[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBfstRjA-nU[/youtube]
Do we fix or replace? The Home Rule Charter has been so abused by out of control administrations we must consider its future.
In 12 years the city has dropped down into the sink hole of debt we may never be able to climb out. We are being taxed and levied fees at greater rates than ever before with little to show but larger egos. We have an administration abusing citizen’s rights in an attempt to mold the town into some kind of image we are not part of but have to pay for.
The Charter Revision Commission is appointed to look at the needs and make suggested corrections for voters to approve in 2016. We all know the Charter needs help, so let’s get involved to fix it.
There will be at least 4 more monthly meetings to present ideas. Here are the Charter Revision Commission Members:
– Robert Thimjon – Term Expires – March 2020 – Chair
– Susan Aguilar – Term Expires – March 2019 – Vice Chair
– Jill Entenman – Term Expires – March 2019
– Justin Smith – Term Expires – March 2019
– Pauline Poletes – Term Expires – March 2020
The first meeting was organizational. Each of the next 3 meetings will cover 3 sections of the Charter in order with Public Input allowed on each. It appears there will also be general Public Input at the end of each meeting.
As active participants in the 2014 city election, Greg Neitzert and Bruce Danielson spoke up during Public Input with ideas for the Commission to consider. They have promised to return with more ideas on the Initiative and Referendum process, direct election of City Attorney, appointment process to boards and commissions, Chair of City Council actually runs the meetings with mayor in attendance, clarification of the rule of law, and legal due process must be properly served by city agencies including Code Enforcement (no more drop and run process service or we think we mailed it stuff).
As it is, the Charter is so full of holes from top to bottom we are running out of fingers to plug it. With our “strong” mayor form the leader claims there is no way to stop him or the administration from taking away our rights. We need you to be involved to plug the leaky Charter.
If you have ideas, bring them to the Commission. Two people showing up at a meeting is not going to fix the Charter. Call AND write the members then show up to press your point of view. From all we can tell, there has not been public showing up to these meetings in the past. They need to see people!
I believe Home Rule is beyond repair. I’d like to see the state (supreme court) revoke the Sioux Falls charter and supervise reinstalling democratic principles and liberty. Look at the names on the charter revision commission. They’re Huether cronies appointed by him. Remember, this is the man that picked his own ethics board. This commission is not a way to address the problem. Rather, their objective is to preserve it.
Why change anything when nothing is broke? After all, who or what would know better than Forbes?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/freeenterprise/2015/08/03/running-a-startup-city/
Something tells me Huether had the Forbes questions well in advance. As usual, he’s polished the answers taking credit for things he had nothing to do with. Sioux Falls has grown because it’s in the right place at the right time, not because Mike Huether lives here. Infrastructure improvements were started by Munson. Huether has repeatedly attempted to loot from this budget. He’s not repaved any streets but painted them black with an eighth inch surface. The cover is coming off and there’s the original problem. This interview is older. There has been some major call center jobs lost. There’s growth but it’s outside city limits where new business doesn’t have to deal with city overregulation, bias, and bribes. It’s no secret new business can build here if they use overpriced godfather developers. When city finance must finally report the half billion debt and there’s bond default, I doubt Forbes will report. MSNBC and FOX will have the scoop on the next financial crisis. It will be overextended municipal bonds. Sioux Falls will be the subject example.
When and where are the meetings?