Howdy, Happy Thanksgiving!! Go to today's second main editorial, "Delta Queen" at www.evansvillecourierandpressonline and you hit "Opinion" at top of page, then look down to 'More Editorials' and see the great story on our main editorial page of the "Delta Queen". It is a great story that our new Newspaper Editor, Mizell Stewart, did. He rocks. He has been a great cheerleader for River boats as he came from Ohio and remembers why river boats and other boats are important to our economic development, to our economy, to our job creation base. Our Ohio River region gets the Queen series a lot and we most certainly appreciate it. They come because those towns do a great job and don't get in their way, and treat them real well.
We all know a "star" when we see one. Our politicians in my town are realizing slowly, that it is all about the boat, not them. It's about the boat, stupid.
Our newspaper editor, touched on the Union issue with the Delta Queen. They wanted to wait and see what was going on with that, as folks get touchy with union issues, and you don't want folks to sue.
It is a great article for support of the Delta Queen, not only on the HR3852 issue, but as a boat in general. I've been preaching for the past three years, the Queen series helps folks with economic development, with job creation, with the economy. The lights are now turning on the Demo party in our town, that if you snooze, you lose. It took three years. So, the Editor is doing a great service in rounding up the folks and lets all together celebrate the greatness of river boat traffic. That is great. Now, to embrace it.
On election day, I got another note from House Rep. Brad Ellsworth stating he's still working on HR3852......on election day. Nonetheless, at least he's thinking about this issue. So, if the vote gets to the house floor, then we can possibly pull out some stops on the political front with his help....he was listed number one on the House Magazine......Roll Call, is it, that he was the most interesting over five notches of Nancy Pelosi. Some call him 'dreamy'. I just want some production from the guy. Less whack and more smack. SO, I have to wait til the vote time to THIS TIME, see what help he can do. Because of the DEMO stance on river boats, I didn't ask him to write up a bill for support of the Delta Queen. I'm guessing now he doesn't want to be left out of the action. He could have made history on this and didn't. Well, we'll be watchful and help how we need to.
So, things may be perking up a tad on the riverboat and letting me bring in the boats that could have already been here from the past three years, already. Geez.
There is hope, Mizell. Also, the Port of Evansville has been for sale and this coming week we'll see if we can agree on a price. It is listed too high, in my opinion, and others, so we'll see. I've got a great team started to help me on this and the cost. I hope to have some other folks on board for this project this week. It is an exciting project proposed, with a neat two tiered decking restaurant overlooking the river, a new boat dock for ALL YOU SORTS OF RIVER BOATS and YACHTS!!!!
And, a few other businesses and eateries. Have some outlet stores or neat shops and a night scene. A Disney along the river for our sized town. An old brick warehouse building to use for some businesses or possibly a boutique Hotel or Flag Hotel. It is exciting. In an industrial area, but lots of river frontage to help that issue and some tall trees and landscaping will help. SO, I'm going for it, with gusto, some business partners to make it happen. I do hope the lender can do this size of a project like they state they can.....we'll see. When you talk millions of dollars, all of a sudden the politicians change their song and dance and it clicks in their heads, 'Oops, we better be a part of this, or else'. The land is two down from the Casino Aztar and near the riverfront bend in the river....at downtown. Lots of new buildings for quaint cruise.
HOORAY!! Things are going to change along the Ohio River region and Evansville, Indiana for river boating. Yee ha! HOORAY, can't let up, now, got lots to do and plan....got to reload, load, and keep going forward.
I'll just go do the project and hope it works. Got the team, now to make it work. Now, is the time!! Mary
