Trust me, I knew how this was going to go down tonight. I knew it would probably fail.
But the process was not honored. Five councilors didn’t honor their oath to US Constitution to uphold democratic ideals, holding timely elections per request of citizen petition signers. It’s shameful, lustful, greedy, and COWARDLY. These are your five councilors that are COWARDS!
The worst part is that Council Coward Chair Erpenbach decided to implement one of her made up, pro-censorship, anti-1st amendment rules and limiting public testimony to 20 minutes (Think SF School Board meetings). That is why I was not allowed to speak, though I raised my hand.
If I would have had the opportunity (But apparently this city now is a dictatorship ran by a coward called Michelle Erpenbach) I would essentially said this;
I have been watching city government longer then any of you have even served up here. You are very predictable, but I am hoping tonight I would not have to predict the normal, self-interest, cowardly action to protect the ruling class from the working class of this city. I think it is incredibly pathetic that I even have to come here and beg my elected officials to uphold their constitutional duties they swore on in an oath. This is a slam dunk, your constituents have followed the letter of the law gathering these signatures and turning them in. Your job is easy. Vote YES to secure a timely election, any other action would be shameful, cowardly and unconstitutional.
So what happened?
I clicked the link to watch the video, and I can’t fast forward. Is this how it works or am I doing it wrong?
The meeting is still going on, so you can’t watch the replay until it is finished. Coward Chair Erpenbach decided to make up another rule she pulled out of her ass before the meeting that we only had 20 minutes total to tell them they were full of shit.
what action can be taken after this?
A thorough ass kicking would be appropriate, but I have a feeling that wouldn’t help our cause much, but hey, playing nice doesn’t work either. I do however have a new nickname for our council, The Sioux Falls City Cowards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK543f0_UKc
I should add Huether to this group, because he refused to sign the petition and has not taken a real stance on the issue. Surely not becoming of a supposed leader.
Saw the Argus story and now I know what went down.
Sorry you didn’t get to speak Detroit, I would have liked to hear that.
But really, you have to listen to the whole meeting and can’t fast forward? Seems like a very simple function to add. I hope I just suck at the internet and this is not the case.
I’m still listening and waiting.
No you can FF, but the meeting is still live right now. Once it is over, you can view it and FF.
Thanks, I have no idea how this works. Sorry.
So, let me get this straight – the same city council that gave us just 3 months to get “educated” on the $185m event center doesn’t think 5 months is enough time to get up to speed on snow gates?!? So it’s better to let this fester for another 16 months instead?
Any wonder why taxpayers no longer trust their government?!?
Remind me again, how many votes elected these councilors?
I have seethed this hard in my entire life . . .
Watching this display of hypocrisy really lets us know how little they think of the voters. The citizens are given 25 minutes to only touch on the yes or no discussion of the special election but councilors could bring up city employees to dispute snowgate ‘problems’.
Did you notice during the Lloyd TIF discussion they laughed at the “no snowgates” as part of his request?
Hypocrisy in fine form and let’s throw in a good laugh at the peons.
So what’s it take to recall one or more of the anti-democracy bums?
Jerks like these give democracy a bad name; they drive voters from the polls with a fatalistic, “what’s the use” – exactly what the jerks want; and they drive a small minority to take law into their own hands. Good luck with that, Sioux Falls.
It’s likely the jerks attitude about snowgates revolves around they can’t figure out how someone can make money from providing a public service.
Citizens were restricted to commenting on the election only for 20 minutes. Then the city brought in an hour of comment from city officials regarding only Snowgates. Dirty pool. If they can spend millions on Craig Lloyd, you’d think they could throw citizens this bone.
Kelo had shots of the audience before the start. Lots of empty chairs. The room was overcrowded. Also, none of the comments. It’s hard to expose city tyranny when there’s no freedom of the press.
I regret serving to defend democracy in combat. Higher government must step in to investigate and supervise future elections so they’ll not be rigged.
John – that is the irony of all this, the millions taxpayers would save in lost wages, healthcare costs, hiring contractors, etc would far out weigh any cost of the city.
You just don’t get it….nobody cares about snowgates except you guys. It’s a a waste of government spending and you just can’t see that.
matt70 says….nobody cares about snowgates except you guys….
When over 8,000 registered voters sign a petition, it’s a fairly clear indication of how the vote will eventually go….
It’s most likely a case of WHEN this is going to happen….not IF it’s going to happen!!
cr is right. If no one signed it, I would agree, but that was not the case. And if you want to talk about government waste, let’s talk about the $3.8 million dollar TIF that was awarded later in the evening to a wealthy developer so he can build luxury lofts. Am I the only one to see the hypocrisy?
I love the photo. It looks like the council got the idea from the penitentiary – put numbers on the inmates to dehumanize them.
Good one John. Watch the video and witness the council majority with SubPrime Mike leading the talking down to the people, in attendance and at home. According to the lecture from Michele, we are to do only as they say and never question.
Even Boss Tweed knew to throw some scraps to the little people now and then. If only Boss Izod were so clever.
The mayor and 5 council members showed their lack of respect for citizens. It’s important to vote them out. There’s no room for self interest and pride in government. This vote was about a timely vote. Their lack of respect for democracy is unforgivable.