If you haven’t already voted via absentee ballot in the June 2 primary election, then be sure to set aside time on June 2 to stop by a voting center to cast your ballot.
We know, we know: You’ve heard this song and dance routine before. It gets old, we know, but it cannot be emphasized enough: Your voice matters, and the only way it’s going to be heard is if you vote. Yes, you can complain on social media; yes, you can debate around the water cooler; yes, you can protest; yes, you can do any of this and more — but if you don’t vote, it’s all for naught.
For the most part, our political leaders only hear you during campaign season, and the best way to gain their attention during that time is to cast a ballot.
“But my vote doesn’t matter!” you’ll say. Bull. It always matters, and especially so come June 2. In Brookings County, there are key races that you will have a voice in deciding:
• In the Republican primary race to succeed Brookings County Sheriff Marty Stanwick, two men — Dave Biteler and Shawn Hostler — are on the ballot. You will decide which one advances to the November general election to take on independent candidate Manny Langstraat.
• The Brookings School Board has a contested opening between Marcie Dierks and Kelsey Bowman. This is a race that all registered voters in the Brookings School District can vote in, regardless of party registration (or lack of party membership, period). The winner here gets a seat on the board.
• In District 7, which is essentially the city of Brookings, there’s a GOP primary race for two seats in the South Dakota House. Three people want your vote — Roger DeGroot, Mellissa Heermann and Dennis Willert, all of Brookings — but only two of them can advance to November to take on Blake Stevens, who is a Democrat.
• District 8, of which Brookings County is a part, is a real hotbed, too, with five — yup, five — Republican candidates for two open seats in the state House chambers: Samuel Krueger of Elkton, Todd Wilkinson of De Smet, Danny Brown of Madison, Jon Nelson of Lake Preston and James Sapp of Bruce. The two hopefuls who win the primary also outright win the election, as there’s no Democratic or independent candidates to face off against in November.
Do you still think your vote isn’t important? Well, it’s time for a new attitude. Get out and vote. At least then, regardless of who wins, you can legitimately complain about any resulting politics.
Because, after all, you voted.
Go see the community band
Brookings residents are fortunate to have the opportunity for some great summer entertainment with the Brookings Area Community Band’s summer season,
The concert series, which will start its 42nd season on June 14, has become a time-honored tradition in the community.
David Reynolds, who is in his 20th year of directing the band, said it well when he said it’s a chance to “find out what summer in Brookings is all about.”
The band’s season opener is June 14 at Pioneer Park with performances on June 21, June 28, July 5 and July 19.
The band will also perform during the Brookings Summer Arts Festival and the Brookings 4th of July Parade.
All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. In case of rain, concerts are moved indoors to the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center and begin at 7:45 p.m.
In addition the sweet music, complimentary treats are served at each concert.
The first rehearsal took place May 26 in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center on the campus of South Dakota State University. There is still time for musicians to register and join in on the fun.
The talented individuals in the band volunteer hours of their own summer leisure time to rehearse and perform. Attending a concert is a great way of saying “thank you” for their dedication and celebrate the wealth of musical talent in the community.
The performances are a perfect opportunity to forget about life for a while and enjoy as the sweet sounds fill Pioneer Park.
It is accessible, high-energy music that demands very little of you other than to sit back, relax, and let the melodies wash over you.
Do yourself a favor and take in as many of the performances as you can.
Leave a Reply