Five vie for seats on Keystone Town Board

Five candidates are vying for two open seat on the Keystone Town Board, a decision that will be made by residents of Keystone  Nov. 3 on a separate ballot from the general election.

Tammy Hunsaker has resided in Keystone for the last 22 years. Hunsaker’s reason for running is that, “Keystone is my home, and I care too much about its future to sit on the sidelines.” 

She said, “I am running for town council because Keystone deserves strong, ethical, transparent leadership. I bring experience, a firm but fair approach and the willingness to address difficult issues openly.”

According to Hunsaker, she has served on “community and tourism boards and held a variety of leadership positions.” She is not currently serving on any other boards and if elected, will not serve on other city boards during her term, “so I can prepare to give this responsibility the attention it deserves.”

According to Hunsaker her priorities are: 

• To protect infrastructure and responsibly prepare for growth: “We need an honest assessment of what our water system and other infrastructure can support.”

• Strengthening visitor spending and sales tax revenue: “A healthy tourism economy helps fund essential services.”

• Planning and funding opportunities: “We need to examine the absence of planning and zoning affects our ability to manage growth and qualify for funding.”

• Giving business owners a meaningful voice in tourism decisions: “I do not believe the current tourism department structure is delivering what our community needs.”

• Making town government accessible year-round: “My first order of business, if elected, will be to work toward live streaming council meetings. Residents who leave for the winter or work long summer hours deserve to follow the decisions that affect them. We also need clear ways for them to ask questions and provide input.”

• Transparency: “Transparency means people can see how decisions are made, understand where their money goes and know their concerns have been heard.”

Nathan Phelps has lived in Keystone for six years and is currently employed at Nelson’s Oil and Gas. 

Phelps does not currently serve on any other boards. If elected, Phelps believes he can, “give a different view.”

Phelps’ main concern for the town is water.

“The biggest issue Keystone is facing is water,” said Phelps.

“I would like to see change,” said Phelps. “There is a lot I don’t know but would like to try to make changes.”

Sandi McLain has been a resident of Keystone since 2005 but has owned her Keystone business, Big Thunder Gold Mine, since 1993. 

McClain said she, “is very community-minded and have served on many boards.” According to McLain, she has served on the town board for 18 years and is seeking re-election because, “I love the Town of Keystone. I feel that currently we have many things facing us as a small community. I love to involve people, residents, and businesses to work on critical problems facing the future development of our town. I feel with my experience that we can work on those problems as a solid board together and develop solutions to those issues.”

McLain serves on the Keystone Area Historical Society and attends many other community meetings. 

“I attend many board meetings, including the park board, the Keystone Chamber, First Congregational Church Board and Keystone Senior Citizens.”

McLain believes her strengths lie in her “leadership to push ahead,” “positive connections with residents and businesses in the community,” and that she is a “hard worker and doer.”

McLain believes the biggest issues facing the community of Keystone are:

• Future water shortages and procedures.

• Ordinance updates to meet demands.

• Lack of affordable housing and drop in census numbers due to vacation housing.

• Improvements for the parks and how to fund them.

• Maintaining a conservative budget.

McLain said, “A comprehensive plan is necessary for movement forward to increase our sales tax within the community. Recruiting people with the experience in tourism and small town revitalization need to be adopted and implemented. Our community needs to work on divisiveness. We need to draw people together through transparency by incorporating all residents and businesses. Share our needs and work together positively to set goals and move ahead.”

Sherry Smith has lived in Keystone since 2019. Smith spent much of her business career in a law firm. 

“I managed the firm, handled all of the finances and did child death and dismemberment investigations for the senior partner,” she said.

Smith said she loves Keystone and the natural beauty of the Black Hills. 

Smith’s plans and concerns include:

• Infrastructure projects including upgraded fresh water and sewage waste system. 

• Parks upgrades and ADA friendly: “Completely rebuild our parks into a green space that attracts entertainment and cultural presentations. The parks should be able to host sport tournaments or practice games including baseball, tennis, basketball and more.” 

• Full-time fire protection.

• Child safety: “Child safety is very important to me. After years of investigating child deaths; the enemy is speed. I really would like to see a strong effort displayed by the sheriff department regarding traffic control. Keystone does not have full time enforcement resulting in delayed response times for several minutes.”

If elected, Smith feels that she would, “follow through projects to completion,” and add transparency in both “decisions and expenses.”

Smith encourages residents to, “elect two new board members that you have confidence in.”

Scott Rainford moved to Keystone in 2025 and owns Keystone Handymen, providing construction and contracting services and Shirley’s Keystone Cafe and Catering, as well as the BBQ Beast SD. 

Rainford was currently elected to the Board of Keystone Chamber of Commerce and serves as President of the Stars and Stripes Charitable Alliance, “a charity dedicated to providing goods and services to retired veterans and senior citizens in the area,” according to Rainford.

“I’m running for city council because I want to be a strong voice for the people of Keystone,” said Rainford. “Our community deserves representation that listens, brings people together and focuses on practical improvements that benefit everyone.”

Rainford’s priorities will be to help build a cohesive city plan, “that gives us a clear vision for the future instead of approaching issuers piecemeal.”

He believes part of that plan should include “sensible ordinances for our downtown businesses,” he said. “I want our downtown to stay attractive, well-maintained and inviting year-round, not just during certain seasons. Consistent standards will help keep Keystone looking its best while supporting the businesses that are the heart of our community.”

Rainford believes, “a strong collaboration between the city and chamber is essential if we want Keystone to move forward together.”

If elected, Rainsford feels he will bring, “leadership and a positive attitude,” while bringing “the community together.”

According to Rainford, the biggest issues facing the town are:

• Water shortages: “We need practical strategies to protect our water supply and use it more efficiently.” 

• Aging infrastructure: “Much of our infrastructure is aging and will require thoughtful planning and investment if we want to avoid larger problems down the road.”

• Short-term rentals: “While tourism is important to our economy, the concentration of short-term rentals is limiting housing opportunities for families and year-round residents who want to live and work here. Finding the right balance is important so we can support tourism while still keeping Keystone a place where people can put down roots.”

“These are complex challenges,” said Rainford,  “but I see them as opportunities to work together—with residents, businesses and other stakeholders—to develop practical, long-term solutions.

There will be a Keystone candidate forum Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Keystone Community Center gym. Questions for candidates can be submitted to townofkeystone@mt

-rushmore.net. Questions will also be able to be submitted at the door in writing before the forum starts  Thursday. 

Elections will take place Nov. 3 at the Keystone Community Center gym, 1101 Madill St. Keystone, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.