Throughout our nation’s history, the freedoms we enjoy have been won and protected by an elite group who understand the greatest and most selfless love. The men and women of our armed forces risk the ultimate sacrifice to protect fellow Americans and citizens of the world from tyranny and oppression. Every time they put on the uniform, these heroes renew their commitment to pay any price, to bear any burden, so that we might be free.
Memorial Day was born of compassion and empathy for those who courageously gave their lives to safeguard us and our way of life.
Over the past two years, America has seen some of the most concerning attacks on freedom in our history. Governments seized previously unimagined power over our day-to-day lives. Churches were forced to close, forsaking freedom of religion. Big Tech and government alike attempted to police speech, something that is supposed to be free for all. And though the Supreme Court seems poised to advance the right to life of all people, renewed attacks on that right are only just beginning.
Amid all this, the right that exists to defend all other rights is also under assault.
What are your dreams? I don’t mean those hazy and confusing stories that dance across your mind at night. I mean your hopes and goals. What do you want to do more than anything else? What makes you excited to get up in the morning and keep pushing through even though it is hard?
When opening my mailbox last Wednesday I found the hit piece on me that most of you received as well. It is ironic that the swamp members sent this postcard. South Dakota Strong is a liberal political action committee in Watertown where Sen. Lee Schoenbeck is the head Republican In Name Only (RINO).
Good news! Last week at the executive board meeting in Pierre, the board and the Legislative Research Council (LRC) approved the “Property Tax Structure and Tax Burden Study” that I proposed last March. The study will take place over the summer.
Yep, the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) compound, located at 11584 Farmer Road outside Custer, is up for sale. It is actually a long way from the closest town of Pringle.
Of course, everyone knows where Pringle is, right? Cell service, internet service and GPS is intermittent at best, so here are my directions: Go to Pringle and stop in at the Hitchin’ Rail (or Hitchin’ Post?) restaurant/bar and ask the local patrons how to get to the compound. If you can’t find Pringle, maybe it is best you don’t venture out.
Five thousand dollars.
That’s my takeaway on what the Hill City Common Council and Planning and Zoning Commission decided that a firefighter’s life is worth.
Five thousand dollars.
How did I or they come up with that number?
A letter to the editor in last week’s issue of the Custer County Chronicle caused quite a bit of consternation in the community, and some of you stopped by, called, or submitted a letter of your own to voice your displeasure with the letter, how it was handled, the content of the letter, or all of the above. As such, this feels like a good time for us to remind everyone of our letters policy, some of which are located on this page.
Just in case you missed the ads for my farewell reception, didn’t hear the scuttlebutt around town or didn’t see Jason’s column last week...I am taking this opportunity to say that after five years, Tammy and I are saying farewell to Custer and our beloved Black Hills. We are also saying goodbye to the many, many dear friends we have made here in what I have come to call “my adopted hometown.”
I'll have more to say about that in a moment but first I want to say a word about that column last week and give my faithful readers the lowdown on our move and the reasons behind it.
Richard Dean Hill was born Feb. 14, 1937.
As a fourth generation Hill, Richard lived his early years at the family ranch at Cascade and attended the country school at Cascade, S.D. He transferred to public schools in Hot Springs, S.D., from grade seven to graduation. Richard was athletic and played football, basketball and held several records for high school. His discus record stood for 15 years.
