South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

1st Amendment Downtown Sioux Falls Sioux Falls

Downtown Sioux Falls needs these

l3wis 2Comments

During my last trip up to Minneapolis I noticed these around downtown. I think Downtown Sioux Falls needs a couple of these. When I was doing pedicab this summer I was amazed at how lost visitors were, I gave more directions then rides. DTSF could also use the kiosk to generate ad revenue for the organization. In other words if you were looking for a Mexican restaurant downtown it would pop up ads for the restaurant with directions on the kiosk. I wouldn’t doubt that DTSF could get a grant to have them installed with no cost to taxpayers. I think we have a great growing downtown, but if you visit, good luck finding your way around.

Minneapolis has had these for a few years, which surprises me that DTSF hasn’t done something like this. I was at the Chicken (Book) Coop one night and met a couple from California. I asked them how they found the Coop and they told me they googled ‘interesting and unique’ establishments in DTSF and Book Coop came up. Now if we just had several of these kiosks DTSF, I think it would increase tourism revenue. Sculpture Walk could also take advantage of the kiosks by creating walking maps for people.

The opportunities are endless. Prices vary, but most units are NOT over $20k with non computerized ones costing about $1,500. They would pay for themselves in one season.

1st Amendment Downtown Sioux Falls SF City Council Sioux Falls Washington Pavilion

Is it time to cut the Pavilion subsidy?

l3wis 1Comments

I think it is. When you have over $10 million in reserves it is time to pull the plug. As I have mentioned recently the Pavilion not only gets a subsidy for operating from the city, we also pay for ALL the repairs to the building. The Pavilion has no public benefit because they provide NO FREE public programming. Heck, even the part-time employees have to pay for parking. NO LIE. They used to do a FREE First Friday, but not sure if they even do that any more. They also charge to visit the visual arts museum, and their new outdoor music festival, funded by the Pavilion and taxpayers of Sioux Falls wasn’t FREE like JazzFest or even cheap tickets. The Pavilion has simply been taking money from us for years and providing nothing back unless you can afford a ticket to a show. I would not only cut the subsidy, any repairs to the building that involve upgrading performance equipment need to be paid for by the Pavilion. They should also cover all utilities (they may do that now) and they should pay an annual lease to the city. Next, I would eliminate the Zoo subsidy. It amazes me how the city will nickel dime the pools and libraries but throw millions at organizations that have millions in the bank, it’s stupid. If you want to make cuts, use your brain.

1st Amendment Sioux Falls Uncategorized

Accept the Invitation

l3wis 4Comments

Yesterday I heard another disheartening story about someone running for local office and turning down a FREE opportunity to promote thyself and their campaign.

I get guff from my Lib friends that I listen to too much right wing radio/podcasts. I enjoy them because their ridiculous claims make me laugh my ass off. But sometimes I learn something new, like how these knuckle draggers think.

I recently suggested this book to someone running for a seat in the upcoming city election. You have to sometimes walk over a line and look at the person on the opposite side of your thinking. You may learn something about yourself while educating those around you about who you are.

The city election is non-partisan. Let’s work to keep it that way. There are no left/right, rich/poor ideas, there is just common sense.

So if someone asks you to be a guest to talk about your campaign, don’t check their party registration, check their values, and check yours. Silence speaks volumes, remember that.

‘I don’t know if the city is corrupt, they don’t tell us anything.’

And that is the crux of our problems, not party affiliation.

1st Amendment Open Government Open Meetings SF City Council

Transparency Changes with the Sioux Falls City Council

l3wis 3Comments

At the informational next Tuesday the council will be discussing;

City Committee and Boards Update by Councilors Miranda Basye and Rich Merkouris

Of course there are NO links to the agenda item, so we have no clue what this is about before the meeting (I’ve told the council for years when the informational meeting posts on Friday all attached documents for agenda items should be there, it’s a good transparency thing. The docs usually don’t post until an hour before the meeting or right when the meeting starts).

I’m assuming they are going to announce that ALL public meetings will be posted to the main agenda page, which I notice they have been doing now for about 2 weeks. This is just another thing I told them about a few years ago that they dragged their feet on. The council shouldn’t even be involved with this, this is something staff should have been doing for years, AND, it is how it used to be, but after the city spent a million dollars transforming the city website into a maze of information that all changed. So if this is what this meeting is about, good for you, but it’s way past due. Like I said, Transparency 101.

While I should be happy the council is finally doing something, I am uncomfortable with the 3 (hopefully 4) outgoing councilors making policy decisions on transparency and open government without a new set of eyes weighing in. I think this would be a great initiative for the next mayor and council to work on together. This is just a last ditch attempt as they are walking out the door to make it look like they did something the last 4 years. Too little, too late. It’s like open government in Sioux Falls is an afterthought to them and it shows.

I have tons of open government ideas, but they are going to have to wait until July, because I don’t have much confidence in our current ‘shadow’ council who are doing this to get brownie points. Why is everyone in government these days act like 3rd Graders? Because they are.

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