Opinion

Outgrowing 2024

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:36am

Here we are at the end of 2024. I have already crossed off one of my 25 new things in 2025 list; I am not sure it counts since it was done in 2024, but…
During my regular morning read of various spiritual books I came across the idea of leaving things behind. I had already thought a bit about this for the last few weeks, but today’s read cemented my thinking.

Congrats to our Citizen of the Year

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:10am

Way to go, Rex.
It’s around October of each year when we as a staff at the Custer County Chronicle begin to kick around ideas as to who should be our Citizen of the Year. A staff-wide email is sent out asking everyone to nominate a few people, and after everyone submits a few names we take some time to discuss the candidates and the merit behind their nomination. As always, we had no lack of nominations, and all of those nominations had plenty of attributes that would have made them any easy selection as our Citizen of the Year.

Look higher

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:10am

There is something extra special about the first day of a new year. From the first delicious moments of the first sunrise, to the sweet last glow as the sun sets, there is something poignant and sacred about the start of a new year, and all the associated firsts. The world feels clean and unsullied. Winter is fresh upon us. The color that fades from the earth seems to infuse into the sky and the eyes are drawn up, up.

More information on property tax proposal

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 9:01am

Greetings and Merry Christmas! Jesus is the reason for the season.
So what’s up? Well, my emails are flooded with letters about library and South Dakota Public Television cuts suggested in the governor’s address. Remember it has to get through the legislature before anything can be cut. I’m against both of those bad ideas and will do everything I can to stop them.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 9:00am

Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.
DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, “If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.”

A budget for the people

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 8:57am

Our state motto is “Under God, the People Rule.” During my time as governor, I have always kept my budget proposals focused on our people, not government programs. Every dollar that we invest – every policy that we support – should be focused on our people, on making them safer, stronger and freer. Our budgets should always focus on our core priorities. That is what I have done in my first six years as governor, and that is what South Dakota will continue to do.

It’s a wonderful life

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 8:44am

The radio is filled with songs about the most wonderful time of the year, but Christmas can also be a time of reflection. After all, New Year’s is just around the corner. We start thinking about past Christmases, past resolutions and past plans. Some dreams have come true, but other dreams still sit on the shelf. Every so often we pull them down, dust them off and hold them close. But when the nostalgia fades, a lingering sigh escapes as we slide the dreams back into place.

An update on the water/wastewater project

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 8:43am

Merry Christmas! During this week’s council meeting there was a good discussion about the upcoming water/wastewater project.  At the town hall meeting, the council approved a “request for funding” from the state.  How much money (if any) in grants and loans will be received from the state will determine what the projects will cost.  At that time, the city will address the different ideas and phases it will take to accomplish our goals.

The lessons from our high point

Published by admin on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 3:59pm

I just completed my December Harney lookout. Once again in 2024 I have hiked to our state high point in each month. I believe I’m somewhere around 60 or so ascents of Black Elk for my lifetime, but I digress. This column is about this year’s attempts. I’ve learned a lot from them.

Let’s not celebrate someone’s murder

Published by admin on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 3:26pm

We’ve been a little taken aback at some of the reactions to the Dec. 4 daylight killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a busy sidewalk in Midtown Manhattan.