South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

SF City Council

David Barranco Dr. Sarah Cole Elections Janet Brekke Rich Merkouris SF City Council Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls City Council Candidate Merkouris doesn’t believe our Police should follow National Standards

l3wis 7Comments

During the council debate on Thursday night Janet Brekke said she will work with Chief Thum to try to implement some national standards for the police. In her recent mailer she said;

• Secure a stable Police Department training budget so our officers have the latest instruction available.

• Support Chief Thum’s 3 new initiatives to engage young people so they don’t become offenders.

• Strengthen relationships between patrol officers and neighborhoods.

Apparently this really irritated candidate Merkouris who went on this rant;

While I would partially agree you don’t take all National standards and hope they work in Sioux Falls, you still have to look at what could work. I was very surprised how agitated he got over it, considering the problems we are having with our police and other city employees. There have been 4 arrests over the past couple of months of city employees. Two for abuse and two for child porn.

There was also some other ‘dog whistles’ on other candidates postcards;

David Barranco said this;

I have two strong boys . . .

and continued on the back;

We must not assume someone who shares our values will prevail on April 12.

You can take that how you want to, but I think Barranco is painting his opponent as someone who lacks values and it is a low blow.

Sarah Cole also made some false claims on her latest mailer;

I am not a politician.

I hate to break it to you Sarah, but when you run for office you become a politician. As a recent female business leader said to me when TenHaken made the same claim, “He is extremely tone deaf.”

Politician; a person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of or a candidate for an elected office.

Sarah continues her rant;

The people of Sioux Falls deserve a city councilor that will serve with integrity and respect for others. I won’t play games or pick petty fights.

The timing of this statement after TenHaken tried to intimidate Brekke is interesting to say the least especially coming from a POLITICIAN who has never voted in a single city or school board election in the community she wants to serve.

I think on Tuesday, your choice is very clear; Reistroffer, Brekke, Pam Cole and Cody Ingle.

Elections SF City Council Sioux Falls

South DaCola City Election Endorsements

l3wis 18Comments

No candidate has asked me to endorse them . . . maybe there is a reason why, LOL.

As I have already mentioned, I think that voter turnout is going to be extremely low. This makes it hard to predict some of the races, so I will avoid that, because quite honestly, this is probably one of the most challenging elections I have ever seen.

Coming out of a pandemic and the cluster of the last city election being during a primary of uneducated city government voters and the factor of a popular incumbent mayor.

ENDORSEMENTS

Mayor; David Zoikates. David was an easy choice, while I will admit that he can be a little quirky at times, several things standout; police reform and open government. Any candidate that will put transparency first will always get my vote. I also believe in his campaign promises. I recently told David that the issue I have with his two opponents is they are cut from the same cloth.

At-Large A; Janet Brekke. Not only is Janet the most qualified city councilor we have ever had, she is more qualified than any one in the entire pool of candidates, including the mayor’s race. Janet IS a consensus builder and she does it by asking the tough questions and promoting open government. I got to know Janet when she was running for office and assisted with her direct mail in her first race. Trust me, I don’t agree with Janet on numerous issues, but I also know Janet will listen to you and weigh your opinion in her decisions. She also has no one to impress, Janet has been involved in public service for decades, she has NO ulterior motives besides good government. I call her the Republican Pam Nelson.

At-Large B; Pam Cole. I had to be sold on Pam. But after reviewing her resume and experience, I think she is genuine in her intent, and I think we need more progressives on the council. I also don’t trust her opponent who comes across like our previous mayor with promises of inclusion that fall away on inauguration day.


SE District; Cody Ingle. I don’t personally know Mr. Ingle, but his stances on diversity, inclusion and equal rights stand out for me. He is also young, vibrant and progressive in his ideals. He is also a super nice guy. His opponent is a grand mystery. His opponent recently told a constituent that he only cares and represents his district and is not concerned about the rest of the city. Which means he is oblivious to his role as a councilor and extremely unqualified, kind of like the person he wants to replace.


Central District; Emmett Reistroffer. Where to begin? A candidate who is young and full of ideas. A deep understanding of policy and citizen advocacy. I dare any candidate running, even for mayor, to match up their resume to Emmett when it comes to public policy. While Emmett has a strong personality, he is also respectful of citizens opinions. In his work as a cannabis advocate he has proven that time and time again. He understands the people’s work, and knows how to get it done and work hard to implement policies that benefit this city as a whole. Emmett is the most well-rounded council candidate we have probably ever seen in the history of our city. It would be a disservice to NOT elect him.

I encourage everyone to vote, local government is the most important government. They determine most of the rules and laws you should follow, the majority of your taxation and the amount of government services you receive. It is the most important decision you will ever make effecting your life over the next 4 years.

Property Taxes SF City Council Sioux Falls Taxes

The City of Sioux Falls is misappropriating surpluses

l3wis 2Comments

The biggest issue before the upcoming city election isn’t just affordable housing it is how the city is misappropriating millions in tax surpluses from 2021. (Item #86)

Typically surpluses from the previous year are not given out or appropriated in the following year until a financial report from that year is presented to the public and city council in a public meeting.

It should certainly NOT be given out before an election. The council, that normally controls the purse strings should have gotten the report and had public working sessions with public comment to determine how this money is to be spent, and it should have happened after the election.

Instead, the mayor is keeping information from some of the councilors and certainly from the public and secretly appropriating this money as booty prizes and then dropping it in councilors laps to approve. It’s a violation of the charter and certainly an ethical violation, it may even violate campaign rules.

In my humble opinion, with $74 million in surpluses the best way to spend this money is to give tax rebates to the core neighborhoods for property owners to spend it on home and neighborhood improvements (stipulated). Instead of complicated grants and added bureaucracy, just give it back to the taxpayers and have them decide how they will spend the money.

It’s bad enough we have been overtaxed, but to turn around and hide it from the council and public and to hand it out to the mayor’s special friends is just sickening, especially right before an election.

ENTIRE PDF OF PRESENTATION

Elections Ethics Janet Brekke Mayor TenHaken Patrick Starr SF City Council

Mayor TenHaken may have violated FCC Committee Member Rules

l3wis 8Comments

Mayor TenHaken currently is the chair of the FCC Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, as a committee member they have to follow certain rules and guidelines in that position. According to the FCC they are only allowed to provide opinions to the FCC Commission. I was unable to find the specific rule that prohibits committee members from making accusations or pronouncements about other fellow lawmakers, like a city councilor he serves with, but I do know that Federal boards have to meet a much higher bar when it comes to conduct. I would think if Councilor Brekke made an inquiry to the FCC about his accusations they would look into the rules he must follow as a committee member.

Here is the video of Brekke’s press conference. I like how she compared Paul to a singer of a rock band and the council is the musicians in the band;

Here is the dust up between Starr and Jensen;

SF City Council

Sioux Falls City Council Agenda, Tuesday April 5, 2022

l3wis 0Comments

Even though the city election is a week away from Tuesday, the city council has a jam packed agenda this week.

Informational • 4 PM

A. Forward Sioux Falls 2022-2026 Agreement by Mike Lynch, Executive Director of Investor Relations

FSF actually put together a good presentation . . . see, that wasn’t so hard.

B. Jacobson Plaza Update by Don Kearney, Director of Parks and Recreation

C. Safety and Home Repair Grant Program by Kevin Smith, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services

This is the program that the mayor is initiating without input from the council (As Starr pointed out on Thursday in a press release) and without a financial review of 2021. Why is the mayor hiding the 2021 financials until after the election? Because he knows voters would be irate over the city swimming in millions after a pandemic. I have joked with people that after Poops is re-elected, you will not see him the next 4 years. He is will be virtually invisible running cruise control government from the basement of City Hall in complete secrecy and handing out booty prizes to his socialist welfare queen developers and people he has been privately investing with.

Regular Meeting • 6 PM

Item #6, Contracts/Agreements, Sub Item 2, Legal Counsel, $10K for Housing. I find this interesting since we have city legal counsel and it has to do with housing. I wonder if it has to do with Poops grant program?

Sub Item #30, Planning & Development, Agreement to Provide Research, analysis and recommendations for a 2035 Downtown Plan, Leland Consulting Group, Inc., $46K. Shouldn’t this be community and city council driven? Why do we need a private consultant tell us what we want?

Item #57, deferred action to do with Forward Sioux Falls handout. I find it interesting that there is NO description of what this is on the agenda. They call it sub-item 30. That’s transparency folks!

Item #83, 1st Reading: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY BY AMENDING CHAPTER 111: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

Item #84, 1st Reading: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY BY AMENDING CHAPTER 30: ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, MOTIONS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRING COUNCIL APPROVAL BY REQUIRING AN ANNOTATED AGENDA. This is basically an agenda with notes on it (explaining the agenda item) this is a great open government measure. We will see how the other councilors react considering Starr and Brekke are the sponsors. My guess, like the next item, will pass 1st reading with no discussion, and then get a dragon slaying at the 2nd reading (after the election) because that is how the rubber stamp council rolls.

Item #85, 1st Reading: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY BY AMENDING CHAPTER 35 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES AND ETHICS BOARD TO IMPLEMENT A MANDATORY ETHICS TRAINING PROGRAM. This is a program that Councilor Brekke has been advocating for, for her entire 1st term. I think it is a great idea. I can’t wait to hear the councilors excuses against making it mandatory. Maybe all the city employees getting arrested recently would be a good reason this should be pursued?

Item #86, 1st Reading: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS.  Facilities ($1,000,000); Fire ($2,685,000); Police ($80,000); Library ($50,000); Highways and Streets ($6,000,000); and Parks and Recreation ($3,855,000). More handouts of money left over in 2021 before the council has received a financial report. Unbelievable. Notice the sponsor is Mayor TenHaken.

Item #87, 1st Reading: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA DISCOVERY DISTRICT RESEARCH PARK LOCATED IN THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS. Getting on the bandwagon of the DSU project, councilors Soehl and Erickson want to give money to a USD project, $3.5 million. Funny they know the money is there since there has NOT been a 2021 financial report.

Item #95, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN FRIENDS OF LEVITT SHELL SIOUX FALLS, INC. AND MORTIMER & MIMI LEVITT FOUNDATION AND THE CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD, REGARDING LEVITT SHELL AT FALLS PARK WEST. This is giving the power to Levitt to control events at the facility that are NON-Levitt concerts. While I agree someone needs to manage it, since it is owned by the taxpayers, it should be managed by us. The Levitt should simply block off their events and let the city determine who uses it on open dates.

Item #96, A RESOLUTION APPROVING A TEMPORARY FURNITURE ZONE EXTENSION ON A PORTION OF E. 12TH ST. Another example of an agenda item that makes zero sense in verbiage. While I approve of the resolution, all this is an outdoor street patio for Breaks Coffee. When you read the attached PDF you don’t figure it out until the end with a map. Another example of failed open and transparent government. The recipient should be named in the resolution and the introduction of the agenda item.

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