It didn’t hit at first. A friend texted me today that a great man died. I did not know what to think. A few years ago I took a weird trip to the Hills to see a ‘Honor the Earth’ concert put on by Native Americans. Pete put it on, he was the organizer. Between meeting him and Arlo Guthrie, I was in a complete different world. I want people to know, whether you like his music or not, doesn’t matter. We don’t make people like this anymore.
Probably one of the most under rated presidents. I was born in 1972 after the Nixon fiasco, so Jimmy was my man. I often tell folks besides Nixon bringing it up, Carter warned us of climate change and if the SOB would not have beat him in 1980, we would have had real change. I still remember election day in 1980 or shortly after and my grandpa talking about the presidential election, “I voted for Jimmy, he is a good man.” It was classic Carl sarcasm, it was a dig on Reagan. Man how they hated Reagan.
After riding E-Bike for 4 years I decided this year I would try to ride almost everyday this winter, not quite but I am averaging 6 days a week so far. Studded tires are where it’s at 
I have to admit it is kind of an addiction but once you have the layers on it is actually very peaceful and comfortable. And I am not crazy, on my way to work today I counted 20 individual joggers in a 4 mile stretch. Some people get it. The other day while riding to work I saw this beautiful younger Bald Eagle gracefully flying thru the trees on the bike trail. I should have taken a picture but I was in such awe I didn’t even think about it. I also work late afternoons so the beginning sunsets on my commute are beautiful.
But there is one thing I detest; the way our city’s public works doesn’t properly maintain our streets in Sioux Falls;
While this graphic is from another city, it is pretty much like this in Sioux Falls. It amazes me when we have a mayor who is supposedly into fitness makes it very difficult for people walking or riding bike to navigate this town. I said if most people in Sioux Falls started bike commuting to work at least 3 days a week we would be less fat, and more happy. I lost 100 pounds riding bike and that was my only exercise routine on my 3 year journey. I do other routines now, because I can physically now, but biking is a great low cardio workout, especially an e-bike where it monitors your cadence and keeps you at a consistent pedal speed. Not only good for leg muscles it can also make your arms stronger and helps with balance, coordination and concentration.
Former city councilor Neitzert said to me recently that he pushed hard to get more bike safety measures on our streets and was ignored, he even told me that the city has a fund for this stuff and the Mayor won’t touch it with a 10 foot pole.
I’m not anti-car. Many peeps have asked me if I even own one, I do. I love my 2009 Honda Civic. It’s simple and functional and I have been looking for a used Hybrid. My bro owns a Chevy Volt and he has told me it is the best car he has ever owned (C’mon, the VW diesel pickup was pretty cool, you should have never sold it!)
We need to find a way in Sioux Falls to make peace between cars, bikes and peds. I didn’t even mention all the insults thrown at me from peeps in vehicles and guess who is the worst? Harley riders. You would think my 2 wheel cousins would have my back, hell no. Small pee-pee syndrome.
Speaking of cars, one of my friends is trying to sell his 1961 Porsche Notchback that he fully restored after pulling it from a barn in Virginia. Cars are cool, bikes are way cooler.
He also is a poor leader and a closed government militant. How can you run a city when you don’t even know how a law is made?
Soye (R)-Sioux Falls, wrote a column that said the government has a role to “protect the vulnerable.”
“Any law that is passed is someone’s morality, it is, it’s a moral judgment by the people who are in power at the time,” Soye said.
While I do think things like bathroom bills are wrong, the legislature would be the government entity addressing it. Maybe Paul needs to shadow our REAL mayor for a few days and see how she is running the town (COS Beck).
He also asserts that the only thing Pierre needs to do is send Sioux Falls money. His greed is insatiable, but what would you expect from someone who practices Prosperity Gospel.
Last Tuesday at the City Council Informational (FF 1:30:00) Councilor Barranco sort of addressed this with his commentary about his city representation on the Municipal League. Basically talked about how towns outside of Sioux Falls kind of detest us because of the elitism in City Hall (he didn’t say it like that, but you get the jist). He also talked about trying to mend those fences.
As we watch what is going on in DC and the dysfunctional Republican Party I will say it again; Republicans know how to win elections, especially in SD, but they have no idea how to govern once they win.
On Monday ‘KSFY’ posted this job ad;
I have been suspicious for awhile that the experiment they are running at DN will hit aground. Over the past couple of months I have noticed that their website is ‘glitchy’ and stories and vids don’t match up. I have also noticed half-ass production on the live broadcasts with mics cutting out, teleprompters not working (because the on-air talents have to wing it) and recently Brian Allen cancelled his ‘Matters of the State’ program with little explanation. Now they are looking for a News Director. I have asked some people who have ties to DN and they said ‘They may be downsizing thru attrition’. I didn’t think I would say this since I have gotten pretty beaten up by the media while they lift my story leads, but I am worried about our media being attacked as ‘fake news’ and now the future Orange Menace Whitehouse Occupant wants to start suing news organizations who said bad things about him (which are completely true). ABC caving to him was disgusting. I wonder if anyone at that organization has read about the lead up to power in the 1930’s in Germany. They are virtually using the same playbook and the news orgs are bailing. I was glad to hear that Gannet will fight the polling lawsuit, they should win, but our courts have become ‘Trump’ courts. I have always concluded the best way to fight this BS is to double down on the criticism and keep hammering until you can’t hammer anymore.
l3wis