The South Dakota Municipal League recently inducted 42 individuals from across the state into their Hall of Fame.
“This year’s group of Hall of Fame inductees represent excellent servant leaders who all contributed significant effort to municipal governance and service to community citizens in cities across South Dakota,” said SDML Executive Director David Reiss. “Their dedication as municipal officials has improved their communities and the lives of their neighbors. The League is pleased to recognize and thank these long-time public officials for their contributions.”
The SDML Hall of Fame honors elected and appointed officials and employees who have served municipalities in South Dakota for 20 or more years.
Inductees were recognized during a ceremony at the SDML Annual Conference on Oct. 5, 2023, in Rapid City.
2023 SDML Hall of Fame inductees (grouped by city) include:
Winner
- Rhonda Augspurger, Human Resources and Safety Director, 21 years. Rhonda started at the front desk in 2002 and worked under many finance officers. She worked her way up to finance officer in 2014, later moving to human resources/safety director in 2018. In 2015 she helped the City refinance their bond on the swimming pool. Rhonda’s dedication to her city is astounding. Every day she makes sure each employee feels heard and understood and is safe. Throughout the many changes in her 21 years of service, she has continued to smile, accepting change and encouraging others to do the same.
Mitchell
- Steve Anderson, Assistant Street Superintendent, 20 years
- Jason Tuttle, Heavy Equipment Operator, 20 years
Rapid City
- Mark Anderson, Park Maintenance III, 27 years
- Richard Arlaud, Detective, 24 years
- Kim Baumberger, Library Associate I, 20 years
- Curt Bechtel, Building Official, 30 years
- Charlie Chercus, Park Maintenance Chief, 34 years
- Jef Christy, Park Maintenance III, 33 years
- Terri Davis, Library Director, 38 years
- Gabe Ellerton, Recreation Facility Maintenance Chief, 22 years
- Vicki L. Fisher, Community Development Director, 28 years
- Rick Furchner, Park Maintenance Chief, 33 years
- Amy Graves, Parks and Recreation Administrative Coordinator, 33 years
- Scott Graybill, Park Maintenance III, 22 years
- Kip Harrington, Long Range Planning Division Manager, 23 years
- Don Hedrick, Chief of Police, 21 years
- Christopher Holbrook, Lieutenant, 20 years
- Eric Holmquist, Senior Officer, 20 years
- Brenda Holzer, Police Support Technician, 26 years
- Dave Hultz, Park Maintenance III, 26 years
- Karen Johnson, Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant II, 24 years
- Doug Kroeger, Park Maintenance Supervisor, 21 years
- Jeff Larus, Building Inspector III, 33 years
- Doug Lowe, Recreation Division Manager, 26 years
- Kelvin Masur, Lieutenant, 21 years
- Warren Poches, Sergeant, 24 years
- Dawn Rada, Police Support Technician, 21 years
- Rob Raue, Parks and Recreation Equipment Maintenance Chief, 21 years
- Jeff Richardt, Recreation Program Specialist, 23 years
- Jolene Smith, Library Associate I, 28 years
- Gina Steele, Administrative Coordinator, 23 years
- Trevor Tollman, Sergeant, 22 years
- James “JJ” Walraven, Golf Course Superintendent, 23 years
Sisseton
- Paul Stapleton, Alderman Ward III, 51 years
Spearfish
- Miles Burtzlaff, Water/Wastewater Utilities Superintendent, 20 years
- Robert “Bob” Evridge, Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent, 20 years
- Mark Williams, Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator III – Compliance Laboratory Technician, 20 years
Sturgis
- Shannon Heikes, Community Center Front Desk, 20 years
- Nellie Isaacs, Biller/EMT-I, 35 years
- Levi Littler, Sanitation Operator, 23 years
Volga
- Ken Fideler, Mayor, 21 years
More information about the inductees and the SDML Hall of Fame can be found online at https://www.sdmunicipalleague.org/halloffame.
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