Small-government Republicans who thought Paul TenHaken would be their new golden boy must feel a funny twinge this morning. One of his first acts as mayor-elect is to announce a ten-member transition team to help him figure out how to be mayor:
“It’s time to get to work for the people of Sioux Falls,” TenHaken said in a press release Wednesday. “The impact that these individuals have had on Sioux Falls is tremendous, and I look forward to their counsel and engagement as I prepare to lead the city.”
TenHaken said the team will meet on a regular basis to advise and consult with him on key appointments, initiatives and the successful execution of his 100-day plan for Sioux Falls [TenHaken press release via KSFY, 2018.05.09].
TenHaken’s massive transition committee confirms that it takes a village to run a city.
Mr. Mayor … If you phrased it as, “as I prepare to “help” lead the city.” you might project a better public image.
Sometimes these transition teams are public relations efforts more than anything, but it is probably a good sign that he doesn’t have the “I alone can fix it” attitude of some folks who are elected to office. This one, however, seems weighted very much as a top-down approach to governing.
Cory, Are they being paid? It makes a big difference. Why would you not include that in your reporting?
This is a crap critique, Cory. If you want to attack the credentials of some of the team members, I’d get that. But who cares if there are 10 of them if they can get the job done?
Crap critique? Is TenHaken ready for the job or not? How many people does it take to prep the new mayor?
I did not report on pay because there is no mention in the press of whether the transition team is being paid.
How are you qualified to complain about his team and the number? Why is having 10 on it a bad thing? It’s a pathetic opinion piece. Seems like a sore loser.
He’s asking for their opinions. Why would you have a problem with that?
Steve, how are you qualified to defend his team and the number?
Or better yet, you’re so good at flacking for TenHaken, how did you not qualify for the transition team? There’s always room for one more….
Jason, so you agree with TenHaken that having a bigger bunch of non-elected individuals serving as advisors to elected officials is a good thing?
How many individuals does it take to perform the functions of a “transition team” for the mayor of a city of 175,000?
Maybe we need a precinct-based transition team, with advisors from each neighborhood….
Well, I wouldn’t call it “pathetic.” It’s not focused on the main problem in the press release.
Here’s the lede, in my opinion: This group will “consult with him on key appointments, initiatives and the successful execution of his 100-day plan for Sioux Falls.”
People who are insecure about themselves and their ideas like to pose as take-charge kind of guys. Then they appoint a committee of mostly elite folks to tell them what to do. Yeah, I’m sure they have some good advise to give, but maybe he should let the public have a little input, rather than restricting his consultations to this select group of individuals. Also, he might want to not be so focused on 100 days, and focus on long-term problems that really need to be addressed. He’s got a whole term to make an impact, and he seems intent on ignoring the other 170,000 residents.
I don’t care how many people he has as long as they aren’t paid. He makes the decisions.
What are implying by your neighborhood comment?
Donald, please link us to the evidence you have that he is going to ignore 170,000 people?
God forbid the man recognize gaps in his ability and asks people to advise him as he transitions to running a city with a metro population of a quarter of a million people. And fair question: how many people does it take to prep the mayor? Obviously not 10, since that number has you so incensed. Is 5 acceptable? I just want to make sure I get a ballpark on where we draw this totally-not-arbitrary line so I can develop the appropriate sense of outrage.
Jason,
Going by what TenHaken put out in his press release, he seem very focused on this group of elite folks, rather than on broadening out his approach. I think an incoming mayor should be humble enough to understand there is a learning curve. So, some tutorials from former mayors about how the city government works, etc., are a good thing. But, really, it’s this Gang of 10 approach to a100-day plan that strikes me as elitist and authoritarian, and not humble at all.
Master apparently stomped on wingnut central’s nerve center. Wingnut koyote kerfluffle is in full throat today.
The mayor-elect sounds like the clueless bass in the WH. Wingnuts sound like Drumpf supporters. Was the last mayor Black, by any chance?
10 advisers gives the new mayor breathing room from making goofs and provides plenty of bodies to throw under the bus when things don’t work.
Anyone who disagrees with Mike is a wingnut. You are horseshoe theory in action, dude.
Scene:
Mike from Iowa, vaping like a boss, answers a series of interview questions. In the next room, Trump asks the same question.
Interviewer: what do you think of people who disagree with your policy positions?
Mike: Wingnuts. Loons.
Trump: horrible people. the worst people. believe me
Interviewer: If your policies are implemented, what will happen to the US?
Mike: the best for all. Prosperity.
Trump: winning. it would be yooge.
In the background, Alanis Morissette sings softly about irony while dicta reads Hume on the nature of knowledge. Both interviewees fart in a bag and huff its contents.
Wingnut Dicta is full of prunes. I don’t do interviews.
Dicta reads Brit Hume on the nature of fake noize.
Donald.
Who are the “elites” of this group?
Erica Beck, former economic development manager for City of Sioux Falls
John Beranek, leadership consultant and organizational trainer
Anne Hajek, state representative (2013-2014), Minnehaha County commissioner (2003-2011), city council member (1995-1998)
Gary Hanson, SD public utilities commissioner (2002-present), Sioux Falls mayor (1994-2002), City of Sioux Falls commissioner of utilities (1988-1994), state senator (1982-1988)
Donn Hill, former fire chief for City of Sioux Falls (1997-2011)
Loren Koepsell, Augustana University professor
Dave Munson, Sioux Falls mayor (2002-2010), state senator (1997-2002), state representative (1979-1996)
Jim Schmidt, Lincoln County commissioner (1998-present), Sioux Empire Housing Partnership executive director
Jodi Schwan, former chief of staff to Mayor Dave Munson (2006-2010)
Goi Yol, community leader/independent consultant (present), investment advisor to governor of Jonglei State, South Sudan (2013-2014), commissioner of Akobo County/executive head of local government (2009-2013), director of special programs, Office of President of South Sudan (2007-2009), head of office/program analyst, United Nations Development Programme (2006-2007)
Amazing how who a person is can fundamentally change based on whether or not they agree with you. When I trash the GOP, which I do here a lot, I guess I am an ok guy. When I dare point out that Cory was reaching on this article, I am reduced to a wingnut. I’d suggest introspection, but we both know that ain’t gonna happen. You have all the answers already.
TenHaken seems to be a Trump wannabe. One thing republicans learned from Trump is that there is gold, corruption, and influence peddling in transition teams.
Voters will miss Mike Huether when comparing Tennis Mike with Russian TenAkin. Tennis Mike will seem smart and reasonable compared to this really big clown act.