BrandonInfo.com

A fancy Brandon swimming pool would cost $9.5 million. Do you think it’s worth it?

Paul Boerboom of TSP, Inc. presented a proposal to the city council recently. City Administrator Bryan Read said the plan could be built in phases. The people would have to vote on a bond issue to pay for the project, though. Right now, the city budgets money for pool maintenance and upkeep, but that isn’t nearly enough to upgrade the facility.
If the city council decides to pursue the plan, there will be public input meetings. But you can voice your opinions here on the blog. What do you think about making the pool bigger and fancier with more slides, a lazy river and other amenities?

Any flood or other damage at your place today after last night’s rain? Any trouble getting to work? Roads flooded along the way?

The Brandon Valley Community Education program is looking for instructors. Maybe you are qualified to teach a class on computers or setting up an aquarium or ice cream making. Have you ever considered teaching a class? Some are once a week for eight weeks, and other classes are a one-time deal.

Have you ever taken a BV community ed class? I’ve taken pottery, which I enjoyed very much, and I’ve taken a one-time coffee tasting class. Enjoyed that also. Learned cool stuff in both classes.

If you’ve taken a class, what did you take and what did you think about it? Do you think you will take any classes this fall? If not, do you at least read the course catalog when it comes in your mail?

Remember when we were young and Friday nights were date nights? Or party nights? I recently filled out a questionnaire for my class reunion. One of the questions was, “How do you typically spend your Friday nights?” My answer was that I get together with friends to play Chinese Checkers and drink coffee.
That’s still kind of party-ish, in a middle aged sort of way, I suppose.

How do you typically spend your Friday nights?

My 35-year class reunion (BVHS Class of 1975) is coming up in a couple of weeks. We’ve had a reunion every five years, and I’ve been to every one. One of the reasons is that I still live in Brandon, so I haven’t had to travel to attend.

Do you go to your reunions? Why or why not? Are you more likely to go if you live near your high school, or not so much?

Have your classmates turned out about the way you thought they would? I have to say mine have, for the most part.

The city continues to upgrade city parks. Aspen Park has been undergoing a five-year plan of upgrades, and Pioneer Park recently got a picnic shelter.

Do you go to the city parks? If so, what activities do you enjoy there?

If you don’t use the parks, why not? Do you mind that your tax dollars help maintain and upgrade the parks even though you don’t use them?

What amenities would you like to see in the parks that aren’t there now? Statues? Fountains? More picnic tables? More playground equipment?

Some people would like a park on the east side of town, east of the river. Are you one of those people? What kind of park would you like there?

Who serves the best coffee in town?

The Perfect Cup is the only place to get a traditional cappuccino or latte as far as I know, but some people really like the dispensed cappuccinos from the gas stations.

Is your favorite java at the Sunshine Deli, perhaps? Or maybe Tailgator’s?

We fans of the bean would like to know go for a good cuppa joe.

Brandon Police are replacing their shotguns with semi-automatic rifles. Police Chief Dave Kull said it’s part of a nationwide trend to keep up with the kinds of firearms bad guys use (my words, not his).

Do you think this is a good idea? The guns cost about $1,000 each, and the department bought seven of them. They will keep the shotguns for now.

What do you think of this move? Do you think it is a smart idea? Do you think it’s worth the money?

I have to admit, I’m not a regular church goer in the summer like I am during the school year. It just seems nice to be able to sleep as late as I want one day a week.

Although when I think about it, the pastors still have to work every Sunday morning, and it must be sorta sad for them to go to all the work of preparing their sermons and the service and everything and just have a few people in the pews. It’s always nicer when the house is full.

Does your church attendance drop off during the summer months? Why or why not? If it does, do your offerings drop off during the summer also, or do you make other arrangements to give your offering? At our house, we make sure the church gets our weekly offering, even if it means saving up and giving a larger amount less often.

Minnehaha County Commissioners have created a new ambulance district, which includes Valley Springs. MED-Star of Brandon and Rural/Metro of Sioux Falls both have said they plan to apply to be the designated ambulance service for that area.

Which do you think should get the contract, and why?