Happy 5th of July!
l3wis Like Valentine’s Day and Christmas I won’t be suckered into celebrating a holiday that the Chinese made famous.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aP_0yfA8xY&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
July 2010
Just what we need at City Hall, more beauracrats – not!
While I’m not a fan of the AL ed board, they do get it right on occasion;
City Council doesn’t need another committee to oversee its contracts with private firms
It’s hard to see how hiring a compliance officer or creating an oversight committee to monitor the city’s contracts with private companies will improve management of those agreements.
It’s no secret that ‘certain’ contracts were handed to ‘certain’ contractors under Munson’s administration. This was apparent with the Pavilion window’s bid that came way under then originally budgeted when a contractor that doesn’t normally do city work put a bid in. The city was obviously letting certain contractors to bilk taxpayers for a long time. But believe it or not, I actually trust Mike won’t pull those kind of favors. If the rules are followed there is no reason to be too concerned that contracts are not being honored honestly and economically.
Code Enforcement gear up – but what about that pesky 5th Amendment?
While I agree with Mayor Huether that we do need code enforcement and should require people to cleanup dangerous properties (public safety and health issues) I advise him to read the 5th Amendment of the US Â Constitution before he starts saying stuff like this;
“If you have a business and it’s dangerous to the people of Sioux Falls, we’re going to ask you to take care of it, and if you don’t, we’ll take care of it and send you the bill,” said Huether.
City officials aren’t just focusing on commercial property. They say they want homeowners to do their part too.
“Folks, if you’re a neighbor who’s not going to take care of their yard, their sidewalks or have a junky car sitting in front of their house, you’re not going to like me as your mayor,” said Huether.
First off, as it sits now, the city has NO authority to cleanup any private property and send people the bill, until you dismantle the ‘administrative appeals’ process which has been found to be unconstitutional. And as for sidewalks adjacent to the boulevard, the city owns them so that is your responsibility. So cleanup, fix and invoice away, without due process a citizen doesn’t owe the city a penny for the work.
Bill Dougherty – RIP
(Image: Lara Neel/Argus Leader)
Bill passed away today. He is probably enjoying a drink with Hunter S. Thompson and JFK somewhere in the afterlife and talking about the good old days. I first met Bill at a Howard Dean Meetup and have had several great conversations with him over the past few years. He will be missed.
William Dougherty, a former lieutenant governor, a long-time lobbyist and a legendary figure in South Dakota politics for decades, died today after a long battle with cancer. He was 78.
Mayor Mike’s short term achievements
In the short time Mike has been in office, he has accomplished quite a bit. These are some things I will applaud him on;
• Ramped up street repair
• Appointed a new city attorney
• Improved communication with citizens
Here are some things I would like to see him take on;
• Dismantle code enforcement’s current structure, fix it to include due process and fire anyone who has drug their feet on not making it better
• Trim some fat at the top. Layoff any middle management in the city that is unneeded and require department heads to earn their pay and do their job
• Spend less time talking and going to meetings and more time implementing policy. Not only will you accomplish more, you might even earn yourself some much needed free time.