See Paul, I don’t have all bad feelings for yah, I’m starting this post out with one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands!
So lately many folks across the political spectrum in Sux have been reaching out to me. Corruption? Open Government? Poops new exercise routine? Close. They have been asking me about MisTaken’s political future and why he is bailing. I told someone, flat out, “Because he can’t run.” I will have more on that soon. But what has been resonating with all these folks is a weird question; ‘Why is Paul so angry?’ First off, I don’t know the guy from Adam, so I don’t do a lot of mental health checks on him, though I do know he likes the Quacktorpractor, maybe ask him? But after the 4th or 5th person called me about this last week, I was like, Gum Dummit! I need to figure this out. So here it is;
I think Paul has been reflecting on the past 7 years and realizing, that in fact, he accomplished nothing except weakening our bond rating, creating millions in additional operating expenses for Rec NO ONE asked for, not stopping the Bunker Ramp, and the list goes on. I would be angry to, very angry. I’m actually surprised he hasn’t been eating broken glass at the meetings (I think they make Werther flavored glass).
Lots of 4th of July parades will, appropriately, be No Kings parades. TenHaken spared the SD Republican Party when he cancelled.
Tons of officers on top of parking ramps yesterday as I was driving around the protests and parades, etc., DTSF. Had a nice ‘1984’ feel to it. Paranoid MagaHats. Maybe you are right, our TACO Police Force was too scared Anti-Fa and the Mickey Mouse Club were going to show up (From Fargo of course, hitching a ride with a motorcycle gang) and wreck our Lilly white 4th of July Celebration. JOHN MOGEN WON’T HAVE IT! He has only 3 gigs a year, now you are cutting his work by a THIRD!? Where is the Patriotism?!
I don’t think they are scared of possible violence. I think they are scared to be embarrassed by a big turnout of folks like the ones lining the street in front of the courthouse and on Minnesota Ave. I saw Daugaard get booed at the Summit League Tournaments when he was pushing his Ed plan. He looked stunned. I was stunned. Getting booed for the length of the parade route is a real possibility.
I think Trump and the overall MAGA movement have ruined it for our Mayor politically. This Trump continuance has led to the political elevation of Noem, which has thus made the South Dakota gubernatorial race in ’26 more complicated with Rhoden, as an incumbent involved, which then causes hesitation on Dusty’s part to enter that race, which then means the House seat might not be opened for Paul in ’26. Plus, this continual Trumpism makes Republican politics less attractive for someone like our Mayor, who probably doesn’t really care to be in a House Republican primary against Trumpsters, and then if he survives that, he’d have to deal with more Trumpism in the US House. Say what you want about our current Mayor, and I have been very critical of him at times, calling him ThuneHaken and whatnot, but I think TGfG is right when he calls our Mayor a progressive from Minnesota, who really has no stomach for the Republican Party anymore. Which explains why the Mayor recently publicly chided Trump for Trump’s A.I. “Pope picture” on social media. Keep in mind, too, that before our Mayor became a mayor, he briefly hinted at a state legislative run, but publicly backed out because he didn’t care for the Democratic/Republican game that he claimed at the time he didn’t want to be a part of, which would further play into my current assessment of our Mayor and his once and/or political ambitions beyond the mayor’s office.
( and Woodstock adds: “Say, maybe the Mayor would like to become like a regional manager for Chick-fil-A, huh?”…
)
TenHaken was left with Huether debt and a poor bond rating. There’s nothing to accomplish without capital. He should be applauded for finding enough budget for mandatory city services and keeping the city out of bankruptcy. It’s a shame when a good man gets wasted because of the prior mayors corruption. There is a place for him in higher government continuing what a previous office holder started. A good leader represents the public. Huether made himself a multimillionaire from fraud, corruption, private projects, and land deal skim. It should be criminal felonies but it’s not when it’s public money spent into the wind with kickbacks, skirting voters, and smoking hemp from tennis nets.
“Say, whatever happened to those ’boutique grocers’ that Mayor Paul promised us?”
Prior mayor’s corruption? Maybe you have forgotten about the communications, cultural officer, chief of staff positions the current one added to his team as well as the new rec center and Jacobsen Plaza. The former mayor was far more careful with the budget than the current one. The current one tells fibs as to why the city has to cut its budget and why the parade was canceled.
thanks for checking in mayor heuther!
VSG,
The only stomach for Republican politics which Progressive Paulie has ever seemingly possessed was in performance of his role as a digital spook for the 2014 US Senate campaign of Mike Rounds.
Otherwise, he is a garden variety Sioux Falls chamber crony – registered as a Republican in order to be part of the social club which is republicanism in Sioux Falls. Oh, and for the benefit of “doing business”. Just like many Republicans would never vote for a Democrat, so also might they never do business with a Democrat. And they sure aren’t going to launder government money through non-profits and NGOs to the pockets of a Democrat, nor are they going to give any of those no bid government contracts to a Democrat.
“For Halloween this year, I think I’m going to go as a ‘Digital Spook’….
….. ” …..
I completely agree with Guy and his well written post (as many of them are).
I am a Republican from “taupe-ville or cookie cutter house land” who voted for Ten Haken, and have been disappointed ever since the first few months to be honest. To the point where my wife and I would like a democrat to win as mayor the next go round to upset this developer driven, cronyism on display from Paul since day one.
There is virtually no code enforcement unless you hound them. So tired of RVs blocking sidewalks for people in wheel chairs, vehicles parked on grass, etc. Don’t get me started on the god awful leadership from that Dustin guy in charge of snow plowing. What a joke. Gaylen Huber is probably shaking his head.
Roads are absolute garbage, held together by hundreds of patches that break open after the first large rain.. The COS’ son who was hired in HR at a very good salary. Questionable hires like the “innovation creative yada yada” guy from Weisser distributing who pulled down like 140 or 150K a year for what?
I could go on and on, but I fully support Jamie Smith for mayor. This town needs a break from developer cronyism and vanity projects. Jamie is actually a very nice person and I do think he does care deeply about Sioux Falls.
Funny you mention Galen, I did speak with him about a year after his retirement. Let’s just say he did more than just shake his head. I think Smith and Erickson will be in the runoff
Yes, the roads are awful in this town, but we do have new sidewalks on 41st
Smith and Erickson will be in the runoff, indeed. Erickson will then win. Erickson will get between 53 to 57 % of the vote. If the election is held in June, then it will be closer to 57, while if it is held in November, it will be closer to 53.
Smith is great guy and candidate, but with his run for mayor, he’s no longer running in 15 or 10; rather he’s running in an 11, 12, 13, or 14. He’s about to meet the real world or the same fate, as did Kenny Jr., Greg J., and Pat S. #TheTaupevilleWall
Democrats should just “officially” back Soehls. He’s a registered Democrat and call it a day. Democrats shouldn’t waste time trying to capture a nonpartisan seat in a Red state that they will not win, and which, if Jamie won, a Democratic mayor would find themselves quickly spending too much time appeasing the local establishment and or developers…. What kind of a Democratic win is that?
Democrats should put all of their energy behind voter registration and winning more legislative seats in Pierre. AND, maybe taking a serious stab at the US House seat if Dusty decides to fight with Toby for the governorship (#ButWhatAboutRhoden?
).
But then again, this is the same political party that tried very hard to get Jolene elected mayor, then six weeks later was all excited about having TenHaken’s campaign manager, as a Republican, run with Billie…. Go figure! (?)
Say, if the election is held in November, then who’s running for the state senate, as a Democrat, in 15 in ’26? Anybody heard?
VSG