South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

2017

Paramedics Plus

Paramedics Plus being investigated by the Feds for Kickbacks

l3wis 4Comments

I always had a ‘weird’ feeling about this company when they rolled into Sioux Falls;

The United States’ complaint alleges that ETMC and Paramedics Plus entered into an illegal kickback scheme to obtain and retain a lucrative public ambulance services contract awarded by Williamson and EMSA, a public trust entity established under Oklahoma law.  The United States alleges the defendants created a slush fund controlled by ETMC and Paramedics Plus that was used to pay over $20 million in kickbacks.

Makes you wonder if the investigation will go national.

Mayor High Crimes Mayor Hubris Mayor Subprime Mike Huether Media Mike Huether

B-N-B & Too Late Todd censor Cameraman Bruce, to his amusement

l3wis 1Comments

Bruce tried to call in and converse with Hizzoner after the mayor sputtered his normal blather about the internets, facebooks and blogs ‘manipulating’ videos on B-N-B’s show this morning. After getting into a back and forth with Todd on the phone, Bruce just laughed at him. Todd didn’t want the conversation to spin in that direction. In other words, just let the mayor spew what he wants to without anyone holding him accountable. I guess it doesn’t really matter anyway, and why I don’t call in anymore, because Greg and Todd are NOT journalists, they are DJ’s that sell tranny repair and old folks apartments.

As I have argued about the ‘video manipulation’ I will agree with the mayor that we do add commentary to the videos (normally a scrawl across the top or bottom of the screen) but we have NEVER manipulated the video either visually and especially not audio. When the mayor or any other official says what they say, it’s all on them, we don’t do voice overs. MMM acts like we are the Sioux Falls version of Bad Lip Reading, not the case at all.

But what I found ironic is that while B-N-B was actually defending recording the parks board meetings in the name of transparency, Too Late Todd was censoring Bruce. Oh the irony of the conservative and the liberal running a radio show (they are neither BTW, just proud members of the ‘Suck Up’ party).

Open Government Open Meetings Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Parks and Rec

Recording Parks Board Meetings is for the PUBLIC’s best interest not the board members

l3wis 2Comments

A letter writer says it best, when Parks director Kearney tries to pull excuses from his butt;

I affirm the Sioux Falls Council’s decision to require the video programming of the Parks Department Advisory Committee meetings for the benefit of the public. Director Don Kearney’s rationale to prohibit the recordings of the meetings stems from the government bureaucracies’ weak mindset that they can control what is in the best interest of the citizens.

And further more, we don’t want weak or ignorant people serving on these boards;

Most public servants have the courage, faith and the confidence that the process is needed and that all citizens should have the opportunity to participate and be informed of actions of all government activities.

I have suggested the meetings be recorded at Carnegie instead hopscotching all over town;

In this instance, the Parks Advisory Committee meetings could easily be changed to an alternate time and day to allow more access and public participation opportunity.

As I told a city official this weekend, ‘We ARE singling out the Parks Board because they are important, just like the Planning Commission. They should be honored we care what they are doing in these meetings and proud of the decisions they make instead of hiding in a break room at the zoo.’

SF School District Sioux Falls

Mayor Huether gets his Trump on

l3wis 5Comments

I’m not opposed to people sending their kids to private school, but they shouldn’t get vouchers or public tax dollars to do so;

Sioux Falls public school leaders expressed disappointment Monday with Mayor Mike Huether’s decision to promote a national school choice campaign.

Huether signed a proclamation declaring this week to be “School Choice Week” in Sioux Falls. The observance coincides with National School Choice Week, a campaign largely supported by groups that advocate for taxpayer funding of private schools.

That’s why it is a choice, you choose to forgo publicly funding your kid’s education, so you don’t get those funds. Many parents would argue, “Hey, I pay taxes for funding public education, so I should be able to get that money.” Sorry pal, if that was how it worked, I would be paying ZERO taxes towards public education, in fact anyone with NO children currently in the public school system wouldn’t have to pay taxes. While it sometimes pains me the decisions our public schools make, and sometimes unfair taxation (tax on food to pay teachers) public education is an investment for all of us. That’s something called democracy.

As for the mayor signing this, I think half the time he has no idea what he is signing, probably why he declined an interview. But it also wouldn’t surprise if he did know, and did it out of his new found love for all things Trump.

Matthew Wollman State Legislature

Love can be blinding

l3wis 2Comments

I was a little surprised when I heard Wollmann’s GF speaking out, but I have often felt love blinds people sometime. While her post was the typical ‘the news got it wrong’ mantra when it comes to an elected official doing something wrong, she does get a few things wrong herself;

The way Mathew strongly and generously stood up and confessed his fault was the strongest thing I have ever seen someone do.

. . . but the main thing that will always scar me is the falsehood of KSFY, or in other words, you. 

First off, Mathew didn’t admit this in 2015, and he didn’t admit it in 2016. So when he finally did it admit it, he lied first, on camera, then took it back. So yes, he did confess, but not in the normal fashion. And while I will agree the local TV stations often get things wrong, the words of an individual in front of a running camera doesn’t lie. This wasn’t due to the marvelous skills of the reporter or even a reporter manipulating the video, it was the words of Mr. Wollman himself that sunk the ship. Truth hurts sometimes especially when it is about someone you love.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

You Missed

Uncategorized

Drinking Liberally Update (8/16/2024)

Downtown Sioux Falls Homeless Mayor TenHaken Sioux Falls

UPDATE: Was the Mayor TenHaken’s presser about panhandlers or manhandlers?

Downtown Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Parks and Rec

UPDATE: Did the City of Sioux Falls get permission from the CORPS of Engineers?

Downtown Sioux Falls Music Sioux Falls

I Really Get Into It: The Underage Architects of Sioux Falls Punk & the Black Crowes