I have joked with folks that now that we are dyeing potatoes instead of eggs for Easter we need to change the easter mammal to Badger. Maybe the Easter Badger was upset with Noem for flaunting her wealth on a holiday that celebrates the modesty and charity of Jesus Christ while chomping on Caviar? I also find it ironic that the one person in charge of our HOMELAND SECURITY can’t even secure her purse in a swank DC restaurant. But you can’t get more moronic then the Defense Secretary. He’s the next to fall victim to the Easter Badger.
DSU NEEDS TO GROW A PAIR
There has been a story circulating that DSU has proposed an honorary degree to Noem. The first round of votes it failed, and they should have left it at that, but they voted a second time to give it to her. DSU should have rejected this based on her political motives alone. It also puts the school in an uncomfortable position, and based on that alone it should have been rejected. The school could have released a simple statement;
“Due to the political appointment of Secretary Noem we feel the honorary degree would only cause political controversy and not benefit DSU or Noem. We reject the request.”
I had to laugh, a longtime sarcastic friend said to me, I call your PEDI cab a PETTY cab. I have been laughing about that for a week. I started DOWNTOWN RICKSHAW two weeks ago. I go out on Friday and Saturday afternoons. I will do a one way ride for $5.50, a DTSF tour for $20 (30 minutes) and hourly rentals $50 (Bike trail tours, date night, historic home tours, etc.) I can do ANYTIME if you book in advance for a special occassion.
I am open to any ideas, even special occasions like weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties.
As you know, the council and mayor have to pick a new election date because our brain dead, barely on life support, clem, hillbilly, theocratic morons of a legislature decided they needed to f’ck with local control, and gerrymander an election. They really want cities to have their elections in June when mostly Republicans show up essentially gerrymandering a non-partisan election. They also know that most cities will pick the June date because their lazy ass public servants don’t want to stick around for a couple more months (like our mayor has been crying about for weeks). Also, June primaries are bad for voter turnout, mostly because only half of the constituents show up. So voter turnout would not be improved (their argument to move the election).
I took a poll of the council on this, and the results are NOT good. I will break you the news, the votes are just not there for a November election. I know some councilors are supporting a November election, but they have asked me to keep that to myself, which I will respect. Our mission is to convince at least 4 more councilors to support a November election and give good reasons why. You can CONTACT them HERE. Leave voicemails and emails telling them to support a November election. Time is of the essence, I think this will be on the agenda for the first meeting in May.
I think cities should have stand alone elections and if they promoted them properly they would be well attended. But when you have a Militant Closed Government Bozo running the city, the public is not only mis-informed, but simply NOT informed. Ignorant people only vote by accident.
The short answer is NO, and probably why they skirted this move administratively instead of bringing it in front of the council where DTSF businesses could air their grievances in the public square. I supported this based on 1) That DTSF (the org) reassured the council that DT businesses support this* 2) it will ONLY be on Phillips and you can still park for free in the ramps (which I think will gradually be used more due to the Saturday metering on Phillips).
*At first glance I am hearing that only about half of DTSF businesses support this, the rest are ‘wait and see’. This of course is from random conversations I had with DTSF business owners, workers in DTSF and some city staff. Nothing scientific.
I have no idea what kind of support it has.
Which brings us to the crux of the issue. Besides being the council’s duty to vote on new taxes and fees, and a First and Second reading would have allowed people who own businesses DTSF and work DTSF to share their opinions. Maybe most of them support it? I don’t know, and we never will because the process was not followed and the council, once again, allowed a precedent by the mayor’s office. Tsk! Tsk! I sometimes wonder if Trump is our shadow mayor.
Press Release | April 18, 2025 | by David Zokaites DavidZokaitesMayor@gmail.com | 605-251-0691
2215 E. Mulberry St. | Sioux Falls, SD 57103-0536
The race has begun—and David Zokaites is leading the charge.
David Zokaites is officially the first and only candidate to declare his bid for the 2026 Sioux Falls mayoral race—and he’s not just tossing his hat into the ring, he’s coming in with fire, focus, and a future-forward vision for the city we love. He’s the only candidate so far to register a campaign committee with the city clerk, making his run not only the first—but the boldest.
For more than a decade, Zokaites has been laser-focused on local government. He’s spoken at City Council meetings a jaw-dropping 190 times, presenting deeply researched ideas on everything from tackling homelessness and addiction to planting more trees and strengthening police training. When others stayed silent, Zokaites stood up—for transparency, for solutions, and for people.
Born near Pittsburgh, Zokaites holds a Bachelor of Science from RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) and built a career in scientific computing, digital imaging, and database management. His technical mind, paired with a passion for community, has led him to treat politics like systems engineering: “Understand the process. Fix the process.”
His mission? A government that truly serves “We the People.”
Zokaites believes our leaders must honor the Constitution and fight for the “Blessings of Liberty” for every generation. That means civil rights protected, compassion practiced, and police equipped to serve with both strength and understanding. He doesn’t just talk the talk—he walked into federal court without a lawyer in a 2019 civil rights lawsuit, standing against city government to defend personal freedom and public accountability. He’s gearing up to file another lawsuit addressing false arrest, injuries from handcuffing, and inhumane jail conditions—because justice shouldn’t require a fortune to pursue.
And at the heart of his campaign? Compassion.
An Eagle Scout, Zokaites has policies that echo the teachings of Jesus—caring for the downtrodden, housing the homeless, and offering practical solutions that benefit everyone, including taxpayers. He proposes zoning reforms to reduce construction costs and make housing more affordable, especially for young adults starting out. It’s smart. It’s fair. And it doesn’t cost the city a dime.
Zokaites doesn’t just bring policy—he brings heart.
In 1998, he co-won the JCPenney Golden Rule Award for teaching karate to kids in a local school. They learned to fall, to fly, and to believe in themselves. That spirit—of teaching, empowering, and uplifting—infuses everything he brings to Sioux Falls.
Now, he’s ready to serve.
With energy. With integrity. With bold ideas and a backbone of steel.
“I want to create practical, caring, honest government to help all the citizens of Sioux Falls,” Zokaites declares. And he means all—rich or poor, young or old, struggling or thriving.
Let’s build a city that works—for everyone.
P.S. True to form, Zokaites adds a moment of beauty to every message. This release features a serene “Enjoy Sioux Falls” landscape by his daughter Elizabeth—an artist, writer, and entrepreneur—reminding us that even in the fight for better governance, we should always remember to appreciate the world we’re working to improve.
l3wis 
