I will say this for the 100th time. While I am against a new Events Center, it is simply because I don’t think we need one. We can go into parking, financials, location and trade shows all we want, but let’s face it, the need is not there. If it was, every airline, restaurant and hotel franchise in the country would be lining up to expand in Sioux Falls. They are not.
The mayor wants to blame innuendo and rumor for why this thing may fail. He may be right. But who is spreading these rumors? YOU ARE! Transparency is the key to public trust. It is as simple as including three zeros on an amortization schedule. People are confused about the Events Center plan because the city refuses to present the ‘whole story’ and they read about corrections on various blogs and media outlets.
Is Mike’s EC plan perfect? Fuck no. Nothing that involves government is, but don’t sugar coat it. Tell it like it is. At the end of the day if voters approve it based on the real facts, then you have accomplished something. If you have to rely on subprime credit card marketing procedures, then you should expect false results.
I am not the only one who is worried about the election results. While I hope that the voters reject this silly plan, there is also a part of me that hopes this passes, so we don’t have another 12 months of this bullshit.
I’m also not naive. If this fails, heads will roll. Not just in city government, but in the private sector. I have always been confident that the 1st Amendment will prevail, and so far it has never disappointed me. Trust me, I have struggled with taking a position lately on the Events Center. Friends of mine have been threatened and I have been warned personally of the consequences.
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.” – Albert Einstein
I received a donation yesterday to South DaCola. And I have much gratitude for this contribution. I don’t do this for money, or fame, or to meet hottie reporters from KDLT (Even though that is a bonus!) I do this because I have watched the powerful my whole life trample the dreams and ideas of Joe Sixpack, and I just can’t simply stand by and allow it.
Vote NO to the Events Center, and maybe we can let truth and accountability prevail before the next vote.