How to make a press conference look important

1. Kudos to Tom Muenster for stepping up and supporting this project! Nice to get the ball rolling on some private $$ for it.

   The Quit Claim deed kicks in if there’s a change of use that negatively impacts the VA. Putting a roof over a pool and adding a therapy pool does not change the use and moreover it actually give the VA (and their families) a better option than they have now. Normal people call that a win-win.

   Hopefully Save Spellerberg will save us all time & money and follow suit with VftVA and endorse the project. Kearney is correct, this is a multi-use facility in a central location that will be accessible to ALL walks of life plus it will enhance both the park and the neighborhood.

2. The Mayor almost lost it when a reporter asked him about the outstanding petition drive.

   I’m guessing all those city directors were thinking….here we go again!!

3. So where’s all the folks that used the VA as a scapegoat not to have it built there?

   Guess the VA isn’t in on that sham.

   Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves.

4. Kearney is correct, this is a multi-use facility in a central location that will be accessible to ALL walks of life plus it will enhance both the park and the neighborhood.

   I disagree with this statement Sy, and here’s why. The last time any reporting was done it, more than 40% of SF kids are on reduced or free school lunches because this city is famous for stagnant wages. Want to know who this is for? Check out the seasonal pass prices for our winter ski hill on the east end of town. No Sy. This will not be for all.

   The city of Omaha runs three indoor pools. All have competitive swim meet lanes. One has open swim only on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00. Another has the same as above, with Wednesday nite from 7:30 to 9:00 open swim. The third has same as above, with one more week nite open to open swim. The other times are relegated to pay packaged amenities like swimming lessons. Hint. Bring your wallet…and your first premier bank card credit card….you’ll need it.

   So what will we have? Very limited open swim times which we won’t hear about til after mmm cuts the ribbon. Family passes in Omaha go for $175 a indoor season. Not exactly spare change when you consider the median household income for those families living within a three mile radius of Spellerberg is only $40,590 a year.

   Make no mistake about it. This thing is being designed for the 1%ers who’s kids are in swim clubs. The master plan with a 50 meter pool and 3500 square foot wade in pool is 19.4 million. The cost without the 50 meter pool and 1700 more square feet for the wade in pool is over 6 million dollars less.

   So again, why not build the pool to accomadate ALL of the kids of SF, at reasonable rates with reasonable hours of open swim, and let t Denny cater to the monied class who need the 50 meter swim meet pool.

5. Nobody seems aware of ‘Veterans for the VA’. There’s nothing on the internet. I’m suspicious that this is another contrived event. Doesn’t surprise me. There was only one veteran there. The amount was a suspicious flat 5K. I’m a vet who’s a member of vets organizations. We are firmly against Spellerberg redevelopment. This land will become part of VA expansion. Hospital expansion & a VA nursing home is planned.

   Perhaps the city wants the VA relocated to Mitchell or Chamberlain. It would be easier to develop a new larger parcel than renovations here. If the city is ready to lose 1800 jobs and potential for another 1000 jobs, so be it. Once the VA moves, they’re the only reason some 800 residents live here for their healthcare.

   I can’t believe Huether conjured this deceitful press conference. Just more evidence this man is after his kickbacks more than he’s concerned for citizens and the city. Once there’s another VA built in a better (indeed democratic) city further west, he can have all of this property for more indoor sports temples.

6. I’ll be moving near the new VA. Mikey, please wait before you call your own ethics hearing and rename the city ‘Huether’.

7. No vets showed up because this circus was unannounced. You had to be an actor, city director, or propaganda media. Even ‘Listen & Learn’ groupies weren’t there.

8. Poly – what the F are you drinking lately? The 1% kids don’t use no stinkin’ public pools. They have their own pools right in the house – or they can swim in their own private lake, or a private beach in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.

   The one kid I know that’s in the swim club is a FARM KID – who’s mom drives him in to town for workouts, meets, etc. Not even NEAR the 1%.

9. ruf, the 50 meter pool is being built for the 1% families with kids and the elites who are able to afford the swim meet expenses. Any underprivileged kids granted the chance to swim with them will be subsidized by “scholarships” because they will have some talent to gain them access.

10. rufusx, when it comes to the composition of Sioux Falls swim teams you are very out of touch.

11. The one kid I know that’s in the swim club is a FARM KID –

    As long as that farm kids parents are dipping into the subsidy welfare trough, I see no reason why they can’t afford the $105 to $125 a month fees for per child membership to Snowfox. Do you? How about for the kids of the median household wage earners?

12. It does show though, that the REAL 1% has apparently succeeded at turning you into a poor beggar that sees what used to be considered the middle class (parents that can afford to pay for their kids to swim) as “elites” to be dragged down. You are actually doing their cultural/political dirty work for them. Turned against what used to be your own. Pathetic.

    Hell, by 1950’s-60’s standards – even the Huethers and the Entenmans of the world are simply “upper middle class”. REALLY PATHETIC; tools.

13. Huether missed on the pool thing. He could have hired two 100k consultants for surveys of demand and where to put an indoor pool. We already know their imposed answers but he and a few buddies could have skimmed more from public funds. He could have also hired consultants to name pool & tennis temples ‘Huether’.

    See there, he can take credit for how much he’s saved.

14. The one kid I know that’s in the swim club is a FARM KID –

    So now you are saying we should be in debt for your farm kid friend and not a Sioux Falls taxpayer? Thanks!

15. LJL, doing a person’s homework is always a good thing. There was no “using” the VA. In fact there is a legal contingency attached to the sale of the land from the VA to Sioux Falls, which can be enforced. Previous city administrations have respected the document and veterans, choosing not to infringe on the VA. The parking problem has existed in excess of 10 years as veterans can attest along with Children’s Care, Bethany Nursing Home and the homeowners in a three-block area around the VA. Those claiming there is no parking problem have never been to the Spellerberg area or are truth challenged. The shame belongs to the city leaders who planned in May 2012, to use VA parking lots for their indoor city pools without ever speaking to the VA. More shame goes to the pro-indoor pool supporters who didn’t see why the veterans couldn’t give up their VA hospital parking for swim teams. Too many remarks were nasty regarding veterans over the last 18 months over an indoor pool. It seems military veterans can never give enough. I’ve always known Sioux Falls was not a very patriotic town but the mean comments about veterans were unnecessary. Some of us will remember the military who died on D-Day, 70 years ago and honor those who came home as we approach 6 June next week. And today, 2 1/2 million military have volunteered to serve in a war the last 14 years that at a minimum kept the draft boards away from those who are too worried about not getting their taxpayer paid competition indoor pool. I think some simple courtesy is appropriate for our veterans of which I am one. But I’ve learned to lower my expectations of my hometown.

16. Ruf, not sure I follow your logic. Somehow I’m a tool for pointing out the inequality that exists in SF and the nation for that matter. Pointing out these facts. Snowfox membership fees. Family membership as estimated last year for a family of 4 will be $280 an indoor season. Even more for larger families. Median household income for those living within a 3 mile radius of Spellerberg at 40,590. How does pointing these inequalities out make me a tool for the 1 percenters?

17. @ Jace, if you’ve done your homework then you can likely answer a few basic questions regarding the pool at Spellerberg;

    If parking is such a problem for the VA, why do they lease their south lot to Children’s Care?

    If safety is a concern, why would it be considered safer to send vets across 26th street to Children’s Care vs. a City facility next door?

    What are the peak times for VA usage? Are those the same peak times as the SnowFox teams meets and practices?

    You do know that the plan to use VA lots has been scrapped, right?

    The VA took an official position of neutrality on the Indoor pool, does that mean the director is as oblivious to your concerns as the mayor apparently is or is it possible that the clear eyed in the discussion concluded that the concerns expressed by the opponents don’t actually hold water?

    Also, can you point me to some specific mean comments made towards veterans? I don’t recall anyone bashing vets per se?, I do recall bashing the argument that vets would be dying in the streets as swim moms looked for a place to park but that’s an entirely different animal.

    @ Bruce, the latest financing plan involves paying cash from the Fed levee settlement towards the pool so it involves little, if any, debt. Try to keep up.

18. I’ve never seen such hatred for a swimming pool. Did you almost drown as a child?

19. Dear Dan Daily,

    Thank you for your comments. I would like to clarify a couple of points. First, Veterans for the VA is a South Dakota political action committee dedicated to veterans issues (www.VeteransForTheVA.org). We have members who are veterans and some who are non-veterans. Veterans for the VA does not speak for the VA or all veterans. I am also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Paid-Up-For-Life member of the American Legion, and a retired member of the U.S. Navy. I was at the press conference last week representing myself and the Veterans for the VA organization. I am not aware of any other veterans organizations that have taken a stand either way on the pool issue. Other veterans were also in attendance at the press conference.

    Veterans for the VA has been critical of the plan for an indoor pool for Spellerberg Park and we have disagreed with Mayor Huether during the debate over the indoor pool. Mayor Huether has always treated our group with courtesy and respect. We have also been respectful of the mayor. We have had a referendum on an outdoor pool at Spellerberg and city council has voted to move forward with the indoor pool at Spellerberg. Now that the indoor pool location has been decided, I believe it is in the best interests of all residents and veterans to support the plan. The proposed therapy pool can benefit both residents and veterans. Veterans for the VA has raised $5,000 to be used toward the therapy pool or signage and/or landscaping to remind pool patrons that VA parking is only for VA purposes. We intent to raise more money to support these goals.

    I am not aware of any plan to expand the VA into Spellerberg Park or relocate the VA facility to another location as you have suggested. I would be interested to see the details if you care to share them.

    Thanks again,
    Tom Muenster

20. Poly – $280 – big deal – in today’s economy – in your mind? In 1960 – that would have been about $32 – just over a dollar a month. In the 1960’s my dad was making $8+/hour, or for a half day’s work – my sisters and I could have gone swimming every day – for a year. But you’re calling someone who could afford that part of the”1%”? LAUGHABLE.

    The ACTUAL 1% are so proud of having turned you against the IDEA that being able to afford to pay for a family’s swim pass is “eliteist”. You’ve come to a perspective that allows HATE that someone can afford something as small as that. You come to a perspective thyat allows you to HATE the idea that your local government might even provide such a facility. You’ve come to a perspective that you seem to be advocating AGAINST your local government creating recreational opportunities for ANYONE. GO JUMP IN THE RIVER.

21. Instead of moaning about how the poor can’t afford to swim – so NOBODY should be able to – WORK to DO SOMETHING about it. Get out there and organize. Get the minimum wage raised. Get the Repubs blocking Medicaid expansion out of office – THAT will help the poor – by getting them health care. The city’s got the money to do this. Most of that money is NOT coming from pockets of the poor. Stop fighting against letting the better-off PAY for this facility. Let it be built – ands WORK to get the city to fund subsidizing poor kids to use it – to provide them transportation to get there.

22. The vets have discovered that being negative ninnies isn’t doing anybody any good. They’ve figured out that they need to change their approach to being actively engaged in taking POSITIVE actions to making it as good a deal as they can. Figure it out. Yeah, you’ve got your “facts and figures” spiel down. Now – what are you going to DO about it?

    Just repeat it over and over and over? What are you – an old looped 8-track?

23. You bring up the 60’s Ruf. Glad you did. Did you consider your Dad at that time just an average working Joe? I’m sure you did. The 60’s were a time when there was a real and lively middle class. Not so much today in SF. Your dads $8 an hour in 67 translates to over $55 an hour in today’s money. Today’s SF median income translates to $1.97 in 67. Not sayin much when you consider the minimum wage then was $1.60.

    Neighborhood pool? In your dreams. 73,100 citizens live within a 3 mile radius of Spellerberg. The median household income of those 73.1k is $40,590 a year. In today’s economy, that simply means $280 for a family of 4 seasonal pass is out of reach. $125 per child per month to Snowfox is out of reach.

    One other note Ruf. If my Labrador Retreiver won’t jump in the big poo, why would I?

24. It is important that Tom Muenster clarified he and his PAC (political action committee) do NOT represent either the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

    If, at anytime during the pool debate the City of Sioux Falls and the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs had been in official talks regarding an indoor aquatic facility (and that includes a therapy pool), you can bet our good Mayor would have held a press conference!

    It is an interesting situation that city officials offered a therapy pool as part of the new indoor aquatics center.
    They made this offer in order to secure the votes of veterans in the recent election.

    The City hired an internationally known consulting firm to provide an indoor aquatics plan. Nowhere in that plan for an indoor aquatics center did they mention a therapy pool. They did list a 3,750 sq. foot leisure pool for recreational purposes. The $19.4m price tag does not include both a therapy pool and a 3,750 sq. ft. leisure pool.

25. Thanks SF Resident & Tom Muenster for your valuable input. You’re both conscious of veterans.

    I’m convinced now that the VA Hospital should be relocated to a larger parcel outside city limits. There’s a plan for a veterans nursing home. Both facilities should be together. Access at the present hospital is a problem. Especially for ambulances. I’ve seen plans for major construction proposed next year thru 2018. There will be flyovers at 12th & 41st off I-90. 41st & Louise will be a flyover. 41st will be divided islands. The VA was built in 1949. There are major structural and space issues. A new VA would be like the modern one in Minneapolis. A new VA would have enough beds and could provide cheaper healthcare now farmed out to Sanford & Avera.

    I believe the city should hold off to beyond 2018 on anything at Spellerburg. To much construction on this side of town will isolate and paralyze the VA. Ambulances can’t get there. Wait till the new VA is nearly completed.

26. H&R Engineers has provided plans for 41st & 12th Streets a mile either side of I-29. The fed, state, & city paid. That whole side of town will be inaccessible for 5 years. Do your shopping in Mitchell or Brookings. If you’re going south, go around on I-229 instead of I-29.

27. Poly – I want you to take a good close look at the Readers digest summary of your argument. It goes something like this; “Because people in SF aren’t making as much money – on average – the city shouldn’t be making any effort to provide them with the “good stuff”. The good stuff in life is ONLY for the “wealthy” and they can buy their own.

28. Who else will lose besides the 73,100 working poor within 3 miles of Spellerberg? Frank Olsen pool will be closed and replaced with a spray park. A recent year saw over 37,000 users pass thru its gates, to be replaced with a spray park? In one of the most highly concentrated kid centric areas of town? Where a family pass for the season is $70. Replaced with a facility that will quad-ruple the family pass price with very limited open swim time?

    Where do I line up for this one?

29. “Because people in SF aren’t making as much money….the city shouldn’t be making any effort to provide them with the “good stuff”.

    You still don’t get it do you ruf. That whoosh sound you hear is the sound of everything I’m trying to tell you going right over your head. Them should be getting “good stuff” like an affordable transit system. Them should be drinking water that hasn’t gone up in price nearly three times as much as it was 7 years ago. I could go on and on about Them for hours with similar accounts but since you don’t get it, why waste my time.

    Should the 73,100 people, living within 3 miles of Spellerberg, existing day by day on median household incomes of $40,590 have a fair chance at the “good stuff” their tax dollars will be paying for? Sure they should. But will they ruf? That is the question.

    Will they?

30. Mr. Muenster, I’m interested in acquiring rights to your PAC and website. We have the advocate roots for relocating the VA to east of Brandon. Please contact this site for my email so we can set a meeting. Veterans members only.

31. Mr. Daily,

    The Veterans for the VA PAC was established to protect veterans healthcare. I understand you are a combat veteran so I am certain you know the vital role the VA plays in the lives of vets.

    My email address is Muenster@Navcraft.com. Please send me a note so we can set up a time to meet. I look forward to getting together to discuss your ideas.

    Best regards,
    Tom

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