By Dave Baumeister, County Correspondent
SIOUX FALLS – Minnehaha County Commissioner Jeff Barth changed sides of the desk at the Tuesday, Aug. 13, commission meeting to comment on recent mass shootings around the country.
“I served in the United States military, and I proudly fly the American flag in front of my house,” Barth said, “And just last week, I put it back to the top. I’m sick and tired of lowering it to half-mast every time there is a mass shooting.
“I’m not going to lower it anymore! You know, prayers and thoughts aren’t doing anything – nothing!”
Barth went on, somewhat sarcastically, to point out that the rights being protected under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution may be protecting the wrong people.
“We talk about a ‘well-regulated militia’ – thank goodness, we have these ‘well-regulated militia people’ shooting down our fellow citizens everywhere across the country.
“Thanks goodness we have Ted Cruz, who said ‘the Second Amendment is to protect our freedom.’
“Well, think about the ‘freedom fighter’ that shot all those people at Walmart (in El Paso, Texas). Think about the ‘freedom fighter’ that shot those people in Dallas – he shot and killed five cops!
“Hey, he is fighting for his freedom, thank goodness!”
But beyond the obvious sarcasm, Barth emphasized, “I’m sick of it! We had the shooting in Dayton, and in 32 seconds, he killed 9 people and wounded 27.
“The ‘freedom fighters’ are shooting country-western fans, are shooting people in church, are shooting black people, are shooting Jews…
“It’s wrong. We’ve got to do something, and I’m not lowering my flag anymore!
“A few minutes ago, we said the Pledge of Allegiance – ‘with liberty and justice for all’ – that’s for all of us, not just for the guy who owns the rifle.
“You know, all white people are not racist. All black people are not criminals. All Hispanics are not illegal.
“Stop it!”
The meeting room was quite after Barth finished, and Commission Chair Jean Bender broke the silence, adding, “Thank you. This is a critical issue our whole country needs to deal with, so I appreciate your comments.”
Regular business
County planning and zoning director Scott Anderson called for publishing notices on a public hearing on the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum emergency easement/land swap that was discussed two weeks earlier.
Commissioners voted that the hearing would be on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Anderson joked that in all of the notices he’s had published, he “had never done one for a land swap!”
Both Anderson and Bender complimented all who worked at making this land deal something that was acceptable to all.
Anderson also added that he has been working closely with the arboretum board and is hoping to get all other public input on Aug. 27.
Minnehaha County Human Resources Director Carey Deaver presented information on updating the county’s drug and alcohol testing procedure manual.
Deaver said that Munis, a new computer system the county works with, is capable of randomly selecting people for screening, which eliminates having the testing facility do that work.
The manual changes were approved by a 4-0 vote (Commissioner Cindy Heiberger was not present at the meeting).
In other business, the publishing of several notices for alcohol and malt beverage licenses was approved, and three property tax liens were compromised.
The Minnehaha County Commission has its regular meetings each Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the county administration building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
These meetings are open to the all, and public comment is always encouraged.
