Calvitto: New PUC member making his mark

By Celeste Calvitto, Journal Staff Writer | Friday, April 22, 2005

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Dustin "Dusty" Johnson loves his job.

The newest member of South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission talked enthusiastically about the work of the agency during a recent visit to Rapid City with fellow PUC member Bob Sahr and analyst Steve Wegman.

And Sahr talked about how Johnson has already made his mark after only a few months on the PUC.

"Dusty is too modest to mention it, but he just took office in January and in February was picked to head a national effort to oppose a federal budget proposal that would raise electric power rates," Sahr said. "That really says a lot about an up-and-coming 20-something PUC commissioner. He's hit the ground running."

Johnson, a Republican, is heading a group of public utility commissioners and industry representatives that opposes a Bush administration proposal to sell electric power from the Power Marketing Administrations based on market rates rather than on the cost of production. He says this change in the Western Area Power Administration's rates — the PMA serving South Dakota — would cost state ratepayers millions of dollars.

Another thing the PUC is focusing on — and the reason the trio was in the area recently — is better cell-phone coverage in South Dakota. Nearly every community with more than 1,000 people now has good wireless service, "and we're working on those with 500 to 1,000," Johnson said.

"It's great for small businesses, gives farmers and ranchers the ability to be in the pasture or field and take a call and connects contractors with customers. It gives people the ability to compete," Sahr added.

Johnson, 28, brings the zest for his job straight from last fall's campaign trail, where he defeated longtime PUC commissioner Jim Burg. He got lots of help from young volunteers, and now he is returning the favor by signing on as the adviser to the South Dakota Teenage Republicans.

"I was in the Teenage Republicans, and it turned me on to the political process," Johnson said, adding that he was inspired by former Sen. Jim Abdnor, former Gov. George Mickelson and current Sen. John Thune. "I love to see young people involved, no matter what their political affiliation."

Former Daschle

staffer at Crazy Horse

Speaking of new jobs: Ace Crawford, who served as West River director for former Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., for eight years, is now the communications director for the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.

"I have long admired and respected Mrs. (Ruth) Ziolkowski, the family and the Crazy Horse Memorial Project," Crawford said. "To have an opportunity to be a part of the Crazy Horse team and to be involved in the internal workings takes that respect and admiration to a whole new level. The work that is done behind the scenes and the commitment and dedication of everyone involved is nothing short of remarkable."

A news release from the foundation said that Crawford "was instrumental in responding to the individual and collective needs of a multicultural constituency" while working with Daschle.

"Ace brings a depth of knowledge and experience that will be key in our continuing efforts to tell the story of the American Indian and the educational and cultural mission of the Memorial. Our board and my family are proud that she has become part of the Crazy Horse dream now becoming reality," Crazy Horse Foundation CEO Ruth Ziolkowski said.

Social Security

debate

Self-described political operative Steve Hildebrand, campaign manager for Daschle in his 2004 race against Republican John Thune, is heading up an effort called South Dakotans United to Protect Social Security. The coalition has "the sole objective of defeating President George W. Bush's expensive and risky scheme to privatize Social Security."

"It's unfortunate that Sen. Thune has agreed to be the president's ‘point man,'" a news release from the organization says. The release also chastises Thune for "his failure to address his constituents' grave concerns over privatization back home in town hall settings."

"We are just getting up and running," Hildebrand said in an e-mail to me. "People have begun to sign up. We will likely have several events during this debate on privatization. Stay tuned."

It should be pointed out here that Rep. Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., and Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., both held well-attended town hall meetings on this issue. Herseth's was not publicized until the day of the event. Johnson's staff made a special effort to get the meeting notices in the newspaper before it was held. Many members of the audiences at both meetings had been notified by Herseth's and Johnson's offices because of their interest in the Social Security debate, and many appeared to be opposed to privatization.

It is interesting that several questions from the audience were similar. You would expect that, I guess. But one rather obscure query, "What is the overhead for the Social Security program right now?" — the point being that it is a low number — was asked at both forums.

Far be it from me to give advice to Sen. Thune if he decides to have a Social Security meeting, but here it is anyway: Be honest about it. Publicize it well in advance so people with a wide range of opinions show up, and let the chips fall where they may.

And as Hildebrand says, stay tuned.

Contact Celeste Calvitto at 394-8438 or celeste.calvitto@rapidcityjournal.com