UPDATED: In all fairness to Mike, I have updated my comments about the EC.

While, I have been telling people, including, Mike Huether, that he is my second choice – after the past week, and things I have seen and heard, I no longer have a ‘second choice’.

Let’s not muddy the waters. Some things do not change.

FACT: Mike Huether was VP of Marketing for First Premier before quitting in June 2009 to pursue being mayor. He told me to my face that he quit at FP because he “Won’t do the bidding of T. Denny Sanford.” But let’s not be silly folks, the damage is done. As VP of marketing Mike was in charge of the marketing strategies for FP, he probably knew about how they targeted consumers, no, HE DID KNOW. I worked in the CC industry for 4 years as a mail piece and document designer, I knew a lot for being the low man on the totem pole. The CC industry is cloaked in secrecy, not just because of Federal Law, but because of trade secrets. Trust me, Mr. Huether was well aware of what he was doing, and he can sayOut damn spot’ all he wants, but it won’t go away.

Sure, he helped Sanford become a billionaire and he helped employ alot of people in Sioux Falls. But guess what, those strategies are now deemed illegal by the Federal government, and for good reason, they were bleeding their customers. Mike just can’t wash his hands of First Premier, I’m sorry, you participated in something that makes me not want to trust you and that is what scares me about a Huether administration.

I also have trouble swallowing some of the things he tells the public. In his Gargoyle Leader interview he told the Ed Board that he has been saving up for years to run for mayor. Yet he told me that he quit at First Premier because he wouldn’t do the bidding of Denny. So would Mike still be working at FP if he wasn’t worried about the perception of the public and the ‘business experience’ he achieved at FP? He is kinda like Costello in the realm of business, he loves to mention his experience but doesn’t tell people what that experience entailed. Pat likes to talk about burgers instead of meat-market bars and Mike likes to talk about ‘financial institutions’ instead of fee harvesting schemes.

When it comes to the Events Center, Mike says this; “I will present a palatable plan to the public, that touches on one point, and that is – let’s come up with a proposal to replace the existing Arena.” He also touches on funding, and says we can build a new EC for aroung $90 – $110 million. Mike does have some great ideas. He does agree that most residents are opposed to the current funding plan. He also suggests we can bond for the EC and use the BB & B tax. But in his AL interview he says he will introduce a plan once he becomes mayor. But why not NOW? I have told Mike in emails that it would actually help his campaign if he introduces a concise plan for the EC. Yvonne Hawkins (who sits on the Ed Board) even says to Mike that his proposal is ‘philisophical’ It seems she was trying, as I was, to get Mike to tell us his plan. He also would not promise a EC would get build during his administration. And he finishes by saying, “He will present a plan after he is elected mayor.” In an email to me he said this;

“Scott, if you don’t know me like you reiterate in your blog, then how can you attack me like you do?  No one has been more open than me on the Events Center Task Force proposal and future plans than me.  No one.”

He apparently was upset about this comment I made;

“That’s just it, that is all we have with Mike, is just his word, and I don’t think it is worth much. I sent him an email simply asking him to tell me his plan for the Events Center and he couldn’t do it. Why is that? That worries me.”

He talks about ‘ideas’ he has but still maintains that the task force needs to meet again and it is up to the voters. That’s not a plan, Mike, that is a suggestion. Leaders lead, they don’t make ‘suggestions.’

Just for the record, I have told Mike, on numerous occasions he is more then welcome to defend himself on my blog, with a guest post or even in the comments section. So before you start hollering at Detroit for being the big bad wolf, maybe Mike should build his campaign house out of bricks instead of straw. But what can you expect from a ‘straw man’


18 Thoughts on “Mike Huether; Poor Choice for Sioux Falls Mayor

  1. Poly43 on March 19, 2010 at 3:56 am said:

    Damn l3wis. That whole piece you just gave us was the best I have read in a long, long time. The Argus can only dream about having someone with your drive. Aside from the Argus needing an opinion cartoonist, you could take the place of one of their 4 or 5 conservative syndicated national nuts. The Argus needs someone like you. Maybe a point-counterpoint with you and a douchbag like Sibby. But then Sibby isn’t in to local stuff. Just whatever beck or limbaugh might be stirring up. Hell, I’d even reconsider picking up my subscription again. So, what do you think the odds are something like this would ever get into their lettrs to the editor?

    Pat likes to talk about burgers instead of meat-market bars and Mike likes to talk about ‘financial institutions’ instead of fee harvesting schemes.

    ~l3wis

    Let me ask you this l3wis. What if, God forbid, we have a runoff between costello and huether? Would you endorse one over the other or direct them to the Walmart aisle that stocks Vaseline?

  2. l3wis on March 19, 2010 at 4:01 am said:

    If Staggers isn’t in the runoff, I am not voting.

  3. So, essentially what you’re saying is that Councilor Staggers is a champion of fiscal conservatism and individual responsibility, but there’s no room whatsoever to consider individual responsibility when it comes to customers who have First Premier credit cards. In other words, why place all the onus on Mike when our free market economy provides people the opportunity to choose what financial options work best for them?

  4. l3wis on March 19, 2010 at 8:02 am said:

    Ben-

    Are you defending Mike or predatory lending? Please explain?

    That’s just it, how can someone say on one hand they have the best interests of the citizens of Sioux Falls on their mind, and want to have a very transparent government, but comes from a very secretive and predatory industry. You can’t have it both ways.

  5. l3wis on March 19, 2010 at 8:06 am said:

    And, BTW, as a college student in Minnesota, are you even registered to vote in Sioux Falls? If so, continue your debate, if not, you don’t have a dog in this fight.

  6. In regard to my previous post, it simply strikes me as lopsided to put one candidate on a pedestal for being a pillar of conservatism but not consider individual responsibility, a key component of conservatism, in describing the nature of his opponent’s previous business.

    I respect your concern given how things have played out in the current mayoral administration, but to me and countless others, Mike’s approach in the campaign is genuine & distinctly different from the other candidates. I have no reason to believe that will change substantially once he’s elected.

  7. The email I provided is one an old one from college that still forwards to my current email. I’ve been living & working in Sioux Falls for a couple years though.

  8. l3wis on March 19, 2010 at 8:32 am said:

    Well, Ben you have proven there is one born every minute.

  9. Poly43 on March 19, 2010 at 9:05 am said:

    You did not answer the question Ben. Are you defending the “fee harvesting” scheme honest mike championed while working for t denny? You do know these practices, or at least most of them, have been properly put to rest? Do you ever wonder WHY?

  10. Plaintiff Guy on March 19, 2010 at 9:17 am said:

    Poly43: the Argus is city propaganda. there’s no such thing as point-counterpoint.

    Ben & l3wis: Settle this with rock, paper, scissors.

    I’d take Huether over Castillo. If Castillo is elected, the new council should start an immediate recall for his bid-rigging involvement while he was on the council.

    There was discussion directed by Castillo at Monday’s city informational thing. At one point, Castillo stated ‘why aren’t we in this business’ looking at certain other council members. It was regarding a city contract for handicapped transportation.

    To answer his question, it’s because you’re blatantly corrupt and involved in everything that is a USUAL BID process. You can get away with everything but you just can’t do it all without hiring honest citizens who may turn you in.

    USUAL BIDS are decided by the mayor relative to which councilman’s turn it is to ripoff the taxpayer with an inflated bid.

    COMPETITIVE BIDS are based on price and quality. Bids are awarded through democratic council, mayor, and city finance evaluation.

  11. Plaintiff Guy on March 19, 2010 at 9:30 am said:

    My vote will go for whomever vows to repeal Home Rule. That’s nobody now.

    Otherwise, there will be a new mayor that we must accept and … Let Mikey do it

  12. My vote goes to anybody whose supporters don’t use phrases such as “my head and heart supports ____” or “______’s campaign is genuine and distinctly different from the other candidates”. Save those for your letters to the Argus.

  13. Ghost of Dude on March 19, 2010 at 2:05 pm said:

    I’m willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt on the FPBC employment. Seeing Dana Dykehouse mugging with Costello gave me the idea that the two of them didn’t see eye to eye.

    I’m curious to know what type of “good jobs” he plans to bring to town now that the card act has nipped new fee harvesting operations in the bud.

  14. l3wis on March 19, 2010 at 7:53 pm said:

    While I don’t always agree with Kermit, I do know what to expect from him. I don’t know what we will get with Mike. Remember, there was another ‘Hope and Change’ democrat making all kinds of promises last year, how is he working out?

  15. Poly43 on March 19, 2010 at 8:34 pm said:

    I’m willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt on the FPBC employment. Seeing Dana Dykehouse mugging with Costello gave me the idea that the two of them didn’t see eye to eye.

    ~GoD

    FACT: huether spent ten and a half years at FP, many of those years as Executive Vice President in charge of marketing a predatory fee harvesting card. You see a pic of dickhouse with costello and want to give honest mike the benefit of the doubt?

    l3wis is right.

    You have proven there is one born every minute. 😉

  16. Jon O on April 7, 2010 at 6:43 am said:

    Sounds and looks like someone has gone through a lot of trouble to smear someone they dont know. Who are you working for. Don’t worry Mike those of us that know , know these are just smears “lies”. Some short-minded individual with either a personal vendetta or is doing someones bidding.

  17. l3wis on April 7, 2010 at 8:19 am said:

    I don’t get paid for what I do, and I certainly don’t have a ‘vendetta’ and I think it is pretty obvious who I support for mayor.

    Now point out what I am ‘lying’ about.

  18. Pingback: Best of DaCola — South DaCola

Post Navigation