Hanks' credentials make him most qualified to be mayor

As a college student, I don't have any political connections. I simply care about what happens in Rapid City and that's why I'm voting Alan Hanks for mayor.

Take a look at Alan's credentials and you'll see as I have: Alan has the most qualifications of any candidate. He has the knowledge and experience necessary to work in a political office, as both a former councilman and now as a state legislator. Alan doesn't just hold an office, he actually uses his position to better the lives of the people he represents.

Alan also has the most real-life business experience. Using his degree in business administration, he built five different businesses from the ground up, managed up to 30 employees, and kept payrolls and budgets. The mayor runs our city; I think the next one we elect should have a successful record of running a business. Alan has proven he can do this, five times over.

Join me in voting Alan Hanks for mayor on June 5.

BRITTANY BATTISTA

Rapid City

Kooiker's slogan the best fit among candidates

This campaign year it seems as every candidate for mayor has a slogan that they are using with their name. From "Putting Taxpayers First", to "Open Government", and even "Now More Than Ever", there are no shortages of these slogans in this election cycle.

The best candidate that fits his slogan would be "Open Government and Sam Kooiker. Sam Kooiker has continually voted to clear the smoke from the backroom deals and turn on the light switch.

Sam Kooiker has voted to keep the council caucus room open for the public to access council members, much to the objection of the other council members.

Sam Kooiker has had the thoughts and the best interests of the city on the front of his mind for the last six years on the council and, now more than ever, we need him at the forefront of the cities operations.

Many of the other candidates are qualified, but only one actually has a degree in city management.

On June 5th, now more than ever, we need to bring open government to City Hall. Please join me and vote for the eighth candidate on the ballot Sam Kooiker.

AARON LORENZEN

Rapid City

Replace Deb Hadcock with Steve Laurenti

I am curious. Does Deb Hadcock's record not speak for itself? As a taxpayer, will I get discounts for riding on a trolley car? Will it take me home and pick me up in the morning for work?

And how many taxpayers in Ward 2 will be sitting in those fine skyboxes and at what cost? Rapid City can't even keep a semi-pro football team here. Why do we need taxpayer subsidized skyboxes? We're just not there yet.

Christmas lights are a neat novelty, but streetlights, guardrails and better roads are a necessity.

Now, I'm not against Deb, but I do see a pattern. Steve's record? Well, other than a few letters to the editor, he has no political record. He is educated and has several years' business management experience. In my discussions with Steve, I liked the fact that he listened to what I had to say. The questions I asked of him were answered to the point. He knows where he stands on the issues and explains his position.

This is not a pageant; it is a job. And if you're not the best for the job, you get replaced. Well, sorry, Deb. My support goes to Steve Laurenti.

WADE NEUGEBAUER

Rapid City

Hargens has ideas to balance growth with infrastructure

I'm writing in support of Gary Hargens for mayor of Rapid City. I feel he has good ideas of balancing the new growth with the existing infrastructure. He also has ideas of how to market and promote the downtown area and making road maintenance a priority. As mayor, he will make honest, open government a promise and a priority not just a billboard slogan.

MATT ROGERS

Rapid City

Hadcock has been the voice of all people

I have been a resident of Rapid City for 20 years. Some people are asking for a change in city government. There is one person that has changed the way politics should be played. With hard work, showing not talking about how to get things done, Deb Hadcock has been the voice of all people.

Deb Hadcock works on cleanups for our city. She helps the downtown business owners with their projects. When the police and fire departments need her common sense voice, she is always there to help. Talk about change, the other Ward 2 alderman is running for mayor, who has been playing games with people and being negative about our city.

We need a change in Ward 2; Kooiker is the other guy that spends his time on running for mayor instead of taking care of his constituents in Ward 2. It's time for a change, Rapid City, because we need more people in government like Deb Hadcock who care about us and our city and who know how to take a hands-on approach to getting things done. Please Vote responsibly on June 5 vote for Deb Hadcock from Ward 2.

KEITH SUGDEN

Rapid City

Hanks proved himself able to serve the people

As a retired officer of Rapid City law enforcement, I am careful when choosing a candidate to support for mayor. Not only does the mayor have great responsibility in making decisions for our community, but they directly impact the careers of civil servants. Alan Hanks is the best person to hold this important role.

Alan proved himself in the six years he served on the city council that he can be trusted to make choices that are right for Rapid City. He now works for us as a state legislator, but electing Alan as mayor will allow him to better serve the people he cares about. Alan provides this city with an opportunity to make sound financial decisions and business growth that won't come at the expense of taxpayers, options we unfortunately haven't had in a very long time.

It's time to elect a mayor who will serve this community with all of its citizens, not just the privileged few.

Join me in voting Alan Hanks for Mayor on June 5.

JOHN WENADE

Rapid City

Laurenti's leadership is needed in Ward 2

I live in Ward 2 and received a handout from Deb Hadcock's campaign this last week, and I was so surprised.

She actually lists her accomplishments over the last two years as the trolleys and holiday lights for downtown. Who is Deb Hadcock serving anyway? What happened to our government taking care of the city's infrastructure? I called and spoke to Steve Laurenti, and he believes that the current city government has been wasting our tax dollars. He believes our tax dollars should be spent on infrastructure first, and I couldn't agree with him more. I am now proudly displaying one of his signs in my yard, and I will vote for Steve Laurenti.

Strong new leadership from Laurenti is needed.

TERRY LEHMKUHL

Rapid City

Grocery store annoys with its discount cards

I for one am tired of going to a certain "grocery" store once a month due to the fact that I get harassed each and every time from the checkout clerks, due to the fact that I won't sign up for their "discount" card.

I don't normally shop there, but for the fact that they are close to work. I certainly won't be going anymore as just the other day I stood in line and had to convince the clerk to just ring me up.

I can read, have for years, and certainly understand that I will be paying prices higher that I would with the "discount card". By the way, the card only discounts prices from the outrageous price you try to charge in the first place, and the "discount" you get with it is only discounted to the normal pricing everyone else does. Be glad I'm not naming the store in this piece: I certainly am using my right of word-of-mouth with my co-workers, friends and family.

CRYSTAL HARTUNG

Rapid City

Rehabilitation better for regulating offenders

Communities should strive to regulate sex offender's rehabilitation, rather than community safety zones. Granted, we need to define the severity and/or recidivistic patterns of the sex offender. The community safety zones seem to be for the sense of security for the residents. Do safety zones instill a false sense of security to residents within that zone? Is the difference, if any, due to this false sense of security? Do we have statistics that show this is working? Where are our sex crimes occurring in the past and the present?

The court system needs to enforce mandatory treatment for the sex offender, and then once this has been met, if the offender wishes to be taken off the registry, prove to the court their level of rehabilitation. Wouldn't it be better to make the individual that wants to get off the registry responsible for the court costs vs. repeat offending with the costs borne by the state? Do we have statistics on the amount of offenders on the registry that have gone through treatment vs. the ones that haven't? Now is the time to develop reasonable and workable regulations in treatment of sex offenders.

NANCY HOOK

Rapid City

Thanks for airing 'Tabitha's Story'

I want to thank KNBN for airing "Tabitha's Story." It gave us all a better sense of what the victim and their family and friends go through.

When I was injured by two drag racers in March 2005, the news focused mostly on the court cases of the men. Hopefully, this story will make people think about the consequences of their actions. I visited Tabitha in the hospital, hoping to give her encouragement. Her grandfather told me about how strong her family was and how her former high school in Hot Springs had a spaghetti supper to raise money for her.

Tabitha is fortunate to be loved by so many. She is a true inspiration for her strength and courage. I hope this story will prevent even one tragedy like this from happening again. Best of luck to her in the future, and thanks again to KNBN for their presentation.

JOHN WALTER

Rapid City

Not conserving fuel is supporting terrorism

Once again you astound me with your ignorance, Jobie. Did you happen to notice in the Energy Information Administration's postings that there are 114 other countries we import oil from? Did it occur to you that in many of these countries, al-Qaeda is very much alive and well? Citing the top four from our State Department - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and North African countries. Or is it OK in your views to finance these terrorists since it's just a minute amount compared to what we import from Canada, Mexico and Saudi Arabia? In your views, conserving fuel isn't a big deal since you're supporting the terrorists just a little bit. In my views, you are aiding and abetting the enemy (treason) and betraying your brothers in arms by not conserving fuels and pushing for alternative fuel sources that don't finance the same factions our troops are fighting. Our economy is totally dependent on oil, and bin Laden knows that any major disruption to our supply would bring our economy to a grinding halt. You were told.

ADAM J. SZYMONSKI

Rapid City

Religious factions make future uncertain

"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." Today, we have the ability to kill not only a few, but hundreds of thousands, "with one blow," call it civilized and brag about the "brotherhood of man" as if it were true. We see violence and war as a solution to problems when in reality it is the problem, not only in the home but between nations. It's the monkeys who should be ashamed we're related!

The May 16 Journal carried a picture of an Iraqi boy, maybe 10 or so, surveying the scene of a car bombing in Baghdad. What must be going through his mind? It's said that conditions there for women are much worse than before our "intervention," therefore, half of the people don't have a voice, and that's the less aggressive half. Does this young child see manhood as just being totally violent, or maybe, if he's very observant, totally insane? Men are the ones who kill, and women are mere producers of warriors/victims? Christians/Muslim's/Jews (male dominant religions) are mortal enemies and revenge is obligatory? This does not bode well for the future, and if these factious religions don't change, we face extinction.

MARGARET MINKEL

Rapid City

Illegal drugs ruining our way of life

Illegal drug use is ruining our wonderful way of life here in South Dakota. Those who use these illegal drugs and especially those who sell these awful drugs are the culprits.

The enormous cost of illegally using these drugs is staggering. Police, rehab, public defenders, jail space, feeding inmates, Judges salaries, counseling services, testing services, broken families are just a few of the consequences of illegal drug use. These costs are measured in the millions and millions of tax dollars.

These costs are yours' and my tax dollars. I am outraged by the gall of these miscreants who flaunt the law to satisfy their own base cravings. I am sick of the idea that we must be tolerant of these low lifes. They chose to use and sell drugs. They chose the lifestyle and the consequences. Let them pay the bill. Garnish all future wages these bums may earn to repay us, the taxpayers.

It might be a good time to buy Devils Island from the French and send all those convicted of selling drugs to that tropical paradise for 20 years. That would be the ultimate in low maintenance prison space. Let them eat dirt and cockroaches.

JACK SAYLES

Custer

Moving to Rapid City was good for family

Thirty years ago, I left my hometown of Sacramento with my husband and 4-year-old daughter Jennie and moved to South Dakota. It was our hope and belief that this area would provide a healthier environment and more opportunities for our children. We have never regretted this move.

On May 14, 2007, our youngest daughter Nikki was inducted into the Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame. She was not able to attend this special event, and because of Internet problems, we did not receive her acceptance speech until after the ceremony. In it, she thanked the many people in this area whom supported her including coach Phil Hunt ("who put up with us girls for so long"), the many pros whom volunteered to give her golf lessons, the members of Arrowhead Country Club, the officials and the Rapid City Journal for its outstanding coverage of school sports. Nikki concluded that "growing up in the Black Hills was an amazing opportunity. I feel so fortunate to have had the experience."

That evening I reminded my husband that moving to this beautiful area was one of the best things we ever did! Thank you Rapid City!

DEE STANGARONE

Rapid City

Amnesty will allow 20 million illegals

Recently, Ted Kennedy came out smiling from closed-door meetings with other Democratic senators, John McCain, John Kyle and LaRaza and MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense Fund).

They finally came to agreement on a Comprehensive Immigration Bill. In 1965, Ted Kennedy came before cameras smiling to tell the American people agreement has been reached on an immigration bill. In 1986, Ted Kennedy came before cameras with a big smile on his face to tell the American people this amnesty was best for the American people.

All a person needs to do is look at Los Angeles and remember the nationwide protests of 2006 to see the demographics of comprehensive immigration. This new amnesty will allow 20-plus million illegals to remain in America legally (get to vote, too). Go to the front of the line. This bill will also let these illegals sponsor four or five family members.

So please do the math!

I'm not a bigot or racist, I like to think I'm American. And I worry about my children's future in America.

Treason is a harsh word - but it is taking place behind closed doors.

THOMAS C. SCHEVECK

Rapid City

Sale raised money for cystic fibrosis group

On Saturday, May 19, 2007, members of our Great Strides team, "Moonlight for M & M" (for Madelaine and Madelyn, two little girls who have cystic fibrosis), held a garage sale at Countryside. All proceeds will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation "Great Strides" walk in Rapid City on May 26th. We raised over $1,000 and would like to thank everyone who donated or purchased items, and especially those who donated additional amounts.

The highlight of the fundraiser was when two boys, probably around 8 years old, each came up to pay for American flags on dowels we had priced at 10 cents each. The second young man gave me a quarter, and I told him I owed him 15 cents and started to give him his change. He then gave me another quarter. I said, "na, they're only 10 cents." "That's OK," he said. I thanked him and told him that we really appreciated it because all the money was going to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "I know," he said, "that's why I want you to have it."

BONNIE STONEFELT

Rapid City

2012 program not rooted in 1972 flood

According to a May 13th Journal article, the 2012 program had its beginnings with the 1972 flood. Actually, the 1972 flood costs were paid for with hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars. The 2012 program began with a broken promise to repeal the civic center tax after the civic center was re-purchased in 1994.

Rapid City sold the civic center to an unidentified consortium in 1979 for $19.9 million. The city then rented it back for 15 years, paying $600,000 in rent the first year and increasing annually to $5 million the last year. Rapid City taxpayers then paid a rumored $50 million to re-purchase it.

City government then convinced voters to adopt a perpetual tax, dubbed the 2012 tax, which has since been spent (and borrowed against with interest) at government whim. The 2012 money has been doled out to every Tom, Dick and Harry who made a winning plea to the city council.

I prefer a plain vanilla government, one that takes care of streets and utilities and offers every capital expenditure up for public vote. Convoluted deals with taxpayers' money encourages suspicion of elected officials and creates mistrust of government.

BILL STONE

Rapid City

Get involved in service in a positive way

Most people who voluntarily put their name on a ballot for service in any public arena of government do so with convictions well-meant and with right motives and Christian heart to give their best knowledge and energies if elected.

When they are elected, it should be the responsibility of every citizen to support them with positive, helpful suggestions. If you disagree with a decision and believe you have a better resolve, get involved and offer to helpfully and intelligently tell them so.

To stand back in the shadows and belittle, snipe, deprecate, decry, demean and in every way attempt to destroy the individual is shamefully wrong and solves nothing; it is, plain and simple, a mirror of the intelligence level of the accuser.

Have you learned the Power of Positive? It makes everyone "larger" and stronger. Try it!

TONI MARTIN

Rapid City

Fight over Prieksat is discouraging

I have been following the criticism of Bob Prieksat recently with interest and dismay. I am director of a wildlife education organization, and we are regulated by both S.D. GF&P and USF&WS. First of all, I can honestly say that my staff and I have always been treated with respect and professionalism by Mr. Prieksat. I can say the same about his predecessor, John Cooper, and almost all GF&P officers we have encountered as well.

That is one reason that I am so discouraged by the recent developments between the federal and state agencies. GF&P now says they will not aid USF&WS in enforcing federal wildlife laws because the feds have resisted their demand to remove Prieksat from his job. I find this discouraging also because I expect GF&P to fully protect our state's wildlife.

Finally, it also seems to me that if there is a problem between professional people, it ought to be handled in an adult manner - with face-to-face discussions, negotiations and compromise. The current solution appears more like a child grabbing half the game pieces and going home. It doesn't serve our wildlife, and it certainly doesn't serve the people of our state.

MELISSA HORTON

Rapid City

EMS personnel also make sacrifices

I read with interest your editorial on Sunday, May 20, regarding the volunteer fire fighters and the long hours and work they put in, especially during fire season. I agree whole-heartedly the kudos are well-deserved. However, I feel compelled to mention that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel deserve ample recognition for their many hours of dedicated service to their understaffed volunteer organizations throughout S.D. My main reason to bring this up is May 20-26 was declared EMS week nationally.

Our volunteer EMS departments are struggling to recruit and maintain active rosters of EMTs due to the same requirements you listed "arduous, dangerous, demanding. …". We are daily thrust into life and death situations in our small communities involving our own relatives, friends and neighbors. This makes it very difficult and stressful for EMS personnel. EMS personnel, much like volunteer firefighters, are on call 24/7 365 days per year. We don't tend to have a "fire season," but instead people get sick or have accidents at any time.

So the next time you see volunteer EMS personnel, thank them, too, for the countless hours they spend answering the page and being on call.

DICK JOHNSON

Wall

Newspaper dealt with headline properly

As a reader who took offense with the phrasing of the Journal's Sunday, May 20, headline, "Indian picked to lead Central", I am pleased that your newspaper addressed this issue in the following Sunday, May 27, edition.

This is what I was anticipating and hoping for, and you have done so in a timely and appropriate manner.

Thank you.

JAMES R. HANSON

Rapid City

Headline shocked and offended

As I read Mr. Hanson's letter of May 23, 2007, I remembered my reaction to your front page, above the crease, headline declaring "Indian picked to lead Central" I was able to read this offensive headline as it laid on my porch. I was shocked and offended when I should have been proud and happy.

Maybe if we all got together and set a date to cancel our subscriptions, the Rapid City Journal would make an apology and take the appropriate corrective action to ensure this will never occur in the future.

LAURA McGEE

Rapid City

Editor's note: The Journal editorial on Sunday, May 27, expressed regret for the headline on the Central principal story and outlined corrective actions we intend to take.

Headline did disservice to entire community

"We regret publishing it and realize it should have been phrased differently."

This was the R.C. Journal's response to the outrage over the headline of Sunday, May 20.

What the Journal did on that day created a great disservice to not only the Native American community of our great city but to all members of our community.

I am a Native American graduate of R.C. Central High School. I think that it is a true accomplishment for this school district and this city that a Native American has been chosen as principal of this school. I think that this move will only create a better relationship within our community; thank you Rapid City school district.

As for the RC Journal: Your cop out editorial (May 27) in which you try to justify your reprehensible behavior only further demonstrates this journal's inability to appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of our city.

I say to the people of our community and especially the Native American community. To think we entrust that the journal be unbiased and, more importantly, culturally sensitive. Yet they still fail to own up to their mistakes, furthermore, they don't even say they are sorry. How unfortunate.

KELLEN RETURNS FROM SCOUT

Rapid City