President’s Report

Well the time has come for my last article in a very rewarding year as your SDML President. Thank you all so much for making me feel welcome wherever I ventured. This is a truly wonderful organization full of talented and compassionate public servants. From small towns to large cities I’ve met some of the most amazing people this state has to offer. Your staff at the SDML office are highly motivated and are always available to each of us, guiding us through the dramas we deal with each day in our life of public service. As you know leadership comes from the top and you cannot go wrong with an executive director like Yvonne. Thanks for an enlightening year! My Mayor, Council, and city staff could not have been more supportive and helpful in aiding me to serve the SDML this year. They made it a fruitful and productive year, as always…Thanks! Last, but not least, I want to thank my husband of 45 years, my most ardent supporter, my daughter and son-in-law, and their girls, my folks and eleven siblings, all who are with me through my life’s journeys. Thank you all and I mean every one of you who has touched my life with your presence. Now down to the business at hand this month, the SDML Conference. I hope many of you take part in this annual conference and avail yourself of the wisdom, knowledge, and fun that your fellow public servants have to offer. You will get out of it what you put into it, so try to make yourself attend as many sessions as you can and absorb all the experience of a productive group of people. Selfishly, I am so excited it is in my own stomping grounds. Rapid City has so much to offer so please make it a holiday you will remember in years to come.

Do not forget your key chain. Each of these keys opens a door you will need to be a true public servant. Every person in every department in your city needs these keys to make your city run like a well-oiled machine, each person an important part of you, the city. As you will remember I gave you a key to use each month to be successful in your job. The keys on your chain are: Communication, Diplomacy, Responsibility, Supportiveness, Impartiality, Focus, Strength, Preserver, Teamwork, Listen, and Optimism. All very important keys, but there are so many more, I encourage you to keep adding new ones as the need arises. As I watch and learn from you my ears always hear the jingling of those keys! Again I humbly thank you for allowing me to serve you and this awesome organization. It has been quite a trip!

Respectfully, Meri Jo Anderson President

ARENS ENGINEERING

municipal engineering water & wastewater engineering storm drainage - municipal streets Vernon Arens, PE 230 Capitol St. j Yankton, SD j 57078 605-665-2002 j Fax 605-260-2140 arenseng@iw.net