SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

The Passion Play that has erupted over the Argus Leader’s reporting and editorializing of Dan Scott’s presentation to a group of visiting Legislators last month has been Sensational.

Essentially the facts are: The Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce invited South Dakota Legislators to be their guests in Sioux Falls for a day and a half or so of briefings about the “Good Things” happening in the Sioux Empire. This included a few tours, a few meals and a few sessions of presentations by various civic leaders.

While it has not been said,  the purpose of the hosting was to explain what is happening in Sioux Falls, why it is good for all of South Dakota, and to promote a better understanding of what is happening in Sioux Falls with the members of the Legislature that represent other areas of the State.

At one of the morning sessions, Dan Scott, President of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation made a presentation detailing the causes and effects of Sioux Falls growth in the past 25 to 30 years. On Saturday June 16th the Argus Leader reported that Scott said in effect that others should help Sioux Falls, but if they chose not to be excited about Sioux Falls the least they could do is get out of the way as we have a City to build. Subsequently the local paper also editorialized that Scott “eroded the City’s image” and (his) “arrogant comments undermined the event”.

For about three weeks not much happened other than rumor and innuendo among Legislators and Civic types, until on Sunday, July 15,Argus Editor again slammed Scott in his parody in response to the letter of explanation that Scott sent to (presumably all) members of the Legislature. The Argus Leader did provide on their website a copy of Scott’s letter. After Editor Randell Beck’s Sunday column ran, radio talk show host, former newsman and blogger, Greg Belfrage joined the cast in this drama. He posted several times (seeDakota Watercooler (Greg’s blog)) about Beck’s column and had Scott on as a guest on his morning show even though apparently little was said about this matter. What Greg did though is obtain and post a copy of Scott’s speech. (A good reporter getting the facts out)

These are the facts but Beck did not let go. In his July 22 column he responded that it is his job to “raise a stink sometimes and to challenge us to think about ourselves” although he did say “It was never my intention to attack Dan Scott.” (perhaps close to an apology). Beck did have a few choice words for Belfrage when he called Belfrage’s show a “feeding frenzy.”

The Scuttlebutt – I have heard and read on the blogosphere that the Argus’ rile comes from Scott’s opening remark where he either makes a joke or ridicules the Daily paper. It is rumored that the Publisher was in the audience and he got up and stormed out, thus causing the coverage and editorializing of Scott. I have heard there were only two Legislators present at Scott’s speech and they did not even think Scott’s remarks were derogatory. The solons that came to Sioux Falls were perhaps more interested in socializing and politicking with their comrades than going to meetings. I heard the dinners were well attended. Discussion has also been circulating that Scott has made these types of remarks before jabbing the paper and stating that we have a City to build.

Because Readers finally have the facts they can judge for themselves and come to their own conclusions about this affair.

A Few Observations – Dan Scott was a Sioux Falls small businessman who became a Development Rep and business recruiter for the South Dakota Department of State Development. Dan worked in Pierre for a number of years and helped businesses locate statewide. He understands South Dakota and the relationships among its communities. Dan Scott left the State Development Office and went to work for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation with Dave Stenseth in the mid 1980s. Scott later worked with Roger Hainje who died in the tragic plane crash of the Governor’s plane in 1993. Scott later became the leader of the Sioux Falls development efforts.

Dan Scott is aggressive and his attitude and remarks are no less so. His aggressive attitude is why he has been a successful and effective leader in Sioux Falls’ development.

Scott should have tried to unscrew the negative perception of these events immediately after the first Editorial in June.

What took Scott so long to respond? Certainly getting the speech “out there” help make  his case. Why did he wait? Did he think there was no need to respond?

In most news stories there is a villain, a victim, and a hero. The reporter is always the hero. The Argus tried to make Scott the Villain but in this case Scott has become the Victim.

The blood has been spilt now is the time to move on. We have a City and State to Build.

The Paper will ALWAYS have the last word. As Benjamin Franklin reportedly said, “You can’t argue with people who buy ink by the barrel.”