Sioux Falls City Council takes heat for mayor's remarks on 'culture wars'

Citizens challenge Paul TenHaken’s recommendation for Legislature next session

The Sioux Falls City Council prepares to take open comment at their Tuesday meeting. A first of its kind disclaimer for city council meetings warns of explicit language to follow. (City of Sioux Falls)

Mayor Paul TenHaken’s pleading for the incoming state Legislature to steer clear of “culture war” issues has sparked backlash from at least some of his constituents.

Several voiced their discontent with those remarks during the Sioux Falls City Council’s regular meeting, criticizing TenHaken’s comments, which were made during a press conference last week outlining the city’s end-of-year benchmarks and to-date successes.

“We can’t respond even when people say things we don’t like,” TenHaken said, anticipating a contentious public comment period Tuesday night. “Which will likely happen tonight.”

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