Wouldn’t this be a fun Christmas tree to have? It could catch all the great moments when your grandchildren open their gifts (or their frowning faces when you give them crap). **Note: The family mentioned is NO relation, they spell their last name different.

“The system was designed to be able to get daytime and nighttime video of people as they are coming across the border, in real time, to a dispatch person that would then be able to dispatch certain patrol people to that area,” Taylor said. “It gives them a great way to see how many people are coming, be able to track them as they are going, and it can allow U.S. Customs and Border personnel (CBP) to know how many people to send. If there’s a potential issue or concern with that group coming across, then maybe it can help identify that prior to them getting here.”

Ironic, isn’t it? A family business in Yankton, South Dakota, that probably has immigrant heritage from Germany, Austria and Switzerland is building fake trees to stop immigrants. I won’t bring up that other famous German that thought this was also good idea.

This doesn’t surprise me. I figured it would pass, by at least 60% of the vote, it got over 66%. Even with about a $100 a year property tax increase on $100K valuation. I think the key to the approval was the HIGH voter turnout;

Total turnout was 43.3 percent of active registered voters in the city.

With only two precincts and a single vote issue, this is pretty impressive.

The plan for the pool is also, IMO, fiscally responsible. For around $14 Million they are going to build on the existing site with a combination outdoor/indoor facility. They also garnered around $6 million in pledged private funds with $1 million for naming rights from the Huether Family Foundation (The Yankton city commission has to vote on those naming rights).

While the property tax increase is a little steep, it is truly an investment in the community.

So what is the difference between what Yankton and Watertown has done compared to our public indoor pool? Unlike these communities, we have plenty of options when it comes to indoor pools privately with attached fitness centers. I have often thought the city should have just partnered with the Sanford Sports Complex and built it out there.

The Sioux Falls Parks and Rec department is gearing up on another master plan for their parks. Frank Olson pool is way past it’s life and there has been some talk that they want to replace it with either and indoor pool or spray park. I think they should just build a new outdoor pool. Until the Midco Aquatic Center can break even, we have NO reason to pursue another public indoor pool.

Believe it or not, I do give kudos to the Huethers for giving this gift to the community of Yankton;

A proposed indoor pool facility in Yankton got a big boost Tuesday.

The Mike, Cindy and Kylie Huether Family Foundation gave the project a $1 million donation, just two weeks ahead of the opt-out election.

On December 11, voters in Yankton will decide whether or not construction $14.8 million project will move forward.

The community group Dive In Yankton has secured about $4 million in funds so far, including Tuesday’s gift from Yankton native Mike Huether.

Some of us should consider ourselves lucky enough to have that kind of money to give, and you can never question generosity. (though in this case I would – I’m guessing the pool will have the Huether’s name on it in one way shape or form – It is being considered)*

But in the WNAX interview MMM couldn’t resist to pull the heartstrings by mentioning the Midco Aquatic Center.

Sorry Mike, not the same. While a small town like Yankton really needs something like this, and it will get a lot of usage and public support, my argument against our public indoor pool was different. Unlike Yankton, Sioux Falls has oodles of private fitness club indoor pools people can choose from. I just didn’t see the need to compete with private industry. And while the Midco has been somewhat successful (still hasn’t broken even on operational expenses) I still question the public ‘need’.

*As for the generosity of the family, funny how the Huethers suddenly have a cool million for the people of Yankton but had to come begging to the taxpayers of Sioux Falls for $500K for a building that bears their name at the Sanford Sports Complex . . . and the public still can’t use the parking lot.

Here is a final draft of the Yankton Aquatic Report; FinalDraft

Apparently the Yankton mayor couldn’t make it.

It’s not like he casually going to be at this event on a Saturday afternoon. He is taking time away from his job as our Mayor of Sioux Falls to drive to Yankton on a Wednesday to celebrate the opening of a new business in another community.

Makes you wonder if he will also announce a run at this event?