Badger Mayor Marks Decades of Leadership

By Kelli Volk KELOLAND Media Group Sometimes, being a leader means wearing a few different hats.

Aman in Kingsbury County is a shining example of that.

Like many small towns, Badger has changed over time.

"Weusedtohaveagrocerystoreandacafeandwhatever, but that's gone, " Badger Mayor MyronAndersen said.

Still,there'sonethingthathasremainedthesameoverthe past several decades.

"I was appointed mayor in 1967, "Andersen said.

Today, 80-year-old Myron Andersen is still leading this community of about 130 people.

If you're keeping track, that's 50 years as mayor. Being mayor means being a multi-tasker.

"You might say I take care of the electrical system, the sewersystem,thewatersystem,theroads, "Andersensaid.

Andersen oversees all of it and he has an impressive selection of hardware to prove his dedication to his hometown.

Thosewhohavewatchedhimleadovertheyearscanattest to his contributions to the community, including his son Terry who's also a longtime Badger resident.

"Hardworker. Dedicated to Badger of course, " Terry

Andersen said.

Andersen has about a year and a half left of his current term.He'snotsurewhat'snextafterthat,buthedoesknow the answer to this question:

Volk:Why do you remain so dedicated to the town? Andersen: I don't know. I guess it's my town. I've been here forever. I was born and raised here and I'm still here. I've been here for 80 years.

While this town is small, it can take up a big spot in someone's heart.

Managers & Administrators in Local Government

As the President of the South Dakota City Management Association, I would like to provide some insight into the role of Managers &Administrators in local governments.

The concept of professionally managed communities is fairly new in South Dakota. The concept is based upon a business organization's chief executive officer, the appointed professional manager (or administrator) administers the daily operations of the community. Through a professional staff, the manager ensures the effective provision of services and enforces the policies adopted by the elected body. He or she, in turn, uses merit astheleadingcriterionformakingallhiringandpersonnel decisions.

A growing number of South Dakotan communities have moved towards professional management. Especially in small communities, professionals who are educated and experienced in local government provide a significant benefit that is difficult to emulate without a professional manager. There are compelling reasons why 59% of the nation’s communities have adopted council-manager government: - Appointed local government managers have no guaranteed term of office or tenure. They can be dismissed by the council at any time, for any reason.As a result, they constantly must respond to citizens and be dedicated to the highest ideals of honesty, integrity, and excellence in the management and delivery of public services. - The elected city, town, or county council hires a manager to implement their policies and programs,andoverseetheday-to-daybusinessof thegovernmentinanethical,transparentmanner. - Council-manager government diffuses the power of special interests and eliminates partisan politics from municipal hiring, firing, and contracting decisions. - The Code of Ethics of all Administers ensure theircommitmenttoaccountability,integrity,and public service beyond self interest

I invite the residents of South Dakota to contact me or other members of theAssociation to discuss the roles and benefits of professional CityAdministration.

Justin Weiland President, SD City Management Association City Administrator, City of Dell Rapids