Candidate Information

Why do you want to run for this position?

I’m running for this position to be a catalyst for change in Volga, we have a growing population,

disconnected areas of town, safety issues, so lets make Volga great again!. By electing new people on council we can get new ideas this way we can combat a “this is how we’ve always done it” kind of attitude. I want a business friendly environment and to make the streets safe in Volga, South Dakota

Tell us about your family.

I’m the oldest of four and my two brothers and parents are in the Sioux Falls area by sister lives in Washington State. I grew up as a student of Tri-Valley k-12, I found myself interested in electronics and computers and went to Dakota State University in Madison, SD. I used to have a brother who lived with me while he attended South Dakota State University. He is now a deputy in Minnehaha County.

How long have you lived in Volga?

I purchased my home in Volga at the end of 2011. At that time I used to work for Daktronics as a service support sales engineer and I am now a network engineer for another company. I love sports so much that I work part time as camera/chyron operator for Midco Sports, the Denny Sanford Premier center, and the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. So yes, I've attended many Sioux Valley sporting events and have been seen on the court and sidelines at SDSU Jackrabbit basketball, volleyball, and football games.

Did someone inspire you or help you push forward to pursue this position?

I’ve always believed in servant leadership whether I was in school early in life or as part

of my jobs later in life. I would say that it’s part of my personality. I was a part of the

student council when I was in High School, the Student Senate at Dakota State

University, and in graduate school, the Student Federation. So, I’m a big time nerd when

it comes to understanding government role in our lives. As far as a positive push to

pursue this position, I would have to choose my mom, Ginny. She retired after 40 years for

the City of Crooks and at one time was awarded the Excellence in South Dakota

Municipal Government Award. 

What would you like to do on day 1?

I would like to see a clean up of Volga and I would like to focus on bettering resident's connections with city government. I think the City Council can do better then limiting outreach to  Civil Engagement forms on their website, and often punting issues to other entities like third party code enforcement. We need more safety measures like cross walks to allow kids and children to cross the street to businesses on the north side of the highway as well as on Samera Avenue. I want to work with the county and make crossing a street in Volga, "Great again".

In the event of being elected, what would be your mission on the city council?

When going around gathering signatures I’ve noticed a common theme in residents I’ve

talked to, pedestrian safety is a concern. As far as building codes, i think Volga needs an upgrade, or clarity of rules, and to widen opportunities for property cleanup like adding additional city wide clean up days and initiating more neighbors-helping-neighbor like projects.

Where would you like to see change throughout the community?

I’d like to see better connectivity between my ward and other wards. I’d like to see

more community involvement in city council meetings and having them broadcasted

online or held virtually. Relating to public safety, i would make sure that driving lanes need to be painted for people who are turning to come safely on and off the highway. I'd also like to see community driven activities like what Brookings has going on with Arts in the Park and a community band. I would support public funding for a community band and a community sports program. I would support policies to help our business districts to be built up and have once a year activities something like a Brookings County Bavarian festival like my family runs Germanfest in Sioux Falls.

How would you go about enacting change in the community?

First I would encourage more voices. We have alternating city council meetings at 5:30

on the first Mondays of the month (except on Holidays) and the third Mondays of the

month at noon. The meetings aren’t broadcasted and public input is limited to 5

minutes at the end of the meeting. Most meetings the public must come later into the

meeting to give their input. I'd like to see a better response from city staff from our engagement software.

Secondly, I would like to see a survey of the needs of the town. That is done a regular

basis and serves as a continual process improvement document. I would like to

see more information and communication as it related to projects such as the Samara Avenue project and

pedestrian crosswalks project.