Pumpkin Ridge Belle

The city council will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 8 to vote on many issues, including a 10-year plan dubbed as the “Community Re-Investment Plan.” One of the largest issues that will be voted on is the expansion to the Performing Arts Center. 

The PAC is looking at a $6 million upgrade from the City of Brookings. City Manager Jeff Weldon says that SDSU and Brookings are linked in a very special way and that partnership is huge.  

Mayor Tim Reed says that there is huge economic benefit for SDSU, Brookings community members, and visitors alike. The events that are held at the PAC generate economic development for the community, while the shows held there are part of the amenities Brookings can offer to visitors. Although some might see the PAC as competition to the Swiftel Center, Weldon says there is nothing to worry about. 

“The PAC is used as a venue for pure musical experience, while the Swiftel Center is more of a multipurpose venue. There may be some competition, but not much,” Weldon said in a small conference on Thursday. 

If the decision to fund the PAC passes it will come along with some other community improvements.

Brookings will receive an Indoor Recreation Center as part of the Community Re-Investment Project. This Rec Center will come in three phases eventually harboring an indoor soccer, football, softball, and baseball fields as well as tennis, handball, and racquetball courts. The facility would be funded by the 2nd penny tax or a property tax opt-out. This will be the next biggest decision at the December 8 meeting.

The last part of the Community Re-Investment plan would include funds for items that are not as flashy. Roads, water, and sewer improvements would be made to balance the upgrade to the PAC and groundbreaking for the Rec Center. Other improvements will be made on the bike trails and $5 million will be allocated for Swiftel improvements and upkeep as well. 

The biggest opposition to the 10-year plan comes from the fear of competition between amenities in Brookings already. Some believe that the Indoor Rec Center would take away from the SDSU Wellness Center. Reed says that the Rec Center is a project that the community members asked for. The Rec Center would not compete with the Wellness Center because the Rec Center would not have exercise equipment, and it would open opportunities for high school and community sports. 

“I really believe that the Indoor Rec Center would do a goo job of filling a void in Brookings,” Weldon said.

The PAC is also an important part of the Brookings Community. Families and students in the community are interested in the arts. Supporting the PAC would support the University, further harboring that special bond between the city and SDSU. 

The Brookings City Council would like to break ground in the summer of 2017 following the city election in April.

What does that mean for the state of South Dakota?  

Each year South Dakota draws national attention for the weekend opener of Pheasant Hunting. Although the influx of “out-of-towners” may seem like a pain for Sioux Falls and South Dakota residents, the pheasant hunting season plays a large role in the economics and tradition of South Dakota.

This year the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department has done a survey that reports that the pheasant brood population is up by 42% from 2014. This is huge for South Dakota residential hunters as well as the numerous hunters who travel from states near and far. Last year, nearly 80 thousand Non-Residential hunters participated in the South Dakota pheasant season, about 2,000 more than Residential hunters.

Most of these hunters will fly into the Sioux Falls airport on the Thursday and Friday before the Saturday opener. The Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with local businesses welcome hunters off the plane with banners, free travel mugs and gift cards.

Rachel Crane, Sioux Falls Host City Manager, has been putting together this welcome for 7 years.

“I am really excited about the variety of businesses joining us this year…I think it is going to be a great season.” Said Crane.

With the brood count up 42% hunters can’t help be excited about the upcoming hunt. However, the hunters who depend on the actual survey may have a different emotion. The brood count may be up this year, but it is still below the 10-year average. The survey says that the 2015 count is up to 3.80 pheasants per mile from the 2.68 pheasants per mile in 2014. The ten-year average is 5.45 ppm, which is considerably higher than the 2015 count.

The low pheasant count could be related to few harsh winters South Dakota experienced, or the lack of habitat for the birds.

“Habitat is the key to raising pheasants,” said Conservation Officer, Jeff Grendler.

Habitat is also what makes South Dakota such a great state for pheasant hunting. Tall prairie grasses combined with rich alfalfa production and pasture rotations make central South Dakota prime hunting ground.            

“Pheasants are a resilient bird and they can bounce back, but the conditions have to be right, but the key is habitat,” said Grendler. “If the habitat is there, they will within a couple of years, bounce back.”

Though the number of birds might be exactly what South Dakota hunters are looking for, they have hope in repopulation as long as the habitat is maintained. Central South Dakota continues to be the destination for out-of-state hunters because of the great habitat. The other reason that hunters continue to hunt in South Dakota is because it is tradition.

Traditionally the pheasant season starts at 12-noon on Saturday morning, a time of day that allows landowners to get chores done, and allows non-resident hunters to spend time visiting. The large about of non-residential hunters directly correlates to the amount of money spent in South Dakota during the season.

In the 2014 season the State of South Dakota generated $154.5 million during the pheasant season. Although the season lasts for almost three months, the average number of days hunted is three. A three-day hunt ends up making a $154.5 million dollar industry.

“Wildlife is an intangible value. People come to experience the hunting and wildlife. You can’t put a price on that.” said Conservation Officer Josh Delger.

Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright Featured At Sen. Tom Daschle’s “Daschle Dialogues”

Madeleine Albright walks on stage, flashes her blue and yellow ensemble and helps Sen. Tom Daschle take a selfie. Sec. Albright graced the audience with her charm and whit throughout Daschle Dialogue series and provided insight to the U.S. Governemnt. Secretary Albright was born Marie Jana Korbelova in the Czechoslovakia, but is proud to be an American.

“Becoming an American was the best thing that happened to me. Hands down. I am a proud American,” said Albright.

The first woman to become U.S. Secretary of State joined Sen. Tom Daschle on the SDSU campus to talk about Syria, relations with China, and the challenges of becoming the U.S. Secretary of State.

Secretary Albright explained the differences of Secretary of State now compared to 1997. Today, anyone who would like to be Secretary of State must have a much greater knowledge of foreign relations. Albright says that the world has gotten more complicated, and the U.S. has gotten worse at compromise.

“Today people are talking to the government in the 21st century, the government is listening in the 20th century, and responding in the 19th,” said Albright.

Albright says that there are not many tools in America’s tool-belt, and tools only work when you have a leader who cares.

When asked about the use of drones, Sec. Albright said that she believed they were an effective weapon, and they should be used more often. Sec. Albright said that when there is an opportunity to have an air war, without placing troops on the ground, it could be a more effective way to fight. Daschle seemed to share the same opinion.

“It (drones) is a tool that has to be used correctly, with the very best intelligence, and the importance of congress and the president being on the same page. That coordination is very critical. With coordination this is a tool that we can use,” said Sen. Daschle.

On the United States’ relationship with China, Albright says that it is the most important relationship of the 21st Century. Although it is the most important relationship, it is not the only relationship.

“The United States is not monogamous country. We have many relations with many different people,” said Albright.

Secretary Albright also talked about the responsibility of congress. It is hard for the average American citizen it is hard to think about the controversial decisions that need to be made. Secretary Albright says that the hardest part may be the timing on decisions. For instance, America should have done something sooner with Syria. The issue with Syria is complicated, and is an issue that will not be solved quickly.

A refugee is a person who cannot live in their country because of political situations; migrants are people who are trying to leave because of the economic situation. People are afraid to be in their own country.  

“(The U.S.) is a very large country that has room for people… I wish we would do more,” said Secretary Albright.

As a Czech-born American, Secretary Albright holds foreign policy near to her. Her journey to Secretary of State was not an easy one. She started her career in politics as a fundraiser, and never knew how far that would take her. Now, Secretary Albright is a professor at Gorgetown University, a distinguished author, and mother.

Don’t get me wrong, I love college. Time in college allows students to gain lifelong friendships, years of education, and opportunities to grow into a young professional. Sometimes I have to stop and wonder if it was all worth $40,000 in student loans, hours spent studying, or time spent figuring out class schedules.

 High school students are told that the point of going to college is to obtain the knowledge that leads you to a high-paying career. Careers are great, but where are the classes that prepare you for interviews? Where are the classes that teach you what to expect in your desired career?

 I think I need to put a disclaimer out at this point. In my five years at SDSU I have had some influential professors who have really got me excited for the career I desire. I don’t have a problem with SDSU, I have a problem with the concept of college.

 I can tell you what I have learned in my five years in college: I learned how to live comfortably in a 8x10 foot cement box, I have mastered the art of wastefully spending flex dollars on unnecessary items, and I have accurately timed how long I can sleep in and still make it to class on time. I can also tell you what I didn’t learn in college: how to negotiate a salary when I take my first job, how to wisely invest money or pay off my massive student loans, or what the heck a 401K is.

 I understand that college is about giving you the knowledge to become an engineer, a veterinarian, or even a journalist. I do not understand who decided you needed 4 years to gain all of the required knowledge for a professional career, or who decided what classes are required for that degree.  

 My biggest question is how is a student supposed to gain 5-7 years’ knowledge in the professional field while they are taking an 18-hour credit load?

 The greatest thing about a technical college is that you can get hands-on experience in your desired career. You know exactly what you are getting yourself in to, and in two years you can graduate with a degree.  

 Why would high schools encourage students to attend a university when a tech school could be free?