Winter season sports have begun, we've got another Neighbor you should know, and the Garretson Elementary youth got to enjoy a model trains display at last week's First Bank & Trust Open House, plus much more!
There's a lot going on in our community. Keep up with all of it with the Community Events Calendar on page 4 in the on-line or paper version. With your on-line subscription, you can download it here and have it easy to hand!
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Ron and Lori Luke have been active members of the community and the Garretson Commercial Club for the last two decades.
“We bought the grocery store here in Garretson in 1996, so yeah we’ve been here for 23 years,” said Lorie Luke. “Ron has been working in the grocery business for most of his adult life, starting at the Marion grocery store.”
“I was a senior in high school when they hired me, and I worked there for about seven years,” Ron Luke said.
From there, he worked in sales, all the while looking, keeping an eye out for a store that he could buy and that he and Lori could own and operate.
“We were living in Sioux Falls and we wanted to raise our family in a small town too,” Lori said.
Garretson was the right opportunity.
“I’m thankful that the local bank was willing to take a chance with me,” he said. “It was a gamble for them. We didn’t have anything starting out, but they had confidence that we’d be able to make it work and I’m happy to say that we did. I’m grateful to the community who’s supported us.”
Over the years they’ve earned a reputation for excellence in service and product, earning the 2016 SD Retailer of the Year Award from the South Dakota Retailers Association. People make the drive from Sioux Falls to come up to shop, and he supplies several local restaurants. They have also been very active with the local American Legion, Commercial Club and are a constant partner working with and supplying the Garretson Food Pantry.
Jim & Kathy Kellum of Garretson. Kathy is wearing a sample of the jewelry she makes, and below is a sample of Jim’s gunsmithing work, top is a customized rifle with some wonderful stock art and below is a restoration of a family heirloom shotgun that actually belongs to Gazette editor Garrick Moritz.
Jim and Kathy Kellum are both interesting and knowledgeable people who contribute to the worth of the community. They have lived in Garretson since 2014.
Jim works for the Amesbury- Truth Co. which has seven plants around the country. Jim works at the Sioux Falls facility. He was employed at one of their competitors in the Eastern U. S. prior.
After starting work in Sioux Falls, he commuted to the East each weekend to help get ready to move to Garretson.
While here, he drove around to the towns around Sioux Falls to see what living possibilities each offered. He selected Garretson as a good place to live. He and Kathy decided that the house in Garretson was the house which they wanted to live in.
Amesbury-Truth manufactures components for large window and door installations. Jim designs some of the components and is an expert at installation of the components and troubleshooting any problems. Jim has over 30 U.S. and foreign patents and pending patent applications.
Before taking his present job, Jim worked at other companies that afforded him extensive travel in Europe, Japan, Mexico and China. He has many very interesting experiences to tell about.
When he was in Seattle applying for work, he met Kathy who was to be his wife. Jim was in the Navy 1966-1970 and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. Today Jim holds a U.S. Coast Guard license as a Merchant Marine Engineering Officer.
Since Jim and Kathy have lived in Garretson they established activities which showcase activities of their intelligence and abilities.
I can attest to Kathy’s culinary skills by the delicious pumpkin pie she served when I came to collect Jim’s Legion dues. Her other interests include being a licensed massage therapist and Reiki Master.
Currently she is painting an array of very pretty Christmas cards and is also making very beautiful jewelry using very small beads and semi-precious stones. She also has a tastefully decorated home. She is a very talented lady.
Jim is journeyman machinist, mechanical engineer and became a self-taught gunsmith before finally completing a Master Gunsmith course.
He secured zoning permission from the City of Garretson because being a gunsmith is a business even though it is in a separate location. He got approval from his close neighbors. He does not display any advertising signs.
Jim has all the equipment and parts to repair or rebuild any type of small arms including a special forge used when he has to make a part.
Whether the weapon is an old one to be used as a display item or is one that needs repair or modification to be put in working order, Jim does a beautiful job. He does not advertise, and only does work for people he knows or direct referrals. Jim could refer to his gunsmith work as a part time vocation, but I am confident that he could make a very good living at it because he is so good at it.
The Garretson City Council met in regular session on Dec. 2, 2019. This meeting had many facets, as the council discussed policing, nuisance reports, trees, potential load limits for city streets, and amending the contract with the Rekstads to include utilizing online registration for the Splitrock Park campground.
After the meeting was convened the council approved their agenda, minutes and claims.
Joe Bosman of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department gave the council the Sheriff’s Report. Bosman reported that, generally, crime is down in the Garretson Area. Arrests and case reports for assaults and drugs have decreased since 2018. Theft cases remain the same. Speeding citations have dropped from 115 to 52 and DUI citations dropped from 24 to 10.
Councilman Tom Godbey asked if officers do a regular check of doors in the city’s residential areas. Bosman responded that they only check doors when they note something suspicious. He also noted that they vary their patrols constantly so as not to form a discernible pattern potential thieves can adjust to. Councilwoman Richelle Hofer asked about the city’s noise ordinance as regards to barking dogs. Bosman said that Captain Walsh has received a copy of the city’s new ordinance draft and will review it, and will have notes for them by their next regular meeting.
Concerns were also brought up that traffic was not stopping at stop signs (specifically the 4 way stop on Dows after school dismissal), and that the posted sign that forbids dynamic engine braking within city limits is likewise being ignored by passing trucks. Bosman said that he will direct officers to be present as a deterrence during times of peak activity. Crossing double lines to park was also discussed. Bosman said that unless an officer directly witnesses this act, it is difficult to enforce.
The council then heard from their park board. Colleen Collier presented for the park board and reported that the Light the Park event had so far been a solid success. At or around 150 vehicles came through the park on opening night. Subsequent nights have also been steadily busy with a good number of visitors. She also publicly thanked Brad Farrell for his assistance as he created a secure donation box out of an old mailbox of Collier’s. Councilman Dave Bonte and Councilwoman Hofer had both taken the tour and complemented the Park Board on a job well done. Councilwoman Jodi Gloe also commended the park board on all their hard work, and thanked them and the community as a whole for making this idea a reality.
The above picture hangs in the hallway at Spirit Canyon apartments. For months local residents Edna Bragstad and Tommy Willems, with a grand total of over 180 years combined knowledge, are asking for your help in identifying some of the people in this picture. They do believe the event may be the Garretson 100th Anniversary parade. They believe the driver and owner of this pickup is Milton Edmundson. Riding shotgun may be Orlen Berge. Guiding the plow may be Joe Bragstad. But to help solve this crossword puzzle, who the heck are the three riders in the back of the truck? If you can help solve this mystery contact Garrick at the Gazette. We will be running other such mystery photos in the future and as space allows.
Commission Chair Jean Bender, photo by Dave Baumeister
SIOUX FALLS – In a special media briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 3, Minnehaha County Commission Chair Jean Bender talked to reporters about the resignation of State’s Attorney Aaron McGowan, which commissioners unanimously accepted earlier.
Although Bender wouldn’t comment on specifics, documents show that McGowan’s resignation was a “negotiated” one, resulting in a payment to him of $35,000.
Neither would Bender talk about the reason for the payment, other than to say it was the result of “negotiations.”
“I think the (resignation) document speaks for itself,” she said in answer to a question about McGowan not resigning without that severance.
With that being said, it would seem if McGowan’s resignation wasn’t originally his idea, at the very least, he dictated some of the terms before he would resign.
Although some media sources referred to the verbiage in the resignation agreement as McGowan receiving the $35,000 payment in exchange for forfeiting the right to sue the county, the litigation clause appears to be normal legal wording.
As an elected official, the state’s attorney cannot easily be removed from office without good reason.
And in October, South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, investigating at the request of Gov. Kristi Noem, determined that those reasons did not exist.
However, one source said the insurance company for Minnehaha County had been conducting its own investigation, and the conclusion to negotiate McGowan’s departure may have tied in with the results of their findings.
“We carefully considered the options, and that ($35,000) was the amount we were able to come to an agreement on that would allow the county to move forward.” Bender said, as she explained that this decision was in the best interest of taxpayers and the staff of the state’s attorney’s office.
In his letter of resignation, McGowan cited multiple health reasons, as well as attacks by some in the “print media,” which would seem to be pointed at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
In September, it was first reported that McGowan had not been at work since July, and through the investigation by the attorney general, it was stated that McGowan had people in his office bring alcohol to his home, among other matters of questionable judgement.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the county announced that Crystal Johnson, a former Senior Trial Attorney with the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office, was appointed interim state’s attorney for the county by Robin Houwman, Presiding Judge for the 2nd Judicial Circuit.
Bender said the county commission will be looking at appointing a permanent replacement to fill that office during the next two weeks, although, officially, the position of Minnehaha county State’s Attorney won’t be filled until after the November 2020 election.
One major item came as commissioners discussed and decided on raises to recommend for the county’s elected officials for 2020.
Those recommendations will be written up by HR director Carey Deaver for approval at the Dec. 10 meeting.
After several minutes of discussion, commissioners decided on the following raises: 6% for Sheriff Mike Milstead, 4% for Register of Deeds Julie Risty, and 2% for Auditor Bob Litz.
Commissioners said that because of the problems with the county Treasurer’s office in 2019 and write-ups from the State Office of Legislative Audit, no raise was recommended for Minnehaha County Treasurer Pam Nelson.
Also, due to the uncertainty with how the state’s attorney office will proceed, there was no “raise” planned, but a set salary of $130,000 was suggested for that position.
Commissioner Gerald Beninga originally suggested that raises be tied into cost of living increases, but other’s felt that, especially, the sheriff deserved more with the influx of work for law enforcement and emergency management during the past year.
This meeting was also a public hearing for the second reading of changes to the county’s Surface Ambulance Ordinance.
Those two changes involved bringing Minnehaha County’s requirements in line with those of the state and altering the wording about an invited provider doing a special event in another’s area.
Currently, the state of South Dakota only requires that one EMT be present on any ambulance run, while the unamended ordinance called for two EMTs in Minnehaha County.
Dr. Jeff Luther, the Quality Assurance Director for the Minnehaha County Ambulance Association.
In addition, the ordinance had stated that a provider working a special event in another provider’s designated area needed to get written permission from the regular service to do so.
The change eliminated the need for “written permission,” changing the wording to saying a provider hired to do a special event just needed to “notify” the regular provider.
Speaking in favor of these changes, Dr. Jeff Luther, the Quality Assurance Director for the Minnehaha County Ambulance Association, liked the idea of aligning ambulance regulations.
But while Jay Masur of MedStar Ambulance in Brandon didn’t specifically speak against the changes, he made a strong case for not lowering standards, which he definitely was against.
“You are lessening the requirements for services you are subsidizing, so the services you are not subsidizing will have to back them up even more. To me, that is absolutely backwards,” Masur explained.
“When you get to a scene, and you’re the only EMT on the scene, and you need help, you have none.”
And Masur stressed that MedStar would not be lowering its standards to only having one EMT or paramedic on a run.
Adding to what was already said, Luther, Emergency Management Director Jason Gearman, and Commissioner Jeff Barth all commended Masur for his work and comments, but they said the idea behind this is not to put a service in a situation where they cannot transport a person who needs to get to a hospital immediately, because they only have one EMT available.
Barth referred to the service with the border town of Jasper, Minn., which has to follow separate regulations for the states of Minnesota, South Dakota and Minnehaha County.
On a motion from Commissioner Dan Karsky, the changes to the ordinance were approved on a 5-0 vote.
The Minnehaha Commission has its regular meetings each Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the county administration building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
These meetings are open to all, and public comment is always encouraged.
The Garretson City Council met in regular session on Dec. 2, 2019. This meeting had many facets, as the council discussed policing, nuisance reports, trees, potential load limits for city streets, and amending the contract with the Rekstads to include utilizing online registration for the Splitrock Park campground.
After the meeting was convened the council approved their agenda, minutes and claims.
Joe Bosman of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department gave the council the Sheriff’s Report. Bosman reported that, generally, crime is down in the Garretson Area. Arrests and case reports for assaults and drugs have decreased since 2018. Theft cases remain the same. Speeding citations have dropped from 115 to 52 and DUI citations dropped from 24 to 10.
Councilman Tom Godbey asked if officers do a regular check of doors in the city’s residential areas. Bosman responded that they only check doors when they note something suspicious. He also noted that they vary their patrols constantly so as not to form a discernible pattern potential thieves can adjust to. Councilwoman Richelle Hofer asked about the city’s noise ordinance as regards to barking dogs. Bosman said that Captain Walsh has received a copy of the city’s new ordinance draft and will review it, and will have notes for them by their next regular meeting.
Concerns were also brought up that traffic was not stopping at stop signs (specifically the 4 way stop on Dows after school dismissal), and that the posted sign that forbids dynamic engine braking within city limits is likewise being ignored by passing trucks. Bosman said that he will direct officers to be present as a deterrence during times of peak activity. Crossing double lines to park was also discussed. Bosman said that unless an officer directly witnesses this act, it is difficult to enforce.
The council then heard from their park board. Colleen Collier presented for the park board and reported that the Light the Park event had so far been a solid success. At or around 150 vehicles came through the park on opening night. Subsequent nights have also been steadily busy with a good number of visitors. She also publicly thanked Brad Farrell for his assistance as he created a secure donation box out of an old mailbox of Collier’s. Councilman Dave Bonte and Councilwoman Hofer had both taken the tour and complemented the Park Board on a job well done. Councilwoman Jodi Gloe also commended the park board on all their hard work, and thanked them and the community as a whole for making this idea a reality.
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Winter season sports have begun, we've got another Neighbor you should know, and the Garretson Elementary youth got to enjoy a model trains display at last week's First Bank & Trust Open House, plus much more!
There's a lot going on in our community. Keep up with all of it with the Community Events Calendar on page 4. You can download it here and have it easy to hand! Community Events Calendar
As an on-line subscriber, you are able to view extra photos, articles, and an issue of this week's paper in a flipbook format! Always feel free to contact us at if you have story ideas, letters to the editor, or questions.
