CDP Turmoil?

We have news that CDP Hospital Administrator has either resigned or been let go suddenly.

Sounds like it may be a financial decision.

Does anyone have more on this subject?

Enough

I think it is long past time for everyone to act like adults here. I have stopped the ignorant juvenile from posting for now.
Maybe they will go out and get a life?

Don't lose focus or tempers please. We can discuss without cussing can't we? Now take a deep breath and start over.

Thank you.

Higher Taxes aka Opt Out

We hear there is a petition circulating regarding the proposed Opt Out/Higher Taxes that our CC would pass with no input from the taxpayers. In fact, there are several petitions going around right now.

This is in reference to the small article buried in the Courier about how broke the county is and how the Big Bad jail did it all. The jail, by the way, that those same CCs pushed onto the citizens...all the while touting about how much it would "save" the county with lower costs, less employees and more income etc etc. The same jail that was voted down several times and then passed by those same CCs over a technicality in the end. The very same jail that the very same CCs would not share with the Tribe.

It is a fact that RC is hurting on the budget, that same budget that could be cut in many other ways. Maybe these petitions will be The Way it is done?

Perhaps we could eliminate keeping Kay on the county payroll especially since she lost the election? Maybe our CCs would forego collecting all that unnecessary mileage fees when they go all over the county (and then some) over common sense issues that do not need to include road tripping?

By signing this petition a voter is demanding the issue of higher taxes be put to a vote so the citizens can decide just when it is time to STOP THE SPENDING!

911 Follow Up

Our Sheriff, Vince Owen, has made some very good points on this subject *see the previous post* so we would like to "revisit" this subject a little more.

Vince could you please post exactly what issues need to be resolved on 911 as you mentioned in your prior comment? Are these issues that we need to know concerning 911?

Speaking from a citizen's view on this, we understand that RC would need equipment to handle the incoming/outgoing calls plus people to do that, certainly more training involved if RC was to take all incoming 911 calls....but is there more to 911 than what we citizens see? What are the cost ratios as to having the needed equipment/operators compared to costs of paying another county to take the initial calls and notify us?

We've had charges on our telephone bill for more years than I care to recall earmarked for the 911 system, but so far all we have seen from those charges are some road signs (put up when the county was back against the deadline I might add). Most rural residents have gotten a mouthful for a new address and that's about it so far.

Vince also suggested that everyone contact your CC and let them know that you want this very important issue decided by THE PEOPLE and not a few who have shown they don't give a hoot about what is best for Roberts County. Contact your area commissioner (who works for you no matter what he thinks) or go to a county meeting and voice your opinion please!

A big THANKS to Vince for the input on this and kudos to you Vince for yet another productive income-producing month!!

Accident Input?

We've heard about a bad accident a little north of the Alco corner near Sisseton this morning. Supposedly 4 teenagers hit a bridge abutment over the creek there at a high rate of speed.

Does anyone know more about this? Please share.

Our thoughts are with the families involved and hoping for the best.

Roberts County Will Get Stimulus Check

The Watertown Public Opinion had a very good article in today's newspaper with a breakdown of who gets what of the
much-talked about stimulus money. The link to the newspaper is below:

http://www.thepublicopinion.com/

Roberts county will get a check of $155,185.00

The commissioners will have one year to obligate that money towards specific projects, which they will choose. We would hope they choose wisely.

We certainly hope this goes towards road/bridge repairs and not towards paving some little used road that goes to a commissioner's home, as was done in the past.

The way this money was allocated was not good for the smaller communities. Those cities with populations of under 5,000 will not get anything from this stimulus package....nothing at all. That is a pity since South Dakota is a very rural state, with the majority of our communities having less than 5,000 people.

We would like to thank the good people of the Watertown Opinion for their coverage of our state and our communities. We depend on you for news and you do not disappoint.

NEWSFLASH

We are hearing rumors about a fatality at the Viking Motel. Supposedly there was a fight with several people involved and someone was killed. We heard it happened a few days ago.

Does anybody know more? Is there truth to this?

Tribal Concerns

It has been mentioned there was no place for all things Oyate.

Here is where you want to post your tribal concern comments. We have room for all RC citizens on this blog.

RC Road Maintenance or Lack Of

We are wondering what the RC road maintenance policy really is? We can't help but notice that most of the county roads have not been touched recently despite blizzards and snowstorms. Gravel or tar, the roads are getting very tough with little or no snow removal.....except that done by local farmers who were forced to move snow in order to get out. We have not seen a snowplow on our county road for well over a week now, almost 2.
No notices have been published nor signs put up stating policy changes that we are aware of. We would think the current upheaval in that department should not affect the roads and the responsibilities RC has committed to the county residents.
In fact, the roads have only been cleared a few times this winter season so far; so the argument of "lack of funds" shouldn't apply.
It is getting rather embarrassing when people from other areas mention the poor shape our RC roads are in.
The city of Sisseton has done an excellent job with snow removal this winter so far and is to be commended for keeping up with what winter has dealt us.
Perhaps they could give the RC Road Dept some advice?

Happy Birthday Francis Crawford!

We would like to take a few minutes on this Christmas Eve Day to wish Francis Crawford a very happy 100th birthday. Francis was born on December 17, 1908 in Buffalo Lake SD. We recently celebrated with him at Tekakwitha Nursing Home where he now resides.

The picture shows Francis at his birthday party and the man in the photo with him is Harlan Hammer. They both served on the FSA boards together. Francis was a pillar of our community for a long time, serving on various boards. He helped many people along the way and we want to wish him all the best and a long happy future.

The Courier had a small notice, on the back page of course, identifying Francis as a woman. Just wanted to clarify that Francis Crawford is a man, a very tall man, and we are very proud to know him.

Blizzard Bits

We have our first (and hopefully last) blizzard of the 08/09 winter season blasting here in Roberts County SD today. With most roads closed or blocked across the entire state almost, it might be a good time to sit down with a hot cup of your favorite beverage and let us know where you hang your hat. Maybe carry our sense of community just a little further.....
Here in RC I found a little over 6 inches of new snow has fallen (or blown into the gauge as the winds are howling!) A nasty day to be out and about.
A good site to check the snow amounts is CoCoRaHS This is a network of volunteers who report precipitation around the state so you can find local reports there that best reflect your area. Check it out!

Drainage & Ditching Issues

We have a rather backward system for drainage permits etc here in Roberts County and this has led to some
bitter disputes as well as some hard feelings and confusion, to say nothing about lawsuits.

FSA would tell you they must give permission for any and all drainage and our own County Commissioners say
they are the authority on that issue and must be approached before any drainage work is done. There is also
SCS wanting to be asked and don't forget the state water board, Fish & Wildlife and on and on it seems.

It all boils down to the CC handing out permits left and right to almost anybody who will buy them a meal, with
absolutely no foresight in their decisions and certainly no intelligence involved in any of it.

A few months ago there was a CC meeting that garnered newspaper coverage plus many residents to
protest a drainage plan. The Browns Valley mayor pleaded with the CC not to approve more drainage until
MN got some sort of flood diversion in place. Since that time I have lost count on the number of drainage
applications that have been approved by the CC, with absolutely no regard to our neighbors to the east, or any other direction for that matter.

We are posting this subject to see if we can sort out some of the issues and pin down the major problem areas.
Please add your input on this subject. Remember, if all the facts are out in the open, it leaves little room for
shady, hidden projects.

Hull on the Run?

We heard about a hunting party north of Sisseton made up of the Hull family (as in our CC) wherein threats were made by the Hulls on Thanksgiving eve.

Seems the landowner came upon a dozen or so hunters on his posted land and stopped to check them out as nobody had asked his permission to hunt there. One of the Hulls told the landowner that if the owner didn't leave that he (Hull) would shoot him. The landowner called the game warden to report the incident. We haven't heard what happened or if charges will be made.

Seems to me that is below the minimum what the South Dakota Hunting Handbook dictates is good relations with landowners. It might even lean more towards a criminal complaint. This is pretty serious stuff!

But then we knew our Commissioner already figured he owned the whole county, didn't we? There ought to be an IQ test before a hunting license is issued. I can only say "Don't take your guns to town Son; leave your guns at home."

Race Relations - Can We Live Together?

It appears like we need to address issues concerning the Natives and the Whites again. Just when it seems we might have gotten past all the ugliness and are beginning to come together as Americans, race rears its' ugly head again.

Why can't we forget our differences and work together for the good of our community, our children, our futures? Why can't we all think of this as "our county", "our Sisseton" rather than the same old "us" vs "them"?

Try to think of us each as simply "Americans" with no adjective in front of that word, it might just work. We all pretty much drive on the same roads, drink the same water don't we? Let what is past go. We cannot change the past, but we can let go of it.

If all of us turn to face the future and work to improve our way of life here, we may just happen to forget our differences and focus on our common goals.

Together we CAN do this. Each and every one of us can make this happen if we let it. How about giving this a try? To begin with, I believe our present government (aka CC/SA) is the one biggest hurdle we need to overcome in order to begin a future free of racism and hate.

We must get the current commissioners and states attorney etc voted out-of-office on November 4th!! Every single vote counts so please make your voices heard and make the effort to go to the polls and get them OUT!! Once we achieve unseating the present government officials who would keep hatred, lies and racism stirred up, only then will we have a chance to reclaim our dignity.

Community Growth

Some "upbeat" community news this time!

We've heard there are plans for new growth in our community.  The Super Valu store is planning an addition to the Deli section....perhaps complete with tables and eating area.  There are rumors that Sisseton is also going to have a new gift shop opening soon on Highway 10 on the east side as well.  

Does anyone know what is happening with the trailor court on east 10?  We had heard another grocery store might locate there, but not much action is going on except trailers were moved out?

If you know of any plans for new business, additions or changes, in Sisseton or other surrounding communities, please tell us!

Area Storm Damage

We'd like to wish all the wind storm victims a speedy recovery from last weeks high winds.

Winds were clocked at over 115 mph lasting more than 2 hours which did a lot of damage.

Several area towns were without electrical power until last night.  Some are still without power.

This damage leaves scars that will be visible for a long time to come as many of the trees torn out were large mature ones.  Along with loss of trees, many structures were destroyed or badly damaged.  The worst of the damage seems to be along highway 12 from Aberdeen to Summit and east with a swath of 40-50 miles wide.  We heard this storm went all the way to Chicago.  That's akin to having an F-2 tornado on the ground from central South Dakota all the way to Chicago....think about that.

There is still a lot of clean-up left to do. If anyone wants to volunteer their time or energy I am sure it would be most welcome.

All Things Other

Any comments or input, questions or answers about anything else goes here.