If you watch the latest version of ‘Ask the Mayor’ (FF: 13:00) you get to listen to his take on all things FREE in this community. He really doesn’t understand our tax structure and the basic tenant of a socialistic democracy, or to put it in simpler terms ‘Sharing’. While I will never use our pools, tennis courts or even the bus system in town I am fine with my tax dollars subsidizing the programs. There are hundreds of things I get for ‘free’ because we all share the burden, like the streets, snow gates, the bike trail. That is how it works. As for saying someone ELSE is subsidizing the kids that get free pool passes and bus rides, I say hogwash. We pay sales taxes in Sioux Falls, EVERYONE pays them. Rich, poor, young or old every time we purchase something. There is no sliding scale. Everyone subsidizes the freebees in town. Heck, the mayor had NO shame when he collected a check for $500K from the fine taxpayers of Sioux Falls so 102 members could buy equipment for an indoor tennis court that he put his name on. Let’s talk about ‘valuing’ something. Because that is real ‘rich’.
Here’s a nice little screenshot of the video being interrupted and probably edited (FF: 1:01:30) Notice how it pauses and gets fuzzy while the audio is still going.
Indeed, the tyrant rules and there’s no appeal. City ordinances deny court appeals (unconstitutional). Freedom is democracy not Home Rule Charter. Keep your pork sandwiches.
I have no interest in listening to MMM and I appreciate your points. Well said. In determining the merit of a subsidy, I do think there’s value in considering a) the number of potential beneficiaries, b) the number of those likely to become actual beneficiaries, and c) the cost of any subsidy.
I think subsidizing an indoor pool is specious. The number of potential beneficiaries is already small – likely limited to those who swim or are interested in swimming. The number of actual beneficiaries is even smaller, and the cost of an indoor facility to operate is greater than outdoor facilities that could likely accommodate a recreational demand that is primarily seasonal. I’d stick MMM’s Palace o’ Racquet Sports in the same category.
Contrast that to a library. The community has far more readers than swimmers. Maintenance costs of a library are far lower – nobody’s peeing in the fiction section and we don’t have to empty the library for the winter and fill it with new books each year. Knowledge is arguably a more beneficial community resource than swimming, in terms of economic benefit and generally contributing to a more enlightened society.
Things like libraries, parks, etc. come at low cost and great benefit. Things like swimming pools, tennis courts, performing arts centers, etc. – I think those are more questionable.
Well said Hornguy. Let me add that it’s important for the city to reduce debt and regain credit worthiness. No way no how is this a time to be giving away money or starting new entertainment projects. The finance director reports hearsay instead of firm numbers. Look for a big surprise, if not a disaster, when a new mayor takes office.
hornguy, I completely agree with you.
Free stuff is for your mayor and his rich bros. do we see him playing tennis with his wife. Do you remember at the prayer meetings in whisper breath saying it’s hard. Lol
Collect a check for 500k from an idiot council. What were
They thinking to allow that I bet the 50 percent who get public assistance would like to use the mmm tennis building and learn tennis and I bet most of
Them could beat his wife and the 102 members shoveling cash into a loser place.
Our city council is getting more and more full of it every week… Same as our Mayor