$77M pool proposal should be turned to voters; age isn't the only presidential factor: Your letters

Your letters to the editor for July 21, 2024:

Citizens deserve vote on $77M pool proposal

Since serving on the City Council four years ago, I have tried to stay abreast of the issues facing our community. Some of the most pressing topics I have found when speaking with citizens are the concerns about rising property taxes and the rising cost of living. Many people I have visited with are feeling disconnected, discouraged and disheartened at what is happening in our local government. There is a growing desire to see more accountability in government spending as people are tightening their own belts and making difficult financial decisions.

During my tenure on the City Council, I never voted for a property tax increase. I tried to treat the citizens’ tax dollars with respect and prudence. Asking the tough questions and vetting proposed projects is what elected public servants are called upon to do. Sometimes that means voting no on a proposed project.

Unfortunately, the part-time Council format does not bode well for Council members who want to know all the details about proposed projects, and who want to share that information with the public before a Council vote is taken. There is an expectation from the administration that the Council should just “trust the experts and vote YES!”

My first concern is about the massive $77 million park plan that the Council will be asked to approve soon, and which will be paid for by the citizens’ tax dollars.

While I was on the City Council, Parks Director Don Kearney pledged to us that Frank Olson Pool would remain an updated outdoor pool. However, when I left office, the plan at Frank Olson Park began to morph into a $47 million mega indoor facility. This project along with the proposed Kuehn Park Pool and the Sanford Wellness Center purchase come with the whopping price tag of $77 million dollars.

My second concern is the plan for the city to purchase the Westside Sanford Wellness Center for $9 million dollars. Why are we buying this privately owned facility when there are so many other health clubs in our growing community? It appears to me that we are bailing out the private business because of their inability to sustain membership. Now the taxpayers will be expected to support this facility. Never mind that the average family likely won’t be able to afford a membership.

My third concern involves the City Council being asked to purchase the land near Drake Springs from a private developer for $8.1 million for a future project. Citizens’ precious money should not be used for speculative development deals. While many people are struggling to pay their own rising and outrageous property taxes, the loss of property tax revenue on this land purchase will further put a burden on the taxpayers.

Recent media reports have indicated that Council members are confused and uncertain about how much it will cost families to use these expensive facilities. Some councilors have raised concerns that the city will compete with the private sector, begging the question: What is the role of government?

With property taxes on the rise, and the strong possibility of a drop in city revenue from a food sales repeal vote in November, it will fall heavily on the backs of all the citizens to pay for this massive $77 million project.

The last time a project of this magnitude was considered, it was put to a public vote by our elected officials – the event center. The responsible thing for our City Council to do is put this to a public vote as well. Now more than ever, the citizens deserve to know all the details of these projects and to have a voice as to how their money is being spent.

We need to distinguish the difference between needs and wants. And a public vote will certainly be a great opportunity for community involvement and input. That is good government.

− Theresa Stehly, Sioux Falls, music teacher, community advocate and former Sioux Falls City Councilor

More: How will we choose the next president? Will a weed oligarchy come to SD?: Your letters

Age is a factor, but not the only factor, in this presidential race

I watched the George Stephanopoulos/Biden interview days after the televised Trump/Biden debate where Biden himself admitted he’d had a bad debate. I felt President Biden came off far more favorably than the questioner seemed to appreciate. Biden answered the questions with knowledgeable, humble answers, even those about the physical frailty that accompanies his 81 years while claiming he was still mentally able to handle the rigors of the presidency should he be reelected.Watching the ensuing hand-wringing by media, pundits and some Democrats, it seems most are overlooking the stellar accomplishments of Biden’s presidency, all of which he admits were not accomplished by himself alone, giving major credit to his hard-working administration and Congressional associates.In November voters may be faced with a choice between two elderly men, one of whom has the characteristic of a narcissistic demagogue, admits to favoring totalitarian policies, lies repeatedly (most recently, “I know nothing about Project 2025 but I disagree with some of the things they’re saying,”) and whose rallies are best described as propaganda events, devoid of policy, facts, and truth. Few associates of his administration (besides Steve Brannon and Stephen Miller, both major architects of Project 2025), including his own former Vice President, are supporting him.The other candidate has dedicated his political career working to better the lives of his fellow Americans while also engaging on the world stage to ensure democratic principles are maintained and strengthened. He surrounds himself with capable, hard working associates to advance his policies. He works well with others.Hannah Arendt, who lived through the totalitarian regimes in Germany only to become an outspoken critic of totalitarianism, wrote, “Only the mob and the elite can be attracted by the movement of totalitarianism itself. The masses have to be won by propaganda.”It is clear age is a factor for both candidates, but for most Americans it will not be the only factor considered come November. I believe most, just as they did in 2020, will choose the compassionate and highly respected Joe Biden despite his self-admitted bad debate night.Enough hand-wringing. Let the people decide.

− Jackie Austin, Rock Rapids, Iowa

Those who let conspiracy theories fly are "evil"

I see our governor has chosen to respond to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump by tweeting "These people are evil...". I wonder who Kristi Noem is referring to when she mentions "these people."Perhaps she's referring to the Registered Republican who shot him?Or maybe she's referring to those in Congress who passed the legislation that allows anyone, regardless of mental stability, to purchase a high-powered rifle and ammunition?Could it be she's referring to Trump himself who loves telling the crowds at his rallies that he will gladly pay the attorney's fees of anyone willing to beat up anti-Trump protesters?I'll bet she's referring to one Mr. David Pape, who broke into Nancy Pelosi's house and tried to murder her husband, much to the delight of the former president.When the gaslighting and conspiracy theories start, just ignore them...because these people are evil...

− Dave Graue, Sioux Falls

Journalism should remain a credit for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship

Taking the journalism class at Lincoln High School with Dr. Katie Kroeze was one of the best decisions I ever made, and it may not have happened without the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship (SDOS).I first signed up for journalism for two reasons: I loved to write, and the course fulfilled the English elective credit for the SDOS. This scholarship awards South Dakota college students up to $7,500 for in-state tuition, aid I am eligible for as an incoming student at Augustana University this fall.Once in the class, it didn’t take long to realize I had uncovered a new passion. I went on to join Lincoln's school newspaper, The Statesman, which I wrote for for three years and served as an Editor-in-Chief of during my senior year.One diploma, lots of writing and tons of memories later, I can now confidently say that Dr. Kroeze’s journalism program was my favorite part of high school.The decision to remove journalism as a credit from the SDOS is disheartening and overlooks the value of this subject and its relevance to students. The South Dakota Board of Regents attributes journalism's removal to its failure to meet content standards; however, whatever these standards may be, I am sure the class meets if not surpasses them.The writing and editing my classmates and I completed in journalism was just as technically precise as any traditional English class I have taken, at times more so. Students learned rules regarding punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, word choice and more. These elements carried over into my work in other classes and shaped me into a more meticulous and intentional writer.Journalism in particular teaches the importance of concise writing, organizational structure within stories and appropriate usage of tone. Furthermore, the revision processes in both the journalism and Statesman classes were extremely thorough and included multiple rounds of editing by different individuals.Yet, perhaps more impactful than the academic benefits the class offered were the opportunities for personal growth. Through journalism students learned to interview others, developing social, communication and interpersonal skills. We were encouraged to be creative and seek out writing subjects that were important and meaningful to us.Journalism pushed me out of my comfort zone to meet new people, discover new stories and be more curious and outgoing. The person I became through the journalism program was one with newfound confidence as a writer, interviewer and leader. I developed amazing close friendships and a sense of belonging and purpose. I can say firsthand that journalism is an incredibly beneficial class for students, to say nothing of the important role journalism plays in our society in maintaining an informed public.Journalism is an essential art form that educates and connects our communities. It holds institutions and individuals accountable and is a cornerstone of the democracy we know and enjoy in the United States. Fostering interest in this subject from a young age is key to ensuring journalism stays alive and well to be a resource and link for people of all different backgrounds. Exposure to journalism in high school is a great way to pique interests and encourage the next generation of journalists.For all of these reasons and more, journalism should remain a credit option for the SDOS. I hope journalism may continue to shape the futures of others as it did mine.

−Kate Matthes, Sioux Falls

More: How will we choose the next president? Will a weed oligarchy come to SD?: Your letters

Trump's rhetoric is responsible for creating a climate of political violence

It is obvious to me who to blame for the recent attack on Donald Trump - it is someone who has spewed hate and violent speech for more than 8 years now and who has repeated abused his right to free speech. There are types of speech not protected under the Constitution. Courts generally identify these categories as obscenity, defamation, fraud, incitement to violence, fighting words, true threats, speech integral to criminal conduct, and child pornography. Trump has at various times abused all of the above, except possibly child porn.Yes, that's right Donald Trump is responsible for creating the climate where assassination seems almost normal political speech - Think: "Hang Mike Pence!" There is a cliche that seems appropriate: "You shall reap what you sow." Everyone needs to stop talking about "Fight, Fight, Fight."

− Richard Peterson, Wewela, South Dakota

How to submit a letter to the editor:

Letters need to be roughly 300 to 500 words, and will need to include first and last name, address, city and title. Addresses won’t be publicized, of course, but it’s a way for us to make sure those who submit a letter are who they say they are.

Letters will run on Sundays in print and online as we receive them. There may be moments, however, when we don't have any as we work to solicit interest and actively rebuild this part of our coverage for readers.

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This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: $77M pool proposal should be turned to voters; age isn't the only presidential factor: Your letters