South Dakota Associationof Towns and Townships

Summer 2007351 Wisconsin SW, Huron, SD • Phone (605) 353-1439 • Fax (605) 352-5322

Registration forThird Annual SD

Grant Writer’sConference Open!

The Conference will be heldAugust 24, 2007, at theRamkota River Centre, in Pierre,SD. This year, Dr Beverly Browning(author of Grant Writing forDummies®) will lead workshops on:

• Conducting community assessments

• Forming, funding and maintaining partnerships

• Developing project budgets

• Improving grant accountability

There will also be a “Meet andGreet” reception with Dr. Browningthe evening of August 23rd, at theSouth Dakota Discovery Center.

Please use the link below toregister for this conference. If youhave questions, please contact EllenLee, at 605-224-3451 -EllenLee@catholichealth.net, orKenny Doppenberg, at 605-773-5883kenneth.doppenberg@state.sd.us.

On-line Registration Link:www.eregistrationmanager.com/StMarys/default.aspx

This Conference is sponsored by theWellmark Foundation and the SD GrantWriter’s Network.

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Kelsey Bludorn, Waverly High School graduate, was named the2007 winner of the South Dakota Association of Towns andTownships Scholarship program.

Bludorn served on the Waverly High School Student Council for 4 years.She was elected Student Body President her senior year. Ms. Bludorn was onthe A Honor Roll every semester for 6 years. She was secretary of the HealthSciences Class and represented the Lake Area Multi district at the State SkillsContest in the Health Quiz Bowl.

Athletics were animportant part of Kelsey’shigh school years. She wason the varsity volleyball,varsity basketball, andvarsity track teams. She alsomentored with the PhysicalEducation instructor in theafternoons during herjunior year and assistedwith the elementary andjunior high PE classes. Shewas a student coach for theCoyote Basketball Camp, aday camp for youngerathletes in her community.

Bludorn served as coeditorof the yearbook in herjunior year and submittedarticles for the schoolnewspaper her sophomore

and junior years. Sheparticipated in the highschool band for 6 years.

Bludorn is active in the StJoseph Youth Group and thePrairie Hustlers 4 H Club.During the summer Kelsey

works at the Watertown Community Recreation Center as a lifeguard and aRed Cross Swim Instructor.

Bludorn will be invited to share her essay on “Parents Matter” at the 2007SDATAT Annual Meeting to be held November 30 – December 1, 2007 at theCrossroads in Huron, SD. Kelsey will receive her $1000 scholarship the firstsemester of her second year of study. She plans to attend USD in Vermillion,SD. Kelsey is the daughter of Sharon Thyen.

SDATAT President Dan Thyen presentsKelsey Bludorn with a certificate inrecognition of her being named the 2007SDATAT Scholarship Winner. Thepresentation was part of the Waverly HighSchool Awards program held this spring.

2 s SUMMER 2007 s SDATAT Newsletter

President's Columnby Dan Thyen, Codington County

Where has thesummer gone?It is almost timefor countyAchievementDays and thenit will be schoolstarting andthe State Fair!! We wish the 4Hyouth the best as theydemonstrate their projects. Thisprogram is an important tool forour youth to acquire skills theywill use for the rest of their lives.

SDATAT hosted a “Multi StateMeeting” in Watertown, SD.Joining the South Dakota peoplefor two days of information,education, and fun weremembers of the boards ofdirectors from North Dakota,Wisconsin, and Minnesota. TheSDATAT Board of Directors andsome of their spouses workedhard to make this a successfulevent. Thank you to all of them.(see pages 4 & 5)

Now is the time to begin thinkingof resolutions. Our annualmeeting is set for November 30 –December 1, 2007 at theCrossroads in Huron, SD. This isan important time for localgovernment officials whosetowns/townships belong toSDATAT. It is at this meeting weadopt our resolutions whichbecome policy to govern ourorganization. We need yourinput!!!!

As I am writing this, it looks likewe might get some rain. I surehope so, especially for those areasthat are critically dry. Take care,have a safe and prosperousharvest and we will see youNovember 30 and December 1 inHuron!!

Dan Thyen, President, SDATAT

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH DAKOTAASSOCIATION OF TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS

DIAMOND ASSOCIATES -EMC Insurance Companies • Huron Culvert & Tank

Schwebach Insurance Agency, Dell Rapids • SD Corn GrowersButler Machinery, Fargo • Boyer Trucks, Sioux Falls

GOLD ASSOCIATES -

COPPER ASSOCIATES -Hurkes Implement, WatertownWatertown Livestock Auction

Stadley Construction, WatertownLeRon Knebel, Eden, SD

*Individuals, corporations, cooperatives, organizations and associations may apply for annual Associatemembership by contacting SDATAT. Associates may request not to appear in this listing.

Codington Co. AT&TDMI, Sioux Falls • DM&E RailroadWells Fargo Bank, Watertown

Glacial Lakes Energy, LLC,Watertown

Sheehan Mack Sales & Equip,Sioux Falls

Clark Engineering, Sioux Falls, SDTopps Manufacturing, Platte, SDHagen Benefits, Sioux Falls, SD

AANNNNUUAALL IINNSSPPEECCTTIIOONN OOFFCCUULLVVEERRTTSS

Since 2004 SDCL 31-14-33 requires “the township board of supervisors shallhave each culvert on the secondary highways within the township annuallyinspected, and, if necessary, repaired.” This requirement gives the township achance to not only inspect the culverts for the purposes of safety but also tomake a record of the location, size and, at least for the future, the age of theculvert. We suggest it may be helpful for the township to take a map of thetownship, and during the annual inspection place the location and size of eachculvert on the map. Other data such as the year a culvert is replaced orrepaired could also be included. It is our assumption this would speed up futureinspections and be a tool to be used by the township when filing claims withFEMA or determining which areproblem culverts.

If you have any questions aboutthe statutory requirements or anyrelated matters I would suggest youconsider contacting Gail Brock at thestate office, your local attorney or meat (605) 256-9161. Jay M. Leibel

REMINDER!REMINDER!REMINDER!

All townshipsare required tomeet Tuesday,

October 30,2007. (The last

Tuesday of October.)

SDCL 8-5-1

SOUTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS (SDATAT) ISSN 1072-2505Published quarterly to provide information, education, and technical assistance to local governments, bythe SOUTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS PO BOX 903, HURON, SD 57350

GAIL BROCK, EDITOR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORCreative Printing, Huron, SD, Printer

Registered with the Library of Congress.

Postmaster: Send notices or change of address forms to Huron, 57350-0903. *If readers have any comments, corrections, submissions or display ads for

this publication, call (605) 353-1439 or FAX (605) 352-5322.

This newsletter is agricultural inks printed on recyclable paper.

Dan Thyen, President........................Waverly

Cindy Foster, Vice President ...............Fulton

Mark Jensen, Secretary .........................Erwin

Lynda Wipf, Treasurer ...................Frankfort

Duane Harvey, Exec Board....................Baltic

LeRon Knebel, Exec Board.....................Eden

Jim Puffer, Exec Board....................Hitchcock

Rodney Stormo, Director.......................Hayti

Calvin Musch, Director..................Clear Lake

Dale Ishol, Director ........................Brookings

Jim Puffer, Director.........................Hitchcock

Robert Buchmann, Director.................Emery

Jerry Lingen, Director....................Sioux Falls

Darwin Bettmann, Director...........Aberdeen

SUMMER 2007 s SDATAT Newsletter s 3

A call in the middle of the night. Abad accident on a township road. Asummons from an attorney statingthat the township is liable. Apotential lawsuit. This set ofcircumstances can be a real nightmarefor a township officer. And it can leadto many questions and uncertainty onhow best to handle the situation.

A township with an insurancepolicy in force at least has one lessthing to think about, as they shouldalways contact their insurance agentfirst in such a matter. The first andmost important step to take is tocontact your township’s insuranceagent and let them know that thetownship has received a summons andthat a lawsuit is possible. Theinsurance agent will most likely ask

that a copy of the summons bemailed, faxed or emailed to them andthey will forward this to the insurancecompany.

At this point, most of the legworksurrounding the claim will be in thehands of the insurance company. Theadjusters and legal team representingthe company will make sure torespond to the summons in therequired amount of time. They willmake contact with the claimant andthe claimant’s attorney. They willkeep track of the necessary deadlinesand correspondence resulting from aninsurance claim. If legal counsel isnecessary in the settlement of theclaim, the insurance company willarrange for such counsel.

We would especially advise against

contacting an attorney without firstreporting the claim to your insurancecompany. We have seen situationswhere a township has an attorneyhandle a situation and later submitsan insurance claim in the hopes ofrecovering the fees paid to theattorney. There would be no coveragefor the attorney’s fees in thissituation. We wish to stress that aninsurance policy will provide defensecoverage, but it does not cover feesincurred for an attorney workingseparately from the insurancecompany. It is certainly within atownship’s right to contact anattorney but please be sure to contactyour insurance company and let themdo the job that, through yourpremiums, you pay them to do!

INSURING TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPSSchwebach Insurance Agency

402 Garfield, Dell Rapids, SD 57022

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Safety Dividend PlanAvailable Through All

Employers Mutual AgentsUnderwritten by Insurance Companies

FIRST THINGS FIRST by Tami Schwebach

TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY CHANGESThere has been a change in the

South Dakota Association of Towns andTownships Attorney status. Jay Leiblehas joined another law firm in Madison,SD. He will continue to represent theAssociation on township legal issues

and will be available to member townships forconsultations. Dick Ericsson will continue to be the advisorfor the South Dakota Towns and Township BondingAlliance. The Board of Directors of the South DakotaAssociation of Towns and Townships have appreciated allthe hard work and support Dick and Jay have given toSDATAT. The SDATAT Board of Directors wishes the best toboth men and we look forward to working with each of

them in the specific areas we have agreed upon.

Any township board with legal questions which theydesire to be addressed by legal counsel should contact theattorney for the South Dakota Association of Towns andTownships, Jay Leibel of Arneson, Issenhuth, Leibel &Parent, LLP at 205 North Egan Avenue, PO Box 28,Madison, South Dakota 57042 at (605) 256-9161.

Questions involving the South Dakota Bonding Alliancefor township officers should be directed to R.L. Ericsson, atPO Box 406, Madison, South Dakota at (605) 256-4597.

Member townships will be billed at a discounted hourlyrate for services provided by counsel.

4 s SUMMER 2007 s SDATAT Newsletter

Sandy's heart is all a flutter as she meets the King!

Kevin shows Elvis he can sing too!

The young love Elvis too!

Dan & Dave Schaeffer discuss IncidentManagement.

The Stadleman's relax at the WaverlySteakhouse.

Londa and Barb show Elvis the 50's look!

MULTI STATE MEETINGROCKS!!

SUMMER 2007 s Newsletter s 5

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WE ARE THE TOWNSHIPS We gathered in Watertown, South Dakota

Neighbors from across four statesTo talk about issues held in common

That affected our home plates!

We started with a big one, Our children; And what, as parents we must doTo ensure that this crop grows to full maturity

As they become tomorrow’s me and you!

We talked about electionsAnd the freedom we hold dear, With ways to vote efficiently

While keeping the ballot box secure!After all, we are from the townships;Grassroots Government at it’s best,And we love and breathe America

Unwilling to let the winds of freedom rest!All work and no play make Jack dull

Or, as the stories say,So we took a break and refreshed our

minds,As we viewed America, The Redlin Way.

Then, it was off to the lights of WaverlyWhere hair, gray or gone was let down

As Elvis, and us township folksCame into that town!

There he was, The King HimselfOr maybe it was the effects of Burgers &

MaltsBut we laughed and shared old memoriesAllowing our minds to not question if our

eyes were at fault.

Elvis rocked and rolled our memoriesTurning back the calendar page

Why, even Kevin soon was singing with himAfter Sandy Hooker was on the stage!

Ken from North Dakota warmed our heartsTelling Elvis that he had just given his

daughter’s hand awayAnd the words of Love Me Tender

Were still valid hopes today.

In the morning we’ll put our heads togetherAnd deal with issues of tomorrow, today

Refreshed and renewed with our neighborsBy the time we took to play.

After all: We are from the TownshipsGrassroots America, At its best!

We fan the fires of freedom’s breezeUnwilling to let them ever rest!

“penned by MAT President Loren Ingebretsen”

6 s SUMMER 2007 s SDATAT Newsletter

House Passes Farm Bill, Alters Definition of “Rural Towns”On July 27, 2007, the House of Representatives passed the

$286 billion, five-year Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 (H.R.2419). The bill amends and extends through fiscal year 2012the federal farm support, commodity price support, foodassistance, agricultural trade, marketing, rural development,conservation and other policies of the omnibus 2002 FarmSecurity and Rural Investment Act (PL 107-171).

During the House of Representatives’ reauthorization ofthe Farm Bill, the National Association of Towns andTownships (NATaT) provided a small community perspectiveon the legislation’s Rural Development, Energy, andConservation titles. NATaT emphasized the importance ofsupport for robust U.S. Department of Agriculture ruralwater, electric power, telecommunications, alternativeenergy, wastewater infrastructure, rural health care, landconservation, and rural business development programs.

Highlights of the Farm Bill include $30 million for grantsthat would support development, storage, treatment,purification, or distribution of water and the collection,treatment or disposal of waste in rural areas, and $15 millionfor business development or labor training in rural areas. Thelegislation would also provide $25 million for the Secretary ofAgriculture to establish a national rural water andwastewater rider program to provide technical assistance tohelp bring small public water systems into compliance withstate and national environmental regulations, and $35million to assist residents in rural areas and smallcommunities to comply with the Water Pollution Control Actor the Safe Drinking Water Act. The bill also establishes grantand loan programs for rural healthcare facilities and a newRural Entrepreneurship and Microenterprise AssistanceProgram.

The bill includes a new definition of rural towns eligiblefor loans to develop broadband networks. The current lawdefines eligible rural towns as any area of the U.S. that is notcontained in an unincorporated city or town with apopulation in excess of 20,000 inhabitants. The newdefinition would exclude suburban municipalities, wherebroadband access is often well established and wouldprohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from giving loans tocommunities that are already served by more than threeservice providers. The bill also establishes a new NationalCenter for Rural Telecommunications Assessment.

The bill continues the Conservation Reserve Program,holds funding steady for the Wetlands Reserve Program,increases funding for the Farm and Ranchland ProtectionProgram, freezes enrollments in the Conservation SecurityProgram, and expands the definition of land management

practices in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Senate debate on the Farm Bill is not expected untilSeptember or later. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), the Chairman ofthe Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, haspromised to boost funding for land conservation programsabove the levels in the House Farm Bill.

Current farm programs expire September 30. If Congress isunable to complete action on a new Farm Bill by then, ashort-term extension of the law will be necessary.

The White House has threatened to veto the House-passedbill. The Bush Administration opposes the decision to fund a$4 billion increase in the food stamp program by taxingroyalties, interest and other payments that U.S. foreign-owned companies make to foreign affiliates.

NATaT will focus on the Farm Bill at its 2007 America’sTown Meeting Conference in Washington, DC on September5-6, 2007. The conference will feature a panel discussion withFarm Bill leaders, and will provide members with informationto share with their Senators when they visit Capitol Hill.

For more information about the House’s Farm Bill, visitagriculture.house.gov/inside/2007FarmBill.html. For moreinformation about America’s Town Meeting, visitwww.natat.org.

Harvard University invites you to apply for anInnovations in American Government Award.

Administered by the Ash Institute for DemocraticGovernance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy Schoolof Government, the Innovations Award is heralded as thepremier public-sector award in the nation. It is givenannually to programs that serve as examples of creative andeffective government at its best.

All units of government - federal, state, local, tribal, andterritorial - are eligible to apply.

Each of the winners of the 2008 Innovations Award willreceive a $100,000 grant to support replication anddissemination activities.

Applications and additional information are availableon our website: www.innovations award.harvard.edu.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE OCTOBER 15, 2007.

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SUMMER 2007 s SDATAT Newsletter s 7

Public Utilities Commissioners Urge Fairgoers to be Smart with Energy

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Public UtilitiesCommissioners Dusty Johnson, Gary Hanson and SteveKolbeck are delivering a simple message of energy efficiencythis summer: Use your wits. Save your watts. They willemphasize that theme at presentations during the SiouxEmpire and Brown County fairs this month.

Sioux Empire fairgoers will hear energy efficiency tipsfrom the PUC and MidAmerican Energy at 1 p.m., Thursday,Aug. 9 at the Front Porch Stage on the W.H. LyonsFairgrounds in Sioux Falls.

Attendees of the Brown County Fair will have theopportunity to meet the commissioners and representativesof NorthWestern Energy and Otter Tail Power Companyduring a presentation at 3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17 at Ken’sFamily Tent on the fairgrounds in Aberdeen.

“I look forward to the summer fair season,” commentedPUC Chairman Johnson. “We held similar events last yearand I was really impressed by the stories folks shared aboutwhat they have done to save energy. Since then, there’sbeen more energy efficiency education conducted by thePUC and other groups so I expect to hear about moresavings,” he concluded.

“The advice we will offer at these presentations is

appropriate for anyone, whether you live in a historic house,a newly-constructed one or are an apartment-dweller,”suggested PUC Vice Chairman Hanson. “Our theme says itall: ‘Use you wits and save your watts.’ A lot of energy-saving ideas boil down to just plain common sense,” headvised.

“The concept of saving energy to save money is an easyone to understand,” said PUC Commissioner Kolbeck. “I’mthe father of four young children and they get it. Each oneknows to turn off lights when they leave a room. They areconstantly on the lookout everywhere for Energy Hogs –things that waste energy like an open window on a hotsummer day when the air conditioner is running,” he said.

Those attending the presentations will have a chance toreceive an energy-efficient prize donated by energycompanies serving South Dakota, which will be randomlygiven away at the presentations.

PUC commissioners and staff will distribute informationand answer questions at their booth in the Expo Building atSioux Empire Fair, Aug. 7-12, and in the Holum Expo Buildingat the Brown County Fair, Aug. 13-19. Fairgoers can sign upfor the Do Not Call Registry and make an energy-efficiencypledge to the Change-A-Light program at the PUC exhibit.

South Dakota Associationof Towns and Townships

PO Box 903Huron, SD 57350

Prsrt StdU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 180Huron, SD 57350

2007 South Dakota Association of Towns and TownshipsAnnual Meeting and Education Conference

November 30 – December 1, 2007Crossroads, Huron, SD

Make plans to attend this important event. Towns and townships should pay the expenses for theircouncil members and board members to attend this meeting.