SoDACE Code Enforcement Officer of theYear

SoDACE Code Enforcement Officer of the Year

The SoDACE Code Enforcement Officer of the Year AwardisgiveneachyeartoamemberoftheSouthDakota Association of Code Enforcement (SoDACE) based on a nomination that highlights the individual’s years of service, contributions to the municipality as a Code Enforcement Officer, contributions to their community as a citizen and personal accomplishments.

The following is from the presentation of the 2018 SoDACE Code Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. The award was presented by SoDACE Board President Geoff Fillingsness, City of Beresford, at the 2018 Code Enforcement Information andTraining Conference held at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Pierre on May 9-10.

“Itismydistincthonortopresentthe2018SoDACECode Enforcement Officer of theYearAward.

Whenthedecisionwasmadebythecitytohirethisyear’s Code Enforcement Officer of the Year Award recipient, theyhadnoideawhatanimpactthatdecisionwouldmake. For years, code enforcement had been neglected and pushedaside. Ifyoutookadrivethroughtownyouwould see abandoned and junk vehicles sitting in yards, severely dilapidated buildings, piles of junk and overgrown weeds and grass.

This person did not hesitate at getting to work to clean up town and bring pride back. This person has worked tirelessly with residents on not only educating them of the city ordinances and what they need to do to resolve the issues with their property, but also in helping them to do so.This person has helped them to find the resources they may need to be able to bring their property into compliance. Thispersontakesgreatprideinworkingwith the residents to resolve issues and has earned their respect in doing so.

As you take the same drive through town today, you can see the impact that this person has had. Properties that have been overgrown for years are now maintained routinely by the residents. On your drive you will notice thatalsogonearethehugenumberofabandonedandjunk cars and piles at properties. The appearance of the town has truly changed with the efforts of this person. The city has seen nuisance buildings burned down in cooperation with the Fire Department, buildings town down and the lots sold to new owners who will bring life back to that property. Onelargebuildinginparticularhasgonefroma property in shambles to being restored to hold community events and local business offices.

This person has proven to be a huge asset to the city, not onlyintheirworkrole,butalsoasavolunteer. Thisperson spends countless hours on the weekends and off hours helping residents and cleaning up areas of city property and also volunteering at the local animal shelter.

It gives me great pleasure to present the 2018 SoDACE Code Enforcement Officer of the Year to Clint Haffner of Belle Fourche. ”

In addition, Dave Smith, Code Enforcement Officer from Sturgis and SoDACE Immediate Past President was recognizedforhisyearsofserviceontheBoard.Davewas presented with an engraved clock by SoDACE President Geoff Fillingsness during the Business Meeting.

Pictured are Chief Marlyn Pomrenke, Mayor Gloria Landphere, Clint Haffner and Sergeant Ryan Cherveny from the City of Belle Fourche.

Pictured are Dave Smith of Sturgis and Geoff Fillingsness of Beresford.