As the June 4th election draws near, Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker and challenger State Senator Mark Kirkeby are working to make clear their differences.

Under SB 129 if a city creates a new TIF, the county would not be responsible for paying additional property taxes, and vice versa. The Rapid City Journal reported that Ron Buskerud, a Pennington County commissioner, was in favor of the bill because Pennington had to give up $1.8 million in property tax revenue for payment of Rapid City TIFs.

A new bill would require minutes and audio recordings to be kept for closed sessions of public meetings. SB 167 is currently under consideration of the Senate Local Government committee, notes the Rapid City Journal. Open meetings have been a recent issue in Rapid City politics, most recently in the investigation of an alderman.

According to the Pennington County Auditor's office, fewer than 21 percent of registered voters in Pennington County participated in the June 5, 2012 election. Turnout was down nearly 11 percent from last year's election, which included a race for mayor in Rapid City.

Five days after the 1972 flood that destroyed parts of Rapid City and surrounding areas, Mayor Don Barnett appeared on the "Today" Show. Among his concerns was the potential that the damage of the flood would be compounded by a loss of tourism. During his appearance, he was given seven minutes to speak on national television about the state's beauty and need for tourists.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, June 8, 2012

Mayor Sam Kooiker

Mutch Usera, Director of External Affairs & Sarah Folsland, Communications Manager

Rapid City and Black Hills area communities rallied to recover from the historic events of 1972, and those efforts included the Black Hills Power linemen (now referred to as line mechanics) who were charged with restoring electric power after the devastation.

Jack Naugle, retired lineman, remembers working nearly around the clock to make sure customers were safe.

This year, Rapid City is planning to invest $53.9 million in infrastructure projects and improvements. Spending priorities will be residential streets and railroad crossings. Mayor Kookier released this and more information in his April 2012 Progress Report.  Read the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), Street Rehabilitation.

More than 200 voters went to the polls in Whitewood. Mayor Debra Schmidt was re-elected and Jessica Rosencranz defeated incumbent Randal Wiege for the Ward 1 council seat.  Read more in the Rapid City Journal.

The City Council is seeking applications for a standing committee to assist in implementing recommendations of the Mayor's Task Force on Sustainability.

Spearfish Mayor Jerry Krambeck reveals the findings from the city's study for the potential annexation of the Upper and Lower Valleys, as reported by the BH Pioneer. For the full story, click here.

The City of Spearfish has also provided the full study for public disclosure. This document can be accessed by clicking here.

Ward 3 City Council hopeful Chad Lewis now has competition. Dan Michael, who ran for Rapid City mayor and City Council previously, joins Lewis as a candidate for City Council in Ward 3. Michael works as a project manager at Action Mechanical. Both men are looking to fill the Council seat Alderman Dave Davis currently holds. Davis previously announced he will not seek reelection.

The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has decided not lead efforts to get the term length issue on the ballot. Other groups may still circulate petitions to get a public vote on the issue. Petitioners need 1,990 signatures, or five percent of Rapid City's registered voters, to bring the initiative to the ballot.