June 7, 2013

Sam Kookier wins another term despite lower election turnout

Voter turnout was lower than in 2011, as only 21% turned out for the election Tuesday.  Sam Kookier was the definite winner with 73 percent of the vote.  The voter turnout was about average with 10,700 registered voters casting ballots.

May 20, 2013

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.

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.

February 26, 2013

State Senator Mark Kirkeby announced his intentions to run for mayor of Rapid City. Mayor Sam Kooiker is expected to run for a second term.

State Senator Mark Kirkeby announced his intentions to run for mayor of Rapid City. Mayor Sam Kooiker is expected to run for a second term. According to the Rapid City Journal, other high profile candidates like past and present members of the city council have stated they do not intend to run.

January 31, 2013

Under SB 129 if a city creates a new TIF, the county would not be responsible for paying additional property taxes, and vice versa.

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.

January 31, 2013

A 4-3 vote rejects a bill that would have required government meetings to be recorded, even if closed to the public.

A 4-3 vote rejects a bill that would have required government meetings to be recorded, even if closed to the public. The Rapid City Journal reports that Mayor Sam Kooiker was in favor of the bill, saying that the recordings could be used to show that a board obeyed all laws. Opponents felt that recordings would inhibit open discussion in closed sessions.

January 29, 2013

A new bill would require minutes and audio recordings to be kept for closed sessions of public meetings.

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.

June 16, 2012

Rapid City business men and former city employee seek permission to sue.

Former Rapid City business owners George and Clifford Fish and former landfill employee Randall Meidinger are asking Circuit Judge Gene Paul Kean for permission to sue several Rapid City employees.  Named in the request are Rapid City's Mayor Kooiker, Police Lt. Peter Ragone, Landfill Operations Supervisor John Leahy, and former Solid Waste Superintendent Jerry Wright.  The court documents contend that the named individuals all acted individually and in concert to bring Fish and Mr.

June 12, 2012

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. Races included several open spots on Rapid City Council, Rapid City Area School Board, and Pennington County State's Attorney.

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.

June 11, 2012

Hundreds of residents and visitors attended a memorial service to honor the 238 people who lost their lives in the 1972 Flood.

Hundreds of people attended the memorial service at the Rapid City Civic Center to pay tribute to the 238 people who lost their lives in the Black Hills Flood of 1972. Current Mayor Sam Kookier spoke at the June 10 service, as did former mayor Don Barnett. Others shared memories of the past and lessons learned.

June 8, 2012

Former Rapid City Mayor Don Barnett appeared on the Today show after the 1972 flood, and again to mark the 40th anniversary.

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.

June 8, 2012

This PBS documentary chronicles the 40th anniversary of the Black Hills Flood of 1972.

This PBS documentary chronicles the 40th anniversary of the Black Hills Flood of 1972. Guests on the show include former mayor Don Barnett, Chuck Childs (in charge of the missing persons/identification), and others who were involved with or survived the flood.  To view the program in its entirety, go to the following link.

June 8, 2012

Retired Rapid City lineman remembers working nearly around the clock to make sure customers were safe.

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.

June 8, 2012

The Today Show has produced an recorded interview with former mayor Don Barnett about the Flood of 1972.

The Today Show has produced an recorded interview with former mayor Don Barnett about the Flood of 1972. This piece was shown on the Today Show on Thursday's show and features the former mayor discussing the city during and after the Flood and how it has recovered and learned from the disaster.  To view the video, follow this link to MSNBC video.

April 20, 2012

Budget includes $53.9 millon for bidding out infrastructure projects, including residential streets and railroad crossings.

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.

April 15, 2012

New TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District would return revenue to Rapid City while freeing developers from an approaching deadline to use the funds.

A city committee will consider a request from developers of the President's Plaza project to redraw the original TIF District established nearly five years ago, which would then be dissolved, according to a story in the Rapid City Journal. Mayor Sam Kooiker calls it a win for taxpayers, while the developers say it will not affect project deadlines.

April 11, 2012

Debra Schmidt plans to focus on economic development during her second term as mayor.

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.

April 10, 2012

Commissioners recommend the project, but are unanimous in their opinion that the current building design is too tall.

In a  meeting on April 10th to consider the impact of the President's Plaza on the downtown historic district, the city's Historic Preservation Committee partially endorsed President's Plaza — recommending everything except the building's 15-story height.

April 6, 2012

The new committee will help establish goals and serve in an advisory role to other organizations.

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

April 6, 2012

Incumbent mayor and Ward 1 council member are facing challenges.

Whitewood voters will go to the polls on April 10 to choose between two candidates for mayor and two candidates for a city council seat.

Read more in the Rapid City Journal.

April 4, 2012

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.

March 18, 2012

Reformers have until March 27 to gather 2,000 signatures to put issue on June 5 ballot.

 

Petitioners are seeking to put an initiated measure on Rapid City's June 5 election ballot that would lengthen the terms of the city's mayor and city council members. The two-year terms would extend to three years if voters approve the measure.

 

Mayor Sam Kooiker vetoed a similar measure passed by the city council, saying such a change should come from the people and not elected officials.

 

March 18, 2012

Ward 3 now has two candidates for the seat of outgoing Alderman Dave Davis.

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.

March 17, 2012

Tax-increment financing (TIF) has been a controversial economic development tool. Mayor Sam Kooiker hosts a town hall meeting on March 20 to provide information.

Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker will host a town hall meeting to discuss Tax-Increment Fiancing (TIF) information at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at the Minneluzahan Senior Citizen Center.

 

See the full announcement in the Rapid City Journal.

 

Read some specifics about TIFs in the Mayor's newsletter.

March 9, 2012

Other groups may still get the issue on the ballot.

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.

March 6, 2012

Council failed to get the 2/3 majority needed to override the mayor's veto.

Rapid City Council voted 5-4 not to override Mayor Sam Kooiker's vetoes of Ordinance No. 5767 and No. 5768 at their meeting on Monday, March 5, 2012.