economy

Bout time we have a president who wants to work

Have I mentioned that I thank God everyday that McCain and Gov. Moose Drool were not elected?

But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this:

We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.

Governor Jingle Balls had to put in his 2-Cents . .  . Yawn

But Democratic leaders in Congress rejected this approach. Instead of trusting us to make wise decisions with our own money,

You are kidding right? Blobby? Wise decisions?! Blaahahahahahahaha! You, Boner Boehner and Ironic Johnny Thune need to sit down and come up with a new strategy, seriously, I’m starting to feel sorry for you.

Munson arrogant? Nah . . . just oblivious

I have a feeling as this recession deepens one positive thing will come from it, people will become less apathetic about our city government, as this letter writer did;

I called the Sioux Falls mayor’s office to voice my displeasure with the salary increases of city employees. In the course of the conversation, I was amazed by the attitude of Mayor Dave Munson.

You mean, how he really doesn’t care what you think? Or how he is ‘always right’. Or how you dare question his authority?

 

I voiced my concern on how many of us in the community have had our wages frozen or even have had them cut by our employers. I feel the responsible thing is for the city to be as reactive as many private industries locally and nationally have been.

Why would he do that? It’s not like you have a say in the matter, you only elected him and pay his wages.

 

Munson arrogantly wanted me to tell him what to cut. He explained in politician speak how the city has done everything it can and is obligated to continue increased expenditures to keep the city growing.

He would never ask me that question, because I would roll out a scroll that would stretch from the Federal courthouse to Falls Park. I would have told him, “Your chief of staff.” Would have loved to hear that reaction.

He and many of those in City Hall have forgotten the bottom line. The citizens of this city have less money, yet our burden continues to grow. Our family budgets get tighter and tighter, yet government continues to grow “for our sake.”

All the while forgetting who is funding the city government.

 

Just for once I’d like to see a politician be reactive and not proactive.

Or at least use there fricking brains.

Sioux Falls Stimulus Package Wish List

Below are the “shovel-ready” projects Sioux Falls submitted in the 2008 U.S. Conference of Mayors report.

South Dakota Highway 100: Construction of a new four-lane divided highway to alleviate congestion on existing state highways and local roads. Approximately one mile of the entire 18 miles has been completed. 2000 Jobs – $100,000,000 – Streets/Roads

Sioux Falls Flood Control Project: This project includes raising the current levees, reconstruction of the 41st Street bridge over the Big Sioux River, and construction of a dam to protect property totaling $750 million in value from flooding. 700 Jobs – $35,000,000 – Streets/Roads

69th Street Extension/Interstate 29/Interstate 229 Reconstruction: The project will provide a critical east-west link for the region’s transportation system and will alleviate traffic congestion on local roads and the interstate highway system. 500 Jobs – $25,000,000 – Streets/Roads

85th Street and Interstate 29 Interchange: The project will provide access to over 200 acres of land planned for a new medical/office/retail center that will include the creation of over 8,000 new jobs for the region. 400 Jobs – $20,000,000 – Streets/Roads

Rail Relocation Project: The project includes construction of a new rail yard, trestle, and accompanying connections in Sioux Falls. The existing tracks would be removed to allow for redevelopment of land in downtown Sioux Falls. 160 Jobs – $8,000,000 – Streets/Roads

69th Street Railroad Overpass: The project will improve safety for a nearby residential area that includes a K-12 educational campus and a college athletic complex. 150 Jobs – $7,500,000 – Streets/Roads

Maple Street Expansion East: This project will expand the City’s transportation system and connect two heavily used regional recreation facilities. 140 Jobs – $7,000,000 – Streets/Roads

Southeastern Avenue Extension: The project will improve access to a residential growth area in southern Sioux Falls. 70 jobs – $3,500,000 – Streets/Roads

Maple Street Expansion West: The project will improve safety and access to a major university campus and residential neighborhood in northwest Sioux Falls. 68 Jobs – $3,400,000 – Streets/Roads
Benson Road Expansion: The project will improve access to a growing retail and office development in western Sioux Falls. 56 Jobs – $2,800,000 – Streets/Roads

Central Main Sanitary Sewer: This project includes the reconstruction and expansion of a critical segment of the sanitary sewer system located along the Big Sioux River. 620 Jobs – $31,000,000 – Water

Water Supply, Storage, and Distribution Enhancements: The project will include expansion of the City’s above and below ground storage capabilities, new well construction, and replacement of aging distribution lines. 560 Jobs – $28,000,000 – Water

Covell Lake Bank Stabilization: This project will stabilize the banks of Covell Lake to prevent erosion of the shoreline and improve the water quality. 20 Jobs – $1,000,000 – Water

Public Parking ramp: This project includes the construction of a new public parking ramp providing approximately 1,000 parking stalls in the downtown area. 360 Jobs – $18,000,000 – CDBG

City Hall HVAC System: This project will replace the obsolete HVAC system at City Hall, which includes replacing the original boilers, installing digital controls, and associated equipment that will bring the air quality in the building up to current ASHR standards. 10 Jobs – $900,000 – CDBG

City Hall Elevator: The project will replace the present antiquated elevator in City Hall. 6 Jobs – $600,000 – CDBG

City Hall Annex HVAC controls: This project updates the HVAC controls in the Annex. 6 Jobs – $200,000 – CDBG

Caille Branch Library and Ronning Branch Library Improvements including a new roof, ice and water shields, security systems and carpet. 30 Jobs – $200,000 – CDBG

Energy Efficient Traffic and Street Lighting Systems: These projects will replace older, inefficient incandescent traffic signals and streetlights with high-efficiency LED lamps. 40 Jobs – $2,000,000 – Energy

Construction of an instititutional fiber network. 144 Jobs – $3,000,000 – Public Safety

Fire Rescue Training Center Tower:This project will replace the 30-year-old training fire building that is utilized by fire departments and law enforcement agencies across the region. 50 Jobs – $2,750,000 – Public Safety

Fire Rescue Training Center Academic Building: This project will provide for an addition and major renovations to the current 30-year-old training center academic building. 30 Jobs – $1,250,000 – Public Safety

Almost $295 million in projects – Good Luck with that! South Dakota cities submitted a total of $472 million in projects. That’s right, Sioux Falls is asking for over 60% of that cut. Is it selfish – not really, because this is only a ‘Wish List’ I suspect Sioux Falls won’t even get half that amount, but I guess we will see.

SOURCE: http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_state

Don’t know much about this thingy

But will admit, something needs to be done. I do like this portion of the proposal though;

Obama’s $275 billion plan — announced on Wednesday — doesn’t compel banks and other lenders to modify troubled mortgages. Instead, it provides a menu of incentives that may or may not prove sufficient in reaching the goal of helping 9 million homeowners.

Unlike in the past, this plan only encourages banks to participate, instead of forcing them to. The other good part about the plan is once the entire mortgage debacle stops spiraling out of control it will stabablize home prices and help all homeowners who have equity in their homes. This just isn’t about helping people who are facing forclosure, it is also about helping all homeowners save the equity in their biggest investment. Makes sense to me. I try not to take what Cantor and Boehner have to say to seriously.