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Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
CONTACT: Mitch Krebs or Roxy Everson: (605) 773-3212
Belle Fourche Capital for a Day Schedule Announced
PIERRE, S.D. – On Wednesday, May 16, Belle Fourche will be South Dakota’s Capital for a Day. Activities for the day include roundtable discussions about community concerns and the Capital for a Day Expo where citizens can talk with the Governor Mike Rounds and state officials one-on-one and take advantage of many state services. The day concludes with a community dinner featuring a keynote address and question and answer session with Gov. Rounds.
Agenda:
1 – 3:15 p.m. Sights & Sounds of Belle Fourche
Community leaders will host cabinet officials and state representatives during tours and meetings. Detailed information below.
1 – 6 p.m. Fatal Vision Driving Course, High school practice field, east of the Belle Fourche Area Community Center (BFACC)
It’s not safe to drive after you’ve been drinking, and we can prove it. Take the Department of Public Safety’s Impaired Driving Simulation. You’ll get a chance to put on a pair of fatal vision goggles and take a driving test. We hope the results will prevent you from getting behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking.
3:30 – 6 p.m. Capital for a Day Expo, BFACC Gymnasium
Talk one-on-one with Gov. Rounds, cabinet and elected officials. Learn more about what’s happening in Pierre and take advantage of state services offered throughout the afternoon.
3:30 – 6 p.m. Project 8, Parking lot southeast of the BFACC Theatre, National Street
The Governor’s Child Seat Program will have certified technicians available for a car seat inspection event. Approximately 76% of all car seats in South Dakota are incorrectly installed, affecting their ability to perform in the event of an accident. Project 8 is South Dakota’s effort to keep kids safe by making sure they are in the best child seat for their height and weight until they are at least eight years old. Project 8 will also distribute child seats to income eligible families.
4:15 – 4:45 p.m. Reach Out and Read, BFACC Camp Oasis Classroom
First Lady Jean Rounds will read books to the children that encourage healthy eating habits and have the children become involved in the books through physical activity. At the end of the reading time, Mrs. Rounds will give each child a book to take home.
6-7 p.m. Community Dinner, BFACC Gymnasium
The community is invited to dine with all Capital for a Day participants. Purchase tickets before April 17 at all local banks or City Hall.
6:30 p.m. Governor’s Address, BFACC Gymnasium
The governor will speak briefly and then ask for questions and advice from the community.
Services at the Capital for a Day Expo:
Every state department will present information and have employees available to answer community questions. Here are a few highlights:
Taxes – Ask the experts! Staff members of the Department of Revenue and Regulation will be on hand with tax guides, business tax information and property tax relief information.
Well Water Testing – Bring a sample of your private well water in a clean container and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will test it for nitrates. Or, pick up an empty bottle from the DENR expo booth, take it home to fill up with water and send in to the State Health Lab for water quality testing.
Education – Learn more about opportunities for Belle Fourche students to take classes through South Dakota’s new Virtual High School. View a demonstration of the new online state report card.
Bureau of Administration – Learn more about the memorials on the state Capitol grounds and how to schedule a tour.
Dakota Roots – Representatives of the Department of Labor and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development will show you how the state is working to grow the South Dakota workforce by encouraging those with ties to the state to return. Sign up a family member, who has left South Dakota, to get more information about career opportunities here at home.
Voter Registration - Visit Secretary of State Chris Nelson and register to vote.
Human Services – Staff will demonstrate Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). CCTV is a camera and monitor system that magnifies script or pictures up to 60 times its size. This television is available to current and former consumers of the Independent Living Blind Program who cannot otherwise afford TV. The CCTV is for individuals who are experiencing low vision. The Department of Human Services will be demonstrating how this CCTV works.
Bureau of Personnel – Learn more about job opportunities with the state of South Dakota.
Roundtables:
State and local leaders will take on issues of community importance at the roundtables. The public, media and students are invited to participate.
Public Safety - Representatives from the South Dakota Departments of Public Safety, Corrections, Military & Veterans Affairs and the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications, along with city and county health and emergency personnel, will hold a public safety roundtable. The agenda includes emergency planning, ambulance service, underage drinking, and State Radio functions. The roundtable will begin at 2 p.m. at the BFACC.
Tourism and State Development – Representatives from the South Dakota Departments of Tourism and State Development and Labor and the Public Utilities Commission, along with city and county leaders, will discuss tourism and economic development issues. The agenda includes community economic development, workforce development, ethanol development, tourism opportunities for the Belle Fourche area and how to designate Belle Fourche as the “Center of the Nation.” The roundtable will begin at 2 p.m. at the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce and Tri- State Museum.
Education – Representatives from the South Dakota Departments of Education and Revenue, along with the local school board, school administrator, and city and county leaders will hold an education roundtable. The agenda includes education funding, alternatives to bond issues for capital improvement projects, facility equity funds and capital outlay certificates. The roundtable will begin at 2 p.m. at the BFACC.
Transportation – Representatives from the South Dakota Department of Transportation, along with Belle Fourche Mayor Dave Schneider, Spearfish Mayor Jerry Krambeck, Butte and Lawrence County Commissions and the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce will hold a transportation roundtable. The agenda includes the completion of Highway 85, rail crossing improvements and zoning restrictions. The roundtable will begin at 2 p.m. in Bowman Hall.
Agriculture and Environment – Representatives from the South Dakota Departments of Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources, Game Fish & Parks and Revenue, along with local agricultural producers, New Generation Feeds, Belle Fourche Livestock, Butte Electric Cooperative and the Belle Fourche Irrigation District, will hold an agriculture and environment roundtable. The agenda includes drought programs, SOUTH DAKOTA CERTIFIED™ Beef, value-added agriculture programs, water resources and health insurance options for the self employed and ag producers. The roundtable will begin at 2 p.m. at the BFACC.
Tours:
Due to limited seating, the tours are not open to the public.
Community tour – State officials will visit various sites throughout Belle Fourche to learn more about the community.
Health and Social Services – Representatives from the South Dakota Departments of Social Services and Health will visit the local health clinics, Belle View Assisted Living Home, Judy’s Assisted Living Center, Sunpointe Regional Senior Care, Belle Fourche Regional Senior Care and the local Social Services office.
Visit www.capitalforaday.sd.gov for more information.
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