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Pastor/Founder of the Grace Baptist Church, Lake Andes since 1988
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Years ago, I lost a dear friend of mine to suicide, and it was fundamentally life changing for me. After that incident, I remember thinking, “I should have done something. I should have said something.” I replayed every interaction I had with them over and over again.
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The days are getting shorter. Families are already checking back-to-school shopping lists. And did I see an aisle of Christmas lights at Menards last weekend? No, that must have been a nightmare. Still, it seems summer is quickly slipping away, so let’s get outside and enjoy the great South Dakota outdoors while we can. Here are a few ideas, gleaned from our March/April 2023 South Dakota Magazine feature on outdoor adventures and selected with late summer in mind.
Read moreTaxes Last Saturday was a special night in Avon. The local Volunteer Fire Department had their yearly supper and entertainment. Iwasremindedonceagain how fortunate we are to have manyvolunteerswhoarewilling toprotectourcommunity.When wepayourtaxesasmallamount goes to the fire department. We all pay the same Mill levy which is very fair. There is at least one exception, the Wind Farm north of Avon. Most people don't know theydonotpaytaxeslikeyouand I.Policymakershavegiventhem veryspecialtreatment.Lastyear it was in the Clarion, Prevailing Winds gave a small amount to the fire department. Using the building permit number times Mill levy they should be paying our fire department thirty eight thousand per year to be fair to the taxpayers in the district. They get the same treatment but contribute very little if any. This is a perfect example of the rich get richer at the expense of others.
Read moreUpdate on Rail to Trail: Tyndall to Platte Two plus months ago, an engineering firm was chosen to do a feasibility study. I called Pierre and was told there has been a delay in starting the study due to an audit concern. There is no definite timeline on when the study will start. The friend’s group has only raised about one third of the $45,000 needed to match the grant from the transportation department (federal gas tax money). This money is only for the study, not for any construction.
Read moreUpdate on Rail to Trail: Tyndall to Platte Two plus months ago, an engineering firm was chosen to do a feasibility study. I called Pierre and was told there has been a delay in starting the study due to an audit concern. There is no definite timeline on when the study will start. The friend’s group has only raised about one third of the $45,000 needed to match the grant from the transportation department (federal gas tax money). This money is only for the study, not for any construction.
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“Once again I am asking for your support so I can continue to serve you. As a mother to three, I bring a unique perspective to serving District 19. I protect my people like I would my own children. I will always vote to do what I believe is best for the 24,143 people of my district.”
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