I love it when city officials trot out news like this, when they are either lying, in a state of denial or just trying to boondoggle us;
“The city of Sioux Falls, contrary to what some people may try to tell you, is very well situated from a financial standpoint,” Rowenhorst said.
We are in great financial shape yet our infrastructure (sewer, water and roads) are falling apart at the seams and we unconstitutionally force our residents to maintain city owned property (trees and sidewalks) and then turn around and cut public safety (SFPD). If we are in such great financial shape why are we struggling to keep up with the basics? If we are such great shape, PROVE IT! Spend the capital.
Make no mistake, all this grandstanding by the mayor about our financial shape is an attempt to take out a big fat loan for a new Events Center. Mark my words. And if Mike thinks he can slip in a funding source that is not approved by voters he will find out really quick how fast your popularity will go in the toilet.
i took a ride on my motorcycle last week on 41st street east of highway 11. a lovely mile stretch of 4 lane road with a boulevard, that leads to nothing but a cornfield and gravel roads. i would bet that there will be nothing built on that stretch of street for the next 50 years.
While their are many “favorites” in this debacle, my current favorite comes from the SD DENR who claim from one side of their mouths that a city of 150k can flush its raw sewage in the river having no affect. Yet still advocate no swimming or body contact with the river. The SD DENR is coming off “a little bit pregnant”, and irrelevant.
Using the SD DENR’s illogic, the taxpayers waste millions on waste water treatment plants. Sioux Falls could pay for its events center by stopping sewage treatment and firing sewage treatment workers. Sioux Falls could save more by not repairing the system. Since raw sewage presently causes no harm to the river, according to the SD DENR, the city could save millions not troubling to repair underground pipes but instead route the raw sewage through the street gutters. Of course this would play to the right wingnuts who demand to “get government out of our lives”.
Don’t tell your idea to too many people, it may catch on.
My family just throws our shit baggies in the river now.
You just started that recently? I have been pooping in my backyard for years.
Scott, go another 6 miles and you’ll be at the new Iowa Casino. It’s not in Sioux Falls but just outside city limits in Iowa. It will never be annexed. We can enjoy freedom from persecution with but a 6 minute trip east.
Huether filled the sunday Argus about the sewage thing. The Argus should report from the reader perspective and not the king. If we wanted to hear propaganda, we’d not block channel 16.
I’m pulling toilets and running hoses into the sewer 24/7. The best way to defeat the monarchy is resistance.
Row-your-horse reports city finances. He has no idea of forthcoming litigation and damages that will bankrupt the city.
Did huether say on Belfrage’s radio program that he doesn’t want to build the event center downtown? i think he said it last week
Did huether say on Belfrage’s radio program that he doesn’t want to build the event center downtown? i think he said it last week
The line that I got personally from mike is that “the old folks won’t go for it” so it won’t get done. Not that he doesn’t think it’s the best place, but that it’s unpopular with the bluehairs.
The Blue Hairs don’t want one at all.
Forget about an events center.
Huether is looking for an explanation without admiting mismanagement for city litigation.
Brandon & Canton will sue regarding sewage into the River. There’s 2 class action camera cases going into state court. There’s a case yet to be filed. The city has insurance but litigation and settlement will absorb any budget going toward an events center.
A businessman would mediate. A credit card thief hides behind senior citizens while denying and ignoring the real problem.
Lil’ Thurd will save us.
Scott (or anyone else on this blog who’s interested):
You’re exactly right on why Sioux Falls and just about every city and town in South Dakota is, or is soon to be, financially insolvent. In our current age of suburban development patterns, we’ve oversized our road infrastructure for sparser and sparser developments on the fringe of town that don’t generate enough tax revenue to pay for it. And now it’s catching up with us.
Check out http://www.strongtowns.org/. It’s good stuff.