. Jarvis can be found in his office at the Democratic Central Committee Headquarters in downtown Evansville nearly any day of the week?…that this whole Fall Festival drama takes us back a year to Boothgate which happened at the 2010 Fall Festival?…that maybe local Democrats should avoid pronto pups and chocolate covered grass hoppers because strange things are seeming to be normal for the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party come Fall Festival time?

IS IT TRUE that no City County Observer Moles have contacted us regarding the circumstances that lead to Mr. Jarvis being taken off of the Democratic Float over an outstanding warrant?…that there has been no shortage of calls and emails from people who would like to influence us in reporting this story?…that these calls and emails from well known members of both parties have been trying to influence the CCO to conclude that the Rick Davis campaign was behind this embarrassing scenario?…that we have no reason at this point to make such a conclusion?…that we can also not reach that conclusion from any of the other reporting that is available to the public?…that there are also those that are saying that opponents of Davis staged this so that the Davis campaign could be blamed for creating drama at Mr. Jarvis’ expense?…that we have no reason to conclude that either?…that we are a curious as the next publication and are open to anyone with rock hard evidence to prove either theory of why after a full year with an outstanding warrant that this specific time and this specific place was chosen to handcuff Mr. Jarvis?

IS IT TRUE that upon full reflection we are also curious as to how Mr. Jarvis could have had an outstanding warrant on him for as long as he had without it being served on him as has happened with many citizens?…that as Mr. Jarvis seems to be a likeable guy with a regular job and that most people know where he works that a simple phone call would have probably sufficed to get his attention and compliance?…that we wonder why that call was never made and why a visit to his home or office some time ago never happened?…that we wonder if there was some cloak of protection over Mr. Jarvis?…that he certainly does not seem to be a person that lives outside of the law?…that there was a much better way to handle this and that it was not done?…that the high drama created by serving a warrant at the Fall Festival certainly seems orchestrated by someone for some purpose?…that given the size of the crowd at the Fall Festival that it is highly likely that literally a few thousand of the attendees has some warrant of some kind outstanding?…that to our knowledge exactly one was served and it was served at a most opportune time?…that this smells about as rank as Bee Slough did last Friday night?

IS IT TRUE that we get tips all of the time about things that are perceived by the tipsters to be political malfeasance?…that sometimes these tips are real and sometimes these tips actually are sent to us for political purposes?…that we try to err on the side of preserving peoples integrity when there is uncertainty?…that the CCO has first-hand experience with exposing and seeing political malfeasance in action that is much worse than last week’s FloatGate incident?…that if hard evidence is brought forward to either candidate for Mayor of Evansville to this incident that we will not hesitate to take them to task?…that if hard evidence is brought forward to tie any operatives of either campaign to this incident that we will call upon the candidates themselves to dismiss the operatives from the campaign and remove them from consideration for any appointment?…that until such hard evidence comes forward we shall continue to believe that both candidates for Mayor of Evansville are men of integrity and that Alex Jarvis is a fellow who forgot about his warrant and became the victim of a dirty trick?

IS IT TRUE that many of the good people that live in the neighborhoods that have been plagued by gang violence held a candlelight vigil in the streets last night to stand together against senseless violence?…that one of the problems in all neighborhoods that attract drug dealing and violence are an abundance of abandoned homes?…that abandoned homes are a magnet for gangs and drug dealers that do not tend to be home owners?…that some very prominent members of the Southside community like the Reverend Adrian Brooks and City Councilwoman Connie Robinson have been busy consoling the people of this neighborhood that seem to be in a state of shock?…that one vocal lady called upon the City of Evansville to get on with the business of demolishing these abandoned and unrepairable structures that are being used as bases of operation for gangs, prostitutes, and drug dealers?

IS IT TRUE that Tom Barnett, Mayor Weinzapfel’s Director of Metropolitan Development has oft been quoted that there are literally thousands of dilapidated structures in the City of Evansville?…that in spite of that the City of Evansville has insisted on continuing and even expanding the Front Door Pride program that spends over $200,000 building homes in neighborhoods that have long been plagued with crime, drugs, prostitution, and failing schools?…that these $200,000+ homes languish on the market at $135,000 for years?…that as the City County Observer has stated on many occasions the first step to reclaim a neighborhood is to eradicate the crime followed closely by getting the local schools up to a level of passing?…that we wonder just how many bullets will have to fly and how many more people will have to die for this simple but tried and true solution to get through the thick head of local government?

IS IT TRUE that right now all housing dollars available need to be directed to demolition of these rotting homes?…that removal of all of the unwanted and economically infeasible structures will at least serve to eliminate fortresses and hiding places for the perpetrators of violence?…that there should not be one public dollar invested to build new housing in an area that is in such need of basic services and cleanup that people are afraid to leave their houses?…that squandering public money to build expensive houses in crime ridden areas has finally been proven as a failure right here in Evansville?…that all efforts to save this neighborhood and the ones surrounding it need to be on making it a place that people really want to be?

IS IT TRUE that the power of the closed door meeting seems to have played itself out at last night’s meeting of the Evansville City Council?…that in a move that seemed to have stunned Councilman John Friend that the letter of invitation for Vectren to speak before the City Council regarding their rate structure was postponed until after this year’s election?…that Vectren has been inviting members and candidates for City Council to its headquarters for one-on-one closed door meetings every since Councilman Friend and 2nd Ward Candidate Lon Walters began circulating petitions regarding rates and the IURC?…the punt motion was proposed by Councilman Dr. H. Dan Adams and seconded by Councilman Dan McGinn?…that the punt to the lame duck City Council session was approved without so much as a question or protest?…that while this was going on 8 blocks away at the Four Freedoms Monument a group calling itself Occupy Evansville was having an organizational meeting?…that the three things mentioned at the meeting as objects of their discontent were Vectren, Banks, and Government?…that those among us that wonder why groups like Occupy Evansville are popping up all over the country they need look no further than the decisions to PUNT that are made in Civic Centers, State Houses, and Congress?

IS IT TRUE that 3rd Ward candidate for City Council Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley has published a position paper regarding the Vectren petition and has advised us that she does not intend to accept an invitation to a closed door meeting with the Vectren team?

IS IT TRUE? October 10, 2011 Special Afternoon Edition

IS IT TRUE that we would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the young educated lady who had a spat with Vectren over the mistake that they made on her bill and then have with a friendly demeanor demanded that she pay for their mistake?…that she reports that there is no resolution?…that she has turned off her power and made her move to Chicago and is pleased to be in an apartment where all utilities are included?…that she reports that her attempts to contact them have resulted in being put on hold for 45 minutes and that she can’t take any longer than that during her lunch hour on a brand new job?…that she went online and checked the box asking for a call from Vectren and that the one time they called was during her work day so she could not answer?…that this system of correcting an error in favor of a ratepayer is not making a good impression on her either?…that not having enough people to deal with calls in 5 minutes either implies an insufficient staff or a very large number of dissatisfied customers working in the dispute resolution department of Vectren?

IS IT TRUE that while Vectren may not have time to assign someone answer the call of a young professional who may just get some bill relief from them that they have plenty of time and transportation to have face-to-face meetings with every member or candidate for the Evansville City Council that is willing to speak with them?…that even new division President and former Congressman Brad Ellsworth is on the task of communicating with these present and aspiring elected officials?…that the Evansville City Council will be voting to officially extend an invitation to Vectren to send its CEO Carl Chapman to speak before them on October 24th to explain their rate schedules, the latest request for an increase, and just life in Evansville in general?…that we hope that Vectren will accept this offer and will speak until each and every member of the City Council understands their business model?

IS IT TRUE that as we have previous reported Council Members John Friend and Connie Robinson and 6th Ward Democratic candidate Al Lindsey are not speaking with Vectren one-on-one preferring to gather their information in a public meeting rather than behind closed doors with a team of tutors?…that all three of these people have signed one of the petitions?…that we have confirmed that Democratic at-large candidates Connor O’Daniel and Jonathan Weaver have had one on one discussions with Vectren?…that Mr. O’Daniel reported learning much about the dense pack technology in his meeting and being treated with respect?…that there were several questions that he asked for which there were no answers offered and that he has not yet decided to sign any petition?…that Mr. Weaver has stated that he will be signing a petition but made no statement regarding his meeting with Vectren officials?…that Dr. H. Dan Adams has previously issued a paper on his position and that we do not have anything to report regarding Councilwoman Missy Mosby’s position?

IS IT TRUE that a very similar petition has been posted online by 2nd Ward Republican Candidate E. Lon Walters and that Republican Party Chairman Wayne Parke has signed it?…that 5th Ward Republican Candidate Brent Grafton while declining to sign a petition put forth by his opponent did publish a very informed position paper with some very pointed questions for Vectren to answer?…that Mr. Grafton has also declined opportunities for a private meeting with the Vectren team?…that we are not certain about other Council members or candidates but that we welcome their dialog and reports on their meetings with Vectren officials?

IS IT TRUE that we thought there had been enough private meetings behind closed doors in Evansville for non-security related issues to last a lifetime?

IS IT TRUE? October 10, 2011

IS IT TRUE that we are continually encouraged that many people in Evansville that vote in online polls seem to get it?…that just today there is a poll on the Courier website regarding what people think is behind the recent wave of violent crime in a small area of South Evansville?…that a clear majority of 54% attribute this mayhem to Gangs?…that another 24% also attribute it to Gangs but not to big city Gangs?…that adds up to 78% of the responses that have shown the good sense to recognize a Gang as a Gang?…that the other 22% think it is simply random violence?…that a life was taken by pumping three slugs into another human being at 2:30 on a Sunday afternoon in Evansville yesterday?…that this murder happened in broad daylight and within easy walking distance (3 blocks) of the Historic District, the Front Door Pride area, and the Art’s District?…that this happened less than 24 hours after some concerned citizens, deacons, and exemplary members of the Southside community had conducted an awareness walk to inform young people of the dangers of Gang violence?

IS IT TRUE that in this election season when our candidates are rightfully addressing the problems of jobs and meth that this immediate problem needs to be elevated on the candidates radar screens?…that lets dispense with the question of whether or not these activities are Gang related and just state the obvious that they are Gang related?…that drugs, prostitution, drive by shootings, murder, and a population in fear of witnessing are the symptoms of a Gang?…that whether such things are “big city” Gangs or “little city” Gangs is an irrelevant discussion as the Summer of 2011 in South Evansville is not appreciably different than what South Central Los Angeles or South Chicago has been experiencing for years?…that the only difference is the number of acres of turf being fought over?…that this needs very badly to be stopped before it expands and that the candidates for Mayor of Evansville need to address this?

IS IT TRUE that hardcore Gang members are not doing these things because they can’t get a job?…that what has been happening in South Evansville’s Summer of 2011 is their job?…that when the economy is bad and good kids with positive potential can’t find jobs that a Gang can start to look like a job to many people who would otherwise be productive members of society?…that a rotten economy is a contributor to keeping many parents looking the other way while the jobs of distribution and collection are being done by people who really would prefer to work in a regular job?…that our candidates should probably add a few other drugs to their list to make war on like cocaine and its derivatives like crack?…that we highly doubt that there is much meth behind this Gang activity?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer supports and honors the efforts of the Evansville Police Department and encourages this City Administration and the next to do whatever is necessary to protect the citizens of Evansville?…that sometimes that may mean training, sometimes that may mean equipment, but that sometimes that may mean bringing in experienced backup?…that Mayor Frank Rizzo of Philadelphia actually resorted to using a tank and dropping bombs from helicopters to eradicate an entire block of crack houses back in the early 80’s?…that similar actions have been taken in bigger cities with long term Gang issues?…that if Evansville does not want to be faced with forming an army to handle this that something needs to be done and quickly?…that our current elected representatives who represent the 4th Ward and are at-large need to make their cases known?…that the bordering 2nd and 3rd Wards need to be very sensitive as they are merely blocks from this?…that this outbreak of violence in South Evansville and ending it is of more importance than having current elected officials issue statements about who would make the best Mayor?…that we hope it is not too late for a question about Gang violence to find its way into the next debate?