South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

2015

Kermit Staggers SF City Council Sioux Falls

UPDATE: Councilman Kermit Staggers Press Conference, 2 PM tomorrow, Thursday

l3wis 9Comments

UPDATE: As I suspected, Kermit’s family said they will be working through his health issues as he continues to serve on the council. Time to move along to other important business concerning our city.

Here are the actual charter rules for attendance. In all reality if Kermit only showed up to 3 more meetings he would be in compliance. But how can we expect the rest of the council understand their own charter? (DOC: Council Meetings

Kermit’s family will be making a statement. It is at Carnegie Town Hall.

My assumption is they will be speaking about his recent health issues and finishing his term as a councilor (which ends this Spring in a few months).

I have NO doubt in my mind he will finish his term out successfully and tackle his health problems. As for running for another term, I am not sure of.

Kermit has been a strong voice for the people, and agree or disagree with him, you will have to admit that the man has been dedicated to public service most of his life. He served as an Air Force intelligence officer, a state legislator and a 3 term city councilor.

I hope that the remaining city councilors and the mayor give him the respect and the space to finish his probable final term in public service gracefully. I know he would do the same for any of them if they were in the same boat.

As for his (well excused) absence, I could go on and on about the meetings the other councilors have missed over their terms to go on exotic vacations, visit their vacation homes in Florida or to leave early to see a rock concert. There must be respect amongst peers, and I hope they show Kermit that respect.

Mayor Hubris Mayor Subprime Mike Huether Mike Huether SF City Council Sioux Falls

Should the Sioux Falls City Council ask for an update on the Huether Match Pointe?

l3wis 9Comments

It’s been over 6 months since the indoor tennis center has opened, a place that has received $500,000.00 in tax dollars (not sure for what) and tried to get CVB monies for marketing. Isn’t it time the director of the facility, the mayor or his wife give us and update on how many people have used the facility, how many members are enrolled and if the place is in the black? I firmly believe if the place is flailing we should ask for our $500,000.00 back and use it on something else like para transit.

As you can see from the initial Argus story on the facility, it was pretty pie in the sky;

A consultant hired by the Sioux Falls Tennis Association has recommended charging $22 per hour to play at the seven-court Community Indoor Tennis Center. To be guaranteed court time, players would have to sign up for memberships that cost $30 a month per person or $50 for families; nonmembers would pay $10 per visit in addition to the court rental and could not reserve permanent court time.

As you can see from their current rate sheet, they are not quite meeting ALL of the fee goals;

Courts are available for rent on a daily basis, at a rate of $5/person/hour.

Five types of patron membership exist:

  • Junior - An individual between the ages of 3 and 18; $20/month

  • Senior – An individual 62 years of age & older; $20/month

  • Individual – An individual 19 years of age & older; $30/month

  • Dual – Two committed adults living at the same address OR a parent & one dependent child through the age of 24; $40/month

  • Family – All members of one household including all dependent children through the age of 24; $50/month

As you continue reading though, you will see they tack on the extra fees as if you were getting a subprime credit card. Wonder where they cooked up those ideas?

I urge the city council to ask for a presentation on the status of the facility, and to also ask if other attendees can use their parking lot when they don’t have tournaments going on.

Sioux Falls Taxes

The Bungling of the BID Tax

l3wis 1Comments

As I expected, a bunch of the same old loud mouths in our community flapping their traps and throwing anything at the wall to see what will stick;

But former City Council member Jim Entenman says the City could do more with a “venture fund” to help organizations which bring events, such as the Summit League Basketball tournament to town.

First off, as I have said in the past, I didn’t think we needed this advisory board, this isn’t about the status quo or keeping up with the Jones. The BID Tax programming is not broken, in fact it is working just the way it was suppose to by putting more bodies in Hotel Rooms.

Of course, Jim, who doesn’t even sit on the city council anymore (and actually helped create the BID Tax) can’t resist to do the Mayor’s bidding. Venture Fund, that sounds like something out of one of Huether’s goofy salesman books.

“We are an advisory board only and we shouldn’t pretend to be otherwise. There’s nothing wrong with throwing out in each of those categories, ‘Here’s some good ideas,'” Randall Beck said.

Here’s a better idea Randy, admitting that these entire proceedings have been a gigantic waste of time and tax dollars, which committee member Knobe proves with this vague non-statement;

“There’s a lot of collaboration going on and that’s good, but the concern I have is that I would like to see a more formalized system for collaboration,” Knobe said.

Huh?

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