The campaign group behind a new events center raised more than $153,000 in the past month, and Build It Now’s campaign manager said its efforts will intensify next week.
“The past three weeks have been a blur,” Mike Knuth said. “We are knee-deep right now in cutting commercials.“
Well, he is right on one thing, we are knee-deep in something, but it isn’t commercials. People in Sioux Falls pay attention to prudence, especially in this economy. And I know Mayor Huether likes to use that word to sell his policies, but it seems the only one’s buying are the ones that can afford to influence the vote;
First Premier Bank contributed $50,000, while Sanford Health matched that amount. First National Bank donated $20,000. The largest donation from an individual came from Dana Dykhouse, the president and CEO of First Premier Bank.
So basically Denny Sanford has money to spend on marketing this boondoggle, just no money to dedicate to the building once it is built. And what does it mean when hospitals are donating money to entertainment facilities? Doesn’t healthcare cost enough already? And lastly, Dana Dykhouse’s donation cracks me up. Dana had plenty of opportunities in the last task force to bring his opinion to the table, but hardly even showed up, but when he did, he pouted and took his ball and went home. So I see Dana is taking the safe approach this time and just cutting a check and letting the professionals handle the ‘Vision’ campaign.