January 2024

City Salaries for 2024

l3wis January 31, 2024 9Comments

Let’s just say, it’s gross. While the minions got crumbs thrown at them, the managers cashed in. The mayor’s office which lists 4 full-time employees make a combined SALARY (not benefits) of almost $500K. Do the math. Interestingly enough, his receptionist is NOT listed. In fact, I can’t find her on the report. Rumors are she left before the first of the year.

Maybe another Poops casualty? Maybe she saw thru the BS and said, F’ck it!

The Medical Director for the city (even though many cities don’t have medical directors) makes close to $300K a year (a $19K raise from 2023). I will say that Falls Community Health is an invaluable asset, and her salary is probably covered by Federal Assistance. I have changed my views on this. First off, I have heard multiple compliments about the director’s compassion and patient care. I have also heard that many Medicaid recipients are shamed into going to FCH because the normal medical facilities put up roadblocks. As a person who has benefitted from the ACA as self-employed person, I think it is ludicrous that health care facilities discriminate against these people, and I commend her for helping these folks, while making good dough 🙁

While we can all bitch about government assisted healthcare in this country, for many, it is the only option.

Her salary is (kinda) justified.

You can read all the juicy stuff here;

2024 Salaries Document

2023 Salaries Document

Is the Sioux Falls code enforcement office even recording complaints?

l3wis January 31, 2024 1Comments

I had several phone conversations today about the property by my home that is in need of repair.

Let’s make something clear, I don’t want any resident in Sioux Falls to have to hire a lawyer and go to court over to many weeds. I don’t want the city to hire multiple outside counselors to go after these people. What I want is the city to sit down with the offending property owners and come up with a amicable solution.

This is NOT hard.

I struggle with this, because I am a strong believer of property rights, and believe the government can’t tell you what to do with your property. But when your property affects the value and public safety of your neighborhood, government must act.

I have been hearing from advocates, city officials and residents that when they call to file a complaint, nothing happens. NOTHING!

This tells me the office in charge of taking the complaints, either by phone or email, are not recording those complaints, or they are, and the code enforcement officers are just not bothering to follow up.

I was told today the city only has 4 full-time code enforcement officers, not sure if that is true, but for a city this size, that is ridiculous.

I’m sorry, but we have bigger fish to fry then bulldozing mansions, we need to bulldoze DUMPS!

Mayor TenHaken blames his anger issues on having a ‘spicy’ personality

l3wis January 30, 2024 9Comments

He talks about a lot of stuff, but focuses on his anger towards individuals. No worries Paul, anger issues are normal in leadership 🙁

Who is the ‘SIOUX EMPIRE BETTER GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE’ PAC?

l3wis January 29, 2024 6Comments

When you do a search of financial reports of Sioux Falls council candidates you will find this PAC has been donating to the chosen 4 candidates;

So who is this organization? It is ran by Knife River Employee Dan Kippley and Father to Minnehaha County Commissioner Joe Kippley. Knife River funds the PAC;

To state the obvious, this PAC was essentially formed to look out for the best interests of the concrete maker and their standing offer of taking over the fairgrounds. If I was a candidate, I would do my research before accepting money from any PACs and if I do NOT agree with who donates to that PAC, I would not accept the money. I guess if you don’t have a problem with turning the fairgrounds into a mine pit, you don’t have a problem with taking this cashola.

E-Bikes are NOT defined as Motorcycles in state law

l3wis January 29, 2024 5Comments

Several folks have done a deep dive into the state laws when it comes to referencing E-Bikes and Motorcycles. Some have claimed that E-Bikes are defined as Motorcycles, yet according to state law, NOT so fast;

When I was reviewing this a few months ago I noticed that a lot of the E-Bike definitions and laws have been updated a few years ago, so someone is clinging to the past.

So for the record, E-Bikes are NOT motorcycles because they have an electric motor (and other factors like speed, torque, weight, horsepower, etc.).

There has also been a debate about whether E-Bikes should be allowed on sidewalks. In a perfect world, I would say yes, but their should be a courteous suggestion in the ordinance that says when encountering any pedestrian or ADA motorist on the sidewalk you fully stop your bike until they pass. But since E-Bikes are defined as BIKES and NOT motorcycles and BIKES are allowed on sidewalks, it is only logical to include E-Bikes on sidewalks.

As I have stated, I do ride my bike on the sidewalk in certain areas in town and rarely do I see a ped, and when I do, I either stop or slow way down when passing. Also, I would prefer NOT to ride the sidewalks because you have to ride them at around 5 MPH because they are so full of cracks and divets. I tell bike commuters to try to avoid sidewalks as much as possible, they are more dangerous then the roads.