SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- In a wide-ranging discussion on his monthly visit to KELO Radio's Greg Belfrage Show, Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether talks about everything from his legacy to babysitting.
Huether, serving his last year in office, hopes part of his legacy will be how his team handled emergencies, such as the downtown building collapse, and terrible weather events.
"You know that ice storm for example. I love that. I love that time. We had people from all over the country coming in here going 'how in the heck did you do this'?" Huether says the city fought back from the 2013 ice assault without the help of FEMA or the federal government.
Huether says his most difficult challenge in his eight years was the flack he took over the south side Walmart project.
"We made some people mad, but now its truly the hottest corner, not only in Sioux Falls. but maybe the hottest corner in the Midwest." Huether calls the area an economic "juggernaut" and a benefit to the city's quality of life.
Without naming names, Huether tells Greg that there are two people on City Council that are agitators rather than collaborators. He calls himself a "Lame Duck", so he can say that, especially on the issue of the golf course contract.
He looks back with pride on rebuilding city infrastructure and five years of record-breaking construction. He sees nothing but great things ahead including the new city administration building and the development of the downtown railyard project.
It's not all serious business on the Belfrage Show with Grandpa Mike.
"We've got an eight day babysitting thing that we are doing, and we are on day five. Last night, George woke up only one time" But Huether doesn't reveal if he answered his grandson's call or if he delegated that authority to wife, Cindy.