by Benjamin Chase
of the Plainsman
HURON –– On Saturday, May 9, Huron area voters were able to hear from candidates for multiple offices on the June 2 ballot – Huron School Board, Huron City Commission, and two districts of the Beadle County Commission.
The morning opened with the two candidates for Huron School Board, incumbent Shelly Siemonsma and challenger Sarah Meirose.
Siemonsma gave the first opening statement, noting that she has been a member of the Huron School Board for the past nine years, raising six children in the Huron School District. She explained that during her time, the focus has been on students – on student achievement, on adapting learning to each individual, and investing in compensation and professional development for district teachers and staff.
Meirose explained that she has been in Huron for three years, working as faculty for Northern State University through Huron Community Campus. She explained that her reason for running was that she felt the board should have the voice of an educator on it when tough decisions need to be made. She explained that she is willing to be a fresh set of eyes on decisions made by the board.
The first question for the candidates involved meeting the needs of the district with the changes in enrollment and funding that affected the district. Meirose emphasized being proactive, rather than reactive. She also mentioned having financial decisions made by the board as transparent in its language for the public to understand as possible. Siemonsma emphasized the team examining the finances to ensure that the focus of spending is on student needs and teachers. She cited that 89 percent of the budget is spent on teacher and staff salary and benefits.
The next question was to the candidates regarding the role as a leader in the community as one of the largest employers in Huron. Siemonsma emphasized teacher and staff pay as a large component of that leadership, along with prioritizing student experience. Meirose discussed expanding partnerships with area technical schools and area businesses to allow students real-world experience, including potential work on rehabbing homes rather on top of the home that the CTE program builds each year.
The candidates were then asked about discipline in the district as homeschool numbers have been reported as heavily influenced by students attempting to avoid disciplinary action by the school. Siemonsma noted that the mental health and behavioral needs of students have been added to the plate for teachers now. She also noted that the district is examining the balance of meeting children’s needs while also staying on the right side of the law. She did admit that while the district is making efforts, the behaviors continue within the district. Meirose identified the relationship between parents and the teachers/staff as integral to any positive change in behaviors within the classroom.
In closing statements, Meirose and Siemonsma both expressed that they felt voters have two strong choices, regardless of who wins in the election. Meirose cited the school district’s diversity and encouraged that the district should be a leader in the state working with a diverse student body. Siemonsma used her closing statements to thank the community for their support and the district staff for their hard work.
The second forum was for Huron City Commission, as Bryan Smith chose not to run again for his seat. Drew Weinreis and Josh Carr are running for one open seat.
Weinreis cited his involvement in the community and his past experience as a city commissioner, stating that he cares deeply about the future of the community and its future. Carr discussed his family’s involvement in the region, with his grandfather starting the Carr Chiropractic Clinic in Miller, where his grandfather also served as mayor. He explained that he recently changed careers, leaving chiropractic work to become a financial adviso. He explained that his desire to see current positive trends in Huron continue forward.
The candidates were asked about a recently-passed bill from the legislature that allows communities to raise taxes up to one percent for capital projects. Weinreis stated that he was hesitant to raise taxes as a first option. Carr agreed, but he also noted that legislators felt that communities needed that option, and he stated that he would prefer to use it as a last option, but he would be willing to work in congress with the legislature.
The commissioners were asked about the appearance around town, specifically a sign on the West entrance to town that features logos for the city’s service clubs. Carr explained that there is a committee that is working with the property owner to clean the property and to clean up the sign. Both candidates discussed ordinances in the city and enforcement of those ordinances as possible ways to clean up the community.
Candidates were asked about the relationship with the school. Weinreis cited the partnership on properties in the community and the School Resource Officer in the district buildings as a city involvement. Carr praised the school’s approach to diversity in the district as something the city could emulate and partner on to help the city embrace diversity.
The commission candidates were asked about their opinions on a potential change in the city government structure, adding a city administrator or a city manager that has been discussed in recent work sessions. Neither stated that they were in favor of changing the city government structure. Carr encouraged getting metrics to see what would be changed with a government structure change. Weinreis encouraged that any change should go through city residents through a vote before any change is made.
The final question for the city commission candidates asked their opinion on data centers and whether they would be in favor of Huron recruiting and partnering with a potential data center. Weinreis stated that he would listen, but he would be opposed right now as there is not enough information as to what benefits versus harms would exist once the center is built. Carr stated that he would lean on the advice of Greater Huron Development Corporation whether such a business would fit in Huron.
In his closing statement, Carr cited that Huron has many positives going for it, and he wants to see the city move forward. Weinreis echoed those sentiments, stating that he believed his previous experience will allow him to help the commission move the city forward.
Beadle County Commission district 3 candidate Jeff McGirr addressed the crowd. McGirr’s opponent, incumbent Allen Greenfield, resigned his seat on the commission, effective May 1, though his resignation came too late to be removed from the ballot. McGirr acknowledged the awkward situation, but he stated that he will continue to work for the community. He gave his background in the Beadle County and Huron area and also explained his background on various boards within the community and the state.
Finally, the district one candidates, Justin Lindquist and Tom Moeding, had an opportunity to speak to the audience. The seat for district one is open as Denis Drake is not running for re-election.
Lindquist gave his background, explaining that he was a 2001 Huron High School graduate and returned to Huron after his college education. He also discussed his background with True North Steel and that the various contractors that he has worked with in that capacity, giving him unique perspective in working with contractors in the county.
Moeding discussed his background working as the emergency manager for the county. He noted the emergencies that he helped the county work through during his time, along with returning to work with the county in 2020 during COVID.
The first question to the candidates regarded a bill that allowed for counties to lower property taxes by raising sales tax within the county. Lindquist stated that he would want to do more research on the bill and to talk with constituents before he would be willing to make that sort of move. Moeding also expressed that he would need to do research, and he expressed worry that such a shift could be the first step to a state income tax.
The candidates were asked about the relationship between the county and the city. Moeding discussed his office previously being in the city building, so he is very used to the city and county working together. Lindquist talked about keeping open channels of communication between both bodies.
The moderator asked the next question of the candidates, inquiring what they saw as the largest opportunity for the county. Lindquist explained that utilizing technology to find further efficiencies to how snow is cleared or roads are plowed. Moeding noted that he’s been hearing from plenty of people who want changes in road care, but he also knows that the county has a lot of miles of road to care for, and every person believes that his or her roads are the most important.
Moeding opened the closing statements by stating that he would work to get along, no matter what happens with the race. Lindquist agreed, and he closed by emphasizing his desire to serve his community.
Early voting is open during regular business hours at the Beadle County auditor’s office. The June 2 election is scheduled for the Huron Arena, and voters will need to make plans for alternate routes to the Arena with construction underway on Fourth St. from Dakota Ave. to Illinois Ave.
Leave a Reply