Mayor Paul TenHaken’s administration is making another run at adding an arts specialist to the Sioux Falls city payroll after meeting resistance last fall.

City councilors whacked the position from the mayor’s budget in September, but now they’ve been met with a renewed effort. Last week, during an informational briefing, a packet of letters from dozens of organizations and people endorsing the position was made available to the public.

“As long-term downtown residents and business owners, we gladly submit this letter of support for Mayor Paul TenHaken’s recommendation for a full-time arts specialist for the city of Sioux Falls,” wrote Liz and Ted Heeren of Fresh Produce and Ipso Gallery to councilors, a sampling of the lobbying campaign that is under way. Besides letters from various arts groups, there were endorsements from the Avera and Sanford health systems, Augustana University and the Sioux Falls School District.

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