Bye Bye to the Big Yellow McKennan Park House? We’ll see soon. With this meeting of the Sioux Falls Board of Historic Preservation’s May 9, 3028 decision to reject the modifications presented, the 2nd Circuit Court now has to weigh in with a condemnation process schedule.
I think Kooper was channeling JC Crawford
This is a guest post by Sioux Falls City Councilor, Theresa Stehly;
Now that we have voted for two new City Council members, there is one more election happening at the next May 15 City Council meeting. This is the election of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Council. These positions are very important for the public, because these people have the ability to empower or thwart the Council’s representation for the citizens. They have historically received inside information that all City Council members are not privy too. As a City Council member, I feel that this practice does not serve our citizens well and hinders transparency.
Here are the top 10 questions that need to be addressed from potential candidates:
I invite the public to tune into the City Council meetings on CityLink channel 16 at 7:00 PMÂ on Tuesdays. Informational meetings are held at 4:00 PM on Tuesdays also. Â View the meetings at Siouxfalls.org. I am hoping for a new era of respect, transparency and citizen representation in our government.
Theresa Stehly
At Large City Council Member
Many people have asked me how such a structure could be built in McKennan Park, the very large house. After listening to testimony today at the Historic Board meeting it confirmed what I have known for a long time, #1 you can’t buy taste and #2 some people have a sense about themselves that they can do whatever they want to because who they are. Today, they were proved wrong.
Cameraman Bruce recorded the meeting and we will have it up soon. We also had the pleasure of having a beverage and conversation with the expert witness on historic architecture, Spencer Ruf tonight after the meeting. Spencer used to work in Sioux Falls as an architect with TSP and Spitznagel, he now resides in Rochester. He gave us a great perspective on why and how people do things like this. It’s not as complicated as you would think, and it’s not a grand conspiracy. Some people just think they can do whatever they please.
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.
l3wis 
 