South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

August 2017

Art Downtown Sioux Falls Sioux Falls

Do we need to change the Business Makeup of Downtown Sioux Falls to make it more tourist friendly?

l3wis 9Comments

I’ve been having a little fun on Facebook over this story about boutiques in DTSF. (Stormland TV deleted my FB comment, but it still remains on my FB page);

LOL. I Often joke with my fellow downtowners that I will soon be opening a women’s boutique DT that has clothing, cupcakes, craft beer bar and fudge shop. Yes, there are too many women’s boutiques DT. More bars and restaurants and entertainment options, your dress shops are wasting valuable space DT, go away.

To tell you the truth, I could care less how many women’s clothing stores are DT. But I also feel that the makeup of DT needs to be tweaked going forward. I like to use Fort Collins, CO as a great example of an amazing DT area. I have visited twice over the past 6 years. I love it. It is very comparable to Sioux Falls because of population and a midwestern feel. While the footprint is bigger, the parking situation, walkability and structures are very similar.

What makes their DT flourish, I believe, is the high concentration of eateries, art galleries and misc, interesting retail.

Fort Collins Downtown Business Members (Breakdown)

Restaurants, Bars, Delis, etc. – 61

Variety, Giftshops, Retail, Jewelry, etc. – 52

Art Galleries – Private & Non Profit – 22

Banks, Real Estate, Law, Insurance, etc. – 30

Medical Clinics, etc. – 13

Business Services, Spas, Etc. – 37

Clothing Stores – 13

Lodging – 2

Funeral Home – 1

Auto Repair and Dealerships – 3

Government related – 12

Churches – 2

(Not on the membership list is dozens of marijuana shops)

Besides the fact they are a brewery haven, have a large college and they have FREE pedicabs, they embrace what brings people DT, especially tourists; unique shops, great food and drink and art galleries. Do you know how many art galleries are DTSF? Approximately four, if you include 8th and Railroad. One of them is the Pavilion, which charges an admission even though it gets government subsidies. One of the stupidest things was for the Pavilion to start charging admission to the VAC.

DTSF needs to start researching and implementing the Ft. Collins model, or we can keep opening dress and cupcake shops.

SF School District Sioux Falls

‘We may never spend the entire $50 Million opt-out.’ – Sioux Falls School District

l3wis 2Comments

Well that didn’t take the school district much time. They pass a $50 million dollar opt-out, give Morrison a golden parachute and now this;

On Wednesday, he unveiled an 11-month timeline for assessing building needs at all grade levels.

The plan culminates next July, where school board members are expected to ultimately determine the scope of the project Maher is calling a “master facilities plan.”

It’s a plan that, in any form, will likely involve redrawing school boundaries and leaning on taxpayers.

“Do we run another bond issue?” Maher asked board members. “I think ultimately we’re going to have to.”

So not only are they busy spending the opt-out, they are planning another bond issue. It seems every government entity in Sioux Falls is making that sucking sound lately.

Want to save millions in public education funding in Sioux Falls? I’ll save you $118K a year in consulting fees; Give out FREE birth control.

 

Elections SF City Council Sioux Falls

Should the council pass an ordinance to limit influence after the next election?

l3wis 2Comments

I am a fan of term limits, especially when elected bodies like county commissions, city councils or legislatures overlap with officials.

I like the idea of a fresh perspective melding with the current officials to bring new ideas and new eyes to government. This is why I am not a fan of holdovers in unelected positions after these officials have served their terms.

We have seen it in Sioux Falls with several city councilors sitting on public boards after they leave office. Sue Aguliar and De Knudson have both served terms on the Charter Revision Commission after their stints on the city council. Also, Darrin Smith worked for the Huether administration after QUITTING his council term.

I think these cozy appointments hurt progress and promote the status quo.

I would encourage the current Sioux Falls city council to explore an ordinance that would limit these influences.

Many have been concerned if Mayor Huether doesn’t run for higher office he may serve the next mayor in another capacity (especially if Entenman wins the mayoral race).

The ordinance could be simple and include;

No mayor or city councilor can serve on city public boards, work for the city either as a paid or volunteer employee, have a contract personally or work for a business that provides services, consulting or assisting the city in any way for a period of two years after their elected term has ended. This ordinance would NOT apply to private non-profit boards, charities or private businesses that do not do work for the city.

I think this may help the city to progress and look at new ways to move forward instead of relying on what has been done in the past.

I think some may say, “But what if certain things worked well with a past administration, shouldn’t we continue those processes?” Most definately, this ordinance in NO WAY would limit continuing policies of past, just those who implemented them. It would give newly elected councilors and the mayor to have a fresh start without the influence of the past, whether that was good or bad.

Bob Jamison Sioux Falls

R.I.P. Bob Jamison

l3wis 1Comments

Sorry to hear this;

Bob Jamison, a retired fighter pilot and longtime member of the Sioux Falls City Council, died suddenly Wednesday. He was 86.

But it was his longtime service in city government that earned him the nickname “Mr. Sioux Falls.” Jamison served as a public utilities commissioner in the 1980s and 1990s, and then served more than a dozen years on the Sioux Falls City Council. He retired from the council in 2008 following an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2006.

Bob and I often sparred when he was on the city council. But I remember one of the last times I talked to him we were at a neighborhood coffee with Greg at a Fire Station and we had a great conversation about building an indoor pool in association with the school district, he told me he thought it was a good idea.

Elections Mayor High Crimes Mayor Hubris Mayor Subprime Mike Huether Mike Huether

DaCola Prediction; Huether will NOT run for higher office, yet

l3wis 10Comments

I have been saying if MMM doesn’t make an announcement by this week, he probably won’t run for higher office (governor).

I am NOT basing my prediction on any chatter I have heard. In fact I have heard NOTHING. I just think when it comes to campaign finances and organization he is really behind the 8-Ball at this point.

I also think he wants to help with the transition of a new mayor in Sioux Falls and hopes his candidate Entenman wins.

I’m not saying Huether will never run for anything again, but may sit it out for two years. I also think there is a lot of things he wants to get done before he leaves office in 9 months, and running a governor campaign could get in the way of those plans. Expect Mike to be hammering the legacy hammer hard until he leaves.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

You Missed

Elections SF City Council Sioux Falls

Update II: The Sioux Falls City Council meeting tonight was truly disgusting. I felt like throwing up afterwards.

David Barranco Elections Rex Rolfing SF City Council Sioux Falls

Will the Sioux Falls City Council amend the Rex Rolfing Rule?

Mayor TenHaken Sioux Falls

Poopy Reflections

Paratransit Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Transit

This is F’ing Priceless!