Thumbs up to those  “SECOND PLACE” Journalists that RANDELL BECK referred to in his Column in Sunday’s Argus Leader (July 15). He did not mention these “Free News Sources” by name, but we can assume he means KSFY, KDLT, KELO and the Bloggers. We are grateful in our community for the wide availability of coverage that we get from our TV reporters and our internet bloggers. With a town of this size however, there is a potential for MORE media competition for the AL and the local TV stations.  While I have a great respect for many of the reporters at the AL, citizens in Sioux Falls feel that there is a need for a more investigative, in-touch and an unbiased source for our local and state news.  This is a business opportunity waiting to happen for the right investor.

Thumbs up to RICK KNOBE on KSOO’s Viewpoint University for his interview with city councilman GREG JAMISON last Monday. Rick has 3 hours of prime time radio coverage most days of the week, and occasionally he facilitates interviews that are gutsy, informative and of great value to the citizens.  This was one of them. We need more of this kind of “Serious, issue oriented, hard- hitting” Talk Radio for the people of Sioux Falls. Involving the local citizens more in the discussion would also be very interesting for the listeners. The topic of the day last Monday was the reworking of the city employees’ pension plans.  This is a very difficult topic for both the public employees who are trying to protect their future financial security, and the rest of us, who are also concerned about making ends meet.  Ironically, later that week, the national media reported stories about the plight of the cities of Scranton, Pennsylvania and San Bernardino, California.  Scranton dropped the salaries of all City employees to minimum wage and San Bernardino is in bankruptcy. Apparently, the city officials knew of the risks for years, yet left the public in the dark. We need to pay very close attention to what we are spending out tax dollars on, and how much debt we are accruing. Giving blind trust to our civic leaders is reckless.

A Big thumbs up to citizen TIM STENGA.  (Now HE would be a great guest on the KNOBE show). At a recent city council meeting, Tim suggested using GPS systems in city vehicles to monitor the efficiency and whereabouts of the city workers. Because of Tim’s great suggestion, MARK COTTER of the Public Works Department has implemented the trial of 2 of these devices in city trucks. This gesture of listening to public input and concerns, and acting upon them is what EXCELLENT CITY GOVERNMENT is about. Stay connected, responsive and accountable to the people. Way to go TIM!

Thumbs up to KELO-TV for their coverage on INSIDE KELO (SUNDAY July 15) on the drought situation. Some have felt in the past that KELO has a tendency to “soft shoe” or IGNORE difficult issues, but in this segment they asked the tough questions about the drought and the impact of Lewis and Clark on the several communities that have prepaid, but will NOT be hooked up to the system this summer.   Past stories about the effective prison ministry programs and the Rapid City flood have also been appreciated.

Thumbs up to the CITY OF TEA for implementing a NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM. We have had this in Sioux Falls for many years and will be putting on picnics this August 7.  Tea officials and residents are recognizing the need to make a conscious effort to know their neighbors and work to keep the town safe for children and residents alike. With the rise in burglaries, rapes and assaults happening in Sioux Falls, we would be wise to be proactive in reaching out to those around us and developing knowledge of who is living down the street. Caring about others is always a good thing.

9 Thoughts on “Big T’s Thumbs Up

  1. Justin on July 17, 2012 at 3:10 pm said:

    Wow that article in the Argus was amusing. I’ll stick with the free sources. They are so important that nobody posts on their blogs. Jonathan Ellis their primary political writer is good for a backwards take on any issue. It’s not a good thing when at the Legends event a couple years ago I heard chad greenway yell “fire Stu Whitney” either although I see he got an interview so they must have made up.

    But I quit reading the AL long ago, the fact I can’t read it online now means nothing to me. They say first, I say last. What a POS rag.

  2. l3wis on July 17, 2012 at 3:23 pm said:

    It seems that ship is sinking when your publisher has to dedicate his column to asking people to subscribe.

  3. Craig on July 17, 2012 at 4:38 pm said:

    They should advertise on KELO or drop leaflets from an Argus Hot Air Balloon (kept aloft by allowing Beck to ramble on about his suffering wife and how great his paper is while his).

    Trying to gain subscribers by writing a column which only appears in a column read by subscribers seems like it might not be the best way to improve readership, but what do I know… I didn’t graduate with a journalism degree.

  4. Craig on July 17, 2012 at 4:40 pm said:

    Hey DL – did you know the Absolute Subs ad links to TOE? Time to update the URL.

  5. Pathloss on July 17, 2012 at 6:16 pm said:

    “citizens in Sioux Falls feel that there is a need for a more investigative, in-touch and an unbiased source for our local and state news.” I absolutely agree.

    I recently tried to explain to a new resident that the Argus is the local newspaper. Does anybody read it anymore.

    Rick Knobe was a good mayor. It was a time without corruption and local offices honesty when the mayor was a respected leader.

  6. l3wis on July 17, 2012 at 9:40 pm said:

    Craig – same owners, they are updating the website for both.

  7. l3wis on July 17, 2012 at 9:41 pm said:

    PL – Knobe created the B.S. pension plan we are now fighting and hired Metli.

  8. Too comical this fact: Beck’s Sunday sermon of high-and-mighty sanctimony was trailed by reader comments, nearly all of which were harangues from former (print ?) subscribers who recited unresolved complaints about problems they have with AL Media/ Gannett operations/subscriptions/delivery. (There WAS also a single shameless plug from a local blogger !).

    Mr. Beck, you could have the modern day equivalent of Woodward and Bernstein on your news staff …
    … but, if you lack the operational excellence to perform routine business transactions with your customers (operations/subscription) and are not able to get your product to them (in the form which they prefer and that form which you have agreed to provide to them) …
    … it really doesn’t matter.

  9. l3wis on July 18, 2012 at 11:09 am said:

    I would agree with you.

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