Remember Sam? He’s the bad ass who dared to question wasteful spending in city government in Rapid City, then the monkey trials began. I don’t know Sam personally, or have ever had correspondence with him, but I fully support his run for Rapid City mayor and I hope he wins. Any candidate who pledges;
Three important goals for my administration are:
Open, People-friendly Government
- Regardless of status, all citizens and businesses will be treated fairly and consistently.
- Post income statements for all income generating departments (enterprise funds) on the internet monthly/quarterly.
- Institute a system of functioning checks and balances for all 11 city departmentsand the mayor’s office to prevent a repeat of the type of situation that occurred at the landfill.
- Restore accountability in management.
GO SAM!
I don’t know him personally, but I have a family member who does who considers him a personal friend. From what I have been told he is as sincere and trustworthy as any politician has ever been.
Anytime someone wants to be open and honest you have to give them credit. Granted they need to follow through on that promise after the fact as well.
His goals are what a SF candidate could win with in 2014. Open people-friendly government hasn’t existed since 1994. Checks, balances, & accountability: Rapid City must be in the United States, not the Peoples Republic of He Who Bought the Mayors’ Office.
Sam made a few big mistakes that were evidence of one who’s never run a large, complex organization. He often appeared more interested in grand-standing than in getting to the bottom of and solving problems. His censure was just reward. Men bounce back from worse. We wish Rapid City well.
J2- I will agree he made missteps in that deal, but they also lynched him, which was unfair.
I love this blog; I just never post anything. I totally stand with you on supporting Sam Kooiker. Sam has blown the whistle on a few scams in Rapid City. More importantly, he returns call to all without regard to who you are.
Sounds like you have a Part II Staggers in RC.