President’s Report

STEVE ALLENDER

It’s an honor to be named president of the board of directors for the SD Municipal League. The League and its duties fi t well with my personal belief that municipalities are the most important government entity in America.

I’ve often said, and you will hear me say again, that cities are the best example of a citizen government. Elected offi cials and city employees rub elbows with their constituents every day of their lives. They are easily recognizable and therefore easily accountable to the public they serve. Those contacts in grocery stores, baseball games, and across the backyard fence are invaluable when it comes to representation.

The Municipal League plays an important role in maintaining the relationship between city offi cials and the public they serve. One major role is the advocacy and lobbying efforts provided by the league. There are many moving parts in government and occasionally there is friction between the parts. When that friction is a neighboring city, your county, or the state government, you may fi nd yourself in need of assistance. The value of building and maintaining a robust network of city employees and elected offi cials cannot be overstated.

I will go on record now saying I believe cities are under-involved when it comes to interacting with the state legislature; specifi cally advocating, even fi ghting for what is best for their communities. The legislature is a big machine and runs at top speed 40 days out of the year, and there are occasionally issues that need to be worked out.

Private and special interests do a much better job than us wining and dining legislators, and it sometimes shows when a bill is introduced. To make things more complicated, now we must navigate around the political divide that is currently ever-present in America. Thank God for the lobbyists within the League, namely Yvonne Taylor.

Over the next year you’ll hear from me on a variety of issues. I don’t always claim to be correct, but I do always offer thoughts and opinions. I would like to spend some of the next year listening to yours as well. Please communicate with the League. Let us know what you are facing, and maybe we can face it together.

Steve Allender Mayor of Rapid City 2021-2022 SDML President

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