New, returning candidates for HCCC

The race is on with just a few weeks before the election for Hill City Common Council (HCCC) June 4. This year, three positions are up for election. 

Alderman Ethan Walker is running unopposed and will therefore serve a one-year term in Ward I. Meanwhile, alderman Jason Gillaspie and alderman Dale Householder will step aside from the council so there will be no races with incumbent candidates. 

Justin Thiry and Steve Jarvis are running for Ward I, and Dennis Siebert and John Johnson are running for Ward II. The winners will serve a two-year term on the HCCC. 

Running for Ward I, Thiry grew up on a family farm in the small town of White Lake. They raised cattle and farmed mostly corn and beans. As such, Thiry said, “I developed a work ethic very early on in life.”

After graduating high school he attended the Power Line program at Mitchell Technical Institute and became a power lineman. A few years later, Thiry was offered a job doing electrical utility sales as an inside sales account manager, and he has been with the company for 15 years. 

Thiry moved to Hill City from Rapid City with his wife and children in June of 2023. He has a son in first grade and a daughter in preschool at the Boys & Girls Club. Around six months ago, he began considering running for the HCCC. 

“I chose to run because of my background and growing up in a small South Dakota ranch/farm community, which allowed me to witness how people rolled up their sleeves, worked hard and most got involved in the community.

 “After moving to Hill City, I have had the opportunity to attend city hall meetings as well as other organization meetings happening in Hill City. After attending these multiple meetings, it left me with a desire to get involved and engaged to be able to be part of helping this community that I now call home and help to shape its future,” he said. 

Thiry said he would bring common sense, fiscal responsibility, business sense and community involvement to the position. 

“I don’t really have an agenda, but if I did it would be something like this: identify the needs of the town and start prioritizing them so we can check those things off the list in a fiscally responsible manner,” said Thiry. 

As a potential alderman, Thiry said it would be his duty to understand the issues facing Hill City, listen and have good debates and then make decisions and act on the issues. The biggest issues he sees facing Hill City are infrastructure, housing and sustainable business in the shoulder and off seasons. 

“I don’t have a specific issue to address at this time, but I would say I am interested in hearing the issues people are facing as Hill City residents,” said Thiry 

When asked why people should vote for him, Thiry said, “A vote for me will get you the following: I am for limited government, responsible spending of the monies you entrust to the city and to remember that government is here to serve the people in which they represent.

“I love the small, tight-knit community we have here in Hill City, and I hope to have the opportunity to help shape its future,” Thiry said.

Also running for Ward I, Steve Jarvis is retired and has been a resident of Hill City for 23 years. For the past year, he has considered running for the HCCC. 

“There has been a lot of upheaval in our city government over the last year, and it is time to bring it back to the center. We have several tough decisions that need to be made soon, especially concerning water, sewer and housing,” said Jarvis. 

Jarvis previously served on the planning and zoning xommission and spent approximately five years on the HCCC. 

“I also served as a council liaison for several boards and am currently serving on the ambulance board,” said Jarvis. 

As a potential alderman, Jarvis said, “It is important to listen to the people who live and work in the city limits but also to do my research before voting on any issues. I feel it is also important to be a good steward of city finances. We need to make sure that we are spending our money wisely.” 

The biggest issues Jarvis sees facing Hill City are infrastructure including water and wastewater treatment and street improvement. He said, “We also need to be careful to find balance in the growth of our city while maintaining our small-town charm.” 

“It’s hard to say that any one issue is more important than the other, but I think our most pressing issue right now is water and wastewater. Whether we like it or not, Hill City is growing, and we need to be able to provide these basic services as effectively as possible. The longer we wait, the more it will cost and the more trouble we will have,” said Jarvis. 

When asked why people should vote for him, Jarvis said, “I have experience. I have time. I listen. I don’t own a rubber stamp. 

“When I go to a council meeting, I will be prepared with research and feedback from Hill City residents. I will make the best decisions possible to preserve the integrity and atmosphere of our town. I will be looking out for the best interests of our people and local businesses,” he said. 

Running for Ward II, Siebert is a pastor at the Little White Church and has been a resident of Hill City for eight years. Siebert has been considering serving on the HCCC for four to five years. 

“In the past, I always felt we had some excellent candidates, and when Householder, who represented Ward II, indicated he was not seeking re-election, I chose to run for the position he held,” said Siebert.  “I have never served in a city council type capacity, but I have always looked for ways to have meaningful influence and impact on the communities I have lived in. For a few years, I served as a volunteer fireman, but most of my years I have served with local ambulance services. I was part of an ambulance service in Minnesota for nearly 25 years and have been involved in Hill City for all eight years I have lived here. 

“I have always felt this has given me a valuable way to serve the citizens, my friends and neighbors, in the communities I have lived. I continue to serve our region as a part-time EMT with the great team of the Hill City Ambulance Service,” said Siebert. 

Siebert said he can have challenging discussions with calmness and help find consensus while remaining considerate of other opinions. 

From Siebert’s perspective, “The city council is given the task to make decisions for the betterment of the city and our residents. City council sets the direction for the city and establishes policy for a positive accomplishment of this direction.”

The biggest issues he sees facing Hill City are adequate water systems, city street maintenance and improvement and adequate sewage treatment facilities. 

Siebert said, “These three issues have been concerns for the eight years I have been a resident, but costs and other concerns have caused us to keep from the final decisions on each of these issues. I appreciate that the present council has secured excellent engineering advice, which may be able to move us in wise directions. The cost of these projects will continue to be a huge concern, but the council will need to make some hard decisions if we are going to keep our city functioning well today, tomorrow and into the future.” 

“As we get the big three moving toward resolution, I would like to see us create a stronger team atmosphere with other city organizations and committees. Groups like the economic development corporation, the chamber of commerce, the planning and zoning commission, the park board and the Business Improvement Board are all groups which desire Hill City to thrive for all of our citizens. We should together be a strong team for the improvement of our community.

“In addition, I think all of us are concerned with the amount of taxes we pay. There is very little city council can do to lower these, but we can work with the organizations mentioned to find additional sources for tax income. This could mean development for additional homes as well as businesses which add to our tax income, which in turn stabilizes our individual tax responsibilities. So I would want to look at opportunities to expand these developments,” said Siebert. 

When asked why people should vote for him, Siebert said, “I would appreciate your vote because I care about people. A city is made up of people and is only a delightful place to be part of when its people are serving together to make it the best place ever. I intend to do my part to listen, discuss, research, debate and then make the decisions which I believe will be the best for the citizens of this great town for generations to come.” 

Also running for Ward II, John Johnson has been a resident of Hill City for 71 years and has been a self-employed communications/computer technician since 1976. 

“I have lived in this community the major portion of my life as well most likely will die here. I attended grade school and graduated from high school from Hill City. I graduated with a degree in industrial electronics from a South Dakota college,” said Johnson. 

Previously, Johnson served on the HCCC for about 20 years.

“I have seen what has not worked in Hill City government versed to trying a new project that will most likely still ‘not work’ today. I have a vast knowledge of Hill City and its operation,” he said. “I have been a liaison on the majority of the city affiliated agencies—planning and zoning, library board, fire department, ambulance, Boys & Girls Club and law enforcement to name a few.” 

Over the years, Johnson has seen many changes in Hill City as well. 

“I have seen the town grow from a little logging community to what we have today,” Johnson said. “I have been involved with many of the improvements that Hill City has today—the first TIF, paved streets, replacing the water and sewer lines, new wastewater treatment plant, development of several new subdivisions, sale of city properties, the purchase of today’s city hall and offices, new water towers and freshwater systems. 

“I have seen many mayors and aldermen come and go over the years—some relocating, some not getting re-involved. Have been part of and learned what has worked in Hill City and what has been tried and did not work. I have developed a sense of the history of our community and community needs.”  

Johnson has considered serving on the council again for four to five years. Ultimately, he decided to run to “initiate the completion of some of the major projects that have been on the drawing board for years.”

As a potential alderman, Johnson sees it as his duty to represent the citizens of Hill City and said he brings experience to the position. 

The biggest issues he sees facing Hill City are the water reservoir, wastewater treatment and street maintenance. Along with this, he would like to address property taxes “before we are all taxed out of Hill City.” 

Johnson said he is conservative in spending taxpayers’ money, is not in favor of overspending and is in favor of spending what is needed instead of what is wanted. 

When asked why people should vote for him, Johnson said, “Sure wouldn’t be because I am a nice guy or I am likable.”

Rather, he said, “I am direct and to the point on matters. I always take the time to research all projects versed to having the information spoon-fed to myself. I will take the time to answer questions that are asked by city residents. If I don’t know the answers, I will take the time to get the needed information. I have always while on the council reviewed all city claims before the meetings. If I had any questions or needed further information, I would contact the city finance officer for an explanation.” 

In conclusion, Johnson said, “I have no agenda, and I believe there is more to the position than showing up every other Monday night and looking pretty if you want to do a productive job.” 

Election polls will be open Tuesday, June 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hill City Center.