South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

2018

Media Sioux Falls

Schwan’s weekly column about integrity in journalism and ‘Fake News’

l3wis 3Comments

Jodi made some good points about what separates real journalism from bad journalism;

It’s not fake news just because you don’t agree with it. That’s the understanding those of us in the media have to reach with our readership.

But the prevalence of true “fake news” – accounts created by those other than journalists producing pieces designed to feel like news – puts a higher burden on all of us.

I have often been careful to tell my readers on here whether something is a fact, or if it is a rumor that I’m looking into. I never want anyone coming here saying, “South DaCola said this, so it must be true.” I try to encourage my readers to do their own research and to ask questions of their elected leaders. Ask them if something is true or not. Don’t just make the assumption that since Schwan, the Argus or South DaCola said it, it may be true or untrue.

I think I’m a little different than those ‘news’ sources, because I ask my readers to look for the real story. You may NOT agree with my editorial style or political philosophies, but that shouldn’t stop you from seeking the truth. The ‘News’ is only as good as the quality of information supplied to the reporters. That is why MORE open government and transparency only improves the quality of the news we receive. It’s easy to say something is ‘fake’ when we are not getting all the facts. Former Mayor Coors Light & Olives used blather all the time on various media sources that blogs or the Argus were ‘getting it wrong’. Well how would we know since your administration would never provide us with all the facts. This is why the Argus took the city to the SD Supreme Court over the siding settlement. What did we find out? We found out that the administration was lying about the settlement amount. This is why I tell people if you don’t trust me or another media source, look into yourself.

The only person responsible for spreading ‘fake news’ is yourself if you don’t bother to look deeper. This part-time blogger can only do so much.

beer SF City Council Sioux Falls

Let’s compare ‘Apples to Apples’ with the West Mall Beer license

l3wis 3Comments

This morning on Belfrage’s show he was saying comparing the liquor license for Prairie Berry to the one for West Mall wasn’t the same. First off, it was a beer license, NOT liquor, so let’s get that straight, and secondly he is right one level. Prairie Berry is a bar/restaurant essentially (I do believe you can bring minors in the place since they serve food) while West Mall is a movie theater. But there are some similarities. Both, I would assume would ID anyone who was going to purchase alcohol, that’s the law. Also, since both allow minors into their establishments, than they would have to monitor them.

I agree with the council that it wasn’t a big deal to allow Prairie Berry a beer/wine license, that’s not the argument here. The big deal is NOT allowing one at the movie theater, and I would argue one of the most ignorant decisions this council has ever made as an entire voting body.

Why? Well lets start comparing ‘apples to apples’. Besides the fact that movie theaters throughout the country and world have allowed alcohol for decades, there is the other comparison. The Washington Pavilion, Orpheum Theatre and Events Center all allow alcohol in a ‘dark’ hall just like a theater. I would also note that it would be a lot harder for an usher to monitor someone underage drinking at an EC concert than it would be in a small movie theater. A simple solution would be to put a wristband on drinkers at the movie theatre that are reflective and serve the beer or wine ONLY in clear plastic cups. This would make it easier to identify drinkers from non drinkers in the theater.

It seems the city council has a double standard by allowing alcohol at city owned facilities that have minors present but NOT allowing a private business owner to do the same. I would encourage him to revisit the idea and remind them of this double standard.

City Administration Building County Commission Jeff Barth Mayor TenHaken Minnehaha County Public Utilities Public Works Rick Kiley SF City Council SF School District Sioux Falls

Water Rates going up? That’s news to me.

l3wis 11Comments

Apparently Councilor Rick Kiley has a crystal ball, because he is predicting our water and sewer rates are going up;

“They foresee a possible increase of about $2 per month for a family of five,” city councilor Rick Kiley said.

Kiley says the city knew this day was coming.

“You never want to raise rates, but in a situation like this where we are at 82% capacity today, we have a community that’s growing by 5,000 people every year and we are bringing on regional customers in addition to that it’s the prudent thing to do now is to expand our existing facilities,” Kiley said.

The city council will be voting on the funding this project when it passes the city budget in October.

While I agree we need to fix up a 1980’s water treatment plant, if we didn’t switch the rates over to enterprise funds we could easily pay the bonds with 2nd penny CIP revenue without raising fees. But see, former mayor Bucktooth & Bowlcut wanted to free up the 2nd penny from paying for silly old water pipes, and use it for paying down bonds for monument building.

So now our taxes are going up for a new jail, and Minnehaha county admitted at their Tuesday meeting (Commissioner Barth) that there will likely be another opt out, put that on top of a 25 year around $300 million dollar new school bond and our already existing $300 million city debt, and things are going to get a lot more expensive in Sioux Falls, including taking a dump.

SF City Council Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls City Council Agenda, July 3, 2018

l3wis 2Comments

City Council Informational Meeting – 4 PM

Presentation from the Planning Department about Accessory Dwellings in Residential areas (I think there was changes in the law).

May Monthly Financial Report

*There is now public input at ALL city council meetings. The public input will be at the end of the meeting.

City Council Fiscal Meeting – 4:30 (after informational meeting)

2017 Sales & Use Tax Available Fund Balance Presentation

Revenue Sources and Budget Projections Presentation

I’m assuming that these presentations will be made to prepare the city council for the upcoming budget hearings. The ‘story’ going around is that the city directors are saying we don’t have much money coming in. Which I find ironic considering they probably want to jack up our water/sewer rates while borrowing $30 million for the safety training center. I know that several city councilors have said that they are curious why we didn’t apply for state and federal grants to help pay for the training center. There are several programs available. They are also curious why the Public Assurance Alliance didn’t assist in trying to find these grants?

Also important to note, there is another rumor circulating that city hall has interviewed three(?) candidates for Finance Director, and they are all local people.

*There is now public input at ALL city council meetings. The public input will be at the end of the meeting.

City Council Regular Meeting – 7 PM

I guess we will start the meeting off by singing ‘God Bless America’ I’m assuming to celebrate Independence Day. I think it would be more appropriate to recite the Declaration of Independence, but what do I know?

Item #45, 2nd Reading, Public Input. I expect at least one Amendment to allow visuals. Not sure if any other amendments will happen. Public Input will remain at beginning, but limit to 30 minutes (10 speakers, 3 minutes each) and now public input will be allowed on ALL agenda items, which now includes 1st Readings.

Item #50, Transfer of Appropriations, I found it curious that we are funding $145K for Aquatic Facilities Development, Professional Services. Not sure if this is for consultant work or actual brick and mortar. I know when the Midco Aquatic Center was being planned the Parks Department talked about building another indoor pool. I think once that facility starts at least breaking even and is used to it’s capacity, than we can talk more indoor pools. I also see the Sanford Sports Complex building their own indoor pool facility within the next 5 years to compliment what is already there. There has also been talk about an indoor Water Park in that area, which wouldn’t surprise me.

Planning Commission Meeting – 6 PM, July 5 (due to Wednesday holiday, this meeting is one day later than normal.)

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