by Dave Baumeister, County Correspondent
Five people are currently running to fill three seats on the Minnehaha County Commission in the Nov. 8 general election, and at least two of those seats will definitely be held by new faces.
Longtime commissioners Jeff Barth and Cindy Heiberger are stepping down and not running for re-election, so of the five running, only one, Gerald Beninga, is an incumbent.
Beninga and other candidates, Nichole Cauwels, Tom Holmes, Joe Kipley and Jen. Bleyenberg all answered questions sent to them by our correspondent Dave Bauemeister, and are printed here this week.
While General Election Day isn’t until Tuesday, Nov. 8, absentee voting is already underway on the third floor of the Minnehaha County Administration Building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls. An elevator is available to the right of the main entrance.
Name: Gerald Beninga.
Address: Sioux Falls.
Occupation: President and C.E.O. of Active Generations for 32 years.
Education: Lennox High School, Nettleton Junior College - Associates Degree in Professional Accounting, Sioux Falls College - Business Management and Finances.
Experience: Eight years of Sioux Falls City Council, 12 years of Minnehaha County Commission.
Why do you want to be re-elected to Minnehaha County Commission?
My passion is to make a positive difference in the lives of Minnehaha County residents and support the programs and services that are statutorily required by the State of South Dakota.
What has been your biggest accomplishment on the commission?
My biggest accomplishment is to balance a growing budget that is increasing with the significant growth and needs of public safety.
As a commissioner, how will you be responsive to the smaller town and rural areas?
Over 90% of the programs and services we support with property tax dollars are required by State statutes. This includes the sheriff department, states attorneys and public defenders, jail services, juvenile detention, emergency management, rural fire departments, county highway and the courts systems.
Over the past year, a main point of contention in the county has been regarding the Summit Carbon Solutions CO2 pipeline, and Minnehaha County landowners are still very upset over what is happening. What are your thoughts on how the county commission should be handling this? What more would you do?
The Public Utilities Commission has the full authority and responsibility to grant the permits to transport CO2.
The PUC has delayed public hearings several times to receive more information about the construction and routing of the pipeline. The county commission has responded with their concerns about routing, setbacks, and depths of construction.
If the PUC grants a permit to construct the pipeline, the county has a year from that date to declare a moratorium for the purpose of reviewing zoning regulations or ordinances.
However, the PUC can preempt or supersede any findings that they feel are unreasonably restrictive. The Minnehaha County Commission has no authority to participate in any eminent domain lawsuit with a landowner and a pipeline company. This is a possible Circuit Court case.
Another series of criticisms heard have been about how the current Minnehaha County Auditor handles elections. Except for one meeting since the June Republican primary when the incumbent was defeated in the same format of election that had been criticized by the person who won, there have not been anymore public comments against how the county runs elections. What are your thoughts about this? Do you believe the county should be doing different things in how it handles elections?
The county, city, school, state and federal elections have all been supervised and managed by employees, volunteers, and independent interested parties for many, many years by a process that has been proven to be very accurate.
In fact, over the years many candidates have asked for recounts or verifications by Democrats, Republicans and Independents, and to our knowledge, when these supervised recounts have taken place there are almost no changes.
In South Dakota people have the right to use a motor home campground or post office address as a legal address to receive mail and vote. We have never been presented with facts that would make us question our democratic right to vote or our confidence in the results.
Name: Jen Bleyenberg.
Address: South of Hartford.
Experience: I serve as the Treasurer of Wall Lake Township. I am also a Financial Aid Coordinator at The University of Sioux Falls.
Background: I was raised in West Michigan and attended Grand Valley State University pursuing a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. I moved to Minnehaha County with my family in 2008. We are so thankful to live here and call Minnehaha County our home.
Why do you want to be on the Minnehaha County Commission?
I would like to serve this community as a member of the Commission because as a voter, I value having a well-rounded group of individuals working to represent us.
Are there any specific things you hope to accomplish as a commissioner?
As a commissioner I will strive to listen to the concerns of the people who live in and work for the county. I want to understand the issues that are important to those groups of people and then work from there toward positive solutions. My strengths come from my respect for others and my desire to serve.
While property taxes from the citizens of Sioux Falls account for most of the revenue for Minnehaha County, outside of Sioux Falls there are still many smaller towns and rural areas. As a commissioner, how will you be responsive to these areas?
The people who live in the townships and smaller towns are the essence of South Dakota. After serving at the township level for several years I am excited to have the opportunity to represent these constituents at the county level.
Over the past year, a main point of contention in the county has been regarding the Summit Carbon Solutions CO2 pipeline, and Minnehaha County landowners are still very upset over what is happening. What are your thoughts on how the county commission should be handling this? What more would you do?
The issue of the CO2 pipeline is extremely important to me. The proposed route is less than a mile from our acreage, so I understand the concerns about safety and the impact of the question of eminent domain. I have a lot more to learn about the extent to which the commission can assist landowners and residents in maintaining our pride in the land and safety for our families.
Another series of criticisms heard have been about how the current Minnehaha County Auditor handles elections. Except for one meeting since the June Republican primary when the incumbent was defeated in the same format of election that had been criticized by the person who won, there have not been anymore public comments against how the county runs elections. What are your thoughts about this? Do you believe the county should be doing different things in how it handles elections?
The issue of election integrity is something that a lot of people are concerned with, and secure elections should be important to all of us. I have no reason to think that the system in Minnehaha County is broken, but that's not to say it can't be improved. I respect the enthusiasm of those who are passionate about this topic and I hope that going forward we can move in a positive direction to continue to ensure that the vote of every Minnehaha resident counts.
Overall, what issue will have the greatest effect on the county in the future?
I believe our respect for each other is the issue that will have the biggest impact in our county in the future. I hope that during my time on the commission I can make sure that each concern is heard, and that each citizen is treated with the dignity that they deserve. As our population continues to expand, we need to remain intentional in our task of equipping our county employees to provide a safe community where families can thrive.
Name: Nichole Cauwels.
Address: Brandon.
Occupation: Dentist, rancher, mom.
Education/experience: Graduate degree from UNL, small business owner.
Why do you want to be on the Minnehaha County Commission?
I live on a farm and own a business in Sioux Falls. I have a unique perspective that encompasses so much of Minnehaha County. I am a third generation born and raised here and my strength is problem solving.
Are there any specific items you hope to accomplish as a commissioner?
I want to improve on mental health care for our youth especially as it relates to our Juvenile Detention Center. I want to protect landowners’ rights from unreasonable easements, seizures for private gain and dangerous chemicals. I want to save the Sioux Empire Fair. The current condition is not good, but people are reluctant to make donations and investments when there is a threat of selling the grounds. I want to fund the volunteer fire departments so they can buy the required new radios they need for communications.
While property taxes from the citizens of Sioux Falls account for most of the revenue for Minnehaha County, outside of Sioux Falls there are still many smaller towns and rural areas. As a commissioner, how will you be responsive to these areas?
I will do what I already do, I will go there. I will show up, listen to people and engage. I already visit the small towns in our county on a regular basis. I buy my groceries in Garretson. When my family and I go out for steaks, we go to Renner. If my son and I want to catch a movie we head to the Dells Theater. My dogs get groomed in Colton, and they have their professional training is done in Hartford. My children go to school in Brandon. When I need something repaired on the farm my first stop is Ace in Brandon. When my fuel barrel needs to be topped off, I'm calling Midway in Baltic. There isn't a week that goes by that I'm not visiting several of the rural areas and small towns in the county.
I hope we do not plan to have the Minnehaha County Commission turn into the Sioux Falls City Council 2.0. I understand that the county is Sioux Falls and so much more.
Over the past year, a main point of contention in the county has been regarding the Summit Carbon Solutions CO 2 pipeline, and Minnehaha County landowners are still very upset over what is happening. What are your thoughts on how the county commission should be handling this? What more would you do?
I would be working with state legislators to draft better legislation.
The PUC claims they have no ability to deny the eminent domain request if all of the boxes are met. If that is true, we need to draft updated legislation to address this new situation. Private, for-profit companies, should not have the right to take people's land. 10-acre easements for pump stations is theft.
I would also work through planning and zoning to make sure setbacks are appropriate and that easements cannot be sold to another company. I would work to ensure if the pipeline isn't stopped that there is an appropriate exit strategy and companies are not able to abandon their project without full removal, clean up and return of the land and land rights to the landowner.
Another series of criticisms heard have been about how the current Minnehaha County Auditor handles elections. Except for one meeting since the June Republican primary when the incumbent was defeated in the same format of election that had been criticized by the person who won, there have not been anymore public comments against how the county runs elections. What are your thoughts about this? Do you believe the county should be doing different things in how it handles elections?
I believe we already run fair and honest elections in Minnehaha County. I am in favor of calibrating the tabulating machines prior to each election cycle, and I believe they should not be online (which they are not), but I disagree with the plan for going to fully manual counting and discarding the voting machines altogether.
I have concerns about poll workers safety. I am worried people will be unwilling to serve in these much-needed rolls due to the accusations of impropriety.
I would like to see a change to our voter registration laws that currently allow people who don't live here to register to vote using campgrounds, hotels and even the walmart parking lot as an address.
Overall, what issue will have the greatest effect on the county in the future?
I think it's critical that we have balance and diversity in the Commission so that different perspectives and different needs are taken into consideration when decisions are being made. To have a County Commission made up entirely of people who live in town could have a negative effect on the future of our county.
Name: Tom Holmes.
Address: Sioux Falls.
Education/experience: Retired Educator, BA Degree in Education and History from the University of St. Thomas; MA Degree in Administration from the University of Sioux Falls.
Why do you want to be on the Minnehaha County Commission?
My desire to be a County Commissioner stems from my childhood. The importance of volunteer work and public service has always been impressed upon me. That was one of the reasons I became a teacher. I have also been active in my church, as a state legislator, and as a community volunteer. One of the places I volunteer is at a local hospice. During my time as a hospice volunteer, I have come to appreciate what a gift my good health truly is for me. That realization has lead me to use my gift in the service of others. Being a county commissioner would provide me with another opportunity to serve my neighbors.
Are there any specific items you hope to accomplish as a commissioner?
As a commissioner, my primary responsibility would be to manage our tax revenue well. I also would be especially attentive to the mental health needs of those individuals in need of assistance in the county. Finally, I want to improve and protect the fair.
While property taxes from the citizens of Sioux Falls account for most of the revenue for Minnehaha County, outside of Sioux Falls there are still many smaller towns and rural areas. As a commissioner, how will you be responsive to these areas?
As a Minnehaha County Commissioner, I want to work with local governments across the county. I have met with the mayors and other city officials in many of the communities and attended city council meetings. To further prepare me for the role of county commissioner, I have attended county commission meetings and met with the heads of the various departments. The need to be thrifty with our taxes has been impressed upon me. If I am fortunate to be elected, I would strive to truly be a county commissioner.
Over the past year, a main point of contention in the county has been regarding the Summit Carbon Solutions CO2 pipeline, and Minnehaha County landowners are still very upset over what is happening. What are your thoughts on how the county commission should be handling this? What more would you do?
I have learned that any decision regarding a pipeline is about a year away.
What I can tell you is that the rights of the individual landowners must be respected. I am aware that in some cases the land has been in the family for generations. Landowners pay taxes and take care of their land. Their property rights would be my chief concern.
Another series of criticisms heard have been about how the current Minnehaha County Auditor handles elections. Except for one meeting since the June Republican primary when the incumbent was defeated in the same format of election that had been criticized by the person who won, there have not been anymore public comments against how the county runs elections. What are your thoughts about this? Do you believe the county should be doing different things in how it handles elections?
I have endeavored to inform myself on both sides of this issue. What I have learned is that, for the most part, the county does a good job of fairly and efficiently counting votes.
The difficulties that arose during the primary last June were largely the result of the redistricting process which, in some instances, split precincts between two voting districts. The resulting confusion was understandable. Those issues, however, are being addressed in time for the general election.
I am aware that there are those who have problems with the rules governing an election. We must remember, however, that those rules are made by the state legislature, not local officials.
Overall, what issue will have the greatest effect on the county in the future?
A growing and vibrant Minnehaha County will present us with opportunities as well as challenges. I believe that the greatest challenge is in the area of mental health.
Following my interviews with the Sheriff, the State’s Attorney, the Public Defender’s Office, and the director of the Department of Health and Human Services, I have come to understand the deleterious impact that the use of methamphetamine has upon individuals.
The Sheriff and the State’s Attorney told me that meth use is the primary driver of crime in the county. I know that the County Commissioners have invested heavily in this area and we must continue to do so.
I am also aware that there is wonderful cooperation among the various departments to deal with those who are addicted. The programs are aimed at weaning the addicted individuals away from their dependency and providing them with a second chance at life. The results of these programs has been encouraging and, as a commissioner, I would continue with these efforts and seek ways to improve upon what is being done.
General comments: Campaigning for the commission has been a great experience for me. I have met many wonderful people from across the county. In addition, I have learned a great deal about how this county is administered. As I have met with the various department heads, I have come away very impressed by the quality of people we have working on our behalf. The department heads and their staffs are dedicated and professional individuals who work hard to provide us with the quality of life we enjoy in Minnehaha County. We are fortunate to have them working for us.
Name: Joe Kippley.
Address: Sioux Falls.
Occupation: Healthcare
Administrator.
Education/experience: B.A. University of Notre Dame, J.D. University of South Dakota, Master’s in Healthcare Administration University of Iowa, 10 years of healthcare administration experience.
Why do you want to be on the Minnehaha County Commission?
I want to be on the front line of serving the citizens of our county. From fixing roads to running elections, from public safety to the judicial system, the government closest to the people has the opportunity to make a positive impact and be a strong example of the proper role for government.
Are there any specific items you hope to accomplish as a commissioner?
My top priority is public safety with support for our law enforcement, first responders, and emergency management. I would also lead long-term infrastructure planning and seek creative solutions to increase access to affordable housing.
While property taxes from the citizens of Sioux Falls account for most of the revenue for Minnehaha County, outside of Sioux Falls there are still many smaller towns and rural areas. As a commissioner, how will you be responsive to these areas?
My father grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa, and I grew up in Brookings. I understand the challenges for communities outside of Sioux Falls.
A key to leading our communities is finding common ground between rural and urban to move forward together. At the county level we can do this with joint jurisdiction between cities and county for planning/zoning to ensure all voices are heard.
While I live in Sioux Falls, I have made it a priority to spend time in the surrounding communities during my campaign, and I plan to continue to do that after being elected.
Over the past year, a main point of contention in the county has been regarding the Summit Carbon Solutions CO2 pipeline, and Minnehaha County landowners are still very upset over what is happening. What are your thoughts on how the county commission should be handling this? What more would you do?
The county has done a good job of providing another public forum for input and discussion on this topic. Any further action is premature until the Public Utilities Commission proceeds. The PUC, legislature, and the courts are most likely to be the true arbiters on this issue.
If any pipeline project were approved, I would focus on the public safety aspects and seek proper training for any emergency personnel who would have to respond to any type of pipeline leak.
Another series of criticisms heard have been about how the current Minnehaha County Auditor handles elections. Except for one meeting since the June Republican primary when the incumbent was defeated in the same format of election that had been criticized by the person who won, there have not been anymore public comments against how the county runs elections. What are your thoughts about this? Do you believe the county should be doing different things in how it handles elections?
I have full confidence in our elections in South Dakota. While accuracy of results is the top priority, I would like to see the county continue to improve the speed of counting our results.
We have seen that counting results deep into the night and into the next day leaves room to sow doubt into the process. We need accurate and speedy results.
Overall, what issue will have the greatest effect on the county in the future?
The speed of economic growth. Our flexibility to take advantage of growth opportunities while also preserving the character of our communities will be the key to our success.
General comments: I look forward to serving the residents of Minnehaha County. To learn more about my campaign, please visit www.joekippley.com.
