SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — In recent weeks escalating talks of possibly defunding the cities century-old band has seemingly reached a fever-pitch for some concerned residents. City council meetings have become a mainstay for those rallying in support of keeping the Sioux Falls Municipal Band fully funded by the city.
Supporters have ranged from lifetime residents to South Dakota Symphony Director David Guyer. But recently a new proponent in the fight to keep the band funded by the city is City Councilmen Pat Starr. Starr who was re-elected in 2020 to a second term and representing the city’s Northeast District shared his thoughts on the topic on Kelo’s Jon Michaels Forum.
“The Municipal Band teaches the history of our country. When the Municipal Band plays the medley of the theme songs of the various branches of government and to watch an 80 or 90-year-old gentlemen stand at attention the best he can at his age that’s patriotism,” Starr told Michaels.
Cutting the band from the budget would save the city upwards of $130,000 off a $596,000,000 proposed budget, but those opposed to the city’s proposal to leave the band’s fate to private donations argue that it is a small sum when put up against Sioux Falls’ revenue, and an even smaller price to pay in the name of preserving history.
(Rich Keller contributed to this report.)
Comments