Riding horses again.
It’s what longtime City of Flandreau Electric Lineman Dave Schliinz says he’s looking forward to most in retirement.
The veteran electrician retired this past week after 34 years of working with city crews. He was recognized for his years of service and honored with a plaque at the most recent meeting of the Flandreau City Council. Schliinz says he’s enjoyed his role with the city over the years, and will miss the routine and the guys he’s worked alongside every day, the most.

“I’ve enjoyed working with everyone over the years. And one thing I say about line work, you do build pretty strong relationships with the guys you work with, because you’re kind of putting your life in their hands or theirs in yours,” said Schliinz.
The lifelong Flandreau resident attended Technical College in Watertown after graduating from Flandreau High School. He first went for an ag degree and farmed for a few years after graduation. He then decided to become an electrician and attended Technical College in Mitchell. Schliinz began his second career at Bayliner in Pipestone. Then the job with the city became available. He’s been with the City of Flandreau ever since.
“It was home instead of having to travel,” said Schliinz, as to why the job seemed more appealing at the time. “But, I really did enjoy it. And, it didn’t take me long to get tired of playing in attics. I’d rather be a lineman working outside.”
Over the years, the past five especially in and around Flandreau, he and his crews have changed all of the overhead lines to underground. Not all of the wires are down, but the entire city is now wired underground. He adds among the biggest changes he’s seen in his tenure with the city, is the development by the Flandreau Santee SIoux Tribe, which is a lot of the city’s electrical load currently, between all of the businesses, the new casino and hotel.
It can be tough to watch that much experience simply leave a department, which is why the City has asked Schliinz to stay on retainer, they’ve hired him back part-time. He’ll be around occasionally to help with calls and certain projects where his experience is needed.
Ryan Sherman, who has also been with the city for some time now, has been hired as his replacement.