My new favorite pin
l3wis 
November 2010
The Sioux Empire Arts Council is now the Sioux Falls Arts Council
From a local arts advocate;
I attended the State Arts Conference this past fall. Anyhow, SEAC has been renamed the Sioux Falls Arts Council and will be an arts advocacy-only organization, based out the Washington Pavilion, and will not have any gallery at the WP. It will be used to promote the WP (and others too) and will become the voice of the arts.
Who will the Pavilion gobble up next? Maybe the city council should move their offices over there too?
Here is a video of ‘Take the Day’ that happened on Saturday.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrOxc0cTpMs[/youtube]
BUILD IT EVERYWHERE Facebook founder has an ‘interesting’ profile
There’s a lot of debate in Sioux Falls about whether or not we should build an Events Center. This group was created to demonstrate a number of citizens who support the notion of “Build It Everywhere.” An investment by the city, if we are to spend the money, on multiple sets of community improvement initiatives. Improved soccer fields, enahnced baseball & softball, better indoor swimming, expansion of the bike trail system, continued improvement of the Arena. The list can go on and on. We have formed this group as an alternative to others that exist so we may demonstrate our desire to have an honest discussion about money spent, return on investment and burden on the taxpayers of Sioux Falls.
They are right, the city should be investing more in the infrastructure, but I kinda question it’s founder’s intentions;
Pinnacle Hospitality, Inc.
Pinnacle Hospitality operates three properies in Sioux Falls. Foleys, Callaway’s and tre. We employ approximately 150 people in our locations and specialize in great food, wonderful facilities and service consumers deserve
Last I checked none of those properties are downtown. I’m not saying Randy doesn’t have investments downtown, but he certainly doesn’t own restaurants in the downtown region. Makes you go hmmmmmm. So did he create this group because he is concerned about the infrastructure and spending of the city (which he ironically benefits from – Prairie Green Golf course) or has he put up this group to combat BID?
Love to hear the answer to that question.
The room tax will be voted on tonight at the SF city council meeting
With very little discussion, the city council will vote to increase the room tax by two dollars tonight. While I am not opposed to a room tax, if it was going to benefit the citizens of our city, BUT it is clear what the objective is;
INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
| 12. | 2nd Reading:Â AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, AMENDING THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY BY ADDING ARTICLE XII TO CHAPTER 39, ESTABLISHING THE SIOUX FALLS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. |
It’s soul purpose is to give tax dollars (fees) to a private entity that markets Sioux Falls. My contention all along is that hotels should start their own marketing group to market themselves to visitors. This will set a precedent that will have other private entities with their hands out very soon.
I hope opponents voice their opinion tonight at the meeting.
Is the SD Democratic party obsolete? Not so fast. Take a little advice from Papa Detroit
I detected a little snarkinest in this editorial by the Argus Endorser’s political reporter Ellis, and rightfully so;
I had the pleasure of talking about the election with a group of Democrats last week. No, seriously. It was a pleasure. Even when I was getting yelled at.
I knew, going into it, that it was going to be a tough crowd. Who can blame them for being upset, right? I tried to break the ice with a little quip, saying that if everything goes bad in Pierre during the next two years, at least they won’t be the ones to blame.
It didn’t go over well, but it’s true. For the next two years, they’re renting six of 35 seats in the Senate and 19 of 70 in the House. That’s less than 25 percent of the Legislature.
Really? Why be upset about that? If I was a Democrat in Pierre, it would be party time! I know many people have been hard on Representative Frank Kloucek in the past for proposing everything but the kitchen sink. But why not? You are the SUPER-MINORITY party. You should constantly be a thorn in the side of the neo-con idiots who run our state. What do you have to lose? Not a GODDAM THING!
Am I being harsh? Nope. Let’s look at the facts;
• Republicans have been in charge for almost 30 years in SD
What has it yielded?
• Underfunding of education
• A regressive retail tax on goods and food
• A boondoggle called video lottery which has made a few rich and has costed taxpayer’s socially
• Little worker rights and low wages
• A gigantic gap between the rich and poor (South Dakota has one of the highest number of millionaires per capita in the nation)
• (faux) Theocratic beliefs overlapping Democratic beliefs.
• Some of the most restrictive reproductive rights in the nation
I could probably go on forever. But what I want to know is how are SD voters hoodwinked, over and over again? I ate kraut and sausage with the best of them, it didn’t make me thick (just in the wasteline). I encourage all South Dakota voters to look in the mirror, and ask the simple question; Are you better off then you were 10 years ago? 20 years ago? or 30 years ago? I think we know the answer to that question.
Then why do you keep voting Republican? You are not going to loosen a bolt by continuing to turn it right. You are only going to strip it or break it, and that is what the SD GOP has done to us, stripped us, then broke us, yet we still lick their boots. Disgusting.