To the Editor:
The citizens of this state share a proud tradition of friendliness and honesty. We’re a hardworking, sell-sufficient bunch. Our Taxpayers deserve a government with the same values.
In the past few years we have all witnessed alarming scandals of financial misuse of taxpayer dollars, namely Gear Up and EB 5, resulting in the loss of untold millions of dollars, a misdirection of state resources and, sadly, a tragic loss of life.
Our state was graded F for being one of the most corrupt states in the nation. Do we need checks and balances in state government? Reasonable people would say yes.

The State Auditor’s constitutionally charged with the obligation to scrutinize the manner in which our tax dollars are spent, therefore it is an extremely important office, and as such, this office is truly our checks and balances upon state government.
On Nov. 6, the citizens of South Dakota will have a great opportunity to reverse the cycle of mismanagement and scandal. I urge you to vote for Tom Cool to be our next State Auditor.
I have known Tom for about 15 years. A Platte native, Tom has a broad background of experience. A graduate of USD, he was a newspaper reporter, an administrator for the Foundation of the Arts, a small business owner and, for the past 30 years, has been the director of the Council on College Admissions in S.D., helping high school students plan a career after high school.
Tom is certainly the type of person we need as State Auditor. We would open up that office and clean it out. He would definitely be a taxpayer’s watchdog, not a bureaucratic lapdog.
Please vote Tom Cool for State Auditor. You will like the change to the way this office has been operated.
Denny Pierson
Sioux Falls