Should it be called the Sioux Empire ‘Republican’ Leadership Council?
I’m not sure how many of the people on this council are Republican, but I can count quite a few;
- Jason Ball, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, will serve a one-year term as Chair (?)
- Andy Patterson, President, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation (Vice Chair) (?)
- Cindy Heiberger, Commissioner, Minnehaha County (REP)
- Jim Schmidt, Commissioner, Lincoln County (REP)
- Robin J. Houwman, Presiding Judge, Second Judicial Circuit, Unified Judicial System (?)
- Mike Milstead, Sheriff, Minnehaha County (REP)
- Steve Swenson, Sheriff, Lincoln County (REP)
- Paul TenHaken, Mayor, City of Sioux Falls (REP)
- TBD, School Board Member, Sioux Falls Public School District
- David Flicek, Administration, Avera McKennan (?)
- TBD, Administration, Sanford Health
- TBD, Council member, Sioux Falls City Council
- TBD, Community member
When I think of a ‘Leadership Council’ I think of people from all political stripes. It will be interesting to see who fills the open seats. I know of only ONE Democrat on the School Board (after Alberty leaves, and that is Kate Parker. On the city council it is only Pat Starr, who would make a great addition to the council). The reason this concerns me is that when such a large group of mostly Republican ‘leaders’ get together, it usually is about the bottom line first;
“Minnehaha County is excited to expand upon existing relationships in building a collaboration that will engage both public and private sectors,†Heiberger said.
I anticipate to see strong partnerships, but I also expect to see these ‘private’ partnerships watching out for their business interests first. I suspect them to sacrifice very little while the taxpayers pick up the tab.
The Council will begin regular, quarterly meetings this fall.
It will also be interesting to see if the council meets in public, or the forum they decide on to meet in public. Â