A couple of follow-ups………….

By Ed Randazzo

ADULT ORIENTED BUSINESSES IN LEAD, SD

As I reported on 1/19/2011: “The people of Lead are determined and resourceful and I suspect this is not the end of this fight to preserve decency in their town.”  I was referring to the voters of Lead, SD who turned out en masse to oppose the Lead city ordinance that would permit Adult Oriented Businesses (AOB’s) to operate in their town.

On Monday 2/15/2011, City Administrator Mike Stahl stated that opponents of the ordinance delivered more than double the required 112 signatures to get a measure on the ballot to overturn the ordinance previously approved by the City Council.

The people of Lead will now speak at the polls, likely on 4/12/2011 when there is an already scheduled city election.

Kudos to Citizens for a Safer Community and the people of Lead who are not afraid to stand up and be counted for decency. Community growth and prosperity need not be at the expense of compromising moral values.

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THE OPENING NEGATIVE SALVO OF THE RAPID CITY MAYOR’S RACE

February 17th’s Rapid City Journal brought a letter from Bill Freytag of Rapid City who reported that he had received a research poll call concerning Sam Kooiker.

Mr. Freytag had actually received a call from a push-poll. (Dictionary.com defines push-poll as: an opinion poll done with loaded questions or offering negative information to sway the opinions of those polled.)

Mr. Freytag went on to say that “they wanted my wife’s opinion concerning Sam harassing city employees.” Apparently, another question asked for an opinion on the one-cent sales tax hike being actively promoted by Senator Adelstein in the SD Legislature.

I’ve narrowed the field of possible financiers of this push-poll to 2 individuals. Both are equally capable of starting a campaign for their candidate in the gutter.

What I still can’t understand is why that camp would even want to dredge up the Kooiker censure at all. Can anyone help me with this one?