VOTE
SMART
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CONSERVATIVE
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ROSSKNECHT
MY CURRENT ROLE AS PENNINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER
My position is serving the needs of the taxpayers of Pennington County, no matter what those needs are placing the greatest emphasis on taxpayers who live in District #1. In doing so, I want to stay within the confines of Federal and State regulations and codified laws. An effective county commissioner builds relationships, not only with taxpayers, but often relying on federal, state, and City officials during the term in office.
WHY I'M RUNNING FOR
RE-ELECTION
AS PENNINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER
UTILIZING EXPERIENCE
TO MANAGE A COMPLEX DISTRICT
I want to utilize my 30 years of experience in property management and appraising real estate placing an emphasis on helping Pennington County residents who live in District #1. I feel it is the most challenging of the 5 districts relative to the mass area covered and the diversity of landscape. There are issues including mining, national forest, the impact of vacation home rentals, increased ATV traffic, and county roads and bridges. Also, the cutback on timber harvest in the Black Hills National Forest, closing a local sawmill, funding and supporting our local volunteer fire departments, water in general, septic systems, zoning ordinances, forest fires, bark beetle, and vacating section lines. Having served as the president and manager of Blue Wing Recreation for the past 30 years, I have worked directly with county officials working on zoning issues relative to setbacks, variances, amendments to our planned unit development, violations, road district, relocating section lines, and obtaining building permits.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN
FOREST SERVICE AND OUR COMMUNITY
I’m a South Dakota Certified Water Operator managing our water system and submitting monthly water samples to the state. Having this experience helps me deal with others on water issues such as wells, dams, ponds, storage tanks, fire suppression, and so on. As the manager of Blue Wing, I handle all dealings with the Forest Service and Special Use Permits for ingress and egress to our development and maintaining three miles of gravel road from Highway 385 to our 70-acre seasonal development. This experience is beneficial when dealing with folks that have issues involving the county and Forest Service. For every real property I appraise, I address property rights. My 30 years of experience guides me when dealing with property assessments, zoning issues, vacating or relocating section lines, property setbacks, variances, acquisitions, disposals, rents, condemnations, future land use, highest and best use, contamination, etc. I want to share my experience and use it to my fullest ability to serve the taxpayers of Pennington County.
PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS
PENNINGTON COUNTY COMMISSONER
SOUTH ROCHFORD ROAD
In 2021 I was present on the South Rochford Road when the first concrete arch was set for the bridge that will serve as the start of the South Rochford Road project. This has been on the drawing board for roughly 20 years.
SHERIDAN LAKE ROAD
In November, Sheridan Lake Road was opened for through traffic after the second of three phases was completed. On a personal level, I made numerous trips in District #1 making personal site visits working on various issues. Some of these trips took me close to the Wyoming border and could be challenging during the winter months.
PENNINGTON COUNTY
ADMINISTRATION COMPLEX
In 2021, we completed the acquisition of the former Lamplighter Inn Motel which was purchased for future expansion of the Pennington County Administration Complex. The need might not be immediate, but forecasting 10 to 15 years into the future is an attempt to address the space needs of the county in that time frame.
PENNINGTON COUNTY COUNCIL OF AGING
As a member of the Pennington County Council of Aging, we deal with the senior citizens of Pennington County and their needs relative to transportation and hot meals. We work directly with Hill City Senior Citizen Center, Wall Senior Citizen Center, Keystone Senior Citizen Center, Minneluzahan Center, Canyon Lake Activity Center, South Dakota Department of Human Services, South Dakota Meals on Wheels, and Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment.
FOSTERING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS
As county commissioners, we attend scheduled meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. We also are assigned to committees. I have served on the Building Committee that disposed of our former Detox Center acquired by the Great Plains Tribal Health Board. The significance of this transaction was working on negotiations that fostered a stronger relationship with the county and tribal leaders.
BLACK HILLS COUNCIL
OF LOCAL GOVERMENTS
As a member of the Black Hills Council of Local Governments, relationships are built with officials who serve in capacities of local government including western South Dakota cities and counties.
BIG 5 COMMITTEE
I serve on the Big Five committee that meets on a quarterly basis to discuss topics that involve their offices and districts. Members of the Big Five include the Mayor of Rapid City, Superintendent of Rapid City Area Schools, Pennington County, President of SDSM&T, and President of Western Dakota Vo-Tech. The significance of this is building relationships with those folks that can make a difference in our community.
PENNINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
In 2021, I was selected for a five-year term as a commissioner for Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment which operates 649 HUD-based housing units in the Rapid City area and eastern Pennington County.
FUTURE PLANS FOR THE CITIZENS
OF PENNINGTON COUNTY
COMMITTEES
The committees that I will serve as Liaison in 2022 include the Building Committee, Elevate Rapid City, Rapid City Metropolitan Planning Organization & Executive Policy Committee, Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment, and Tax Increment Financing Review Committee. Additionally, as an Alternate, I will serve on the Weed and Pest Committee, South Dakota Association of County Officials, Local Emergency Planning Committee, City/County (Mayors and Commissioners), Central States Fair Committee and the Black Hills Association of County Commissioners.
ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS
In 2022, I will work with state legislatures to generate bills that will be directed towards helping seniors and those that are disabled be able to afford to live in their homes by increasing income levels and assessment freezes.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
In 2022, I will work directly with our Highway Department to help make sure that we stay on track to start work in 2023 on the South Rochford Road project. Also, the Sheridan Lake Road project will be completed.
PENNINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
This year Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment will break ground on the first project in 30 years, a 70 unit apartment complex located on North Haines Avenue geared solely for workforce housing.