I suppose I could rant this is too late, but better late than never. This could have been better controlled if Smithfield’s would have asked for the help of the Feds and the state and city health directors to help control the spread in the plant. If they would have told officials back in March, they may have gotten it under control and they may not have to close. But that hog has already left the pen, and now it is spreading in our community.
I’m utterly baffled and horrified that the state legislature has tied the hands of our city and the governor will not intervene when Paul has asked her to. I would even argue it is a slap in his face not to at least tell him you are working on a solution;
Increasingly exasperated local leaders, public health experts and front-line medical workers begged Noem to intervene Monday with a more aggressive state response.
“A shelter-in-place order is needed now. It is needed today,†said Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, whose city is at the center of South Dakota’s outbreak and who has had to improvise with voluntary recommendations in the absence of statewide action.
I found out today that on March 30th, the drunken sailors we call our state legislature tied the city’s hands. This is out of their control, and now it may be another 10 days before any action can be taken. But I hope not.
I would suggest that Paul ignore the legislature and use every legal trick he can to get a shelter in place order put in place by Friday or before. Let the AG sue us later, this is no time to worry about legal repercussions.
I stand with the Mayor and City Council on this, it’s time to defy the Governor’s office and take action. We can handle her crying on Fox about it later while we are all watching safely from home. Paul, show the citizens of Sioux Falls you have it in you – I think you do.
Paul should shut it down, but what will the Republican establishment think of him superseding a Republican governor? This is what is really at play here. This is not just about Republicans hating government when government is the answer. Rather, this is about Republicans fearing Republicans. This is like asking a manager to do something, which the CEO doesn’t agree with. This is a model example of top down leadership. It’s corporatism at its best, or in this case, its worse.
( and Woodstock adds: “But I would fear Noem, too”…. “It’s obvious she is tight with the Orange Mess”…. “Did you notice how she is going to start pushing his ‘Miracle Drug’?”… #SnakeOilSalesman )
Let me also add, that this Republican corporatism is, ironically, an unique form of federalism that is only embedded within Republican politics and their leaders. A federalism in nature, which is convenient in maintaining their interests, or should we say some special interests, which are often not in the interest of the average citizen.
This virus crisis is an eye opener to the political culture of Republican politics, isn’t it? And especially how we in a red state are actually led by ‘Red Mayors’ and other ‘Red’ political leaders in this state.
Listening to Noem’s news conference today, it appeared she had three priorities.
Sanford’s drug trial.
Proving that the modeling she has done for SD is right and preserving her relationship with the Trumps.
Did anyone else notice the name-dropping….she mentioned several times she has been talking with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. Who the hell cares!!!
The ironic part is she was in Sioux Falls where the number of covid-19 cases is DOUBLING every 3 to 4 days. Guess she didn’t have time to discuss that shelter-in-place order that our Mayor is desperately asking for.
Don’t believe the spin, Scott. The mayor & council DO have the authority under home rule charter to pass a shelter in place ordinance. They could’ve met today and done it. Any action taken on 3/30 is not applicable. Not sure what drama is going on between Noem and TenHaken, but it needs to stop and one of them needs to act asap. At a minimum Ten Haken needs to acknowledge the power he has available to him.
Andy, I agree totally and why I posted this. I’m telling him to man up, he has several councilors supporting him and urging him, you can probably guess none of them are a part of the RS5. They have been trying to work on council action, and I think this last slap in Paul’s face from the snow queen may just put him over the edge.
Thanks. Just concerned that you mentioned the legislature’s supposed action on 3/30 that TenHaken is saying prevents action at the local level (it doesn’t.)
For anyone who didn’t see this in today’s Argus article:
The emergency declaration for Sioux Falls issued by TenHaken in March still stands, and prior to state legislators narrowly defeating a bill last month that would have clarified municipal emergency powers, the city used one reading to set occupancy limits on select business types in Sioux Falls.
Councilor Janet Brekke said two readings to pass measures related to COVID-19 are unnecessary, despite the message coming from the mayor’s office.
“It has never been challenged and is the law of this city,” said Brekke, a former city attorney instrumental in the implementation of the Sioux Falls Home Rule Charter adopted in the mid-1990s. “It was designed for exactly this situation, so we could be responsive in emergencies.”
Here’s the ordinance:
§ 33.027 EMERGENCY ORDINANCES.
Notwithstanding the provisions of state law, upon the declaration of an emergency by the mayor, ordinances or resolutions may be adopted and become effective upon one reading and adoption. 1992 Code, § 2-82; Ord. 75-99, passed 7-6-1999 (2/3)
Trust me Andy, I know. I’m hoping that the mayor will finally come around to a compromise with the council. Like I said, let the AG come after the city in the middle of a pandemic spike, never happen.
It’s nice to see you saying complimentary things about our mayor. Can you imagine how bad this would be if your man Mike was still mayor?
Government, make me stay home.
Probably the dumbest idea ever implemented by weak Americans.
If you don’t feel safe honey, just stay home.
Agree, shelter in place. The number of cases in Sioux Falls is not only a risk of exposure but a strong likelihood. Smithfield is not only employee cases but their families and many on the northwest side.
There was an arrest over the weekend where retained party coughed and was charged with assault. We can’t even cough in public so lock us up in our domicile with an ankle bracelet.
Should all police wear masks? A Belfrage topic?
Can police not make arrests because it violates social distancing?
We’re gonna need another jail. Must be one prisoner per cell, empty social distancing cell, then another occupied cell. Can we build our own castle and call ourselves imprisoned? That’s how Mexican cartel czars do it.
Mayor Mike would have closed us down by now. He was always an admirer of Janklow.
RE: “Government, make me stay home.
Probably the dumbest idea ever implemented by weak Americans.
If you don’t feel safe honey, just stay home.”
We are the smart people. It’s a smart idea to protect the people who can’t/won’t protect themselves. Leaving it up to common sense just doesn’t work.
We need to make all the stupid people stay home and not infect other stupid people and then go to the same grocery store or place of work where people have to keep working.
That’s how the smart people get infected.
#My2Cents
“Say, how will a shelter-in-place order impact the Chic-Fil-A construction?”
If you want to shelter in place no one is stopping you.
D@ily Spin, The guy that coughed claimed to be ill. After the arrest he said he was kidding.
I suggest 14 days in solitary and the we’ll check on him
Eric Burdon and the Animals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAcMzuu70A8
“If you want to shelter in place no one is stopping you,” said the true Libertarian on the way to the hospital.
I can hardly wait for the 2022 gubernatorial campaign – Noem preaching her “pro-life†record while having to defend her total void of leadership during this pandemic. Get the popcorn ready!
Jeff Barth – 35 seconds into that video and I’m already cowering in my seat…
Sioux Falls has become No. 2 priority case in the nation because of Smithfield outbreak. Hospitals could become overwhelmed.
Jeff, stating you have it then retracting makes it criminal because it’s like spitting and saying you’re HIV. He should have kept his story so he’d get a private cell. Also, maybe this is one way to get a hard to get COVID test. As of today, prisoners are confined 14 days for quarantine. He’ll probably get a stern warning and time served.
Whatever happen to Noem’s “Four Pillars of Protection”? They must have crumbled, huh? That’s even happens to the best of civilizations, too; and I think we now know why this happens.
Smithfield is/was an essential business. I don’t think it would have been subject to a shelter in place rule until what happened anyway.
Kristi Noem has sold us for medical experiments.
A shelter in place order will also open up benefits for those who lose their income. It makes it easier for people to stay home. It isn’t about needing to be told because you can’t decide for yourself. Trying to simplify a person’s support for the order down to just being scared only proves your argument is thin.
I support Mayor Heineken for a shelter in place order.
Pardon me, I forgot the “Ten” and to make it plural. Mayor Ten Heineken’s
“Mayor Ten Heinekens” is the one who shows up unshaven without a tie.
“A shelter in place order will also open up benefits for those who lose their income. It makes it easier for people to stay home. ”
You will need to provide us an example of your logic otherwise this is utter hyperbole?
Prime example of why you are wrong: Premier bankcard could be having their employees work from home…But their parking lot is full each day. Now they have 2 employees infected. Will they be forced to shut down? NOPE, Banking is essential and not included in this bullshit order.
Need another: Smithfields could have told the mayor to go pound sand and stay open. Why? All food services are Essential Service.
Most of you cant do your own taxes but you ASSume you know what’s best for the rest of us.
Go blow it out your ass Jimmy!
The ridiculous shelter in place order will not do ANYTHING to reduce the number of positive cases or deaths. But it will make some people feel better that we are “doing something about it”. Even if what we are doing doesn’t have any meaningful effect. Falls right into the category of pissing in the ocean. It makes you feel better but it doesn’t make a damn bit of difference.
“You will need to provide us an example of your logic otherwise this is utter hyperbole?”
Non-Essential Employers can still force employees to show up to work until an order is in place. This means that high risk individuals with crappy bosses could be forced to choose between going to work or staying at home without compensation. If the order is in place, the employer must allow them to work from home or they can receive unemployment benefits if working is not an option.
The real reason to delay the disease with social distancing to is to allow therapy and vaccinations to be developed. Just letting more people die quickly, the other option is to make a buck over the dead bodies.
You don’t know what your talking about. Employees already have rights if they believe they are at risk.
https://dlr.sd.gov/covid_19_resources.aspx
Have to quit your job because of COVID-19 is the last line on this chart.
https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/publications/ra_covid_19_pandemic_scenarios_benefits.pdf
39 weeks of unemployment + $600 a week.
“… the other option is to make a buck over the dead bodies….”
Like Black Friday specials.