I propose we all take a step back before we make that headlong run into inevitable disaster.
I have book-larned, I have lightly touched on the U.S. Constitution, I have Bible-studied, I have I have experience-learned and I have learned at the feet of those mentors I had and continue to have along the course of my life. Those cumulative learnings have shaped my attitudes, behaviors and life choices.
In my writings, I have learned to never-ever state something as fact until I am comfortable it is in truth a provable fact. At first this action on my part was to save me embarrassment but as I grew in my writing I understood my possible impact on others. I could not in good conscience influence someone wrongly. In school I learned about semantics and how they control the spoken and written word.
In my high school studies of American History and the U.S. Constitution I learned what most kids learn in a very brief synopsis of the document establishing the rules of our nation. Unfortunately what cannot be covered in one brief high school semester on U.S, Government is the motivation, forward looking and great care the framers took to craft a document which would adequately serve all peoples. It was later in my college studies I learned How the framers used language and intent to provide for all those who came after them and actually provided for the clarification of terms, intent and method in which to improve the rules and regulations set forth in the U.S. Constitution.
I have Bible studied, learning right from wrong, learning the Bible verses should never-ever be taken out of context less the Bible comes off sounding like some antiquated version of a snake-oil touting barker in a traveling road show trying to $ell a concept for his/her sole benefit.
I have experience-learned telling the truth is not enough, one has to fight, fight and continue to fight. Even when I have been deemed a liar when I told the truth. I have no problem turning the other cheek when I am called a liar, but when that cast aspersion causes another person to be found guilty and given a life sentence for something he did not do,
IN THIS CASE I WILL NOT TURN THE OTHER CHEEK NOR WILL I TOLERATE SUCH A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE!
Recent and not so recent mass murders are a travesty to what we all hold dear. Do not fall for the snake-oil barker of the traveling road show, stating this is the result solely and completely at the feet of the perpetrator, family and so-on. We all share responsibility by, “…what we have done and by what we have left undone…” There is a saying, “…when you point a finger of blame, there are three fingers pointing back at you…”
SO TO OUR LAWMAKERS, GOVERNORS AND SO ON,
Folks you have long been shirking your duties and while you did not (I hope) cause these atrocities directly you have assuredly allowed these mass murders to continue. It is long past time to act! Extend those three fingers pointing back at you along with that one finger pointing at another person or entity, raise that ENTIRE HAND over your heart and pledge your allegiance to our country not the NRA and that you will not sacrifice any more people to your greed, creed or mid-deeds.
Education is not the learning of facts but the TRAINING of the mind to THINK
Albert Einstein
The May 16, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen, and Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson.
Agenda item #3 – Approve the agenda.
Agenda item #4 – Ward II council seat vacancies – no takers.
Agenda item #5 – Public Input
Vickie Larsen – I spoke to the Mayor Haeder resistance to Direct Deposit for his employees. Instead he continues to shirk his duty as mayor to sign checks and cause delays in employees being paid. Mayor, if you cannot fulfill your duties as mayor, step aside ‘butter-cup’ and let someone DO the job and not wait for FOPAT tell you what to do. I ‘pontificated’ on the need to dump excess baggage of the Code Enforcement albatross. Common sense tells us we have property nuisances, Property Maintenance Guides and statute define what constitutes a nuisance, and if we must put some legal muscle into fulfilling the property maintenance ordinances we most assuredly have an attorney who can handle the ins and outs of the legal process with Alcester City Attorney Sam. Why do we need to spend $25.00 per hour to interpret common sense, a yea-sayer who writes up nuisances described to him by FOPAT and we have a self-proclaimed ‘expert’ (definition ‘ex’=unknown quantity and ‘spurt’ = drip under water pressure. So Mr. Fillingsness does come into Alcester charging $25.00 per hour after hour for the same nuisance (one could say a FO) which exerts her opinion (an unknown quantity of FOPressure to do her take on the nuisance.) H-m-m.
James Bolin (r) introduced himself as a returning senate candidate South Dakota District 16.
Richard Vasgaard (r) introduced himself as a returning candidate for representative South Dakota District 16.
Councilwoman Darla Reppe spoke to complains Mike Burke’s captive too-tall grass behind his fence.
Councilwoman Linda Talbott spoke to complaints of cats, rats and raccoons.
Agenda Item #6 – Alcester Bar. Theresa Deem lessee, presented her ninety (90) day notice of termination of her lease with the city for the bar building stating, “…she has had it…” She presented the notice in person and in the form of a written statement dated May 16, 2022, and with the termination and vacation of the city property on August 15, 2022. Mayor Haeder waxed poetic about Captains of Industry, yet it was his call to set the city up in competition to the Deems business at the Alcester Bar.
The council were left wondering, “now what do we do…” Well Ladies and Gent of the council, SELL that rotting pile of wood and plumbing. Get the city out of owning property. SELL the building/ property and get it back on the tax rolls. Common Sense move! The building is still not completely fixed and the city would be throwing good money after bad with all the force of a catapult and then pompously compete for the same saloon market.
Let the City Council Know!
Agenda Item #7 – Community Center Update Clint Nyreen
Agenda Item #8 – Golf Course Hire David Larsen as Clubhouse Attendant and Greens keeper. Now this could get entertaining. Now that Mr. Larsen no longer carries the power of Councilman, how do you ‘spose he is going to tolerate orders from Landon and FOPAT. Is it too late to put cameras in the clubhouse for instant replay? Mr. Larsen was hired at $13.50 per hour.
Agenda Item #9 – Legal Updates – Sam
Agenda Item #10 – Executive Session to discuss issues under the guise of SDCL 1-25-2.1 (Personnel) and SDCL 1-25-2.3 (Legal consultation). Session started at 6:39 p.m. and ended at 7:53 p.m.
One must assume this session dealt with the condemnation as well as the upcoming meetings with FCS, Jerry Miller, Union County Commissions dealing with the sale of properties to FCS. One has to wonder what piddly amount FCS is going to offer for the land?
Agenda Item #11 – Fairground discussion Authorize Alcester Attorney Sam to appraise city property – not to exceed $7500.00. Approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 – Affordable Housing
Agenda Item #13 – Wastewater Tanya
Agenda Item #14 – Street Repair Vote to allow yet another rental of equipment to chew up the streets and make them flat again. $1800.00 for one month rental approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 – Plat map Joint Meeting of the City Council and the City Council acting as Planning and Zoning Committee to recommend and receive recommendation from the same four council members regarding the plat containing what is referred to as the four-plex on Lee Drive. ( Lots 8 thru 11, Block 8, Numsen Addition) Motions were approved unanimously on this issue.
Agenda Item #16 – Chairperson updates (busy work for the council members, like they have not had their duties increased already)
Agenda Item #17 – Golf Course/Albatross Addition of two greens-keepers above David Larsen, and the Addition of three clubhouse attendants. Wages ranging from $11.00 per hour to $13.50 per hour. Approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #18 – Finance Office Updates
Hire of Abigail Moore to the aide to the finance Officer. So now we have Moore or FOPAT’less’ in the city offices. Council Approved unanimously Moore at $14.50 per hour.
Addition of a Library Board member at the termination of David Larsen. Councilmember Cyndi Peeples volunteered for the post and was accepted 3 ayes with one abstention declared by Councilwoman Peeples.
The only true free-thinker is he whose intellect is as much free from the future as from the past. He cares as little for what will be as for what has been; he cares only for what ought to be. And for my present purpose I specially insist on this abstract independence.
– Author: G.K. Chesterton
The May 2, 2022, meeting was called to order by Mayor Dan Haeder with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Darla Reppe, Councilwoman Linda Talbott, Councilwoman Cyndi Peeples, Councilman Lukas Driesen, Councilman David Larsen. Alcester City Attorney Sam Nelson absent.
Agenda Item #3 – (00:44.70) Approve agenda unanimous vote upon the removal of new council agenda item #10-plat map approval.
Agenda Item #4 – (02:07.27) Approve minutes of the 04/04/2022 and 04/18/2022 council meetings
Agenda Item #5 – (02:57.50) Approve warrants. What time period?
New Council Agenda Item #1 – (08:12.03) New council called to order at 6:08 p.m.
New Council Agenda Item #2 – Oaths of Office
(09:46.50) Oath of Office administered to Councilwoman Darla Reppe-2 year term
(10:39.43) Oath of Office administered to Councilwoman Linda Talbott-3 year term
(11:44.43) Oath of Office administered to Councilman Lukas Driesen-3 year term
New Council Agenda Item #3(12:54.53) 2022 Council Committee assignments.
New Council Agenda Item #4 (14:53.83) Ward II vacancies – 2 seats Awe no one wants a FOPAT on their back!
New Council Agenda Item #5(15:36.07) Election of Council President and Council Vice President. So begins the DO-OVER goat rodeo of parliamentary procedures. (00:16:13.97) Mayor Haeder announces, “…there will come a time…when I will not be here at 12:30 ANY Monday…ever…”
IS THE MAYOR SAYING HE CANNOT/WILL NOT FULFILL HIS DUTIES AS MAYOR?
(00:17:40.80) Nomination of Lukas Driesen as President of the Alcester City Council and (00:18:51.17) nomination of Linda Talbott as Vice President of the Alcester City Council. At (00:20:23.27) we need a DO-OVER ’cause according to FOPAT, Councilman Lukas and Councilwoman Linda respectively should have abstained from voting for themselves. Where is Sam? Did he not get the invitation?
New Council Agenda Item #6 – Bank Account Signers- (00:22:49.73) Mayor Haeder calls, (00:23:07.63)“…motion to remove David Larsen from all city bank accounts at Premier Bank and add (a) and add (b)…in one fell swoop…but we can do it all…” (00:23:34.50) FOPAT tells the Mayor,“… in your motion I would have uh indicate Wanda and myself (FOPAT) that way the bank…when they get the minutes…they know exactly who we all have on the account…” (00:25:06.87) Improper procedure—-DO OVER…AGAIN OH-OH another oopsy-doodle. Where oh where has our Sammy gone. Once again Mayor is grossly ignorant of procedure. To abstain or not to abstain and now we have to negate the motion by letting it die from inaction. Proper or improper parliamentary procedure to advise the council.
New Council Agenda Item #7 – Public Input (00:29:59.90)
New Council Agenda Item #8 – Legal Updates (00:31:57.33)
New Council Agenda Item #9 – Police Update and Police Procedure Policy action.
New Council Agenda Item #10 – Deleted will be dealt with at a later date.
New Council Agenda Item #11 – (00:56:26.40) Alcester Fairgrounds Alcester Fairgrounds. Alcester has no fair. Union County has a Fair. In the discussion of the Union County Fair, (00:58:17.03) it was reported that CEO McDaniel suggested during the April 27, 2022, (closed to the public meeting) with select Union County Commissioners, select Alcester City Council members along with Fair Board members, “…get private donations, fund-raise to build new fairgrounds from citizens after the sale of the current fairground lands to FCS…” Folks, I attempted to attend this meeting and was told I could not attend. In addition reporter Gordon Richard was turned away at the door. Commissioner Joffer indicated the commissioners wanted full transparency. From the reports of discussion I heard during last evening’s council meeting, I see no transparency what-so-ever. (00:58:17.03) Mr. McDaniel reportedly stated (00:59:21.17), “…FCS wants possession by the fall of 2023…” Is that true? Mr. McDaniel reportedly went on to say (01:00:18.07), “…if we cannot make money and expand, we will go elsewhere…”
FREE WILL OR BLACKMAIL?
It was reported in the discussion from our council members that Mr. McDaniel proceeded to give them the benefit of his grand expertise (01:00:50.03), “…you (presumably our council and commissioners) need to focus on a five (5) year plan…”
Additional reporting of the Wednesday, April 27, 2022, discussion, (1:01:52.43) it was reported either FCS or the Union County Commissioners demanded the city’s assurances the proceeds from the Alcester City Land assets were to be turned over to the Fair fund.
(1:02:39.13) Mayor Haeder’s remarks on the ownership of the land surrounding the former Alcester Steakhouse are in error. The owner of the land around the former Alcester Steakhouse is the Alcester Industrial Park, Inc. a non-profit NOT THE CITY OF ALCESTER!
(1:03:29.63) Contrary to opinions from the mayor and FOPAT, “…wrong, the citizens of Alcester have a say and they deserve full and complete disclosure! The City Council is obligated to inform the Alcester Residents of any attempted disposal of city assets!!!
(1:04:08.57) FOPAT thinks (Heaven helps us), “…an agreement would have to be drawn up…if the city is willing to put 100% of the sale proceeds to be reinvested into the fair…but if the fair is no longer here…the investment will come back to the city…” Talk about a scam. What do you think Folks? Are ya willing to lose your streets for pie-in-the-sky on a fair spin-the-wheel bet?
New Council Agenda Item #12(1:15:40.00) Finance Office Updates
New Council Agenda Item #13 -HRC Update – (1:36:23.10)
New Council Agenda Item #14 – Fair Board (01:41:54.03) Discussion on the 2022 fair. Listen to Mayor Haeder’s wild hair. (01:41:54.03) Mayor Haeder says, “…we could, we could make this the Clay County Fair in Iowa…in Union County…” Mayor you have delusions of Grand Marnier!
New Council Agenda Item #15 – Executive session SDCL 1-25-2.1 Personnel – Council votes to go into executive session to discuss personnel which I suspect is to discuss personnel at the community Albatross. Executive Session began at 7:48P.M. and ended 8:17 P.M. approximately one-half hour later.
New Council Agenda Item #16 – Adjourn Meeting 8:17 p.m.
Folks call your City Council members, Contact your County Commissioners, let them know. Think about it when the county takes this land out of taxable status as it will for the fair, our school loses the tax income and our county loses tax income. By the Union County Commissioner’s purchase the old Steakhouse, they have removed a property valued at anywhere from $160,800.00 to $200,000.00 from the tax rolls and reduced funding for our school and county.
Let your commissioners and city council know this must go to a public vote!
Let them know if FCS doesn’t like our terms, they are welcome to follow through on their threat
and while we are asking questions,
When is the city going to finish working on the streets?
A Voice from the Gallery 