I will admit I was impressed by the people on Paul’s transition team, all very smart and talented, including this curious selection;
former economic development manager and Lloyd Companies executive Erica Beck
While Erica will certainly bring a lot to the table when it comes to urban planning, I think Paul should know better considering this is a HUGE conflict of interest having an executive from a private developer that has reaped millions in TIF’s and special land deals from the city helping with his transition. It doesn’t look good, you know, kind of like getting campaign contributions from toddlers.
As I understand it, Erica was NOT terminated from the city as an urban planner but quit after being forced to write the Sanford Sports Complex TIF after her initial objections. Not only did the TIF set precedent because it was the largest the city had ever issued (I believe around $9 million) it was given to a project that had NO blight. I would also guess that she took issue with her former boss’s incompetence, Darrin Smith. A guy who went from running a non-profit to running the parking ramps in the city to becoming the director of community development. At least Erica will be able to recommend what NOT TO DO.
At least Paul is being transparent about the team.
UPDATE: The story this morning is that Beck is leaving Lloyd companies to work for TenHaken and the city. Not sure if that is the case, but if it is true, I would predict she would either be his Chief of Staff or more likely run Community Development with Ketchum either being terminated or demoted. This would also setup Beck running the Planning Department once Cooper retired. I will say this, Beck is a very talented urban planner and very capable of running any of these departments. If Paul does bring her on, it shows he wants to surround himself with talented, independent voices, unlike our current King who only wants yes men and liars.
I have also heard from another reporter that Paul’s campaign manager, TJ Nelson will become his deputy chief of staff.
at least there’s no one from legacy. that we know of anyway.
Are there any Democrats on this team? At Democratic Forum, PTH claimed that he pulled out of a state legislative bid a couple of years ago, because he didn’t want to be just associated with the letter “R.”
I see that Munson is back, too (Make sure that all funds are appropriated before spent, however). And that Hanson is back too. Wasn’t he the mayor who wrote to the local Catholic Bishop asking him to not open a spanish speaking parish here in town?
What’s to celebrate with the transparent massive conflict of interest here? It’s still a ridiculous conflict in plain view. Lloyd Companies have more entanglements with the City than any other business in town.
Just watch, she’ll end up Chief of Staff…
This seems like a solid group of advisors, including Beck. The value she brings as an experienced former key employee in a city department trumps the acknowledged conflict of interest.
If her departure was as you describe, then she is a person of integrity and one with scruples. The kind of person I would want to provide counsel to me.
Former employees of an organization can offer a candid outlook (“got no reasons to lie anymore”; don’t need to posture to preserve their position).
RIIIIIIGHT, guy from guernsey, there’s not going to be any posturing to preserve/enhance the current position at Lloyd. Who cares about the former job a long time ago with the City, it’s the conflict of interest Now that’s a legit issue. Also: Ten Haken hasn’t “acknowledged” anything about it.
Dutch Oven,
My intention was to indicate that I recognize and admit the conflict of interest, but see that she could provide good information and guidance nonetheless. Was not trying to convince you or anyone else that TenHaken acknowledged anything … other than he did identify 10 people who he has asked to assist in transition.
The current outgoing administration would have not only declined to identify individuals, but likely would have denied that there was a transition team.
hmm….
Craig Lloyd, Marshall Selberg, broker associate for Lloyd Residential Group since 2011 and current SF City Councilor, Erica Beck, Vice President of Development for Lloyd Companies and member of transition team for Mayor-elect Paul TenHaken.
If any of these people are selected to help run the government, will they be forced to sell any partnership or investment positions they may have?
It’s no secret the mayor is a developers puppet. It may seem Strong Mayor has power but he got elected with minor child contributions. Even they are smart enough to recognize the city budget is a ‘TIF or Tat’ for gifts to developers. Hopefully, new council composure can vote down some of the misappropriation. Otherwise, Huether destroyed city credit and more bonds will not happen.
Scott, as far as I know Paul has no friendships with Legacy – Drake, Canfield, or Cink.
Not yet, but I bet they’ll meet at a future ribbon cutting and shovel event.
RE: your update: Certainly a realistic outcome that Erica Beck would leave her post at Lloyd Companies to re-join the city staff at a very highly placed level. If it is to be, this should happen at the outset, so everyone is clear about the current direction of things.
Would the return of Beck to a city post strike fear into some of the vermin who have surrounded HisManMike over the past 8 years?
Remember folks, the enemy of your enemy is (can be) your friend.
#clearthedecksofHuetherism
I hear Anne Hajek is in the mix to be City Attorney. It is a job she has wanted for many years and has no experience to show on a resume. Has she ever praciced law?
They don’t call it blinded justice for “nothing.”
Will Lords Eric Trump or Jared Kushner be on Lord Mini Ten Trump’s transition team?
Hey TEam Builder and Very Stable Genus – this is Anne Hajek, and I am not interested in the City Attorney position, never have been- so don’t worry, and you might want to ask me if you are wondering whether I practiced law. I practiced law for 24 years, very successfully with a general practice for the first five years, and transitioned into employment work, with many noteworthy clients. I was a contractor investigator with the South Dakota Division of Human Rights for 20 of those years, specializing in discrimination cases.
? Anne Hajek follows southdacola
Looks like you have many who follow you, Scott, who will never admit it
Wonder if they are among those who also call you a ‘naysayer’
Reader – Funny.
Before the General Election one of the Central council candidates said to me, “Somebody told me that no one reads Southdacola, but I sure have a lot of people telling me that.”
TJ Nelson
Is this the TJ Nelson, Senior Communicaitons Specialist/Sanford Health, and former staffer for US Senator Mike Rounds?
Anne, when KELO did that story, that claimed you were the first women to run for mayor of Sioux Falls in 1998, did you ever think to correct them and tell them that Pam Nelson ran before you in 1991?
Scott knows I read him and have for a long time
The thing about me is, I don’t hide my name – unlike most of his other readers- who must not want people to know they read his blog!
Knothead Peasant,
Such Trumpian Lords, that you suggest, are of the Kingdom as a whole. What suffices for our fair City are Lords merely of the manor calling….
Yes, Anne and I have had several conversations over the years, we just learned never to have them in coffee shops 🙂
Isn’t anonymity a First Amendment right? I believe an attorney told me that once.
As long as a commenter sticks to facts, then what’s the issue?….. “Isn’t a factual commenter a factual commenter by any other name?”….. (An other quote by Bill Bard)…..
Speaking of coffee shops
Went by Josiah’s at around noon today and they had an unattended fire pit going…..flames shooting into the air, no one in sight
How did this get by city fire inspectors?