I know about as much about this as you do. Well, okay, I know a little more. I will be at the press conference today and helping with the petition drive. Do you think it would be inappropriate to bring up ZOMBIE WALK during the press conference?
First off, I’d like to emphasize the importance of this year’s elections. Now more than ever we need to remind EVERYONE we know to vote, or we might end up with this in the White House. Seriously, this isn’t as far off as it seems.
Second, it was brought to my attention that USA TODAYwas running a piece about Zombie Tag. I wondered how it was that I hadn’t heard of it yet.. and then it occurred to me that I’m not a coed with entire days of my life to waste on college campuses. I’ll admit that it does sound like tons of fun, and if a game popped up in SooFoo I’d be there.
Thirdly, come out this weekend and watch George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” on the big screen at West Mall 7 at 9PM this Saturday the 11th and October 18th @ 9PM. All proceeds will benefit the Sioux Falls State Theater.
Undeadly Yours,
Zed
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The council reinstated the non-profit money last night. But our city attorney, Mr. Know-it-All doesn’t think the council had the legal right to do it.
The outcome left City Attorney Robert Amundson questioning whether the council’s action was legitimate. Last week the council approved the 2009 budget. This week they were approving a resolution appropriating the money.
“I think it should be looked at,” Amundson said following the meeting. In theory, the city attorney represents both the mayor and the council.
The council is his client, not just the mayor. He needs to be defending their decision not just his buddy the mayor. Like I have said in the past, I have great respect for Robert Amundson. He was a former judge, and that is maybe the issue with Robert, he is opinionated like a judge, not an attorney. He needs to understand his job as an attorney is to advise the council on the letter of the LAW not his OPINION on the LAW as a sitting judge would do. The council isn’t asking for a verdict, they are asking for an opinion, there is a difference.
In the Sioux Falls’ Chamber of Commerce News published in the Argus Leader, the new Chamber Chair Dave Fleck had this to say about citizen advocates and half the city council;
“More recently, the Sioux Falls City Council* voted for additional funding sources for the construction of arterial streets and other infrastructure projects. Instead of focusing on negativity, the council had a vision of where Sioux Falls could be and voted for our future.â€
*(Only four councilors voted for the increase with the mayor breaking the tie, this equals 50% of the council, not a mandate or a majority).
This kind of divisive language is no surprise from a Chamber member. Over the weekend it was reported that the US Chamber of Commerce was one of the biggest supporters of the Wallstreet bailout, they are also the largest lobbyist in Washington, spending over $40 million dollars last year in lobbying congress. They like it when taxpayer’s give them money for projects like roads. Mr. Fleck seems to think that it is NEGATIVE for government to look out for citizens first. The amendment that councilor Costello offered to make cuts to the budget instead of raising taxes was very POSITIVE because he was saying we can build these roads without raising taxes. Talk about optimism.
Mr. Fleck goes further with his citenzry attack;
“We need to be willing to risk short-term controversy for long-term benefits.â€
There is nothing negative or controversial about asking our elected officials to listen to people who pay their wages and fund this city’s government. In fact I can’t think of anything more negative then apathy.
Jason Folkarts had a Republican on his KCPO political show. Wait, he always has on Republicans. Kidding aside, he had my favorite city councilor Dr. Kermit Staggers on the show. It was refreshing because;
1) Kermit knows his stuff when it comes to civics (He has a PHD in that stuff).
2) He is an old skool conservative – which is cool – low taxes – small government.
3) He slammed the bailout, I think I liked this quote, “This is going to have to be paid for by people who haven’t even been born yet.” (I think Leslee Unruh is working on that).
4) And best of all, he pretty much made fun of the Vote No on IM 10 TV commercials about teachers not being able to talk to their husbands. Kermit and I agree on this, it is complicated language, but it is a good measure and the other side is LYING THRU THEIR TEETH in the commercials. No surprise though, it is NOT supported by either political party.
5) He loves Sarah Palin. C’mon Kermit! Really?!?! Well not quite, but he was pretty complimentary.
l3wis 
Zed de la Muerte