South DaCola

Closed Government Issues in Sioux Falls

l3wis September 19, 2023 4Comments

I know I have been preaching about this since I started the blog, but closed government has repercussions;

Lenin’s Tomb at the Zoo. Casualty of Closed Government.

Rejected ‘censored’ public art. Casualty of Closed Government.

Sustainability. Casualty of Closed Government.

Infrastructure cost overruns. Casualty of Closed Government.

Bunker Ramp. Casualty of Closed Government.

Code and Health violations ignored. Casualty of Closed Government.

Policy discussions in executive sessions. Casualty of Closed Government.

I could list hundreds just from this administration alone. The worst part is the local media is mostly complicit. Besides Forum (Sioux Falls Live), Dakota Scout and SF Simplified, nobody is asking the questions or demanding the info.

Just look at the council agenda for this Friday. Why is there a special meeting at 9 AM with NO agenda and NO information from the council or administration? By state law, the agenda doesn’t have to post until 24 hours in advance, but in a REAL FUNCTIONING OPEN GOVERNMENT scenario, the public would have been informed immediately if a special meeting was being called even without the agenda being legally posted.

Part of the problem is that State Law ‘allows’ local governments to determine what they consider ‘confidential’. Leadership in either the mayor’s office or on the council could fix this, they could put into city charter that information flows freely, or better yet, present it to the Charter Revision Commission and put it on the ballot!

As I have mentioned, the city council struggles with getting help from the administration on crafting legislation. Just look at the E2 ordinance. Besides clarifying ADA and speed limits (which is already on the books) all Councilor Neitzert is asking is to add E2s and mysteriously both the active transportation board and the parks board said they don’t know enough about them to make a decision. At a recent bike committee meeting, they seem to keep beating the dead horse;

Parks Board and Active Transportation Board had tabled the Class II ebike ordinance proposal until questions could be answered regarding enforcement, safety, speeds, and other issues. Sims reiterated that there are safety concerns that need to be addressed and other options such as licensing of e-bikes which could be explored.

Newsflash! The city isn’t going to do a study. They also are NOT going to enforce anything. This has been on the books for 5 years with NO studies, NO enforcement and NO major injuries. Also, who is going to pay to register their E2 so they can ride it on PUBLIC PROPERTY? NO ONE! What makes these committees and boards think something will change next month? I encouraged Greg and other city councilors to bring legislation without the administration’s blessing. If these people are so concerned, they can show up to the 1st and 2nd readings and voice those concerns like the rest of us. Stop playing the mayor’s games and start throwing aces.

As I have stated in the past, a lot of information given to me cannot be published because either the source doesn’t want to go on the record or they are anon. While some in the administration ‘think’ the leaks are coming from the dais at Carnegie that couldn’t be further from the truth. I have a network of former city managers, current and former city employees and other associates. But the public doesn’t have access to these sources or the time to weed thru the rumors like I do.

We do have an opportunity here. There is a Spring council election with the possibility of 3-4 new councilors. I encourage people to recruit non-partisan candidates that are pro open government. I have about 6 possible candidates on the big board but it is going to take at least 3-4 in each race to really shake things up. Open government is easy to fix, and it costs nothing and saves taxpayers oodles of money in lawsuits. We can have a progressive city that cares about everyone, but we can’t have it when city hall is locked and asleep at the wheel.

Why is the City of Sioux Falls hiring a marketing firm?

l3wis September 19, 2023 2Comments

Besides the city being run(?) by a successful marketing mogul and international doxxing champion they have a fully operational and funded media department, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Development Foundation and Chamber (FULL DOC);

The function of city government is not to MARKET the city but to INFORM the citizens. We need a media department, it is very important, but they are not a cheerleading squad they are more like a librarian.

Much Ado about Nothing

l3wis September 17, 2023 3Comments

South Dakota politics is turning into a real Shakespearean play;

Count Claudio falls in love with Hero, the daughter of his host. Hero’s cousin Beatrice (a confirmed spinster) and Benedict (an eternal bachelor) are each duped into believing the other is in love with them. Claudio is deceived by a malicious plot and denounces Hero as unchaste before they marry.

Besides the obvious jokes about Noem’s supposed affair with a total dirt bag, all you have to do is look at a little history and you can predict about anything that goes on in Pierre and Sioux Falls.

OF COURSE A TASK FORCE WAS COMING WITH LENIN’S TOMB AT THE ZOO

You can’t screwup this much and thumb your nose at public sentiment and think you can just take another bible study vacation in some far off land while it all blows over.

SANFORD MERGER WAS NEVER GONNA HAPPEN

I remembered how it all rolled out the first time, and the people involved. Unlike South Dakotans, Minnesotans actually study history. I think Sanford came in with the same game plan and they got rolled.

CARBON PIPELINES A GIGANTIC SCAM

Just looking at the history of the consultants involved, I knew this was just a money making scam or as one person said recently a scam to put in green methanol pipelines. This was never going to happen, but I’m sure the consultants cashed in.

I feel sorry for the journalists that have to cover this crap.

UPDATE: Dead Animal Task Force likely for Brockhouse Collection

l3wis September 16, 2023 3Comments

UPDATE: Look what happened to Mr. Jump Thru Hoops

City officials confirmed to me that it is highly likely a task force will be put together at the direction of the city council to determine what to do with the collection.

It is rumored that ALL eight councilors supported the idea of safely storing the collection and putting together this group to determine what to do next. It is also probably safe to assume that the legislature will be tackling some laws that have to do with this next session.

So a little victory, but you will have to keep an eye on it.

See what happens when our policymakers ban together and shine a little light on something, they can tell the mayor to take a hike, now if they would just do it while voting down a tax increase.

UK’s Daily Mail does exclusive story on Noem

l3wis September 15, 2023 8Comments

Thanks to VSG for the hat tip on this story. It ain’t flattering.