2016

Hey Republicans, let’s talk ‘Transparency’

I have often scratched my head when Republican lawmakers in this state say they are against Amendment V because of transparency. They feel voters have a right to know what party a candidate belongs to, but it seems many of them don’t want you to know what they do for a living, or more specifically the name of their business. Let’s talk transparency. I want to know what profession or previous profession (many are retired) a lawmaker is. It is important to my decision making. As an independent, I mostly lean left, but do vote for Republicans on occasion, if I feel they are the best candidate. Their life experience in their employment is very important to me.

Out of the 6 districts the Argus Leader media surveyed only ONE Democrat, John Koch listed his employment as ‘Salesman’. The rest of the Democrats either revealed who they work for, what they do, the name of their business, or that they are retired (and they even listed their employment before retirement).

On the other hand, most of the Republicans were very vague as to what they do or who they work for. One of them even went so far to call herself a career politician, Jenna Haggar listed the State Legislature as employment (A 40 day out of the year job).

This is why Amendment V is important, it will give voters the opportunity to research candidates beyond their party label.

Image/information: Argus Leader Media

legis

Is Sioux Falls Community Development and Fire Department hiding something from the development community?

Many in the development community may already know what that secret is, but, it seems, some do not;

But that’s not sitting well with JDI, Inc.’s CEO Robin Miller, who’s company wanted to build a 12-story condominium, including underground parking and a rooftop garden.

Miller said unlike the two other proposals, which would have maintained the parcel’s green space by turning it into a park, JDI’s plan would have generated $35 million or more worth of construction, brought high-quality architecture to downtown and bolstered downtown’s parking capacity.

If that plan wasn’t good enough for the city, Miller’s not sure what would be.

“When we first went to the city they said ‘We want to see quality construction that’s uniquely special to that site, and we agreed.” Miller said. “When they don’t proceed with what you think is a good proposal … what’s my incentive to make a proposal on something else.”

What many people may not know is that the city may be holding back on projects like this because of the height of the building. Remember the $1 Million dollar fire truck the city had to provide to make sure they could reach the top of the Events Center? Rumor is the planning office won’t allow NEW buildings over four-six stories. It has a lot to do with the airport and National guard base’s proximity to downtown, but it also comes to the fire department not having the equipment to put out fires over 4-6 stories high. The other bank buildings downtown that are over four stories were built before these regulations were put into place.

Let’s face it, we could develop 12-story condos downtown, but if the fire department can’t reach the top in an emergency, we would be screwed.

I wonder if anyone in Community Development or the Fire Department will ever share this little tid-bit with the good tax payers of Sioux Falls? Oh, that of course requires transparency. LOL.