February 2014

More TAXPAYER funded campaign materials for Huether

IMG_0318 I got this extra special insert in my water bill yesterday. I guess they couldn’t give these tours AFTER the municipal election. My question is, are these inserts and tours being paid for out of the city’s general fund or from the EC bonds? Either way, doesn’t matter, still our money. Ironically, this will be the only time you will be able to walk through the EC’s doors without buying a ticket. Get the (partially) FREE gettin’ while it is good.

Three possibly new council candidates

I got word today that three possible council candidates picked up nominating petitions.

Rick Kiley

Rick Kiley for the SE District (Challenging Bonita Schwan)

I would assume he is a Huether recruit after reading his resume:

He currently sits on the Falls Community Health Board and is currently the director of the South Dakota Motor-cycle Rider Education Program, with numerous years of experience in driver education and safety. Mr. Kiley also brings a distinct perspective to the board gathered from his roles with the South Dakota Roadway Safety Committee and the South Dakota Impaired Driving Task Force. Traffic safety has played a major role in his life and career, and Mr. Kiley wishes to continue to serve the community through his role on the CAC.

He also sits on the Citizens Advisory Committee.

Curtis Rust for the Central District (Challenging Michelle Erpenbach)

Curtis is a former city councilor (2004?) And has a ‘reputation‘ in Siouxer City.

Rebecca Dunn for the Central District (Challenging Michelle Erpenbach)

This candidate excites me the most. Rebecca is the former minority leader of the Democratic Party in the State Legislature. Read all about her, a great challenger to ‘Special Interests’ Erpenbach.

Staggers suggests the Pavilion’s proposed new gift shop be a card table

card-table

Not only was Kermit’s suggestion snarky (FF: 11:00), you could tell he was pretty much fed up with the money bleeding going on at the Pavilion. Anderson and Staggers both voted against the Pavilion’s new gift shop.

The plan is for the Pavilion to build a Northside gift shop to sell more art related items, not a bad idea in itself, except, the Pavilion already has a gift shop (that they have made smaller) on the Southside. It sells stuff like plastic dinosaurs and magnetic rocks. They also have a nice gift shop area in the reception of the Visual Arts Center. I guess I would be all for an expanded gift shop at the VAC, if the VAC stopped charging admission to get in there dirty galleries and miss hung giclee print exhibits, and if the Pavilion actually focused on making money instead having inter-office shananigans.

Larry Toll (1/2 CEO of the Pavilion) said that the problem is people can’t find the VAC because the escalators were never put in. Well jinkies, Larry, after 14 years, you would think you would get around to it instead putting bandaids on the problem (I think the city budgeted for the escalator installation in 2015).

Personally, I think it is time to end the contract with the WP’s management company and find a new contractor. And just so we can hold someone accountable for the several financial mis-steps that have been happening over the past 14 years, I suggest a FULL forensic and financial audit of the place before we hand them their pinkslips. Remember the finance and operations director have been there since day one . . . Hmm.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”Albert Einstein

The first SF Mayoral Forum

These are the TWEETS from Atyeo’s coverage of the first Mayoral Forum;

J.L. Atyeo @ArgusAtyeo

Jamison said City Hall is not listening to the people on pool, Walmart issues.

Jamison says he’ll bridge the gap between the mayor and the council.

Jamison talks about the difference in his management style: The perspective that I have from the city council is very unique.

Jamison says the city must address crime: It’s not the ‘rah, rah, rah, we’re building a new events center’ part. It’s serious stuff.

Jamison responds: The main thrust for me running is I think we can do better.

First questions for Jamison: Are we going to take a nonpartisan election and turn it into a Republican, Democrat fiasco?

Jamison: Addressing crime will help protect the value of homes.

Jamison wants to put the people first, not the politicians, he says.

Jamison says he doesn’t agree with all of city’s decisions, and it’s time to challenge those.

Jamison: With 3,000 people coming to Sioux Falls each year, they need a place to live.

Jamison introduces his family of realtors: “I’ve got a vested interest in the realtors in this city.”

HUETHER

Huether’s address lasted 20 minutes. Jamison takes the floor.

Huether responds that investments show how important the community is to him.

First question for Mayor Huether: How do personal land investments affect decision-making process as mayor?

Huether: “We’ve got folks building again … and guess what real estate community, we’ve got folks buying again.”

Huether: “You know how business was four years ago. We’ve instilled confidence … and we’ve got it going on right now.”

Huether calls indoor pool a major project for improving quality of life in Sioux Falls.

Huether: “At what point in time are we going to come together as a community and actually build an indoor (aquatic) facility?”

Huether: The environment was perfect for us to build this events center now.

Huether: Downtown rail yard land will be ripe for development.

Huether: Northwest Sioux Falls will be hot spot for construction. “If you don’t have a presence there, you better get one.”

Huether: Real estate community should be excited about Highway 100 partnership with the state.

Huether: Staying ahead of growth means investing in many different things, including roads.

The rally cry is changing, Huether says. Now it’s about workforce development.

Mayor Huether begins his talk with growth and development, highlighting job creation across all sectors.

Mayoral candidates will each get 10 minutes to address the crowd, then they will take questions. Talks should start about noon.