BROOKINGS – Brookings County Commissioner Lee Ann Pierce has filed for one of the three Brookings County Commission seats up for election this November.
The three spots on the commission are now held by Larry Jensen, Stephne Miller and Lee Ann Pierce. County commissioners serve four-year terms. Jensen has already filed his petitions seeking another term in office, and Miller has said she will not seek re-election so that she can spend more time with family.
Pierce, who filed as a Democrat, said there are projects from her first term that she’d like to see through in a second term.
“I really appreciate the citizens letting me serve the last four years, and I’m hoping they’ll let me serve another four years so I can finish the job that I’ve started,” Pierce said.
That work includes revising zoning ordinances, the jail expansion and maintaining county roads and bridges.
“We’ve got some big pieces of that ordinance revision left to do. We have not yet figured how we are going to handle some of the issues regarding wind energy and mining and concentrated animal feeding operations,” Pierce said.
This is an area where she feels she has a lot to contribute from her career in law, including 22 years as a judge.
“When you’re writing ordinances that are going to have to be enforced in court eventually – or may have to be enforced in court eventually – you don’t want ambiguities. You want them to be specific. You want your elements to be laid out right, and that’s part of what we’re working on,” she said.
Another important ongoing issue is mental health, with a collaborative effort underway from the county, the City of Brookings and the Brookings School District.
Additionally, she looks forward to the furthering of 4-H activities and opportunities at the Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center. The purchase of that facility was a highlight from her first term.
“I’m very excited about what we’re doing with economic development in the county. Brookings County works very closely with the City of Brookings, and there is a lot going on in the county, particularly … for the east Brookings business area, where there are some economic development opportunities that will benefit all the citizens of Brookings,” she said.
Petitions for county and legislative races began circulating in January, with the petition deadline for Republicans and Democrats on March 27. For those running as independents, the deadline for submitting petitions is April 24.
Also opening at the county level are register of deeds and sheriff with four-year terms and state’s attorney for two years. On the legislative level, there are six spots between District 4 and District 7 up for election, all on two-year terms.
Petitions for county or legislative races can be picked up at the Brookings County Finance Office or printed from the South Dakota secretary of state’s website at www.sdsos.gov.
If there are any primaries for these races, they would be held on June 5. The general election takes place Nov. 6.
Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.
