What time is it Flandreau

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There are pivotal times in all communities.

Sometimes it is as simple as whether the Big Sioux River will flood enough to close the city park as it did last week. Other times, it’s big-picture dreaming about what is important to a community, which Flandreau is contemplating under the Healthy Hometown initiative that several volunteers and concerned community members are working on. Always, it’s a crossroads when elected positions are up for grabs like they are this year with seven people vying for three school board spots in the April 10 election.

Last week, it became clear that the city, especially its future government, is at an important intersection because it is on the cusp of hiring a new city administrator to replace Don Whitman, who is retiring after six years on the job. During that time, he has ushered some important infrastructure upgrades into place. He has worked within a fiscally responsible budget, and he has served the city and its council.

This past week, we were introduced to two men named Jeff who each want a shot at that job. No matter whether one of them is chosen or if someone else is if this first round of interviews falls flat, Flandreau will need to embrace change. They both bring new ideas and they differ from each other in how they would work with residents and what they see as priorities.

Exciting? Terrifying? Invigorating?

Change can be all of those things to some people. For certain, a new person will make a difference.

Both candidates for the job mentioned that they think it would be important to know what the community wants and to get community buy-in. Sound advice, for sure, but what exercises are needed to figure that out?

Will folks fill out a survey or participate in the Healthy Hometown process? Will people with progressive ideas show up at the April 5 Flandreau Development Corporation annual meeting? Will citizens vote in strong numbers for the school board candidates? Will residents vote on the future of retail and restaurants by choosing to buy groceries and other items out of town?

In the end, the candidates for the city’s top government job differ drastically. Who will the city council entrust to guide the community’s future and serve you, the taxpayers?

Is it time for some changes in Flandreau to make improvements or is it time to be content with what is here? Is it time to ignore change and keep things the same? Some want a bike path, a spruced up downtown, a push for more jobs. Others likely don’t want any of that or at least don’t believe it is important or can happen. New bars and restaurants are opening but a coffee shop might disappear.

The community is at a pivotal point.

Is it time to dream or time to be satisfied? Is it time to step up or sit back? Is it time to work together or pull apart?

Who will decide for Flandreau? I can’t wait to tell the story.