Political candidates have to complete many tasks when campaigning, including yard signs, door-to-door knocking, and forums. It’s no different for Jon Hansen, State House candidate for District 25. Hansen, a GOP candidate seeking re-election, has been campaigning and continues to do so up until Tuesday, November 6th. He says he is guided by his principles, is accessible, and has demonstrated effectiveness. Those are just a few of the reasons why voters should send him back to Pierre. Big Sioux Media spoke with Hansen who says education, economic development, and openness in government are three big issues he feels the legislature will address. Regarding economic development Hansen says recruitment of new business is a must, therefore generating new tax dollars, though he says the excise tax could be a problem but feels the tax plan is best for businesses. Hansen also says he likes the “merit pay” system based on teacher performance, but does not believe “one size fits all” is a good idea. Districts need to live within their own means.
District 25 Candidate Profile: Tim Rave
Less than one week away will be the November 6th elections, and one of the races that is getting a lot of attention is the State Senate District 25 race between Democrat Dan Ahlers and Republican incumbent Tim Rave. Big Sioux Media talked to Rave about the campaign and what he felt were going to be the big issues facing legislators. The incumbent says education will consume most of the session with two measures on the ballot (IM 15 and 16). No matter what the outcome of those two measures Rave says there will be plenty of discussion to serve the voters in the state….teacher tenure and the sales tax increase. Infrastructure is another topic that legislators will face. Even though this is a community-related issue, the state will try to lend assistance wherever possible. Seeking another term in the State Senate, Rave will rely on his leadership positions working across the aisle while in the House and Senate. Rave also told Big Sioux Media that if the President gets re-elected, he fears the potential energy crisis and assault on coal-fired plants will impact South Dakota.
Kristi Noem Stops in Dell Rapids
U.S. Representative Kristi Noem made a stop in Dell Rapids on Monday afternoon, October 29th. While in Dell Rapids, Jim Hockett of Big Sioux Media had a chance to sit and talk with Representative Noem at T&C’s.
Interview with Kristi Noem:
District 25 Candidate Profile: Dan Ahlers
District 25 candidate for the State Senate, Dan Ahlers, sat down with Big Sioux Media to discuss what he felt were the three biggest issues facing the South Dakota Legislature in the future. Infrastructure, Medicaid, and education topped the list in our discussion. With bridges in need of repairs and some bridges across the state are closed completely, Ahlers says with a budget surplus of more than $48-million dollars, the state should be assisting local communities to help fix the problems citing Baltic as a local town that is suffering from the bridge closure leading into the western edge from the Interstate area. With that bridge alone closed, people travel extensively to reach their destinations while travelers in need of gas are unable to get into town. The challenges facing Medicaid is the aging population as reimbursements drop lower even though South Dakota may not be in as tough of shape as other states. The 3rd issue discussed was education, and Ahlers has stated before that some, not all, of the state reserves should have been used to reinvest back into education. The election is November 6th.
Dell Rapids Board of Education 10-22-12
The Dell Rapids Board of Education will meet on Monday, October 22nd, in regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.
The agenda can be found by clicking here.
2012 South Dakota All-State Chorus & Orchestra Scheduled for Rapid City
Over 1,000 of South Dakota’s best high school vocal and instrumental musicians will gather in Rapid City for the 60th Annual South Dakota All-State Chorus and Orchestra on Friday and Saturday October 26-27. The All-State activities will culminate with a Grand Concert at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City beginning at 7:00 p.m. (MT) on Saturday evening, October 27. Concert tickets can be purchased at www.gotmine.com, by calling 1-800-468-6463, or at the box office in the Rushmore Plaza. The doors of the Barnett Arena will open for the Concert at 5:30 on Saturday evening.
The annual All-State Chorus & Orchestra, co-sponsored by South Dakota High School Activities Association and the South Dakota Music Educators Association, is the largest interscholastic high school music activity held in South Dakota. The 2012 All-State Chorus includes 932 singers representing 150 South Dakota high schools. The All-State Orchestra is comprised of 155 musicians from 30 schools.
Theresa Duffy (4-year award winner), Rachel Scholten, Alex Eulberg, and Matt Farmer will be representing Dell Rapids St Mary. Two quartets will be sent from Dell Rapids High School. They include Jordan Stone, Nicole Rice, Ben Hinricher, Jackson Gleason, Darrian Grassi, Chelsey Huffman, Austen Hof, and Dylan Damm.
The guest conductors for the 2012 All-State Chorus & Orchestra Concert are Dr. Anna Hamre from University of California, Fresno and Brian Cole from Moorhead, MN. Dr. Hamre will conduct the All-State Chorus while Mr. Cole will lead the 2012 All-State Orchestra.
During the All-State Grand Concert, the South Dakota Music Educators Association will recognize several high schools and individuals for their contributions to music in South Dakota.
The South Dakota High School Activities Association will present its “SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award” to Hans Peterson, Huron, Dr. Alan Lafave, Aberdeen, and Diane Ketel, from Rapid City.
Additional information which might assist with other news or feature stories about the All-State Chorus & Orchestra are available at the South Dakota High School Activities Association web site (www.sdhsaa.com). Once on the SDHSAA home page, please go to “Fine Arts” then “Music” then “All-State Chorus and Orchestra, and the following information can be found at this site:
1. Guest Conductor Biographical Information about this year’s All-State conductors
2. Concert Music Program – a listing of the musical selections that will be performed by the Chorus & Orchestra during the All-State Concert, including award recipients, students, schools, and directors.
3. All-State Chorus & Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule – as the title suggests, this is the schedule that will be followed during the two days of All-State rehearsal and concert performance
4. All-State Chorus & Orchestra Concert Ticket Information
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Media Contact: James Weaver, SDHSAA Assistant Executive Director (605/224-9261)
District 25 Candidates Speak About Education
As the November 6th election draws near, several different issues rise to the surface, but one issue that seems to always be front and center is education. This past Monday, October 15th, there was an educational forum held in Dell Rapids with five of the six candidates from District 25 in attendance. Those attending were Tim Rave and Dan Ahlers for the State Senate, and Jon Hansen, Scott Eckland, and Bill Laird for the State House. There were two primary focus questions that each candidate answered that started the forum, and then several other topics that became part of the discussion. The first focus question was “Do you feel the State is sufficiently funding K-12, and if not how do you propose to increase funding?” All five candidates agreed there is not enough funding for education and all agreed ways have to be found to sufficiently fund education, but it is a very challenging task. The 2nd focus question was read to the candidates by moderator Jason Fersdahl. It stated, “Briefly state your position on House Bill 1234. Do you feel the bill will improve education in South Dakota?” The answer was almost split down party lines. Democrats Ahlers and Laird answered no while two of the GOP candidates, Rave and Hansen, said yes, while Eckland says he would like to do additional research. Laird told the audience that he is not in favor of merit pay while Ahlers said poor leadership devalues your voice. Hansen says merit pay will help retain good teachers while Rave says some parts still need work, but the bill is instrumental in helping critical needs. Eckland says it is complicated and therefore will do more research on HB 1234. Big Sioux Media will be having interviews with these and other candidates as November 6th gets closer and closer. But Superintendent Summer Schultz says that it’s about the kids and their future, and the young kids aren’t concerned if a person is democrat or republican. They just want to learn.
Educational Candidate Forum
More than two dozen people attended the Monday night, October 15th, Educational Candidate Forum at the Dell Rapids Elementary School. The event was organized by Superintendent Summer Schultz. She told Big Sioux Media that those attending and listening to the five political candidates from District 25 will be better informed to make the right decisions regarding their views on education and other matters facing the state legislators. Those legislative candidates in attendance were Senate candidates Dan Ahlers (D) and Tim Rave (R), and from the House were Jon Hansen (R), Scott Eckland (R), and Bill Laird (D). Janelle Smedsrud (D) was not present. There were two main “focus” questions asked dealing with education funding and House Bill 1234. All candidates agreed that education is not sufficiently funded, but there were differing opinions on House Bill 1234. On Wednesday, October 17th, Big Sioux Media will have some of those thoughts, opinions, and rational.
City Council 10-15-12
The Dell Rapids City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, October 15th, at 7:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Some of the items on the agenda will be a discussion on the future building plans by the library board as well as the administrator’s report.
View the full agenda by clicking here.
Homecoming Royalty
This week, September 24th – 28th, is Homecoming Week for both Dell Rapids St Mary and Dell Rapids High School. The Homecoming parade theme this year is CANDY.
Below is the Homecoming Royalty for both schools.
Dell Rapids St Mary
Back Row: Lexie LeBrun, Tori Michel, and Mikayla Brown
Front Row: Alec Hansen & Dalton Schneider
Dell Rapids High School
Left to Right: Trevor Peter, Miranda Broin, Bryce Koch, McKenzie Rinehart, Morgan Hoglund, Michael McGee, Queen Karen Eddy & King Cole Langer