IS IT TRUE? March 24, 2011

IS IT TRUE that within an hour of publishing an article with excerpts and a link to a study done on the disappointment with the results of the consolidation of Louisville we got emails from employees of two separate economic development agencies advising us that the study that we posted has been “refuted” but other studies?…that the study that we posted was scholarly and presented raw data and two pages of references to support their conclusions?…that the metrics used and presented as disappointing are job growth, employment, number of businesses, annual payroll, and population growth?…that the raw data presented checks out as accurate?…that the language of the study did seem slanted in a negative way but that nevertheless the data was accurate?

IS IT TRUE that one of the people who contacted us stated that the study was not valid because it was paid for by opponents of consolidation?…that if paying for a study while having a position on a subject invalidates the study, then every study that is paid for by supporters of consolidation are invalid also?…that raw data does not lie but that liars can sometimes manipulate raw data to tell a lie?…that raw population is very hard to lie about in a census year?…that former Mayor Jerry Abramson of Louisville is on record many times as stating that Louisville is now the 16th largest city in America and that being a top 20 city was one of the promises that was made to pass consolidation in Louisville?…that in reality at the time of consolidation Louisville became the 26th largest city in America, slipped to 27 during the first 4 years after consolidation, and has slipped even further to 29th?…that when the ranking is expanded to include the entire MSA which has a population of 1,258,777 but only ranks 41st among American MSA’s for population?…that to claim to be the 16th largest city in America when the RAW DATA does not back up that claim IS INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION?…that all of the cheerleaders for Louisville including the former Mayor get the PINNOCHIO AWARD for truth in advertising?…that to call a study biased by being biased and untruthful has no merit?…that Louisville has grown during the past 10 years, has had some wins, and has visibly improved?…that Louisville has some good truths to tell and that its local officials undermine the credibility of the City of Louisville by advertising false claims?…that we are never surprised when a politician or some group that is beholding to a politician tells a lie?

IS IT TRUE that the CITY COUNTY OBSERVER has offered one of the chief proponents of consolidation the opportunity to provide us with a study that concentrates on raw data that shows where consolidation was a success in Louisville and WE WILL PUBLISH IT IMMEDIATELY WITH EXCERPTS as we did with the study yesterday titled “Beyond the Rhetoric”?…that we will do so even if the submitted study happened to have been paid for by proponents of consolidation?…that we well DO A SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON OF THE RAW DATA of the two studies should a second one be made available?…that we really hope that this is provided and that the RAW DATA cuts through the clutter of self interested bull crap artists?

IS IT TRUE that we wonder if the consolidation committee that has spent the past year crafting the proposal being considered by Evansville-Vanderburgh used any before and after RAW ECONOMIC DATA to first decide if consolidation has yielded the benefits that they claim that it will here?…that we would appreciate a list of references of documentable successes that have been achieved through consolidation that would not have happened anyway?…that we are waiting?

IS IT TRUE? Part Two March 23, 2011

IS IT TRUE that the newly hired staff writer for the Evansville Courier and Press is making his rounds to meet the elected political movers and shakers of Vanderburgh County and Evansville proper? ….that “MOLE # 3” is hearing that AREK SARKKISSIAN ll is being well received by the above political types? ….we just might have another Dan Shaw in the workings? ….we wish Mr. SARKKISSIAN the best and wish him well? ….we have just read an article in yesterday’s Evansville Courier and Press and must admit that he not only writes well but knows the KING’S ENGLISH?

IS IT TRUE that if political signs posted in front yards of possible voters living in the 3rd Ward depict how people are going to vote for City Council member than Don Walker would win the upcoming primary? ….that election isn’t being held today so you can expect an extremely competitive race from here on? ….that you can expect signs for all 3rd Ward candidates to be everywhere starting today?

IS IT TRUE that “MOLE # 3” is hearing that the Democratic candidate for Mayor Troy Tornatta is finally taking his campaign to the streets? ….that candidate Tornatta is going door to door in select neighborhoods asking people to vote for him? ….it’s about time he starts doing one on one type of campaigning because this is really how elections are won? ….that Mr. Tornatta shouldn’t listen to any more advice of the Mayor and start following his own political instincts?

IS IT TRUE that candidate for Mayor of Evansville on the Republican ticket, Lloyd Winnecke is getting it right out of the political box? ….that Mr. Winnecke has just announced that is to be conducting a DOOR TO DOOR campaign to become the next Mayor of Evansville? ….you can expect that a volunteer for Winnecke for Mayor team will be ringing your door bell in the near future? …if you’re interested in learning more about the Lloyd Winnecke for mayor contact jacobkeating@winneckeformayor.com?

IS IT TRUE that Libyan strongman Colonel Moarmar Khadaffi is rumored to have bought most of his official state uniforms at the Michael Jackson estate sale?…that Colonel Khadaffi complements MJ’s clothes with a hat that he stole from one of the Village People?…that the medals on his chest for courage, valor, and all of those other honorable things that leaders exhibit came from various flea markets and Ebay?…that for those of you who are over 50 years old Colonel Khadaffi must remind you of the cartoon character Commander McBragg? Bully!

IS IT TRUE that the Board of Directors of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau has gotten out of the gate very well and has things going in the right direction?…that due to this that the usual suspects have started passing the collection plate to ask for contributions for pet projects?…that very soon the new board of the ECVB will be considering a project in Wesselman Park involving Tennis Courts?…that we encourage them to hold the claims of economic recovery and prosperity for this and other projects feet to the fire of reality and to make wise use of the funds that are available for them to allocate?

Link to the EPD Activity Report for March 22, 2011

EPD Activity Report March 22, 2011

IS IT TRUE? March 23, 2011

IS IT TRUE that some truths are starting to emerge in the “why did Verizon wait until the demolition crew showed up to start to move” drama that is costing time and money to Woodruff Hospitality and the downtown Evansville Convention Hotel?…that anyone who does not live under a rock has known for nearly four years that the Executive Inn parking garage would be coming face to face with the wrecking ball?…that even the most nostalgic of people who deny structural problems have known this building was coming down since last July?…that Verizon either is the victim of Ready, Fire, Aim management or has just hung on with their fingernails to the last hour for replacing their antenna perched atop the Executive Inn parking garage?…that the short term solution is to put a “cell on wheels” unit in the empty lot between the C. K. Newsome Center and the Curtis Building?…that this will be one ugly but temporary solution to the demolition of the parking garage?…that no matter how ugly it may be that the fact that it is temporary exempts Verizon from needing to seek the approval of the Area Planning Commission to put it there?…that last summer a local businessman was turned down in his request to install windmills at an industrial location less than a quarter of a mile from the proposed temporary location for the Verizon antenna?…that this businessman should have attached wheels to his windmills and called them temporary thus avoiding the need to seek approval of the Area Planning Commission that eventually told him to take his windmills and get out of Evansville because Evansville does not have a windmill policy?…that equal justice is due to all of us, not just the ones doing the City Administrations bidding?

IS IT TRUE that the following area attorneys’ were selected as the 2011 Indiana Super Lawyers? ….they are: Thomas A. Massey, Massey Law Offices for Family Law, Steve Barber, Barber & Barber for General Litigation, Robert F. “Ted” Barron ll, Kahn-Dees-Donovan- & Kahn for Health Care, Timothy D. Born, Terrell-Baugh-Salmon & Born for Personal Injury Defense & General, Christopher D Lee, Kahn-Dees-Donovan & Kahn, Ross E. Rudolph, Rudolph-Fine-Porter & Johnson for Civil Litigation Defense, Randall K. Craig, Laws offices of Randall Craig for Elder Law, Robert M. Becker, Bamberger, Foremen, Oswald and Hahn for Estate Planning & Probate and Brian K. Carroll, Johnson-Carroll-Morton- Kent for Estate Planning & Probate?

IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,420 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 1,274 days since the Evansville Redevelopment Commission at the request of Mayor Weinzapfel approved the spending of $603,000 to purchase the parking lot?…that City Centre Properties and Scott Kosene the developers of the McCurdy project are both listed as contributors to the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee for 2010?

IS IT TRUE that there are now 589 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?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer is giddy at the attraction of SS&C to Evansville and with the fact that these are 500 good professional jobs that pay competitive salaries and have international visibility?…that this is the best attraction project to be secured by Evansville in over 10 years?…that the CEO of this company is an Evansville kid who understands business and progressive incentives to spread the wealth among his employees?…that the concept of “everyone who helps to make the pie gets to eat some pie” has escaped the bulk of the Evansville business community for many years now?… that maybe this company is the beginning of a positive trend?…that we tip our hat to the entire team that worked to make this happen?

HartfordBusiness.com Reports that SS&C Stock Options created over a two dozen Millionaires with IPO

A local connection may have been instrumental in the attraction of SS&C Holdings to Evansville. The founder, Chairman, and CEO Bill Stone is a graduate of Evansville’s Memorial High School. When SS&C went public with an IPO on NASDAQ on March 31, 2010, Mr. Stones creation helped enable over a dozen employee option holders to become what is often referred to as “on paper millionaires”. Additionally the total who saw their “paper net worth” increase by over $500,000 was 83 employees. The stock which is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol SSNC has since risen by 32% to $19.83 adding even more wealth to the employees of the business.

The company that was founded in 1986 with four people has grown to today’s complement of 1,400 but it has not been without challenge and hard work. The success story of a classic brain drainer who started life in Evansville and left to enjoy success elsewhere has now culminated in this local product choosing to create some prosperity in his home town. Welcome back Mr. Stone, we are certain that Evansville can benefit and learn much from your experiences.

The story of SS&C’ challenges and triumphs are addressed on the following link to the HartfordBusiness.com.

http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article.php?RF_ITEM%5B%5D=Article$0@13382;Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SS&C Technologies to Establish New Fund Administration and Technology Center in Evansville

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (March 22, 2011) -SS&C Technologies (NASDAQ: SSNC) today announced the company’s plans to open a new service and technology center here, creating up to 500 new jobs by 2014.

SS&C provides software and software-enabled services for trading, accounting, reporting, risk management and fund administration to hedge fund clients, insurance companies and institutional asset managers, among other finance industry clients. The company will invest approximately $3.9 million to lease and equip space at a to-be-determined site in Indiana’s third largest city.

“SS&C is a company that has continued to grow even during the challenging economic times,” said Governor Mitch Daniels. “We couldn’t be happier that they’ve chosen to bring these new high-skill positions to Evansville.”

The company plans to begin hiring fund accountants and account managers, in addition to sales and operations support roles, with the anticipated opening of operations in Evansville in the second quarter of 2011.

“According to the 2010 HedgeFund.net survey, we are the fifth largest fund administrator in North America, based on assets under administration, and we plan to leverage our Evansville operations to continue growth in the alternative asset management sector,” said Bill Stone, chairman and chief executive officer of SS&C Technologies. “We selected the state of Indiana and the city of Evansville based on several criteria, including the strong partnerships we have forged with the state and city, and the talent and skills available.”

Established in 1986, SS&C has grown to employ more than 1,400 associates at offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company counts more than 5,000 financial services providers as customers, ranging from large corporations to local organizations.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered SS&C Technologies up to $8.3 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of Evansville will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville.

“Evansville was up against Louisville, Ky., Oklahoma City, Okla. and Springfield, Ill., for this highly-competitive project. In addition to the significant capital investment, the SS&C project will further stimulate downtown redevelopment and create just the kind of high-paying, professional jobs our community needs as we head into the future,” said Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.

SS&C’s announced expansion to Evansville comes just two months after steel processor, Sugar Steel, announced it would invest more than $1.6 million to locate in the 100,000 square-foot former Patriot Steel building in Evansville, creating up to 26 new jobs by 2012. The facility will be Sugar Steel’s first operation outside of its home state of Illinois.

About SS&C Technologies
SS&C is a global provider of investment and financial software-enabled services and software focused exclusively on the global financial services industry. Founded in 1986, SS&C has its headquarters in Windsor, Connecticut and offices around the world. 5,000 financial services organizations, from the world’s largest to local financial services organizations, manage and account for their investments using SS&C’s products and services. These clients in the aggregate manage over $16 trillion in assets.

Additional information about SS&C (NASDAQ: SSNC) is available at www.ssctech.com.

About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.

Link to yesterday’s EPD Activity Report

EPD Activity Report March 201 2011

IS IT TRUE? March 22, 2011

IS IT TRUE that there is finally some news of discussions that someone may actually benefit from purchasing the naming rights for the new Downtown Evansville Arena?…that such discussions about naming rights usually would have been going on for not just the building but a lot of things in it by this stage of the game?…that if Evansville is to follow Louisville’s lead in the end result that an announcement will be made in the summer of 2011?…that the YUM Center in Louisville benefits YUM by granting them selling rights for their products in the YUM Center?…that Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium does the exact same thing?…that if one would want to guess as to what businesses could derive immediate benefit from advertising at a stadium one would need to look no further than one’s own stomach?…that the right question on who would benefit from naming the building is “what local company” could financially benefit from the purchases by spectators that have bought tickets?…that the list will not be long because there are not many headquarters in Evansville but that there are some logical candidates?…that the Ski Dome or the Double Cola Arena both fit the bill?…that the Grippo’s Dome or the Emge Arena may even get some traction and make some bucks from selling their own products?…that the Bunny Bread Arena may work too?…that it is widely believed that Double Cola and Grippo’s are headquartered in Evansville?…that alas they are headquartered in Chattanooga and Cincinnati respectively?…that Evansville has adopted them both as our own and that they can still benefit financially from naming rights?

IS IT TRUE that the Executive Inn parking garage is now speculated to start the demolition process in three weeks or four weeks after the demolition crew showed up?…that the big impediment in the way of getting going is down to the Verizon Wireless hardware on the roof?…that we have to wonder where the manager is or if there even is a manager on this project?…that this line item should have been on someone’s master schedule (what master schedule) at least three years ago?…that it is nearly April and that so far the physical progress shows all of the organization of a dog chasing its own tail?…the deal to remove the communications hardware should have been in place before the company known as Woodruff Hospitality was even an idea yet?…that the sooner that Woodruff can get the bungles of the City of Evansville’s past efforts behind them, the sooner this project will run more like a business and less like a circus?

IS IT TRUE that the University of Tennessee has made the decision to fire former USI head basketball coach Bruce Pearl?…that Bruce is one of the most passionate and entertaining basketball coaches in America?…that passion and charisma sometimes go hand in hand with a contempt for overly restrictive rules?…that when Coach Pearl paced the sidelines at USI and became an interactive member of the Evansville community that USI was always a factor in the chase for a Division 2 National Title?…that during Coach Pearl’s time here USI won a title and was runner-up for another one?…that ESPN Sports columnist Pat Forde called USI “Bruce Pearl’s purgatory” in an article about his post USI successes published in 2008?…that whether we are Bruce’s purgatory or one of his best memories that Evansville still enjoys seeing our adopted friend Bruce Pearl do well and look forward to seeing more successes in the future?…that we wish a quick recovery and prosperity again for Coach Pearl?…that Evansville will never forget the gregarious and passionate winner that spent a dozen years with us here?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer is proud of the year that both the USI and UE basketball teams had this year and look forward to more wins in the future?…that local players with Division 1 talent are not a problem growing here?…that UE in its golden years landed much of that local national caliber talent and hung five NCAA championship banners with mostly local talent on the floor?…that just two players from SW Indiana could have easily propelled UE to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference and perhaps as far as the NCAA Sweet 16?…that UE defeated the Sweet 16 Butler Bulldogs this year at Hinkle Fieldhouse?…that with Tyler Zeller (Washington) and Kyle Kuric (Evansville Memorial) in Aces uniforms that UE would have been ranked this year and made some noise nationally?…that basketball and local business have something in common?…that we have drifted to become a place where our best talent has to leave to excel on the world stage?…that when this talent drain, brain drain, or whatever one wants to call it is corrected that our teams, our businesses, and yes our local government may once again be seen as formidable competitors on a national scale?

IS IT TRUE that Forde’s article about Bruce Pearl is at the following link?…that is makes you remember just how in tune to Evansville that Coach Pearl was?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3299331&sportCat=ncb

IS IT TRUE? PART 2 March 21, 2011

IS IT TRUE that Gail Riecken and the rest of the House Democrats bolted to Urbana, Ill after they received their yearly salary of $22,616.46 which was paid in 2 installments of $11,308.23 by direct deposit? …that they are not receiving the monthly travel checks and their daily expense per-diem since they are not working in Indianapolis?…that the House Republicans are also not receiving any daily expense per-diem and travel checks unless they are at work at the Statehouse?

IS IT TRUE that Gail Riecken won’t come to the Statehouse to do the work she was elected to do but she can attend meet your legislator sessions on Saturday’s and also manage to be on TV when it is convenient for her?…that Gail Riecken has her hair dresser come to Urbana to do her hair?

IS IT TRUE that Republican Legislators Ron Bacon, Wendy McNamara & Suzanne Crouch meet with and talk to constituents daily while at work in Indianapolis and also meet with local Teachers, Union Workers, and other constituents when they are home on week-ends to discuss the issues?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer wonders just how many of the taxpayers of the State of Indiana have jobs where they are paid in advance for the entire year of work?…that in the real world that if you accepted pay for the entire year and then decided not to go to work that you would not only be fired but you would have to give the unearned portion of the salary back?…that failure to give a salary advance back unless a contract specifically stated that it was non-refundable would constitute grand theft?

IS IT TRUE that it has been 5 days now since the people of Evansville returned from a 72 hour trip to the 3rd World in which we were all notified that old warning for trips to uncivilized foreign lands of “DON’T DRINK THE WATER”?…that having to go out and purchase water for consumption because the City of Evansville did not deliver an acceptable product amounts to some sort of liability for damages on the part of the City of Evansville?…that we are still waiting to hear what recompense will be offered for the approximately $1 Million that the people who rely on city water had to spend?…that writing everyone a check for $5 would be futile but that allocation $1 Million in the name of the people of Evansville to be used to reclaim our dilapidated parks would be a worthy and just form of recompense for the City Administration to pay?

IS IT TRUE that the City County Observer has gotten many comments that you can read online along with direct emails regarding the issue of CONSOLIDATION?…that the comments and emails are overwhelmingly against going forward with the plan for consolidation presented by Becky Kasha and her CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE?…that Mole #69 predicts that unless major surgery is performed on the proposed plan that it will go down in flames at the 2012 ballot box just like its predecessor VANDIGOV did back in the early 1970’s?

IS IT TRUE that the absence of rejection thresholds seems to be the major complaint from the comments coming from the county?…that dilution of minority representation by having too small of a Common Council is a major complaint coming from within the City of Evansville?…that if you can’t win the county over rejection thresholds and you can’t win the city over dilution then there is no chance for this to pass?…that if consolidation is in our near future it is time to start adding some real CHANGE to a document that was generated by a committee who was afraid to propose CHANGE?…that reasonable people with an interest in the process realize the if there is one thing that the City of Evansville needs it is a healthy dose of CHANGE from the process that has driven people and businesses away for 50 years?…that if the county to a large extent has made some CHANGES by bolting from the City of Evansville and will CHANGE more by bolting from the county if the tired old ineffective ways of the City of Evansville are imposed upon them against their will?…that the Consolidation Committee and the people advising them would do well to abandon the single election format and ask the consent of the would be governed in an election with rejection thresholds?…that there may just be Mutiny on the Ohio is this is not the approach taken?