Governor Kristi Noem sounds unhappy about repossessing the STAR Academy south of Custer. Not only will making good use of the property cost big bucks, but now the Governor has to think about something she didn’t plan to think about:
“They need millions and millions of dollars of upgrades,” Noem says. “The electrical system, the sewer system, the infrastructure all needs to be fixed and modernized. If we’re to do that we will literally need to come up with millions of dollars to utilize it that way. I’m not sure where that money comes from in a year like this year. So, obviously the STAR academy is not something I thought I would have responsibility for. I thought it was sold under the last administration. Now that it’s back in state hands we’re accessing every option we have” [Lee Strubinger, “Noem: ‘STAR Academy Needs Millions of Dollars of Upgrades’,” SDPB Radio, 2019.10.17].
Governor Noem suggests that this is a bad year for state revenues, but just last week, the Bureau of Finance and Management announced we’re up $2.6 million from projected revenues for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2020. Our September sales tax revenues bounced back and beat target by $2.7 million.
I shouldn’t speak to soon for spending the surplus on STAR Academy. Noem still has to fix the nursing home crisis, and her son is going to need a state job alongside his big sis and brother-in-law pretty soon….
Nonetheless, the state once again owns property in what should be a useful and potentially lucrative location. I know it’s tough to think creatively (Team Noem can’t even think of an original way for the First Gentleman to twiddle his thumbs), but there are always possibilities in the Black Hills. If you can’t think of something, Governor Noem, then cede the land back to South Dakota’s tribes. I’m sure they can think of a way to use their ancient lands.
I’m sure Noem thought that the Governor’s job would be just as easy as her Rep. gig, show up 3 days a week, lots of time off and collect a pay check. Who knew that you couldn’t hide in obscurity as the #1 official of a state like you could as a member of a group over 400. Very sad, bigly!
“Millions and Millions” “I thought it was sold under the last administration”
Gee, where I have heard this sort of rhetoric before? Noem must have attended Trump University for her to use exaggeration like this and to blame others.
Welcome to the big show, Kristi. Things fell through due to a lack of due diligence by people that should have done…..due diligence.
It’s in your lap. Problem solve it, and come up with a good solution that will benefit the community. Put your big trucker’s hat on and git ‘er done. Whining just doesn’t cut it. Maybe the FIRST MAN’s first blogging assignment should be right in the heart of Custer and ask those folks for their ideas.
It WILL cost a million to get all that karma depleted white man junk off Indian land. But, it could become a great tourist destination for those wanting to experience a spiritual shower of healing in epic proportions.
I’ve got a suggestion for NoMa’am to pay for the needed repairs and upgrades, nursing homes, education, infrastructure and other needs of the Great State of South Dakota.
A true, progressive income tax!
There is enough money in SD. The SDGOP is just letting the greedy SOBs clutch much more than their fair share while everyone else over pays bigly and struggles.
Kinda falls into the “… golly, we never thought of that,” category, eh ??
Golly, looks like the Democrat Party just took another nosedive. I don’t blame the pretty young women to tried to save it. I blame the out-of-staters who egg-on the naive young Democrats in the big city of Sioux Falls.
If the facility is going to be fixed up, what is the intended use for this property? I must of missed something here as there must be a reason to fix this facility.
Mr. Scott, I don’t believe the facility is planned to be fixed up, except by whoever the next buyer is. However there are some in the legislatures out here in the insanest district of them all who want to turn it back into a prison for meth addicts at a cost of millions and billions to us taxpayers. These insanest of the insaner call themselves limited government but they really want big government spending.
If you have visited the BBQ there you will understand it is suited for little but a prison or a meth house or perhaps a sanitorium for tokers of the demon weed. And a BBQ joint. grudznick approves of BBQ joints.
I heard that last night grudzie ate a pot brownie and baked a pizza at 15 degrees for 400 minutes. 😎
Scott, the Governor keeps repeating “all options are on the table,” meaning she has no idea what to do with the property or how to pay for it. Talking up the cost of fixing the place up reduces the chance that she’ll be able to sell it for a decent price on the market. Either she’s trying to drive the market price down so she can excuse giving the property for free to some cronies, or she’s just bracing everyone for some unstated plan to demolish the entire facility.
“all options are on the table,”
Cues from the clewless.