The Knudson campaign whipped this mailer together on Friday (digitally printed) and sent it out. Once again she is misleading voters on Kermit’s record (we will get to that in a moment).
But what concerns me is that Knudson cites the AL as a reliable source. Why not reference the actual council meetings his supposed opposition took place so voters can have a chance to view the meetings online and see the actual recorded votes. I’m not concerned about what a politician has to say to a newspaper, especially how the AL editorializes, I’m concerned how they vote on an issue, and why they voted that way.
Secondly, who did the research, and found these newspaper articles? Or does Knudson have an insider working at the paper? Wouldn’t surprise me.
UPDATED w/article citations (Dr. Staggers contributed to the following)
Regarding the Events Center statement – February 17, 2010
This article actually reaffirms my position on the Events Center that I did not want a subsidy or tax increase. Â De’s card inaccurately references this article to say that I opposed the Events Center.
Councilor Kermit Staggers reiterated he was against raising taxes or subsidizing the events center. He said it would be appropriate to have a plan ready for the new mayor to review.
“Whoever is the new mayor of Sioux Falls is going to have a tremendous amount of say in this events center,” he said.
Regarding the zoo, Westside Library and River Greenway – May 19, 2009
The article deals with a second so-called quality of life bond of $18.5 million that deals with a new junior football complex, doubling the cost of the greenway project, more money for the zoo, and a new library. Earlier, a first so-called quality of life bond for $25 million had been passed for funding the Drake Springs Pool, remodeling the downtown library, and for baseball fields at Harmondon Park. Â I voted for this bond issue. Once again, regarding this second bond issue of $18.5 million that De’s card references, I voted against it in addition to Pat Costello and Kenny Anderson. Â I know the three of us were particularly upset about the dramatic increase in spending for the greenway, and also whether this was an appropriate time to go into debt having previously passed a $25 million bond issue.
In the end, Costello and councilors Kermit Staggers and Kenny Anderson Jr. voted against approving the bonds.
Costello earlier grilled Rowenhorst about debt accumulation in less than 30 months. Concern exists about Capital Improvement Program projects’ effect on the budget, he said.
“We have new police officers we want to add and a new fire station we need in 2011,” Costello said. “I’d like to know what the impact will be on the operating budget before we do this.”
Regarding the SF Development Foundation – January 31, 2008
This article brings up one attempt of mine to reduce the city subsidy of this private business foundation. Â I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PRIVATE EFFORTS OF THIS FOUNDATION.
Regarding the Main Branch Library – January 15, 2008
This article deals with adding $1.5 million to the remodeling of the library. Â Having already voted for the money to remodel the library, more money was now being requested. Â This is a good example of the city engaging in extravagant spending. Â Myself, Pat Costello, and Gerald Beninga voted against this extravagant spending.
Councilors Gerald Beninga, Pat Costello and Kermit Staggers voted against the increase, calling the projects unnecessary.
Costello called the flooring system a “luxury.” He said that it would be less expensive to run cables through the ceiling, and he questioned the need to install the expensive flooring in all of the library when computer terminals take up a small amount of space.
“This is just simply a luxury item. There is no clearer example than this.”
Staggers said the city would still get “a very nice library” even without the $1.5 million increase.
“We’re not cutting down on spending at all. We just continue to spend, spend, spend.”
Regarding the Washington Pavilion – September 18, 2004 & March 1, 2003
The September 18th article deals with my attempt to reduce the subsidy of the Washington Pavilion. Â In March 1, 2003 I am actually applauding Washington Pavilion for actually making a profit. Â I DO NOT OPPOSE THE WASHINGTON PAVILION. I want the facility to make money!
Council member Kermit Staggers said that is too high. He has presented more than a dozen amendments that would cut spending.
One of his biggest targets is nonprofit agencies that have requested money. He said public dollars shouldn’t go to those groups.
“The most important thing is for the public to be aware of some of these subsidies,” he said.
While Staggers and Jamison are calling for cuts, council member De Knudson proposes increasing the subsidy for the Sioux Empire Arts Council by $12,820 to a total of $37,000.
What I have always done on the Council is to look critically at all spending and to advocate eliminating spending which is wasteful. Unfortunately, De has never looked at spending in a critical way. Â Her response seems to be that if anybody is critical of spending, then they are against the facility or program.
As I sidenote, I remember watching or attending several of the above mentioned meetings. Kermit was not always alone in questioning spending, especially with the Library improvements and the River Greenway (which has jumped from $2.5 million to over $10 million when completed).
De Knudson is absolutely correct………..
Kermit Staggers offers a clear choice for the at-large Council seat.
For those taxpayers who did not and do not support:
**an annual taxpayer subsidy of over one million dollars for the Washington Pavilion
For those taxpayers who did not support:
**1.5 m in “COSMETIC ONLY” improvements to the Main Library (this was in addition to the 11.2m to remodel the main library which Staggers voted “YES” for)
For those taxpayers who did not support:
**when Munson’s administration suddenly doubled the cost of Phase I of the River Greenway from 2.5m to 5.2m (BTW, the night of the vote, when STAGGERS asked Mike Cooper, Director of Planning to justify the additional 2.7m he could not) hence, Councilors Costello and Staggers voted “NO”
For those taxpayers who did not and do not support:
**annual multi-million dollar taxpayer projects at the ZOO (which BTW the Park Board no longer even supports/work session January 2012)
AND, for those 4 out of 10 voters who did not and do not support:
**$183m for the capital costs of an events center with to-be-determined operating costs……….
and that’s why I will enthusiastically vote FOR Staggers this Tuesday!!!
I am disappointed that the media may be in bed with Knudson. Of course I am speculating here. You can do a search on the AL’s website to find articles. But I know that only internal employees can do detailed searches on specific stories. Someone helped her find those AL stories referencing Kermit’s stances. I want to know if it was a consulting company, or someone internal.
Loved Beck’s article today about ‘breaking stories’ How would anyone know if you broke a story on your website if you have to pay to read it? The TV stations charge nothing to read their stories and websites. I have a feeling revenue is in the shitter.
I dedicate this song to De’s campaign;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSHf1svbQrA
if de has a source at the paper, you can bet the info is incorrect, since they think that minnesota avenue and phillips avenue are the same.
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20120406/COLUMNISTS0111/304060020?nclick_check=1
As I shown above, you could read into the articles either way. Kermit is partially opposed to some of the things mentioned, BUT he did offer amendments to reduce funding NOT to cut the projects totally.
Inside Stormland has their video up;
http://www.keloland.com/videoarchive/index.cfm?VideoFile=120408insidekeloland
I am getting really tired of all the robo calls I am getting from the Knudsen campaign. I had one from Staggers today, and that is the only other one that I have had, compared to one a day from De. Any other year I haven’t had calls from any people running for council.
They are counting on repetition, like with the EC vote. The problem is it may not work.
I’m not making any predictions, I have learned to keep my expectations low.
Robo calls not only do not work for me, they have the tendency to make me more inclined to be more receptive to the other candidate. I suspect there are a lot of others like me. Phone spam. Waste of time and money. Candidates? It’s only my two-cents worth, but it just might be valuable for you all to heed.
Get out there and talk to the people. I know it’s only “one on one” but if it’s the real deal type of one on one, they’ll share the message with others.
Having an automated call, gets a hangup from me.
Now, get out there and have a discussion with the people, debate the other candidates, have a little fun (because this politics thing can be hard work) and dance like nobody’s looking (like Dr. S.)
Scott: Question of the Day: are you aware of any polling, even limited or informal polling on the SF At-Large race?
I will give Staggers credit, he rounded up about 50 volunteers to do LIVE calls in which there was interaction with the voters.
I heard of no polling, so I don’t know where we are at, which is kind of nice for once. I will give credit to Kermit once again for running an honest grassroots campaign. I will also give credit to Knudson for running a MONEY campaign. She knows it will take a lot of dough to beat Kermit. I hope he prevails, it all comes down to voter turnout though.
Talked to a friend a little bit ago – apparently the new voting system has some bugs. He attempted to vote at Harvey Dunn on his way to work. There was a super long line right after 7 am because the computers wouldn’t come online.
I agree with MARK – is it that difficult to host some open discussions within your district to truly listen to your constituents versus robo calling them to tell them how great you are? I know this is more difficult – but for goodness sake – make a flippin’ effort. Even if you are running At-Large – make an effort. There are libraries, churches, etc that charge you basically nothing. If you took one week and did a meeting each night in a different district – wahlah – you would have at least made the effort. I am so literally disappointed in the efforts of all of the candidates. Not one candidate has been in our neighborhood. I realize going door-to-door is taxing – but then hold the open door meetings. Kermit did a couple, Buttemeier did one, and after that – I don’t know if there were any. But hey – you can join De at her house tonight – but make sure you bring your yard signs with you because you get to come to her if you support her – not the other way around.
Kermit did quite a few…and at very public places. He made appearances at all of the HyVee’s…and a couple of the libraries.
He also has been hanging out a JM’s the past couple of days. Trust me, he has talked to a lot more people then you think.
“Talked to a friend a little bit ago – apparently the new voting system has some bugs. He attempted to vote at Harvey Dunn on his way to work. There was a super long line right after 7 am because the computers wouldn’t come online.”
Pitty Pat and Gunt probably had to hit BK’s before turning on the system. They probably have the switch turned to ‘FART’.
I have no doubt that Kermit was speaking to people. I guess I was going at the fact that as a whole group – pretty disappointing. Karsky stated today on FB that it has been hard work but he has enjoyed talking to people in their homes. I sure as hell would love to know who those people were because I didn’t hear one word of him doing a damn thing except putting his mug up on the billboard at the mall ie he hasn’t stepped foot in our area in the last year since he was “selected” to be on the city council. I’ll bet Jamison and Brown regret that decision about every day of their city council life.
Potato Salad head is gonna loose real bad! I think people have seen the Kunudson name one too many times. Uggh… Well if she looses you’ll probably see her at Michael’s getting more scarf material.
They’re using electronic voting machines?? Must be Jason Gant’s idea.. That needs to be stopped right away.
Ill cast my vote for Kermit as soon as I can but if the vote is rigged guess who’s behind it??
Nope, not electronic voting machines…check-in is electronic.
I would love to see all the fuck-ups that happened today due to Team Litz-Gant. Even typing that makes me cringe.
Gant set up headquarters at the Royal Fork.
Hey, that is a little high-class for him, I was thinking more like the KFC buffet, that way he could fart his whole way back to Pierre.