UPDATE: The city decided to edit the Q & A out of their version of the video. That’s why we bring the camera, you never know what kind of creative editing the city’s propaganda station will pull.
Sioux Falls Aquatics Focus Committee Named • 1/22/15
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUwRTtk09Q[/youtube]
Well as one commenters stated, “It looks like a stacked deck”. Yup it sure is. The Sioux Falls special specials all gathered together to bless the forgone conclusions we knew were coming.
Don Kearney keeps talking, never saying anything and then answers questions never asked in an order never followed (but does mention renderings will be released next week to city council(?) – so has this committee already been meeting?)
We want to know what happened to the Quit Claim Deed issue and many more unanswered questions. We won’t hold our breath waiting for answers.
How about putting people on a “focus” group who don’t have problems with the ethics of campaigns and contributions.
Why do we need two parks board members (and a former one) to sway the opinions of this ‘neutral’ focus group? Why do we need a voting member of the city council on this group? What does an “Avid Park and Trail User” have to do with a swimming pool? A person who sells sporting goods is a good fit to supply items to the swim teams, pool and parks department, but to be on the steering committee? Still trying to understand what qualifications a Lighting Design and Engineer for corporate and religious events brings to the table. Does the certified pool operator have other plans once the pool is operational? Do the healthcare employees plan to sway the project for their particular employer’s benefit? We understand how the front persons for the NO on the outdoor pool campaign were placed in the leadership of this effort but no other neighborhood residents? What about an egg salesman who donated $400 to the previously mentioned campaign interest group? We’re just curious as usual.
Just a few more questions for our ethically challenged city administration to answer someday when they get around to it. It took about 7 weeks to name these pre-chosen committee members, let’s see how long before we have to wait for more answers.
In the end, will these 15 people just be the rah-rah club for Don Kearney’s plans or will they actually have any say in the process?
VOTERS, when they release the numbers next week, remember you were sold this pool at a cost of $19.4 million.
As a TAXPAYER, I look forward to hearing about all that PRIVATE money the City and the YES campaign promised would be forthcoming AFTER the public vote.
the person who “sells sporting goods” is no longer an owner of the business and retirement is in the near future; he has had two daughters swim competitively at the NCAA division I level- he has been to swimming venues all over the United States; he has attended Olympic trials; he has a reasonable knowledge of what would be necessary to host competitive events
Matt – I know how to drive a car, but besides filling the washer fluid and fixing a flat tire, I couldn’t work on it. Just because someone knows how to ‘swim’ doesn’t mean you are qualified to design a pool.
As for his knowledge in competitive swim, that is great, but what does that have to do with brick and mortar? This committee is an after thought. They have had since November to announce this group and don’t choose to until a week before they present the plans. So what is there purpose . . . wait for it . . . RUBBER STAMP!
Taxpayer – Yeah, like all the private money that flowed into the tennis center, a facility named after our mayor after he hoodwinked the council into STEALING $500K from the taxpayer’s to fund his wife’s playland.
Citizens will have no say regarding this project. It’s how things happen here. Like the Pavilion & EC, it’ll be built without justification and the city will go deep in debt. I’m convinced the only way to stop these luxuries is when the city is broke and can’t borrow.
The one thing I’d like to happen is this project be competitive bid process with bias for local contractors. It’s not much to ask.
Regarding the quit claim deed, it’s there as the park. The city owned this property before the VA and there should be no cloud on title. The land was returned to the city with the stipulation it would perpetually be a park. The deed is ancient with potential litigation holes. A major Olympic Pool building might not be defined as ‘park’. The legal description includes the south area (sled hill). Don’t be surprised if, soon after ground is broken for the swim center, a tennis center is proposed on the south parcel. Inevitably, this tract will be all buildings and parking. Certainly, no longer a park.
You can bet this places major dollars will be poured into the 10 50 meter lanes it will have for the local swim clubs. For everyone? Check out the prices to enroll a kid in Snofox.
I did not say he knew how to swim- I said he has been in many venues and knows what they included- he has helped stage other events as well (ie track meets) what is wrong with drawing on the knowledge of someone who has seen it done right help to have it done right?
did not reply totally to your question- knowledge of venues does have to do with brick and mortar- what facility needs to be there
Matt, that’s great, but I’m not so sure that this committee will contribute much, not at any fault of there own. The members were supposed to be announced after Thanksgiving, now a couple of months down the road, they finally get announced, and next week the council will be presented with ‘something’.
http://docs.siouxfalls.org/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=2182&doctype=AGENDA
that is probably true but this was no reason to disparage a person for selling sporting goods- perhaps some vetting should have been done before offering criticism of his paraticipation
The city and the school system both operate in the same mode…..make the plans, introduce it to the public supposedly seeking their input, and then proceed with their original plans. The public input is a farce and simply a cover one’s behind action.
As far as the quit claim deed is concerned the contingencies have already been violated. Placing retention ponds on property which has a contingency in the quit claim deed requiring that the property ONLY be used for park and recreation is a violation of that contingency.
Furthermore, Don Kearney promised the city council he would attain written permission from the VA before proceeding with the indoor aquatic project. I am willing to bet he has not attained written permission from the VA regarding this contingency and that he and DEFINITELY NOT MMM will proceed without protecting the taxpayer’s money.
It is legally possible the VA can reclaim the Spellerberg park land at some future date. Investing and placing this $20 million aquatic project on this piece of land is foolish and a roll of the dice with taxpayer’s funds. Choosing another site is the most prudent option.
Matt, Is there something wrong with selling sporting goods? Seems like a more honest living then selling sub-prime credit cards, but probably not as lucrative 🙂
13wis there is nothing wrong with selling sporting goods; there is something wrong with the implication that the private citizen’s service would somehow benefit his business when you know nothing about their business there is something wrong with not vetting a person’s life experiences before criticizing their willingness to serve on a committee there is something wrong with cynically questioning their knowledge about “brick and mortar” and what facilities are needed to host a swim meet when you know nothing about the individual being lampooned by you
It is interesting the Jan 27 Argus let’s us know one of the members of this committee is building the 6 million chicken / egg complex by Parker. I guess there is a need for an indoor pool to get away from the stench this place will produce. Anybody ever spend anytime by one of these places? Your nose will never be the same.
http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2015/01/26/six-million-chickens-come-roost-turner-county/22383261/
Everything about this mayor and city government is stacked toward the same kind of people. I wonder who else has invested.
I was at the VA hospital yesterday. They’ve outgrown the area. I had to park a block away close to the proposed indoor pool. It’s very strange how there’s empty parking ramps downtown but not enough parking at the new EC, the airport, and anywhere near the VA or the proposed swim center.
Pay attention to the City Council informational meeting today – my sources tell me there will be some additional funding required for the pool project.