President’s Message

I am not sure that I like what is commonly referred to as “the new normal”. Electronic or virtual meetings are okay on an occasional basis but now that is all I do multiple times a week. Even the ATA Midyear Management Meeting was conducted in that way. Everybody was in their own office and we simply could see each other on the computer screen. It worked and we got the business accomplished but these virtual meetings are not the same as the face-to-face meetings. I think you lose something when having a virtual meeting. I hope this is a temporary thing!

I sincerely hope that everyone took the time to vote in the primary election. Absentee voting laws in SD make it so simple to exercise your right to vote. Now that the primary election sorting has taken place, it is time to pick your candidate and help her or him get elected this fall in the general election. In less than 5 months, the general election will take place. Keep in mind that we will be electing or re-electing our entire state legislature. Please take time to find out who the candidates are and invite them to your place of business or simply for a cup of coffee. If you find a champion that needs to have the support of the SDTA Truck PAC, please let me know and I will send a check directly to that candidate or to you for presentation on our behalf.

As you are aware, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we found it necessary to cancel the Summer Board Meeting, the annual Cliff Tjaden Fishing Event and the Truck Driving Championships all scheduled for May. Later we also canceled the west river Logging Industry Golf Tournament coupled with the annual poker run. However, at this point, we have no plans to cancel the annual east river summer golf tournament scheduled for the Brandon Golf Course for Thursday, July 23rd. This is always a fun and action packed event; please plan to join us.

Difficult times are upon us but as the saying goes, “We will get through this together!” The trucking industry is a very hard-working resilient group.

As Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." Get involved and stay involved!

Myron L. Rau, President mlrau@southdakotatrucking.com

PAM KOLSETH, Comptroller pam@sdautodealer.com MICHELLE WELLS, Executive Assistant michelle@sdautodealer.com JAY STEENSMA, Print Shop Manager jay@sdautodealer.com PATTY HINZ, Office Assistant/Graphic Designer patty@sdautodealer.com

FOR BUSINESS!

THERMO KING of SIOUX FALLS, INC.

Location 1709 N. Cliff Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57103 Phone Office: (605) 334-5162 Online www.thermokingsf.com

COVID-19 Hours On Call 24/7 Monday –Friday: 7:00am to 7:00pm Saturday: 8:00am to 12:00pm Additional Service Locations Storm Lake, IA Marshall, MN