This is the best place to go if you have a gripe about the city.
I have often told friends and associates that if you have a problem or concern about our city, show up to the 7 PM council meetings Monday nights at Carnegie Hall, downtown Sioux Falls. There is a 5 minute ‘gripe’ period before the meeting starts. And while most councilors or even the mayor may not say much, the importance is that your testimony is on record. Meeting with politicians privately usually solves nothing, heck meeting with them publicly doesn’t seem to do much either. But if you have a concern, it is best to let all of the public know and have them as your witness.
Why do I bring this up? A friend called the mayor’s office today to set up a meeting with him to discuss some of her concerns about the city and moving forward in a new administration. The secretary informed her that Mike will not being meeting with anyone from the public privately until after he has FINISHED the 2011 budget, which is August 1. But she was encouraged to go to Whisk and Chop on Saturdays (where Mike is surrounded by mostly his staff) and air her concerns.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.