7 thoughts on “Theresa Stehly, SE Podcast Episodes I & II”
Something erpenback, rolfing, and kiley simply do not get. A councilors job is to represent the people who put them there, not to be a cheerleader and rubber stamp for an administration with an agenda, an agenda for the monied class.
Is it enough? How can you recover from 8 years of Huether? A disaster deserves special attention the general population doesn’t have the patience for.
WP – I agree 100%, and something I have held back saying on this blog or to Stehly. Being in the media spotlight IS A GOOD THING. While many may think this has to do with Theresa’s ego, and heck, maybe it does, but what is more important is she gets attention to her issues. Hey, if you don’t like Theresa for being in the spotlight, that’s fine, but at least she is bringing attention to important issues, like government transparency, public health, property rights, things our media would barely touch 10 years ago, I should know, been doing this for 11 years. SF city government, long before MMM liked making decisions in the dark of the night, just look at the 100% cost overrun on Phillips to the Falls that Munson signed in complete secrecy. Dog the messenger all you want, it’s the message you should be focusing on, not the person who delivers it.
Scott…in reply to you, I have been encouraging my fellow Council members to speak up and communicate with the media and the citizens. I am going to use every venue possible to inform the public about the issues we are dealing with in City government and to get feedback from the citizens. I am always willing to have a discussion with those who disagree with me or have a concern. Call me at 929-8783 or email me at tstehly@siouxfalls.org .
I am also becoming more convinced that GOVERNMENT cannot police itself. We need the media now more than ever to keep the spotlight on City affairs. Sunshine IS the best disinfectant.
.
Some of us get involved because we are inspired by the Theresa Stehlys of the world. Instead of criticizing citizen activists everyone should be helping them. Join in and help fix the world. You may not and you should not agree with everything every group does but but add your voice. Adding your voice is democracy and the system requires it.
Theresa got involved because many quieter voices could not be heard over the special interests. We are involved because the door has been opened to transparent government in Sioux Falls. We are fighting to keep it open.
I retired in 2006. Along with retirement I started soending more hours following city politics. That same year I found the South Dacola blog. The kid seemed to have an uncanny knack for being about two steps in front of all the other media. I also started following Theresa and the Drake Springs fiasco. Have followed her closely ever since. She has figured out one thing since joining the council. To speak for the masses you have to have a voice. That voice is the media. She plays the media, not for herself, but for the PEOPLE. Theresa does not have a self serving agenda anywhere in her makeup. Unlike most politicos. I can personally attest to her citizen advocacy. I met her for the first time in January at a Councilor meet and greet at Hy-Vee. I had a concern and she immediately became my own personal advocate. How do I know she is not self serving? I can’t even vote her. I don’t live in the city.
TV and newspaper media have little power now. 400 channels and internet competition has reduced their audience. They’d probably like to expose city corruption but can’t afford the investigative discovery. What’s happened is Strong Mayor Charter gives the mayor absolute power. There’s no council checks and balances or contracts transparency.
It’s going to take a petition so voter citizens can return the charter to equal mayor and council authority. I’m not sure this will work because the mayor can refuse to accept the petition. It’s happened. What will work is electing a mayor with democratic principles. He/she can use Strong Mayor to amend the charter. I’d suggest drafting a new charter using Huether examples to show how city government has become oligharcy. Huether’s meglomaniac narcissism is the best example of how Strong Mayor Charter becomes a nazi-like dictatorship.
Something erpenback, rolfing, and kiley simply do not get. A councilors job is to represent the people who put them there, not to be a cheerleader and rubber stamp for an administration with an agenda, an agenda for the monied class.
Is it enough? How can you recover from 8 years of Huether? A disaster deserves special attention the general population doesn’t have the patience for.
WP – I agree 100%, and something I have held back saying on this blog or to Stehly. Being in the media spotlight IS A GOOD THING. While many may think this has to do with Theresa’s ego, and heck, maybe it does, but what is more important is she gets attention to her issues. Hey, if you don’t like Theresa for being in the spotlight, that’s fine, but at least she is bringing attention to important issues, like government transparency, public health, property rights, things our media would barely touch 10 years ago, I should know, been doing this for 11 years. SF city government, long before MMM liked making decisions in the dark of the night, just look at the 100% cost overrun on Phillips to the Falls that Munson signed in complete secrecy. Dog the messenger all you want, it’s the message you should be focusing on, not the person who delivers it.
Scott…in reply to you, I have been encouraging my fellow Council members to speak up and communicate with the media and the citizens. I am going to use every venue possible to inform the public about the issues we are dealing with in City government and to get feedback from the citizens. I am always willing to have a discussion with those who disagree with me or have a concern. Call me at 929-8783 or email me at tstehly@siouxfalls.org .
I am also becoming more convinced that GOVERNMENT cannot police itself. We need the media now more than ever to keep the spotlight on City affairs. Sunshine IS the best disinfectant.
.
Some of us get involved because we are inspired by the Theresa Stehlys of the world. Instead of criticizing citizen activists everyone should be helping them. Join in and help fix the world. You may not and you should not agree with everything every group does but but add your voice. Adding your voice is democracy and the system requires it.
Theresa got involved because many quieter voices could not be heard over the special interests. We are involved because the door has been opened to transparent government in Sioux Falls. We are fighting to keep it open.
I retired in 2006. Along with retirement I started soending more hours following city politics. That same year I found the South Dacola blog. The kid seemed to have an uncanny knack for being about two steps in front of all the other media. I also started following Theresa and the Drake Springs fiasco. Have followed her closely ever since. She has figured out one thing since joining the council. To speak for the masses you have to have a voice. That voice is the media. She plays the media, not for herself, but for the PEOPLE. Theresa does not have a self serving agenda anywhere in her makeup. Unlike most politicos. I can personally attest to her citizen advocacy. I met her for the first time in January at a Councilor meet and greet at Hy-Vee. I had a concern and she immediately became my own personal advocate. How do I know she is not self serving? I can’t even vote her. I don’t live in the city.
TV and newspaper media have little power now. 400 channels and internet competition has reduced their audience. They’d probably like to expose city corruption but can’t afford the investigative discovery. What’s happened is Strong Mayor Charter gives the mayor absolute power. There’s no council checks and balances or contracts transparency.
It’s going to take a petition so voter citizens can return the charter to equal mayor and council authority. I’m not sure this will work because the mayor can refuse to accept the petition. It’s happened. What will work is electing a mayor with democratic principles. He/she can use Strong Mayor to amend the charter. I’d suggest drafting a new charter using Huether examples to show how city government has become oligharcy. Huether’s meglomaniac narcissism is the best example of how Strong Mayor Charter becomes a nazi-like dictatorship.