Opinion

Representative Caleb Finck District 21 Gregory/Tripp Charles Mix/Bon Homme Counties Committees: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Legislative Procedure, Chair of Transportation Capitol Address: 500 E. Capitol Ave.

Dear Editor: After reading J.L.’s “Canadian Perspective” in the January 26, 2022, Gregory Times-Advocate concerning his take on school shootings, I am reminded of what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told the lawyers of His day - the Pharisees, in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 23, verse 24: “Blind guides who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.” As J.L. noted, there were 28 mass school shootings in the U.S.

Deaths Orson Nelson Heck, Jr., 59 years, February 3, 2022, Bonesteel, SD. Magistrate Court Matthew Dean Wamberg, 28, Laramie, WY, tow trailer without safety chains, fine $54.00, court costs $50.00, surcharges $28.50.

When the federal government oversteps its bounds, it is up to states to protect individual liberties. In South Dakota, we take action to defend the personal choice to get the COVID-19 vaccine—or not. And with good reason.

After the election on October 1, 1889, for the temporary seat of government, the folks in Pierre felt confident that it would become the permanent capital. Before the October election, plans had been made for the construction of a frame capitol building. This was to be a gift from the city of Pierre to the State of South Dakota.

Representative Rocky Blare District 21 Gregory/Tripp Charles Mix/Bon Homme Counties Committees: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Vice Chair of Transportation Capitol Address: 500 E. Capitol Ave.

Dear editor, Classmate Ardith (Karl) Bice’s thoughtful comments about the current Gregory music program reminding her of the band when we were in high school provided a little incentive for me to follow up. I, too, have been watching the Gregory Music Department with interest in the past few years.

Sam Hoffart, age 63, of Dallas, was killed in a two-vehicle crash Saturday, February 5, 2022. The South Dakota Highway Patrol reports that preliminary crash information indicates that a 1996 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Alec Dostal, was southbound on Second Street when it rear-ended a southbound 2013 John Deere Gator UTV, driven by Hoffart.

Jason Robert Cernetisch, 38, Iona, SD, seat belt violation, fine $25.00. Christina Jo VanDerWerff, 45, Gregory, SD, speeding on other roadways, fine $79.00, court costs $50.00, surcharges $28.50.

Imagine teaching your child that our country was founded on racism, or that hard work is not a virtue, or that a young boy or girl should be ashamed of themselves because of their skin color. As a mom and grandma, I can’t even begin to imagine poisoning my child with those lies. But believe it or not, lessons like those are being taught to children in America’s K-12 schools and universities. As governor, I want to keep that from happening in South Dakota.