Don’t be afraid of being outnumbered. Eagles fly alone, Pigeons flock together.

Unfortunately I missed the May 24th meeting, however the meeting was taped but due to some technical difficult only the last half hour or so was recorded successfully.

Please note the city attorney was not present and here we have mayor Haeder and FO pat carrying-on without legal counsel. The Special meeting commenced at 6:00 p.m. with Councilman David Larsen, Councilman Brian Johnson, Councilman Curtis Keiser, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilwoman Talbott and mayor Haeder present. AWOL were Councilwoman Darla Reppe and City Attorney Sam Nelson. This was a special meeting solely for the “emergency” purpose (if the agenda is to be believed)of discussing the South Dakota marijuana laws and the city of Alcester’s enactment of it’s own ordinances regarding the licensing, dispensing and growing/harvesting of marijuana. So mayor Haeder and FO pat think it is prudent to carry on without the interpretation, language advice of the city attorney? REALLY?

I find it utterly amazing after viewing what video was retrievable, the council weighed in on legal issues without city attorney Sam Nelson present to advise them. Particularly after comments made by former councilman Marcus Ireland and city attorney Sam Nelson concerning semantics and the language of law in the May 17, 2021, meeting.

Take special note that FO pat took up a position in front of the council to spew her hear-say presumably from the city attorney on the issues involved in the abandonment of an alley bordering on the property of Joe Constance. Unfortunately the past council and mayor have religiously accepted the squawkings of the city bookkeeper as she “interprets’ the law and other non-financial agenda items for them. Yeah right. I sincerely hope that the new council persons do their own research.

Another concern is what appears to be a proclivity for the city bookkeeper to seek the advice of the city attorney on her own initiative. WHY? Why is the city bookkeeper requesting legal opinions which results in billable hours, without mayor Haeder or the Alcester City Council formal approval. Dear heaven the council could just as well ask pinterest for an interpretation opinion, oh wait witnessing the hear-say opinion via FO pat it appears they are! Just curious about those phone calls.

‘Til next meeting.