Opinion

Unveiling the plan to reduce property tax

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 9:58am

Greetings! Wow, what a week! Of course the governor’s budget address to joint session of the House and Senate was epic in the truest sense of the word. It was sad for me because I felt very comfortable with her as governor. I knew how she felt and carried a lot of the values/principles of our population. I also knew her staff and now to operate to get things done.

Open meeting laws back in forefront

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 9:53am

The sometimes-flickering candle of open government in South Dakota brightened a bit recently when the state resurrected its Open Meetings Commission, which had been dormant for almost four years.

Bringing a bit of Custer with me

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 9:50am

Spend much time in Custer, and probably most small towns, and you’ll notice a move, rather a behavior I’ve dubbed “Custer’s last standstill and talk.” It’s equal parts annoying and charming, and love it or hate it, it’s just a part of living in Custer.  There are two main variations of the behavior that you’ve likely encountered while out and about around Custer County.

Unwrapping the heart of Christmas

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 8:59am
Do you ever feel like the Christmas season has lost its luster? 
Perhaps as a child it filled you with wonder, but now your perspective has changed. After all, children have such a carefree view of Christmas. The lights lining the street are magical, the presents under the tree are tantalizing and the cookies are delectable. 
As adults though, we see the electric bill behind running the lights, the time spent decorating that was needed elsewhere, the gifts that need to be bought and wrapped and the extra dishes that now need to be done. 

Well it’s about dam time, Custer

Published by admin on Wed, 12/04/2024 - 5:02pm

It was all the way back in 2012 when West Dam initially began to leak after the outlet structure on the dam broke. The dam eventually lost all of its water and has sat in its semi-weed-covered, semi-boggish state ever since.
In the 12 years since then, various mayors, city councils, engineers, politicians and who else knows have given great effort to try to get the dam fixed and the pond refilled. For various reasons—many not in their control—the project has never come to fruition. So, there West Dam has sat. Empty and ugly.

The little things more than ever

Published by admin on Wed, 12/04/2024 - 4:59pm

We cut our Christmas tree over the weekend, a cherished tradition that ushers in the Christmas season, and which brings more delight, not less, the older I get.

Where does the time go?

Published by admin on Wed, 12/04/2024 - 8:49am
I began my day just like every other with some quiet reflection time. I have a bit of a routine that involves reading, journaling and meditation. It’s my “alone time” and I look forward to it every day. 
I opened an old notebook this morning, looking for a place to write down some of my thoughts. And I found a list that was titled: 50 new things in 2020.
I have to confess, there were only 32 items listed. I read the first one: Pingora. 

The most wonderful time of the year

Published by admin on Wed, 12/04/2024 - 8:46am
By the time you read this, you have probably worked off your Thanksgiving feast!  For those of you that spent the day alone or feeling less than thankful this year, my heart goes out to you.  Lord knows I have been in the same place more of my life than I care to admit.  

Meetings, meetings and more meetings

Published by admin on Wed, 12/04/2024 - 8:38am
Greetings! I hope everyone had a blessed thanksgiving. Now onward through the advent season to Christmas. Marcia and I just got home from a sing-along with the various Hill City churches hosted by the Little White Church. It was very well done and an enjoyable afternoon was had by all. And there were cookies too!

Shop small on November 30

Published by admin on Tue, 11/26/2024 - 12:45pm

Small Business Saturday started Nov. 27, 2010, when the day was conceived and promoted by American Express using a nationwide radio and television advertising campaign. (If the company had used print advertising, it probably would have caught on better). The company also utilized social media and public relations campaigns.