I don’t support the F-35 project, not because I don’t want our air base to do well, it’s because the old F-16’s we currently have already fly circles around the Lemon the US military has been ‘developing’ called the F-35. Many military experts have contended that they pretty much tried to pack 2 pounds of sh*t into a 1 pound bag while developing the F-35. They want it to dogfight, be a harrier and drop big bombs. It can’t do all three. Don’t believe me, google the project and read all the pros and cons, not to mention it is a gigantic waste of money.
Either way, speaking of wasting taxpayer money, RolfingĂ‚Â recently told the press that spending $72K on a special election for an administration building is a waste, I agree. Where we don’t agree is that he thinks flying to DC to hand deliver a letter (from our prestigious mayor) to our Washington delegation (who already support the F-35 coming to Sioux Falls) is a great expenditure of tax payer money. Apparently Rex and Mike have never heard of the US Postal service, a FAX machine or an email;
Mayor Huether sent a letter to Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds and Congresswoman Kristi Noem, that highlighted the history of 114th Fighter Wing and pledges Sioux Falls’ unwavering support to ensure the city is a selected basing site for the F-35.
Sioux Falls City Council chair Rex Rolfing and Community Development Director Daren Ketchum hand-delivered the letters to Thune, Rounds and Noem.
When you refer to a government trip as a ‘junket’ it usually means it is an unneeded trip. I wonder if he also attended any music award shows while in DC?
Whether you support the F-35 (you shouldn’t) or not, there is absolutely NO reason we needed to send our Council Chair and Community Development Director to hand deliver letters. The next time Huether or Rolfing want to spout off about being prudent and saving tax dollars, I will gladly point to this ludicrous trip (and that worthless Tennis Center).
What was wrong in hand delivering said letter of support to each while they were right here in the good old state of SD? I would have thought that sometime during their August recess (vacation) they could have been available.
Or perhaps Mayor “Mark” could have issued one of his proclamations? A bit less expensive than a junket to Washington DC.
Rolfing doesn’t impress me. He showing up could prevent the F-35. Ho Hum, I’d rather read a dictionary. I wonder how many people in DC he demanded remove their hats. What if Huether sent him so he wouldn’t be around to change his mind about the Admin Castle?
What a waste.
Why have we not heard a thing about this from our local media?
Given the controversy surrounding locating the F-35 in other communities across the US, it’s surprising the AL has not done an investigative report on this.
Does Sioux Falls really want this or is it just those who see dollar signs in their eyes?
I linked the KSFY story. But you are right, there was no mention in the story that we flew them to DC, I had to get that from a city official. I think by bringing Daren along, there was a secondary reason they took this trip, maybe to get more federal $$$ for development or affordable housing. Who knows.
Two weeks ago, I watched with my own eyes, an Allegiant Air flight trying to land at Joe Foss Field turn around at literally “the last minute” to allow a local hot air balloon to drift across the runway. The Balloon said Ronning Companies on it. Are the F-35’s gonna be willing to put up with the same?
Burlington Vermont is the first city selected to have an airwing of F35’s in it’s Airguard. It has already been the subject of ongoing court cases involving “acceptable” noise levels. Do not be tricked into believing this aircraft is not much louder thsn a f16 as rex golfing suggests. There is a huge difference. Burling Vermont has a Gannett newspaper just like SF. Go to that paper, use their search engine, and explore the many concerns Burlington had with the F 35. That’s just the noise aspect. Never mind that it is a 1.5 TRILLION dollar boondoggle that does absolutely nothing as well as the current group of planes on duty. It cannot manuver. It cannot fly if there is even the remotest possibility of a thunderstorm.
So Rex goes to DC with the blessings of a city 100% behind the basing? Where has the citizenry been incolved in this process? Had an environmental impact study been done? Rex took that letter to DC based on comments made by one individual, a retired brigadier general from the SDANG. Talk about taking advise from the wolf on how to safeguard a chickencoop.
And the mayor on this subject. His tennis palace and anything remotely close to approach and landings at the airbase will have huge property value hits after an environmental impact study is complete.
Just my opinion, but I think SF stands little to no chance of being considered, based on existing weather conditions, and proximity to places where this dodo bird can play its wargames.
Im sure they toured the Smithsonian and monuments. There’s 5 star restaurants in Georgetown. I’m envious. If there’s expensive vacations while also being paid as a councilor or director, where do I apply? How about send all city employees with another 25 million bond sale?
More info here.
http://www.stopthef35.com
#8 Warren:
Burlington VT is Bernie Sanders. With democrats in power, F35 was bound to happen. Sioux Falls sent Curly, Larry, but no Moe. Moe was the director. Should have also sent Cooper. LOL ‘Doe Doe Bird’. In case some don’t know, it’s a South Pacific goose-like bird that can’t fly and anybody can catch if they don’t stumble over them first.
If the Feds want to exhaust major money on a ‘Doe Doe Bird’, we’ll send our rodeo clowns to entertain you while you’re signing the commitment.
Wake Up Sioux Falls Residents.
This is a Quality of Life Issue.
And, I’m not talking about indoor swimming pools, indoor ice rinks, indoor tennis courts, and Jr. football fields…..
It was very presumptuous of our esteemed mayor to send Council Chair Rex Rolfing and Community Development Director (WHY?) Daren Ketchum to hand-deliver a letter of endorsement to the SD congressional delegation.
Did I miss something here?
Have Noem, Rounds and Thune been here to get public input on the F-35?
Has the City of Sioux Falls held public input sessions?
Take a look at the battle that Burlington, Vermont is waging over this issue…..
This is not just about a 90m economic impact to SF, it is also about the Negative Impacts it will have on our community.
So, when are we going to start hearing from our local media about the possible impacts of locating the F-35 in our community…..there must be a reason why they are mute on the subject ?
Huether, Noem, Rounds and Thune…..let’s send the message to the USAF that Sioux Falls ENDORSES the F-35 Before any Public Input has even been taken…..great idea!
There was no stopping Huether country club projects. We have no voice about the F-35. The Feds will pick here because this runway is long enough and there’s lots of cornfields to emergency land in.
Before. I comment about the F35 dodo bird, I have to comment on something else that troubles me. Meth arrests have tripled in SD just since 2011. Funding for drug prevention programs like Prairie View Prevention Services have been cut by the city. Cost? $103,000. Gone. Not enough money in the piggy bank. Yet, somehow this city has piggy bank money to send two yes men to Washington to weigh in on a program that in the near future will have a flatline pulse. How much did this junket cost? Airline tickets, (first class I’m sure), how many nights in a DC 5 star hotel, how much for entertainment and meal stipends? This kind of s$&@ sickens me, especially in light of the fact there was absolutely no truth to the hand delivered letter saying the city, WE THE PEOPLE, support this waste of federal tax dollars.
Now, on to the dodo bird. rex golfing recently said F16’s were being phased out. Not true. Still being built. Why? Because those truly in the know, know the f35 is a failure.
The dodo bird can’t turn, can’t climb, can’t run as well as an F16. Proven and documented fact. This city just got the F16C, block 40 aircraft a few years ago. It replaced the F16’s that had been here for 20 years. This new F16 has a shelf life of 30 years. Good planes til at least 2040. The cost of an F16 is 35 million. The cost of one dodo bird is 160 million, when including research and development, which has been going on for over twenty years, this soon to be extinct bird costs 190 million….PER BIRD.
Good read, if you have time, which rex obviously does not have.
http://www.pogo.org/straus/issues/weapons/2016/f-35-may-never-be-ready-for-combat.html