In The Dakota Scout’s print addition that appeared today, Paul has a column about his goals for 2023. Most of it was wordy unreadable or confusing double-talk. But I found this item curious;
Is he calling out himself?
Only truth, honesty and transparency can unify a community. Discussions don’t become inflammatory unless you are doing something, behind the scenes, that are concerning constituents. Like a $10 million cost overrun on a bridge, changing a recommended sustainability study that took volunteers over a year to compile or rejecting a mural selection with NO explanation (or even what this supposed mural looks like).
Honestly, I have no idea who likes to have an inflammatory discussion about local government policy (I kind of do) but other then this outlier, most people just want their local leaders to be competent, trustworthy and transparent and they would rather not engage city hall. The proof is in the low turnout in our city elections.
Division in city government doesn’t start with the low man or woman plowing or patrolling our streets, it begins at the top in leadership, specifically our policy body the city council that sits around and waits for crumbs from the mayor and the mayor himself.
If you want people to stop criticizing you, it begins with YOU! You would be amazed at how positively people respond when you are honest with them.
Speaking of our policy body, they have a shingig Saturday morning at Leonardo’s Cafe at the Washington Pavilion from 9-10 AM.
While I applaud this event, I also think the location and time is perfect, ON A DIFFERENT SATURDAY! There will thousands of people downtown Saturday celebrating St. Pats, not sure they are going to be driving over the top of each other to attend this event. Either move it to a different Saturday or different location.
I can’t read it without the carefully placed “uh” and “um” that he does so well.
Uh um, it’s Strong Mayor Charter. You, the mayor, has absolute authority. The only way citizens get a voice is public protest.
You, the mayor, are ‘One Sioux Falls’ (a dictator). ‘All Sioux Falls’ are your consigned disrespectful servants.
Now, where does doxing fit into this civility gig? AND, if you can only comment, at public input, on future issues without a future agenda published yet, then how is that genuine and civil political dialogue?
( and Woodstock adds: “Maybe he wants us all to get a FB Live, and then promote a young relative, huh?… Because bringing kids into the equation always defuses things and allows the moderator to control… Well, unless the kid takes control, that is…. ” )
“Okay, so I’m kinda confused (Once again)…”…. “I’ve been following these basketball tournaments in the state and apparently you need to win two games to take 3rd place and also two games to take 5th place, but to take 4th place you only need to win one game”…. “But it gets better, you also have to win one game to even take 7th place and with both 3rd and 2nd place you only have to win two games”…. #QuantumBasketball?
You all really do NOT know, nor understand the Charter. Have any of you even read it, or attended the charter revision committees? The Mayor does not have absolute power, the Mayor and City Council have equal powers. Please people, if you are going to criticize the charter, at least read it, learn it, know what it says.
Yes, equal powers on paper, just as a communist state has a politburo and a legislative body like the once Supreme Soviet was an equal to the Soviet Politburo…. Now, that’s settled, there’s a bridge on 8th Street that I want to sell you…. Remember, the only difference between corporatists and communists is that the latter have an actual standing army…
( and Woodstock adds: “Oh. I don’t know VSG, what about the religious zealots out there?”…. “They’re always looking for the next Crusade and complement the corporatist ambitions quite well”…. )
His good tornado boots gifting buddy Kristi Noem wants to give Ukraine to the gd russians, why doesn’t he call her out on it? Does he share her views on “unity”?
An audible personal insult from the dais caught with an open mic and directed at a citizen who is offering comment during the public comment period of a City Council meeting?
The audible ‘sigh’ from the dais, also into an open mic, as a response to critique?
The dismissive smug smirk and a glancing ‘wink’ while turning toward a member of the Council Clique as a citizen is offering comment?
Tell us, Paul. Were do these things fit in your definition of civility?
Show me in the Sioux Falls Charter where the mayor can do anything he wants, I have been teaching people the charter now for over a year, and there is no where in the charter that gives to the mayor any absolute authority. You cannot fault the Mayor for the non-actions of the council, let alone the PEOPLE who have the Ultimate Authority above both the Mayor and City Council.
*We have Precinct Committees who often hold meetings monthly, who can easily organize the people to petition fairly quickly. I should know, i am one of them…
Mike, what issues did you organize the people to petition for
Show me in the Sioux Falls Charter where a toolbox is legal?