South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

Sanford Hospital

Media Sanford Hospital Sioux Falls

Has Sanford taken over our local media?

l3wis 11Comments

A screenshot of the Argus Leader main page at 10 AM, June 26, 2018.

I know, you are probably laughing at me right now. We have known for awhile that if Sanford isn’t doing it in Sioux Falls, it’s not worth reporting. But really, why would someone pay for an online subscription to the AL to just read about whatever news stories Sanford is feeding them (and probably paying them) for?

Ever since Stormland-TV’s only investigative reporter has been on personal leave, there seems to be NO controversial stories coming from them either. For instance, ‘Why did the trail derailment occur in Doon? Who’s at fault?’ Notice NO one in the local media has asked that question or been given an answer. Is journalism that difficult?

I know some make fun of siouxfalls.business for basically getting paid to write positive business stories about businesses, but #1, Jodi doesn’t hide the fact of what she does, and #2, how is she any different than our supposed unbiased local media? I don’t think the separation is that wide, except for the fact one is being honest about what they do.

Denny Sanford Premier Center Downtown Sioux Falls Public Works Sanford Hospital Sanford Sports Complex Sioux Falls

Maybe our Health Care Mega-Plexes should partner with Paratransit instead?

l3wis 4Comments

While it’s nice that Sanford has money for liquor licenses, suite’s at the Denty, Sports Bars, Basketball arenas and now a tourist trolley, shouldn’t Sanford & Avera be looking at a private/public partnership with Paratransit?

“We’re always proud to support services in our communities,” said Paul Hanson, Sanford Health executive vice president. “We know how much visitors love the Sioux Falls trolley service and couldn’t be happier to support it.”

While that’s great, I just wish our health systems would focus on ‘health’. I think a partnership with the hospitals and paratransit could be inked. Besides, I think the Trolley should be paid for out of the CVB’s BID Tax, but I guess they refuse. Well at least Sanford is fulfilling one empty promise from the former mayor and the CVB;

The trolleys also will be available as a shuttle service between downtown and the Denny Sanford Premier Center for major events throughout the year.

Premier Center entertainment district here we come!

Curt Soehl Elections Sanford Hospital SF City Council Sioux Falls Zach DeBoer

Council Candidate Soehl bows to the Sanford Altar

l3wis 7Comments

While watching the online interview today between Sioux Falls Central District Council Candidates DeBoer and Soehl, Argus Leader Metro Guru Joe Sneve asked them what they thought about developer impact fees and specifically Sanford tearing out affordable housing in the core of our city.

Sanford has mentioned in the past that they would like to expand the 18th and Grange campus all the way towards Minnesota avenue. In that process they have bought several properties in that swath, which includes some of the most affordable housing in our city.

Soehl answered the question first and pretty much towed the tired old line that Sanford has done so many things for our city including employment opportunities (South Dakota has some of the lowest healthcare salaries in the nation) that we should be careful about stopping such expansion.

DeBoer had a different twist on the topic. Besides pointing out that Avera has decided to expand in an area that doesn’t require tearing down affordable housing, he says the Sanford expansion has been detrimental to affordable housing in the core of our city. He reminded listeners that these are some of the most affordable housing options in the city that help first time homebuyer pull themselves out of poverty and rental living. He also pointed out all the blacktop Sanford is putting down in these neighborhoods in the form of parking lots. While he admitted to the economic impact of Sanford, he also said they could expand elsewhere in our city without tearing down these houses.

Zach is right. Instead of Sanford giving several acres to the school district, they could use that land for expansion.

But Zach brings up a bigger point, why does the city, and particular the council and city hall always bow to the altar of Sanford. The Planning Department, the Planning Commission and the City Council could easily say NO to Sanford when they want to tear up more affordable housing in the core of our city, or impose heavy impact fee penalties to dissuade them from doing so.

We need more councilors like Zach, who are looking out for the best interest of the citizenry and not the bottom line of Sanford.

Sanford Hospital Sanford Sports Complex SF City Council Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls City Council votes to allow Sanford to ‘park’ a liquor license at their foundation house

l3wis 10Comments

So the dirty little secret comes out. Sanford Health has NO intention to use the liquor license at the foundation house, just to ‘park’ it there until they open another bar/restaurant at the sports complex.

So with so many people wanting a liquor license in town, to actually use, and generate tax revenue, the city council has allowed Sanford to actually SIT on a license, an organization that should be using all of their revenue to actually help the sick and dying instead buying up liquor licenses.

If you don’t think our city government hasn’t been bought and paid for by Sanford, you are one naive little turkey.

I was actually embarrassed that not one single councilor voted against it. I guess it is OK for a healthcare organization to horde liquor licenses but a family business owner can’t sell a Bud Light at a movie.

Shake my F’cking head.

Medical Mary Jane Sanford Hospital South Dakotans State Funding

Want to reduce opiod use? Marijuana.

l3wis 6Comments

A recent news report says that Sanford Health is researching alternatives to opiod pain relief and reducing there usage.

One word; Marijuana.

And I am not talking about the medical stuff they have to make syrup out of, I’m talking about good old natural THC. Either vape it or get it in an edible. It has been a natural pain reliever for thousands of years. And here’s why the medical community and big pharma doesn’t like it.

Unlike prescription drugs that are often made from dangerous highly addictive chemicals, Marijuana can be grown at home without a prescription from a doctor.

Obviously, it cannot be used for extreme pain but it can help with minor aches and pains, relieves spasms, increases appetite and can relieve minor stress and depression.

Like any drug overuse can cause problems, uh like, laziness and laughing a little too much. There is NO record of anyone dying from an overdose of Marijuana, but can cause anxiety in some people.

Why the medical community doesn’t study this natural drug more is beyond me.

There is a good chance that on Monday valid petitions will be turned in for Recreational Marijuana to be put on the ballot in 2018. I think it will pass with over 55% of the vote if it makes the ballot.

We not only need to embrace this like other states have for pain relief but the sale of recreational marijuana could change state funding like nothing before and has shown to reduce crime and criminal justice spending.

Enough goofing around with dangerous chemicals and skyrocketing crime, South Dakota needs to embrace the legalization of Marijuana.

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »

You Missed

4th of July Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Parks and Rec

Sioux Falls continues their ‘White Trash 4th’ festivities

Development Planning Commission SF City Council Sioux Falls

UPDATE: Is the Planning Commission Approving an AI Data Center?

Sioux Falls

City tries to ‘gloss over’ nepotism

Property Taxes SF School District Sioux Falls TIFs

Stop the Opt Out