Sioux Falls

UPDATE II: KELO AM turns into the ‘State Media’ for Mayor TenHaken on Thursday

l3wis February 23, 2022 36Comments

UPDATE II: As I suspected this was not a paid for commercial. Not once in the two hour event in which the mayor talked a lot about the city did he say it was paid for by his campaign. This means his 2 opponents can and should ask for free and equal time.

UPDATE: It looks like there is a little rule that needs to be followed here;

The equal-time rule specifies that American radio and television broadcast stations must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it. This means, for example, that if a station gives a given amount of time to a candidate in prime time, it must do the same for another candidate who requests it, at the same price if applicable.

I suggest other candidates ask the station for equal time.

I also see now the State of the City Address is being billed as an RSVP event;

Join Mayor Paul TenHaken for the 2022 State of the City Address. The event also will feature a panel discussion with youth leaders from the 2021-22 Mayor’s Youth Council on the future of our community.

Advance registration is required; seating is limited.

8-9 a.m. Wednesday, March 16

Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast is included with registration.

Event is free and open to the public. RSVP by March 4, 2022.

Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. The address is also available to view via livestream on the City of Sioux Falls’ Facebook page.

I have NEVER heard of a public event like a public meeting being a RSVP event, especially in a facility owned by taxpayers (Convention Center). I am also curious who is paying for the breakfast? The tickets appear to be FREE. This looks like a campaign event funded by the taxpayers. Unbelievable!

Section 3.03  Mayor’s duties and responsibility.  

The mayor shall, at the beginning of each calendar year, and may at other times give the council information as to the affairs of the city and recommend measures considered necessary and desirable. The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, represent the city in intergovernmental relationships, appoint with the advice and consent of the council the members of the citizen advisory boards and commissions, present an annual state of the city message, and perform other duties specified by the council and by article III. The mayor shall be recognized as head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law.

Imagine me NOT being surprised when the morning host on 1320 AM, Belfrage, announces this morning that on Thursday between 7-9 AM, Mayor Poops will be able to have a 2-Hour campaign commercial on the station.

I will have to give the mayor’s campaign folks props, who wouldn’t want what appears to be a FREE 2-hour commercial?

But what is surprising is a station that constantly bitches about the supposed ‘state media’ they just turned into the propaganda wing for city hall. Maybe they will give Poops more awards during the show.