Police or sheriff? (take 2)
October 6th, 2007 by 
Alica
What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages of replacing the Brandon Police Department with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and is that still an option on the table?
Posted in Uncategorized | 
October 6th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I think this choice should be up to the people and not left up to the Council. We know the council has been thinking of this as an option since they have spoken with the county. We think they haven’t gotten very far in that process. Before the issue can be brought up to a vote, we need to have all of the information presented to the public. What coverage currently exists, how much does it cost, will the officers be able to work for the county, whose laws are enforced, who gets the money from tickets, fines, etc. Once this information is presented in public forums or in some other way, we can vote on it.
I think the vote will be to keep the BFD, because I don’t see how the county can provide the same coverage for a lower cost. That’s what I think, but I need hard figures to make that what I know. I also don’t know what it takes to get a referendum on the ballot – timing, etc. I just think it should be a decision made by all of the people of Brandon..
October 7th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Good Morning, Everyone! I wanted to let everyone know that today is the last day of work for a parting police officer…
I want to wish Officer Matt Sawh the best of luck in his future endeavors. You will be missed, Officer Sawh!
Thank you for working so hard for the city of Brandon!
If you see Officer Sawh during his rounds today, thank him for a job well done!
October 7th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
I never got to meet or get to know Officer Sawh, but I thank him for his service to Brandon and wish him well in his future endeavors.
October 8th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Posted Argus Leader 10/08/2007
Heath Earl Tople, 37, Brandon Plead guilty to violation of protection order, stalking, physical injury; sentenced to 365 ddays jail time, 275 days suspended.
Have fun in jail Heath! No blogging for you for awhile.
October 8th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
I to will miss Officer Sawh. We have lost another GREAT Officer and a good friend to many. Hopefully the city will find out what is going wrong before we lose another.
October 9th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Community Advisor…..lets stay on topic and stop trashing other people. If we want to have an intelligent blogging interaction, we need to stay repectful of other people!!
October 9th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Thank you #6, I appreciate the common sense…….Now, “Community Advisor”, show an ounce of courage and either call me (366-7057 / 582-7151), meet me face to face or identify yourself. You’ve made this personal and ugly. It didn’t have to be….by the way, I am NOT in jail, have NOT been in jail, am NOT going to have to be in jail, and I “honestly” sign my own name. Finally, I have NEVER tried to be a politician, but have had the good fortune to be able to serve the people of my community….and will always serve when I am asked. Can you give me any redeeming qualities you have, other than that you provide plenty of carbon dioxide to our atmosphere and fertilizer to our lives.
October 9th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Community Advisor and Heath not in jail Tople need to take their conversation elsewhere. I believe the question posed to us was the advantages and disadvantages of the Sheriff’s office taking over the BPD’s duties. You two folks need to settle your issues, probably be best not on a public webpage concerning the police coverage in our city.
October 9th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Thank you Rob!!! I guess I don’t understand why this council wanted us to have our own ambulance service, but they wanted to contract out for our police?? Doesn’t make sense to me. Anyway, this vote is a done deal so we need to look foward and support our new police chief (whoever it may be!!)
October 9th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
# 8 You are 100% accurate.
Why not a community forum?
If the city council dropped the idea should it not be discussed if it has merit?
October 9th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
I really don’t understand why we are even still discussing this. The council has stated they are no longer intrested in the Sheriffs Department. If any of you were at the meeting you would have heard what I did. Or is there something else we should know?
October 9th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Did they really say they are not interested. Alica have you talked to anyone from the City or the Sheriff’s Office, what about a forum. If we don’t go with the Sheriff’ Office, Wade is not ready for such responsibility, new blood is needed.
October 9th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Not getting your way “community advisor?” Cry some more or go back to bashing people, your good at both.
October 9th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Do you know why “community advisor” we’re still discussing this? Because people are concerned, uninformed and misled. Deny that we have 4 UN-CERTIFIFIED police officers on our current force!! That’s 40% of our PD is out carrying a loaded weapon and is NOT certified to do so and has not even had the most basic training to be a police officer other than some observation. Does that sound like a good idea? If you think so, you’re out of your F$&@KING MIND! Oh, but I forgot, we shouldn’t be discussing this issue ’cause you don’t want to anymore.
October 9th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
So soon we’ll have an unqualified ambulance service to go along with 40% of our unqualified police officers? Holy cr*p. What does our city council have against QUALITY emergency services?
October 9th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
You have to be kidding me, 40% of the Department is working right now, on patrol and are not certified, hope the City has good insurance, they are going to need it. Now that is bad management.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Yeah and wait until council hires a ambulance service that’s a step down from what we had and when something goes wrong, another lawsuit. Hope the council comes up with some extra cash in the budget.
October 10th, 2007 at 6:40 am
Here is the report from the 3 people that were appointed by the council to check on the ambulance application(s)
The Brandon Ambulance Quality Assurance Committee
Recommendation to the City Council
October 1, 2001
Committee Members:
Dr. Nicolas Van Es, Physician with Sanford Health
Bonnie Petersen, Certified Nurse Practitioner with Sanford Health
Mary Brooks, Retired Registered Nurse and Resident
Applicant for Ambulance Service for Brandon, SO:
MED-Star Paramedic Ambulance Inc.
Goal and Plan for Committee:
The plan for this committee is to review applications for an ambulance provider for the city of
Brandon. We would review the application and complete a background research of the
applicant, compile a list of information obtained, and then give recommendations and
concerns to the City Council.
We feel that the ultimate goal should be to have an ambulance service that gives Brandon the
same or equal quality of care, if not better than what we have previously had.
Interviews by phone regarding this application that were done:
1. The City of Aberdeen
2. The City of Huron
3. Dr. Kevin Vaska
4. The Veteran’s Hospital of Sioux Falls
5. Rural Metro Ambulance Service
6. Sanford Health System
7. Avera McKennan Hospital
Other information gathered or requested and reviewed:
1. The application of MED-Star Paramedic Ambulance Inc.
2. Background checks on the staff of MED-Star Paramedic Ambulance Inc
3. Additional background checks from other states -this was denied
4. Credit Check on MED-Star Paramedic Ambulance Inc. -this was denied
Our findings, recommendations and concerns are as follows:
1. If this ambulance Service is selected: The residents of Brandon would rely on the City
and City Council to assure that the applicant has the required ground ambulance
licenses as required by the City , the County and the State. (Refer to Application # F) It
would be the responsibility of the Ambulance Service to notify the City with any
variation in the required licensure.
2. If this ambulance Service is selected: The residents of Brandon would rely on the City
and the City Council to assure that the applicant has Insurance verification as listed in
the Ordinance #404 Section 6-7-8. (Refer to Application # N) It would be the
responsibility of the Ambulance Service as listed in the Ordinance to notify the city in
the case of any variation in insurance coverage as required.
3. MED-star Ambulance Inc. is the contracted provider for ambulance service for the
Sioux Falls Veteran’s Hospital. They listed their service with them as outstanding and
only good comments were given.
4. Availabillty- Ordinance #404 Section 6-7-11. (Refer to Application # H) The 24/7/365″
would mean having staff at the ambulance garage at all times. This would not mean
having someone on cal,. It would need to be taken into consideration that if a call is
taken, it could mean that that ambulance and staff could be gone an hour or more.
There would need to be staff called in to cover at the garage at that point. We would
wonder if the cost of this staffing has been taken into consideration. If finances
become a problem, is the City of Brandon and its citizens going to be asked to finance
this service?
Equipment Required -Ordinance #404 Section 6~7~9. (Refer to Application # J) MEDStar
does not have all the required equipment/medication as listed by REM SA. ( See
attachment) MED-Star Paramedic Ambulance Inventory List showed in most cases
more numbers of the items then required. This required equipment/medications needs
to be completed prior to licensure in Brandon. This completed inventory would need
to be verified by someone prior to approval.
5
6. Medical Director- Ordinance #404 Section 6-7-13. We reviewed the application listing
Dr. Kevin Vaska as the Medical Director. Dr. Vaska is a well know Cardiologist in the
Sioux Falls area. His credentials are outstanding for Cardiology. When Dr. Van Es
visited with Dr. Vaska, he was under the impression he would review records and set
protocols for Cardiology patients only. Although Dr. Vaska meets all the listing for the
Brandon Ordinance, we would recommend a Family Practice or Emergency Room
Physician. Our concern is for broad spectrum knowledge of everything that the
ambulance crew would encounter. For example, the protocol and care of the patient
who has complications of Diabetes, Asthma, Seizures, or the needs of a Trauma or
Pediatric patient. Also we feel that an ambulance service would want 24 hour access
to medical control. In visiting with Avera McKennan and Sanford USD Medical Center ,
the ambulance service will not be able to use medical control from the hospitals.
These hospitals also confirm our recommendation for a Medical Director .
7. MED-Star Ambulance Service did attempt to set up an ambulance service in Huron
and Aberdeen. Mary did contact both cities to check on their service there. In
speaking with the Fire Chief for Aberdeen she was told that their services at that time
could only be by a special call number and not 911. He was unsure of the exact time
that they were there but it could have been 2-3 months. At first they had two
ambulances there and then finally just one. His comment was that they never made
arrangements for leaving and just disappeared. This left. people waiting for their
services that never came. There was one incident where the person called the
number they had left. and was answered by MED-Star in Brandon, who called the
ambulance service in Aberdeen. There was a period of time where people were trying
to contact them and they had left. no information that they were no longer there. The
Aberdeen department had to get information out on this.
8. I also contacted Huron where MED-Star set up services after Aberdeen. The person I
talked to there was not sure how long they serviced the area. It was set up the same
way with a private number to call since Huron has an ambulance service that does 911
calls. He said MED-Star”s communication was by cell phone and that this is unreliable
in some areas there. He was not sure when they left, but he knew the water was shut
off to the building that they were using. Again there was no notice that they were
leaving.
9. A concern the committee that has our medical background is the experience level of
the service. The application with the list of staff does not give their experience with 911
cares. We realize that they are staffed with Paramedics and EMrs and they are required
to maintain continuing educations hours. The applying service has been doing mainly
transporting of patients and that does not gain experience with the care of the acutely ill
patient. For example patients with cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, trauma and the care
of pediatric patients, etc. The average response time for the Brandon Fire Department for
the year 2004 was 5 minutes, 10 seconds and for 2005 it was 4 minutes, 21 seconds.
Rural Metro’s average response time for 2006 was 18.48minutes for Code 1 and 13.39
minutes for Code 3 and 4. There would be a benefit in time in making that first contact
with the patient, but if there is not experience to care for the patient on the site or during
transport that may not make any difference.
10. The committee also feels that MED-Star will need to initiate and maintain a
relationship with the various hospitals that they will be transporting patients to. This
includes, Avera McKennan, Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota and Sanford USD
Medical Center. The continuity of care for the patient will be crucial.
Other recommendations for a Brandon Ambulance Service:
1. There needs to be a set of standards for this service to maintain. These could be set
up and monitored by the Ambulance Quality Assurance Committee.
2. There needs to be a probationary period and the contract can be nullified if all aspects
are not abided by. Keeping in mind that if the Ambulance Service can not maintain the
requirements and standards, we may be left with no ambulance service for Brandon.
3. Feed back from the ER Doctors on the services that are provided by the Ambulance
Service.
4. There would be follow-up from patients who use the Ambulance Services.
5. There would be routine and unannounced spot checks done by the Ambulance
Committee for Quality Assurance.
6. There would be total cooperation between the Ambulance Service and the Ambulance
Committee for Quality Assurance.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:38 am
WOW..the first nice thing you’ve said about me since this whole thing started. Please allow me to raise my respect for you and do exactly what you suggested and make these remarks face to face or at least allow me to spell your REAL name correctly. Now, truly on to a more serious note…I have always tried to take the high road and rise above it, but enough is enough. Here’s a question….did you know that we have 4 UN-CERTIFIFIED police officers on our current force!! That’s 40% of our PD is out carrying a loaded weapon and is NOT certified to do so and has not even had the most basic training to be a police officer other than some observation. Does that sound like a good idea? If you think so, you’re out of your mind. It is my understanding that in order for a police officer in South Dakota to be “certified” he/she must attend the training academy in Pierre for a number of weeks and be taught the essential skills and techniques of police work. I am not totally familiar with their entire curriculum, but I do know that it is an intensive program and one that EVERY one of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office and the Sioux Falls Police Department are required to attend. In addition, certified law enforcement officers are required to become “weapons qualified” at least once every 12 months, but I believe it is actually twice a year. In this instance a qualified weapons expert puts the candidate through a series of testing to make sure they can discharge their weapon quickly, safetly, and accuratetly. If they don’t reach a minimum number score…they do NOT pass and must re-take the training. I DO NOT BELEIVE ANY OF THE FOUR officers I spoke of are “pistol qualified,” yet they carry these side arms and theoretically could draw and discharge them in the course of duty. I am personally aware of a number of our veteran officers who have gone WELL BEYOND the required time for weapons certification and have even had to attempt to pass more than once. We in Brandon have been in the habit of hiring non-certified officers with the intension to eventually sending them to the academy (at city expense) so that can receive that training and use it on the streets of Brandon…that coupled with a length of time were they shadow a veteran officer and learn real-life practical technique. Is that a good idea for Brandon? What do you think? I know this exact question has been asked of both Mayor Larry Beesley and Chief Youngdale.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Some people on this blog need to just go away. Their blogs are dumb and pointless. Some people really need to make sure they are giving accurate information and not just pulling it out of their butts. Get over it people!
October 10th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Heath,
Again don’t know what he is talking about. Police Officers have 12 months to get certified from the time they are hired with a department if they are full time. Yes, I think Brandon has some uncertified officers, but they are not given weapons until they are qualified to use them. I think Barry is a certified instructor and does qualify them before they are handed a weapon, use some common sense. That’s why this BLOGGING is a load of crap because people like you get on here and publish non-sense and don’t have all the facts either. The academy does not cost the department anything but the hourly wage for the person attending; it is funded by the state. Get the facts before you start printing stuff.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:08 am
They may be qualified with the weapon, but until they go to Pierre, they are not certified.
October 10th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Who’s full of crap…..I personally spoke with your new female officer within the past few months….she HAS NOT been to the academy and is carrying a sidearm! You are a lying SOB! We may disagree, but don’t just out and out lie! Also, the FACT remains we have 40% of our officers who are NOT certified….you show me otherwise and if they are NOT carrying weapons. I spoke with Barry several times as the former Police Councilman about weapons certification. He is qualified to do so, but very ofen the department would use Canton Police Chief Al Wornok. He also spoke of veterans who would evade his insistence on getting their certification up to date regularly. Listen to yourself, “the academy doesn’t cost the department anything but the hourly wage of the person attending….” IT COSTS THE CITY SOMETHING, by your own admission we are spending money from the city and receiving NO service. Why don’t YOU get the facts before you go spouting off!!
October 10th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Yea, like #22 said. Get it straight.
October 10th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Argus Leader Crimminal section (10/08/2007) you could have read this yourself. But I guess if the honest Heath Tople is dening this do some research? Honesty is key Tople, tell the people. Fact, Facts, Facts you want them tell the truth?
October 10th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
“Community Advisor” I really love your comments! And also I would like to add I believe that there are only 3 officers not certified right now and 1 of those officers is at the academy so who is the 4th?
October 10th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
All I can say is I am done trying to convince someone so unbelievably ignorant and who blatantly LIES!!! I was at every City Council meeting for over 4 years….where you? I spoke with an armorer for the County Sheriff’s Office as well as for the SF PD. State Law requires you to be certified TWICE within 12 months. You’ve been to all of the meetings…since when? I too agree…get the facts from those who have the courage to say who they are and attribute their source, not some HOT AIR BAG who STILL is too much of coward to come out from hiding behind a false name. I also find it interesting that the only thing you can seem to find to throw back at me is some 90 days nonsense. I renew my challenge…..call me or meet me face to face anytime if you have the courage! To everyone else…..I’m sorry you have to endure the attacks and lies!
October 10th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I will be nice and not touch Mr. Topel’s ignorant message. So are you saying you have not been charged with the crimes I have mentioned? Honest now, Mr. Topel. Where you at the last few meetings, that’s what I thought! Now, Shut up! Sorry everyone, I had to vent 1 last time. It won’t happen again, on to positive things.
October 10th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I don’t understand the fixation on where or not the BPD Officers have had weapons training, that is not the big issue. The issue is if the City has Officers on the street working in a law enforcement capacity and they have not been through the State certification. Now this is an issue. Think about it.
October 10th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
GOD Community Advisor you’re a dick! You first insult someone and then say you’re sorry to everyone. I’ve just re-read all 28 posts on this thread and all of the other related threads. Maybe you should just shut up, that would definetely be on to positive things! By the way, I know Heath Tople and he can spell his name. That’s probably why he uses it when he sends messages, and why you don’t.
October 10th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Why don’t you, America the FREE!
October 10th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
America is free, so why won’t our leaders treat us like adults and put out all the information on this issue?
October 11th, 2007 at 8:41 am
That is a very good question. We should ALL attend these meeting until this police and ambulance issues are finished. This is our community and we ALL should make the difference not just 6.
October 11th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
yeah for #26!!! Only 2 un-certified and 1 at the academy right now. One’s that have been hired that are not certified were either family members or friends of Mr. Else….hmmmmm…
October 12th, 2007 at 10:44 am
The city has yet to look inside the department for its problem. I feel some more resignations coming down the pipe? Mark my word on that 1! Its more than money but they refused to address it I guess. Soon Brandon will have to go with the county for lack of officers.
October 13th, 2007 at 7:30 am
We have to look at going with the County, it is a good business decision. It is getting to expensive for Brandon to keep hiring people that then go to the Sheriff’s Office or the Sioux Falls PD. And I know it is not all about money. If something big happens the County takes it over already. Right now we have a very well paid traffic section, but not really good follow up. This is just may opinion.
October 13th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Nice opinion #36.. But consider this. There as been 1 that went to SF and 1 that went to county. SOOO pondering the question WHY! WHY WHY WHY do they want to leave. From what i have heard the benefits are outstanding for city employees. SO. if the problems within haven’t been solved or resolved in the past 5-6 years then BRING IN SOMEONE FROM OUTSIDE! And good lord no more friends or relatives of someone on the board or the PD dept. It needs someone totally impartial. Yet someone that will stand up and defend the PD to the city council and now bow down, take it, Brandon needs it’s own dept. Good Grief people think forward not backwards..Think through it. Be independant thinkers and not follow blindly what harry buck wants..
October 14th, 2007 at 7:07 am
This time around, one went to the Sioux Falls PD and Minnehaha County, but one also went to Lincoln County and several have left to pursue other opportunities. I think you are right # 37, if we don’t look at going with the County, we need someone from outside the current administration to come in, with new ideas. I still would just like to see what the offer would have been with the County.
October 14th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to the citizens of Brandon for allowing me the chance to serve this community. I thank you for your kind departing words.
Allow me to help some of you understand how the world of law enforcement works. In the state of South Dakota, there are 3 ways to get “certified” as a “peace officer”. #1: Get hired by a department that sponsors you to attend the academy. The cost to the department is only the hourly salary paid to the officer. The cost to send an officer is paid by a portion of the fine money accrued from various traffic violations which you may have been ticketed for (i.e. speeding, traffic sign/light violations). The second way to get certified is, pay your own way. This is a tidy sum of money. This happens when you are not sponsored by a police department. The cost of this, I don’t know. The 3rd way is through reciprocity. This is achieved by either being certified in another state, or by education requirements. Military training counts too.
Let’s look at item #1. Once hired by a department, the department has 12 months to get the officer to the academy. As far as the weapons issue in the city of Brandon; no officer will carry a fire arm until that officer has been properly trained to do so, by a certified firearms instructor. All officers must also re-qualify on an annual basis. The city of Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County “shoot” twice a year by there own policy. State mandates only once a year. And to clarify a point brought up by Mr. Tople. Canton was only used once. This is because the back stop of the range used by our police department is now several new houses full of people. Chief Warnock was in attendance because it was his range. As far as any fee paid, I don’t know.
Having worked for this city I can tell you the officers of this department are hard working and dedicated to protecting you. All officers know going into this field that they are not going to get rich doing it. They strap on a gun, a bullet proof vest, and go to work knowing they will make a difference. As far as running radar and making traffic stops…….IT IS PART OF THE JOB. When you see an officer sitting on a particular road running radar, it is because there is a problem with traffic violators on that particular road. When an officer is not around doesn’t mean the law changes. When I was an officer, it was common to receive a complaint from a citizen about traffic violators on a particular road on neighborhood. We would then increase patrol in that area. We as officers do spend a lot of time on the side streets patrolling the neighborhoods. These times are documented and submitted to the Chief of Police on a daily basis.
I hope this help some people understand a little bit better. It is not a personal attack toward anyone. Again I thank you all for your kind words and thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely
Matthew Sawh
October 17th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
“Inflation was cited as the reason for council action to increase the golf course’s operating funds. Brandon’s 2007 budget was $1,115,791. The council set the 2008 budget at $1,197,941, a jump of $82,150.” Am I the only one that thinks this is backwards. 1 point 2 million for the golf course to operate?! what happened to self sufficiant? i just dont understand
October 18th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
The good ol’ boys have to have somewhere to go besides Sneakers?
October 18th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
The gold course brings in revenue for the City
October 18th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
As to the raise in budget for the golf course.
Capital Improvement Project:
$70,000 quote from engineer to fix #13 tee box (old #4). Spring floods is collapsing the tee box. Lost 10 feet of bank last spring.
3% raise for entire golf course staff- $11,200
Feel free to contact me regarding the golf course budget.
brandongolf@alliancecom.net
582-7100
October 18th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I get a kick out of all this. Now people are looking at places to make cuts, like the Golf Course, which actually brings revenue in to the City coffers. Just think what the City could have done with $1,000,000 in three years of savings with going with the County for law enforcement coverage. Makes you think doesn’t it.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
If the golf course is supposed to be self supporting, why is the city paying the bills?
PS…the course made a whole 26,000 last year. I would think they could turn a better profit than that.
October 20th, 2007 at 9:20 am
I would imagine the city is paying the bills because IT IS CITY OWNED.
I think those that are concerned about the golf course should be happy if it breaks even. Think about the other economic benefits to the city besides just turning a profit. If it generates 1.2 million in revenue, isn’t that about $36,000 annually in sales tax rev to the city? Not to mention all the people it brings to town which has a ripple effect in the other businesses, as well as real estate development.
Here is an interesting article from the paper in Aberdeen in 2006 regarding their city owned golf course Lee Park.
Golf Course shouldn’t have to break even”" -headline
Lee Park Golf Course shouldn’t have to break even. The course’s budget came up short by $75,781.
Golf Superintendent Gary Nelson said the course is over budget for 2006 because of lack of players. Income was anticipated to be $286,119, but expenses are looking like they will be in the neighborhood of $362,000.
Mayor Mike Levsen said last week that he thought the city should re-evaluate whether a golf course is something the city should expect to make a profit from. He was right.
Levsen also said the city offers bike trails without expecting a profit and maybe that is how the golf course should be viewed.
Right again.
There are any number of city-sponsored programs that don’t make break even, yet we continue to support them. Why single out the golf course?
The golf course is a wonderful addition to the city. It provides a healthy activity for people of all ages and is, no doubt, an attraction for people who travel to our city for either business or entertainment purposes.
Nelson gave several reasons that player numbers are down.
-Early retirees(strong supporters of the course)
-Fewer younger players are coming out
-Competition from area courses
The other two local courses are Rolling Hills, a nine-hole course and Moccasin Creek Country Club, and 18-hole course. Both are private membership courses.
Perhaps the thing to do is to work on developing a public relations campaign to help raise awareness about golf as a sport, especially for younger players. The tactic works well for many other sports locally, including soccer, football,baseball, and hockey.
The thing NOT to do is punish the golf course by raising fees so high that even more players stay away.
Lee Park Golf Course is an asset to the city of Aberdeen, even if it does not turn a profit.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:09 am
i’d like to know the ratio of out of town golfer’s compared to snob hill by the course and alll the city employees that golf for free..nice perk. but i dont see the golf course as being an asset.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
I really don’t think you can compare a bike trail to a golf course! The golf course charges fees (and plenty of them) and are expected to turn a profit. Why are there private owned golf courses then??? To break even, I doubt that very much.
They charge green fees, cart fees, dues. They charge for food, liquor, meeting space. They have a pro shop that has their merchandise marked up for profit.
Always listening- what city employees golf for free?
I guess it’s an asset if you’re golfing for free.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Calling people that have homes by the golf course SNOBS pretty much reveals your character #47.
I like one of your quotes in the sneakers thread.
Quote-
“Keep in mind this blog only represents, at best maybe 200 individuals. Not the main stream of Brandon. This is at best a place for people to anonymously mouth off.”
I see you also do a good job of mouthing off anonymously.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I happen to live by the golf course #47 and I personally take offense to your SNOB reference.
I like one of your quotes in the sneakers thread however.
Quote-
“Keep in mind this blog only represents, at best maybe 200 individuals. Not the main stream of Brandon. This is at best a place for people to anonymously mouth off.”
It is unfortunate that you are describing yourself too.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
As someone who lives by the golf course, I take offense to #47 (always listening) referring to those who live by the golf course as SNOBS.
It reveals hatefulness and immaturity.
October 24th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Sorry about the multiple blogs. 49 thru 52 are mine!
October 26th, 2007 at 9:00 am
#47, I really see who you are now, I also live on the golf course and I am not a snob. The golf course brings in a lot of revenue to the City and business and not just with fees. The club house in booked every weekend and there are several golf tournaments held at the course. These people that come to the golf course also spend money in the City, for gas, snacks, eating at our restaurants. Obviously you don’t understand how having this great golf course brings in money to all the businesses and not just the City.
October 26th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
The golf course brought in a whole 26,000 last year, I don’t consider that “a lot of revenue” If the club house is booked every weekend and there are several tournaments it should be more than that.
They also have a bar and food, that alone should bring in more than 26K.
People may buy gas but that’s about it.
October 26th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
To RESIDENT and LOOKING AHEAD, as another fellow resident of the golf course, here are my 2 cents. First of all I would take these people with a grain of salt.
Regarding ALWAYS LISTENING, those type of stereotypical comments regarding snob hill are what divides a community.
And regarding LEVI, here is what I have to say: The best part of being an idiot is that you have more to learn.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:13 am
To those of you that are on these blogs constantly complaining, constantly name calling…constantly looking for the downside of EVERYTHING, I suggest you free yourself and move away from Brandon. FLY! BE FREE OF THE OPPRESSION!!!!
You don’t like the city council. You don’t like the ambulance service that is going to operate in Brandon. You don’t like the police department. You don’t like the golf course, OR the people that live on or near the golf course…if it is so damn bad, THEN MOVE!!!!!
I believe in free speech, and I certainly believe in letting your voices be heard when you object to something..but this is ridiculous! I just found this BrandonInfo website and wanted to get caught up on what is going on in my former town. What I have read sickens me! People are using this blog to level personal attacks on individuals (Jay Mauser, Freddie, Council members, Wade Else, Heath Tople, people living on the golf course, etc) and why? What do these personal attacks have to do with the issues?
It appears the town I left has changed. That’s too bad. Brandon used to be known for its smalltown, friendly atmosphere. Anyone that might be thinking of moving there ought to read these blogs. I am sure they would change their mind.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:19 pm
resident #3,
Sticks and stones.
former resident,
you don’t have to read it, so don’t. And you’re lucky you moved out of this oppressive town. I’ll be following shortly.
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:05 am
Now that some of the information of coverage is coming out and we should have went with the Sheriff’s Office.