June 2011

Ethics Jim Entenman SF City Council Sioux Falls

No surprise, Entenman found to have no conflict of interest

l3wis June 3, 2011 12Comments

I could have predicted this one by licking my finger and sticking it in the wind;

SIOUX FALLS, SD – Sioux Falls city council member Jim Entenman does not have a conflict of interest when it comes to building an events center near the current arena.

That ruling Thursday from the board of ethics for the city of Sioux Falls.

I felt all along that it would be hard to prove a ‘potential’ economic benefit to Entenman, such as an increase in property value. I also don’t think the Board of Ethics is qualified to make unbiased decisions. Look at the witch hunt on Staggers. Another reason I talk about qualifications is because of some pre-meeting chatter I heard between two of the members before their last meeting. One member told another that Rex Rolfing was seeking an opinion (he did not go into detail) then the other member said, “Is he a city employee?” And the other member said, “NO! He is a city Councilor.” Where the other replied, “I did not know that.” It worries me a bit that a board that has to give legal opinions to elected officials, doesn’t even know who those elected officials are.

Event Center Sioux Falls

Mysterious Poll

l3wis June 2, 2011 33Comments

I just got a tip that a California company has been surveying Sioux Falls residents about the performance of our mayor, city council and thoughts on an Events Center. I will update you when I have more details, but I am wondering if any South DaCola readers got the same call? And is this a city expenditure or a private expenditure? And if so, who is funding it?

Minnehaha County SF City Council

So let me get this straight . . .

l3wis June 2, 2011 5Comments

. . . the county wants the city to charge sales taxes at the fair then give that revenue to them? Huh?

Commissioners are proposing that the city begin charging sales tax at the fairgrounds and, in return, give them back about $50,000 a year.

Are our local politicians getting dumber by the day? Believe it or not Vernon ‘The Sweet Velvet Hammer’ Brown was the voice of reason;

Councilor Vernon Brown said he’s not opposed to the county’s suggestion but would like to know what kind of economic impact the fairgrounds has on the city. He added that the city already does some in-kind help for the fairgrounds and has improved some of its access roads.

Exactly. If you want $50,000 from us â€“ just ask. I’m not opposed to charging the sales tax, but we shouldn’t be giving it to the county. Like Vernon says, we do plenty with the roads around the fairgrounds.

Governor Moose Drool Palin