South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

2020

Art Mayor TenHaken Sioux Falls

I’m excited about the new Sioux Falls Arts Task Force

l3wis 4Comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ3PL_tTmxs

Once again, the mayor is interjecting himself on ‘POLICY’ instead of solving the bread and butter issues of Sioux Falls through his staff and public employees, but I like where his heart is;

“The performing and visual arts scenes in Sioux Falls has matured greatly over the past few decades. Multiple organizations and individuals have made incredible contributions and there is an appetite for more,” said TenHaken. “For our arts programming to move forward in a collaborative, unified, and focused direction, I believe now is the time to investigate how the City can more effectively and efficiently interface with community needs as it pertains to arts and culture.” 

As a person who has participated in the Sioux Falls ‘Arts Scene’ for a zillion years, I have always had a simple answer to how you make the arts strive in Sioux Falls; FEED LOCAL ARTISTS!

I made this simple argument for years to the groans of our business elite in Sioux Falls with no avail. A great example was the Arc of Dreams, while a nice shiny thing to stare at when the Vikings lose another playoff game, it really doesn’t have much impact. My vision was to spend that $2 million+ on hundreds of mini art projects throughout the city employing local artists, artisans, contractors and landscape professionals. Let’s face it, you don’t have cupcakes without a baker and you don’t have art without artists. I’m hoping the task force (in which I know and respect many of them) comes out with a vision and plan that employees our local artists in shaping a vibrant art scene. My experience in the past is that members of these special groups often recommend an investment in local arts means an investment in local artists, and than the business elite step in and piss on the parade because they won’t be receiving accolades or profits from such a vision. There are several members on this task force that have the guts to tell it like it is, hopefully this time they won’t back down when the elites tell them no dice.

Mayor TenHaken Sioux Falls

Mayor TenHaken still unaware of his duties under the city charter

l3wis 4Comments

I am often amused that when this mayor or even past home rule charter mayors think their role under the charter is to create initiatives, ordinances and legislation. In the charter, it clearly shows that job is the job of the city council, and the mayor’s job is to run the city, it’s departments and it’s employees as the day to day operations manager.

In this interview the mayor chastises residents for calling and emailing councilors about snow removal issues, talks about his missionary work in a 3rd world country and his initiative for mentorship. While valid things, I’m wondering when PTH is going to plant his ass in his office chair in city hall and get the city running up to snuff? Besides poor street maintenance and snow removal, poor communications about disaster and flood cleanup, low morale in our police force due to understaffing with drug and violent crime on the rise, homelessness out of control and a bunker ramp deal falling through the cracks, maybe our mayor needs to concentrate on running the city, you know, the job outlined in the city charter. I sometimes wonder if he even knows his job description? Someone said to me the other day, “Why does Mayor Paul act like the youth pastor of Sioux Falls?” Good question.

I had to chuckle a bit when the mayor sent out an email yesterday telling councilors to stop bugging city directors in emails. Funny how he chastises councilors for trying to do his job (because he isn’t) yet doesn’t sweat it when he tries to do their job. Implementing policy.

Paul, take off the trucker hat, put on your big boy pants and start solving the problems we have going on in the city, and let the policy making and citizen representation lie with those charged with it in the charter; the city council.

SF School District Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls School District 1st Boundary Task Force meeting

l3wis 1Comments

UPDATE: So when I posted this, I had not watched it yet, so being the government nerd I am, I decided to wade thru it. It got good at the end where golden parachute boy, Doug Morrison started allowing public input. People asked poignant questions about enrollment and effects on private education, there was even some laughter about it, to which Mr. Doug ‘Oblivious’ Morrison blew off the laughter and pretended the sarcasm and irony did not exist, and admitted he was awaiting the data. When I pay taxes I expect services, when I see these kind of reactions I feel like I just paid for a $50 hamburger that tastes like, looks like, and probably is goat sh*t.

Project TRIM Public Works SF City Council Sioux Falls Theresa Stehly

UPDATE: Project TRIM pilot program proves that the city can affordably trim city owned trees

l3wis 11Comments

UPDATE: I wanted to add that the Denny Sanford Premier Center probably costs taxpayers about $6 million a year (after sponsorships, profits, sales and sales tax revenue offset) that comes to $31.58 per year, per resident. Ironically, not everyone attends the EC and on top of that, you still have to buy a ticket to go there. I would say, Project TRIM at no cost would be a lot more bang for our buck.

I was surprised that the number was so low. $58 per property. If you are in violation in it’s current form, the city could charge you $150-$300 to trim THEIR trees, even though in reality we pay frontage fees/taxes to take care of these things. As Stehly points out in the meeting, it could be even lower if we contract the work with private contractors (creating local jobs) or using inmate labor.

I would also like to point out that these costs will get lower each year because the city will be doing this on a regular basis and keep it managed. I also think the price tag is a pittance for the trimming, $688K per year, compared to other expenditures in our city. That comes to about $3.62 per resident, per year. Half the price of a value meal at Mickey D’s. We can afford this.

Alex Jensen Elections SF City Council Sioux Falls Theresa Stehly

Where’s Councilor Count Alex Jensen?

l3wis 7Comments

When I helped Greg Neitzert run for his first term, we were clear with him about what he needed to do to win the seat; announce before everyone else, and knock on doors like a mofo. Greg not only announced early, knocked on hundreds of doors, but also put out effective mailers. I think he also spent under $10K, and he won by quite a bit in a large pool of candidates. I will admit, there was no incumbent for the seat, but that just meant he had to work harder to get his name out there.

I had to laugh about a month ago when a frequent commenter on DWC, said that a ‘dead’ Jensen could beat Theresa Stehly. Well I would certainly agree with one part of his comment, Alex Jensen’s campaign has been one of the most well funded and lifeless campaigns I have ever seen in the history of city politics.

While he did announce early, he hasn’t really done much of anything else. In fact, a lot of people who don’t even like Theresa have said to me, ‘What does he stand for? I haven’t heard a peep from him.’ All the while his campaign manager goes around complaining about the incumbent (who hasn’t even announced yet – and may not).

I think Jensen’s campaign is wasting valuable time. I am quite certain that if Theresa decides to NOT run, there will a bevy of candidates that will run against Jensen (I know of at least two who are interested if Theresa decides to not run).

Wouldn’t you be concentrating your energy on telling people who you are instead of having your little campaign troll spend all day on FB calling Theresa a bully? Ironic, I know.

Could Alex Jensen beat Theresa Stehly in a one to one race? Sure. But not a ‘dead’ Jensen. I think it is the first time I have seen a vampire run for city council, but certainly not the first time a ‘bloodsucker’ would serve on the dais.

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