UPDATE II: I want to say that it doesn’t surprise me one bit the council voted down the advisory vote tonight (6-2. Stehly & Starr, Yes. Erickson, Kiley, Rolfing, Erpenbach, Neitzert, Selberg, NO). They want this to go away, who can blame them? When people start seeing how sausage is made, it scares them and they have lots of questions.
But I would like to give my two cents on some of the comments made by councilors Rolfing and Kiley about ‘conspiracy theories’ and the mayor’s involvement. There is none. The mayor vetoed the repeal, it is up to him or a judge to stop the bond sale. That is a fact. His hands are all over this.
As for Rolfing’s comments that he hears 10 to 1 that people are for the building, well your golf course survey is just dandy, but the petitioners have ACTUAL signatures, over 6,400 of them, approximately half the people who voted in the last city election. Straw polls don’t count in real life.
As for the defense of the city clerk and the ‘negativity’ towards him. Doesn’t matter if Danielson got the petition oath and language from the tooth fairy, it was Greco’s job to stamp it (in which he did). It is HIS stamp on the petition sheet that he received the petition. This is a FACT. There has been NO one on the council, the administration or the clerk’s office that has said otherwise. His job was to verify and stamp the petition. He stamped it, he just didn’t verify it. This is also a fact.
We can cloud this debate all we want with ‘feelings’ and ‘theories’ but the facts are undisputed.
UPDATE: A court hearing in front of the Honorable Mark Salter will be September 28, 2016 to hear the Writ of Mandamus on the petition validity.
At this point, there is really nothing to report with the validation of the petitions. Let’s just say the legal rangling is in full swing.
But there is something that CAN be done. At tomorrows city council meeting, the city council will hear and vote on the 2nd reading of the advisory vote for a city administration building.
Many have argued the election would be moot if the bond sale goes through on October 3rd. This is very much true, AND it is still a possibility. The mayor has said he will not change his mind on the bond sale. And why would he? He broke two council ties and vetoed the repeal.
But as I have said in the past, the planets could align, the bond sales could be restrained, either by a court intervention, or the mayor miraculously changing his mind. In this case, an election would be set already.
I urge the majority of the council to pass the advisory vote. If the bond sale goes through on October 3rd, it can easily be repealed. No tax dollars spent. No harm done. The right thing to do.
At this point, Huether will authorize the bonds. However, there will be lack of investor interest because of the publicity and low city bond rating. Money talks. It’s the best voice when citizens don’t speak up and Councilors were bribed. What makes me feel good is this is political suicide for Huether. No ‘Huether for Governor’. Maybe he’ll leave the state.
The advisory vote will happen on September 13, 2016 during the 7:00pm regular City Council meeting. Everyone interested in this issue should show up and speak if they can.
We need to pack the room with everyone who can make it. A large majority of Sioux Falls voters want to vote on this. We are working hard to make sure the vote will be on the Initiative and this is just a first step on a crazy ladder. Thanks
There was nothing on KELO noon news about tonight’s council meeting. Other news priority. Apparently, someone has weeds in their soybeans.
The three that switched their votes from last week and their rationalization for doing so are hard to take, “false hope” Erickson, and Selberg and Neitzert’s disappointment about election follow thru. Erickson seems like an opportunist and the new boys don’t appear to stand up well under pressure.
Yeah, I didn’t really get the ‘false hope’ argument at all either, because now there is NO hope. With a hearing 3 days before bond sale that false hope really turned into no hope.
The council kind of looked like the Vikings tonight. Made it to the playoffs and screw up there Super Bowl chances on the 1 yard line.
Neitzert disappointed me most. He got cheers when he sided with petitioners speaking a few council meetings ago. I can’t believe he’s two faced. He should enjoy his one and only term.
There’s something suspicious going on. Everything Councilors stated was an apology for selling out. I can’t help but suspect they were bribed.
The court case must set a petition form and process. Greco accepted petitions because there was no procedure. Going forward, petitions are the only method to stop the city. It shouldn’t be hard to keep them busy with dozens of them. Punishment can be boos on the street and council meetings every night voting on trees and such. Apparently, $25,000,000 isn’t as important.
It’s a sad day for democracy.
All council members who are there to “help make a difference” need to give a listen to the last 5 minutes and 15 seconds of this podcast.
http://media.mwcradio.com/podcasts/greg-belfrage-show/1280/greg-belfrage-show-1280.mp3
Long story short. You won’t know if you don’t try. If you are going to flip flop and cow-tow to the whims of mmm, then go back to your day job, and don’t let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.
This is a very big disappointment! How in the world can they turn down an election with so many people speaking out about it. I just don’t get how they can spend all this money on a building we don’t need yet our roads, police force, affordable housing all go underfunded year after year!
Well said Warren!