I watched the Sioux Falls City Council meeting last night in somewhat disbelief (well not really) about how little people know about city ordinances and law, or how our system of local government even works. Hey, I’m not bagging on these folks, just look at who is running the city, they don’t have a clue of what they are doing either. The city attorney and city clerk are changing agendas and documentation on the fly on the online agenda without noticing that change to the public (big open meetings violation) then they lie about the timeframe it changed (needed to be 24 hours). Oh, and then there was the supposed executive session last week that was broadcasting throughout the entire building in Carnegie in which several citizens listened to the whole meeting. But that wasn’t the biggest issue. The biggest issue was the session was probably  illegal because the topics covered have nothing to do with executive session protocol. In other words, they are kind of in trouble over it, but we will cover that on a different day.
But what troubled me the most was all the citizens that showed up to protest this ordinance. Don’t get me wrong, they have the right to do that, but I think if most knew what it actually does (basically nothing) they would not have even bothered. There is really no teeth in the ordinance to stop people from operating their businesses. On top of that, pretty much any business can claim to be ‘essential’. There are a few exceptions, but they have already been closed for over a month. What the ordinance really should have laid out to be effective in keeping people at home is limiting businesses to groups of employees of 10 or less. Either in the office, or broken up into groups at a manufacturing plant for instance. This current proposed ordinance is basically a strongly worded suggestion that you try to stay at home (unless you have to go to work, the grocery store or the hospital).
There is a ton of people freaking out about really nothing. Even if this passes 2nd reading on Tuesday (which it probably won’t), it really isn’t any different than what is currently in place. It’s just a feel good suggestion from the city. If you need to work, and you can do it safely, go for it. No one will be stopping you.
I’ll agree with you about this. It’s just a feel good project by the Mayor, mainly for himself. Just something he can add to his resume for whatever he runs for next.
We better hope that the Daily Show or Jon Oliver don’t see the footage of our finest citizens at last night’s council meeting. Gym owners and garden centers proclaiming themselves essential. Lora Hubbel claiming to be a scientist. Not a bottle of hand sanitizer in sight as hayseed after hayseed slobbered all over the podium. Anybody with any real insight was smart to stay away from this shitshow.
Scott, if you knew how many people reached out to me today baffled by public input last night you would not be surprised. It was utter chaos. What I don’t understand is why people haven’t gotten the clear messages; It is highly contagious, it can kill you. What more do we need to say?
That’s why I am pushing for telephonic public input. While I would love it to be permanent, for people who cannot ever attend due to disabilities, I’m ok with the sunset provision.
The mayor needs to shut this town down immediately! If a dangerous chemical was accidentally being released from Smithfield, would we wait until April 24th to act?
What’s the difference?
“I wonder what a braille version of Rockwells, ‘Freedom of Speech,’ would sound(feel) like?”
Scott so if your going to delete my message so be it.While watching the mayor on tv and saying he was going to protect his constituents I about died laughing.This guy should be an actor not a mayor,he did a really good job , convincing people I thought that he cared Then this morning headlines backed off .He is about like the three in congress we have all show no go.