UPDATE: You learn that maybe the reason there is NO media coverage is because there is nothing to report. I guess the only media event for today will be in Salem as Pete was in Sioux Falls last night meeting with the city’s first responders (which was probably about this). Most mayors, Republican, Democrat or Non-Partisan would have welcomed the DOT Secretary with open arms. Maybe Pete could hold a presser about how taxpayers in Sioux Falls tend to pay double for our infrastructure projects?
I have been following the news of Pete’s visit to South Dakota. I interviewed him in 2018 and would love to see him speak Tuesday. He was in Chamberlain today and will be in Salem and Sioux Falls tomorrow, just don’t know when.
While I understand the news may have difficulty getting an agenda from the Secretary, it would be nice to have a general idea of when he will be here and where so I can hear him speak.
The information may not have been shared with the local media for security reasons, or they really don’t know when he will make it to Sioux Falls after visiting Salem.
I just hope the local media isn’t withholding that information from the public so they would NOT be encouraged to attend, you know, to see an openly gay cabinet member and former mayor and Democratic Candidate for President in a very deep red state and even deeper red media.
I sent this letter to the Secretary last year, wonder if he will have a meeting with Sioux Area Metro?
Dear Secretary Buttigieg,
I am writing you with my concerns about public transportation in our city, Sioux Falls, the largest city in South Dakota (200K+).
We had met in 2018 when you were the guest speaker at the McGovern Day Dinner and I interviewed you before the event about municipal government for my blog, southdacola.com and enjoyed our conversation. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI61OLyHNLw)
My main concerns about public transit in Sioux Falls are;
• Does not cover the entire city
• Inefficient routes
• Only runs limited hours and 6 days a week (no Sunday service)
• Is underfunded and understaffed
• Has decreasing ridership
One of the biggest complaints I hear from people relocating from other urban areas across our country is our poor public transit system (we grew by 7,000 residents in 2021).
It is not that Sioux Falls coffers are destitute. The 5-year Capital Plan will spend $900M with only 1% going towards improving public transit and 43% going towards road maintenance and new roads.
We have the capital to improve it. We have dedicated city employees that can improve it. We just don’t have a workable plan and I am asking for your help in reaching out to our city leaders to help guide them.
Sam Trebilcock is the Public Transit advisor for the City of Sioux Falls. I would appreciate you contacted him with any assistance you may have; (605) 367-8890, strebilcock@siouxfalls.org.
You can also contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Scott L. Ehrisman
We hate the poors. What don’t you get?
Scott,
Please share where and when he will be found to speak. I admire Pete Buttigieg. There is no word of it on Dakota News Now this morning. Nothing. Very disappointed that he is getting no coverage on that station. I will switch to Kelo. Come on Sioux Falls TV outlets. This is a big deal. Thanks for your well written letter.
Finally at 6:35 Dakota News Now mentioned Pete being in Salem. No details about today.
Curious that he’s visiting Chamberlain and Salem (especially) but skipping Mitchell. Must be a personal trip.
Great letter, great interview back in 2018.
( and Woodstock adds: “Just further proof that Scott is not a ‘schlump’
journalist” 🙂 … )
The real reason, IMO, that we don’t have better bus services in this town is because some do not want to facilitate the mobility of some of our residents to all parts of town. It’s another example of the “Tale of Two Cities” playing out in Sioux Falls. Our current municipal bus services serve as much as a wall as a mode of transportation. #IncomeApartheid
( and Woodstock adds: “Say, would painting murals on our buses help any?”… (…. “I know they like to paint something on all of our snow plows”…. 🙁 …. ))
In the past 5 years 3 major trucking empires have failed. There’s a favorable return to independent truckers who deserve new focus. There can’t be imposed restriction rests if there’s no place to park.