The City County Observer has solicited reader input for the “Top 10 Issues of 2010” and for the “Top 10 things to get right in 2011”. We have received much input and will be putting articles together on each during the next couple of weeks.
The release of the Census data along with the long term nature of some of the reader suggestions inspired us to put together a list of some items of profound importance to solve in the next 10 years. Evansville like many Midwestern cities has been in a holding pattern when it comes to crafting and implementing policies that have the capability of keeping local economies performing at national average levels. Proper planning followed by accurate and honest feedback that is used to continuously improve are what elevates and maintains regions.
Some cities like Louisville had plans for the decade that has just ended. Those cities that had decade plans, annually reviewed them, and took corrective action to stay on course have typically outperformed those that had no plan. For example Louisville had a plan to grow their population by 10% and fell short in growing by only 4% according to 2009 census estimates. Evansville with no plan lost 3.9% of its population after annexation. So our list of Issues and Actions starts with and continues:
1. DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THE DECADE BY THE END OF 2011
2. CLEANLINESS AND BEAUTIFICATION, THEN KEEP IT CLEAN
3. SEWERS!!! EPA APPROVED PLAN BY 2012, SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION BY 2020
4. ESTABLISHED ANGEL INVESTMENT FUND BY 2012, ACTIVE VENTURE CAPITAL INDUSTRY BY 2020
5. INCREASE % COLLEGE GRADUATES IN THE GENERAL POPULATION BY 5% BY 2020
6. K-12 EDUCATION UP TO STATE ISTEP AVERAGES BY 2015, EXCEED STATE AVERAGE BY 10% BY 2020
7. GENERAL POPULATION GROWTH OF 1% PER YEAR OVER ENTIRE DECADE
8. RAISE THE AVERAGE EARNINGS OF ALL PROFESSIONS TO NATIONAL AVERAGES BY 2020
9. ESTABLISH SOME BASIC RESEARCH ENTITY OF DISTINCTION AT EITHER OR BOTH UNIVERSITIES
10. MANAGE PUBLIC FACILITIES LIKE THE ARENA AT POSITIVE CASH FLOW AS ADVERTISED
What is the payoff of making this happen? What will Evansville and Vanderburgh County look like and live like in 2020 if all of these goals are achieved? Here is a snapshot:
Evansville’ population will grow to 128,781 to a level that it has not seen since the mid 1970’s, Vanderburgh County will be a record level of 193,788 and will be among the leaders in the Midwest. The percentage of the population with bachelors degrees will exceed 20% for the first time in history. The air will no longer smell from combined sewer overflows, litter will be a non-issue, our gateways and public places will be filled with flowers, public art, and dare we say, PEOPLE.
Our schools will be recognized nationally for improvement, more of our students will go to college and return home to pursue lucrative and fulfilling careers. Our housing stock will be much improved either through renewal or demolition and the money to pay for it will come from the increased tax revenue from the new citizens that with increased earnings.
Finally, the Evansville Arena, the Centre, maybe a recast Roberts Stadium, and several to be determined projects will be completed and performing well financially. At long last if these goals are used as the basis for a plan and executed to goals, the Mayor of Evansville, the City Council, County Council, and County Commissioners (if we have not consolidated by 2020), will have the respect and backing of both the people and the business base of the region.
By going forward the City of Evansville can return to the place of national prominence that it last enjoyed in 1970 when it was the 100th largest city in the United States.
The City County Observer welcomes reader input on other worthy goals and even suggestions on how to achieve the ones that we have listed. By the way, Goal #2 is FREE TO IMPLEMENT. Starting today, do not litter anything and pick up three pieces of litter per day. In a very short time Goal #2 will become a maintenance issue as opposed to a goal to achieve.
The real beauty of these goals is that all of them are achievable. Other places have done this. It is time for us to join them.
The arena is not the only entertainment venue in this community that ought to be operated at break even or generate positive cash flow. The Aiken Centre, the Victory Theater, Swonder Ice Rink and Burdette Park should all be operated at break even or better.
How about subjecting the management contract for all of these facilities to a fair, competitive bidding process operated by private industry — not crony-deal making politicians who are rotten to the core. I am sick of seeing six figure shortfalls for all of these facilities — the bonded indebtedness is enough.
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