UPDATE: But do SF Police Officers ‘Value’ their FREE lunches?

by

Apparently they value them so much, that they need to take up emergency parking spots to eat them;

mindy-n2

When you hear the mayor and our finance director talk about the ‘value’ of things when they are not given away for free (Pool and Bus passes) and our police receive a FREE meal card at one of our fine hospital industrial complexes, let’s talk priorities. I often see them parked in the ER parking lot and on the adjacent street around ‘meal time’ by Avera. While I guess I could care less if Avera wants to give away FREE food (while charging the sick and visiting family members) the least the officer could have done was assist the gentleman into the ER if he didn’t want to give up his parking spot.

A few years back, councilor Staggers questioned this program and the parking situation (he lives one block from Avera’s ER) of Chief Barthel. While it is against police force policy and city policy to receive ‘free’ meals, Barthel said he doesn’t actively enforce the policy, only telling Staggers he ‘discourages’ it. If this present incident actually happened, I think it is about time the FREE meal program ends at Avera, it’s evident that some officers don’t value the program enough to help a sick person (you know, the people that are actually funding your FREE meal program).

UPDATE: This was a response emailed to me from a former SFPO named ‘Thomas’

“I am throwing the B.S. flag on this! I want to make sure that the original accuser knows the difference between the uniform of Avera security and the SFPD.  Especially since the original accuser is from out of town and may not be as familiar with the city landscape as they think. Avera has a uniform that is very similar  to what the former SFPD uniform looks like. I hope that a mistake has not been made.
Also, Sioux Falls police officers do not enforce parking on private property.  Before any accusations fly you should make sure that you understand who you are accusing and not make a mistake. Please do not forget that many, many times during a shift, officers from all over the city, county, and other area agencies are routinely transporting involuntary psychiatric committal patients into the main Avera emergency room for admission. Just because an officer is parked in the lot does not mean that the officer is there for a free lunch. The cliche that people only see a badge is very true. We should be very careful to avoid a false accusation. Many area agencies use Avera. Just because you see a patrol car you should not assume that it is one specific agency.
 When I was employed by the SFPD,  we were not paid for our lunch breaks. Although, federal law says that if employees are not paid for their lunch break they have to take that lunch break away from their work station. At that time (and I’m sure as it is today),  officers do not have the luxury of taking their break away from their work area,  they are usually limited to how far away they can go out of their assigned area.  During their unpaid lunch breaks, they  routinely are subject to be called out or to have it people walk up and want to speak with them on official business.
Regarding discounts or free meals: if that’s what the business wants to do that business can do that.  It is no different  for a business to extend a discount or a free meal to an officer than it is for an officer to be invited to a neighborhood block party and be offered a meal at the block party. Both of these situations encourage visibility of officers among the public.  Using your logic, any award, accolade, or thank you, should not be bestowed upon any officer or public employee for the job that they do. This would include any officer appreciation dinner that is put on by any local area civic organizations or a citizen handing an officer a bottle of water or soda on a hot day. If this practice were to end,  it will only serve to distance the officers from the public and the citizens that they serve.
Also, and especially during certain times of the 24 hour day, there are very few places open late at night  for an officer to stop and get something to eat.  Because of this, it is possible that because you see a patrol car, that you may not be seeing the same car for hours on end or if you see several patrol cars you’ll see some officers coming into start their break as some others are leaving.
If you have any questions regarding the conduct of any officer you always have the option to speak with that officer’s supervisor. The city has made it very easy for anybody to inquire, complain, or comment on any officer. I am a big fan of this blog, I read it every day. There are very many things that go on in the city (that we should be aware of and are hidden from view of the public) and this blog does an excellent job of exposing that information. This item is not one of those things.
 I would have fully expected this blog to research this incident more throughly instead of just linking to an alleged or suspect incident. As A law-enforcement officer, I learned very early, that you have to have all the facts to make a proper decision in any incident and that until you have all the facts, no conclusions or opinions should be drawn.”
My RESPONSE:
As a person who has friends and aquaintences that work at both hospitals, I will say everything that Thomas is saying is true, BUT, I have also seen quite the opposite, and heard the opposite from hospital employees, that ‘some’ officers do use the emergency parking lot for ‘meal time’. To say it is one way or the other 100% of the time, is not the case. Just like any public employee, some are saints, some just go with the flow.
As for the FREE meals. As I understand it, it is against policy to accept free meals. And for good reason. Anytime a public employee gets a ‘freebee’ from someone, whether they are a police officer or a building inspector there could be an expectation from the giver to get something in return. The state has a long history with state government of ‘pay to play’. Obviously on a grander scale, but it is still there. Is it ethical for a public employee, who gets a salary, benefits and a pension to be accepting ‘gifts’ from business owners? It’s one thing to grab a plate of chicken at a crime watch picnic or at an appreciation night, it is a whole other ball of wax to be getting a free lunch everyday you work. If a police officer doesn’t believe he can afford to buy himself a lunch on what he makes, he best be talking to his union rep, because it is a sad day if we have to start handing out food stamps to police officers because they can’t afford to buy themselves food.
Posted in: SFPD, Sioux Falls

UPDATE: Is the larger pipe for the Indoor aquatic center part of the budget?

by

UPDATE: I was told by a city official that the 8″ Pipe was included in the building budget. Maybe they learned a lesson from the Events Center? I also spoke with a citizen today who attended all of the “Advocational” sessions before the municipal election about the pool options, and he told me he asked Parks Director Kearney at the sessions if infrastructure would have to be upgraded if an indoor pool had to be built (roads/sewer/water, etc.) and Kearney either didn’t answer the question or said ‘NO’

There was a press conference recently explaining that a part of Western Avenue would have to be closed to put in new 8″ water pipe for the indoor aquatic center (opposed to the current 4″ water pipe);

From Tuesday, May 26, to Thursday, May 28, 2015, South Western Avenue will be closed at West 24th Street to provide access for utility work on the indoor aquatic center at Spellerberg Park. Contractors need to access water and wastewater lines that are buried under the street. Access to the Park Ridge Galleria will be maintained at all times.

Traffic on Western Avenue will be detoured to South Kiwanis Avenue via West 22nd Street and West 26th Street. The closure is expected to last only three days, but traffic delays should be expected.

“This is another milestone for the indoor aquatic center project, a big step in ensuring the project stays on schedule for enclosure by winter,” says Lance Weatherly, Civil Engineer. “We appreciate everyone’s patience during this brief closure of Western Avenue.”

So is this utility work included in the Indoor Aquatic Center’s building budget? I would be curious, because as you remember, much of the initial utility work done at the events center was not a part of that budget.

Posted in: Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Parks and Rec

Dana Dykehouse on the Su Fu Stupid show, 5/5/2015

by

Once in awhile I change my name when I comment on the Argus Leader Media online shows. Mainly because I think when DaCola asks questions they get deleted or not asked.

Last Tuesday I was commenter ‘Hot Air’ even though I think Patrick Lalley was a little suspicious it might be Detroit Lewis.

Dana started the show by talking about the Dakota scholarships, or whatever they are calling them. I posted this question (and Pat asked it);

“Instead of throwing $50 million at a couple hundred students so we can chain them up to a low wage manufacturing job in SD for 3 years, why not spend that money on reducing the cost of Vo-Tech education for everyone?”

Dana made some comment about the conspiracy of ‘indentured servants’ and ignored the vision that President Obama actually talked about today in Watertown, affordable or FREE community college education for all.

Then I got a good belly role out of Dana’s comments about how all the Events Center Task Forces worked together. I made this comment (Patrick posted it, but did not relay the comment):

“The Event Center Tack force worked together? LOL! I recall you stomping out of a few meetings after you pouted about not getting your way.”

Dana went into a mild rant about the ‘unintended consequences’ of the federal credit card regulations (mostly on marketing).

I made this comment (also posted but not relayed to Dana);

“Your credit card division’s marketing practices were one of the main reasons the FEDS put in the regs!”

I wanted to go further and comment that our very mayor ran that division, but it was hard to keep up . . .

Dana began to defend ‘Pay Day’ Lenders. He argued people needed them for ‘quick money’ to get out of a bind, and the usual lines you hear from these kind of lending predators, so I played nice, and Patrick actually asked my question;

“What did ‘these people’ do before pay day lenders? High interest credit cards or Food Stamps? Really, I ask the question?”

Of course Dana, as I suspected brought up loan sharks and mobsters, he even went as far as saying, “Have you seen the movie Rocky?” LMAO! So I made this comment (Pat also posted it, but didn’t relay the comment to Dana)

“I knew that was going to be your answer, everyone went to the mobsters. Sure, Dana. Actually, people depended on family and friends to help them, and when their neighbors helped them, they didn’t charge them a 300% interest rate.”

Then Dana started bragging how private investors, including himself, gave almost $100 million for upgrades to the SDSU sports palaces, some named after him.

I made a comment about how it was good that he took advantage of all those people on high interest credit cards so he could take his personal wealth and build these facilities. Lalley was not amused and did not post the comment, but did say this;

“I could only go so far hot air. Thanks all.”

I couldn’t resist to finish the show with one last comment (that was posted) about how unimaginative the host is;

“Stu, not sure if you know normal everyday peeps in our town that do great things, but in the future, I suggest you ask them to be a guest on your show.”

Posted in: Media

The Vote YES campaign offers weak excuses about their disadvantages

by

Before we get to the Whaabulance party going on in the Vote YES campaign, I want to clarify something for voters.

If you vote NO on Tuesday, that means you support school starting after Labor Day. That vote also means you will TRULY get a school start date change.

If you vote YES on Tuesday, that means you like the calendar just the way it is, and there will be NO changes made. There seems to be this myth floating around out there that if you VOTE yes there is a chance of a compromise. I can almost guarantee that will NOT happen. The school board has already said they would not look at it seriously until after the vote, and there is nothing in writing. In fact, only one school board member, Kent Alberty has said he supports a compromise, but doesn’t speak for the rest of the board. Don’t kid yourself, whoever wins on Tuesday, one of two things will be clear. The calendar will remain the same, or it will change to after Labor Day. Let’s not muddy the waters with what ifs.

As for the campaigns themselves, I have been watching both of them very closely. It seems the Vote NO campaign has raised money, they have organized, they have put up yard signs, they have done a mailer and they have done print ads. They have also participated in several forums.

The Vote YES campaign has depended on students to get out their message, have raised very little money, and have really just whined about being hamstrung by state law. This is where I will come in and say “Poppycock!”

When I addressed the school board about state law concerning campaigning and the use of public funds and property I never once said that teachers couldn’t campaign. In fact, the way I look at it, teachers have 16 hours a day Monday-Friday and 24 hours a day, Saturday and Sunday to fully practice their 1st amendment rights and campaign for the YES vote. State law hasn’t prohibited the teachers from organizing, raising money, knocking on doors, talking to friends and neighbors or even holding public informationals, that would be a direct violation of their 1st Amendment rights, and they know it, or maybe they don’t?

State law is pretty clear. You can’t do it on the taxpayer’s dime, that’s it. But I have heard a lot of whining by their side that they have been somehow hamstrung by this law. That is just a bunch of boloney. It almost seems like teachers don’t think they should have to campaign for their cause unless they are getting paid, and that is unfortunate. Or is it that NOT all teachers support the early start? I have talked to several who are looking forward to the longer summer and voting NO. So let’s be clear, nothing has prevented teachers from campaigning on their own time, and some have, and I commend them. But to claim they are being hamstrung by state law is a stretch.

At the end of the day, the choice is simple on Tuesday. If you like the way things are, VOTE Yes, if you want your kids to enjoy summer more, VOTE NO.

This isn’t rocket science folks.

Posted in: 1st Amendment, Elections, SF School District

City Survey Results

by

There was some interesting things to come out of the city survey (mostly commentary) but you can view all of the results HERE. But a couple of quick things I found interesting.

-People will always bitch about the streets. As I have said, they are a lot better then they were 4 years ago. I will actually give the city council and the mayor credit for getting on top of this. It also doesn’t hurt that the past two winters have been mild, which saves us money in maintenance and upkeep. Could the streets be better? Yes. I agree that the traffic light time in this town is pretty bad and needs to be adjusted.

-Affordable housing is almost non-existent. When I bought my home 11 years ago I was paying $450 dollars a month for a 1-Bedroom in Pettigrew Heights. I didn’t pay heat, garbage or water. It wasn’t a dump, but it certainly wasn’t ‘nice’ I have paid the same mortgage on my home since I bought it besides tax increases, but after I re-financed a few years ago to a 15 year mortgage, my mortgage went down. Let me put it to you this way, it is almost 30% cheaper for me to be making payments on single family home then it would be for me to rent a single bedroom apartment. Rents are way overpriced in Sioux Falls, and that is evident, when you see developers continually put up apartments. They are making a racket.

-847 responses out of 3000 sent for a response rate of 28.23%. The council hours wasted on this survey is amazing. I remember sitting in the outer council room while hearing staff and councilors drone on and on about how important this was for the future of Sioux Falls? We have video for those who missed it. So for the $29.52 paid for each resident return plus the thousands of dollars spent by the council in staff time and overhead did we learn anything we did not know already? If you look at one of the last documents in this survey, you will see the comparison to other years. You will see that there wasn’t that much change from 2013-14. That tells me that we can probably hold off doing another one of these surveys for a couple of more years, instead of every year.

But the most entertaining part was the open ended question responses. Obviously, most of these comments will be negative, afterall we are asking for the opinion of the public. Very little praise was given. But what surprised me was the high number of comments about our mayor pertaining to development, building entertainment facilities and the connections to Sanford. The SFPD isn’t seen in too good of light either.

Posted in: Sioux Falls