Former Mayor Bucktooth & Bowlcut

Argus ED Board points out the obvious problems with the Bunker Ramp

I have come to the realization that bitching about this project at this point is almost futile;

After a contentious five-year saga of fits and false starts, we’re left with something that looks more like it belongs in downtown Chernobyl post-meltdown.

Now we’re faced with setting aside our dreams of a silk purse in return for a sow’s ear.

But we find the current state of affairs unacceptable. The “finishing” touches on such a huge and visible public initiative should excite and energize the citizens of Sioux Falls. Instead, we stand disappointed and disillusioned.

TenHaken has an opportunity to begin earning back public trust in City Hall.

While the editorial makes some good points, I sometimes wonder if it is too late. I don’t think that Mayor TenHaken or his administration have ANY intention of becoming more transparent, in fact, they have been in hunker down mode for over a year, and it gets worse by the day. The super secret, hurry up and ramrod through the 5G implementation without (real) public meetings is proof of this. I said to someone the other day, “It makes you wonder all the things they are doing behind the scenes we don’t know about?”

While the previous mayor was very OPEN about his SECRECY – it was almost a badge of honor with him, this mayor pretends like it isn’t going on, but they are one in the same. I saw when Munson did this, when the next guy did it, and now our current mayor, and it is getting worse and more deceptive by the day. God help us, because I’m not sure there is much the rest of can do to stop this.

UPDATE: 2nd Penny will have to be used to Support Bunker Ramp

Reader submission

You can say what you want about Stehly, but she warned that the Parking Department Enterprise Funds would NOT be able to support the bond payments for the Bunker Ramp, and this is why we used the 2nd Penny Road Funds for collateral;

Mayor Paul TenHaken wants the City Council to dip further into the city parking fund to come up with another $1.5 million, which his administration says is needed to open the ramp. Using that cash would drain the account the city is using to pay back the $18.5 million it borrowed to build the ramp, making it more likely that the city could need to dip into tax dollars to pay off the debt. 

Once again folks, we are dipping into our infrastructure funds for projects that have nothing to do with needed infrastructure.

UPDATE: Joe Sneve found this great quote from TenHaken;

“Unfortunately, the public doesn’t have all the facts and getting at the ones the taxpayers do have has been a challenge. The City government needs to be open and transparent with taxpayer dollars, which includes settlements like the one in question. We all can agree that bringing openness to historically closed door processes of City government is a great move,” Paul TenHaken told KSFY News while campaigning for mayor.

I skimmed Bowlcut’s book today

I have been meaning to read our past mayor’s book, but haven’t had the opportunity. But today I decided to do some skimming thru it at the local bookshop. What I found interesting is that the chapters are extremely short (5-6 pages) double spaced in about 12 PT type. I literally read two chapters in about four minutes.

I went thru those two chapters today because they looked interesting and wanted to share a couple of tidbits I jotted down. First, he touches on getting his 50+1. Something I called when he was mayor ‘Winning at all costs – F’k everyone else’ He didn’t put it that way 🙂

CHAPTER: If you want everyone to like you, public service is not for you

In government, if you truly want to get things done, quit trying to please everybody. Stop singing “Kumbaya” and cease seeking everyone’s blessing before moving on. Get the minimum votes required, take your hits from those that disagree, execute a plan, and move on. You are not going to accomplish anything if you strive for perfection and appeasement. Make only one promise to those you serve: “I guarantee you, there will be times when we will have to agree to disagree.”

Strive for perfection?! LOL! It was no secret he had a ‘by the skin of his teeth’ mentality.

But he also feels the need to address the ‘Fake News’. I guess I really never thought of him as a Trumpist, but in a lot of ways he is. I saw this when he left the Democratic party (surprised they didn’t have a party).

CHAPTER: Don’ forget about earned media

My administration spent countless hours and taxpayer dollars dealing with made-up nonsense from a few that just wanted to criticize, stir up rumor, create falsehoods, or had nothing better to do. The brick-and-mortar news outlets now have fewer staff to actually discover the truth versus the fake or biased news. It is so hard for the news outlets, along with public servants, to correct the untrue blog post, inappropriate Facebook rant, or salacious Twitter bomb.

The only person making up ‘nonsense’ was you. And the SD Supreme Court agreed.

I will try to read the whole book eventually, bucket by my side.