As South DaCola reported last week, the Sioux Falls city council is considering a resolution that would designate our city in general distress so we can get a $2 million dollar discount. While I think it is real swell the Feds want to give us some of OUR money back I still think it is a load of crap that we are paying for the levy bonds to begin with. The FEDS created the floodplain and the FEDS own the floodplain, so who should be pay for fixing the problem? THE FEDS! I really think we put ourselves in a bad position by giving into the feds and agreeing to pay for their project. Our local tax dollars should be used on community infrastructure not on federal infrastructure. We pay federal income taxes for that stuff. Now we are agreeing to be considered a ‘recovery zone’. How will corporations considering moving here look at that designation? I guess time will only tell.
Now to the article. I’ll have to give props to Ellis on this article, he wrote what I was thinking;
For months, Sioux Falls officials have talked about how the economy here is better than in most other cities across the country.
They acknowledge that sales tax revenues are down, but officials point out that they have ample reserves to meet the city’s obligations. And while building permits haven’t matched the boom days of 2006 and 2007, officials are quick to point out that building activity here is more robust than in similar cities.
Can you say ‘Hypocrisy’?
And bravo to councilor Staggers for using the ‘L’ word when it comes to this hypocrisy;
City Councilor Kermit Staggers calls the resolution “a lie.”
“Our situation in Sioux Falls is not the best, but it’s certainly not how it’s described in this resolution,” Staggers said. “I’m concerned about the veracity of this.”
I think this video says it all;
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4cO9GkWPTo[/youtube]
This mayor waffles either way depending upon what stance gets more money into corrupt contractors pockets. It’s important to close the purse so that there will be something later to recover from his mess. One thing that’s always been true about South Dakota is that a slump reaches here last and lasts twice as long. It’s important this stimulus goes to communities who need it. Their new business activity will be what brings this area out from a later severe downturn.
Let’s take a peek at a couple of your recent comments on the Economy of SF, L3wis;
“Slowed down?! Pat, it has come to a screeching halt, wakeup.”
“I personally think we are distressed,”
Looks like Kermit is calling you a liar as well. Why support a guy who kicks you when you’re down?
How am I a liar? I still think it is distressed. My point is clear, our leaders are being hypocrites. When they want Flamingo barns they say that SF is in fine financial shape when they want rebates from the feds they say we are not.
“The FEDS created the floodplain and the FEDS own the floodplain, so who should be pay for fixing the problem?”
Nah, not so fast; the sheeple moved into the floodplain. The developers developed in the floodplain, the banksters lent for development in the floodplain, the local politicians zoned for development in the floodplain – and lastly the sheeple moved into the flood plain. The sheeple were foolish enough – they, and they alone should have the self-reliance to pay for their foolishness. Stop wasting tax money by socializing repetitive, bad behavior – no tax money should ever go for floodplain relief. Use private insurance or, dah, develop outside the floodplain.
L3wis:
“How am I a liar?”
Staggers is saying anyone who calls our Economic situation distressed is lying…that’d be Costello, Munson & you.
BTW, I agree with Kermit, we aren’t distressed…yet.
Distressed, maybe not. Per the media, the council believes accepting a federal loan assist would require a lie. There are other cities in dire need who better qualify. However, Sioux Falls should brace for a deep long economic drag. Borrowing, taxing, and spending are not good practices knowing what to expect.
Sy-
You kinda have to read between the lines with Kermit. I think what he means is that the city finances themself are not distressed, but the people and businesses are. And that is my opinion to. They are making it sound like the city is strapped for cash, hardly.