Council Hears Final Pleas Before EC Election

SIOUX FALLS, SD - People lined up at Monday night's Sioux Falls City Council meeting for one final chance to sway any undecided voters before Tuesday's election. 

Residents stood for an hour to share their opinions before the council. There were no rules for public input, but those who didn't abide by the five minute time limit were cut off by the council.
 
"There's no better time than right now when interest rates are low," Sioux Falls resident Mary Glenski said. 

"I don't believe our community understands or will understand until we have those events what we have been missing," Hy-Vee Manager Bob Trader said. 

Business leaders and civic groups brought a mostly pro-events center message touting jobs, quality of life, and economic development.

"It's easy to say no. You don't have to involve yourself and stay away from it. But to do what's good for this community you need to get out, need to vote, and need to vote yes for community development of this community," Sioux Falls Sports Authority Executive Director Mike Sullivan said.

But the dissenters arrived too in smaller numbers.

"I'll tell you what, I'll state my opinion until I'm blue in the face," Tim Stanga of Sioux Falls said. 

"Conversations go beyond numbers and beyond political parties and it gets personal. And I think that's happened in some ways and I've been a part of that," Sioux Falls resident Andy Traub said.

Despite all the public rhetoric, the endorsements, and even the backlash by folks at the council chambers, the only opinion that matters is that of those who show up during Tuesday's election when voters decide the fate the $115 million facility.