Good old boys club
September 12th, 2007 by 
Alica
Does a Good Old Boys Club exist on the Brandon City Council? There have been comments on this blog to that affect.
If so, who is it? Do they have an agenda? If so, what is it? Is it in Brandon’s best interest?
If not, why is there talk of one? Someone’s sour grapes? Idle speculation?
Is there any way to prove or disprove that such a club exists? What do the City Council members have to say about these rumors?
Posted in Uncategorized | 
September 12th, 2007 at 6:58 am
I don’t really think there is a good ole boys club to the extent that everyone thinks. All you have to really watch are the “power people” in town when an election comes along, they’ll be out campainging for there candidate. But merely because someone knows alot of people does not make a good ole boys club. Biggest mistake made is lableing someone as such when in fact they are not. This city has lost a few good people because of that fact.
September 12th, 2007 at 9:13 am
wouldn’t this pose some sort of libel/slander issues????
September 12th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
who are the members of the so called “good old boys” club? Just curious.
September 12th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Good Grief—-short on things to blog this week?
September 12th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Always listening, “power people” and “good ole boys” sound a bit similar to me. Any group of like minded individuals with power could find themselves with this label. It depends on whether or not you agree with their opinions. If you agree with them, they are knocking down barriers and getting things done. If you disagree with them, they are myopic and running roughshod over everything and everyone. The truth usually lies somewhere in between.
September 12th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
I guess I think of “good ole boys” somewhat differently. Not power people, but a group of a few who “pool” their positions to gain power.
I would think the best way to build a committee would be to avoid “crossover” relationships. As an example, you wouldn’t want all the members of one softball team making up the board of directors of the whole league. I guess that’s why we have both a House and a Senate. Republicans and Democrats.
I don’t know enough about this council to make that determination. Wish we had televised council meetings.
I think it’s an okay topic so I’m not sure why Sally poo-pooed it? Enlighten us.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Ann– as i said I don’t feel there is a good ole boys club, power people are those that feel they are in a position to direct or influence others to there way of thinking. They can be seen when elections are held as they are seen in public with the candidate of there choice. I my stint here in Brandon the only individuals that I would put in that class are tied with the history of Brandon, land developers, real estate, etc…
September 13th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Why won’t anyone on this blog name names? Who are the “power people” that everyone is complaining about?
September 13th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
#8, When I did a quick review of the city council meetings and looked at who voted with the majority. I saw where Ford and Mostek had voted together in the minority several times. I think that would rule them out as members since their opinions ran against the majority. I don’t know enough about people outside of the public record to comment and I’m not sure I would in a forum like this anyway. It would be rumor and opinion that some would take as fact.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
This topic is dying - nice try though. Would asking everyone to list three things that they think would improve Brandon be a good topic? At least it would be a little more positive.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
#1 New city council
#2 Permanent fire chief
#3 A definate plan for parks to keep up with home/business construction, we’re sadly lacking.
September 16th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Don’t like this purported “boys club?” Run for office. But then you wouldn’t have much to complain about, now would you?
September 16th, 2007 at 8:16 am
#12
People run every election for reasons just like this. So I’m sure people will now too. People have every right to complain about this if they feel there is a possibility of truth. You’d have to have ESP to see a boys club PRIOR to an election. However, people may think about that now before they vote.
September 17th, 2007 at 7:45 am
80/20 Rule — 80% Complain
20% Do
Then the Doer’s are considered a good old boys club or cult.
Food for thought!!
September 17th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
We will all see how tight the GOB club is when the replacement for Kathy Ford is announced. My guess is that it will be a familiar name.
September 17th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
#14 - Golden Rule, He who has the gold, rules.
It is the motivation behind the doing that matters. Also food for thought!
September 17th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
As someone who has long been on the inside on several key issues in Brandon, I can tell you that their has been and continues to be a group or groups of people that wield undue influence over much of what happens in this community, and do so for their own personal gain. It’s too bad that doing what is right, choicing a representative because they are the right choice, or supporting a certain position because it’s best for everyone, not just yourself or your friends isn’t important anymore. I know, and have worked with every one of the members that sit at that table in City Hall (except Kathy Ford), and I am saddened at their lack of good judgement when it comes to the issues that I listed. Unfortunetly, those of you who chose to vote in the elections as if they were a “popularity contest,” and not a serious responsibility. You folks picked these poor leaders, now deal with the consequences.
September 17th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
…yes, I CAN spell. Sorry, “…chosing a representative…” not “…choicing…”
September 18th, 2007 at 6:47 am
Ano-17– not sure who you are but you are right on. The council will pick a replacement, and I can garrantee it will not be the most qualified. We’ve been talking about the good ole boys, the council is controled by them and its not neccessarily the council members. Our city employees are not the cleanest individuals. Unfortunately, what is going on in city hall is very discourageing for those who know and care about Brandon.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Talk about caring for Brandon, they are now looking at getting rid of the police dept and going with Minnehaha County coverage. How much sense does that make? We just voted to bring the ambulance to town and now they want to get rid of the police dept. WOW! Get on your council members now if you do not want this to happen because the wheels are in motion.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Anonymous-holy #@$# why would we want that to happen. I know several of our local police. They seem very dedicated to Brandon, I don’t know exactly but I’m pretty sure a couple other than the retiring Chief have been working here for quite a while, maybe fifteen years. I take it the good ol boys are also responsible for this? I hope in fact its not true. WHATS NEXT? here’s an idea, maybe we should contract out some other vital City functions like public works, parks or even City Hall. Did I just say that out loud? Shame on me.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:31 am
This is not a rummer. I personnaly cannot believe it is even being considered. They talked about response times with the ambulance. When I call 911 I don’t want to wait for a deputy that is currently in another town because it is past the hours of paid coverage. I believe besides Phil there is an officer that has been there 20 years and one 16 years. The only reason this makes sense is a money issue and if they wouldn’t be paving a perfectly good parking lot for a council room or hiring an assistant to the city administrator maybe they wouldn’t be short. The police are here for the citizens and a vote like this takes away from us. I would like the council to speak up and this point and let us know why this has been being done behind the citizens backs as well as the officers. Maybe they all should be replaced and we move on with people who care about the city.
September 19th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I too would like to know why all this police business is going on behind closed doors. I am going to make sure that I call my council reps and let them know how I feel. Everyone else should do the same. We need people down there that know how listen to the people that voted them in!!!!
September 19th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Can we out source the council?
September 19th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
At last, we are one up on the big city to the west. They don’t want to hire any new law inforsment personnel, we gonna fire all ours…Bu*& ^%$t
September 19th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Electing officials from the public is the American way, but it doesn’t always provide the best candidates to run the government. Just because someone is a great shoe salesman, or florist or business owner doesn’t mean they know a thing about how government works.
I think a lot of times, people who are elected think it will be easy, or that they can have things the way they want because they get to vote. The thing they don’t always realize is that they have to follow the law. Once they realize that, sometimes they think that they can just change the law. But they also have to answer to the people.
By the same token, the people as well have to understand how the law works and let their elected representatives know how they feel.
Our type of government in this country works best when we have an informed public. Please do your part to be informed, and if you are an elected official, please take the time to learn how to do you job, so you can serve the public as you were elected to do.
September 19th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I don’t think we have had an informed public since “W” took office, and now I have seen it here in Brandon…too many behind door deals..SAD..
September 19th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Call your council and let them know what you think about having the County Sheriffs Dept keeping watch on your city. Milstead and his boys were at city hall tonite giving a proposal. If the citys biggest worry is to save money, get rid of Dennis Olsen.. He cant do his job anymore which is obvious because he needed an asst, drop his salary and benefits and we would be back to even.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Alica, you are correct in your comments, I would correct you in two of your comments one, we have a council right now that not only thinks they can chage the laws but go right ahead and approves things that are in direct violation of the ordinances that are on the books. They have done it numerous times, and have even been told they are doing it, and should only do it if they change the ordinance, but they elect to ignor. If people were to dig into some of the votes and the people behind it you’d see who really controls the city.
Second , your right this is the best form of government, if only people electing these individuals would do so based on the candidates having some knowledge of what they are getting in to. We tend to elect peolpe for the wrong reason in this city. And hence is the start of the problem, they no nothing about the running of city hall and Dennis takes over telling them how to do it. Which is reflected in the voting. What we really need are individuals that will stand up to Dennis!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Is this for real??? A few months ago, the county oversight (REMSA) for ambulance services wasn’t GOOD ENOUGH for Brandon, and we went ahead and are hiring our own.
Now were cutting the police department to save money??? WHAT A JOKE.
I suppose the next thing they’ll do is give the savings from the PD as a subsidy to Medstar cause he’ll whine he can’t afford to run in Brandon. (which is what the people against the ordinance change kept telling them)
I’m seriously thinking of moving out of Brandon. Lower quality emergency services across the board, That’s real smart politicing.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I can not honestly believe that the city council members would be so dumb as to fire all of our police force. The size of our town is consistantly growing and we need and want our police force. They all work hard and our town shines because of their efforts. I will move i we are left without our local inforcement. They are needed.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
What kind of logic is this? REMSA/Minnehaha County Ambulance Service takes too long and we need a service here in town … but we don’t need a police department in town. What are you guys drinking?? Let me tell you. If Dennis Olson were running the council, we wouldn’t be wasting time discussing these self-serving issues, and we wouldn’t be changing ordinances and lowering our standards so we can get a sub-standard ambulance service to replace the excellent service we have had for years. Should the City have to provide a doctor so Med-Star can get emergency room instructions? Will the City have to provide liability insurance to cover the service rendered? With our current ambulance service we don’t have to provide either. Which one of the council members shall we sue when Med-Star screws up?
This decision directly effects every citizen of Brandon. Let your council people know what you want. You voted them in, now tell them how you want them to vote. Anyone knowing the Med-Star history could not in good conscience vote to oust the county ambulance service for Med-Star.
The person chosen to fill the vacancy on the council is key to the future of Brandon. We don’t need another SELF-SERVING GOB. We need someone who is truly interested in the welfare and future of Brandon.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
First of all, I hope people in Brandon become informed before they start to judge whether or not they want the Sheriff’s Dept. to provide Law Enforcement for there Community. I think we would all agree that the Police Dept. has done a good job of providing a safe community for all of us! We all have friends or personally know Officers with the Brandon Police Dept. I think we all need to listen to all of the facts that the City Council presents to us before we start to rush to judgement. From what I have heard the Council is looking at ways to resolve some of the issues that are occurring with the Police Dept. (Turn over rate, wages) If you were told that you could save $250,000 to $300,000 a year and provide the same quality of Law Enforcement to the city, wouldnt that be a responsible City Council? That would be a savings of a Million dollars in 4 to 5 years. Imaging what the city could do with that! Now some of you may argue that we wouldnt get the same quality service as our local Dept. If that were true than why is every Community in Minnehaha County contracting with the Sheriff’s Dept.? We all know that in this day and age, your larger Police Depts. have highly trained Officers. (That includes the Sheriff’s Dept.) I would think that the Council would make sure that our Community will be provided with the best service possible and not just some small town Cops. Again I hope everyone is open minded and listens to everything before you make a decision on this subject.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Sorry, you cannot provide the same protection with the county as you can with the city officers. If we have county protection they will have to leave the city if there is an accident, or disburance somewhere else in Minnehaha County. Where as our city officers could stay in Brandon and let the County officers handle the disturbance wherever it may be.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Hey, here’s an idea! The city could contract with MedStar to provide police protection for the citizens of Brandon. After all, Mr. Masur has just as much experience providing police protection (none) as he does providing 911 ambulance service (none)!
September 21st, 2007 at 6:21 am
brandon4ever,
There’s a couple of posters (or different names) including you, who know details before they hit the media, why doesn’t the council just hold a city forum instead of using the internet?
September 21st, 2007 at 6:29 am
And I agree with #34. You can’t get more for less these days. Grass is always greener with this council.
They want to save money on Police and spend money on Ambulance?
Somebody’s going to get hurt before they figure out.
September 21st, 2007 at 7:54 am
Dakota Dad #14, I would say it is more like 95% bitch, 5% do. Seems like the 95% like to hang out on this blog.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:03 am
To Anonymous…you point out that the Sheriff’s Office will have to respond to calls outside of the city. So does the Brandon PD. I have seen them in the City of Valley Springs, Hwy 11 and Hwy 42. Every Law Enforcement will respond to emergencies when needed.