Opinion

A tearful twist on the taffy tale

Published by admin on Thu, 06/02/2022 - 9:11am

I saw a recent post on Facebook about the terrible closing of the Rushmore Mountain Taffy shop in Keystone. The post essentially said the taffy shop was their family tradition, and the reason their family comes to Keystone.
I can relate to that.
Whenever I visit my mom in New Jersey I always go to my favorite candy shop Jenkinson’s on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach. It’s the only reason I visit that particular boardwalk.

Attending B-21 groundbreaking

Published by admin on Thu, 06/02/2022 - 9:10am

Greetings! Rep. Trish Ladner and I had the distinct pleasure of attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the new B-21 Raider coming to Ellsworth Air Force Base. The actual buildings are being called “low observable restoration facilities.”
Gen. Anthony Cotton was the keynote speaker.  He is the Commander of Air Force Global Command and also Air U.S. Strategic Command stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base located in northwest Louisiana.  This base is just south of Shreveport, La.  

Property tax study set to begin

Published by admin on Thu, 06/02/2022 - 9:09am

In the past we have fought hard together on some key issues and we have proven that when District 30 stands together on an issue, our voice is powerful! I was proud to stand with you and fight against the expansion of Custer State Park and introduce legislation to re-assess the agriculture grassland taxes. The next battleground for us is the property tax issue. We will need that same passion and level of participation we had about opposing the Custer State Park as we head into addressing the property tax issues that are before us.

Honoring our heroes’ legacy

Published by admin on Thu, 05/26/2022 - 10:16am

Throughout our nation’s history, the freedoms we enjoy have been won and protected by an elite group who understand the greatest and most selfless love.  The men and women of our armed forces risk the ultimate sacrifice to protect fellow Americans and citizens of the world from tyranny and oppression.  Every time they put on the uniform, these heroes renew their commitment to pay any price, to bear any burden, so that we might be free.
Memorial Day was born of compassion and empathy for those who courageously gave their lives to safeguard us and our way of life.

We are a Second Amendment sanctuary

Published by admin on Thu, 05/26/2022 - 10:14am

Over the past two years, America has seen some of the most concerning attacks on freedom in our history. Governments seized previously unimagined power over our day-to-day lives. Churches were forced to close, forsaking freedom of religion. Big Tech and government alike attempted to police speech, something that is supposed to be free for all. And though the Supreme Court seems poised to advance the right to life of all people, renewed attacks on that right are only just beginning.
Amid all this, the right that exists to defend all other rights is also under assault.

What are your dreams?

Published by admin on Thu, 05/26/2022 - 9:51am

What are your dreams? I don’t mean those hazy and confusing stories that dance across your mind at night. I mean your hopes and goals. What do you want to do more than anything else? What makes you excited to get up in the morning and keep pushing through even though it is hard?

Responding to the swamp postcard

Published by admin on Thu, 05/26/2022 - 9:44am

When opening my mailbox last Wednesday I found the hit piece on me that most of you received as well.  It is ironic that the swamp members sent this postcard. South Dakota Strong is a liberal political action committee in Watertown where Sen. Lee Schoenbeck is the head Republican In Name Only (RINO).

Property tax study gets green light

Published by admin on Thu, 05/26/2022 - 9:43am

Good news! Last week at the executive board meeting in Pierre, the board and the Legislative Research Council (LRC) approved the “Property Tax Structure and Tax Burden Study” that I proposed last March. The study will take place over the summer.

FLDS compound goes up for sale

Published by admin on Thu, 05/26/2022 - 9:43am

Yep, the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) compound, located at 11584 Farmer Road outside Custer, is up for sale. It is actually a long way from the closest town of Pringle.  
Of course, everyone knows where Pringle is, right?  Cell service, internet service and GPS is intermittent at best, so here are my directions: Go to Pringle and stop in at the Hitchin’ Rail (or Hitchin’ Post?) restaurant/bar and ask the local patrons how to get to the compound. If you can’t find Pringle, maybe it is best you don’t venture out.

Five thousand dollars

Published by admin on Thu, 05/19/2022 - 10:16am

Five thousand dollars.
That’s my takeaway on what the Hill City Common Council and Planning and Zoning Commission decided that a firefighter’s life is worth.
Five thousand dollars.
 How did I or they come up with that number?