UPDATE: Well, I was half right, he is younger. As for the military experience, I’m not sure how this serves us as a municipality.
Mayor Paul TenHaken is pleased to announce the appointment of Stacy Kooistra as City Attorney for the City of Sioux Falls.
A native of Rock Valley, Iowa, Kooistra graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, earned a Master of Science degree in International Relations (MSIR) from Troy University, and obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota. He is currently a partner at Myers Billion Law Firm in Sioux Falls. Since 1996, Kooistra has honorably served his country as a member of the armed forces including the U.S. Army and South Dakota Army National Guard. In 2007, Lt Col Kooistra began his service as a Judge Advocate General Officer for the 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota Air National Guard based in Sioux Falls, where he currently serves as the 114th Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate. Kooistra and his wife Anna have four children—Isabel, Oscar, Owen, and Emmett.
“Stacy’s strengths as a leader, general practice attorney, and military officer make him an excellent choice for the City Attorney’s role,†said Mayor Paul TenHaken. “Sioux Falls is fortunate to have Stacy bring his talents to the City. He will be an incredible asset for myself and the City Council as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of a growing city.â€
“I consider it a great honor and solemn responsibility to be appointed by Mayor TenHaken as the next Sioux Falls City Attorney,†said Kooistra. “I want to thank Mayor TenHaken for his trust and confidence and I look forward to meeting with the members of the City Council for their consideration. The prospect of serving on behalf of this dynamic City is truly humbling and genuinely exciting.â€
The City Attorney serves as the attorney for the City, serving both the administration and the City Council. The Attorney’s Office oversees the Human Relations, ADA, Risk Management, the Ethics Board, and Charter Revision Commission. It also provides legal support services to all City departments.
Kooistra’s appointment requires the advice and consent of the City Council. That resolution will be presented to the Council on August 21, 2018.
The rumor going around city hall is that Paul will announce his pick for the new city attorney tomorrow. I guess the executive session is for the city council to ask the candidate questions. As I understand it, while a couple of the city councilors get to help the mayor in selecting the new attorney, it is purely up to the mayor to select who he wants to. The city council does approve the decision through a public vote.
While there are a lot of names being tossed around, I wouldn’t have a clue of who he would pick. But my educated guess it is someone who is young with a poli-sci background and probably a woman.
We will see I guess
How many city attorneys does it take to screw in a light bulb? One for every lawsuit the city has lost because Strong Mayor Charter is unconstitutional.
For once, I would like to see the council ask the appointee candidates some real questions instead of just rubber-stamping the Mayor’s choice.
Performance questions could be asked by them when it came time to reaffirm appointments as well.
A director overspends his budget? Fails to meet annual department goals? I don’t think I’ve heard a serious question ever.
Maybe with the checks and balances in place – like government is supposed to work, we wouldn’t have:
– a director who got the job because the mayor and the person’s kid went to school together (and rumor is he had the hots for her).
– a director that didn’t even have to interview for his position, he was offered it over the phone (dropped out of his masters degree program and never finished).
– an accused pedophile.
– someone who used the position to put together a multimillion dollar sweetheart deal at the City’s expense and himself a job with that company after.
– an incompetent person who didn’t address or fix one problem with their department in 8 years. After multiple complaints, after numerous attempts, and still 15 years out of date or broken.
For the salary they are given, we are not getting the best or our money’s worth.
I hope it’s Pat Kane, so he can get some money to fix his collapsed sidewalk.
My money is on R. Shawn Tornow. A stand-up guy.
[He said with dripping sarcasm.]
A member in good standing of the Dutch Mafia?
He’ll quickly realize how corrupt and unconstitutional city government is and (like others) politely resign. Credibility is more important than a golden city retirement parachute.