FF 7:00
Five city councilors tried to ‘splain away’ why the media is getting it wrong about Paramedics Plus, REMSA and the Health Director, Jill Franken. In fact, Franken was so concerned she didn’t even bother to show up to the meeting, but did supply Council Vice-Chair Erickson a cute two-page letter to read. I guess the six figures a year Franken makes just isn’t enough for her to show up in person and defend herself. Smart move, because anytime you bring up PP to Franken in a public meeting, she sweats like a hooker in church. When she was questioned by council about approving PP as the new ambulance service, she was so nervous I thought she was going to pass out.
At one point in the informational, a long time Democrat, Erpenbach, quoted Trump by saying the media surrounding PP is ‘Fake News’. Even though the term ‘Phantom’ is the language used in PP’s contract and not made up by the media.
Stehly let them have it. First by saying councilors and other elected officials have a right to be concerned and talk to the media about the issue. She also stressed that this was about ‘Mutual Aid’ asking the council to make sure those agreements get signed ASAP.
I also told them at Public Input later that night (FF: 34:30) at the council meeting that it comes down to mutual aid and transparency. Let’s face it, it comes down to PP somehow convincing Metro 911, REMSA and the Health Department that ALL calls and transports need to go to them, and NOT to other ambulances, even if patients have to wait.
So the big question is, how did PP convince Metro and others to abide by that request? I have no idea. But if you get on the Googles you will see why PP is being sued by the Feds in other states, and it isn’t because they ask for things nicely.
Sounds to me like some folks in that department need a good audit. We know PP has bribed folks in other states.
Former County Commissioner Bob Kolbe gave an interesting perspective at public input. He reflected back to the embezzlement situation at the Fairgrounds several years ago. The fair had been audited regularly, but the audit was too” superficial” to catch the hundreds of thousands of dollars that had been embezzled…. Finally, someone called for a forensic audit and Truth was revealed.
I remember well when this happened and have watched our latest “Gear Up” embezzlement situation with concern. I have inquired about the type of audits we are using for the City, and discovered that it is a similar audit situation ..we are being evaluated by a ” financial statement” audit.
I believe that we need to take one department at a time and do a performance audit…this goes more deeply into evaluating efficiency and operational practices . We owe it to the citizens to have more accountability. It needs to be done by an independent firm outside of Sioux Falls. (And of course, my colleagues on the council must agree it is necessary).
Bob Kolbe is calling for a forensic audit for the whole ambulance system. He said it didn’t have the “appropriate smell”. All of us in public service need to be open to being scrutinized. I appreciate the willingness of the Argus and Kelo to investigate and question. I will continue to ask for a mutual aid agreement and to insist we have more ambulances on the street. ( Unfortunately, we are restricted in what we can dictate because of the contract that has been put in place for the next 3 years).
20 million in Kickbacks! PP under federal investigation! What’s Huether’s take? Here come the Feds, finally. I wondered why the better service with quicker response time got little council consideration. Taking payola is ethics enough to recall the mayor and excuse a few councilors. Risking people’s lives? We must replace these crooks.
Is Franken’stein’ using the DOA’s for body parts to build a monster?
Sadly I saw at the last City Council meeting either Paramedics Plus or REMSA already got to the new fire chief too.
His talk comparing ambulances being dispatched like air traffic controllers was a horrible comparison and total bullshit. (Probably not his anyway)
A fire captain in the field knows when he has more patients than ambulances and he knows which patients can’t wait. He knows this better than anyone who isn’t on site. The incident commander ON SCENE is in the best position to determine how many ambulances are needed and anyone who says differently is spouting POLITICS not PATIENT CARE.