I guess the mayor got to his pals Cory and Stu to help with his propaganda campaign to kill this legislation. Rumor is MMM is gearing up a campaign to convince councilors to NOT support this legislation. Not sure what story he is concocting, but he’s got a little time, 1st reading isn’t until August 1st;

City councilor Theresa Stehly is making a push for more geographic diversity, claiming that adequate representation from all areas of the city is lacking on the seven-member volunteer board, with more than half its members residing in southeastern Sioux Falls.

She has put forth a proposal to establish legislative districts for parks board members with designated seats for areas of the city, including two at-large spots, starting in 2024.

Though Stehly’s dedication to this issue is appreciated, we do not support her proposal.

Councilor Stehly who helped craft this legislation weighs in on FB in response to the editorial;

We crafted this ordinance in a very respectful manner to allow the current Park board members the opportunity to serve out their full ten year terms. This ordinance is implementing guidelines for future representation for all citizens in our growing community. Just as we have district representatives on the council, this would allow a seat at the table for all areas of Sioux Falls on this board.

Our mayor stated at a recent council meeting that this is a very popular board. We can do some intense advertising when a position becomes available in each district to ensure a good pool of candidates.

As we grow in diversity, population and geography, more representation is a good thing for out citizens. It makes sense to me, and I am grateful that we will be able to have a discussion about it. I encourage people living in Sioux Falls to weigh in on it.

As Stehly points out, she has been very careful not to boot anyone off the current board or to even say that the current members are unqualified, this proposed legislation is actually very, very simple, it is just asking that future board members have district representation. Of course the ED board looks at this as some conspiracy to get unqualified people on the board;

Though geographical diversity is crucial to the makeup of the city council, which handles a wide range of governance, such stipulations are impractical and potentially detrimental when it comes to filling volunteer boards.

Such a system would limit the pool of qualified candidates. There’s no guarantee that someone from a designated area possesses the time, interest and ability to serve as an effective board member.

LIMIT candidates? I can’t believe the ED board of the city’s only daily paper would make such a ridiculous and uneducated statement. First off, the current system allows the mayor to LIMIT the candidates by picking most of them from the same part of town. On top of that, what qualifies a wife of the biggest developer in town or the wife of a well-known attorney to be on this board? If anything I wouldn’t look at these as qualifications but potential conflicts of interest. What’s stopping the developer’s wife from gunning for more parks and upgrades to properties surrounding her husbands projects?

As I have said, this is a no-brainer and makes sense. It is also a fair system that guarantees more equality in our parks system. On top of that, NO current parks board members are losing their volunteer positions unless they want to resign on their own fruition.

Come on Argus! Get a grip. Next time, just say it, “We are opposed to this legislation because it was Stehly’s idea.”

10 Thoughts on “Argus Leader ED Board FLAT OUT WRONG about Parks Board Districting

  1. The D@ily Spin on July 8, 2017 at 5:25 pm said:

    You can’t fight Kim Jong Huether. For example, you’ll be jailed if you have something to say about inferior Denny Dome siding.

  2. I found the article a bit bizarre. Why wade in this water other than to give Stehly a new black eye. The entire piece comes off as written by the posh in the salon.

    Yes Buffy, only us in the well to do group should make decisions about style and design in the public places.

  3. Michele on July 8, 2017 at 6:31 pm said:

    Having ppl, from all areas of Sioux Falls, on the Parks Board makes sense, cld even be close to common sense. The AL and other council members may not like Stehly, but the people do! Keep on keeping on Theresa.

  4. Ordinary Reader on July 8, 2017 at 6:48 pm said:

    Lots of cozy, cozy going on between the editorial board and the “elite, more intelligent, well to do country clubbers”. Kearney uses his membership at the CClub to feather his nest and bring rubber stamps forth to apply for the Parks Board positions.

    If Stu could only grasp the thought that his sarcastic opinions and reporting on issues other than sports repulses many readers. Personally, I never read his drivel.

    The public is behind, Theresa. The Argus editorial board is simply behind…….sad!! Time for them to get their act together!

  5. LJL, it’s looked like only the golf course set have been the only individuals who understand straight-line concrete sidewalks bordered by over chemicaled green grass are needed to make decisions for all of us. We should not have variety of designs or historical unless certain design companies say it is alright to do it.

    A group fought the Terrace Park destruction in 2016 because it is one of the few places on town where the park actually fits the neighborhood. Yes it does need repairs but this is only because the usual city policy of ignore, neglect then destroy had been put into effect several years ago so contractors could slap down concrete to make everything new again.

    Why should the plastic and fake generic look be in every park? Why can’t the neighbors maintain their traditions and perennial flower beds? Why shouldn’t a historical design be preserved for future generations?

    The reason these parks are being gentrified to a golf course look is because the majority of the policy board feels they must do what staff tells them. It’s another collegiality board. Don’t broadcast us, don’t take pictures of us, don’t ask us questions just let us go to the pretty lunches for doing what we are told to do.

    Why shouldn’t people from every part of Sioux Falls be allowed to be part of the Park & Recreation Board? What makes the style tastes of one part of town dictate the rest?

  6. Attendee on July 9, 2017 at 1:31 pm said:

    I attended Park Board meetings for seven years (rarely missed a meeting!).

    There is a lot of ‘group think’ in these meetings. In fact, if you think City Council meetings are NOT transparent, try attending a Park Board meeting sometime.

    I live in a blue-collar neighborhood comprised of starter homes. Depending on citizens’ economic status, they often times do think differently about life.

    There needs to be more diversity on the Park Board and Councilor Stehly’s proposal would be a step in the right direction.

  7. The D@ily Spin on July 9, 2017 at 7:19 pm said:

    Sioux Falls plutocracy. Park board members are from the upscale side of town to be sure spending goes into their area. Same goes for the school board. Money gets spent on rich kid schools while poor kids lack lunch money. Huether built Denny Dome, an indoor spa, and Wimbledon for the rich. It’s no surprise newcomers and the poor locate in surrounding cities. Police didn’t get a raise because they must be kept where they respect the wealthy. Comes a time when it’s not safe for the rich to live here. We don’t vote because we know elections are rigged. Joe the plumber looks forward to when he can sell his home in the slum and move to Tea. Rich aren’t welcomed there and there’s DEMOCRACY instead of Strong Mayor Oligarchy. It’s our OPT OUT and VETO.

  8. The D@ily Spin on July 9, 2017 at 7:30 pm said:

    I respect Stehly. She believes people can’t be so greedy and cruel. She fights the ‘Thousand Dollar Suits’ at city hall but they’ll eventually win. She’s tough and resolute. We’ll have to load her up into the van kicking and screaming when we leave Detroit and move to a safer suburb where there’s liberty and justice for all.

  9. l3wis on July 10, 2017 at 4:48 pm said:

    I see they are still beating the drum that this will limit finding good candidates for the board. LOL.

    http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/city/2017/07/10/mayor-huether-signals-showdown-over-stehlys-parks-proposal/465327001/

    We are not a town of 500 people, we have almost 180K in Sioux Falls, if we can’t find 7 members for the parks board in specific districts we have bigger problems at city hall.

  10. Reliable Voter on July 10, 2017 at 7:12 pm said:

    Re: Argus story Monday about Kiley meeting with Huether to organize against park board districts.

    This strikes me as old-timey and reinforces the appearance that most councilors have exceeded their freshness date. A “well this is the way we’ve always done it – if it was good enough for the three man commission….”. And I bet I could guess what part of town they are concerned doesn’t have qualified applicants for the board.

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