Sioux Falls Businessman Paul TenHaken to enter race for Sioux Falls Mayor

After giving the idea serious contemplation last year, Sioux Falls businessman Paul TenHaken had backed off a bid for Mayor to succeed outgoing Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether, who is leaving office because of term limits in 2018.

But like some dreams, there are those that a person can’t get out of their head, and they keep returning to that “what if” thought.

And for the founder of Click Rain, one of INC Magazine’s top 5000 private businesses in the country for growth for nearly four years now, Ten Haken found his path winding back to that thought – that a campaign for Mayor of Sioux Falls may be part of his story in a chapter yet to be written.

This morning, TenHaken started that new chapter by announcing a surprise bid to become Mayor of Sioux Falls in 2018.

I asked Paul about what triggered him to re-examine entering the race once again, and he noted “While I have been looking at getting into this race for the past two years, I honestly didn’t feel the time was right until the last couple of months. The leadership transition at my company has gone tremendously well and has energized me to tackle this new challenge.”

The transition at TenHaken’s company involved him taking a step back from day to day duties, and as opposed to serving as CEO, taking a role as founder and advisory board chair for his business giving him time to pursue “new business conversations,” in his words.

I asked Paul that loaded question all candidates are faced with: “Why? What is drawing you to run for Mayor?”

His reply is that “the past ten years of running a successful company has reinforced my core passion for leading people. I love the challenge of developing leaders, building consensus, and bringing people together for a common good. There would be no greater honor than to bring that passion to the people of Sioux Falls.”

Reviewing the issues that he sees as important in the race, TenHaken offered that “there are going to be a myriad of issues to dive into, but poverty and affordable housing are issues I feel especially called to tackle. We’ll also have a tight budget for the next several years, accompanied by workforce shortage challenges. Despite some hurdles to jump, it remains a fantastic time to be a Sioux Falls resident and I hope to keep our momentum going.”

While Mayor is a non-partisan race, supporters often line up on a party basis in picking sides in the contest. On the Republican side of the aisle, Ten Haken would join Jim Entenman, a City Councilman who is often said to be allied with the outgoing Democrat Mayor Mike Huether. One of the most notable opponents will be fellow Republican, former Councilman and State Representative Greg Jamison, who had challenged Huether for mayor in 2014.

On the opposite side, also running are Democrats Nick Weiland, son of former US Senate Candidate Rick Weiland. David Zokaites of Sioux Falls is running, as is former City Councilman Kenny Anderson, Jr. and Mike Gunn.

Unlike some fresh faces entering the mayoral contest, TenHaken brings a widely recognized business success story as well as a can-do attitude that he’s parlayed into being a motivational speaker, an author, and a fitness enthusiast who has competed on the NBC Television show “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge.”

With so many others in the contest at this point, I asked TenHaken why he believes he’s different from his opponents.

“I think I bring a very different background and leadership style to this race. If we are serious as a city about looking to our next generation of leadership, I feel as though I represent that,” he said.

The election for Sioux Falls Mayor will be held on April 10th, 2018.

Stolen funds came from schools, not State or Feds. Will the truth possibly prevail?

That’s an interesting development. 

The Auditor General who has been looking into the theft of funds from the Mid-Central School District just dropped a bomb on public impressions and media reports. 

Because he just announced that area schools were the victims of Scott Westerhuis’ financial machinations, and not the State of SD or Federal Government:

The $1.4 million that a Platte man funneled from his employer before his murder-suicide came from his neighbors and nearby communities, the state’s auditor general said Monday.

And..

…….the money that went missing came from the 14 central South Dakota public school districts to share special education teaching services and other contracting services.

And..

He said the funds used for the Gear Up grant were all returned to the state and federal departments of education. But probes of Mid-Central’s finances found that $1.4 million in general funds was unaccounted for.

Read the entire story here.

Does that change your view of the story? 

The State of SD, and the Department of Education discovered the accounting problems in the first place, triggering them to yank the grant from the beleaguered co-op. Unbeknownst to all, that action caused a heretofore unknown financial manipulation to crash, and the author of the financial scheme, Scott Westerhuis, murdered himself and his family as a result. 

Clearly, others did bad things along the way. There are those accused of taking shortcuts, altering documents and enriching themselves. And as this has been discovered, lawmakers have passed legislation, and are proposing more measures to fix the loopholes.  To resolve then in an attempt to prevent them in the future.

Isn’t that how “the system” is supposed to work? Discover problem. Review and investigate. Fix problem. 

Too many people, such as the media and other opportunists, overly sensationalize things for gain. And the simple truth gets muted as a resort.  

We’ll get to see more of that this morning as State Senator Stace Nelson will be called to testify as to unreported criminal activity that he claims he knows about, and has paraded around to the state’s media… but hasn’t reported to law enforcement and refuses to disclose to his colleagues on the Government Operations an Audit Committee.

In appearance after appearance after appearance in front of the state press corps, like others who think they have something to gain from the spotlight, Senator Nelson has paraded wild claims of corruption that might make for a good 15 second soundbite in the media, but does not stand up to cross-examination.

There was wrongdoing and several loopholes that needed closing in the matter of the theft of funds from the Mid-Central education cooperative. The Attorney General is prosecuting what can be prosecuted, and the legislature is passing laws where there need to be laws. 

Instead of wild claims that benefit a person’s political standing or a television station’s ratings, sticking with facts and truth seems to work the best in the long run. It’s the opposite of sensational. It’s boring, it’s tedious, and it takes a long time. Not exactly what we want to see in the 24 hour news cycle, where if it bleeds, it leads.

But we can always hope that even through all the noise and static, the truth might win in the long run. 

And isn’t that who we want to win?

Still select advertising opportunities available at SDWC, as we move further into the 2018 campaign season.

Campaign action is starting to heat up, and this week the South Dakota State Fair kicks off what is sure to be a busier time in politics as people prepare for solidifying as well as launching campaigns for 2018.

And especially for you Republican political hopefuls out there, Dakotawarcollege.com is a great place to get your message in front of South Dakota’s decision makers and opinion leaders.

If someone is making laws or promoting legislation, they’re stopping here to check South Dakota’s political climate. South Dakota War College provides candidates, companies, and organizations a unique opportunity to direct a targeted message at South Dakota’s politically active elected officials, and community opinion leaders.

Founded in 2005, ‘dakotawarcollege’ quickly rose through the ranks of other politically driven social media in South Dakota to become the most widely read, and continuously updated independently operated political website in the state.  We’ve been featured in the media for our coverage, we’ve been quoted by C-Span, and we’ve been consistently and continuously recognized for several years by the Washington Post as one of South Dakota’s top political websites.

Our non-campaign season traffic averages 2500-3000 unique individual visits daily, with read times averaging around 14 minutes. At times of flurried activity, the SDWC has reached as high as 8900 unique visits. Since around 2007, the SDWC runs an average of 1- 1.5 Million page hits a year.

For advertising, we offer 300×350 px banner spots in the main advertising section based on page placement. We also offer space for smaller advertisements on the left. All ads are through site, maintain their position, and are not rotated based on site depth.

For more information on advertising opportunities, contact the webmaster at [email protected].

Attorney General Jackley Joins Challenge to Protect Second Amendment Rights 

Attorney General Jackley Joins Challenge to Protect Second Amendment Rights 

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined an amicus brief filed in the United States Supreme Court by 24 Attorneys General seeking to protect Second Amendment rights.

“The Second Amendment gives law-abiding citizens the fundamental right to bear arms for the defense of themselves, their families and their homes. As Attorney General, I have a strong interest in protecting and defending our law-abiding citizen’s right to keep and bear arms. The Federal Court’s adoption of a novel standard significantly reduces the types of common firearms protected by the Second Amendment,” stated Jackley.

The brief was filed in the case of Stephen V. Kolbe v. Lawrence J. Hogen, Governor of the State of Maryland. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals adopted a novel standard that would significantly reduce the types of common firearms protected by the Second Amendment, in direct conflict with a central holding in District of Columbia v. Heller. In Heller, the Court plainly held that the right to keep and bear arms extends to firearms that are “in common use” for “lawful purposes.” The Fourth Circuit strayed from this directive and held that “weapons most useful in military service” are outside the ambit of the Second Amendment.

The states contend that on an extensive examination of the Second Amendment’s text, history, and preexisting precedent, the  Court concluded that the Amendment protects  an “individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation.” The states argue the lower court ruling inappropriately limited the scope of the Second Amendment by taking Heller’s ruling out of context.

The states contend the United States Supreme Court’s involvement is needed to  reaffirm Heller and ensure that state efforts to protect the Second Amendment rights of their citizens will not be undone by federal actions.

-30-

US Senator John Thune’s Weekly Column: Making Good on America’s Commitment to Our Veterans

Making Good on America’s Commitment to Our Veterans
By Sen. John Thune 

Among the highlights of traveling across South Dakota is visiting with the many veterans who have helped shape our communities and embody our state’s selfless and giving culture. From one generation to the next, these patriots have defended our freedom and liberty, and we owe them a big debt of gratitude. In addition to giving thanks, we must also ensure they receive the care and benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice, which is why I’m glad Congress recently passed, and the president signed, several important pieces of legislation that make good on that promise.

Most recently, the president signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. I was proud to cosponsor this legislation, which will overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) current appeals process so it can process claims faster and provide additional transparency and safeguards for veterans, their families, and survivors.

The president also recently signed the “Forever GI Bill,” which will grant full GI Bill benefits to Purple Heart recipients, regardless of their total length of service. The bill will also eliminate the arbitrary 15-year window in which veterans were required to use their benefits after leaving the military and expand educational opportunities for veterans enrolling in high-tech courses like coding boot camps. Broadening the reach of this invaluable education benefit will help ensure that our veterans can build from their military talents and embark on new opportunities as they return to the civilian world.

The VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017, which makes a significant investment in the Veterans Choice program, also became law in early August. These additional funds will allow veterans to get timely care in their own communities, rather than enduring long wait times and traveling long distances for care. The bill also authorizes leases for VA medical facilities, including a replacement Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Rapid City.

The current Rapid City CBOC is outdated and too small to meet veterans’ needs. When I met with VA Secretary Shulkin and the rest of the state’s congressional delegation this spring, the secretary indicated that he wanted to make these improvements in Rapid City, which is separate from former VA Secretary Robert McDonald’s decision on the potential realignment of VA services in the Black Hills. That proposal is on hold while the VA reviews its national footprint and veteran needs.

I’m also pleased to report that the VA acted on my request to more prominently feature the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) on its website, VA.gov. I suggested to Secretary Shulkin that the VCL be displayed in the first of four rotating banners on the VA’s website or be given a dedicated button that is immediately identifiable on the VA’s homepage. Within days of receiving my letter, the VA reordered its banners to feature the VCL, and I look forward to working with the VA to further promote this critical resource. Any veteran or member of his or her family can contact the VCL 24 hours per day, seven days per week by texting 838255 or calling 1-800-273-8255 and pressing one.

Our commitment to the men and women who serve in the military doesn’t end when they no longer wear the uniform. In many cases, that’s when they need us the most. We owe these heroes and the future defenders of freedom more than we’ll ever actually be able to repay, but that shouldn’t stop us from trying.

###

US Senator Mike Rounds’ Weekly Column: Providing South Dakota Families with Tax Relief a Priority

Providing South Dakota Families with Tax Relief a Priority
By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

Over the past few months, we’ve seen the U.S. economy improve. In July, employers added 209,000 jobs, bringing the unemployment rate down to 4.3 percent. However, wages remain stagnant and economic growth has hovered at 2 percent for the past 10 years, a full percentage point lower than the historic post-World War II average. According to the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), this has cost families an average of $8,600 in income annually. Also according to the JEC, economic growth will remain at 2 percent under our current policies.

This underscores the need for a pro-growth tax policy that creates jobs, increases our competitiveness overseas and gives our economy a much-needed jolt. Our current tax code is far too complicated – it is more than 74,000 pages in length and takes Americans 8.1 billion hours annually to complete. I support the ongoing efforts by the tax-writing committees in Congress to take on comprehensive tax reform. When we return to Washington in September, we expect to ramp up these efforts. I look forward to working with my colleagues to lower the rates for South Dakota families, rein in the IRS and provide long-term certainty in our tax code.

It has been more than 30 years since our tax code was reformed. Since then, other countries have lowered their rates and become more competitive, while our tax code has barely changed. The average corporate tax rate in the U.S. is 39 percent, compared to an average of 25 percent by our foreign competitors. It is time to reform the tax code and lower the rates – a plan that we know will help our economy because we’ve seen it work in the past.

During both the Kennedy and Reagan presidencies, we saw a reduction in regulations and taxes. In turn, the economy prospered and flourished under their respective administrations. They knew that individual citizens know the best way to spend their own money, and they certainly don’t need Washington telling them what to do with it.

While I continue to advocate for comprehensive tax reform, I recognize the complexity in passing comprehensive tax reform. Earlier this year, I introduced a tax relief plan that would reduce the average South Dakota family’s tax burden by about 16 percent. My plan calls for a simple 2 point rate cut across-the-board for each tax bracket. By lowering the tax rate for all, we will be able to provide direct and immediate relief to hardworking families and shake up our economy. This will result in a more prosperous economy for all Americans.

We have our work cut out for us in the coming months, and I am ready to work with every senator, on either side of the aisle, to get it done. When Americans are free to spend their money as they see fit—whether that’s sending kids to college, buying a new home, saving for retirement or starting a new business—our economy will benefit. And when our economy is healthy, every American will feel the positive effects.

# # #

Congresswoman Noem’s Weekly Column: Addressing Addiction

Addressing Addiction
By Rep. Kristi Noem

 

The rate of violent crime in South Dakota nearly doubled between 2005 and 2015, according to the FBI. While there are a number of things which can contribute to a surge like that, many agree drugs have played a significant role, impacting everything from gang activity in communities to domestic violence in the home.

The drug epidemic’s realities reach even beyond crime. Nationally, a baby is born addicted to opioids (drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine) every 25 minutes or so. And in 2015 alone, around 52,000 Americans died of a drug overdose.  President Trump has declared this a national emergency and First Lady Melania Trump has taken up the cause as well.

While South Dakota saw 15 opioid-related deaths in 2007, the number jumped to 37 by 2014, per the South Dakota Department of Health Vital Statistics. Many first responders now carry an antidote for opioid overdoses at all times.

Still, it’s important to note South Dakota hasn’t experienced the opioid epidemic as harshly as many other states. That may be because South Dakota doctors have tended to prescribe fewer than others in surrounding states. But a recent report found prescriptions are increasing here too, reaching the highest number of opioid prescriptions ever recorded in South Dakota in 2016.

New training efforts have launched at places like Avera and Sanford to make sure doctors understand when and how to prescribe opioids, and I’m working on the federal level to make sure we’re doing all we can to keep illegal drugs out of South Dakota. I strongly support legislation, for instance, that cracks down on Mexican drug traffickers and those who help facilitate their illicit activities at the border; this includes a vote to fully fund President Trump’s border security agenda. And I am fighting to make sure local law enforcement officers have the resources and training they need.

Alongside law-and-order, I believe in redemption. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit the Keystone Treatment Center, an addiction recovery facility in Canton. The experience was indescribable. The work done there gives folks another chance at life, at a family, at hope. It’s just incredible the work they do.

In June, I introduced a set of bills to better support the rehabilitation offered by places like Keystone. More specifically, the proposals look to strengthen families during drug addiction treatment and amplify efforts to prevent the child abuse and neglect that can result from drug use.

No community – no family – is immune to addiction. Particularly with opioids, it can often start with a simple prescription for pain medication to deal with a headache. But that same medicine you took to heal can be the drug that leads to a life-altering addiction. Know, however, that help is out there. If you or someone you care about is abusing drugs or medications, please talk to your doctor or contact a treatment center immediately. If you don’t know where to turn, call the free and confidential National Treatment Referral Routing Service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Governor Daugaard’s Weekly Column: Beacom College At DSU A Step Forward For South Dakota

Beacom College At DSU A Step Forward For South Dakota
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard

South Dakota is full of “hidden gems.” One secret we’ve kept too well is Dakota State University. DSU is one of the nation’s leading schools for cybersecurity, and it is rising to a new level of excellence.

Earlier this month, I went to Madison for a ribbon cutting for the Beacom Institute of Technology. This new facility at Dakota State was built through the generosity of Miles and Lisa Beacom and T. Denny Sanford, and it will house several of DSU’s cutting-edge programs.

The day brought another surprise, however: a second gift from Sanford and the Beacoms. Their surprise $30 million pledge will newly name the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences. The state will contribute an additional $10 million, and DSU has agreed to leverage the gift for $20 million in federal support. All told, this will create a $60 million impact on DSU.

The Beacom College will build on Dakota State’s record of excellence. DSU already holds four prestigious Center of Excellence designations from the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, including the most technical (for Cyber Operations) and the most prestigious (as a Cyber Defense Consultative Regional Resource Center). Dakota State is one of only four universities in the nation to have this latter distinction – and one of only two universities in the country with four or more designations.

Now Beacom College at DSU will rise to a new level. With this new gift, the university will break ground next spring on “MadLabs,” a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility that allows students and faculty to work upon confidential and proprietary information without leaving campus. This significant gift will also fund student scholarships and support for additional faculty and staff.

South Dakota’s young people, and their parents, need to know that they do not need to leave our state to receive a world-class education in the high-need, high-tech fields of computer and cyber sciences. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, who is the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, played an important role in planning for last Sunday’s surprise. As he explained that day, cybersecurity is perhaps the most significant national security issue facing our nation, and these skills are in high demand in government and in the private sector.

The Beacom College will create new opportunities for our young people, and new employers will be attracted to hire employees with old-fashioned South Dakota work ethic combined with world-class cybersecurity training.

It was over thirty years ago that Gov. Bill Janklow proposed converting Dakota State from a normal school to a “computer school.” It was a visionary change to make in 1984. Now, the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences is taking another huge step forward, thanks to the vision of Denny Sanford, Miles and Lisa Beacom, Dakota State President José-Marie Griffiths, and many other South Dakota leaders. It’s time we set aside our South Dakota humility, and express our pride about this “hidden gem.”

-30-

Stace Nelson witch hunt spilling into Argus

This morning’s Argus Leader is repeating much of what we’ve been chronicling lately, with Stace Nelson claiming he has evidence that DCI and the state is not fully investigating the Gear-up program, and the GOAC committee asking for him to show them his evidence:

Rather than relying on the Division of Criminal Investigation or the executive branch, he wants the committee to independently review how more than $1.4 million went missing at a Platte educational cooperative that managed state and federal grants.

And…

“They stand down and it’s a voluntary standing down,” Nelson said. “If the Legislature isn’t allowed to do its job, this sort of corruption is allowed to persist.”

And…

(Referring to the AG’s & DCI’s ongoing investigation) “We’re not going to duplicate their efforts, we are not going to make the taxpayers pay for us to repeat work they’ve already done,” Peters said.

Other members agreed the investigation of the money-funneling scheme is important, but unsourced allegations prevent the committee from advancing to other business.

“They’re consuming a lot of time that I’d like to see spent on getting our work done,” said Rep. Wayne Steinhauer, R-Hartford.

And…

“He says he has information that people lied to us and I need to know about it,” Peters said. “If he can’t produce that he’s getting in the way of the committee process.”

Read it here.

If you recall the latest, all the committee requested was that Nelson explain what he knows, which has led to his days-long tantrum over e-mail and social media. And a humorous e-mail from the LRC pointing out only he knows what he knows, so they don’t know why he needs staff for it.

In the article, Dana Ferguson does ignore rumors of Nelson’s actual motivation, that Nelson may use his claims of corruption without evidence to launch a bid for Governor.

Even if Nelson can’t produce that which he has claimed he already knows… it will be entertaining political theater.