Get out of Sioux Falls way.

A reader who got their paper earlier than I did pointed out the The Argus editorial this AM. Apparently, one of the community leaders, Dan Scott, had a warning for those legislators who aren't excited about Sioux Falls' agenda:
At a Friday breakfast attended by lawmakers, chamber officials and a broad spectrum of city and school leaders, Mayor Dave Munson and others detailed the city's growth and spoke of the important role Sioux Falls plays in the state's economic fortunes.

Near the end, it was Scott's turn. He briefly extolled the city's virtues, then issued what seemed to be a warning to out-state lawmakers who might be tempted to meddle in Sioux Falls' legislative agenda.

"If you can't be excited, I've got one request," Scott said.

"Stay out of the way, will you? We've got a city to build!"
Read it all here.

Now, this reader also pointed out that while this SF local may have made an unfunny joke which came off as Sioux Falls arrogance, they contend that the Argus Leader is guilty of such Sioux-centrism every day.

So here's a good topic for discussion - does Sioux Falls centrism exist?

Comments

Anonymous said…
"Get out of Sioux Falls' way."? Glad to. We can start by taking back the $40 million in federal taxpayer money Sioux Falls got to move rail lines for their Falls Park project. Let's get that money out of Sioux Falls' way.
Anonymous said…
Sioux Falls is the star around which the entire state of SD revolves.

So yes, of course there is SF centrism, just as much as there is sun centrism in our solar system.
Anonymous said…
Oh, I would guess it's been that way for about 50 years now.

Where have you been?
Anonymous said…
I love Sioux Falls. The people just need to realize that they are a suburb of Minneapolis and not as "big" as they like to think they are. Visit Kansas City, Chicago and Omaha. Sioux Falls is a big small town...people there should not be so arrogant.
Anonymous said…
Sioux Falls sure consumes a lot of meat, grain, and ethanol which aren't grown within its city limits.

The surrounding area benefits Sioux Falls. Be a good neighbor.
Anna said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said…
Why would the Sioux Falls paper not be "Sioux-centric?" I would be suprised if the paper were, for example, focused on news from Rapid City, or Aberdeen, or Brookings.
Anonymous said…
I'm the reader who made the comment earlier.

My point, is how dare the Argus accuse Dan Scott of tarnishing the image of Sioux Falls, when they do it every single day.

In my opinion, there is nothing, NOTHING that creates a more negative attitude and image of Sioux Falls than the Argus Liar.

They, more than any other person, place, or thing create the division between Sioux Falls and the rest of the state.

Sadly, their far to arrogant to admit that....even though they are aware of it.

Sell papers at the expense of your own community. That's the Gannett way.
Anonymous said…
Sorry -

"they're" far too arrogant to admit it.. not "their".... lose my grammer when I'm mad, I guess.
Anonymous said…
I am from sioux falls. I have lived here for 21 years. I raised my children here. Here is my reaction to these comments: It was a stupid, arrogant thing to say.
Anonymous said…
Does Sioux Falls centrism exist? You bet it does. As does Rapid City centrism, Scotland centrism, Mobrige centrism, Mitchll centrism, etc. Each community should think it is the best thing going.
to anon 8:55, why don't we just send back all the federal dollars from South Dakota including all of the farm subsidies, ethanol subsidies. Additionally, I assume you would support giving Sioux Falls back the sales tax revenues generated here too. If you don't like Sioux Falls then stay away.
Anonymous said…
Of course you meant "Get out of Sioux Falls' way."
Anonymous said…
Of course SF is centrist. But they also have to realize that there is a whole, entire, large, wonderful state of South Dakota out there, and the rest of the state is just as important to the individuals living there as SF is to the people living in it. SF gets a huge amount of revenue from people out of SF and even out of state, so mind your manners, SF.
Anonymous said…
A stupid thing to say, yes. Unbelievably stupid, actually. Was that an off-the-cuff remark by Scott, or did he plan it as part of his speech? Having said that, Sioux Falls has a great deal of momentum right now...at least as much as a Kansas City or an Omaha (momentum, folks, not population), but obviously not a Chicago. Anon 9:48 seems stuck in 20th century thinking: A larger population MUST mean a more dynamic city. Right? Wrong. Fortunately, it just ain't true anymore. Sioux Falls will prosper increasingly as it thinks regionally, and statewide. But let's get real: it is the state's economic engine. I hope and pray Rapid's economy matures in the coming years...it has the potential someday to be "Sioux Falls 2.0"
Anonymous said…
Dan Scott is an idiot. Did he say in Sioux City a few years ago (reported by the Yankton paper)that the state economic development efforts were worthless and that SF was leading the way alone. My understanding was he was called on the carpet after that foot in mouth incident and nearly lost his job. What next? Call Larry Rhoden a red neck?
Anonymous said…
So here's a good topic for discussion - does PP think the federal govt should be downsized?

downsizedc.org
Anonymous said…
Sioux Falls is Black Hills' bitch. They do whatever we say over there. Because if they don't we won't let them come over here, ride their bikes and ski.
Hoo-waaah.
Anonymous said…
This is the arrogance that many residents of Sioux Falls find humiliating and unrepresentative of our city.

Dan Scott's comments personify the "downtown crowd" mentality in our city.

Here's an example: the downtown crowd wants to build an events center downtown. Downtown is the most inconvienent place to site a convention center. However, the downtown crowd will benefit financially from a large infusion of public money.

Meanwhile, the city of Sioux Falls would forgo the opportunity to create a new center of commerce that could be as successful as the downtown revival. The rub is that the downtown power players and special interests will not be able to benefit financially from siting the events center elsewhere.

Sioux Falls needs ambassadors to bring people into Sioux Falls from all across our state. The last thing we need is a divisive figure like Scott who repels more people than he brings in.
Anonymous said…
Sioux Falls Resident: "Downtown crowd"? That's a bit of a leap. Way to seize the opportunity to inject "suburban bias" (oh why not...)into the discussion. Viva la nationwide downtown revitalization!
Anonymous said…
doggy wanna bone?
Anonymous said…
Yes, unfortunately SF centrism and arrogance exists all too often. I saw it in the legislature almost daily.There were many bills related to taxation, school or county consolidation, school funding,etc. that benefitted only the big cities at the expense of everyone else, and they knew it. Yet they kept bringing their "me first" bills, and still do. This Scott guy sounds like a real ass.
Anonymous said…
You gotta be fair "been there"...

Every legislator brings his "me first" bills at one time or another.

I'm sure Sioux Falls legislators could care less about prairie dogs, sales tax on ag supplies. Plus, every property tax bill seems to favor west river.

They support and guard their districts just like everyone else out there does.
Anonymous said…
I find it highly ironic that Dan Scott drives a pickup truck, wears cowboy boots, never did a days work on a a farm or a ranch - and then thinks that all of rural South Dakota should pucker up for the great sophisticated city of Sioux Falls.
Anonymous said…
So you're saying people in town shouldn't drive pickups or wear boots? Just ties and wing tips?

I drive a pickup because I use the box for a lot of different things, I wear boots because they're comfortable, and I DID work a few years on the farm, but I don't now.

The last blogger shows who it really is, that tries to drive wedges between farm and city.
Anonymous said…
8:19am I simply find it ironic when some people pretend to be the same kinds of people that they publicly disdain. That's all.

Wasn't trying to drive any "wedges". Sorry if I touched a nerve, there.

Enjoy those boots, Dan
Anonymous said…
9:00 - I'm not Dan, and I'm not trying to "pretend" to be anyone.

My point is - city dwellers can wear and drive whatever they want.

You don't have to be a farmer or rancher to wear boots and drive a pickup.

I don't have one shred of interest in pretending to be a farmer or rancher... I was once, I'm happy with my life now, but prefer my truck and boots to a car and shoes.

Why are you insinuating that city folks aren't allowed to do that, or should feel embarrassed if they do? That's the wedge I'm talking about.
Anonymous said…
9:57 a.m.: I'll concede the point that Sioux Falls residents consume products that don't originate there if you'll quit complaining about the lack of economic development in your town as you're walking around the Empire Mall with a side trip to Wal-Mart.
Anonymous said…
Whether the rest of the state likes it or not, sioux falls is a vastly superior place to live. To bad it offends the out-staters. Rapid City is, due to horrendous planning and zoning decisions, an eye-sore. The black hill are being ruined by poor planning. There are other nice communities around the state, primarily on the eastern side, but the competition is for second best, first is taken.
Anonymous said…
I feel compelled to briefly contemplate the comments directed against downtown revitalization.

The Sioux Falls downtown is a beautiful and historic place, with a great deal of potential. To realize this potential, city and community leaders necessarily have battled (and will continue to battle) those who preach efficiency at the expense of culture. Revitalizing downtown is and will continue to be an involved process. As more residents and visitors visit the area, however, it will grow. Certainly, downtown businesses benefit from investments in the downtown area. In fact, all of us benefit from increased vitality in the downtown area, through an expanded selection of restaurants and nightlife, to premier events and outdoor activities.

It is a bit disheartening to think that those who come to our great city for events at the Arena are welcomed to our community by the industrial and unattractive surroundings of 12th street. Rather than vistas of the Big Sioux River and Falls Park, a gorgeous downtown lined with sculptures and trees, a selection of fine restaurants and nightlife, visitors to the Arena are greeted by industrial buildings, an assisted living facility, and hotels. Far removed from the best that Sioux Falls has to offer (with the exception, perhaps, of the Japanese Gardens at Terrace Park), the Arena is located in a very convenient place with convenient parking. Convenience is important. But if convenience is all we ever seek, what will we do in our spare time?

Though I believe he was merely trying to make a joke, Dan Scott should choose his words more carefully. Not all public speakers can improvise...
Anonymous said…
5:03 - Do you know if there's any plan in place to open up the view of Falls Park to the west?

It's only a short distance from Minn. Ave., and certainly could be seen from there without some of the falling down old buildings that are in between.

It seems with all the traffic on MN, if the park was visible it would attract a lot more folks.
Anonymous said…
Rapid is indeed an eyesore at the moment -- this is the result of a libertarian (NOT a conservative) approach to city planning. Sioux Falls' downtown has remarkable structure and coherence, in contrast to RC's ad hoc style. As other cities in the West have demonstrated, however, RC's plan-as-you-go-along layout is not beyond redemption. And anon 5:03 largely nails it. Downtown needs a careful balance of efficieny and culture -- with an emphasis on culture.
Anonymous said…
I heard that he was directing his comment towards the argus, not the rest of the state. The argus, as usual, simply took it out of context and made a big deal when he actually had a completely separate (and noble) purpose.

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