[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2safIXqjzzA[/youtube]
It’s the yearly budget night at Sioux Falls City Council September 15, 2015 and no I.L. Wiedermann. I.L. died last Saturday and Bruce Danielson gave him a Public Input goodbye.
I.L. made his first trip to Public Input in 2006 when his van received a red light turn camera ticket. When was it Constitutional for a van to get a ticket and not the driver? As I.L. dug in his heals deeper, he discovered it wasn’t the city police giving him the ticket but a company from Australia. How could a company from Australia give a ticket with criminal penalties backed up by the police?
He fought the law, the camera, the police, the city plus the Redflex Company over an $86 fine and won for us. It was the constitutional principle to this naval Vietnam Veteran.
Since 2006, the city council and administrations have grown used to the very private I.L. speaking up on issues. He spoke at least 29 times for the underdog in his style because he could. We will miss I.L. Wiedermann.
Bob Kolbe also added to the evening by reminding the mayor he is not the only reason the community is growing. We have a strong mayor form of government only by consent of the council. The council can break the mayor’s power by not voting for any of his proposals. The Council is the city policy body and it can reject the mayor’s plans. Hmmmm……
Camera tickets were paid to address in AZ. If you contested, appeal was to address in CT. Not only was the vehicle ticketed, it was mailed (improper service) to the owner (not the driver). You had no opportunity to appeal into court. Camera tickets were a worst case violation of constitutional rights. They’re now illegal in 30 states because of the IL Wiederman case. This man was a patriot.
Not sure the council can override the mayor. Under home rule and recent council aporoved ordinance revisions, the mayor is absolute dictator (aka Strong Mayor). The mayor sets and activates policy. The council has become but another consultant whose opinion the mayor doesn’t have to accept.
Kind words from Bruce Danielson about IL Wiederman in this video. Notice how uncomfortable the mayor and city attorney are. They tried to take away rights of citizens and failed many many times. There’s charter revision that they’ll try and block. There are cases coming to trial that will expose their lack of respect for constitutional liberty.
Rest in peace, Mr. Wiedener.