“Jodi, run and get me another box of tissues, the state doesn’t love us anymore.”
“We aren’t lacking road projects. We’re lacking dollars for those road projects and that’s what the stimulus bill could really do to help us,†Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson said.Â
Gee, too bad you didn’t spend some of the record tax revenue over the past 6 years on those projects instead of building crap we didn’t need. And all of sudden Highway 100 is the project of the freaking century.
“That’s such an important roadway for us and this area. And we really need to get that road finished so we can develop on that east side,†said Mayor Munson.Â
Develop the Eastside? How about filling some of these empty retail spaces we have now before building more. If Target wants a new road out there, have them pony up.
But Dave also cries to the Gargoyle Leader about not getting his dirty grubs on the money;
“I don’t think it’s going to create that many jobs,” Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson said of the state’s priority list. “To me, the stimulus program was to build infrastructure and create jobs.”
Over a month ago I addressed the council that we may not see much money in Sioux Falls from Mr. Stimulus Bill because of our low unemployment rates (don’t really need to create jobs in a place that doesn’t need any creation). At the time, I was talking out of my ass and figured I would be eating crow. Well guess what’s on the City Hall menu for lunch today.
I warned that borrowing money and paying for these projects up front gives the appearance in Washington that Sioux Falls is doing AOK and we don’t need Washington’s assistance. I also said that main purpose of the stimulus was to provide jobs where they are needed – that’s not in Sioux Falls.
“Quite honestly, we’re not sure what to make of all this,” he said. “If this is the whole plan,” Hanks added, “I’d be terribly disappointed. If you want to get people back to work, the best way is through the local level.”
Well guess what, Mayor Hanks, the rest of South Dakota is whole lot worse off economically then Rapid City or Sioux Falls. I commend Rounds for taking care of the entire state first before bowing to the two largest cities. Maybe Jodi can spare some of those tissues.
l3wis 
