This story has the all the elements of beauracrats doing what they do best; talking too much, pointing fingers and farting around. The levee project has been a political hot potato over the past year, for no reason really. The original plan was clear; budget a couple a million a year until the project gets done. Well that wasn’t good enough for Munson or FEMA. But FEMA has since backed off, so it was apparent that the old plan could be reinstated, and it seemed like it would be, until Munson thought he would get the money from the Corps, well that has since fell through.
May I suggest the next time the FEDS promise you $11 million in funding you get it in writing. Just a clerical thought. And secondly, since Munson backed off on the original bond AND FEMA has said the business owners are no longer in a floodplain, what will be Munson’s justification to take out a $38 million dollar bond for a project that really isn’t that urgent anymore? Especially since he wants $20 million for monkey crappers at the zoo? And the city budget has skyrocketed to Half-Billion this year?
Seems like Dave is in a pickle.
And Ironic Johnny isn’t helping much;
Senator John Thune criticized President Obama for not including the Big Sioux Flood Control Project in the stimulus package. Thune says the lack of funding for the project shows that President Obama does not think the residents of Sioux Falls are a priority.
Uh, John, I thought you were against the stimulus package? Shouldn’t you be applauding that SF didn’t get the money for a project that can wait?
“I was really led to believe we were going to get some money,” Mayor Dave Munson said. “This is seriously one of the biggest disappointments I’ve had in my time as mayor.“
Why, because you look dumber then a doornail on how you handled the whole matter? I say stick to the original plan of doing a little each year until it’s done and move on already. Everyone from Herseth-Sandlins’ drycleaner to Dave Munson’s dentist look like boneheads on how this was managed.
“This is exactly the type of project that the Recovery Act was meant to fund,” Sen. Tim Johnson said. “The Big Sioux Flood Control project is ready to go right now and is desperately needed.”
Yes, Timmy, I’m sure those words are so sincere. And I am sure they have NOTHING to do with Dave doing all those TV commercials for you.
Politicians never dissapoint, just give them a viagra and a football.
Thune whines and complains about the government spending too much and about the stimulus package, but two days later he is whining that we didn’t get enough?
I don’t think “Ironic Johnny” is appropriate. It should be “hypocritical Johnny”.
As sad as it is, he isn’t even at risk of losing his next election. As long as he keeps that little “R” after his name, he is guaranteed support by everyone West of the Missouri and since he is from Sioux Falls he has a lock on the state’s largest voting block too.
Plus, he’s so dreamy.
I thought he was from Murdo.
Almost nobody is “from” Sioux Falls anymore.
You’re right – he is “from” Murdo, but lives in Sioux Falls, so for some reason that helps him when election time rolls around.
Maybe because people like the fact they might bump into him shooting hoops at the Y or something.
I think it is funny how all these politicians are blabbing about it, “We are dissapointed.” “Obama hates South Dakotans” blah, blah, blah. Go back to the original plan and throw a couple million at it each year until it is done. FEMA has pulled that area out of the floodplain, so move on already.
The levee project needs attention. However, wait for a new mayor and council configuration. Munson’s corrupt contractors would burn stimulus money and the city would realize little flood improvement security. Keep Dave lame to the end of his term so a new mayor will have fewer ‘Bush-like’ actions to correct.
Oh I agree we need it, but stick to the original plan.