From Facebook, here’s the full statement of the Sioux Falls Fraternal Order of Police’s statement regarding the “misleading” Jolene Loetcher for mayor TV Commercial
The full voicemail that Mayoral Candidate Paul TenHaken left for his opponent Jolene Loetscher seems to show a different story than she has been portraying to the media over the past few days.
KELO News has a transcription of the message, and contrary to a anti-TenHaken narrative they had in a previous story, the real story seems to be one where TenHaken expresses regret over the negative tone that his (supposed) friend Jolene was adopting in the Mayoral contest:
TenHaken says he’s been friends with Loetscher for 15 years and the phone call was not malicious in any form.
“After the campaign started getting negative several months ago, I called and said listen we’re friends, let’s not do this the voters don’t want it, I have negative tools in my toolbox I could use but I’m not going to because that’s not the right thing to do, let’s not do this let’s stay above it,” TenHaken said.
and…
If you’d like to read the entire message, we’ve transcribed it for you below.
“Hey Jo, Paul TenHaken calling um’ just was calling about the calling me out on social here um I was really hoping we weren’t going to go here with this sort of stuff, because I consider you a friend this is not even a story you know that I’m not invading people’s privacy. I was hired by a client to track down somebody who was libeling his family so I’m sorry that it’s gotten to this I obviously have these sorts of tools in my toolbox too but I’m choosing not to use them, ’cause I just don’t think a mayor’s race has to come to this, I’m a little disappointed to be honest with you but I understand that you want to do this, I’ll respond to your post here and post some comments um so just kind of bummed out wish we werent’ coming to this so um anyway I’ll see you later today at the debate.”
If Paul is guilty of anything, it’s probably being too trusting that people running for office will side with the angel on their shoulder.
Sounds like the SF Police are telling liberal Mayoral Candidate Jolene Loetscher Hell No, Jo!
The Argus Leader has an article up this afternoon which completely takes the bark off of Loetscher, with the Sioux Falls chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police calling her campaign ads ‘misleading’ in a press release issued today:
The Sioux Falls chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, which represents the more than 200 law enforcement officers employed by the city of Sioux Falls, spoke out against the idea of turning community centers throughout the city into police precincts, a proposal made last month by Loetscher as a way to combat crime and address future space needs that could arise as the police department grows.
“We must be clear in our statement that the current proposal of ‘Precinct-Based Policing’ is something that is not supported by our membership within the Sioux Falls Police Department,” the group said in a news release issued Tuesday.
The statement also characterizes an advertisement used by the Loetscher campaign as “misleading.” The ad shows footage of the Sioux Falls Law Enforcement Center while stating the precinct policing proposal is supported by local law enforcement. The Fraternal Order of Police said the union nor its members – department officers and sergeants – were consulted before Loetscher went public with her proposal in March.
Uh oh, Jo. You probably should have spoken with the police before you filmed your ad.
I haven’t had a chance to listen to it just yet, but Neal Tapio was interviewed by South Dakota Public Broadcasting yesterday. Check it out here.
Following Thune’s Request, USDA Will Provide More Adequate and Timely Livestock Assistance for Ranchers Affected by Recent Storms
“[USDA’s] timely response and sensitivity to this issue to assist our livestock industry is very much appreciated.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) decision to make administrative changes to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), which Thune requested on April 16, that would result in more accurate and timely assistance from LIP for livestock producers. USDA said Thune’s requested LIP changes were made to ensure adequate indemnification is made for livestock losses that occurred in South Dakota and other states as a result of the wet and cold spring, including recent storm Xanto.
“I appreciate the quick turnaround regarding a letter I sent April 16 after winter storm Xanto pounded portions of South Dakota with record snowfall right before birthing season,” said Thune to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue in a hearingearlier today. “I received a response from [Farm Production and Conservation] Undersecretary [Bill] Northey informing me that FSA is announcing clarifications to the LIP policy based on my request. I’d like to say now that your timely response and sensitivity to this issue to assist our livestock industry is very much appreciated.”
Specifically, USDA announced that Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees will review LIP applications and determine if an eligible adverse weather event directly caused the death of eligible livestock. As part of that review, FSA will appropriately consider, at Thune’s request, a signed certification statement from a licensed veterinarian ascertaining that the livestock deaths were attributed to a major weather event and not otherwise avoidable or preventable using good animal management protocols and practices.
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Noem Puts Forward Public Safety Agenda
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kristi Noem today put forward her plans to improve public safety in South Dakota. With the goal of building safer communities and stronger families, Noem laid out a multi-pronged proposal centered around prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation.
“In almost every town I visit, people raise concerns about South Dakota’s rising crime rates,” said Noem. “People are seeing more violence. They’re watching as drugs tear families apart. Their county and municipal budgets are strained. And if we don’t reverse course, we could see a loss of economic opportunity. As governor, I am committed to working collaboratively with communities and law enforcement to create an environment in which both families and growing businesses can feel safe to call South Dakota home.”
South Dakota’s crime rate nearly doubled between 2005 and 2015. Violent crimes and drug-related offenses, in particular, have seen significant increases. In the U.S. House, Noem has led efforts to expand support for law enforcement and offer more resources to fight drug addiction.
SAFER COMMUNITIES, STRONGER FAMILIES
PREVENT WHEN POSSIBLE
Close the gateways. Whether the gateway drug is marijuana or a legal prescription painkiller, the slope toward addiction can often be a slippery one. As governor, I will oppose all attempts to legalize marijuana. At the same time, I will work with medical professionals and the state legislature to enact reasonable limits on opioid prescriptions and support provider education and training.
Implement research-based meth prevention programs. Drug overdoses are the leading cause of death among Americans under age 50. In South Dakota, drug use, including methamphetamine use, is rising dramatically. In fact, drug arrests hit their highest point in a decade last year. We must change course. My administration will work to expand evidence-based education and prevention programs. Every South Dakotan should know and understand the signs of addiction as well as the dangers of meth use to aid in early intervention.
Get proactive on mental health. The criminal justice system is the state’s largest provider for the mentally ill, a costly responsibility it’s not fully equipped to handle. As governor, I would:
Work to ensure there are an array of mental-health options throughout the state by leveraging tele-psychiatry, expanding resources in schools, and supporting a mental health facility West River;
Promote crisis intervention training and help assemble local crisis response teams to support law enforcement;
Partner with Employee Assistance Programs to expand options for South Dakotans, helping individuals with mental health needs before they commit offenses; and
Support ongoing pilot programs that divert non-violent offenders with mental illness through treatment programs, rather than the criminal justice system, expanding those programs which produce positive outcomes.
Support local control of school safety. I believe local communities must have the ability to decide how to best protect their students. In the U.S. House, I helped pass legislation that gives schools more financial flexibility and resources to make those important decisions, while also creating more options for schools to engage mental health professionals. As governor, I will take the same approach, ensuring schools and communities have the flexibilities needed to assert local control and protect our kids.
Improve collaboration with Tribal Governments. Because federal and tribal authorities have jurisdiction over many crimes that occur on sovereign reservations, it’s imperative these entities have a strong relationship with the state. As governor, I would work to better collaborate with area tribes by opening dialogues on jurisdictional challenges, re-engaging on memorandums of understanding, and helping coordinate responses.
INTERVENE WHEN NEEDED
Equip law enforcement to fully enforce the law. As a conservative, I believe leaders have a responsibility to minimize government intrusion but maximize its impact. This is as true in criminal justice as it is anywhere else. South Dakota has always been a law-and-order, tough-on-crime state. I support that. But no matter how tough our laws are, they aren’t effective if law enforcement and states attorneys don’t have the technological, financial, or investigative resources necessary to enforce those laws. While working to maintain strong relationships between officers and the neighborhoods they serve, I am committed to ensuring law enforcement have protective technologies, such as body cameras, and the enforcement tools necessary to keep us safe – both in our communities and online.
Support specialty courts and evidence-driven programming. Because the swift and certain sanctions hold offenders more accountable, specialty courts help solve underlying problems to reduce recidivism long-term. Moreover, with uniquely trained judges, specialty courts are often more efficient than traditional criminal justice models. In consultation with Police Departments and Sheriff’s Offices, I would partner with the judicial system to incentivize the use of specialty courts as well as expand evidence-driven programming for non-violent offenders.
Leverage federal resources. I’ve fought alongside President Trump to strengthen support for law enforcement, including the expansion of the Community Oriented Policing Services grant. Having served as South Dakota’s lone member of the U.S. House, I understand how these dollars flow to states. I will leverage that knowledge to ensure South Dakota law enforcement have access to every available resource.
REHABILITATE WHEN EFFECTIVE
Expand residential and family-based treatment options. Drug treatment programs that keep people out of jails, families together, and children out of foster care have proven to produce more effective outcomes in many cases. As governor, my administration will work to expand residential and family-based treatment options in South Dakota.
Prioritize victim-centered responses. We must keep the needs of victims at the center of our criminal justice system. Today, victim-service providers are active throughout South Dakota, assisting crime victims and ensuring their rights are protected. As governor, I will work to strengthen coordination between providers to further a trauma-informed, victim-centered response.
End the cycle of crime. If South Dakota taxpayers are asked to spend money to incarcerate an offender, our criminal justice system must work to reduce the likelihood that individual will reoffend. Recognizing that at least 95 percent of prisoners will be released at some point, we must strengthen our parole, re-entry, and rehabilitation programs. Workforce training is a critical component of this, and I’m committed to expanding successful ventures, such as the Housing Development Authority’s Governor’s House program. In this way, our criminal justice system will adhere to the same degree of accountability we expect from every area of government.
From today’s mailbox, Dusty Johnson has an oversized flyer out to voters asking for their support:
(Where’s the Dusty logo?)
Rounds on Trump’s Sec. of State Nominee: Mike Pompeo is the Right Guy for the Job
Last night, Rounds joined Shannon Bream on Fox News to discuss Mike Pompeo’s nomination to be Secretary of State.
“This is a guy who ha proven himself to be a reasonable individual,” said Rounds on Fox News. “He thinks things through very, very well. He has the president’s ear and he understands the direction that the president wants to go. Mike Pompeo is the right guy for this job.”
Josh Haeder, Republican candidate for State Treasurer, has posted a video for the Fall 2018 campaign season in hopes people will remember his name as he runs as a candidate for one of the State Constitutional offices:
