IS IT TRUE? June 29, 2011 Tennis Match Round 1 for the CVB Money

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IS IT TRUE? June 29, 2011 Tennis Match Round 1 for the CVB Money

IS IT TRUE that the Mesker Park Zoo was the host for a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau this morning?…that among other business the agenda item that attracted an overflow crowd was the presentation by the Evansville Community Tennis Association to soften up the ECVB to consider adding some of the innkeeper’s tax collections to assist with their proposal to build 12 tennis courts on the grounds of Wessleman Park?…that the crowd was overflowing and not only filled the room but filled the outdoor eating area as well?…that it seemed as though every fresh young face in Evansville that plays tennis showed up to support the ECTA’s appeal?…that the presentations both supporting and opposing the ECTA’s solicitation were done very professionally?

IS IT TRUE that the opposition was led by the owner/investor team of Tom Myers and Jack Rodgers from the Tri-State Athletic Club?…that these two gentleman came armed with statistics on the overall number of tennis players in the country and in greater Evansville?…that the statistics that they cited were from the United States Tennis Association, the same source that some of the statistics that the ECTA cited?…that the graphs of numbers of players both nationally and regionally when taken back to pre-recession times show absolutely flat demand for the game of tennis in real numbers?…that the other argument put forth by the Tri-State Athletic Club team against the appeal of the ECTA was that public dollars and public land should not be used to give a competitive advantage to their competitor?…that the Tri-State Athletic Club has the only private indoor tennis club in greater Evansville?…that the demand for indoor tennis according to the data presented is met and stable?

IS IT TRUE that our elected officials and candidates for office have been stating their positions with respect to using public money and public land to compete with private enterprise by funding the request of the ECTA?…that both candidates for Mayor of Evansville have stated that they oppose the request for land and/or money by the ECTA?…that the Republican party is on record as stating that the official position is that this proposal should not be supported?…that Republican City Council candidates Walters, Leibundguth, and Grafton have explicitly stated opposition to this project as have Democratic candidates Adams, Riley, Lindsey. And O’Daniel?…that Vanderburgh County Commissioner Marsha Abell opposes this and any project until the final decision is made with regard to Roberts Stadium and the Executive Inn Dilemma has been resolved?…that absolutely no candidates for office have expressed support for this project?

IS IT TRUE that the exit interviews with the non-competing people in attendance are unanimous that the argument for the ETCA was not compelling but that the Tri-State Athletic Club did indeed make a compelling argument for not proceeding with any public funding or public funding by proxy that competes with private enterprise?

IS IT TRUE that the meeting was respectful and that even the opponents expressed admiration and respect for the way that the ECTA conducts its business?…that no one opposes the right of the ECTA to purchase available land and construct as many tennis courts with private money as they choose?…that it has been reported that the ECTA provides free tennis lessons to the general public and that is to be thanked and admired?…that many people and organizations do good things?…that all of these types of groups deserve praise and admiration but that does not equal being showered with public dollars?…that this was an exercise in good dialog and that a win-win solution can be reached?…that today’s session if it was indeed a tennis match ended with a score of 50 – love in favor of the opposition.

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10 COMMENTS

  1. thanks for the update.

    Amazing what transpires when you have open meetings, isn’t it?

  3. Who were the exit interviews with- the probably 15 Tri-State employees or the 50 junior players they bussed in who were sitting outside the meeting?

    • Let’s see. Rick tries to make nice with Missy, but Henry continues to stir the pot of discontent for his political idol, Rick. What really goes on behind the curtain out there on Franklin Street?

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