July 2014

Worth watching

This Minnehaha county commission meeting is worth watching, FF to about 37 minutes, the fight over money and how the city of SF is crapping on the county is astounding. 600K in lost TIF revenue, WOW!;

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqLK251Do-Y#t=5425[/youtube]

Welcome to South Dakota, where the Constitution doesn’t apply

When I see stuff like this, I just shake my head, especially when a governmental body doesn’t understand the US Constitution, ESPECIALLY a school board. Apparently in Miller, SD, they don’t teach any civics courses;

Zacher said he was disappointed the board was forced to change its policy and disallow the Bible distribution.

First off, NO one forced the board to do anything. Following the US Constitution should be a duty of any governmental body, it shouldn’t be something you should even have to think about or second guess, it should come naturally. I bet if someone tried to take away your guns in good ol’ Miller, the Constitution would rear it’s ugly head and be on your side. But like most Hicks, you like to pick and choose what parts of the Constitution you think should apply.

“Our founding fathers felt God very strong in this country,” he said.

Zacher, you are absolutely correct. In fact they thought so highly of God and religion, they wanted to keep government OUT of their personal beliefs on God. The US Constitution’s view on this is to protect people from government’s intrusion into your religious beliefs. When are you going to figure this out?! Does somebody have to hit you upside the head with a bible or better yet a copy of the Constitution. Geez!

Saw this coming a mile away

When I first heard about this yesterday, the first thing I thought;

Sioux Falls musicians say it’s insulting to be asked to play for free at the Denny Sanford Premier Center’s soft-opening event.

City of Sioux Falls officials and SMG, the company that manages the events center, put out a call to artists this week, looking for local bands and entertainers to perform at a two-day soft opening event Sept. 19 and 20. Because of a limited budget, they say, they’ll be looking for acts to play for free.

Thomas Hentges, who performs as Burlap Wolf King, said he was sickened by the news.

 Should the city pay local acts to perform at open houses at the events…

“It just says that they have no value in their local musicians,” he said.

Few musicians in Sioux Falls make a living from their music, and getting paid isn’t what it’s all about, Hentges said, but it sends the wrong message when a place that clearly can afford it asks people to donate their services.

I actually called a local musician about it and said, “The mayor says they ‘might’ pay you.” He gives a sigh and a short snort and says, “Yeah, that means it doesn’t pay.” He pretty much voiced the same opinion as the others in the story, with all the money behind this place, they can afford to pay. I also called a city councilor and told them the sponsors should foot the bill for the musicians, as I originally suggested;

His idea was to have a FREE concert for the opening event that the title sponsors and other businesses in town could underwrite. 

Well, at least they took HALF of my idea 🙁

Gant calling the Kettle Black

gant-gate-photo

So when Jason’s partisanship is called out, he calls it ‘Absurd and Pathetic’

Myers has described the secretary of state as ‘a hit man for the Republican machine in Pierre.’

“The secretary of state is used as a party to advance the interest of the dominant party,” said Myers.

“Absolutely not — that’s absurd and pathetic. That’s just the sad attempt of publicity,” said Gant.

“And you know what, I don’t like bullies. So Gant is the big guy up in front of all the bullies,” said Myers.

“The law is the law and I can’t change it. Mr. Myers can’t change and I have to follow it. If he doesn’t agree with it, that’s his concern,” said Gant.

Jason has time and time again used his position as a REPUBLICAN to advance his party, he has made anybody who isn’t in the Republican party follow a separate set of rules, he has raised gobs of money for the state party, he has even went as far to purchase equipment from companies that have donated to the state party (E-Poll books) and has even endorsed candidates. Now if that isn’t partisanship, not sure what is. This issue could have been easily accommodated, the AG could have went in front of a judge (in the absence of the law referring to Indy candidates) and asked for an exception for Myers and Hubbel, then instructed Gant to put them on the ballot. But instead, they must punish those who don’t ‘kiss the ring’ and make them go dig up attorneys. Gant and Jackley know who their bosses are, and it is not the citizens of this great state.

It’s all about image with the Mayor

Big_Cat_Malt_Liquor_Zip_Top_Beer_Can-STOUT_TOP_LID

Who wants to see the Big Cat anyway?

Substance abuse? Homeless peeps? Rape? Theft? Assault? Drug dealing? That’s the least of MMM’s concerns when it comes to Van Eps Park;

Huether is also concerned about the image people get of Sioux Falls right off Minnesota Avenue in what he calls “The Grand Gateway”  to our town.

“Fly into our airport, come down Minnesota Avenue, go down 6th and 8th Streets to our beautiful Falls Park and as you’re driving by, you drive Van Eps Park and you go, ‘What was that?’  Reality is it’s a highly visible location and we’re going to make sure it shows well,” Huether said.

As I have said before, this isn’t a hard fix, but when you have a city administration more concerned about IMAGE over REALITY what do you expect?