SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Playing to a full house of Lions and Rotarians, five of the six Sioux Falls mayoral candidates tried to separate themselves from the field at a forum today.
The two service clubs held the joint meeting over the noon hour today atop the Holiday Inn City Centre during a buffet of salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, roast beef, and desserts.
Mike Gunn, Jolene Loetscher, Kenny Anderson, Jr., Jim Entenman, and Paul TenHaken were questioned by retired newsman Jack Marsh. The sixth candidate, Rep. Greg Jamison, was in Pierre for the veto session, the last day of the 2018 South Dakota Legislature.
Like the typical banquet menu, the candidates did their best to break out of the pack concerning the major issues of this race: governmental transparency, workforce development, being a welcoming community, crime, budgeting, and city services.
Here are some excerpts as reported and adapted from @KELORadio's Twitter feed concerning diversity:
- Entenman: We must embrace everyone who comes to Sioux Falls. We are the heart of America. Immigrants and people are coming her for the same reasons we did.
- Gunn: Should we be involved with individual businesses with diversity? Shouldn't we be able to decide who works for us based on work ethic, etc.?
- Loetscher I will have a chief diversity officer.
- TenHaken: I grew up in Worthington, MN, very diverse community. My company offers free PTO to my employee to teach ESL (English as a second language).
- Anderson: I was diversity growing up in Sioux Falls. I saw more diversity when I came back from Marines. Has there been resistance? Yes. But the city has always been welcoming.
The Lions and Rotary clubs are hosting another joint forum with the Mayoral candidates next Monday at noon at the Holiday Inn City Centre.
For audio and video interviews conducted by KELO.com News with the candidates, click here.
