I decided to challenge myself and write ONE sentence PRO’s and CON’s of the candidates running in the April Election, here we go;
SIOUX FALLS SCHOOL BOARD (2 seats available)
Bobbie Tibbetts
CON: Sued the District over Title 9 and won. As an active plaintiff in that case it would be a gigantic conflict of interest to serve on the board, and I’m not even sure she can legally serve because of it. And there’s those dang forms!
PRO: Young mother active in the school district and activities.
Stuart Willett
CON: Besides being a MAGAt, Stuart decided the best way to tear down government was to NOT vote ever in Sioux Falls. That’s why he registered to vote a few days before he announced.
PRO: Has some good ideas about reading comprehension and listening to teachers.
Gail Swenson
CON: A bureaucrat for 41 years in education.
PRO: A bureaucrat for 41 years in education. (YES I DID THAT ON PURPOSE)
Marc Murren
CON: Voted for the Gymnastics funding to be yanked, which resulted in a lawsuit (see Bobbie Tibbetts above)
PRO: Wants to work towards more transparency in the district.
Pat Starr
CON: Has sent his adopted and foster children to both private and public schools (he mostly sent children to private school due to some special needs).
PRO: Pat has NEVER voted for a tax increase the 8 years he was on council, he is PRO-OPEN GOVERNMENT and he is active in school athletics as a basketball referee and has built great relationships with parents, coaches and students. Also, Pat is a very honest and modest person and probably one of the most mild-tempered councilors I have ever known. He is also highly ethical. I often tell people, if you vote for the candidate with the highest ethical standards, you can guarantee they will govern that way also.
AT-LARGE CITY COUNCIL
Jordan Deffenbaugh
CON: Doesn’t have the campaign finances to mount an effective marketing and mailing campaign (but he still has time).
PRO: Is involved with numerous non-profit organizations that help lower income folks, knows his stuff when it comes to Urban Planning (Founding member of Sioux Falls Strongtowns) and has the vigor and knowledge to be an very effective councilor.
Richard Thomason
CON: Lost his last (corrected) primary election and doesn’t really have a strong message.
PRO: He’s a moderate Republican who lost to a couple of right wing weirdos in the legislature.
Allison Renville
CON: Talks a good game when it comes to school district policy and state law but doesn’t really understand city government.
PRO: Works with her fellow tribal members in the community to help the disadvantaged and abused. Would be the first Native woman to be elected to council.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT
Neil Jeske
CON: Hasn’t lived in Sioux Falls long enough to understand the finer details of city government, but is teachable 🙂
PRO: He has a low tax, low regulation view of local government.
David Zokaites
CON: David is a Fashion Disaster.
PRO: David is a Fashionista.
Miranda Basye (also known as Barney the 5th)
CON: The rumor is she was fired from her last job at the Sioux Metro whatever alliance. Would be nice to know why.
PRO: Has a good background in small business ownership and knows how to turn a wrench.
SW DISTRICT (Uncontested)
Ryan Spellerberg
CON: ZERO TRANSPARENCY. We know absolutely nothing about this person and he didn’t even bother to show up to a candidate forum. Marshall Selberg 2.0.
PRO: ?
NW DISTRICT (Uncontested)
Jennifer Sigette
CON: Another one that has lived and worked in this community for decades and decided to register to vote right before announcing. So not only has she never voted in a city election or for herself, but no one else has either, funny stuff 🙁
PRO: Since she has NO experience in government and she was uncontested, I got the feeling from some of her quotes in the media that she will keep an open mind about planning, etc. So I guess she hasn’t had her ‘specials’ meeting yet where the gifting of the Rubber Stamp occurs and marching orders. Poor girl.
If I had to guess, this election was over before it started. But there are some interesting scenarios. I think if David and Neil or Allison and Jordan can force a runoff (need to get a combined 50% + 1) the race will be more competitive. I am for sure predicting a runoff in the At-Large race (start writing Jordan checks TODAY!) and if Jordan can mount a 1 on 1 against Richard, he CAN beat him. The irony of the Rex Rolfing/Theresa Stehly rule is it may blow up in their faces. Richard could get 49% of the vote in the general and lose in the runoff.
The school board race is incredibly competitive, and with 5 peeps running for 2 seats and it being a plurality, the races could be decided by a handful of votes, and I predict a recount on that election. The 3 strongest candidates are Starr, Murren and Swenson.