South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

Christine Erickson

Art Christine Erickson Downtown Sioux Falls Rick Weiland for Senate SF City Council Sioux Falls

Councilor Erickson goes ape over $60k while giving millions in tax rebates to welfare developers

l3wis 4Comments

(FF: 16:40)

So this happened at the informational meeting on Tuesday, and I didn’t think much of the drama until people started nagging me about it;

Erickson said the Playhouse, formerly known as the Sioux Empire Community Theatre until August, currently owes $66,000 in debt to the city. She questioned why the debt had not been settled after it received $418,739 between several COVID-19 relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.

First, let’s put some things in perspective. The Sioux Empire Community Theatre incurred this debt, not the current group and SMG let it grow to level it should not have. Once the Orpheum changed hands to the Pavilion’s management a payment program was set up. But in all reality, the city should have just wrote off the debt due to SMG and the previous theatre company no longer being in play. That would be the ‘logical’ thing to do

Some have asked me, “While Erickson has voted to give millions in TIF tax rebates to wealthy developers and voted for a failed $26 million dollar bunker ramp debacle why does she give a sh!t about this $60K debt?”

Well folks, this isn’t about the amount of debt it’s about who is being held hostage for the debt. The NEW organization’s president is no other than Mr. Rick Weiland, and this is an obvious attack on him politically as a prominent Democrat in our state and Christine’s cozy relationship with SD GOP leadership. It’s petty, and honestly the reason I didn’t say anything on Tuesday after witnessing her driveling. But par for course for the dirt bags that run that institution (out of Iowa).

Besides, if we really want to question the abuse of tax dollars by an arts org in Sioux Falls, we only have to look to the Washington Pavilion who is rumored to pay their director around or over $200K a year and has ravaged the entertainment tax year after year for millions in maintenance for a $19 million dollar building that cost us $50 million plus to complete and continues to drain us. Why doesn’t the city council just have a resolution that renames the tax the ‘Pavilion maintenance tax’? Let’s call it what it really is. And when are we going to get a financial report from them? Isn’t the director a Democrat?

Christine Erickson

Erickson may NOT be running for Mayor in 2022

l3wis 12Comments


Looks like Councilor Erickson has a new gig;


On August 16, 2021, the South Dakota Automobile Dealers and South Dakota Trucking Boards of Directors announced that Christine Erickson has been hired as the Executive Director of the Association.

Christine is a life-long South Dakotan who grew up in Rapid City and started her career in Pierre before settling down in Sioux Falls to raise her family. She and husband Tony are the proud parents of three active boys: Anthony, Braylon, and Charlie.

A graduate of National American University and the University of Sioux Falls.

Christine is a former member of the South Dakota House of Representatives and current at-large member of the Sioux Falls City Council. Throughout her elected tenure in state and local governments, she has distinguished herself as a problem solver who seeks innovative solutions and brings together diverse interests to accomplish the greater good.

As a small business owner, Christine has created a robust business strategy with consistent growth. Drove business, finance, and marketing acuity – with a deep commitment to quality and service excellence.

“I am honored to be the next Executive Director, and am excited to begin working with Myron Rau and our members across South Dakota,” says Christine Erickson. “I would like to thank Tom Murphy and the board of directors for their trust and commitment to the association.” 
hide quoted text


I’m NOT quite sure what a realtor and short-term rental property owner knows about this, but hey, it’s who you know in this state not what you know.

Christine Erickson Elections Marshall Selberg Mayor TenHaken Sioux Falls

The ‘Unofficial’ Mayoral Incumbent has raised over $52K

l3wis 16Comments

For a guy who hasn’t made an official announcement, some wonder why TenHaken has raised so much money.

TenHakens July 6, 2021 Finance report

I guess O’ Shucksberg and Heels have some money laying around to.

Maybe Paul is waiting to break $100K before he officially announces so he knows for sure the super rich in town still support him and cruise control government

Christine Erickson Elections Former Mayor Bucktooth & Bowlcut Mayor TenHaken Mike Huether Paul Ten Haken

Is former Mayor Huether running for mayor in 2022?

l3wis 32Comments

There have been a lot of moles telling me he has been telling people he is running and raising money, and NOT for governor.

Whether this is true or not, it should not surprise anyone. He has been chomping at the bit to get back at city hall.

It will certainly set up an interesting scenario, especially with Erickson also looking to run for the position.

I still stick by my prediction that Paul will not run for re-election. I guess he has been getting advice from friends on whether to run or not.

I think if Paul decides to bail, you will see a whole host of people running besides Bucktooth and Bowlcut and Heels. I think you could see a possibility of 8 solid candidates. I also don’t think Mike’s chances are as good this time around. If you look back just on his 2nd term he had a mountain of failures like The EC siding fiasco (still not fixed) and the fact that the revenue from the place is practically zilch and no development is in that area, also the Bunker Ramp, Administration Building HVAC, ignoring the water plant upgrades, transparency, etc, etc.

If Paul does decide to run against Mike and Christine, I still think he has the power of incumbency on his side and will win easily. Either way, whether it is Paul, Mike or Christine, were screwed in any scenario.

Affordable Housing Alex Jensen Christine Erickson Count-cilor Alex Jensen Developers Development SF City Council Sioux Falls

Erickson & Jensen want to talk to you about housing, if you can make it

l3wis 4Comments

The only problem is you will have to be late for work to have that conversation with them;

Public Invited to Discuss Strategies to Expand Homeownership in Sioux Falls 
Councilors Alex Jensen and Christine Erickson will hear from citizens on how the city can make homeownership more accessible in Sioux Falls. Ideas gained from this outreach effort could be used for future legislative efforts intended to tackle the lack of homeownership opportunities. 
When: Thursday, May 20th 
Where: HyVee at 37th and Minnesota 
Time: 7:30am to 9:00am 


I have often noticed that if city councilors really want to hear from constituents they have these kind of meetings on a Saturday or after 5 PM. The Vice-CountCilor and Errackticson have ZERO interest in talking to constituents about these issues, that is why they are doing it on a Thursday morning when most working class stiffs are at work. Jensen even said in the meeting yesterday something like, “We would like to discuss these ideas with developers and contractors, oh, and I guess the public can come to.” You can’t make this stuff up, even if you tried.

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