I found this on Steve Hildebrand’s FB page;
I bet I’ve spoken to more than 100 people about this project – all who believe it’s important and a great step forward for downtown and Sioux Falls in general.
I’ve also spoken directly to Mayor Huether about it. He’s absolutely got his heels dug in on this one and says “they will not get a TIF.” When I asked him why he was opposed to a TIF for this $29 million project with tremendous economic impact for our city, he literally stormed off in a huff. Really? Seems like when a taxpayer asks a public official to explain their position, the could do just that – without getting all uptight.
For the life of me, I can understand why Mayor Huether would oppose this important project for Sioux Falls. If you believe this project is important, please call, email or talk to Mayor Huether in person. Please also share your thoughts with members of the SF Planning Commission and the City Council. We need their support to make this project possible.
For the record, I am against this TIF, but I am bias, I don’t believe in TIF’s. Over the past two years we have had record building permits, and NO TIF’s were granted. Are they needed? Or can private enterprise roll on it’s own? Playing the Devil’s advocate, let’s say I am for TIF’s, the biggest issue with this one is it is too large. I think if they scaled it back by 75% they would have a better chance.
As for the mayor, he doesn’t play well with others, and that is becoming more evident.
I figure if developers want to do things, they should have the money to do so without asking for city help. If they don’t have enough money to do it, let them take out loans like everybody else has to.
i’d like to follow the money on this one. I’ll bet MMM doesn’t gain personally from this project. Hence no TIF
That old hole in the ground would make a great spot for a Wal-mart.
You gotta post about Dave Billion, the son, speaking out against the proposed Billion lot expansion. What’s going on there? Interesting stuff….
I agree with LJL.
Huether in a huff though? It will be news when he isn’t in one.
LJL would be right for when Huether entered office. However, he’s looking for numerous small gains in an attempt to tame spending and debt city finance hides from the council. His cuts irritate his would be allies because they’re from infrastructure and social areas. At the end of his term his epitaph will read: Out of control credit card king known for leaving the city with insufficient funds for making monthly minimums.
He’s not a business man. More like a teenager with a credit card at Mall of America. Now the statement arrives and it’s time to come clean.
IMHO – No person who draws a paycheck (as an employee) should ever be called a “businessman”. I don’t care if your job title is VP, or CEO or whatever. You’re just a “salary man” (as the Japanese say). Live and die strictly off your profitability. THEN you can be appropriately labeled as a “businessman”.
Hmmm, Rufus makes sense. I’ve been self-employed 40 years. A real entrepeneur is one who profited in good times and endured hard times. Hard hits forced me to give up on ego. The best way to gain favor is with your tail between your legs and make responsible but unqualified people look good. My biggest fear was always having to go to work for an incompetent MBA who’s out to become wealthy via a board cover up and buyout. In the process, employees and stockholders lose. It’s wrong but that’s the present environment.